I can’t recommend Lisa’s A Bag for All Reasons enough. With great step-by-step instructions and clear photos, the author takes you through everything you need to know to complete many bag types.
Read MoreI like writing knitting and sewing patterns because it’s exacting. You have your drape, you have your stitches, you have your needles. One stitch, two stitch… nice in a row. Even sewing is pretty math based. Crochet, kind of. It’s organic and shapely. You can put your hook just about anywhere.
Read MoreI went through stages of delight and disappointment with Vogue Knitting The Ultimate Sock Book. When it comes down to it, would I recommend it? Maybe. Here, let me explain. I’ve had this book in my library for a couple years and I loved it. Yesterday when I sat down
Read MoreI was so excited when the package containing Hand Printing from Nature showed up unexpectedly from Storey. The note simply read, “Kristin, I think you’ll love this book, enjoy!” I suppose that’s one of the many reasons I love working with Storey Publishing, they really get to know their authors. Anyway, I realize
Read MoreWhen I first sat down to review this week’s book, The Ohio Knitting Mills Knitting Book: Celebrating Four Decades of American Sweater Style, I approached it like all my craft books. I read through the index, skimmed for the projects that grab my attention, read through the actual patterns to see
Read MoreUpdate: Quarry Books is giving away a copy of Water Paper Paint to one lucky reader! Leave a comment between now and Tuesday May 31st about how you have or hope to use watercolors in your creative process! Please make sure to sign in so your email address is available
Read MoreMy phone rang, I moaned and dug it out of my bag (little known secret, I hate phone calls). When I saw it was my dear friend my attitude instantly changed. “Hi Linda, what’s up?” “I’m so glad you answered! I’m here, in this amazing thrift shop, and they have
Read MoreI was cleaning out my studio yesterday and a print out of this quick dishcloth pattern fell out from between two knitting magazines. Perfect! The Garterlac Dishcloth by Criminy Jickets on ravelry here and on his blog here.
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I’m having a hard time finishing this book because about every other paragraph I’m compelled to run off and jot something down. Committing to my idea list inspired ideas that keep raising to the surface. I love this book, it’s so inspiring. So what is it all about?
The meaning of making is always an issue for those of us who create…who make. That sentence feels like a circle. When you choose to forge your career out of making things, you make a lot. And personally, there are a lot of questions that come up during that process.
Read MoreMore than any other cookbook, I’ve been grabbing for my Moosewood Restaurant New Classics cookbook. It is full of delicious recipes that never disappoint. So far in the last two weeks of cooking we have tried Biscuits a la Focaccia, Sweet Potato Black Bean Hash, Drunken Beans, and Spicy Broccoli
Read MoreBrown bagging it can save you a ton of money + help you eat better. It’s a two for one deal you just can’t beat with pre-packaged or eating out meals. Since brown bagging it as a kid there have been many great break-throughs in the lunch box department. I
Read MoreI really enjoyed the book 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse: Remake, Restyle, Recycle, Renew by Garth Johnson; it is exactly what it says. With about 4-9 pictures per page it is the largest catalog of creative people I have ever seen. So inspiring! It’s grouped into 6 different categories: paper, collage +
Read MoreI am so excited to finally get to tell you about Good Mail Day: A Primer for Making Eye-Popping Postal Art. It’s been sitting on my shelf for over a month now with the blog book tour date scheduled. Finally! Hooray! This is such a great book. A book I
Read MoreGame Knitting aye? What is that? Think tv drinking game meets knitting. But instead of a hangover, you get a one of a kind fun knit project! Wonderful! I have never seen anything like this and I am so excited to have my first game knitting night :) I just
Read MoreFor today’s Thursday in the Thrift Kitchen I’m going to switch it up a bit. Instead of sharing a recipe, I’m going to share a new (to me) recipe book with you. Missy Chase Lapine has really put together a fine collection of Sneaky Chef recipes for The Sneaky Chef: How to
Read MoreAlyssa Devanny of Refashion released a wonderful book right up the Craft Leftovers ally. Everything in the book is repurposed, reworked, and well! You guessed it refashioned from clothing and scraps of fabric. “Make your own ‘trashion’ statement by recycling your tired, worn-out clothes into unique, eco-chic pieces you can wear
Read MoreDiane of the CraftyPod has done it again, she has put out one of the most insightful publications that actually helps bloggers with their blogs: Creating a Blog Audience! The first ebook on this topic is Creating a Great Blog – because why would you give a rats you know
Read MoreJenny Ryan has been showcasing some great tutorials every Tuesday. This last Tuesday’s post had to do with using up long strips of fabric by making them into beautiful necklaces. The tutorial is complete with how to add in the metal chain and clasps too! [link] Long skinny strips have
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