When The Creative Family: How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections came out in 2008, I was intrigued. I loved the photos. I loved the concept. But, it’s just Jason and I here in our home. So I took a pass. I was so happy when Amanda Blake Soule
Read MoreOne of the main projects in Diane’s and my new ebook Card.Paper.Ribbon. is taking wadded-up wrapping paper and fusing it to cloth, and then sewing into wallets and bags.
Read MoreI am so excited that this great book has made its way into crafterdom! It’s chock full of great projects and techniques for using up leftovers from giving gifts. We love to give gifts, no matter the occasion. We also love receiving them. What’s less lovely is the waste material left
Read MoreLast week I posted about my fight with pillow stuffing and how I’ve gone on a quest to figure out what works best. Shredded Paper Shredded Fleece Plastic Bags All Sorts of stuff – bits of yarn, thread, fleece, paper, and dryer lint. After making 4 small pillows and stuffing
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I have a very bad habit of loving new pencils. When my pencils start to get short and stubby, they tend to get forgotten in the bottom of my art box. Well no more. I made this cute little pouch just for my short pencils. Now I’ll slip them all in there and make sure to use them up before digging into my new pencil stash! With a bag this cute, how could I not grab it first?
I’ve made a few pillows over the years. Seriously, just a few. And I’ve not liked a single one. It’s not that the designs weren’t cute, they were. It was that they were lumpy. With each one I tried a different way of stuffing them: Pillow stuffing method 1: Huge
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I got these plastic bags for christmas and opted to repurpose them as laundry bags. After load 6, they started to rip. It turns out that being made for soft plush light weight pillows = not being able to hold a bazillion pounds of laundry.
All the same, I loved the simple structure of the bags. It would be a snap to whip up more bags made out of more sturdy fair. And, taking a little inspiration from a Target bag, I added a flap with a snap so I can fold them up for storage and keep them in The Laundry Loader I made last year. Once it gets warm again, I think I’ll even stencil the washing symbols on each bag. :)
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I nabbed this super cute piece of Christmas fabric while I was at the Ames C.art Sew n’ Swap. I had entertained many project ideas. This week I finally made the leap and jumped feet first into tree skirt making.
I’ve been in such a holiday crafting mood lately. I need a larger tree–it’s getting loaded down with handmade ornaments. Time to switch to home decor Christmas crafts :) Here’s a free sewn stocking pattern just for you (and for me too!).
November is all about entertaining, having fun with friends, and some good fall just about winter crafting, oh and a great selection of christmas gifts to make and give. This month’s kit is in the spirit of entertaining. Enough cute fabric + the pattern to make your own fabric napkins!
Read MoreI’m really excited to announce a new series of Craft Leftovers embroidery designs! Crafty Buddies! You can get the first set in the shop today! And to get you started on your stitching, here is a free preview pattern – Your Little Crafty Buddy Thimble! He keeps your finger safe
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Open up your linen cupboard and find your loveliest vintage pillowcase. It is the perfect size to refashion into a dress for that special little girl in your life.
The pillowcase dress has become an essential piece of girly goodness in my daughter’s wardrobe. It is so versatile: for cooler weather, simply layer the dress with a long-sleeve t-shirt and tights underneath.
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 MoreI have been teaching more kiddo workshops lately so when I saw this project posted on Craft I just had to link up. I’m always on the lookout for new interesting way to talk to kids about fibers. I can tell you that the kids who had used the “stitch”
Read MoreI am having such a Mix Tape Crush lately. I was lucky enough to get the last 3 issues of Mixed Tape in the last few weeks, the most recent being Vol 10 just yesterday afternoon. I love that it’s all about the little bits in life – or as
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I finished the curtains for the studio a bit ago and wanted to help you make your own. It’s a simple process with just a little bit of math involved. Nothing scary. Promise.

I have been wearing around this head wrap I picked up at a thrift store all summer and every time I do Jason comments on how cute I look, which makes me think the head wrap is adding to the cuteness. Well, bright neon orange doesn’t match everything I wear, although that would be fun if it did, so I decided to make some more. I really like the size and shape of this head wrap because it ties so well in the back.
Ah, phase one finished. Window measured – check! Dimensions of curtain determined – check! Fabric ironed – check! Fabric cut – check!
Read MoreI have always really liked this pattern because it’s so simple to make. And when you are recycling a skirt for fabric, it uses up that part that is hard keep in tacked. Use a little bit of bias or hem tape or ribbon to cover up the raw edge inside of the clutch and you have one really nice finished clutch in just a few minutes. Perfect.
Read MoreSince getting back from San Francisco I have slowly been catching up and getting things back on track. It is so annoying how 2 weeks away = 2 months of catching up. I feel like my schedule is getting under control again and my calendar is starting to get fully
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