Independent craft blog since 2007
Sewing Pattern Saturday is where I take a closer look at Etsy sewing patterns that feel genuinely useful, well designed, and satisfying to make. Each review is written from a practical sewist’s point of view, focusing on how the pattern … Read More...
Mango Charm Studio doesn’t have a huge collection of cross stitch patterns in their Etsy shop, but at the risk of repeating their own descriptor, the designs they do have are charming, pretty and cute.
This shop has cross stitch … Read More...
Creating beautiful tablescapes in real life has been trendy for awhile, if you’re hosting a big event, special occasion or a party you might have worked hard to design an amazing table yourself. This trend has now made its way … Read More...
A Hydrating Floral Spray to Calm, Soothe & Rejuvenate Aging Skin
If your face feels like it’s in a constant tug-of-war between dry patches and hot flashes, this one’s for you. My homemade rose water and glycerin facial mist is … Read More...
Even more than normal this year I’ve been trying to use yarn that I already have. I’m doing lots of odd ball projects, scrappy things and small projects, but it’s also nice sometimes to be able to use a whole … Read More...
My daughter has always liked math, which is a relief to me as someone who never really got math when I was growing up. (As a knitter I use math a lot now and have managed to learn what I … Read More...
That ordinary bottle of tomato sauce in the fridge can do a lot more than sit beside a sausage. With a few simple additions, you can turn basic squeezy-bottle tomato sauce into smoky BBQ-style sauce, spicy dipping sauce, garlic tomato … Read More...
Beanies are one of those crochet projects I never seem to get tired of — quick to make, endlessly giftable, and perfect for using up those “too good to throw out” yarn leftovers. The Hattitude Beanie free crochet pattern from … Read More...
I think the Palm Leaf Font might just be the perfect font for Summer scrapbook layouts! Each thick bold letter has silhouettes of palm frond leaves, ideal to use to create custom titles on Summertime, beachy, by the pool or … Read More...
If your scrap bin is overflowing with leftover quilt blocks, odd strips, favorite florals, and those “too pretty to toss” bits of fabric, quilted bags are such a satisfying way to use them up. They’re practical, giftable, and a lovely … Read More...
I have never been one who can predict trends, and even when I hear about trends for crafting I don’t always believe them. When I heard ducks and geese were going to be big this year I didn’t totally believe … Read More...
I have a weakness for handmade pumpkins. Real pumpkins are lovely, of course, but the crochet variety has one enormous advantage — nobody discovers one quietly decomposing on the back of the sideboard three weeks after Halloween.
Crochet pumpkins are … Read More...
No-line coloring is one of the most popular cardmaking techniques because it creates a soft, hand-painted look without harsh outlines. Traditionally, this technique is done with pale ink and rubber stamps — but digital stamps make it even easier because … Read More...
Doesn’t Janet’s amazing floral card look like a quilt? She called this card a Floral Fancy Fold and is it so floral and so fancy with several scored and folded panels, some that tuck behind, held in place by the … Read More...
Fall is a great time to learn about and observe the birds in your area, but you can do this any time of year. Whether you’re watching from a backyard or a playground, you’re sure to find a few birds … Read More...
It’s a common complaint among women and femme dressing folk that our clothes do not include enough (and enough useful) pockets. And even if your clothes do have good pockets, there’s always a chance that you’d rather have another pocket … Read More...
If you’ve ever finished quilting a beautiful project… only to find faint blue lines still staring back at you…
You know the panic.
Marking tools are one of those quilting notions we don’t think much about — until something doesn’t … Read More...
There is something wonderfully cheerful about a crochet project that uses up scraps, works up quickly, and then actually does something once it is finished. This free crochet wind spinner pattern from CraftBits is exactly that kind of make — … Read More...
There is something ridiculously satisfying about pulling a tray of homemade granola from the oven.
Maybe it is the smell of toasted oats and cinnamon. Maybe it is the fact that you can finally make a batch with exactly … Read More...
The fireplace mantel is one of my favourite places to decorate for Halloween. It gives you enough room to create a proper little scene, but it is still contained enough that you don’t end up finding plastic spiders in the … Read More...
