I love sewing on knit fabrics, but it can be difficult to find a local source for the stretchy t-shirt fabric you need. They’re much easier to find online, but you need to pay attention to knit types, weights and … Read More...
Inspiration: Claudia W
When I first glimpsed this block, I literally gasped aloud. Claudia W of Austria created it for the CQ Journal Project 2012. While it salutes traditional crazy-quilting through its use of piecing and seam treatments, it is a decidedly modern … Read More...
DIY Felted Wool “Billy Buttons”
Craspedia is a genus of daisies commonly known as Billy buttons or woollyheads. They are native to Australia and New Zealand where they grow in a variety of habitats from sea level to the Alps. You can buy the dried … Read More...
Inspiration: Champagne Soap
A feast for the eyes, for sure…and a great use of leftover champagne. Soap & Restless boiled down her champagne to de-fizz it, using it in place of water and then mixing it with the lye. Not sure what I … Read More...
Opportunity: Grand Canyon residencies
This is possibly the most fabulous artist-in-residence opportunity available anywhere. Imagine spending three weeks creating art at the spectacular Grand Canyon. The call for entries says,
… Read More...Grand Canyon National Park’s Artist-in-Residence Program seeks artists whose work is engaged in issues
Tutorial: Draft a bodice pattern using a t-shirt that fits as a size guide
A lot of my posts point out that if a child’s dress or shirt pattern is not the size, you can usually create your own using a shirt that fits as a size guide. Melanie from The Crafty Cupboard shows … Read More...
New: Miniature needlework frames
This new kit from Janet Granger makes me wiggle with delight. A teeny tiny needlework frame to display itsy bitsy needlework in your dollhouse. Or to stand prettily on an end table and fascinate passersby. Go to Janet’s blog post … Read More...
Tutorial: Hooping doilies for display
Faith of Ordinary Mommy Design wanted to use some doilies crocheted by her grandmother in her decor. So she mounted them on fabric and hooped them up. Brilliant! Learn the technique from her blog post.
Embroidery basics for newbies
If you’ve thought about trying embroidery but you’re afraid it’s a bit too complicated, Troublet of The Trouble with Crafting will boost your confidence. Her post covers the basics from tools and materials to simple stitches and troubleshooting. Check it … Read More...
Tutorial: Yoyo magnets
Mollie Johanson is so clever! When you see her method for creating yoyo magnets, you’re going to say, “Why didn’t I think of that!” Go to her Wild Olive blog post to see how it’s done.
Sneak Peek: Embossing Diffusers
Oh, that clever Tim Holtz has done it again. Recently at CHA Tim demonstrated his cool new Embossing Diffuser templates. Used with embossing folders these plates fit inside certain die cutting machines ( that take thicker dies including Tim’s Vagabond) … Read More...
Don’t Fence Me In
Retro TV Motif
Patchwork bag for yarn projects
Knitters, Tamiko shows you how to make this patchwork bag to hold your yarn. She says it’s large enough for a small project, plus will keep your kitty helper out. Get the know-how.
Image credit: Patchwork Notes
Seeking Frances Fisher
Deb at Deb Rowden’s Thrift Shop Quilts is putting out a call for help in finding the maker of a set of patchwork placemats. A label with the name of Frances Fisher is on the back – that much is … Read More...
How to make a recycled cardboard elephant
The delivery guys show up at my house on a regular basis and I am always looking for ideas to reuse all those boxes. Here is a fun idea (and another really cute picture!!!!!) at the Fun Lab Blog on … Read More...
Panel: Jill’s What A World
I’m crushing over this panel from the What A World fabric collection designed by Jill McDonald. Spied at *Hawthorne Threads. Go HERE to see this entire line. So cute!
*This is on back order, so I’m not the only … Read More...
Spring Fever quilt and tute
Karen at Laugh Yourself Into Stitches just finished this Spring Fever quilt from a pattern in the book Certifiably Crazy by The Buggy Barn. Go HERE for more details about her quilt. She also posted a tutorial showing the … Read More...
Quilt As You Go creations by Leah Day
Leah from The Free Motion Quilting Project shows off this gorgeous jacket she made using a construction method called Quilt As You Go. She also shows every quilt she’s made so far with this technique. She admits her first attempts … Read More...
Tutorial: Sew a pickup skirt
Melissa from Melly Sews shows how she created the lovely pick-up skirt on her Mountain Laurel dress. The cascade of poufs is such a pretty detail and lends a romantic air to a skirt or dress. Get the tute.… Read More...