First Time Embroidery and Cross-Stitch The Absolute Beginner’s Guide – Learn By Doing * Step-by-Step Basics + Projects by Linda Wyszynski Publisher’s Description: Learning how to embroider and cross stitch has never been simpler! Like having a personal instructor at your side, this beginner’s guide teaches everything you need to know about a variety of … Read more
Must-Have Items to Pack for Your Cruise You’ve booked a cruise, now what? Start a packing list and gather the things you won’t be able to get onboard–or won’t want to pay premium prices for! Bringing Your Electronics Electronic Organizer Travel USB Cable Accessories Bag/Case,Waterproof for Power Bank. USB C Travel Power Strip, Flat Plug … Read more
Conscious Crafts: Quilting: 20 mindful makes to reconnect head, heart & hands Elli Beaven Publisher : Leaping Hare Press (August 10, 2021) Language : English Hardcover : 144 pages ISBN-10 : 0711257450 ISBN-13 : 978-0711257450 Conscious Crafts: Quilting by Elli Beaven is a delightful exploration … Read more
I’m a native troll (from the Lower Peninsula, a.k.a. under the bridge) but vacationed at least once a year in the UP for years, usually in May or October. Some things are closed for the season in those months, but it’s still possible to have a nice time. My all-time favorites: Fayette Historic Townsite / … Read more
Sewing 101: Master Basic Skills and Techniques Easily Through Step-by-Step Instruction Quarto Publishing Group – Quarry This book is an excellent first sewing manual for learners. It presents just enough information to get started without overwhelming the reader. The projects are simple but practical. I think readers will be especially happy to make their own … Read more
The Mary Frances Sewing Book; Or, Adventures Among the Thimble People by Jane Eayre Fryer In the world of children’s literature, there is a unique series that has been sadly forgotten by many. “The Mary Frances Sewing Book: Adventures Among the Thimble People” by Jane Eayre Fryer is the first of a series of books … Read more
One of the things I admire most about the “Greatest Generation” (besides their amazing fashion sense, of course) is their frugality, their “make-do-and-mend” approach to money and possessions. They knew that banks fail, economies go through major depressions, and it’s better to have a coffee can full of money buried in the yard in case … Read more
A Modern Guide to Textured Crochet: A Collection of Wonderfully Tactile Stitches Lee Sartori Random House / Interweave, 2021. 128 pages From the publisher: A colorful and contemporary collection of stitches, crochet techniques, and projects for creating rich and appealing texture in your work Crocheters looking for more texture, depth, and contemporary design will delight … Read more
Food. Drink. Entertaining. I collect recipes that I’ll never make and patterns I’ll never have time to sew. It’s a compulsion. My hard drive is always getting full, as are my email inboxes and bookshelves. Want to follow along? My collection on Pinterest is always being updated. | Or check out the Dining category…
Do you ever feel that you were born into the wrong decade? We do, too. Few things are more inspiring to us than the aesthetics of the past. Follow this archive for a look into all things vintage, retro, atomic, and Googie. | Cross-posted to PolyArchive.
Free sewing patterns from all around the world! If you want to use a pattern that’s not in your language, try opening the site in Google Chrome or Google Translate to get a machine translation. And be sure to bookmark the page as new patterns will be added. Women’s clothes Tops Site is available in … Read more
Old School Hair Product = Lifehack So this is something I learned years ago in a Hints From Heloise binder that my mother had: there is an old school hairstyling product buried on the bottom shelf of your grocery aisle that is super useful around the house: Alberto VO5 Conditioning Hairdressing. It’s in a little … Read more
10 Laundry Tips and Tricks What’s the point in having great clothes and household items if you can’t keep them in good condition? Here are some of the laundry tips, tricks, and best products I’ve come across. You don’t need fabric softener or dryer sheets. Who tells you that you need them? People that sell … Read more
Free Pattern Review: Deer and Doe Plantain I am looking for the perfect tee pattern! I had always heard good things about the Deer and Doe Plantain. My procrastination gets in the way of quests like these, so I had actually printed this pattern at least 5 years ago but never sewed it up. The … Read more
Book Review: Sew Cute Quilts and Gifts by Atsuko Matsuyama Zakka Workshop Publication Date: November 1, 2019 I have been looking for beginner sewing resources to share with others, and this book has inspired me beyond measure! There are some really cute and creative ideas here, and most don’t require a lot of fabric or … Read more
Today I stumbled across this adorable pattern and fabric on the Birch Organic Fabric site, and I just had to share it! The designer is Stephanie of The Crafty Kitty, and the fabric is Serengeti by Jay-Cyn Designs. Click the picture below to download the pattern and instructions!
