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…
Continue ReadingBook Review: A Modern Guide to Textured Crochet by Lee Sartori
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,…
Continue ReadingFood | Drink | Entertaining
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…
Continue ReadingThe Vintage Archive
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.
Continue ReadingFree Sewing Patterns
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…
Continue ReadingRestore Leather and Silver with Alberto VO5 Conditioning Hairdressing
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…
Continue Reading10 Laundry Tips and Tricks
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…
Continue ReadingTrying a free t-shirt pattern: 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 nice folks…
Continue ReadingBOOK: Sew Cute Quilts and Gifts | Atsuko Matsuyama
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…
Continue ReadingMr. and Mrs. Arnaz carpet their dream home
Free PDF Sewing Pattern: Retro Overnight Bag by The Crafty Kitty, via Birch Organic Fabric
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!
Continue ReadingNew Book: Nani Iro Sewing Studio
I have been an admirer of Nani Iro fabrics for years, so I was delighted to have a chance to look into this book. It includes style ideas, explanations of how to cut the fabric and sew the garments, and the pattern pieces themselves. You have to trace these out…
Continue ReadingAnyone have a recipe for dancing sandwiches?
What’s in those cocktails, anyway? Sign can be seen at BJ’s Bar, 5519 Lapeer Rd, Burton, Michigan.
Continue ReadingSummer goals, part 1
This summer, our trips to the sea and to the pool may be in our imaginations. Why not dream back into the past as well?
Continue ReadingMoving, moving, since creation
From ‘The Children’s Encyclopedia’ published by Arthur Mee. Date and artist unknown.
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