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# a case of the Crafties

CaLynn's digital art journal

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://www.thecrafties.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Hexie Dreams 19](https://www.thecrafties.com/2023/06/16/hexie-dreams-19/) - My hand sewn fussy-cut EPP Hexie Dreams quilt is all ready to go to my gramma for hand quilting. Check out a few of my embellished hexies, and come back in the future for the finished product!
- [Magazine Stitch Peacock](https://www.thecrafties.com/2026/05/08/magazine-stitch-peacock/) - I resurrected a failed print transfer project and converted it into a stitched mixed media project. Win!
- [Stitch Club: Morphett](https://www.thecrafties.com/2026/05/07/stitch-club-morphett/) - Jo Morphett led a TextileArtist.org's Stitch Club textured layers of color and stitch, and I was inspired to an abstract peony.
- [Comforter turned chair](https://www.thecrafties.com/2026/04/30/comforter-turned-chair/) - I used an old comforter to reupholster my office chair. It's pretty easy, and totally adds to the vibe of the space.
- [Block Printing](https://www.thecrafties.com/2026/03/10/block-printing/) - I tried my hand at linocutting and made R stamps.
- [Nature Journal v2](https://www.thecrafties.com/2026/03/11/nature-journal-v2/) - I continued my ink and watercolor nature journal in volume 2!
- [Tilda's World Cat Doll](https://www.thecrafties.com/2026/03/08/tildas-world-cat-doll/) - I made a special cat doll for my niece using a pattern from Tilda's World.
- [Nature Journaling](https://www.thecrafties.com/2026/03/09/nature-journaling/) - I picked up nature journaling through ink and watercolor and identifying things in my yard. John Muir Laws gets some hearty gratitude, among others. There's a new gallery for anyone who'd like to see more.
- [Watercolor play](https://www.thecrafties.com/2026/03/07/watercolor-play/) - I played around with my watercolor style on some postcards I sent people.
- [Recycled calendar envelopes](https://www.thecrafties.com/2026/03/06/recycled-calendar-envelopes/) - I recycled an old calendar into pretty homemade mailing envelopes.
- [a Michigan Fairy Tale](https://www.thecrafties.com/2026/03/04/a-michigan-fairy-tale/) - I retold a trip to Michigan as a fairy tale - but aborted the imagery after a huge mistake.
- [Shawnee Life](https://www.thecrafties.com/2026/03/01/shawnee-life/) - I made a mixed media art piece that captured my thoughts about a trip to Shawnee National Forest - as well as an ink and watercolor travel journal that documented my time there.
- [MIOMIO 2025](https://www.thecrafties.com/2025/02/23/miomio-2025/) - Just a post to explain my thoughts on what I keep referencing as MIOMIO 2025, or "Move It On or Move It Out".
- [Happy 2026](https://www.thecrafties.com/2026/01/01/happy-2026/) - A quick blurb about the added 2025 gallery.
- [Cruise 2025](https://www.thecrafties.com/2026/03/03/cruise-2025/) - I went on my first (and last) cruise from Boston to Quebec City and recorded the "adventures" in a watercolor travel journal.
- [Scratchboard R](https://www.thecrafties.com/2026/03/05/scratchboard-r/) - Inspired by Michael Halbert, I tried my own hand at scratchboard art and created a small "R" design with an Ampersand kit.
- [Brooklyn 2025](https://www.thecrafties.com/2026/03/02/brooklyn-2025/) - I continued my watercolor travel journal with a trip to Brooklyn.
- [To gramma's house](https://www.thecrafties.com/2026/03/01/to-grammas-house/) - I began an ink and watercolor travel journal to see if I would like it.
- [the 1990s called ...](https://www.thecrafties.com/2025/12/02/the-1990s-called/) - The 1990s called and wants their Saturday back - a short philosophy from this anthropologist.
- [Willowynn Moth & Butterfly](https://www.thecrafties.com/2025/02/22/willowynn-moth-butterfly/) - I've decided to move on from Willowynn's butterfly pattern - another successful MIOMIO act!
- [SCS Wristlet Key Fob](https://www.thecrafties.com/2025/02/21/scs-wristlet-key-fob/) - I completed a lingering wristlet key fob from SewCanShe's pattern as part of my MIOMIO 2025.
- [Ann Wood's Picnic Bug](https://www.thecrafties.com/2025/02/07/ann-woods-picnic-bug/) - I decided to "Move It Out" but show you the Picnic Bug from Ann Wood Handmade first.
- [A domestic scene](https://www.thecrafties.com/2025/01/14/a-domestic-scene/) - With fabric and thread and a few other supplies, I created a small domestic scene that, for me, represents my MIL.
- [A close to 2024](https://www.thecrafties.com/2024/12/24/a-close-to-2024/) - A short summary of 2024 and a now said-out-loud goal for 2025.
- [TAST for Hexie Dreams](https://www.thecrafties.com/2025/01/08/tast-for-hexie-dreams/) - A quick note to share Pintangle's TAST project, and how I'll be using it on my Hexie Dreams quilt.
- [Eva Brent's Cat Eye](https://www.thecrafties.com/2025/01/05/eva-brents-cat-eye/) - I finished an old cross stitch of a cat face as part of my Move It On or Move It Out series (MIOMIO) for 2025.
- [Hello 2023!](https://www.thecrafties.com/2023/01/01/hello-2023/) - A quick note about some website updates.
- [Hello 2024!](https://www.thecrafties.com/2024/01/02/hello-2024/) - For the start of 2024, I've been playing with drawing, paint, and watercolor pencils to get a feel for the media.
- [Update](https://www.thecrafties.com/2024/07/13/update/) - Just a summary of random things that's been keeping me from posting.
- [Stitch Club: Kaur](https://www.thecrafties.com/2024/03/07/stitch-club-kaur/) - Saima Kaur led a TextileArtist.org's Stitch Club designed to make us smile by stitching brightly bold and whimsical figures, and I was inspired by ancient South African rock art.
- [Stitch Club: S. Kelly](https://www.thecrafties.com/2024/03/02/stitch-club-s-kelly/) - Stewart Kelly led a TextileArtist.org's Stitch Club using the kantha stitch to make a still life.
- [Stitch Club: Edwards](https://www.thecrafties.com/2024/02/28/stitch-club-edwards/) - Priscilla Edwards led a TextileArtist.org's Stitch Club where we learned to make a wire frame and use batik wax to form a sculpture. For whatever reason, I decided I'd make a sailboat!
- [A new era](https://www.thecrafties.com/2024/02/28/a-new-era/) - My craft room has two new additions, Toby and Ollie.
- [Hexie Dreams + Template](https://www.thecrafties.com/2024/02/11/hexie-dreams-template/) - My Hexie Dreams quilt, which was carefully fussy cut and hand pieced by me, then hand quilted by my gramma, is finally finished after three+ years of work (and avoidance). The proof is in the stitching - persistence pays off!
- [Ophelia Print + Embroidery](https://www.thecrafties.com/2024/01/21/ophelia-print-embroidery/) - I added simple embroidery to an antique Ophelia print (by Deblois, after Bertrand) I found at a resale shop.
- [Stitch Club: Dias](https://www.thecrafties.com/2024/01/19/stitch-club-dias/) - Cassandra Dias lead a TextileArtist.org's Stitch Club workshop on embroidered landscapes, and I was inspired to recreate a honeymoon photo of France's Pont Du Gard.
- [Camus + Mucha Mixed Media](https://www.thecrafties.com/2024/01/04/camus-mucha-mixed-media/) - I used watercoloring pencils and embroidery on an Alphonse Mucha coloring book page with an Albert Camus quote.
- [Seabird Mixed Media](https://www.thecrafties.com/2024/01/03/seabird-mixed-media/) - An initial mixed media project to get a handle on how materials work.
- [Felted Crimson Toadstool](https://www.thecrafties.com/2023/04/01/felted-crimson-toadstool/) - A long while ago I purchased the Crimson Toadstool needle felting kit from Benzie Designs and finally worked it up.
- [Ida Andersen Lang's Tutorial](https://www.thecrafties.com/2023/12/27/ida-andersen-langs-tutorial/) - I followed a water color pencil tutorial by Ida Andersen Lang to work through some techniques to set me up for a successful Mixed Media 2024 journey.
- [Stitch Club: Boschert](https://www.thecrafties.com/2023/12/17/stitch-club-boschert/) - Deborah Boschert lead a TextileArtist.org's Stitch Club on creating a mixed media art quilt. I based mine upon a visit to a new town and restaurant.
- [Hexie Dreams 18](https://www.thecrafties.com/2023/05/08/hexie-dreams-18/) - My fussy-cut EPP Hexie Dreams quilt is coming along. All the flowers were stitched into rows and the rows are being stitched together now for the final push. I also share some of my dear sewing supplies!
- [Finds and Things](https://www.thecrafties.com/2023/12/10/finds-and-things/) - A random post about some art supplies, vintage finds, and an AI-generated experiment for future crafts.
- [House Stamp + Embroidery Pin](https://www.thecrafties.com/2023/11/30/house-stamp-embroidery-pin/) - I embellished a hand-stamped scrap of fabric with embroidery thread to make a pin for my gramma.
- [Stitch Club: Stone 3](https://www.thecrafties.com/2023/11/29/stitch-club-stone-3/) - Sue Stone's third workshop with TextileArtist.org's Stitch Club prompted us to use text in our piece, so I recorded a trip to Shawnee National Forest.
- [Tilda's Fia doll](https://www.thecrafties.com/2023/08/02/tildas-fia-doll/) - I made the Fia Doll from Tilda's World. Check out her sweet style!
- [Stitch Club: Stone 2](https://www.thecrafties.com/2023/07/26/stitch-club-stone-2/) - Sue Stone led a TextileArtist.org's Stitch Club in her well-known portrait style, and I was inspired to capture a man in a hat in four variations.
- [Stitch Club: Henderson](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/10/30/stitch-club-henderson/) - As part of TextileArtist.org Stitch Club, Ailish Henderson inspired me to create a mixed media portrait of my sweet javanese cat.
- [Stitch Club: Maue](https://www.thecrafties.com/2023/04/30/stitch-club-maue/) - TextileArtist.org's Stitch Club with Joetta Maue prompted a stitched piece from a photograph and I've recreated an adored image of my late grandparents.
- [Stamp + Embroidery pins](https://www.thecrafties.com/2023/07/23/stamp-embroidery-pins/) - I stitched ink-stamped pieces of fabric to make two small embroidered pins/buttons as gifts.
- [Egyptian Pattern Darning 2](https://www.thecrafties.com/2023/07/01/egyptian-pattern-darning-2/) - I finished a second bookmark based on a historical Egyptian pattern darning design by Lin Vandenberg.
- [My Village Quilt](https://www.thecrafties.com/2023/06/01/my-village-quilt/) - I present to you My Village Quilt, based on the Urban Village Green quilt: a four-year-long project that tipped the love-hate scale finally over to love.
- [Hexie Dreams 17](https://www.thecrafties.com/2023/04/21/hexie-dreams-17/) - A quick update on my fussy-cut EPP hexie dreams quilt. A whopping 131 flowers are now complete, yay!
- [Stitch Club: Weighton 2.1](https://www.thecrafties.com/2023/04/19/stitch-club-weighton-2-1/) - Haf Weighton lead another TextileArtist.org's Stitch Club workshop on architectural layering, and I was inspired to render New Albany's Culbertson Mansion based on a photograph by Daniel Andis.
- [Stitch Club: Sproule](https://www.thecrafties.com/2023/04/14/stitch-club-sproule/) - April Sproule led a TextileArtist.org's Stitch Club using a spiral concept. I felt like this would be a nice project for a friend and asked her for a color palette, hence the unusual-for-me color theme.
- [SewCanShe Wristlet Key Fob](https://www.thecrafties.com/2023/04/02/sewcanshe-wristlet-key-fob/) - I needed a lanyard so rather than buying one, I followed SewCanShe's tutorial and made a DIY wristlet key fob.
- [Willow Movie Party](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/07/01/willow-movie-party/) - My all-time favorite childhood movie is Willow. Or Labyrinth. It's a toss up, really. But anyway, I found out that my sister-in-law had never seen it. This is important because 1) How can you never have seen the awesomeness that Willow is? And 2) "Kaia" has been my favorite name for most of my life and
- [Willow Movie Party Update](https://www.thecrafties.com/2023/03/22/willow-movie-party-update/) - A fellow reader has added a special touch to my Willow Movie Theme labels - The Dust of Broken Hearts! Gasp!
- [Collaged Slow Stitch](https://www.thecrafties.com/2023/01/28/collaged-slow-stitch/) - I made a quirky and weird slow-stitched collage to try to push through a creative slump. It was much more about doing than the outcome.
- [Stitch Camp 2023](https://www.thecrafties.com/2023/01/25/stitch-camp-2023/) - I stitched this mixed media piece following Gwen Hedley's instruction through TextileArtist.org's Stitch Camp.
- [Tea Cup study](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/12/23/tea-cup-study/) - I was inspired to stitch up a stack of tea cups which lead to starting a second project that I'm still thinking about.
- [Patchwork Coaster](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/12/14/patchwork-coaster/) - I hand stitched and hand quilted a patchwork coaster for my tea cup.
- [Stitch Club: Clover](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/11/23/stitch-club-clover/) - Jette Clover lead a TextileArtist.org's Stitch Club using scraps and a stamp. I used a country farm stamp with a big red barn as inspiration.
- [Stitch Club: Tume](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/11/20/stitch-club-tume/) - Kate Time lead a TextileArtist.org's Stitch Club on narrative bead texture, and I was inspired to have a play!
- [Interwoven Expressions 2022](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/11/16/interwoven-expressions-2022/) - I picked up some artsy crafts at a regional show called Interwoven Expressions.
- [Open Press Project](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/11/13/open-press-project/) - I ordered a small print press from the Open Press Project and have begun experimenting with pressing leaves.
- [Stitch Club: Notman](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/11/09/stitch-club-notman/) - Emily Notman lead a TextileArtist.org's Stitch Club where we would learn to make a jar wrap, and I was inspired to create a scene along a lakefront at sunset with cattails blowing in the wind.
- [Stitch Club: Bliss](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/11/02/stitch-club-bliss/) - Oliver Bliss lead a TextileArtist.org's Stitch Club recently centered on color blocking, and I was inspired to stitch up a skull with flowers.
- [Nina Stajner + Lake = Swan](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/10/13/nina-stajner-lake-swan/) - I worked up Nina Stajner's swan coloring page from the Lake app in a (mostly) single solitary stitch: the stem stitch.
- [Stamp + Embroidery Kettle](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/10/12/stamp-embroidery-kettle/) - I used a tiny scrap of stamped fabric to make a tiny canvas showing a tea kettle on a table.
- [Stamp + Embroidery pin](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/10/23/stamp-embroidery-pin/) - I used a scrap of fabric stamped with a teacup to make a tiny embroidery and felt pin.
- [Poppies and Santa Barbara Daisies](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/01/20/poppies-and-santa-barbara-daisies/) - I did it! Look at these beautiful "Poppies and Santa Barbara Daisies" created with stumpwork embroidery. This is the most intense project I have committed to, yet, and I am thrilled with how much I learned! Stumpwork embroidery is just cool, and I have a lot of ideas. Will any of them come to fruition?
- [a Cassette Tape](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/10/24/a-cassette-tape/) - Inspired by an image online, I made a felt cassette tape displayed on a small canvas for my nephew's birthday.
- [Eliza McClelland's Kit](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/09/07/eliza-mcclellands-kit/) - I made a small mixed-media piece using an Eliza McClelland beadwork kit and some other art supplies.
- [Chickadee Wall Hanging](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/10/07/chickadee-wall-hanging/) - I was inspired by Mandy Pattullo to make a chickadee wall hanging mixed media piece.
- [Stitch Club: Norbury](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/10/01/stitch-club-norbury/) - As part of TextileArtist.org's Stitch Club, Ruth Norbury tasked us with making a textural mixed media peice and I chose Hubert Robert's La Fontaine painting as my subject.
- [Stitch Club: Pattullo 2](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/01/23/stitch-club-pattullo-2/) - As part of TextileArtist.org's Stitch Club, I followed Mandy Pattullo's workshop to create a textile collage bird.
- [Stitch Club: Steel-Jessop](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/09/21/stitch-club-steel-jessop/) - As part of TextileArtist.org's Stitch Club, I made a map of Guy Gavriel Kay's Sarantium (by Martin Springett) following Bridget Steel-Jessop's workshop.
- [Kintsugi stones](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/09/14/kintsugi-stones/) - I used a kintsugi kit by Jack Richardson to meld two broken stones back together.
- [Painting Miniatures](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/09/08/painting-miniatures/) - I tested my painting skills in a challenge with Boy: who could paint the best D&D miniature?
- [Hexie Dreams 16](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/07/16/hexie-dreams-16/) - I have a total of 107 flowers ready for my fussy-cut EPP Hexie Dreams quilt and am moving on to planning how to arrange them.
- [Eternal napping in the sun](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/06/25/eternal-napping-in-the-sun/) - You can stop here if you don't wish to read anything sad today. It's already bad enough with Roe v. Wade, war, and such, I know.
- [Stitch Club: Goodwin](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/06/16/stitch-club-goodwin/) - As part of TextileArtist.org's Stitch Club, I followed Valerie S. Goodwin's workshop to create a map of one of my favorite places.
- [Hexie Dreams 15](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/05/08/hexie-dreams-15/) - For my fussy-cut EPP Hexie Dreams quilt, I've so far stitched together fifty seven flowers.
- [Ukrainian Whitework](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/03/31/ukrainian-whitework/) - In 2020, my embroidery guild offered a class on Ukrainian whitework: the Summer Lace pattern in all white by Terri Bay. Of course, this was well before the war occurring now. My friend, then, had recently gone to Ukraine to meet her father's side of the family for the first time, so I knew I
- [Hexie Dreams 14](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/02/26/hexie-dreams-14/) - I've begun sewing the hexies together for my fussy-cut EPP Hexie Dreams quilt.
- [Hexie Dreams 13](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/02/25/hexie-dreams-13/) - All the hexies are prepped now for my Hexie Dreams fussy-cut English Paper Piecing quilt.
- [Soup Bowl Cozies](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/02/18/soup-bowl-cozies/) - I used an acrylic template to make some soup bowl cozies.
- [Hexie Dreams 12](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/02/02/hexie-dreams-12/) - Thirty more hexies have been prepped for my Hexie Dreams fussy-cut English paper piecing quilt. I'm either ready to start piecing them together, or just a few more to go - time will tell what I decide!
- [Stitch Club: McVetis](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/01/09/stitch-club-mcvetis/) - As part of TextileArtist.org's Stitch Club, I created an abstract motherboard using techniques from Richard McVetis.
- [Hexie Dreams 11](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/01/22/hexie-dreams-11/) - I've added 141 more hexies to my Hexie Dreams fussy-cut English paper piecing quilt, putting me well over the original goal.
- [#52tagshannemade 52](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/01/04/52tagshannemade-template/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 52's theme is making a little tree.
- [Hexie Dreams 10](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/11/14/hexie-dreams-10/) - My fussy-cut Hexie Dreams quilt is coming along, now with about 670 hexies ready to go!
- [Hexie Dreams 9](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/10/16/hexie-dreams-9/) - Fifty-seven more hexies to add to my Hexie Dreams fussy-cut paper peicing quilt, adding up to just over 600!
- [Hexie Dreams 8](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/10/09/hexie-dreams-8/) - Fifty-four more hexies to add to my Hexie Dreams fussy-cut paper peicing quilt!
- [Hexie Dreams 7](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/08/11/hexie-dreams-7/) - My Hexie Dreams fussy-cut paper-piecing quilt now has 500 hexies to choose from!
- [Hexie Dreams 6](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/07/13/hexie-dreams-6/) - My Hexie Dreams fussy-cut paper-piecing quilt now has another 40 added hexies!
- [Hexie Dreams 5](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/07/05/hexie-dreams-5/) - I've made now over 430 hexies for my Hexie Dreams fussy-cut paper-piecing quilt.
- [Hexie Dreams 4](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/06/06/hexie-dreams-4/) - I've added almost 100 more hexies to my Hexie Dreams fussy-cut paper piecing project!
- [Hexie Dreams 3](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/03/20/hexie-dreams-3/) - My Hexie Dream project is coming along; this makes 300 hexies to choose from so far!
- [Hexie Dreams 2](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/03/10/hexie-dreams-2/) - I have EPPd 100 more hexies for my Hexie Dream project!
- [Hexie Dreams 1](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/03/01/hexie-dreams-1/) - I have embarked on turning my hexie dreams into a quilted reality and have begun making English paper pieced (EPP) hexies.
- [#52tagshannemade 44](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/12/27/52tagshannemade-44/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 44's theme was to use cross stitching.
- [#52tagshannemade 43](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/12/26/52tagshannemade-43/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 43's theme is to add a bit of tassel fringe, but I decided to focus just on the tassel itself.
- [#52tagshannemade 51](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/01/03/52tagshannemade-51/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 51-s theme was to create a wreath.
- [#52tagshannemade 50](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/01/02/52tagshannemade-50/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 50's theme was to add some circles.
- [#52tagshannemade 48](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/12/31/52tagshannemade-48/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 48's was to use a sheaf stitch as a fill.
- [#52tagshannemade 49](https://www.thecrafties.com/2022/01/01/52tagshannemade-49/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 49's theme was to catch a memory, though I went a bit off pitch.
- [#52tagshannemade 47](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/12/30/52tagshannemade-47/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 47's theme was to create a little birdie.
- [#52tagshannemade 46](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/12/29/52tagshannemade-46/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 46's theme was to wrap some objects with threads.
- [#52tagshannemade 45](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/12/28/52tagshannemade-45/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 45's theme was to create fireworks!
- [#52tagshannemade 41](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/10/18/52tagshannemade-41/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 41's theme is a stitching theme, using "beautiful bullions".
- [#52tagshannemade 42](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/10/19/52tagshannemade-42/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 42's theme is putting tags on tags.
- [#52tagshannemade 40](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/10/17/52tagshannemade-40/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 40's theme is "something yummy", which I didn't strictly follow this time.
- [#52tagshannemade 37](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/09/30/52tagshannemade-37/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 37's theme is weaving with fabric strips.
- [#52tagshannemade 34](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/09/27/52tagshannemade-34/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 34's theme is to "grab a cuppa" and I happened to have the perfectly sized stamped piece of fabric!
- [Blue Moth Ornament](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/10/03/blue-moth-ornament/) - I ordered the blue moth ornament kit from Lolli and Grace to gift to a friend.
- [#52tagshannemade 39](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/10/02/52tagshannemade-39/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 39's theme is applique, using the bits from last week's tag.
- [#52tagshannemade 38](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/10/01/52tagshannemade-38/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 38's theme is reverse applique, saving the bits for next week's tag.
- [#52tagshannemade 36](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/09/29/52tagshannemade-36/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 36's theme is slow stitching, which was needed for the hectic week I had!
- [#52tagshannemade 35](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/09/28/52tagshannemade-35/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 35's theme is to use 3 buttons (though I used beads) and a scrap of special fabric.
- [#52tagshannemade 33](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/09/09/52tagshannemade-33/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 33's theme is celebrating with "flags".
- [#52tagshannemade 2](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/01/12/52tagshannemade-2/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke's #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week Two's theme is "heart".
- [#52tagshannemade 32](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/09/05/52tagshannemade-32/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 32's theme is another stitch technique, the "lazy daisy".
- [#52tagshannemade 31](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/09/05/52tagshannemade-31/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 31's theme is using "bling", so I pulled out some metallic threads and embellishments.
- [#52tagshannemade 30](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/07/27/52tagshannemade-30/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 30's theme is "a brooch" and I'm using this tag to raise awareness about the plight in Tigray.
- [#52tagshannemade 29](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/07/26/52tagshannemade-29/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 29's theme is "orts", as in all those old ratty threads that pile up from sewing projects.
- [#52tagshannemade 28](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/07/12/52tagshannemade-28/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 28's theme is the "spider wheel" stitch and I added a paper doily embellishment.
- [#52tagshannemade 27](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/07/11/52tagshannemade-27/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 27's theme is "bead tassels" and I chose a basic black and white palette.
- [#52tagshannemade 26](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/06/28/52tagshannemade-26/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 26's theme is "a medal" for making it halfway through the year!
- [Cactus and a mug rug](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/06/27/cactus-and-a-mug-rug/) - I made another little felt cactus for a friend, plus a mugrug for my tea at the lab!
- [#52tagshannemade 25](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/06/19/52tagshannemade-25/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 25's theme is "weaving" with our favorite colors!
- [#52tagshannemade 24](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/06/18/52tagshannemade-24/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 24's theme is "tatting" and I made a little landscape.
- [#52tagshannemade 23](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/06/04/52tagshannemade-23/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 23's theme is "flowers" in colors we don't like or don't use often.
- [#52tagshannemade 22](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/05/29/52tagshannemade-22/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 22's theme is "layers of lace".
- [#52tagshannemade 21](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/05/28/52tagshannemade-21/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 21's theme is "bullion edging".
- [#52tagshannemade 20](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/05/22/52tagshannemade-20/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 20's theme is "pekinese stitch".
- [#52tagshannemade 19](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/05/21/52tagshannemade-19/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 19's theme is "words" using a little flip up to see the whole phrase.
- [#52tagshannemade 18](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/05/20/52tagshannemade-18/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 18's theme is a "paper piecing" using tiny hexagons.
- [Missing File Updates](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/05/13/missing-file-updates/) - I was alerted that some files were missing, so I've added the stuffed felt guinea pig and fabric book cover tutorials. We're back in action!
- [Fabric Book Cover Tutorial](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/06/08/fabric-book-cover-tutorial/) - 3/25/2018 EDIT: This has been one of my most popular posts, so thank you for the interest! I am so glad my little fabric book cover tutorial has been made so many times, decorating and protecting so many loved books! So...can you sew a straight line? Sew it six times and you'll be on your
- [Guinea Pig Pattern: Revised](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/04/25/guinea-pig-pattern-revised/) - So you may remember this post about making my bro a guinea pig, and then I posted again with a bit of a tweak here. Well, one of my readers, Marja, has added her own revisions to the pattern and I think you will like them! I would like to point out again that the
- [#52tagshannemade 17](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/04/24/52tagshannemade-17/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 17's theme is a "couching" rolls of fabric.
- [#52tagshannemade 15](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/04/20/52tagshannemade-15/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 15's theme is a "miniscape".
- [#52tagshannemade 16](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/04/22/52tagshannemade-16/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 16's theme is a "seed stitches and circles".
- [#52tagshannemade 14](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/04/19/52tagshannemade-14/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 14's theme is “a pocket for a memory of a place" - where I'd like to visit when covid is behind us.
- [#52tagshannemade 13](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/03/29/52tagshannemade-13/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 13's theme is “layers”.
- [#52tagshannemade 12](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/03/28/52tagshannemade-12/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 12's theme is “buttonhole stitch”.
- [#52tagshannemade 11](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/03/15/52tagshannemade-11/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 11's theme is “rings”.
- [#52tagshannemade 10](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/03/09/52tagshannemade-10/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 10's theme is “suffolk puff and lace”.
- [Talisman Pouch 2](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/03/08/talisman-pouch-2/) - I signed up for Julie Booth's talisman pouch workshop and this is my little but incredibly textural pouch!
- [#52tagshannemade 9](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/03/06/52tagshannemade-9/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 9's theme is “bits and pieces with a gift”.
- [Perforated Papers](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/03/02/14814/) - I won some loot by participating in The Embroiderer's Story's holiday giveaway - perforated paper from Tokens and Trifles and a Just CrossStitch magazine to make stitched wings for bees and butterflies.
- [Talisman Pouch 1](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/02/23/talisman-pouch-1/) - I signed up for Julie Booth's talisman pouch workshop and this is the loot that comes in the kit.
- [#52tagshannemade 8](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/02/22/52tagshannemade-8/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 8's theme is “french knots, pistol stitch, and bullion knots”.
- [#52tagshannemade 7](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/02/15/52tagshannemade/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 7's theme is “hexies”.
- [Stitching Notes Needlebook](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/02/19/stitching-notes-needlebook/) - I used Stitching Notes tutorial to make three special needlebooks for my friend and her young daughters.
- [Cacti Family](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/02/18/cacti-family/) - I made a family of mini felt cacti planted in tiny terra cotta pots with teeny gravelly bits for panache!
- [Toothy Felt Coaster](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/02/07/toothy-felt-coaster/) - I stitched up a felt coaster sporting a cute tooth.
- [#52tagshannemade 5](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/01/31/52tagshannemade-5/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 5's theme is “kisses”.
- [#52tagshannemade 4](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/01/25/52tagshannemade-4/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 4's theme is “fly stitch”.
- [#52tagshannemade 3](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/01/19/52tagshannemade-3/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 3's theme is “scrappy”.
- [#52tagshannemade 6](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/02/06/52tagshannemade-6/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke’s #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week 6's theme is “a bevy of buttons”.
- [#52tagshannemade Week 1](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/01/11/52tagshannemade-week-1/) - I am participating in Anne Brooke's #52tagshannemade #sew4thesoul slow stitch challenge for 2021. Week One's theme is "all white".
- [Slow Stitching](https://www.thecrafties.com/2021/01/05/slow-stitching/) - I used the process of slow stitch / stitch meditation to make an example piece for my embroidery guild. I call it "What is luck?".
- [#InkyArtSchool](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/12/17/inkyartschool/) - I doodled alongside Johanna Basford in her recent Inky Art School and made postcards. I also experimented with different coloring methods.
- [Sydney Pouch: Porch](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/11/23/sydney-pouch-porch/) - I made another Sydney Pouch, this time reminding me of sitting in my gramma and grampa's screened in porch up on the hill.
- [Sydney Pouch: Garden](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/11/22/sydney-pouch-garden/) - I made another Sydney Pouch by Roxy Creations, this time a yellow garden theme with a different method of construction.
- [Stitch Club: Collier](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/11/21/stitch-club-collier/) - As part of TextileArtist.org Stitch Club, Jennifer Collier inspired me to stitch a paper glove.
- [Sydney Pouch: Mosaic](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/11/19/sydney-pouch-mosaic/) - I used the Sydney Pouch pattern by Roxy Creations to make this little collaged pouch.
- [Stitch Club: Ferguson](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/11/15/stitch-club-ferguson/) - As part of TextileArtist.org Stitch Club, Ali Ferguson inspired me to create a (slightly junk-journal inspired) hand-bound sketchbook using a mix of pages and embellishments.
- [Egyptian Pattern Darning](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/11/16/egyptian-pattern-darning/) - I finished a bookmark based on a historical Egyptian pattern darning design by Lin Vandenberg.
- [Needlemaking](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/11/08/needlemaking/) - I link to a short video about how needles and pins are made with modern technology.
- [Fabric + Cord = Bowl](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/11/14/fabric-cord-bowl/) - I got a case of the Crafties and had to make a small fabric-covered cord bowl.
- [Wild Olive: Summer Reading Tote](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/11/06/wild-olive-summer-reading-tote/) - I sewed up a tote bag from Wild Olive's Summer Reading Stitch Along using Robin Pickens' Abby Rose fabric collection.
- [Stitch Club: Colella](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/11/03/stitch-club-colella/) - As part of TextileArtist.org Stitch Club, Jodi Colella inspired me to create a set of fabric charms.
- [Stitch Club: Stapley](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/11/01/stitch-club-stapley/) - As part of TextileArtist.org Stitch Club, Vinny Stapley inspired me to create a panel with a dune grass motif using a lacey neutral color palette.
- [Stitch Club: Kaner](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/11/02/stitch-club-kaner/) - As part of TextileArtist.org Stitch Club, Sabine Kaner inspired me to create an abstract design based on crumpled paper.
- [Felt Ornament: J](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/10/29/felt-ornament-j/) - I made a felt ornament in the shape of the letter J for a friend. I was inspired by a letter R given to me, which hails from Mexico.
- [Hoop-D-Do Challenge](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/10/31/hoop-d-do-challenge/) - My embroidery guild always has an annual challenge of some type and this year was our "Hoop-D-Do" project, whereby we were to create a work using specific stitches to be displayed in the hoop itself. My display of flowers in a "wood" bowl speaks the 70s to me. And, as usual, I didn't stick to the rules well and added my own flare - ha!
- [Locket Pincushion](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/10/28/locket-pincushion/) - I was recently given this beautifully elegant carved vintage locket, and I turned it into my travel pin cushion.
- [Gertenbach's talisman: seashell](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/10/27/gertenbachs-talisman-seashell/) - I was inspired by Victoria Gertenbach's cover article on Quilting Arts magazine to create this seashell talisman with embroidery, beads, and a bit of longing for the beach!
- [Stitch Club: Kelly](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/10/26/stitch-club-kelly/) - As part of TextileArtist.org Stitch Club, Anne Kelly inspired me to create a little booklet of mixed media.
- [Stitch Club: Pattullo](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/10/19/stitch-club-pattullo/) - As part of TextileArtist.org Stitch Club, Mandy Pattullo inspired me to create a fabric book representing my family in colors and textures. A textural fiber art and mixed media mood board, if you will.
- [Tiny Bee Mural](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/10/25/tiny-bee-mural/) - I made a tiny felt mural with an embroidered bee and flowers for my gardening friend.
- [Nameplate: Daniella](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/10/15/nameplate-daniella/) - I embroidered my friend's name onto a little placard, and decorated it with a thread-painted monkey and some tropical leaves.
- [Stitch Club: Comeau](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/10/14/stitch-club-comeau/) - As part of TextileArtist.org Stitch Club, Merill Comeau inspired me to create a flower representing an emotional response to something that has occurred in my life.
- [a decade of the Crafties](https://www.thecrafties.com/2019/01/01/a-decade-of-the-crafties/) - Ten years ago today, I pushed publish on this blog. You can see that first posting here. Of course, my site has undergone several visual changes, and I didn't really know the direction my crafts would take, but the main goal still satisfies: simply to record. Most people take this time of year to showcase
- [Sewing box](https://www.thecrafties.com/2019/12/06/sewing-box/) - I love books and I love bookstores but those are harder to find, at least the good ones with All The Books and All The Things. For instance, we no longer have a Borders or a Barnes & Noble, and our Books-A-Million is super tiny. But the BAM where I visited for Thanksgiving is pretty
- [Bird Painting and Drawing Workshop](https://www.thecrafties.com/2017/11/28/bird-painting-and-drawing-workshop/) - Back in April, I came across a beginner's workshop for drawing and painting birds to be hosted at the Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center. At only 5$ a ticket for a four-hour workshop, I couldn't resist and I purchased two extra for my MIL and SIL. I wasn't sure how it could only be
- [Watercolor and acrylics](https://www.thecrafties.com/2016/07/15/watercolor-and-acrylics/) - My sister-in-law brought over some paints and water coloring books recently. Since I was little, I've always found watercoloring frustrating. The paper never holds up; the colors never mix right. Needless to say, it is not my forte. But, it is a fun way to pass the time, so I tried my hand at it.
- [chocobo mug rug](https://www.thecrafties.com/2015/01/08/chocobo-mug-rug/) - Do any of you know what a chocobo is? It is a bird from one of my husband's favorite game series: Final Fantasy. I came across this image from HowToDrawManga3D.com and decided to try my hand at a mug rug one day over break. I embroidered the chocobo onto some yellow fuzzy fabric I had,
- [While you wait](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/04/07/while-you-wait/) - Here are some links to things I've found on the interwebz lately (and my first attempt at embedded videos). Axis of Awesome is a band that has shown the world the power of understanding music in their 4 Chord Song. Did you know all the popular songs in the last forty years is played with
- [while im away…](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/04/28/while-im-away/) - Since I am working on organizing my new laptop (think of it like this: a virtual bomb went off in my old laptop and my addiction to "a place for everything and everything in its place" which i cannot as yet do with my house-in-progress has come out in full with the organization of my
- [kitchen remodel progress](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/02/08/kitchen-remodel-progress/) - Our kitchen has come along quite a ways! We made the final decisions and ordered the cabinets. They are due the first week of March. Here is the progress in photos: Old linen closet, that wasn't deep enough for a folded towel and only irked me day after day: Newly drywalled built in book case
- [TA Stitch Challenge #3](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/04/08/ta-stitch-challenge-3/) - This week's stitch challenge was presented by Emily Tull - I've come across her work before because she does amazingly expressive threadpaintings! I must be honest here: I found the challenge too challenging, haha! What I mean is that Emily showed a very energetic eye as the example piece and I just couldn't get myself
- [2018 TAST](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/12/30/2018-tast/) - You’ve read about my idea for this here, right? Ok! See all completed TAST posts here. I completed Sharon of Pintangle's 2018 TAST Challenge! I had one stitch left, #32 Buttonholed Herringbone. I simply dug out my Stitch #5 Herringbone pennant and changed one of the stitches to a buttonholed version. Ta-da: I will post
- [TAST: Roundup 5](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/12/28/tast-roundup-5/) - You’ve read about my idea for this here, right? Ok! See all completed TAST posts here. Without further adieu, front and back: This is my last TAST pennant. No, no, don't congratulate me yet! I have a single stitch left. See, after completing the last pennant, I ran into an issue - a big issue!
- [TAST: Roundup 4](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/12/27/tast-roundup-4/) - You’ve read about my idea for this here, right? Ok! See all completed TAST posts here. Front and back as expected: So, like the last few pennants, this one is obviously a collection of stitches. Here we have Stitch#24 Twisted Lattice Band. I really love the texture! Stitch #30 Triangular Butthonhole Stitch - not my
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 51](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/12/19/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-51/) - Howdy hello! The end of 2018 is surely upon us and I hope all is well with you. I don't have any typical WIPs to show; I haven't been crafting in the usual sense. I had to buckle down and learn Adobe's InDesign for something, and it turns out I love it. Like, a lot.
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 49](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/12/05/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-49/) - Brrr it is cold out there! This week's Works in Progress do not include TAST, nor has there been progress on my crazy quilt block, but I do have things to show! I needed to make something for the ornament exchange with my guild. I will write about that in another post since I completed
- [TAST: Roundup 3](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/12/04/tast-roundup-3/) - You’ve read about my idea for this here, right? Ok! See all completed TAST posts here. Huzzah for another completed pennant! I fit six different stitches on this one. That means certainly that I am not exploring them as much as previous stitches, nor am I getting much practice in with each type, but regardless,
- [Needlepoint: Rosalie V](https://www.thecrafties.com/2019/01/16/needlepoint-rosalie-v/) - I finally finished my first needlepoint project - the letter V designed by Rosalie; I last left off about this project here. That last post shows that I fused interfacing to the back, so that I could cut out the needlepoint with less anxiety. I also dabbed a small amount of fray-check all along the
- [TAST: Roundup 2](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/11/13/tast-roundup-2/) - You’ve read about my idea for this here, right? Ok! See all completed TAST posts here. Hola out there! Here are my efforts for a few TAST stitches. Front and back: On today's pennant, I caught up with Stitch #21 the Cable Chain: The first two rows are basic cable chain. Then a row of
- [TAST: Roundup](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/10/27/tast-roundup/) - You’ve read about my idea for this here, right? Ok! See all completed TAST posts here. Since it has been quite some time, I want to remind all that I am participating in this year's Take a Stitch Tuesday (TAST), hosted by Sharon at Pintangle. Yes, yes, I am quite behind because real life got
- [TAST: Rice Stitch](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/05/13/tast-rice-stitch/) - You’ve read about my idea for this here, right? Ok! See all completed TAST posts here. I got a bit behind with TAST, I think largely due to the difficulty of turning the Rice Stitch into a motif all on its own. But I finally completed it! In its full front and back glory: I
- [TAST: Arrow Stitch](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/04/16/tast-arrow-stitch/) - You’ve read about my idea for this here, right? Ok! See all completed TAST posts here. Last week's TAST challenge was the Arrow Stitch (or Arrowhead Stitch if stitching vertically). Here is my front and back, for posterity's sake: This top portion has several things going on. In the left corner, I was just experimenting
- [TAST: Sheaf Stitch](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/04/11/tast-sheaf-stitch/) - You’ve read about my idea for this here, right? Ok! See all completed TAST posts here. Here is the front and back of last week's TAST challenge: the sheaf stitch. Yes, I am beyond irked to see the dark blue thread bleed. I guess that is what I get when I use cheap threads! It
- [TAST: chevron stitch](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/03/25/tast-chevron-stitch/) - You’ve read about my idea for this here, right? Ok! See all completed TAST posts here. Here is my sampler for the chevron stitch, front and back: To start, I wanted to see how well the chevron stitch took to a curve (fine!). Then I was curious what happens if you play with the stitch
- [TAST: couching stitch](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/03/10/tast-couching-stitch/) - You’ve read about my idea for this here, right? Ok! See all completed TAST posts here. So as I mentioned, I stuck with basic couching stitches - I did not couch using anything fancier than a straight stitch or two. Front and back: In this top portion, I used couching for different variations of fill
- [TAST: cretan stitch](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/03/06/tast-cretan-stitch/) - You’ve read about my idea for this here, right? Ok! See all completed TAST posts here. This is the cretan stitch - brand new for me! First up is the front and back. I realized with this one that my backs have improved so much, almost beyond measure since I started embroidering however many moons
- [TAST: stem stitch](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/02/27/tast-stem-stitch/) - You’ve read about my idea for this here, right? Ok! See all completed TAST posts here. Front and back: I wrote the phrase "left to right = below!" which will help me remember how to sew the stem stitch (the outline stitch would read "left to right = above!" though some say that they are really
- [TAST: feather stitch](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/02/19/tast-feather-stitch/) - You’ve read about my idea for this here, right? Ok! See all completed TAST posts here. Last week's TAST is the feather stitch. I did not get to it early, so I finished it today. Just in time, too, since Sharon always posts TAST on my Monday since she's about as far away in the time
- [TAST: chain stitch](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/02/09/tast-chain-stitch/) - You’ve read about my idea for this here, right? Ok! See all completed TAST posts here. Besides my usual haunts of Sharon's and Mary's websites, Summers of India had a lot of great examples! I did the "magic" chain, some whipping and lacing, barred, picot-ed, crested, zig-zagged, double-linked, and triple chain stitches. I tried out two
- [TAST: herringbone stitch](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/02/04/tast-herringbone-stitch/) - You’ve read about my idea for this here, right? Ok! See all completed TAST posts here. Front and back, for posterity;) I just kind of played around with the stitch - nothing too fancy here. I tied some, I overlapped some of varying sizes, and I used some to couch a ribbon. I began to explore
- [TAST: detached chain stitch](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/01/26/tast-detached-chain-stitch/) - You’ve read about my idea for this here, right? Ok! See all completed TAST posts here. Front only as I again forgot to snap one of the back. Oi! I had trouble planning much creativity with this one. I blame the fact that I am working overtime fending off the colds and flu of everyone I
- [TAST: buttonhole stitch](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/01/13/tast-buttonhole-stitch/) - You’ve read about my idea for this here, right? Ok! See all completed TAST posts here. Yes, it needs to be ironed but I just wasn't feeling it today. Ta-da! I again attempted to use nothing other than the week's buttonhole stitch (except the words in black), but I had to cheat a little using a
- [January Challenge Week 1](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/01/06/january-challenge-week-1/) - If 2017 became a year of Make, I want 2018 to continue that theme. You already know I signed up for TAST, and plan to keep myself motivated through weekly WIP posts. Last year was the technical side spent mostly on learning someone else's pattern rather than creating my own. Know where I am going
- [Organization overhaul](https://www.thecrafties.com/2017/12/28/organization-overhaul/) - Throughout the years I have been lucky enough to inherit so many crafting things. Add to that all the things I was also fortunate enough to budget for, and it became a lot! I try to confine everything into my craft room closet, but that became a messy hoard that turned me off from crafting.
- [Sue Spargo's Textured Embroidery Craftsy Class](https://www.thecrafties.com/2017/10/08/sue-spargos-textured-embroidery-craftsy-class/) - You might recall that I signed up for two Craftsy courses earlier this year. Today, I present to you my first finished project, from Embroidering Texture and Dimension from Sue Spargo which is a lesson in textured embroidery. I ordered her fabric kit but could not justify spending an equal amount on the threads (once I become
- [embroidered buttons](https://www.thecrafties.com/2017/04/30/embroidered-buttons/) - My embroidery guild is hosting the State Day this year, so each member is assigned to make two buttons. I enjoyed making such tiny (one inch) pieces so of course I made more (and I might still, yet!). This pattern might look familiar to you: it is the same I used for my O-hoop. Oh,
- [#pixiecup](https://www.thecrafties.com/2016/09/26/pixiecup/) - Fabric Mutt has a tutorial on making what she calls The Pixie Cup. It caught my eye for something handy that I could store my wonderclips in, so I set out to make the small version. Only ... something happened, and I went off the directions and had to kind of make it up as
- [TV tray ironing board](https://www.thecrafties.com/2016/09/22/tv-tray-ironing-board/) - My father-in-law had a set of four nice wooden TV dinner tables that he no longer used so I offered to take them off his hands. This was a super easy, super quick project. There are a million tutorials online, and I went with this one: Tv Tray Pressing Table. I had some pink decor-weight
- [Zippered pouches](https://www.thecrafties.com/2016/09/24/zippered-pouches/) - I got on a roll making things with zippers. I began with the Fancy Stitched Quilted Zipper Pouch tutorial I snagged from Joanns last time I stopped in. Obviously, I couldn't just follow the instructions - I don't know why I am like that but I just have to change something to make it my own,
- [Site: photos corrected](https://www.thecrafties.com/2014/05/18/site-photos-corrected/) - Whew, it has been a long weekend, but I finally corrected all the old photos on this site! I was originally hosted them through me.com but then Apple changed it to iCloud and I was not interested in continuing my service there. I then began storing them through wordpress but never took the time to
- [TA Stitch Challenge #7](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/10/12/ta-stitch-challenge-7/) - The last Textile Artist free stitch challenge was put on by Christine Chester, who challenged us to use a single shape in different ways with whatever stitch we chose. I chose a simple straight stitch in a four-box grid "snowflake" design.
- [SMS Giveaway Day!](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/05/23/sms-giveaway-day/) - ************Comments are now closed!!************ I will tally it up and then post the winners soon! :D Thank you guys so much for your interest :D ************************************************** This week begins Sew Mama Sew's May Giveaway Day, and I am happy to once again participate! This round, I am giving away 4 book covers which fit the standard
- [things on my table](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/04/05/things-on-my-table/) - I am sure you have been expecting pictures of my new kitchen but it has been really hectic here. Not only is there still much to be done with it, but Boy also has moved his company to a new location so that has taken a higher priority of our time. I will leave you
- [Scrap: Chicago](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/03/22/scrap-chicago/) - My brother and his friend Jessica visited me once upon a time in 2004. They wanted to see Chicago and my brother had a great deal at the Crowne Plaza because at the time he was working at a sister hotel. Jessica was also able to pull some strings at some of the touristy places
- [Scrap: Vegas region](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/03/21/scrap-vegas-region/) - Like the Puerto Rico spread, you may also have seen some of these photos since they also were recently posted. Boy's family went to celebrate my sis-in-law's 21st birthday. We were there for a long weekend - the first day or so was spent doing the Vegas thing. We also saw Cirque du Soleil which
- [Scrap: Puerto Rico](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/03/20/scrap-puerto-rico/) - My most favorite thing to scrap is travel. Loading the pages with mementos and such really stir the memories associated with them, and you can pick up so many things to use! Plus, they are great for showing others your vacations instead of just photo after photo after photo. You may have already seen some
- [Scrap: sumo party](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/03/19/scrap-sumo-party/) - This is one of my least favorite layouts and I even used *construction paper*. I know, right? It's probably acidic and all that, but it's part and parcel to learning a craft. Mess-ups will happen and I'm curious to see how it will play out over the years so I'll let it be. In a
- [Scrap: Mazda Rev It Up](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/03/18/scrap-mazda-rev-it-up/) - I've reclaimed most of my house (and all of my craftroom!) from the kitchen remodel so I thought I should finally post about my scrapbook adventures. When I scrap, I usually have four categories I use to create the layout: 1) paper and embellishments (stickers, tags, clips, etc); 2) photos (left as original, cropped for
- [cubicle wall art](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/02/23/cubicle-wall-art/) - My friend Leslie gifted me lots of crafty supplies - fabric, binding, lace, ribbon, sheeps wool - all kinds of stuff. So when I started messing around with the table runner thing she gave me, I decided it would be hers. (I posted about it here and here). She has had a major adjustment or
- [Charlotte's blanket](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/08/14/charlottes-blanket/) - This post was a long time in coming. And when i say long, i mean loooong. She was born in december!! But I just got word that the gift was received and loved (phew!), so now you can see it. Her parents chose the "all you need is love" bedding set and painted her room
- [future house](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/07/13/future-house/) - So, another weekend piddled away with zero crafts to show for it. This weekend was spent doing a lot of cleaning at the future house. We were able to clear out the front bedroom totally, which is going to be my new craftroom, yay! This is what i get to work with: It comes with built
- [etsy package](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/06/03/etsy-package/) - I got my first etsy order the other day. I needed it for the bookmark of the bookcover I am making. (The soon to be owner likes dragons.) Once i get it all attached, Ill post about it. The stick pin is for reference size - i think it will be a good fit! I
- [circa 2000, end](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/03/29/circa-2000-end/) - And the finale from the last postings... Project G: Bottled Stars When Snapple first came out, i loved the shape of the bottle. I was also into making oragami stars at one of my other sit-around-and-do-nothing-but-get-paid jobs. I simply painted the bottle and filled it to the brim. Don't ask me why. Project H: Link, our
- [circa 2000, cont.](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/03/09/circa-2000-cont/) - To continue my last posting... Project D: Shell Frame My best friend in highschool had invited me to go with her family to Costa Rica. My worldly tour would start there. I collected shells and sand, which is illegal probably to bring back to the States, but i was a kid at the time. At
- [a brother's Story](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/02/15/a-brothers-story/) - So I am still looking up little patterns to help me learn sewing skills and inspire new ideas. Since most of the patterns I find for free ask not to be used on products for sale, I really need to get a grasp of how patterns are created so I can make my own. If
- [imitation flatteration](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/01/18/imitation-flatteration/) - Most artists learn through copying. It makes sense - humans pretty much do it with everything: language learning, cooking, fashion, gadgets. What’s fun about it is adding your own spin and making it yours. This is how the world evolves. Something I will always try to do, though, is to never make money off of
- [Stitch Club: Holmes](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/10/23/stitch-club-holmes/) - As part of TextileArtist.org Stitch Club, Cas Holmes inspired me to create a momigami (Japanese method of kneading paper) mixed media landscape.
- [Stitch Club: Weighton](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/10/22/stitch-club-weighton/) - As part of TextileArtist.org Stitch Club, Haf Weighton inspired me to create a series of medallions representing the theme of "get well". I used bark-on-wood coasters and fabric collage to highlight the chosen words of each medallion. This piece loosely represents Van Gennep's rites of passage upon the theme of getting well.
- [Stitch Club: Wilkins](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/10/21/stitch-club-wilkins/) - As part of TextileArtist.org Stitch Club, Gregory Wilkins inspired me to create a mixed media piece using my sewing machine, paint, and sharpie markers.
- [Another Felted Chickadee](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/10/20/another-felted-chickadee/) - Using wool and a felting needle, I crafted my second little chickadee bird from a kit ordered through Benzie Design.
- [Stitch Club: Stone](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/10/18/stitch-club-stone/) - As part of TextileArtist.org Stitch Club, Sue Stone inspired me to create a woven background of fabric strips to which I embroidered a large rose.
- [Stitch Club: Tull](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/10/17/stitch-club-tull/) - As part of TextileArtist.org Stitch Club, Emily Tull inspired me to create a set of three lips in different expressions.
- [Stitch Club: Vickery](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/10/16/stitch-club-vickery/) - As part of TextileArtist.org Stitch Club, Susie Vickory inspired me to create art from otherwise plastic garbage.
- [Stitch Club: Lyddon](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/10/13/stitch-club-lyddon/) - As part of TextileArtist.org Stitch Club, Debbie Lyddon inspired me to create three vessels to contain objects with meaning.
- [2020 Site Redesign](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/10/10/2020-site-redesign/) - I've redesigned my blog and finally brought it into the 21st century with responsive web design and other perks!
- [TA Stitch Challenge #6](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/10/11/ta-stitch-challenge-6/) - Textile Artist Community Stitch Challenge week 6 was hosted by Anne Kelly. Inspired by her boheme style and mirrored image floral challenge, I crafted this tranquil floral arrangement with a quirky bird.
- [The Long Nap](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/06/09/the-long-nap/) - You can stop here if you don't wish to read anything sad today. It's already bad enough with COVID and protests, I know.
- [introduction](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/01/01/intro/) - This is my very first blog post here at the Crafties, back when I was a much younger, much more beginner-y. Everyone starts somewhere! ;)
- [Inkwash: Chickadee](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/05/19/inkwash-chickadee/) - I've tried watercolor before with frustration (I'm still too impatient) but I hadn't tried using an ink wash so that's what I set out to do this week! This bird wasn't featured in the ABC newsletter (mentioned last time) but I had already sketched it out from before; it is a black-capped chickadee chosen for
- [Lady Pole's Tapestry](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/05/18/in-the-wild-stumpwork-tapestry/) - I've been watching Jonathon Strange and Mr. Norrell and just have to point out that in episode 3, there is a lovely stumpwork tapestry piece. It isn't often that embroidery makes its way into a storyline more than a background activity! I paused the show and studied each portion as the camera surveyed the entire work
- [Sketch: Barn Owl](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/05/11/sketch-barn-owl/) - I haven't been very diligent about exercising my pen and ink skills, but that doesn't mean that I've given up. I recently signed up for the newsletter from the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) and got my second issue today. I began what will hopefully be a regular* practice of drawing the bird they highlight. [*"Regular"
- [Everything is better ... 2](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/04/29/everything-is-better-2/) - Shortly after making my first "Everything is better with" sign, I put this one in the queue. I gifted it to my sister-in-law, who contributed "sunshine" to my list. I wanted this to be light and "sunny", so taking inspiration from the sky, I chose a light yellow fabric with small white painted stars against
- [Woolly worm on a leaf](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/04/28/woolly-worm-on-a-leaf/) - At one of my guild meetings, I picked up a small dimensional embroidery kit by A Candle In The Cellar, aptly named "woolly worm on a leaf". I put it away for a time because at a glance, it looked like it used bullion knots to make the worm and I wanted more practice since
- [Everything is better ...](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/04/27/everything-is-better/) - I've been tossing around this idea to make a couple of "Everything is better with ___ " signs so I asked around for some input and have a nice list to start with. This doesn't mean I will actually make them all, but if there is something you think that fills this statement with only
- [TA Stitch Challenge #5](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/04/21/ta-stitch-challenge-5/) - The challenge this week at TextileArtist.org is hosted by Emily Jo Gibbs. She works with appliqué and suggested we find an interesting stick - well my yard has more sticks than you could shake a forest at! I spent a short time outside looking for just the right one - an interesting shape that would
- [TA Stitch Challenge #4](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/04/18/ta-stitch-challenge-4/) - Richard McVetis led this week's stitch challenge over at TextileArtist.org. The concept is easy: couching stitches. I didn't have a lot of time this week for this project so I didn't stress myself much over trying to make something super cool. Instead, I did what he suggests which is to simply enjoy the act of
- [Stumpwork Portrait: Irma](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/04/07/stumpwork-portrait-irma/) - I came across a stumpwork portrait tutorial by Queenie's Needlework some time ago and finally had the gumption to give it a try. One of the last steps Queenie offers is to give the portrait a name. This lady doesn't look very much like anyone I know, but for some reason I felt my great
- [Historical Egyptian Treasures 1](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/04/06/historical-egyptian-treasures-1/) - I picked up a couple of Lin Vandenberg's Historical Egyptian Treasures at my guild a while back. They are from 1992 and I can't seem to locate any online reference about them. It is a technique I hadn't tried yet: pattern darning. I say I don't like doing counted work - at least from previous
- [PBN Totoro 2](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/04/03/pbn-totoro-2/) - I've made slow progress on my totoro paint-by-numbers project but here is the latest report (see where I began here). Session 4: More layers of white, orange, red, and yellow green, plus the darker yellow-green. Session 5: Still more layers of the all the colors and the flower stem green. Not very exciting, but it
- [TA Stitch Challenge #2](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/04/01/ta-stitch-challenge-2/) - I am so grateful that TextileArtist.org will be hosting the Stitch Challenge on their website - part two is up now for those following along! Cas Holmes presented her art style with the challenge, and this gave me the ability to try adding paper to something as my first foray into "mixed media". I admit
- [TA Stitch Challenge #1](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/03/30/ta-stitch-challenge-1/) - My friend pointed me over to TextileArtist.org who is running a free stitch challenge right now. For me, this is perfect timing! The article about Sue Stone, who lead this stitch challenge, really seemed to reflect me in parts. I have collected a lot of technical skills, but little by way of process. I'm still learning
- [PBN Totoro 1](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/03/26/pbn-totoro-1/) - I've been quiet 'round these parts because I have been working furiously behind the scenes on a project that I hope you will see soon. Meanwhile, we are all enduring COVID-19 in various ways. I hope everyone is adjusting fine, is staying healthy, and is convincing their social circles the importance of social distancing. As
- [Silk Gauze Rose Sampler](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/02/26/silk-gauze-rose-sampler/) - When I visited the EGA museum, Boy and I were very impressed with a particular piece worked on silk gauze. In fact, Boy deemed it his favorite thing he's ever seen in embroidery, and possibly in the whole world of art. At my guild's holiday party, I mentioned my visit and this piece to a
- [Shawkl's ICQC 103 seams](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/02/15/shawkls-icqc-103-seams/) - I made it all the way through the Intermediate Crazy Quilt Course with Kathy. This last task included specific requirements for seam treatments but it was really open to choice. Obviously, I will continue to work on this project so that I can piece it all together, but I don't plan to post about it
- [Floss tassels](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/02/14/floss-tassels/) - I discovered a free tutorial to make floss tassels over at Hobby Lobby and gave it a go. Of course I selected the spectrum of corals/blushes/pinks; how could I prevent myself? I made the one on the left first, following the directions except that I didn't use any glue. Instead, I threaded the last color
- [Shawkl's ICQC 103 Ribbon V](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/02/12/shawkls-icqc-103-ribbon-v/) - The last task in the monogram segment is to make a puffy ribbon letter. I chose to use my own handwriting for the shape, and V for my surname since it represents both Boy and me. I couched the 7mm silk ribbon down with some specialty perle cotton, which has a thin metallic gold stream
- [Shawkl's ICQC 103 Beaded S](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/02/11/shawkls-icqc-103-beaded-s/) - The second task in the monogram lesson was to make a beaded letter. I felt I was going to not have enough beads, so I opted to use a stem stitch in a large perle cotton as fill. I rather like the texture combination! I hadn't done any true beading work before, so getting the
- [Shawkl's ICQC 103 Embroidered M](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/02/10/shawkls-icqc-103-embroidered-m/) - The lessons for this segment of the intermediate crazy quilt course (ICQC) involve working monograms in a few different styles. The first task is using embroidery. I wanted to challenge myself, of course, so I didn't just use basic stitches. There is nothing fancy here, but it was a good practice for techniques I have
- [Shawkl's ICQC 103 Wisteria](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/01/27/shawkls-icqc-103-wisteria/) - The title of this post claims you'll see wisteria, but in truth, I converted this task to a grapevine because I've never seen wisteria in person (though it is all over my dream house grounds!) but my gramma and grampa had a small vineyard. The premise is still the same: use an unconventional fiber as
- [Shawkl's ICQC 103 Mixed Media](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/01/22/shawkls-icqc-103-mixed-media/) - I am part of the Embroiderer's Guild of America (EGA) through a local chapter, and I recently came across a little hedgehog-on-a-log piece that Terry Vanderslice designed as an introduction to raised embroidery (also known as stumpwork). I knew I wanted to try it for two reasons: 1) practice with bullion knots and 2) how
- [Shawkl's ICQC 103 Basic Story](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/01/19/shawkls-103-basic-story/) - My next intermediate crazy quilt class task was to take a basic embroidery motif and then add elements to place the image into a story of sorts. I chose to use a historic cross-stitch rabbit motif graphed by Kim at String-or-Nothing, by using waste canvas. I had this idea to mix cross-stitch with ribbon, so
- [Shawkl's ICQC 103 Basic Outline](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/01/14/shawkls-icqc-103-basic-outline/) - I was fortunate enough to have the day to myself so I set to Kathy's next task which was to add a basic embroidered outline image. I chose ferns, from an image I found on shutterstock, by Anastasia Lembrik. For the stems, the large fern used 4 strands of floss, which I peeled away until I
- [Shawkl's ICQC 103 vine and spider](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/01/12/shawkls-icqc-103-vine-and-spider/) - The last time I posted about the free crazy quilt course I am enrolled in was way back in March, 2019 (here). My brother stayed with us for two months before he and I left for Africa for two more, and then when I returned, there was so much to catch up on that I've
- [Cat mat mini quilt](https://www.thecrafties.com/2020/01/04/cat-mat-mini-quilt/) - My oldest cat, Maya, will do anything for warmth. Her second name is Seat Thief - the moment you stand up, or even dare to lean a little off your chair reaching for something, she just appears there instantaneously. She magically transports to your lap without you even knowing until it is time to get
- [TAST bunting](https://www.thecrafties.com/2019/12/30/tast-bunting/) - Sharon at Pintangle has been running an annual Take A Stitch Tuesday (TAST) program for many years now, and you might recall that I participated in 2018 (see my journey here). Well, I finally pulled it all together and converted my study of embroidery techniques and color combinations into a stream of bunting! When I
- [Meant to Bean](https://www.thecrafties.com/2019/12/29/meant-to-bean/) - My friend got married in October and I missed the deadline - even though work began in April! They set up a webpage for the wedding information with the tagline "Meant to Bean" (it makes sense for them) so that was obviously part of my inspiration. My friend also used a custom puzzle to propose,
- [Milk Glass Pin Cushion](https://www.thecrafties.com/2019/12/26/milk-glass-pin-cushion/) - I don't remember where I scored this milk glass dish, which I think is an Indiana pedestal candy dish with a daisy design, but I could not part with it. I don't eat candy, and had no idea what to do with it, so it just sat in a closet for years. One day, a
- [Pretty Birds Flamingo](https://www.thecrafties.com/2019/12/26/pretty-birds-flamingo/) - While I still had Pretty Birds laying around, I made a flamingo. I wanted to see how goofy the long legs would be. Instead of using just fabric, I stuffed each leg with two pipecleaners; I love how they turned out with this trick! It isn't too noticeable, but because I shrank the pattern down
- [Pretty Birds Parrot](https://www.thecrafties.com/2019/12/23/pretty-birds-parrot/) - I still had my Pretty Birds book out, from this post here, and decided to make a parrot just for fun. I think I'll give it to our friend who makes sure Sasha gets her twice-daily does of thyroid medicine when we go out of town. He loves birds and kept a parrot for a
- [Aunt Martha's first test](https://www.thecrafties.com/2019/12/07/aunt-marthas-first-test/) - I picked up an Aunt Martha's tracing pad and transfer pencils recently and wanted to see if this is something that can help me going forward. The process is simple: use the tracing paper to copy an image with the transfer pencil, then use a hot iron to transfer the image to your fabric of
- [Pretty Dice Bag](https://www.thecrafties.com/2019/12/05/pretty-dice-bag/) - I visited family for Thanksgiving and went to one of my all-time favorite stores, Ben Franklins. Among other things, I scooped up a pre-made brown polkadot pouch and a pretty floral patch. Ta-da! A new pretty dice bag! The patch is not iron-on, which lends itself to being scrunched up when the pouch is tied.
- [Pretty Birds Cardinal](https://www.thecrafties.com/2019/12/04/pretty-birds-cardinal/) - A while back I was at a discount bookstore and picked up a book by Virginia Lindsay, Pretty Birds. It has very simple patterns to make a range of different little birds and was just the thing I needed to find an idea for the handmade ornament exchange my embroidery guild hosts. Since it is
- [even more cacti](https://www.thecrafties.com/2019/11/29/even-more-cacti/) - I made some more mini felt cacti (see the originals here, and my last round here). I needed a gift and it never makes sense to only make one since they are pretty easy so I was experimenting with a few options. You'll notice I tried painting the terra cotta pots. One includes the copper
- [Stitch Floral Snowflake Mandala](https://www.thecrafties.com/2019/11/27/stitch-floral-snowflake-mandala/) - Amina at Stitch Floral graciously posted a free pattern she calls Snowflake Mandala. It looked Scandinavian to me, so I decided to try it in a bold red. I love how it turned out, so thank you very much, Amina! I chose a tea towel as my base and hid the back stitches by adding
- [Smallest Forest](https://www.thecrafties.com/2019/11/26/smallest-forest/) - This post is late and is really a memorial for an artist that I've been following for a few years, Nat at The Smallest Forest. I also want to honor her friends who took up her mantle. I discovered her through an annoying news article - in my eyes, the "journalist" invaded her privacy by
- [Needle Felted Christmas Pickle](https://www.thecrafties.com/2019/11/20/needle-felted-christmas-pickle/) - I needle felted a Christmas pickle! I realize not everyone knows what that is, so let me explain. My MIL introduced me to this concept many years ago, which is apparently German-American, though I don't think I ever heard anyone in my family using the tradition. Online rumor has several reasons why the tradition started,
- [Swan boutis bag](https://www.thecrafties.com/2019/11/18/swan-boutis-bag/) - Heyo heyo! I don't know why it has taken me so long to finish this bag, but here it is! You might remember my first foray into the world of French boutis - I took that pattern and altered it a little to add my own little swirly heart design and I used a swan
- [Safe & Sound](https://www.thecrafties.com/2019/09/18/safe-sound/) - Heyo, just a quick note to say I am back from my epic travels. We began in Portugal; then hopped down to Africa to see Mozambique; drove through South Africa, Eswatini (Swaziland), Lesotho, Namibia, and Botswana; then bussed and trained through Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Tanzania, before I had a long layover in Dubai on my
- [Travel Bag](https://www.thecrafties.com/2019/04/21/travel-bag/) - Today's post is all about Michelle Patterns' Mending Kit, which I've used before as a travel bag when I visited Peru, but now with more of my own custom personalizations. (It amazes me how much skill I've picked up accidentally over the years!) I love this pattern - it is a perfect size for a small
- [Shawkl's ICQC 103 trees](https://www.thecrafties.com/2019/03/31/shawkls-icqc-103-trees/) - As you know, I'm taking my third crazy quilt course offered for free by Kathy at Shawkl Designs. My first tasks were to embroider two trees using different methods. The first method was new to me, twisting threads and couching them down, plunging them through the ground fabric at different heights to thin the branches.
- [needle felted chickadee](https://www.thecrafties.com/2019/03/29/needle-felted-chickadee/) - I picked up my first needle felting kit when I stopped by Benzie Design in person (an adorable shop!). I was not sure what I expected. Would I like it? Would it be difficult? Would I be good at it? How do you turn loose wool into shapes? How long does it take? How free
- [Lucky me!](https://www.thecrafties.com/2019/03/18/lucky-me/) - I recently won two blog giveaways! That hasn't happened in literally years. I was amazed it happened at all, let alone twice!! First, I follow Amy at Nana Company and entered the giveaway she hosted on behalf of Ginger Root Bags - and won this cute little thing that I use now for my kindle:
- [Shawkl's BCQC 2 block](https://www.thecrafties.com/2019/03/16/shawkls-bcqc-2-block/) - You know that I was working on my second crazy quilt block under the tutelage of Kathy Shawkl (check out my first here!). Well, I completed my beautiful disaster! And I do mean that, disaster. Yes, yes, it looks alright but for some reason when I pulled it off the hoop to add the backing, it
- [more mini felt cacti](https://www.thecrafties.com/2019/03/15/more-mini-felt-cacti/) - I made two more felt cacti, although they are less-mini than the previous set. Unfortunately, I gave both away without getting a photo next to the tiny originals for a size comparison (they happen to be on display at the county library with other embroidery guild members' items!). They are a little larger than double,
- [Honored!](https://www.thecrafties.com/2019/02/08/honored/) - Mabel the Raccoon is in Inspiration's All Stitched Up newsletter! I am so honored!!! If you aren't subscribed, you are missing out on some wonderfully talented embroiderers. Check out Inspirations and all the amazing work they promote! (Disclaimer: They didn't ask me to say anything; this is all heart felt:)
- [WIP BCQC 2](https://www.thecrafties.com/2019/02/02/wip-bcqc-2/) - Ahhh, February is here! February gets no love from me so I am glad we've finally made it so that it can hurry up and go away. You feel me? I live near Chicago and so experienced the Polar Vortex. Indeed, it brought the coldest weather of my LIFE and that is not an overstatement.
- [Pin Weaving](https://www.thecrafties.com/2019/01/21/pin-weaving/) - Boy and I attended Interwoven Expressions over the fall and he got really excited about all the weavings - I am stoked that his admiration for crafts is gaining ground! Anyway, among the things we brought home, he bought me a pin weaving kit and board from Shirley Adams. Because I had TAST and some
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 52](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/12/26/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-52/) - We made it!! I don't have any WIPs to post because I actually have two TAST pennants to post about. But with the holiday I didn't get a chance to do so yet. This is the last Wednesday of the year. I had decided to make regular scheduled postings for various reasons - to give glimpses
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 50](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/12/12/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-50/) - Holy smokes! Fifty?! Where has the year gone, eh? I have no TAST photos, but I have the next pennant nearly laid out and ready to stitch. Yes, it will be another collection of stitches rather than fully exploring each type. My progress might be sluggish - still finishing up a project with Daniel Boone
- [mini felt cacti](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/12/10/mini-felt-cacti/) - I made a little potted garden of mini felt cacti! I set out to make them for Boy's office, but then people caught wind and wanted some;) You might remember from last week's WIP post that I was using Delilah Iris's Cactus Plush pattern. I added bead melon's to some of the cacti, and tiny
- [Little Lark ornaments](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/12/06/little-lark-ornaments/) - For my embroidery guild ornament exchange, I decided to make a Little Lark - Gingermelon Dolls makes the cutest little plushies, and she is so generous to offer some patterns for free! To test out my skills and the pattern, I started with a fabric I really liked and then chose coordinating felt colors -
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 48](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/11/28/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-48/) - As suspected in my last post, I completed the needlepoint portion of one of my WIPs. More to come when I figure out how I am going to mount it to the wood block! Although I didn't get a chance to work on TAST, here is where my current pennant stands - it is another
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 47](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/11/21/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-47/) - Today I am traveling for the holiday so I preemptively wrote this for ya'll. I don't have all the photos taken because while I have made progress on both TAST and other WIPs, I just didn't get around to photographing everything. First, I am making slow progress in my beginner crazy quilt course with Kathy
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 46](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/11/14/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-46/) - I am making a third TAST roundup for this week. You can see my progress and doodle ideas here: I also made progress in my first needlepoint project. I don't love needlepoint (and I don't even know if I am "doing it right") but I came up with an idea to attach this to a
- [Folk Art Panel](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/11/12/folk-art-panel/) - I recently mentioned that I was almost done with this project, what I call the "folk art panel". And now, here it is in all it's wonky glory! I pieced it together by machine, but everything else was done by hand (hence the "wonky" bit, as I certainly could use more practice). I also tried
- [SewIN Quilt and Fiber Biennial](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/11/09/sewin-quilt-and-fiber-biennial/) - The first SewIN Quilt and Fiber Biennial, put together by Art Seed, begins tomorrow. I tell you this because through a serendipitous encounter, my crazy quilt block is in the art show! I passed through my old stomping grounds coming back from my work in Kentucky and had my block on hand to show my
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 45](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/11/07/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-45/) - Here is my progress on TAST this week: But it isn't what you think! I actually finished a pennant as well, but I need to wait til I have more than just these iPhone photos. See! I told you not to give up on me yet. When I was out of town on work, I
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 44](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/10/31/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-44/) - I've made progress on TAST but I failed to mention last week that I would be out of town for archaeology again this week. I made the right assumption of not having time to sew so I left everything back home. I am enjoying myself here though, and found some beautiful historic examples of quilts
- [Swedish Huck Weaving](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/10/26/swedish-huck-weaving/) - My embroidery guild had a Swedish huck weaving project so I opted in! You might remember me mentioning it before, but I finally finished it. The kit came from Nordic Needle though I can no longer find it there - the instructions are still available here, however. To quote the packaging, "what distinguishes huck weaving
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 43](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/10/24/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-43/) - No WIPs or TAST to report today but not for the reasons you may think! Nay, it is for a lack of "in-progress" alone that this post contains merely words, for I have finished my last TAST pennant and the huck towel and the UFO challenge. Unfortunately, I haven't had a moment to photograph them but
- [Shawkl's BCQC 1 block](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/10/19/shawkls-bcqc-1-block/) - Let me tell you about Shawkl's BCQC 1 class! Kathy is so generous for putting it together - for free! The instructions are very clear, and she is quick to answer questions and comment on your work. I've learned the basic elements of making a crazy quilt block and am super excited to start the
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 42](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/10/17/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-42/) - I have a cold. I say this because I did not go to work anywhere this week, and work is where I left my TAST supplies, so you know what that means - I didn't do any TAST and now I am another week behind! Oi! I haven't felt well so I've mostly laid around
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 41](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/10/10/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-41/) - Ok, let's start with TAST! After gathering my project back together and scoping out Pintangle (which Sharon just revamped so be sure to check it out!), I realized that I had done several of the stitches already on previous pennants. This includes: #19 crossed buttonhole, #20 whipped chain, #26 herringbone square, #33 barred chain, and #36
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 40](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/10/03/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-40/) - Let me be square right off the bat: no TAST to report! Don't give up on me yet! I actually compiled the list of where to begin and got my items out to start! Hopefully, you will start seeing some TAST updates by next week:) But in other news, my beginner's crazy quilt course is
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 39](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/09/26/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-39/) - Speaking of the beginner's crazy quilt course, I sewed together my first block. While I enjoy the colors together and do plan to use this in a different project, I've decided to sew a different color combination for the purposes of the class. You'll see that maybe by next week! It's basically paper piecing, but
- [Shawkl's PVC Quilt Hoop](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/09/25/shawkls-pvc-quilt-hoop/) - As I mentioned, I enrolled in a beginner's crazy quilt course - Kathy at Shawkl runs it for free and I can tell already that she poured a lot of her heart and soul into the class. Anyway, I needed a quilter's hoop, and though I have a large round one that could work, I
- [Martha's French Boutis Bag](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/09/21/marthas-french-boutis-bag/) - I finished the French boutis bag I've been working on all summer and have decided to gift it to my gramma who travels frequently and may need a nice place for her jewelry or such. I was going to drive through the area yesterday on my way down to Living Archaeology Weekend but now I've had
- [Peru's Mending Kit](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/09/20/perus-mending-kit/) - Soooo long ago I mentioned how I owed a post about this bag I made - one I was very proud of! - for my last trip to Peru. I used the Mending Kit pattern from Michelle patterns and made a few changes here and there to suit my needs. These photos came from after
- [WIP-TAST-ic  Wednesday 38](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/09/19/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-38/) - We are skipping WIP-TAST-ic Wednesdays 22-37 since I was out of town. I did craft all summer, but just here and there and without the stability in schedule to photograph or post. Today is a signal that I am back in some sort of routine (I hope!) and so I've chosen a project I am
- [I'm back!](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/09/17/im-back/) - I know my blog has been quiet for weeks - nay, months - now, but I am back home (at least for now). My anthropology project was awesome, and I'll pop over a little note on that blog sometime. So, what crafty news do I have to share? Well, first up, my Heart Mouse sold!
- [Scarf Mouse Sold](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/05/24/scarf-mouse-sold/) - Remember these very nice mice, made with Ann Wood's pattern? I had given three total to a shopkeep down the hall from the candy store. They were my "practice" ones before making my friend an ornament. She notified me yesterday that someone bought this little dude: So that's that! My first craft sale ever! The
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 21](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/05/23/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-21/) - TAST is on hiatus this week. I should have gotten my last pennant finished, I suppose, or at least should have decided about that crossed buttonhole stitch, but alas, I have done neither! My brain's energy is all on the deck or planning to go away for a couple of weeks to do bioarchaeology stuff.
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 20](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/05/16/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-20/) - Time travel is great, no? So anyways, I didn't actually get this posted last week but I also didn't get much crafting done. I worked more of the satin stitch on my latest TAST pennant; just a few leaves to go. I am also at the point of deciding if I want to dedicate a
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 19](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/05/09/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-18/) - I have a lot of progress on my quilt! It should have been finished by now because it was meant to be fast and easy but my imagination is just doing everything it can to slow it down. I am fighting to find the balance! When it is all said and done, you'll see everything in
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 18](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/05/02/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-17/) - Time traveling, here! I made progress on my rice stitch sampler for TAST, though it was late and I messed up on my argyle sock so I need to pick out some of it and start again. I made progress on my quilt, also. I have most of the bits fused on, though I have
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 17](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/04/25/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-16/) - Ok, I cheated - I forgot to publish this on Wednesday! Nevertheless, here goes. I did not get my TAST project finished last time, but I did make progress. Because I am behind there, and also because I cannot see myself filling up a pennant with the satin stitch, I am skipping this week's challenge.
- [Colored Pencil Techniques 5](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/04/24/colored-pencil-techniques-5/) - This post is a bit overdue as I finished this drawing about a week ago. The colored pencil course has been over for a few weeks now, but I didn't get the last two projects completed in class so they became homework. I was able to finish this one up at Boy's office during a
- [Cassette Pouch by Lysa Flower](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/04/23/cassette-pouch-by-lysa-flower/) - I must direct you over to Lysa Flower; she has been such a generous friend to me and I think ya'll would love her! I've already made her match needle book and have been dying to try one of her foundation piecing projects so this cassette tape pouch was a no-brainer. She is definitely a girl
- [Dragon Lights Chicago](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/04/22/dragon-lights-chicago/) - A couple of us went to check out Dragon Lights in Chicago, a Chinese Lantern festival. Traditionally, this is to celebrate Chinese New Year, but April is well passed that date. Boy took some great photos but it will likely be a decade before I ever see those off his camera. That is to say,
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 16](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/04/18/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-15-2/) - First up, you may remember my first foray with candlewick embroidery and the better-than-french-knot colonial knot (here and here). I finally got it pieced to become a wall hanging. Now I will stash it a way a bit until I get the necessary boards to finish the quilt frame my dad made. Yes, I finally
- [Library Updates](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/04/12/library-updates/) - Just a quick note about some changes I made in the Library. First, I added a gallery of my favorite projects as well as popular posts (now that I am beginning to understand how to read google analytics). I think it would be helpful for new visitors to see easily if my little corner of the
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 15](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/04/11/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-15/) - I have two projects to share this week. The first is the TAST challenge: arrow stitch. I am not very far on it yet. I blame the weather (it's been walkable!) and working at the office a lot more. Maybe I should just give up the dream of temporary retirement and realize I have a
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 14](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/04/04/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-14/) - I still only have a single project in this week's WIP queue, which is what I prefer! However, what I don't prefer is that it is last week's TAST. Boo. I have it all finished but the little motif challenge. I have some ideas for that but I just couldn't pick which might be best
- [Framing Ribbon Embroidery](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/03/30/framing-ribbon-embroidery/) - I wasn't sure I would have time for framing ribbon embroidery this week which is why I did not include this photo in the original post, but I did! Generally, I lag behind "finishing" projects but I was too excited to share it so I didn't wait, obviously. Tatiana's preference is to not use frames
- [Book Folding: Heart](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/03/29/book-folding-heart/) - One of my MIL's friends wanted to share something she recently learned and fell in love with, and I got invited over to "wine club" to participate, too. Everyone pitched in for some yummy food, and she brought supplies and taught us about book folding. I've seen this type of project before and always wondered
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 13](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/03/28/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-13/) - This week's work-in-progress is back down to a single project: TAST - the sheaf stitch. I forgot my black thread at home today, so I could not start with the title segment as usual. But I found so many ideas! Holy cow, I really shouldn't be surprised anymore. Every time I think "ok, this stitch
- [Ribbon Embroidery: the letter R](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/03/27/ribbon-embroidery-the-letter-r/) - I first learned about Tatiana Popova's ribbon work through NeedlenThread's review. As I've mentioned before, floral designs aren't really my thing, but I had been interested in learning more about ribbon embroidery. I enjoyed Tatiana's work and decided to see if she had any kit I might be interested in. Well, hello "R"! If you've
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 12](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/03/21/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-12/) - Hola all! I whipped out TAST's chevron stitch as you can see here. Problem is.... how does one make this into a motif?? I'll be twirling that around in my head for a while yet... When researching this stitch, I came upon the Half Chevron Stitch and I have loads of ideas by way of
- [Mabel the Raccoon](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/03/19/mabel-the-raccoon/) - An embroidery whirlwind blew through town this weekend and I finished up my raccoon embroidery. I had so much fun figuring out what stitch to use and how to solve problems along the way! I didn't even mind - at all! - re-doing some sections. And bonus, I learned some tips to avoid problems the
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 11](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/03/14/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-11/) - I made some progress on my ribbon embroidery this week! As you might recall, TAST is on hiatus this week for people to catch up. Sharon announced a small project, to combine a few stitches we've learned in a new project. I did not do this per se, but I did decide to jump in
- [Colored Pencil Techniques 4](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/03/11/colored-pencil-techniques-4/) - This week's lesson was to draw bananas. Tom had an image of bananas pre-cut for each of us to speed along the class for those who can't draw quickly (or at all). Then we set to work, making our bananas. Tom lent a few of us his pencils to take home so we would continue
- [Baby EJ quilt](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/03/09/baby-ej-quilt/) - Our old roomie Chris is having a baby girl and I hosted the shower with the help of another gal. We aimed for a Disney Aladdin theme based on a Pinterest photo we discovered. Of course, ours didn't look as dramatic but considering we barely spent any money at all, I think we did a
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 10](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/03/07/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-10/) - It is best I have been super busy working with Boy, else I might get too use to my early + temporary retirement. Sigh. All I have to show you is this week's TAST which is the couching stitch. I have it all planned. The trick is that I intend to only use the basic
- [100 Day Project: Days 26-30](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/03/05/100-day-project-days-26-30/) - I did not make it back on the bandwagon. I tried to carve time out each day but it just didn't happen. Religiously, I had the paper and pencil out, and the idea chosen each and every day. But either no time showed itself or when it did, I was too drained to give it
- [Colored Pencil Techniques 3](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/03/01/colored-pencil-techniques-3/) - Class 3 taught us a little more practice in blending. Tonight we chose a light color and paired it with a darker color. The goal was simply to work on smooth blending from dark shade to light. Here is a steady yellow layered by a fading orange. And here is a steady light purple layered
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 9](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/02/28/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-9/) - I completed the blanket I have been working on, so I will post that separately once I get some nice photos. I took several already, but this cave-house of mine irks me to no end with lighting! I must wait for either a sunnier day or Boy's help. (On our recent spectacularly warm sunny day,
- [Colored Pencil Techniques 2](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/02/22/colored-pencil-techniques-2/) - I had my second colored pencil course tonight - you can read about the first here, if you missed it. Tonight, we learned other fill techniques. Cross hatching, for those of you who don't already know, is simply drawing straight lines one direction, then overlapping them with perpendicular lines. The trick is to keep the
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 8](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/02/21/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-8/) - First up, I have not progressed any on my ribbon embroidery. Boy's got me pretty busy up at the office, and as I may have mentioned, it requires a hoop stand to do it properly. Not only that, but I had a lot of drawings to catch up on for my 100 Day Project, and
- [100 Day Project: Days 21-25](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/02/19/100-day-project-days-21-25/) - I fell off the bandwagon with this set. I didn't do a single one on the day of - I blame the kitty drama and extra hours at the office! I know that the whole philosophical point of the 100 Day Project is to simply Do ___ each day, but the way I look at
- [100 Day Project: Days 16-20](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/02/17/100-day-project-days-16-20/) - I'm noticing that I revert to quick sketches more often than careful studies. That's not ideally what I wanted with this project when I started it (I wanted to see a development in realistic drawings), but logically it makes sense. I was over ambitious, I think, to believe I could do it all, and all
- [Colored Pencil Techniques 1](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/02/15/colored-pencil-techniques-1/) - Earlier, I had mentioned that I signed up for a free colored pencil class at the local library with someone who can make pencil drawings look like photographs. The class got delayed a week due to a big dump of snow (10" that day) so tonight was Class 1. There are only 8 students so
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 7](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/02/14/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-7/) - First, let me be straight with ya'll. I have no TAST to show! My sweeter-than-pie kitty Maya is finally getting her nose-breathing woes checked out at the Purdue vet hospital far away from here so we spent the day down there with her. They have her until possibly Friday and though today's preliminary workup doesn't
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 6](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/02/07/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-6/) - Happy Wednesday, all! First up, small progress on my ribbon R from last week: The little scroll at the bottom right will be coming out. I already removed the left-most one, and I hoped trying elsewhere would inspire skill. I just can't seem to get it to bend how I would like. And I don't
- [100 Day Project: Days 11-15](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/02/06/100-day-project-days-11-15/) - Disclaimer: I've linked some search results from theCrafties below, and unfortunately I must have broken something a bit ago when fiddling around with the PHP here. So, uh, until Boy can get it looked at, kindly accept my apologies for the links not directing you where they should! :/ 11. I have only been to
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 5](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/01/31/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-5/) - I had intended to show you a WIP of a snazzy foundation-pieced project today, but I decided to postpone starting that until I had the proper tools. I only recently heard about an "add a quarter ruler" so when that showed up in the instructions, I bit the bullet and ordered some. Gosh, that would
- [100 Day Project: Days 1-10](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/01/31/100-day-project-days-1-10/) - So, recall my plans for the 100 Day Project. I've been adding the title and a quick critique on each one. These are unimportant really as it's just to force me to think about my technique. Anywho, here is week one, days 1-10. 1. I read every night before sleep. I always always always have
- [Acrylic paint workshop](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/01/27/acrylic-paint-workshop/) - My sister-in-law and I signed up for a super cheap 2-hour acrylic paint workshop at the local library today. We weren't sure what to expect other than the theme was a winter scene. The artist, Tom, was super nice. As we waited for our layers to dry, he showed us images of some of his
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 4](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/01/24/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-4/) - I am getting ready to embark on a stellar foundation-pieced project so first I wanted to practice. What better place to turn to than Craftsy these days? I found this freebie Rose Paper Piecing by Jikta Designs. I did want to make it in yellow, but I didn't really like any of my fabrics for
- [guild embroidered name tag](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/01/23/guild-name-tag/) - New embroidery guild members are tasked with eventually making their own embroidered name tag. I finally got around to mine, a year later! Another guild member already goes by my nickname, so I went with my formal name when I joined. Since my last name is also on the piece, I won't be showing you
- [100 Day Project: Mirrored Light](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/01/21/100-day-project-mirrored-light/) - Following the theme I've set myself up for this year (of diving deeper into my own creativity), I have decided to informally try the 100 Day Project: Mirrored Light. It begins today, and wraps up on April 30th. Will I stick with it? Stick around to find out! According to the website, "The theme highlights
- [TAST: fly stitch](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/01/19/tast-fly-stitch/) - You’ve read about my idea for this here, right? Ok! See all completed TAST posts here. I only now realize I forgot to take a photo of the back, but here is the front: This time, what I noticed was experimenting a little bit with color theory. I didn't think too hard on it, but I
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 3](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/01/17/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-3/) - Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! I got so much done on my Craftsy stumpwork! I hadn't really worked on it since November because - and I had forgotten - this project made me feel my age (and I still don't think I'm all that old yet!). All of the background (posted again below as an
- [January Challenge Week 2](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/01/14/january-challenge-week-2/) - I completed week 2, but I am not inspired so I've opted to no longer continue the challenges. I'll keep checking them out daily, but unless something speaks to me, you won't hear any more about it here! On the 21st, something more interesting is coming. I'll explain that when it gets here!
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 2](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/01/10/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-2/) - Howdy howdy! I did not work on my stumpwork at all, sadly. But I did start reading The Ashely Book of Knots. Clifford Ashley spent over a decade writing this book, having toured all kinds of industries (but mostly sailing) to learn every knot he could gather. The man is blowing me away - not
- [tiny sewing room](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/01/08/tiny-sewing-room/) - Lookit! Boy surprised me with something I have always adored - a tiny sewing room (inside an Altoids tin) by Tea Rose Home!
- [Very Nice Mouse Ornament](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/01/07/very-nice-mouse/) - After making a few practice goes that have all since been spoken for, I made yet another very nice mouse ornament! Each time I make one I think of something new to try out for the next one, so the process is quite fun. This time, I used beads for eyes, really built up the
- [TAST: running stitch](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/01/05/tast-running-stitch/) - You've read about my idea for this here, right? Ok! See all completed TAST posts here. Obviously this hasn't been turned into bunting yet; I plan to do that all at the end. Voila! Front and back, for posterity's sake:) The "TAST 2018" title and words in black are not running stitch, but everything else is!
- [WIP-TAST-ic Wednesday 1](https://www.thecrafties.com/2018/01/03/wip-tast-ic-wednesday-1/) - Howdy Howdy! Today is the first Work In Progress (WIP) Wednesday where I will share weekly with you what I've got going on behind the scenes, so to speak. I will also discuss my Take a Stitch Tuesday (TAST) adventure with you, so stick around for a fantastic, WIP-TAST-ic exploration! (Aren't I clever?;) I may
- [Very Nice Mice](https://www.thecrafties.com/2017/12/29/very-nice-mice/) - A guild member gifted me some amazing fabric - lots of it. I cannot wait to get going on a crazy quilt design! To thank her, I wanted to make her an ornament. The guild had a holiday dinner with an ornament exchange so I was hopeful to make two. Alas, I had zero ready.
- [Latch Hook Hummingbird](https://www.thecrafties.com/2017/12/27/latch-hook-hummingbird/) - I am not sure where this project came from - either when my MIL gave me her old stuff, or when my paternal gramma downsized, or when my parents moved into an RV, or when my maternal gramma was gifting things she thought I might like. I found it when I recently decided to give
- [Small finishes](https://www.thecrafties.com/2017/12/26/small-finishes/) - You may recall the Monoprice Ultra-thin Light Table pouch I made, yeah? Well, I made it only for the size of the lightbox, knowing I would have to do something for the power adapter. I simply made a small matching bag, and tossed it in a basket that has other power adapters. But, with it
- [Septic tank woes](https://www.thecrafties.com/2017/12/23/septic-tank-woes/) - Home sweet home is not without issue. In a nut shell, our septic tank caved in this fall. It is in part of our yard that is not easily noticeable from our windows. So imagine my surprise when I wandered outside in a rush to check on a bird that I heard hit the window
- [2016 house makeover](https://www.thecrafties.com/2017/12/22/2016-house-makeover/) - After our new siding last year, Boy decided that the next major project at the house was to replace the roof. He gathered his friends to help (one of them has worked as a roofer before) and his dad supervised the bigger project. Unfortunately, they planned it to be over summer's heat wave last year.
- [Monoprice Ultra-Thin Light Box Sleeve](https://www.thecrafties.com/2017/11/30/monoprice-ultra-thin-light-box-sleeve/) - You may recall I purchased an amazing light table from Monoprice a while back. I've been keeping it in the original box for safe storage, but it is much larger than required so over the last two evenings, I made a giganto pouch for it! Voila, the monoprice ultra-thin light box sleeve: I had some
- [Metal Earth builds](https://www.thecrafties.com/2017/10/18/metal-earth-builds/) - Boy and I use to go to Barnes and Nobel a lot. And then they left. We never had mom & pop book stores and now no decent chains, either. Oh, Amazon, why must we love/hate you? But then one day, driving in the next county over, we found one and popped in for old
- [Bent-pole Structures!](https://www.thecrafties.com/2017/10/15/bent-pole-structures/) - One of the things I did this summer was work down at the Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky, as I mentioned before. It was a blast on so many levels, and I just realized that I did help craft something amazingly huge! Two things, actually: bent-pole structures! Bent-pole structures were often used by native peoples
- [Quilt Guild Mug Rug](https://www.thecrafties.com/2017/10/04/quilt-guild-mug-rug/) - I attended a free class at the county library hosted by a local quilt guild, Heritage Quilters (very similar to the one put on by my embroidery guild). Some of the embroidery guild members are also members of that guild, and I had been interested in seeing what they have to offer so it was
- [Bee + Yoga Cross Stitch](https://www.thecrafties.com/2017/09/25/bee-yoga/) - This is actually the last "completed" project I have done recently. I was doing some archaeology work this summer and stayed with a gal named Ellie. She teaches yoga and raises bees! I convinced her cat Sampson to fall in love with me, too. I wanted to give Ellie something since I was staying with
- [Capture One](https://www.thecrafties.com/2017/09/24/capture-one/) - So I fell off the blogging wagon a bit when Apple decided to stop supporting Aperture and therefore managing photos became extraordinarily menacing. Boy got me Lightroom but I could not get on board. Part of that was how it imported my Aperture library all fungled and so I just didn't think too highly of
- [more buttons](https://www.thecrafties.com/2017/07/03/more-buttons/) - I embroidered three more buttons for my guild's State Day event later this year. Remember, these each fit within a 1-inch diameter circle! Two patterns came from 500 Simply Charming Designs for Embroidery. Everyone's favorite is that wee mouse! And one came out of the Scandinavian Stitch Craft book, though it is my least favorite out of all of
- [thumbkin](https://www.thecrafties.com/2017/06/06/thumbkin/) - My gramma gave me a little kit a while ago to make a thumbkin. The website written on the instructions does not work (www.louisvillenimblethimbles.com) but perhaps it is meant to be www.nimblethimbles.com which is a quilting guild in Louisville. Regardless, the explanatory poem reads: It's a simple little thing to use Wherever you may go: A
- [Corbet's Stitch Sampler: W](https://www.thecrafties.com/2017/06/05/corbets-stitch-sampler-w/) - As a self-taught sewing beginner, I have not purchased many patterns. Almost everything sewn here at theCrafties has been found through the generosity of people providing their ideas for free online (or gifted to me by people I know!). However, as I am moving into an intermediate level, I have begun to look for specific projects.
- [Wrapped hoops](https://www.thecrafties.com/2017/05/31/wrapped-hoops/) - One of the things I am trying is wrapping my hoops. I first learned of this from a Craftsy class for Celeste Chalasani's Stumpwork: Raised Embroidery Essentials (no, I have not started this project yet; I need more time to feel ready for it!). I know that several people I follow with feedly tout its importance, but I hadn't
- [Learning to Love Blackwork](https://www.thecrafties.com/2017/05/29/learning-to-love-blackwork/) - At my last embroidery guild meeting, we learned how to do blackwork embroidery and were shown the EGA pattern Learning to Love Blackwork by Linda Dorril (if you become an EGA member, you will have access to it to try for yourself!). I have come across blackwork embroidery on the great internet before, and I
- [Railbirds Paint-by-Numbers](https://www.thecrafties.com/2017/05/15/railbirds-paint-by-numbers/) - In January, I stopped by a shop to find a puzzle. The employee suggested checking out their paint-by-numbers, which I did. My gramma always had them laying around when I was growing up so it reminded me of her. Why not? I've never really painted, but 2017 was to be a year of artistic creation,
- [Folk Art Florals](https://www.thecrafties.com/2017/05/08/folk-art-florals/) - So, I did it - I bought the rest of the project from a seller on eBay! I was shocked by how small each panel was - but then I read the print on the actual project and realized that they were exactly the size they are suppose to be! Ha! Anyway, I stitched them
- [Pennsylvania Dutch Tree](https://www.thecrafties.com/2017/05/01/pennsylvania-dutch-tree/) - What is old is new again! This is a candlewick embroidery project (yet another aspect of sewing I had never heard of - though it kind of makes sense considering I was all of 4 years old at the time this hit the shops, as marked by the printed date on the bottom of the
- [skull pillow & tuatara](https://www.thecrafties.com/2017/04/29/skull-pillow-and-tuatara/) - I would be seeing my bioanthropology friend from New Zealand at a conference so I wanted to make her something - of course I chose a skull pillow! She also brought me a gift; a tuatara - a native reptile of New Zealand. It is from a company called dodoland and there are many cool options.
- [ribbon candy ornament](https://www.thecrafties.com/2017/04/15/ribbon-candy-ornament/) - My MIL and I attended our first embroidery guild meeting in March. The project for the meeting was a ribbon candy ornament by Calico Crossroads using perforated paper. I hadn't heard of such a thing! But, I signed up for it and worked on it here and there since. Mostly, I did so when I was
- [cat + toilet paper](https://www.thecrafties.com/2017/02/17/cat-toilet-paper/) - I have two cats. Sasha is the kitten of the family, and her spunky personality often gets her into trouble. Maya, three years older, is like a little old lady cat, prim and proper, and she rarely does anything wrong. The one thing she does (and Sasha actually doesn't!) is eat the toilet paper. We
- [cross stitch bunny](https://www.thecrafties.com/2017/02/14/cross-stitch-bunny/) - So in yesterday's post, I mentioned that the embroidery guild gave us a needle book and a pattern to make a bunny on the cover. Well, ta da! I added my own little details: french knots in the top and bottom border, eye, and nose; a two-color vertical line at the spine; and rather than long
- [cross stitch 101](https://www.thecrafties.com/2017/02/13/cross-stitch-101/) - One of the things I've done this year is sign up for some creative classes. Craftsy was offering a buy-one-get-one event in January so I enrolled in my first two: Embroidering Texture and Dimension by Hand with Sue Spargo and Stumpwork: Raised Embroidery Essentials with Celeste Chalasani. I like to only work on one major project at a time (otherwise my life would be
- [O hoop](https://www.thecrafties.com/2017/02/03/o-hoop/) - As I mentioned last time, I purchased my first pattern off of etsy from KnottyDickens and printed it directly to the fabric via a short tutorial at NeedlenThread. I never intended to stitch the phrase on it, so before I printed it, I edited the image and made the center blank. My first go was
- [2016 makes](https://www.thecrafties.com/2017/01/21/2016-makes/) - I hadn't posted a lot there toward the end of the year, huh? I was in the midst of a tough semester, to sugar coat it. I survived, so there is that! 2017 is going great. I hope that with my new teaching schedule and perspective on life that I'll post more often because, well, I hope
- [Ohio star block](https://www.thecrafties.com/2016/07/14/ohio-star-block/) - A shout out goes to Carol at Rocking Chair Quilts for this post! I visited her shop as part of the 2016 Illiana Shop Hop and in her goodie bag was an Ohio star block pattern with enough fabric to make it. She told us that she selected the pattern because it was the first
- [Sweetpea pods](https://www.thecrafties.com/2016/07/10/sweetpea-pods/) - As mentioned before, this is a pattern I picked up from the Illiana Shop Hop. It is from Lazy Girl Designs, and I see they have many little projects. Being my first-ever zipper project, I was a little nervous - especially since the pattern says to practice! But I found it to be incredibly easy, so much
- [2016 Illiana Shop Hop Loot](https://www.thecrafties.com/2016/07/05/2016-illiana-shop-hop-loot/) - For the first time ever, I participated in a shop hop. I had no idea what to expect, but it was fun. My step-mother-in-law invited me, and both our husbands came. Over 1,000 miles later, we managed to make it to all twelve participating shops. Most of them are amazing, though I will be honest and
- [Cam's quilt](https://www.thecrafties.com/2016/06/29/cams-quilt/) - I completed my first non-rag quilt for my nephew's high school graduation. The kind of quilt where cutting straight and sewing straight matters. I asked Cam to pick four coordinating colors (without knowing why) and he said black, white, dark blue, and bright green. Not my color pallet, but they do look pretty man-ish together
- [Skull pillow](https://www.thecrafties.com/2016/06/10/skull-pillow/) - I am back from Mexico and will post about that trip some day, but first I wanted to share with you something I whipped up yesterday. I've been invited to go analyze some skeletons discovered by a road construction project and it reminded me that I wanted to make some skull pillows. These are useful
- [Another trip south](https://www.thecrafties.com/2016/05/18/another-trip-south/) - I have been crafting a quilt for my nephew (he is graduating high school already!), which you will see if it does not shame me by the time I am finished since it is the first non-rag quilt, and it is quite large, and I made up the pattern myself, and, and, and... However, I
- [Maya the cat](https://www.thecrafties.com/2016/04/27/maya-the-cat/) - Howdy! Gosh, been a while, hasn't it? My semester is wrapping up and I am buzzing with excitement. I haven't gotten to have casual fun since last April. That is over twelve months ago! I jumped into an archaeological project over the summer, then hopped right into a visiting lectureship in the fall and have
- [Winter floral arrangement](https://www.thecrafties.com/2015/12/04/winter-floral-arrangement/) - I attended another floral workshop this week for a winter outdoor arrangement. Our pots were already filled with dirt, and our greenery kit awaited us. We got to pick out two packets of adornment (everything from a natural look to full-on glitter, from sticks and pinecones to feathery balls and christmas faire). I went non-traditional
- [Troweling around: archaeology trowel holster](https://www.thecrafties.com/2015/06/07/troweling-around/) - As an archaeologist, I own a trowel. They begin as mortar trowels, but we sharpen them to cut through dirt. Ergo, you need an archaeology trowel holster. The ones you can buy are bulky and have a small amount of weight to them. I wanted something different. Enter Boy and his leather. I used a
- [backpacking Peru 2015](https://www.thecrafties.com/2015/05/20/backpacking-peru-2015/) - Hola! So, my world-touring brother lost his gear and "hired" me as a courier to bring him replacements. He didn't have the decency to lose his stuff somewhere I hadn't been to before, but that was quite alright because I loved Peru the first time and I was quite excited to go back! I have
- [potted flowers](https://www.thecrafties.com/2015/05/19/potted-flowers/) - I attended a short class on how to make a potted arrangement at a local garden center last night. It was a neat event - my sister-in-laws and mother-in-law went and they all have much more plant experience than I do (I've lived here for almost six years and all I have to show for it
- [Peru, again!](https://www.thecrafties.com/2015/04/05/peru-again/) - Just a quick note that I will be joining my brother in Peru for 20 days. I leave on Thursday. I am both excited and apprehensive of what he has in store for me. See, some of his gear is lost and it is quicker to fly me in with replacements than going through customs
- [goodbye ugly house](https://www.thecrafties.com/2015/02/26/goodbye-ugly-house/) - If you've been following for a while, you know we have done some updating in the interior of our house (paint, light fixtures, laundry room makeover, entire kitchen renovation, etc.). Well, it is finally time to get the trashy-looking outside bright and happy. We qualified for a rehabilitation loan through the county, which has made
- [Piles of hexies!](https://www.thecrafties.com/2015/02/25/piles-of-hexies/) - I've turned all my squares into hexagons now! That's all for today, folks.
- [scrapping Peru again!](https://www.thecrafties.com/2015/02/15/scrapping-peru-again/) - I churned out a page for my Peru album. I really want to see this project finished - I went there in 2007! The blank space will hold a short snippet about the bioarchaeology field school (which was conducted in the tent in the small center photo). Though this was the purpose of my going
- [Springish cleaning](https://www.thecrafties.com/2015/02/14/springish-cleaning/) - I've been putting my craft room through an overhaul recently. It might be a subconscious thing that I wish it were spring so if I start cleaning, maybe the weather will warm up? Blue skies will return? No? Well, I tried. So, my closet was a disaster - fabrics stuffed all over the place, wrinkled
- [leather book cover](https://www.thecrafties.com/2015/02/06/leather-book-cover/) - This project has been floating around my house for quite some time. Frankly, the idea of sewing leather was scary to me, so I hemmed and hawed a lot, but eventually I got through it! I had a swath of green leather from years ago, waiting for an interesting project so when my friend asked to
- [quilted pillow](https://www.thecrafties.com/2015/01/27/quilted-pillow/) - I whipped up a pillow today for my mother-in-law. When she moved to Indy, she gave me a lot of her sewing room items, which included things her mother had worked on. Now that Gayle is moving into her own place back here to be around all us kids, I thought it would be nice
- [zelda crest mug rug](https://www.thecrafties.com/2015/01/21/zelda-crest-mug-rug/) - Boy and I both adore the Zelda games, so this is really for both of us, though I tell him it is his:) I got the pattern from Our Nerd Home, and embroidered it over break. This one is really thick compared to my first attempt! I used three layers of fabric all told, with
- [weighted pincushion organizer](https://www.thecrafties.com/2015/01/20/weighted-pincushion-organizer/) - Sew Mama Sew posted about Elizabeth's Fabric Focus with a free PDF pattern of a weighted pincushion organizer. Now that I am sewing a little more regularly (being mostly jobless this semester, and all), I am constantly frustrated with all the extra threads and fabric snips that seem to go all over the place. So,
- [burlap trim](https://www.thecrafties.com/2015/01/18/burlap-trim/) - I was at Michaels the other day and found a roll of Crafty Cuts daisy burlap on clearance so I got it after being able to answer the question of what would I do with it? Well, we have a stainless steel container we keep coffee/tea in and it just does not go with the
- [ikea hack: bekvam stool](https://www.thecrafties.com/2015/01/16/ikea-hack-bekvam-stool/) - *1/27/15 Edit: IkeaHackers added this to their page - check out their site for a ton of great "Ikea hack" ideas! :) Ikea does make some really great products, and one of the things I use often is my little BEKVÄM stool. It is lightweight and easy to carry around my kitchen and other parts of the
- [paper elephant](https://www.thecrafties.com/2015/01/13/paper-elephant/) - I am torn between saying the best thing about the internet is the wealth of knowledge and saying it is the wealth of generosity. I came across a free pattern of such a cute little elephant I had to try it out! Thanks to the Swedish material girls at materialisterna! I printed mine onto the blank side
- [surgery](https://www.thecrafties.com/2014/12/30/surgery/) - This is a little bit of a personal story, but I wanted to share in case any of you are afraid of nasal surgery like I was. In December, I had turbinate reduction, septoplasty, and nasal valve repair surgeries (all in one out patient visit) - thank you Obamacare! Since I was about 20 years
- [appliqué wedding gift](https://www.thecrafties.com/2014/12/28/applique-gift/) - Howdy folks! My sister-in-law finally found a home on her wall for the applique wedding gift I made for her. She hung it above a piece of furniture she inherited from her grandmother, which she painted a cool color - check it out! Here's a close up. I am wondering how to avoid the look
- [SMS Giveaway!](https://www.thecrafties.com/2014/12/08/sms-giveaway/) - Boy worked his database magic - and our winner is: mysql> select * from wp_comments where comment_post_ID = 3668 and comment_approved = 1 order by rand() limit 1; +--------------+----------------------------+-------------------------------------------------+ | BreannaS | 2014-12-08 21:57:08 | My favorite crafty site is ravelry.com | +--------------+----------------------------+--------------------------------------------------+ A big thank you for everyone who played along and supported us
- [Scrapping Peru](https://www.thecrafties.com/2014/11/19/scrapping-peru/) - Not only did I finish my pillow, but I finally, finally, finally tackled the scrapbook layout from my Peru fieldschool that has been sitting in a closet for literally years (I mean, the trip alone was in 2007!!). These pages are from my excursion to the Museo de la Nacion (the National Museum). The blank
- [Hexagon pillow case](https://www.thecrafties.com/2014/11/17/hexagon-pillow-case/) - Today, I finally finished the paper-pieced hexagon pillow case I had been working on. You can read a little bit more about it here. A quick recap is that the flowered piece was sewn by Boy's grandmother who has since passed away. Boy picked out the fabric for the back. he said "you gotta go
- [First applique experience](https://www.thecrafties.com/2014/09/22/first-applique-experience/) - I finally wrapped up my sister-in-laws 2-year-belated wedding present and gave it to her. In this post, I am going to talk about the process. When she sends me over a photo of it hung on the wall in all its glory, I will post the final look. I learned many things. One, I like
- [Crafternoon: Paper Quilling](https://www.thecrafties.com/2014/09/08/crafternoon-paper-quilling/) - September's Crafternoon theme was Paper Quilling, though the end of summer is a busy time for everyone so only I had managed to get quilling supplies. No matter - we chatted and enjoyed snacks while we learned about each other's WIPs. I had ordered the Darice Beginner Quilling Kit, as I had expected to just
- [Sneak peek](https://www.thecrafties.com/2014/09/02/sneak-peek/) - I have been sewing while watching Star Trek: TNG. I swear, that is the best sewing series around! It is amazing that I grew up watching it, yet every now and then, I come across an episode I have zero memory of. Very fun! Here is a sneak peek of something I am working on
- [Crafternoon: Felt flowers](https://www.thecrafties.com/2014/07/21/crafternoon-felt-flowers/) - Over the weekend, I hosted another crafternoon. I printed out several templates from around the web and between my friend Ashley and I, we supplied felt, scissors, glue, thread, needles, buttons, and beads. Sites included How Joyful, Make & Do Girl, Lines Across, and some general ones I found through google image search that I can't
- [Lysa's match needle book](https://www.thecrafties.com/2014/06/21/lysas-match-needle-book/) - Here it is! This is the result of a pattern I tested for Lysa, the most generous gal to have given me a free kit to make my own (serious goodness, right there!). I truly felt that this little needle book was one of the most clever things I've seen around. I just had to have
- [Pattern testing, whoop whoop](https://www.thecrafties.com/2014/06/19/pattern-testing-whoop-whoop/) - There was one item through the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway event that I seriously wanted. I didn't win it, but I kept thinking about it. I finally went to see what it cost, because I wanted it that badly. The shop was under construction. What to do? Well, finally I just emailed the gal. Long
- [Paper-piecing pillow - WIP](https://www.thecrafties.com/2014/06/14/paper-piecing-pillow-wip/) - I am at them again, these addicting hexagons! I can only do a little at a time, but this project is coming along. I am using a flower Boy's grandmother had sewn, and decided to make it a pillow for my craft room. I think... I mean, I haven't bought a pillow form just yet
- [things in the kitchen](https://www.thecrafties.com/2014/06/12/things-in-the-kitchen/) - Our kitchen and dining room are not finished, but here are some little peeks: I am looking after my grandmother's trinkets for her (she had to move to an assisted living situation due to Alzheimer's). I added a few of my own in there - a koopa troopa, a hei teki ornament, a three legged
- [Monogram Wreath: the letter J](https://www.thecrafties.com/2014/06/07/the-letter-j/) - Another wedding, another letter for a monogram wreath! My friend Ashley loves aqua and her bridal shower was naturals and bird-themed, which is how I chose the design. I did not have the exact color of felt I wanted, but in the end I am very happy with how it turned out! I began with
- [the letter P](https://www.thecrafties.com/2014/06/02/the-letter-p/) - Our friends recently got married, and Boy was one of the groomsmen. We had bought them stuff for their shower but I still wanted to give them something handmade. Their wedding colors were peacocks and browns, but I also get the feeling they like things like Mardi Gras and whatnot, so that is how I chose
- [Laundry room finished](https://www.thecrafties.com/2014/05/29/laundry-room-finished/) - Gosh, this happened years ago. But, delayed posts is what you get when you quit blogging to go back to school, eh? Anyways, I do not have an original before photo. The best I have is this, when the drywall was getting removed. Here is the "final" product. We used wood panelling (painted yellow) instead of
- [SMS win from El Petit Taller](https://www.thecrafties.com/2014/05/28/sms-win-from-el-petit-taller/) - I received a package from Ireland yesterday! I entered around 140 giveaways with Sew Mama Sew during their week-long event, and I won one! You can check out the original post from El Petit Taller, but this is what I won: A handmade notebook cover, complete with button tie, bookmark, pencil, and hardback notebook. A
- [dining room remodel](https://www.thecrafties.com/2014/05/27/dining-room-remodel/) - Our kitchen/dining room remodel was such a huge project, but it has come along quite nicely. I realized I never posted what things look like now, so here you go. First, a quick review of its history starting with how it looked just before we moved in: And then of course, we went through this
- [covered lampshade](https://www.thecrafties.com/2014/05/24/covered-lampshade/) - Years ago I bought white paper lampshades from Ikea with the intention of decorating them (yeah, that almost never happened). After I painted the bedroom, they were certainly the ugliest bits in it so they needed a makeover. I did not take photos along the way, but I can describe the easy process here: I
- [crazy quilt displayed](https://www.thecrafties.com/2014/05/23/crazy-quilt-displayed/) - My family (mostly my aunt, but also my mom and grammas) made me a crazy quilt when I graduated highschool. It is one of my most treasured possessions. When I lived at my condo, it was displayed prominently above my couch in the living room. This house, however, does not have a lot of wall
- [recovered stool](https://www.thecrafties.com/2014/05/22/recovered-stool/) - Stapling fabric is so exciting! After recovering my office chair, my stool stuck out like a sore thumb. No better answer than to recover it, too! Same principles: remove the seat, fit the fabric, and staple away!
- [painting a striped wall](https://www.thecrafties.com/2014/05/21/painting-a-striped-wall/) - My craft room has come a long way, just as my crafting skills have. Over the years, I have purged a lot of stuff I had collected, moved out some of the furniture to other rooms, and I wanted to give it a make-over but still keep my awesome striped wall. I was never in
- [Recovered office chair](https://www.thecrafties.com/2014/05/20/recovered-office-chair/) - The chair I use in my craft room is a standard counter-height office chair. The dark boring blue color, which didn't match my room from the start. I thought to myself, if I can recover an ironing board, maybe I can recover my chair. I had no idea what I was doing, but I took
- [recovered ironing boards](https://www.thecrafties.com/2014/05/19/recovered-ironing-boards/) - I made these last fall, but never posted about them. I have a small table-top ironing board that had a whitish cover. Over the years, my gross well water has stained it, and it just looked gross so I wanted to make it pretty. A long time ago, I won "pink kelp stripes" fabric from Made
- [chez moi: oyster cracker snacks](https://www.thecrafties.com/2014/05/17/chez-moi-oyster-cracker-snacks/) - I've been going through some of my recipes so that I can get them all on cards and stored in my recipe box (in fact, I have been using my xyron machine to laminate them, and what a brilliant idea!). I found this one, which I believe came from one of the girls at the
- [Keeley: Comic in Felt](https://www.thecrafties.com/2014/05/16/keeley-is-done/) - Soooo long in the making, but I was stoked to finally ship Keeley, a comic in felt, off to her creator. I've posted about her here, here, and here, but here's the final piece! Also, I had a dilemma to solve - how to add her "pow" markings by her fist? I knew my embroidery
- [SMS Giveaway May 2014](https://www.thecrafties.com/2014/05/16/sms-giveaway-may-2014/) - I am so excited to finally get to enjoy Sew Mama Sew's giveaway day (which is now a week!). I haven't been able to peruse the exotic markets since grad school! I did not have enough time to whip something up to give away like last time (note: those images are broken due to site reconstruction;
- [back in action!](https://www.thecrafties.com/2014/05/15/back-in-action/) - Ok, ok, so this new site design wasn't ready by January. Who knew my new job as an adjunct would be so hectic? (Yeah, I've been teaching college.) Or Boy's company would sap all of his time and energy? (Who wants to do work at home?) I'm not upset about it. A lot of life
- [Not there yet but](https://www.thecrafties.com/2014/01/26/not-there-yet-but/) - Boy hasn't had much of a chance to help me with the parts of the website puzzle I am too newb to figure out. He was looking in to it tonight, and then realized that there must have been a security hole as something odd appeared and now he is working on that...silly hackers. The
- [Working on it!](https://www.thecrafties.com/2013/12/12/working-on-it/) - I have the new site fully designed and I created the CSS for it, with a pseudo run of HTML (basically, everything but the PHP that actually would make it work). Alas, that last bit does require the help of Boy if I want it done any time soon (can't really spend more time learning
- [long time no see](https://www.thecrafties.com/2013/10/01/long-time-no-see/) - I graduated, huzzah! Over the summer I have been keeping busy with my new profession, but I also have something up my sleeve - a new design for the site! One of my new talents is working for Boy, so I have been learning how to *properly* build a wordpress site (even if he despises
- [awesome](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/09/04/awesome-2/) - I just wanted to note that Jessica from ALLFREESEWING.com contacted me a while back about listing my book cover tutorial on their site. I gave permission and am thrilled with the amount of people checking things out! Don't forget to share your photos with the rest of us at http://www.flickr.com/groups/fabricbookcover/ :) On a different note,
- [Game Review: Ruin](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/08/22/game-review-ruin/) - Quick Stats: Ranked # 5271 2-4 players Age 8 and up Rated 5.71 out of 10 stars Learning curve: This game is pretty simple: you roll a dice to move. If the number is red, you also get to change one of the cards that make up a fully interchangeable game board. There is a
- [Chez Moi: Chicken Pot Pie](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/08/21/chez-moi-chicken-pot-pie/) - Week 9: Chicken Pot Pie Filling with Corn Bread Topping Before: Angela gave me a pot pie filling recipe from her freezer recipe book. It is the same recipe she used when she made me a pie during our renovation. I made enough for six pies total and froze five in freezer bags. I found
- [the future of a case of the crafties](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/08/11/the-future-of-a-case-of-the-crafties/) - The future is uncertain. I may post considerably less often. Or nothing may change at all. At this point, I really have no idea just how much of my life will be changing, but the comments I made about postponing house updates or making much cheaper decisions, are all related to this: I am accepted
- [Chez Moi: Hot Cereal and French Toast Souffle](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/07/29/chez-moi-hot-cereal-and-french-toast-souffle/) - Week 6.1: Crockpot (whole, multi-grain) Cereal with Applesauce Before: I got this recipe from my cooking pal Angela. She found it here, at Monkeys on the Bed. A lot more things on my list that have never been in my kitchen before: pearl barley, steel cut oats, wheat bran, and ginger spice. Boy keeps flaxseed around,
- [Felt Keeley progress](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/07/27/felt-keeley-progress/) - She is coming along quite fantastically! I tried my hand at a few different methods to "ink" her outline. I settled on couching black yarn with black thread. Originally, the yarn I bought was way too thick so I had to trade that in for something thinner. I wish now that I went with more
- [Fabric book cover](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/07/24/fabric-book-cover/) - My friend Angela gifted me a lot of unique fabric swatches that are just the right size for fabric book covers. I chose a faux alligator leather because I wanted it to be not feminine, which is kind of hard to do in the world of crafting, you know? The fabric was polypropylene, which melts
- [House stuff](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/07/23/house-stuff/) - Our old front door had a huge gap all the way around it. I mean seriously, that's where most of the bugs and critters were probably coming from (not to mention where all the heat and air were going to). We found a perfect front door, but since our circumstances have changed (I will explain
- [Chez Moi](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/07/22/chez-moi/) - Chez is a French term that doesn't really translate well, but chez moi means roughly "at my place" and is used sometimes in reference to dining. (By the way, we got our kitchen handles installed! They are made by the Diamond Cabinet company and are style H38 - really cool mix of colors: dark lead,
- [Felt Keeley](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/06/25/felt-keeley/) - I guess there is nothing like making a project public to get me motivated. I've glued all of Felt Keeley, except for six little parts that I set aside for now (my fingers were quite sticky so the little parts would have ended in tragedy, I'm sure). I cut an extra large piece of fabric
- [Sneak Peek: Picture in Felt](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/06/22/sneak-peek-picture-in-felt/) - This project is well passed the date of which it should have been delivered to its owner. It's so belated, I am embarassed. I think I dreamt up the rough idea back in let's say 2007. I was intending on making it by a birthday. Then the next birthday. Then Christmas. Then another birthday. Then
- [Nature](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/06/13/nature/) - We had a really rough storm blow through when we got back from NYC. Our house wasn't attacked by Mother Nature as much as other people I know, but we did have a pretty sizeable amount of limbs to pick up. (Other people were without power for a few days, or had many full sized
- [more fabric book covers](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/06/02/more-fabric-book-covers/) - All the winners responded, so the covers were mailed on Tuesday from NYC. We are back home now, and I'll be catching up a few things then I will post the tutorial! :D Meanwhile, I had made an additional cover as a present: Then I also made a trade back size cover. Which incidentally seemed
- [SMS Giveaway Winners!](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/05/26/sms-giveaway-winners/) - I may be hanging out in NYC and all, but my feet and I are having a bit of a respite at my bro's apartment so I can take the time to announce the lucky winners! For those of you who did not win, remember to check back here soon (after our NYC trip and
- [SMS Giveaway Day approaches!](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/05/16/sms-giveaway-day-approaches/) - I just signed up for the next give away day : May 23rd. Yippee! :D Don't know what I'm talking about? Hop on over here and check it out: Sew Mama Sew! May Giveaway Day (How my first giveaway day went: Giveaway Day! ) Maybe that will prompt me to forget about the house remodelling
- [Midna the Stray](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/05/11/midna-the-stray/) - Our precious stray kitty, Midna, went to the vet yesterday. It didn't sound good. Her belly is bloated and her intestines are ropey. She has broken hair and alopecia over her back end and a few other spots, leading the doctor to believe she has flea dermatitis, but there are no fleas to be found.
- [birthday cat](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/05/07/birthday-cat/) - On Boy's birthday last night, the cutest little kitten strayed onto his brother's patio and mewed her way into our hearts. She was starved and skinny, as well as a bit grungy looking, but we gave her some hotdog bits and some fresh water which really warmed her up to us. She was freezing and
- [Game Review: Arkham Horror](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/04/20/game-review-arkham-horror/) - Quick Stats: Ranked # 57 1-8 players Age 12 and up 240 minutes play time Rated 7.58 out of 10 stars Learning curve: Not too bad - it looks pretty complicated because of all the small parts and the plethora of cards but it is fairly simple to follow. You move your character to colored
- [tragedy in the war on tv](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/04/19/tragedy-in-the-war-on-tv/) - We don't have television stations: no cable, no satellite, no box for local programming. Nothing. This is a choice for us because of a slew of reasons (namely he hates superfluous shows and I hate the general media and its hold over the world). Over the years we have missed out on a few things
- [kitchen showtime](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/04/17/kitchen-showtime/) - Sorry for the long wait - life just keeps getting in the way. Our kitchen still needs quite a bit done but oh how I LOVE it and will now forever need to upgrade kitchens in future houses. Kind of a curse, that. I had hoped Boy could take some awesome photos with his wide
- [kitchen progress](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/03/31/kitchen-progress/) - Ah ha! I was not home when the counter top people came, and what serendipity that the appliances were delivered the same day?! Tofer sent us these pics with his phone. I'll take a nicer photo once everything is put away and all the appliances are installed. It will be so good to finally have
- [kitchen install](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/03/17/kitchen-install/) - Our cabinets are installed! They are beautiful and really look awesome with the flooring. Phew! We hired Clay through my friend Angela and he did an amazing job. I mean really, even after we did everything to level the floors and the contractor leveled the ceiling, things were still incredibly wonky. I haven't taken a
- [kitchen weekend progress](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/03/06/kitchen-weekend-progress/) - We had two major tasks ahead of us this weekend. Laying the floor and getting the pantry upright. Both were very time consuming. The floor isn't finished in the front room yet but it is done in the kitchen and looks great! It is very slow-going, however. There are five different patterns without any instructions
- [room full of cabinets!](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/03/04/room-full-of-cabinets/) - I wish I could say that it was a kitchen full of cabinets but we are not quite there yet. They are Kraftmaid, which we ordered through Lowes. Maple wood construction, "Hanover" style, rye stain with a sable glaze - I personally think they are beautiful. We got the whisper quiet drawers and cabinets and
- [Game Review: Twilight Imperium](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/02/22/game-review-twilight-imperium/) - Third edition, with the Shattered Empire expansion set. Quick Stats: Ranked # 27 3-6 players (3-8 with expansion) Age 12 and up 240 minutes play time Rated 7.81 out of 10 stars (8.62 with expansion) Learning curve: Intense. This is not a game you can pick up by playing like I prefer - there are
- [2005 Las Vegas](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/02/12/2005-las-vegas/) - I thought I would carry on the theme of long-ago trips since there are more photos to spare. In 2005, we went to Vegas for Boy's sister's 21st birthday. It was another weekend expedition. The family met up with my mother-in-law's good friend Denise who lives in California. Boy and I quickly learned that we
- [2004 Puerto Rico](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/02/10/2004-puerto-rico/) - More photos that I thought lost:) In 2004, we went with our friend Jesse to San Juan for Halloween weekend (how posh does that sound?). His parents had a time share so it was a pretty cheap holiday. We walked around San Juan each evening, and planned one big tour a day. The last day
- [2006 Yellowstone Roadtrip](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/02/09/2006-yellowstone-roadtrip/) - In 2006, I decided I would like to go on a field school for anthropology sometime. The idea was scary - to be somewhere completely foreign in both language and culture, without anyone you know and for an entire month. So I decided to see what being away for a while alone would be like
- [the crafties has a new look!](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/02/04/the-crafties-has-a-new-look/) - Guys, I redesigned my whole site! If you are reading through an RSS feed, I implore you to pop over and tell me what you think. I may not love it 100% but I am 100% proud of it, and really, what's more important? I put this look together using GIMP. It is a free
- [Game Review: Pandemic](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/01/16/game-review-pandemic/) - Quick Stats: Ranked # 26 2-4 players Age 10 and up 60 minutes play time Rated 7.69 out of 10 stars Learning curve: Easy smeasy. Re-playability: Since the epidemic cards throw out curve-balls, the games stress level changes up each time. I like it. My personal thoughts: This is a game where all the players
- [Game Review: Through the Ages](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/01/14/game-review-through-the-ages/) - Quick stats: Ranked #4 2-4 players Age 12 and up 240 minutes play time Rated 8.30 out of 10 stars So far, we have only played it twice. Based on that: Learning curve: Follow the card for turn order and everything makes sense. Youll get it in just a few turns. Re-playability: The way new
- [monkey tail and short tail](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/01/13/monkey-tail-and-short-tail/) - Otherwise known as: Sasha and Maya Twirpy and Noodles Bad girl! and Good girl:)
- [Game Reviews](https://www.thecrafties.com/2011/01/11/game-reviews/) - Ok so I compiled a list of the games we currently have. And boy, do we have a lot! We will be getting rid of some of them, as we have discovered they are not that great, but i was surprised to find out how many we had with high ratings at BoardGameGeek.com. We dont
- [Stuff without photos.](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/12/30/stuff-without-photos/) - Computer news: The power adapter for my laptop snapped in two and the battery is officially dead now. I have some posts to make but the computers i have available arent my flavor - they are a little too much on the unix side to deal with photo editing and such, if you know what
- [fabric family tree](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/12/17/fabric-family-tree/) - If you missed it, you can read about the creation of the fabric family tree. Im super thrilled to finally get it framed. I ran into a slight bit of a problem as the size I wanted was 16 x 24, which is not standard for photo frames. It is, however, standard of poster frames but poster
- [SMS December Giveaway Day!](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/12/15/sms-december-giveaway-day/) - No, i did not participate this time (Deadline Fail!) but I did want to remind you to check out all the fabulous sites that are offering free goodies! Giveaway Day ~ Handcrafted Item(s) Giveaway Day ~ Handcrafted Item(s) + Supplies/Materials Giveaway Day ~ Sewing + Knitting Supplies/Materials Sew Mama Sew organizes this event in May
- [house and games](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/12/10/house-and-games/) - The contractor came on wednesday, yay! It didnt take nearly as long as we all expected because the work he thought he was going to have to do had actually already been done (installing a new header for the load-bearing wall). The guys just ripped out the parts i didnt want and whipped out a
- [nintendo ds game case](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/12/05/nintendo-ds-game-case/) - Boy asked me to make a game case for his ds games. He wanted something small, and had no problem with how it looked, only that it functioned well. I love hearing that because it means i dont need to fuss over the project to make it nice and neat. Hes perfectly happy with projects
- [wool felt](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/12/03/wool-felt/) - The first order of wool felt came in, yay! I ordered it from Prairie Point Junctions shop site, Wool Felt Central. On tuesday. And i already got it. AWESOME! The site was suggested to me by both Megan from Princess Lasertron and Larissa from mmmcrafts. So many scrumptious colors to choose from! And much nicer than
- [our first anni:)](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/11/19/our-first-anni/) - #1 = 09/09/2010 A bit late in coming, as this happened in September. We stayed mostly at my aunt and uncles cabin in northern michigan (thank you Judy and Bill:D:D:D), visited sault st marie for a train ride in canada, and ventured around the UP a bit. It was incredibly relaxing - Boy even felt
- [round 2](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/11/18/round-2/) - I found a tutorial the other day to make a rose out of felt, but it was such an easy idea that i didnt save the address to give the tutes owner her due. There are lots of ways though, because when i tried googling for the one I stumbled upon there are many options.
- [back in the game](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/11/17/back-in-the-game/) - I hope. So a brief catch-up / things-on-my-mind post of randomness. As you may have guessed, all crafting has slowed to a stop lately here. My craft room was taken over by furniture and tools. I got the tools out at least so now there is room to craft again and i can access my
- [100th Post Special](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/10/05/100th-post-special/) - This post isnt what I had intended to post for my 100th post special, but I felt it was special enough, if not even more special than my original intention. Two friends and I participated in Iraqi Bundles of Love this year, otherwise known as IBOL. To sum it up, a military man who grew
- [a fabric family tree](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/09/17/a-family-tree-2/) - So Im gonna say it: Im pretty proud of this fabric family tree project. It took me upwards of about 30 movies to complete (all by hand!) so I dont really care to calculate the time spent on it but it was a good time (i mean hello, i watched more movies in a month
- [heres to the future](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/09/15/heres-to-the-future/) - Since i have couches/tools/hutches/etc in my bedroom and craftroom, fridges in my living room, tables in my laundry room, and cabinets in my garage, the serenity necessary for me to feel crafty is at an all time low. But my tendency to have my hand in too many pots is as strong as ever so
- [crafting!](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/08/24/crafting/) - While my house may be under construction, i have squeezed in some artsy time. Im working on a super secret project that i cant post about until after a wedding, but its coming up so I thought id put a shout out there to watch for it. What i can share with you is this
- [remodel 102](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/08/10/remodel-102/) - Another non-crafty post, I know, but when your house is in shambles, its a bit difficult to feel creative. Remember i said that one idea will open a can of worms? Yeah... My idea was to remove a wall in the front room, opening up two doorways. The contractor is working with us to save
- [remodel 101](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/08/03/remodel-101/) - At least in my experience.... 1. You will fail to get Before Photos more often than not. This is the best I had of the dungeon-like laundry closet. Tof already removed the drywall so he could begin updating the copper pipes and make them hidden behind panelling rather than exposed like they were. Boy has
- [creepies](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/07/29/creepies/) - Just a thought, but maybe i should rename my blog to "Spiders I Find in my Bed While Sleeping" or something. :/ I would have had a better photo but it was one of them super duper fast ones so theres no way i was removing the glass for a better shot until we were
- [Crafternoon!](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/07/23/crafternoon/) - A while back I discovered the idea of a Crafternoon. Unfortunately I dont remember where the idea came from, but when you google it, you can see different takes on the theme. The general idea is to get together and make projects while you hang out. Since a lot of the people I know either
- [awesome](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/07/20/awesome/) - I dont think i ever mentioned that we did some gutter work. We had some trees up in there so thats all gone and I have noticed a tremendous dent in the mosquito population! Phew! We also recently visited where I use to live and made pickles with my gramma. She had a lot picked
- [a week in photos](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/06/25/a-week-in-photos/) - This post isnt that crafty but my week has had some highlights so I thought I would share. We've been pounded with severe thunderstorms for what seems like weeks now. Living in a swamp means the mosquitos are out of control. Eugh. Instead of picking up sticks, ive dragged tree branches larger than me to
- [thread art experiment progress](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/06/18/thread-art-experiment-progress/) - I added a butterfly with a different piece of the lacey cloth. Up close, the butterflys body has a faint outline. Its my first experience with the dye in the thread bleeding but its not enough to bother me that much (though it did rub a bit on the white flower...)
- [experiments](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/06/15/experiments/) - I havent been crafting as much as Id like to lately, but ive been doing some much needed things around the house so i forgive myself. I have been playing with some ideas though and learning more embroidery. This is my sample so far (candidate for worst photo on thecrafties thus far): The first few
- [thread art experiment](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/06/10/thread-art-experiment/) - I get a lot of inspiration from crafters who use natural fabrics with delicate things like doilies, tatting, and lace. The look is very simple and clean but still elegant and sophisticated. Recently, I was happy to have been gifted a lacey table runner with a flower motif. But I just dont know what to
- [photos of photos](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/06/08/photos-of-photos/) - I took some photography classes as an undergrad and it was a lot of fun. [Youd think i would be able to take better photos but for some reason photography makes sense to me on paper but not when its time to actually execute it. (I think i dont have the patience to care enough
- [a new look](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/06/02/a-new-look/) - Im still working out some kinks because I cant leave well enough alone and i fuddle through php and html like a palsiated horse would, but overall is it SO MUCH BETTER. Im sure youll agree. :)
- [basket tags](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/06/01/basket-tags/) - (My camera is in Alaska - I lent it to Topher for his green-eyed-monster-summoning 10 day cruise. So, I apologize for the quality of the pics, as they are from my phone. Usually my phone takes pretty swell pictures, but the lighting in my craftroom is quite lacking so thats not the case here. But while
- [embroidery sample](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/05/28/embroidery-sample/) - I ordered The Embroiderer's Handbook a while back and have finally decided its time to start my sampler. I have intentions on making a pretty sampler once I get the hang of what im doing, but for now Im excited to learn new techniques and content with just sketching them out on a cloth. (Sharon
- [Giveaway Winners! Woo!](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/05/21/giveaway-winners-woo/) - I had Boy work his magic with the sql database to come up with the winners so i wouldnt have to count my way through the comments. Thanks for being so smart, Boy! :) The printed results are ugly strings of characters so Ill shorten them for you: mysql> select * from wp_comments where comment_post_ID
- [Giveaway End!](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/05/21/giveaway-end/) - Well, gosh golly gees! I had no idea how resounding the turn out would be; you all made me blush:) I want to thank Sew Mama Sew for this opportunity and a HUGE Thank You So Very Much to you all for leaving me so many comments! I was given around 400 different favorites which will really
- [Giveaway Day!](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/05/17/giveaway-day/) - I felt compelled to participate in Sew Mama Sew's May Giveaway Day this year. You may remember me mentioning it once upon a time when i randomly stumbled upon the glory that is is. I urge you all to check out the other bloggers participating this round, after commenting for your chance to win here,
- [ruthys bag](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/05/11/ruthys-bag/) - I wanted to make something for my faraway friend Ruthys birthday so while I was on the kick of making bags, i thought, why not? I asked her for her favorite color combos and shes really digging black, red, and white right now. I tried to do something a little edgier for her, and although
- [Pril and Ay](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/05/08/pril-and-ay/) - For my niece - I am a bit late with the April gift, so its two for one this round! The pattern came from FutureGirl, out of the Sasha the Seahorse pattern. Thanks again Alice! One day Ill get to play with beads and sequins but she is still far too little so nothing but
- [surprises](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/05/06/surprises/) - So there i was, straightening my sheets the other day and as I flipped the top sheet over to tug the bottom one, I was greeted by this huge monster. Perhaps he wasnt as mammoth as I had originally thought, but mind you *i was just in the bed*. Literally, like 60 seconds before and it
- [of cats and computers](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/04/30/of-cats-and-computers/) - My cats are Javanese (Ill make a shout out to the Loblolly Cattery where I got them from:). That is to say they are a blend of Siamese and Balinese, so they look like Siamese but have different colorings, and long fur on their tails. And like their counterparts, Javanese can develop gingivitis. Maya is
- [it has arrived](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/04/23/it-has-arrived/)
- [colleens bag](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/04/13/colleens-bag/) - Making bags is fun! Colleen chose a very bright pallet for summer. I used the same pattern as my go-bag, an altered version of ArtsyCraftyBabe's Phoebe Bag. I also tossed the idea out to Colleen to do the bottom of the bag in a different fabric and she went for it. I think it looks super
- [living and craft room](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/04/08/living-and-craft-room/) - So I had bought a papasan rocking chair from Pier 1 for my living room, but the layout just wasnt working for me. After meddling with ideas for a few days, i finally decided to put it in the craft room. In order to do so, I had to swap it with my loveseat and
- [tracys bag](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/04/07/tracys-bag/) - I got lots of compliments on my newest go-bag, and a couple of requests. Tracy bought the fabric needed for the Penelope Tote from ISLY. She fell in love with the print and matched the green for the outside. She also asked that I do a "window" with her favorite piece of the pattern, and a
- [weekend crafts](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/04/05/weekend-crafts/) - In addition to finalizing everything in the newly organized craft room, I got some headway on a few things. The first bag is complete and the problem I had when I first tried to make it was what I had thought. I learned that when the lining doesnt want to match up with the outter
- [WIPs](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/03/31/wips/) - Here are some sneak peeks of current projects. All of these will be bags and the fabric was (mostly) chosen by the future bag owners. The patterns are cut out, but I need to start sewing the pieces together. I had a bit of a crafting lull for a while when the last bag i
- [my new go-bag](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/03/14/my-new-go-bag/) - The bag I made for my New York trip was fun, but because I was new at sewing, there were a few issues with it that started to bother me, so I opted for a new one. I call it a go-bag because i can just grab it and go and have entertainment handy, as
- [crafty catch-up](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/03/13/crafty-catch-up/) - One of the projects I made since losing my usb cable is Ruar, the Starfish. I used some gifted fabric and felt, did a little embroidery with french knots and fern stitching, and sewed and stuffed. My neice loved it, as it was small and fit in her hands and mouth:) I got the pattern
- [photo dump](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/03/13/photo-dump/) - I got my new memory card reader, yay! So as promised, here you go: I took Sasha out in the snow. The coldness didnt bother her, but the depth of the snow did, so she stayed near the house. Maya checked out Tofers new bookcases. The evil damage caused by an even more evil pothole...
- [internship](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/03/11/internship-2/) - I was called in today for my first autopsy. Due to confidentiality and privacy rights, I will not divulge specific details, but I can say that I was fine the whole time. I learned a lot more than I remember, being half asleep and all, but overall it was a neat experience. Nothing at all
- [still no sign of it](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/03/09/still-no-sign-of-it/) - But i do have great news! I am so excited to tell you that i happened upon some great fabric. Heidi Grace is one of my most admired collections for scrapping, so you can bet your socks that when i saw the coveted designs in fabric, i just had to buy some! I promise to do
- [missing my usb cable](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/03/01/missing-my-usb-cable/) - I have several crafts i could talk about but without pictures its like eating pizza without cheese or sammiches without bread! So instead, hows about my pothole drama? I hit a giant crater and heard a loud distinctive crack. I immediately called Boy and told him i thought i trucked up my car, but I
- [internship](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/02/23/internship/) - Considering I cant find my usb cable to upload photos, I thought I would share a different kind of post. I applied for an internship at the coroner's office. My plan is that in grad school i might pursue forensic anthropology. That would involve a doctorate, and as of late, I have been questioning how
- [france: saturday 091909](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/02/06/091909/) - Our last real day in France:( We spent it relaxing in Palavas. Our hotel was the one of the blue ones in the middle. We toured the beaches and the town - its a really neat place built right there on the water. Definately a tried and true fishing community. And it was kind of
- [france: friday 091809](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/02/06/091809/) - We had breakfast at the hotel in Palavas - see what I mean about it being sheik? :) Then, we headed out to Nimes, one of the great cities of ancient roman architecture. Unfortunately for us, there was a festival about to begin. The Maison Caree looked under construction, not to mention a stage with
- [france: thursday 091709](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/02/05/091709/) - This day was the day we made up for missing Carcassonne. We were in the heart of Cathar Country - it is named so after a kind of inquisition period, where the Cathari religion was being exterminated. (Interestingly, the phrase "Kill them all, God will know his own" is traced back to this period.) The
- [france: wednesday 091609](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/02/05/091609/) - We went to Narbonne on this day. Its a wonderful city - lively and restful and historic and modern all at once. They have preserved part of an ancient Roman road, which was cool. We also experienced just how nice the French are - we parked at a meter and I was trying to read
- [another book cover](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/02/04/another-book-cover/) - I believe in the last post i had mentioned i would be more technical here but...i dunno, im on some sort of spree so i just couldnt stop myself to take "during" photos. Check it! I finally made a template and got the measurements exact. The best part is there are just TWO seams! Neither
- [book covers](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/02/04/book-covers/) - I am almost back into the world of crafting I think. My house is still under renovation (we should be finishing the laundry room this week and Ill post photos) but I decided to not let it deter me anymore. I mean, my craft room is pretty much done so...so what if the rest of
- [Janu the whale](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/02/03/janu-the-whale/) - There is this cute little kid that I had promised a slew of toys for, and she is now a whole year old! Man, how time flies. I will attempt to make her a gift every month for the year, as long as I can rack up enough sea themed goodies. It will be fun
- [france: tuesday 091509](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/02/02/091509/) - Today was scheduled for Carcassonne, the whole reason I convinced boy to go to France. It was quite a drive, and we got food at a gas station on the way. I also included a picture of the gas prices at the time (euros for litres of diesel). We were to stay at La Maison
- [france: monday 091409](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/01/28/091409/) - Today was a very exciting day for me! We were to go visit the Lascaux II cave, an exact replica of the original cave, housing some of the oldest known paintings on the earth. I remember taking an ancient art history class, and thinking this was very cool. And once I learned about it in
- [france: sunday 091309](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/01/22/091309/) - In the morning, we stopped at the Monkey Forest, where we had croque monsieurs for breakfast and then hand fed popcorn to Barbary Apes (which are actually macaque monkeys, not apes - yes there is a difference!). I can now check off something on my ToDoBeforeIDie List - i met a primate! Several in fact,
- [france: saturday 091209](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/01/21/091209/) - After our wedding, we drove to the Chateau de la Treyne, on the Dordogne River - another breathtaking place. This day included a pre-breakfast breakfast (with strawberry juice!!), a hot air balloon ride at Rocamadour, breakfast (with kiwis and personal quiches!), walking around the chateau's grounds, and a gastronomic dinner that is not possible to
- [france: friday 091109 v2](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/01/20/091109-v2/) - We want to share with everyone a special thank you for: Joi Mahon, at DressFormsDesign for helping me pull together ideas and designing my gown and boys suit. And for introducing me to Megan. Megan, at PrincessLasertron for creating an awesome corsage and boutonniere, and for inspiring Ruthy. Most importantly though, for inspiring me to make this
- [france: friday 091109 v1](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/01/15/091109-v1/) - Okay, okay. These upcoming post have been delayed an unreasonably long time. But without further adieu....This is the day we got married! (Well, as you would have read before, we were legally married on the 9th, but had our symbolic ceremony on the 11th.) Originally, I tried to coordinate everything myself, but I ended up hiring a
- [post office](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/01/14/post-office/) - Boy and I started this project at the end of September. It was a little ambitious, considering we have spent tons of time a) moving and b) working on the house, so its taken a heck of a lot longer than I wanted it to (the point is almost moot, but im not giving up!).
- [prints and drawings](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/01/08/prints-and-drawings/) - I found some other goodies while cleaning up. I went through a phase of teaching myself how to draw (it was short lived, if you were wondering). I bought Jack Hamm's Drawing the Head and Figure. I think that if i tried longer than like 2 weeks, I would have really gotten somewhere - the
- [hellraiser box](https://www.thecrafties.com/2010/01/03/hellraiser-box/) - Ive been organizing my craft room so that it is almost usable, and i have come across a few different projects. This one, i started years ago (2001 maybe?). Boy had a plastic replica of the Hellraiser box (broken apart), and i thought it would be cool to turn it into a black and white
- [craft room](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/12/31/craft-room/) - One of the projects that has taken my time for the last few months is my craft room. First, it needed paint. Then we had to get some storage furniture in there (it is from the EXPEDIT collection at Ikea). Then it became the catch all room, to stuff things from our move. So it
- [our new house](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/12/30/our-new-house/) - So a quick post. I know i owe you lots about france, but to be honest I am holding off on posting about it until i have these announcement/thank you cards made and sent out. I hadnt thought they would take this long. In fact, they were spose to be ready by Thanksgiving....but i forgive
- [mouse catchers](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/12/03/mouse-catchers/) - I was working on a crafty project (pictures in future, i swear! so much to catch up on!) and heard some clash-clang-rattle-rattle coming from the kitchen. Never a good thing - this typically means the kitties are on the counters, where they are not allowed to be. As i was walking towards the kitchen, i
- [Sasha the adventurer](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/11/16/sasha-the-adventurer/) - So Saturday, we took the girls to our neighbors house (aka the in-laws) since they have a fenced in yard. Maya and Sasha have never been outside, so we wanted to see what they did. I had bought them little harness/leashes for taking them out on my condo balcony - just in case they had
- [france: thursday 091009](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/11/03/091009/) - We landed at the Charles de Gaul airport and it was absolutely huge. We walked so far to get to our next flight, but the staff were all friendly. We were able to get our tickets changed without a problem so that we could continue the rest of the flight together. We got the cutest
- [france: wednesday 090909](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/10/14/090909/) - Bright and early, we headed off to the courthouse as sneakily as possible. Although we were the first people there, the offices communicated to each other about as well as eggplants do to dogs. So, after an hour and a half of waiting, we finally met with the judge and she read us a little
- [its about time](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/10/08/its-about-time/) - Now that I have finally been able to catch up on emails, I hope to start sorting through our France photos. I have been quite the busy bee at my new house also - the craft room is almost complete. I need one more organization unit and then everything will have a place! The living
- [2009, a year of much](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/09/24/2009-a-year-of-much/) - Ill get to writing about my France trip soon I hope. I am trying to tie up some loose ends on selling my condo, buying the house, and making it livable. Until then, I had thought of this list so check out what a crazy year I have had so far: I started theCrafties My
- [a quick note](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/09/12/a-quick-note/) - Nous sommes en France:)
- [and so its begun](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/08/24/and-so-its-begun/) - Im selling my condo, yay! The downside to that is that the closing date is just after our return from France. So, minus those two weeks, I only had this last weekend and this upcoming weekend to move. The future house is not ready for us, as far as painting and such goes. So...that being
- [nyny day 6 and 7](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/08/19/nyny-day-6-and-7/) - DAY 6 In the morning, my brother had to run an errand, so I stopped at the Young Designer Market, which was literally like 3 doors down from his apartment (as was a big group of graffiti). No photos were allowed, but I saw a lot of cool things. He was right - it was
- [in other news](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/08/17/in-other-news/) - I will get back to posting about NY hopefully tonight. I have one more day left of adventures to write up. Being that I had some good news though, I thought i would quickly share it first. 1. I think I sold my condo. The agreements have been signed, but he has 7 days to
- [nyny day 5](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/08/14/nyny-day-5/) - We got going super late today - i slept in, spent some time doing nothing, and then got a very important call from....my realtor! The last showing I had, on friday, enticed someone to make me an offer. It was a little lower than I wanted, so we decided to counter and see what happened,
- [nyny day 4](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/08/14/nyny-day-4/) - This didnt actually occur in New York. A few years back, i met a chica named Ruthy on my fieldschool in Peru. She happens to live in New Jersey so we coordinated a day during my trip here to get together. Carrie took me on the subway early in the morning on her way to
- [nyny day 3](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/08/13/nyny-day-3/) - My brother had an appt so luckily it was right next to Central Park. I explored there for a bit while he was busy. After his appt, we wandered through the park to get to some other area of New York. Here are some random photos from the park: So on this day, I walked through
- [nyny day 2](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/08/12/nyny-day-2/) - Bro and I walked around Nolita in the daytime so I could see it better, and stopped over at SoHo (South of Houston - pronounced "House-ton", not like the Texan city). One of the places we stopped at was The Evolution Store - it was really cool, but I dont know how I feel about
- [nyny day 1](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/08/11/nyny-day-1/) - I have this teeny weeny laptop boy sent with me, rather than my macbook. It is a lenovo s10, and althrough he really likes it, and it fit better in my carry-on, i kinda sorta hate it. So bear with me if I dont keep you up to date as much as i had hoped.
- [nyny begins with a bag](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/08/10/nyny-begins-with-a-bag/) - I am so happy with myself! I actually got a travel bag purse thingie sewed up in all its cuteness today! It took me about 8 hours (not to mention the time to cut it while babysitting yesterday, nor the few hours it took when i whipped out a prototype from some gifted material). Considering
- [almost!](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/08/07/almost/) - Charlottes gift is ready! Like, for real this time. I solved the last problem with a little bit of yarn and it should work great. It WILL be out on delivery today, heavens help me. But, the giftedness of it means no photos for you yet. Here is the package though - I hadnt intended
- [beadwork and leather](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/07/30/beadwork-and-leather/) - One of my teachers was able to make it to my graduation beach party that boy threw for me (hooray for all the monkeys, boo for lack of parking!). She makes Native American inspired crafts so she made me a beautiful pouch from teal suede leather, and created a beaded rosette for it. Its so soft!
- [beauties and beasts](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/07/28/beauties-and-beasts/) - I am cat-sitting for a friend who has two sphynxes. For whatever reason, people had assumed I was getting hairless cats when I told them about my girls. I dont know why - Javanese are certainly not hairless so I have no clue as to how that rumor got started (side note, if you wiki
- [france itinerary](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/07/16/france-itinerary/) - Today, I called the country of France. I have to do this several other times, all for reserving the hotel rooms, but it was probably one of the most stressful things I have done. (Kudos to Vonage for giving us free Europe calls;) I intended on speaking French and seeing how far I got, and
- [the belated project...](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/07/09/the-belated-project/) - ...is still belated. You know, for something Ive already made before, and the simplicity of it, this one just isnt being nice to me. It is one thing after another - a few clipped seams here, a mis-sewn piece there, no more thread over here, another broken needle over there, yadda yadda. But I have
- [im working on it](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/06/25/im-working-on-it/) - The current project I am working on is taking quite a bit more time than I thought because instead of this last part being incredibly easy and fast, it is instead incredibly easy and slow. And i cant show it yet, since its a gift, so youll just have to wait. Instead, Ill leave you
- [committed](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/06/16/committed/) - I have no crafts to speak of, nor photos to share, but after much delay in deciding our france trip, we have finally committed. Our tickets were quite a bit more than originally budgeted for, but I hope to pick up an extra hour here and there at work before we fly. We leave September
- [a dudes bookcover](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/06/11/a-dudes-bookcover/) - I have a quilted bookcover that i picked up at a local arts and crafts show. I love the thing. It helps keep my books in great condition, and even resist dog eared corners and the occasional spill (its just enough to soak up the wetness while i whip the book out of its cover). Plus,
- [busy weekend](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/06/08/busy-weekend/) - But no update on projects :( I had broken my sewing machine needle, and although I got it replaced, I was barely home this weekend to finish up the tasks. Boy needed me to finish painting his office (which still isnt done - it needs a third coat) and we had a birthday party to
- [like an exotic market!](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/05/29/like-an-exotic-market/) - I recently stumbled upon Sew Mama Sew's May Giveaway Day event. There are literally hundreds of bloggers GIVING things away at random!! Im only about a third of the way through the Handcrafted Items list, but I can tell you my RSS feeds keep growing! Not to mention all the attempts I am making at
- [and then the bird landed](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/05/25/and-then-the-bird-landed/) - This is a project i have been working on for a bit. I got the bird pattern from Spool Sewing. It was very easy to piece together by hand although I altered where the opening was for the stuffing because i had chosen very thick felt to use as the fabric so i needed something larger
- [a graduation present](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/05/19/a-graduation-present/) - Although I was officially said and done with my undergraduate education in december (diplomas and all), the actual ceremony was this last Thursday. Due to that, I have been getting presents and its been awesome to say the least (including Joann gift cards!). But this blog is about one special item that is appropriate for
- [a day of inspiration](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/05/16/a-day-of-inspiration/) - I could get lost on the internet for weeks, looking at everyones creativity. I mean, who couldnt? Today, I went through a lot of links found at whip up and would list them all, but my rss feed grew from around 10 to over 50! It will shrink back down as i weed out bloggers
- [stingray Feyd](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/05/03/stingray-feyd/) - Feyd is from a pattern by the Shishi Girl. And yes, I named him after Stings character in Dune. I loved the simplicity - just cut two pieces and sew together! As my first attempt to try out the pattern before making my neice Kaia some toys, i am pretty gosh darn proud of it. Its
- [Kupcake the kitten](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/04/29/kupcake-the-kitten/) - Boys cousin Ella turned 6 and we didnt know what to get her. I had a pattern from Wee Wonderfuls that I had been wanting to try out, but i was waiting for a sewing machine. I decided not to wait, and just whip it together by hand (i need that practice anywho). Its called
- [another flower pin](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/04/04/another-flower-pin/) - Along with my brothers birthday gift went his likewise belated christmas gift, which I also needed to include his girlfriends present. Im saving for a trip to france on top of the stress of buying a new house that needs a little TLC, so my money is quite reserved. Solution: homemade goodness! In fact, i
- [circa 2000](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/03/03/circa-2000/) - Here are some projects I did around the beginning of the 21st century. Doesnt that sound weird? So in no particular order, may I present to you: Project A: Refinished Dresser This is a dresser from when my great grandmother was a baby (late 19th-early 20th century). It was white and dinged up when I got
- [a brother's Story: sequel](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/02/25/a-brothers-story-sequel/) - Now that I know a little more about making the pattern for the guinea pig, I decided to make my brother’s a different way. Same idea, but instead of having a spacing piece along the top of the body, I made one for the bottom. I wasn’t exactly sure of the shape to use, so
- [Nick the alpaca](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/02/10/nick-the-alpaca/) - I do not actually know how I found the alpaca pattern, but it sure was an exciting find! Shishi Girl has the pattern up for free download. Although I have a ton of projects that I need to be working on, this one flew to the top of the list. It was perfect for my
- [baby on the way](https://www.thecrafties.com/2009/01/15/baby-on-the-way/) - So I’ll be getting a pseudo-niece, as I like to call her (I’m not married into the family quite yet). I know I want to make her a killer blanket, and I’ve been tossing around the ideas of themes and possibilities and I think it will be a floor blanket, with detachable toys. She doesn’t

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- [Books](https://www.thecrafties.com/books/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|off” admin_label=”Fullscreen: On the nightstand, On the shelf header, Mouse” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ admin_label=”On the nightstand, On the shelf header, Mouse” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”On the nightstand, On the shelf header, Mouse” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]Currently on my nightstand &
- [Games](https://www.thecrafties.com/games/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|off” admin_label=”Fullscreen: In play, Bunny, System list, Game list” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” custom_padding=”||||false|false” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ admin_label=”In play, Bunny, System list” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”In play” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]In Play or On the Shelf Last Update: December 2020[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://www.thecrafties.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/image-bunny.png” title_text=”image-bunny” align=”center” admin_label=”Bunny” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column
- [Search](https://www.thecrafties.com/search/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”All: Common cases title, Mabel, Tagcloud” _builder_version=”4.6.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_module=”7944″ saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”Common cases title” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Common cases title” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||3ex||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]Search for cases of the Crafties![/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” admin_label=”Mabel, Tagcloud” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||10px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″
- [Connect](https://www.thecrafties.com/connect/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|off” admin_label=”Fullscreen: About” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”About a case of the Crafties” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||2.5ex||false|false” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”About a case of the Crafties” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”justified” global_colors_info=”{}”]About a case of the Crafties! Do you ever see a craft item out there in the wild
- [Gallery](https://www.thecrafties.com/gallery/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ background_color_1=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_color_2=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” padding_right_1=”0px” padding_left_2=”0px” padding_top_bottom_link_1=”false” padding_top_bottom_link_2=”false” padding_left_right_link_1=”false” padding_left_right_link_2=”false” disabled_on=”on|on|off” admin_label=”Fullscreen: Catalogue, Butterfly” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ admin_label=”Catalogue, Butterfly” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|0px|||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Catalogue” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”justified” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”|0px|0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]CaLynn’s Catalogue I like lists, plain and simple. Here

## Categories

- [Uncategorized](https://www.thecrafties.com/category/uncategorized/)

## Tags

- [100-Day-Project](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/100-day-project/)
- [3D-model](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/3d-model/)
- [64-Million-Artists](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/64-million-artists/)
- [anthropology](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/anthropology/)
- [appliqué](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/applique/)
- [baby](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/baby/)
- [bags](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/bags/)
- [basket](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/basket/)
- [BCQC](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/bcqc/)
- [beads](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/beads/)
- [blackwork](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/blackwork/)
- [bookcovers](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/bookcovers/)
- [bugs](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/bugs/)
- [buttons](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/buttons/)
- [Canada](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/canada/)
- [candlewick-embroidery](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/candlewick-embroidery/)
- [cards](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/cards/)
- [cats](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/cats/)
- [chez moi](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/chez-moi/)
- [Chicago](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/chicago/)
- [class](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/class/)
- [clay](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/clay/)
- [colored-pencil](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/colored-pencil/)
- [copper](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/copper/)
- [cord-making](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/cord-making/)
- [cordage](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/cordage/)
- [counted-work](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/counted-work/)
- [crafternoon](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/crafternoon/)
- [Craftsy](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/craftsy/)
- [crazy-quilt](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/crazy-quilt/)
- [critters](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/critters/)
- [cross-stitch](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/cross-stitch/)
- [elsewhere](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/elsewhere/)
- [embroidery](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/embroidery/)
- [embroidery-guild](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/embroidery-guild/)
- [event](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/event/)
- [fabric-bowl](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/fabric-bowl/)
- [fashion](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/fashion/)
- [felt](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/felt/)
- [flowers](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/flowers/)
- [France](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/france/)
- [french boutis](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/french-boutis/)
- [furniture](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/furniture/)
- [game](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/game/)
- [giveaway](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/giveaway/)
- [hanging](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/hanging/)
- [homelife](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/homelife/)
- [hoop](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/hoop/)
- [house](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/house/)
- [huck-weaving](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/huck-weaving/)
- [ICQC](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/icqc/)
- [ikea-hack](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/ikea-hack/)
- [InDesign](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/indesign/)
- [ink](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/ink/)
- [inkwash](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/inkwash/)
- [January-Challenge](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/january-challenge/)
- [knots](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/knots/)
- [latch-hook](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/latch-hook/)
- [leather](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/leather/)
- [metal-earth](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/metal-earth/)
- [Michigan](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/michigan/)
- [mixed-media](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/mixed-media/)
- [mug-rug](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/mug-rug/)
- [needle-felting](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/needle-felting/)
- [needlepoint](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/needlepoint/)
- [NewYorkCity](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/new-york-city/)
- [organization](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/organization/)
- [other](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/other/)
- [paint](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/paint/)
- [paper](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/paper/)
- [paper-piecing](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/paper-piecing/)
- [paper-quilling](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/paper-quilling/)
- [party](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/party/)
- [pattern](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/pattern/)
- [pattern-darning](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/pattern-darning/)
- [pencil](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/pencil/)
- [Peru](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/peru/)
- [petit-point](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/petit-point/)
- [photo](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/photo/)
- [pillow](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/pillow/)
- [pin-cushion](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/pin-cushion/)
- [pin-weaving](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/pin-weaving/)
- [portrait](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/portrait/)
- [pouch](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/pouch/)
- [PuertoRico](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/puerto-rico/)
- [quilt-guild](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/quilt-guild/)
- [quilts](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/quilts/)
- [recover](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/recover/)
- [redwork](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/redwork/)
- [ribbon-embroidery](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/ribbon-embroidery/)
- [roadtrip](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/roadtrip/)
- [scrapping](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/scrapping/)
- [sculpture](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/sculpture/)
- [sewing](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/sewing/)
- [shells](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/shells/)
- [shop-hop](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/shop-hop/)
- [show](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/show/)
- [sign](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/sign/)
- [site](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/site/)
- [stitch-challenge](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/stitch-challenge/)
- [stitch-club](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/stitch-club/)
- [stumpwork](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/stumpwork/)
- [Sue-Spargo](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/sue-spargo/)
- [tassels](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/tassels/)
- [TAST](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/tast/)
- [tech](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/tech/)
- [thread-painting](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/thread-painting/)
- [travel](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/travel/)
- [Vegas](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/vegas/)
- [wedding](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/wedding/)
- [WIP](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/wip/)
- [WIPTASTic-Wednesday](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/wiptastic-wednesday/)
- [wood](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/wood/)
- [wreath](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/wreath/)
- [Yellowstone](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/yellowstone/)
- [repurpose](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/repurpose/)
- [plastic](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/plastic/)
- [talisman](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/talisman/)
- [stitch-along](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/stitch-along/)
- [book-binding](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/book-binding/)
- [junk-journal](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/junk-journal/)
- [pulled-thread](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/pulled-thread/)
- [watercolor-pencil](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/watercolor-pencil/)
- [calligraphy](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/calligraphy/)
- [slow-stitch](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/slow-stitch/)
- [52tagshannemade](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/52tagshannemade/)
- [stamped-fabric](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/stamped-fabric/)
- [whitework](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/whitework/)
- [hexie-dreams](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/hexie-dreams/)
- [cutter-quilt](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/cutter-quilt/)
- [miniatures](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/miniatures/)
- [kintsugi](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/kintsugi/)
- [rocks](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/rocks/)
- [coloring-page](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/coloring-page/)
- [canvas](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/canvas/)
- [vessel](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/vessel/)
- [print-press](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/print-press/)
- [pressed-leaves](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/pressed-leaves/)
- [strap](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/strap/)
- [doll](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/doll/)
- [hiking](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/hiking/)
- [pin](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/pin/)
- [AI-art](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/ai-art/)
- [camera-lucida](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/camera-lucida/)
- [template](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/template/)
- [wax](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/wax/)
- [tea-bags](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/tea-bags/)
- [rock-art](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/rock-art/)
- [gardening](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/gardening/)
- [year-end](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/year-end/)
- [miomio](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/miomio/)
- [scratchboard](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/scratchboard/)
- [watercolor](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/watercolor/)
- [nature-journal](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/nature-journal/)
- [travel-journal](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/travel-journal/)
- [cruise](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/cruise/)
- [linocut](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/linocut/)
- [stamp](https://www.thecrafties.com/tag/stamp/)