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...
Common cases of the Crafties!

Blue Moth Ornament
I ordered the blue moth ornament kit from Lolli and Grace to gift to a friend.
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!
Tiny Bee Mural
I made a tiny felt mural with an embroidered bee and flowers for my gardening friend.
a Cassette Tape
Inspired by an image online, I made a felt cassette tape displayed on a small canvas for my nephew’s birthday.
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: 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.
Stitch Club: Lyddon
As part of TextileArtist.org Stitch Club, Debbie Lyddon inspired me to create three vessels to contain objects with meaning.
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.
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...
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...
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 -...
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...
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...
Aunt Martha’s 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...
Shawkl’s 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...
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...
Shawkl’s 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...
Corbet’s 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...
appliqué wedding 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...