I messaged Rachel of Inspinity to ask her about her blocking wires. Could I try them? I promised I’d give her my opinion and would give a public review of my honest impressions. I received the Deluxe Ultra Fine Lace Blocking Wire Set within a week. I was impressed with the packaging on these. Each wire is ingeniously and neatly looped through …read more
Are you craving a little bling in your knit life? I have the solution: add pretty beads to your knitting! Adding beads along the edge of a shawl or scarf adds just the right amount of weight so that it hangs nicely. Adding them to mitts, hats and even socks can add a touch that makes the project just a little more special. If you’d like to give …read more
During the last few months I’ve taken on a few crafty projects that are brand new to me. Dying, spinning yarn and photography have been a natural progression. They’re all intertwined, really. During her last vacation to the U.S., mom suggested that she and I dye a few 4 oz. lengths of superwash merino roving. I’ve dyed wool fabric in the past but …read more
Correna sent me an email to ask me for a small favor – to get something for her from Greece. It was easily done and I was reimbursed properly, but being the giving person she is, Correna wasn’t satisfied with that. She wanted to share her skill with me in exchange for my trouble, Though it was no trouble, really! So Correna sent me a new friend, Annie: I’ll …read more
Blue Castle Fiber Arts sent us one of their trial size natural dye kits for review that I couldn’t wait to get my hands on. Something about dying with a natural dye instead of using synthetic chemicals makes me feel sort of warm and fuzzy inside. Their natural plant dyes come from India and are created using a fermentation process …read more
Last Thursday I blogged about Vintage Rag Curls and showed you my Updated Vintage Rag Curlers. I promised you a pattern and tutorial and here it is! I needed about a dozen rag curlers for my girl’s hair. If you or your little one have thinner hair, you could probably get away with less. Materials needed for each rag curler: Simply Notable’s PDF …read more
Approximately 30 years ago there lived a little girl whose mother read her one chapter of the Little House on the Prairie book series every single night before bed. Okay, that was me – I just didn’t want to give away my age. Teehee! Anyway, Little House on the Prairie introduced us to the idea of “rag curls” which are essentially long strips …read more
Every Easter, as long as I can remember, my Grandma dyed the prettiest leaf and floral imprinted Easter eggs! They were so natural and lovely, but produced with nothing more than an easily concocted natural dyestock and little bits of flora. We lost my Grandma last year and for the first time, Jaydin and I recreated her dye with spanish …read more
Wandering around the flea market in Athens today, I came upon the most interesting fellow! Mr P. is a craftsman who makes wooden toys here in Greece and sells them in the central flea market. He has a simple little folding table piled with the most compelling, brightly stained wooden toys. Mr P. specializes in hand turned wooden tops. He stains …read more
My stepson Adam is a creative sort. Not only does he create things for his work as a mechanical engineer, he does so in his time off as well. As a newcomer to woodworking, he’s already made some special pieces – including a one of a kind handcrafted photo frame that we received from him at Christmas. When Adam sent me some photos of his latest project, …read more
