Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas! To download this free image, be sure to click on the image first to see the full size image. Then right click (Mac: control+click) and save to your computer desktop or a folder of your choice. This process will ensure you get...
While preparing for Christmas, I came across a series called the Needle-Minded New Yorker written by my muse Mary Brooks Picken in Home Arts Needlecraft. Mary, of course, has some great ideas for those hard-to-buy-for family members including baby and Grandma...
Happy Holidays everyone! We are a week away from Christmas, and that means its time to start wrapping up your holiday preparations. For decoration, Christmas trees and wreaths may last for awhile, but you’ll want something fresh to use the week of and for your...
Did you (or your parents) keep any of your toys from when you were little? Most everyone has one or two special items that they just can’t part with. One of my favorite childhood toys was Dapper Dan. He was a good friend to me when I was young and to my kids...
I ran across this article in my Vintage Notions archives and thought how it is still applicable today. I am amazed by the advances in sewing machine technology today. I love to see all the new tips and tricks offered by new machines, from a huge library of decorative...
Want to unwind during the holidays? Salvage your thread spools to make a cute Christmas craft! I discovered these adorable handmade ornaments at an antique mall a few years ago. I love how simple this project is but what a stunning statement it makes. These...
Wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving! To download this free image, be sure to click on the image first to see the full size image. Then right click (Mac: control+click) and save to your computer desktop or a folder of your choice. This process will ensure you...
I know we haven’t hit Thanksgiving yet, but for all of us crafters it is never too early to start thinking about and making our holiday gifts. I love the simple idea of using a vintage image to decorate a jar that you can fill with anything festive: candy,...
I know I am not the only one who will be spending a lot of time in the kitchen over the next few months. Although I will often whip up nightly dinners without an apron, when I start baking or cooking large meals (like Thanksgiving dinner) I need to protect my clothes...
The month of November heralds the beginning of the Holiday Season. It is both exhilarating and exhausting! It is a time of making memories and participating in traditions. For me, it is important to take a moment to take stock of my life and to be grateful for all I...
There is something special about creating a stuffed toy. You make something with a distinct personality that will enrich someone’s life. Also, making a stuffed toy requires different sewing skills than we normally use while sewing a quilt or garment. This makes...
Paper or plastic? Neither! If you thought the bring-your-own-bag trend at grocery stores was a recent movement, you may be surprised to learn that some shoppers were loading their own tree-hugging totes as early as 1944. That’s when Mary Brooks Picken published...
