Today is my last day of writing for Blisstree, so I couldn’t leave without sharing some of my favorite posts through the years! There have been posts that people have loved, some that got a way bigger reaction that I ever expected and those posts that people have said “thank you for writing, that’s helped me”. In no particular order, here are some of my favorites… My post about a free pattern for a Snuggie has gotten more popular than I ever imagined – apparently people want to make these… lots and lots of people! You can’t get much easier than these ribbon roses – I’ve made literally hundreds over the years. My fabric-covered journal tutorial turned into a much bigger how-to than... [Read more]

The fabric on my sewing table has changed dramatically. Instead of working with a dizzying view of camouflage, my “to-do” pile is a very serene, zen white. Instead of working with industrial zippers, quilted nylon and heavy-duty elastic, I’ve switched to soft, fluffy fabrics and lots of different kinds of cotton. That change got me thinking – how does your attitude change when your project changes? Even little things like my music preference will change depending on what I’m sewing.  During my last project, I liked upbeat music with a good beat and lots of energy.  At the moment however, I’m enjoying a more relaxed playlist… or even just quiet. Do some projects make you feel like scrunching up your... [Read more]

You’re getting an early-all Halloween crafting around the web this week… how come?  Well, Halloween is on Saturday, when I normally post it – so let’s have some spooky fun, while there is still time to make Halloween crafts! Instructables show you how to weave your own spider web.  You can make any size from teensy-tiny to gigantic – and how amazing would this look made from glow-in-the-dark yarn or thread? I love to make my own pom-poms and this Jack-0-Lantern from Craft Passion is a particularly cute way to use them.  There are lots of different pom-pom makers on the market these days too. Candy corn is a classic part of Halloween, but is it a little too sweet for you now?  How about making these candy corn... [Read more]

Are you a hip, indie crafter in New York or Los Angeles? If so, then you’re definitely going to want to put your application in for the BUST Magazine’s annual Holiday Craftacular craft sales! These are not your grandma’s craft sales…  They feature live music by DJs, tasty “adult” beverages, delicious nibbles and almost anything handmade and indie.  You can find one-of-a-kind clothing, accessories and jewelry.  There are sellers with everything from organic skin-care to holiday decor, gifts and cards. The booth fees are extremely reasonable for such a big event ($225 or $250) but you’ve got to be juried in, so don’t wait too long to apply! You can apply for the New York Craftacular online here,... [Read more]

I have to admit, I used to seriously dislike working with upholstery foam when I worked in a fabric store.  It can be messy to cut, smells really bad when you first open the bag and is awkward to handle. But it doesn’t have to be all that bad – there are a few things you can do to make handling foam a whole lot easier! So if foam is challenging, why even use it? First of all, it’s a must if you’re re-upholstering almost anything.  Foam will give you cushioning and support that batting just can’t match.  And let’s face it – it’s so much cheaper to re-upholster something yourself, rather than having it custom made. Put down the scissors!  Unless you’re working with half-inch thick foam,... [Read more]