I like to keep my home office filled with pretty things and objects that radiate peace, love and incentive.  In my line of work I especially need all of the inspiration I can find. I have  project for you that takes pennies to make and will offer you a world of inspiration.
Here is what you will need to get started:

Transparent glass paint (blue and green)
Dry air enamel paint (white)
Stencils (inspirational words)
Sponges
A paper plate
A couple of old jars with lids or small glass cups
½ inch brush
scissors
A craft knife (xacto knife)

Remove any labels from the jars and wash in hot soapy …read more

I don’t know if you are like me, but if you are then you go through a purse in no time at all. I don’t know why, but I am very hard on purses. Now, I think I have found a solution to the problem of buying a purse every other month. When I found this pattern I was elated. I can now choose the exact color and fabric for my purse and make it myself. Here is a plus, I can also launder my purse and keep it looking nice.
Here is what you will need to get started:

½ yard …read more

By Guest Blogger Kathy Zengolewicz
I have a large family four sons and one daughter and it seems like I have spent most of my time, when they were growing up, at football games, baseball games or other sporting events. They were all engrossed in all types of sports when they were younger and they are the same now as grown ups. I was so happy to find something to make for the boys, grandsons included. This project started out as a plain, ordinary pillow until I changed the cover into a sports themed head rest.
Here is what you will need …read more

Teaching workshops about your writing can be so enjoyable. Today, I saw an online application for submitting a proposal to teach a workshop at a Writing for Children conference. Generally I’d mull over something like this for awhile. Do I have something to offer? Will they be interested in what I do? Can I do it?
Instead, I said, “I’ll submit this” and sat right down at the computer. Within 30 minutes, it was finished, and I hit “Send.”
Will they accept me? I don’t know. I’d love to teach at this conference. I never have before although I’ve attended and submitted …read more

Pieceworks Magazine hosts an annual awards to celebrate the needle arts, including knitting or crochet, needlework (embroidery, cross-stitch, bead embroidery, needlepoint), lace making/tatting, or quilting.
Every year, they choose a new theme (you can see last year’s theme of brooches here).  This year’s theme is “Heart Ornaments”.

They want you to submit the best heart ornament you can for the 2010 Excellence in Needle Arts Awards.  The official call hasn’t been published yet, but all the details will be available on October 16th.
The ornaments must be no larger than 4″ in size and must be submitted before the final entry date of …read more

By Guest Blogger Kathy Zengolewicz
Today I have a Twice as Warm Blanket for you to try and make. It’s very easy to make and it is beautiful enough to drape across your sofa when it’s not being used. It is made from two pieces of fleece, cut and tied. There is no sewing involved, so that makes it even easier. I told you it was easy to make and when you see the instructions, you’ll want to make one now! And it doesn’t take much time, either. I made theses blankets for each of my children for …read more

Since the matroyshka needle kit was such a big hit, I thought it would be fun to go hunting for more fun little goodies for sewers & crafters!
Why not have fun with your sewing tools after all?
This teensy little sewing kit from Polly Danger Notions is tucked into a little tin – and comes complete with almost anything you need to do a repair on the fly.

How about adding some vintage needle cards to your collection?  These ones are from Lakeway Candles and come from several different countries:

Let’s face it – “frogging” is inevitable.  We all need to rip out …read more

Because there’s always room for one more project, one more inspiring article or one more new piece of fiber artwork…

StudioWERX has a great series of video tutorials on creating image transfers using acrylic gel medium (easy and non-toxic!)
Moda has a ton of lovely free quilt & craft patterns on their website – I’m so tempted to make their “Funky Monkey” quilt

Do you need a new skirt for summer?  Sew Mama Sew has dozens of pretty patterns, all in one post.
Are you a musician, or do you have friends & family who are musicians?  Make this great bag to …read more

I think I may have found the world’s cutest sewing kit.
This little charmer is modeled after the traditional Russian stacking or nesting dolls, Matroyshka.

It comes complete with scissors, six spools of sewing thread (I might consider switching these out for different thread…), needles, a measuring tape, safety pins and even a couple of buttons.
Sewing kits are indispensible to have tucked into a purse, totebag or even into the glove box in your car.  This one is so charming that I’d use it for all of my traveling sewing & craft projects!
image: Bust Boobtique

Alright my lovely crafty computer friends, I’ve got a question for you.
How does your crafting change through the year?  Or does it?  Are you a hard-core Christmas freak in November and December or do you work on holiday projects through the year?  Does your color palette change with the weather?

I’ve noticed that once the leaves start to turn, I definitely get thinking about making more gifts.  During the summer I tend to work outside and do more large-scale painting and dyeing projects.
When the weather starts to cool off, I like to bring things inside (the downside of living in a …read more