Rotary cutting mats (those self-healing green ones) are such a great tool for quilters and fiber artists.
They allow for more accurate cuts and protect your cutting table (what, you’ve never accidentally used your rotary cutter on a wooden table?)
Unfortunately, the new ones can have a distinct odor.
A very distinct odor in fact!
For people who have chemical sensitivities it can be enough to make them quite sick.  Not so helpful for creating art.
If you bring home a stinky mat, there are a few things you can do.  If you have the time, let it sit in a garage or shelted place …read more

I recently picked up an adorable cross stitch kit.  I normally prefer to buy patterns and then pick embroidery floss up separately, but I just couldn’t find a pattern I liked.
The benefit of buying a kit, is that if you only need a foot of a particular color, you don’t need to buy a whole hank of floss.
Of course, the downside is trying to separate 25 different colors of embroidery floss that have been knotted together…
I like to organize my floss in bright, natural light.  I find I get the best color separation in natural light – there is just …read more

I had the funniest experience in a fabric store today.  I went in to pick up a couple of patterns and of course, had to take a look through the bargain bin
I found a gorgeous cream-colored drapery-weight fabric, covered with a red paisley print.  It’s going to coordinate beautifully with my living room, so I bought several yards.
The clerk was having hard time getting the fabric folded nicely, so I said not to worry about it, I’m going to toss it into the washing machine as soon as I get home.
Well!  I might as well have said that …read more

I love being able to share my skills as an artist and craftsperson with kids.  I’ve taught hundreds of kids over the years (and performed for thousands as a puppeteer) and have picked up a few tips from teaching.
My number one, all time tip?
Let the kids feel like they have say in what they’re doing!

One of the first formal art classes I took as a teenager was lead by an artist who taught by having his students copy his work exactly.  In fact, he had been teaching that way for many years.
Was I bored?  Oh yes!
I wanted to learn techniques …read more

It’s the time of year again when I browse through my archives from the past year and pick out my favorite posts – as well as your favorite posts!
The all-time reader favorite post from this year has to be the free pattern to sew your own snuggie. This post has got to be one of the most popular ones I’ve ever written!
My ribbon roses tutorial is another top reader favorite – month after month, people still enjoy it… even though I wrote it in 2007!
In no particular order, here are some of my favorite posts from 2008:

I’ve gotten a few …read more

I love having Christmas wreaths on my door during the holiday (don’t forget that it’s to make this wreath into a Christmas wreath by changing the colors to festive ones) .  Here are some great ideas for making your own Christmas or holiday wreath:
Got a big button stash?  How about a button wreath?

image: Really Bad Kitty 
Use festive fabrics to create this braided wreath:

image: Craftown
This would be the perfect project for the beginning quilter:

image: Sewing.About.com
If you change the ribbon color, this would make a gorgeous Christmas wreath:

image: The Long Thread

It’s become a tradition for the b5 bloggers to share our Christmas trees and other holiday traditions during December. I’ve shared more photos on my new dog blog, The Doggy Blog – you can see them here
Here’s what my house looks like at the moment:

Of course, it’s not Christmas without yo-yo garlands:

Yo-yo garlands seem to end up everywhere…

You’ve already seen this little guy on my tree:

I also have to have lots of hand-made Christmas ornaments – made by myself:

And by my family:

You can also be thrifty when you’re making Christmas crafts – I used leftover upholstery samples to …read more

We’re getting pretty close to Christmas, Hanukkah and lots of other winter festivities – do you need more gift ideas?  Got someone who needs a hand-made gift, but you’re not sure quite what?
Did you know that fabric superstar Amy Butler has a great line of free patterns for quilts, accessories, fabric crafts and more?
You’ll find patterns for gorgeous scarves (for your hip cousin) business card holders (for your self-employed friend) and even quilts (for someone who’s really special!).
Want to check it out?   Click here to see all the goodies.

 
Jennifer from Tree Hugging Family has put together an amazing list of Christmas crafts, holiday recipes, seasonal tips – all with a “green” or eco-friendly twist.
Sit back, browse, read, and linger in the holiday bliss!

Remember, no matter the treat or recipe, you can always green it up by exchanging organic and natural ingredients for conventional.
50 Cute and Tasty Christmas Cookie Ideas
Cherry Dot Cookies
Organic Holiday Cookies!
Hey It’s Sugar Cookie Day – worth it for the pretty snowy cookie image alone.
Bacon Nut Stuffing – don’t forget, pork is a high pesticide food item, so buy organic if you make this dish.
Top 10 …read more

Not every Christmas project you cross-stitch or needlepoint needs to be a big one – in fact, it can be a lot of fun to work on little projects that you can finish in one or two evenings.
I’ve found some fun, free patterns for Christmas cross-stitch and needlepoint.   These projects would make great gifts, labels for special presents or even hung on your tree.  You could use plastic canvas or cross-stitch paper to make stiff ornaments, or use Aida cloth to make Christmas cards.
Just click on the image to view the free pattern:

image: Free Patterns Online

image: Cross-stitch.About.com

image: …read more