My new-to-me Ashford Traditional spinning wheel requires the use of an orifice hook, which is not a necessity with my vintage Louet hand-painted wheel. I also have learned that I need to oil my wheels far more often than I had been doing and this has made such a difference in the way both wheels … Continue reading Spinning Wheel Basket
Every now and then I discover something that sparks a flurry of creativity. Perhaps "flurry" isn't the word...more like a snowstorm! Over the Thanksgiving holiday I found these little cuties and rushed to click on the Free Pattern links. But when I did, there was no pattern to be found. Not even the website. For … Continue reading Kork Nisses Discovered and Designed
"Three little pumpkins sitting on a rail..." Well, that's as far as my rhyming mind will take me today. I had thoughts of: "One said, 'Hey, won't you go my bail?" no, no, that won't do! Or: "One said, Hey, better check your e-mail!" ugh. Not good. So I'm just gonna leave it alone and … Continue reading Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice!
Some years ago, my mom gave me a couple of white cotton placemats that my Grandma Bowen had crocheted. She was an avid maker (artist, knitter, crocheter, embroiderer), as is my mom, and now me, and well... my girls are makers too!! It's lovely to have a heritage of creativity, art and making! So for … Continue reading Placemat Pattern for YOU!
I'm getting a bit better! This one is under 15 minutes! Woo! Hoo! In this Sketchbook Chat I share a demonstration of adding watercolor to a drawing of a privacy fence. What I aim for in these videos is not to teach you exactly how to hold the brush or apply the paint, but ways … Continue reading Sketchbook Chat #3
I've been on a kollage kick lately! I love getting out of my usual drawing mode for excursions in collage. Here's a process you might like to try sometime: 1. Swipe some watercolor or acrylic around on a blank page in your sketchbook. 2. While that's drying, choose papers in colors that echo the colors … Continue reading Kollage Kick
I have wanted to do this for a long time! Actually, I do it all the time, in separate journals, some for writing, some for drawing. But I have wanted them to be all in one sketchbook, instead of in and around all the other drawings I make on a daily basis. (Cover of newly … Continue reading Sketch Journal Your Life in Yarn
(Last year's Valentine's Card. I'm working on this year's!:) I think I might like Valentine's Day even more than Christmas. Well no...maybe it's a tie. What I like is that Valentine's is simple. Or can be. Just a little gift to let someone know you "heart" them. And of course, the chocolate is pretty cool too! … Continue reading *Crochet Your Heart!
STOP whatever you are doing/making right now and RUN like mad to your stash or your LYS to buy some Super Bulky yarn!! Now! Do not pass GO! Do not collect $200! Well, if someone offers you $200, take it, so you can buy some yarn and make this tunic! That's how I felt when I saw … Continue reading *Patsy’s Perfect Tunic: Free Pattern!!
Before my Art Show in November, I made several of these and they have been well received by many folks there buying them for gifts or for themselves. I wanted to type up a tutorial for any who might be interested in making one (or LOTS) also. It's a great way to use up your … Continue reading Stashbuster Mixed Media Cowl
