This great winter project from Bliss Alexander-Smith is perfect for the chill in the air, and right now, I want a fireplace more than anything. For you lucky fireplace owners out there, this log caddy is an easy, stylish fix for carting your logs to and fro. I’ll let Bliss explain the rest, and be…
Pets get chilly in the wintertime, too (I noticed that my kitty has been making herself little nests all over my apartment since the cold weather has really set in), so keep them extra cozy with a quilted pet bed stitched in a winter-blues-blasting color palette! In this post, you’ll learn how to sew the…
Traditional quilting is all about precision — each piece is painstakingly cut and seamed to achieve perfect angles and orderly lines. While the traditional quilt is truly a thing of beauty and impressive to any crafter, many modern quilters are letting their hair down in favor of a wonky, free-form style of quilting that breaks…
Few things spark nostalgia like favorite family recipes, and Christmas cookies have got to be one of the most nostalgic family treats of all. I designed these tree ornaments to commemorate some of my favorite cookie cutters. These were made by tracing the cutters themselves then adorning them with embroidery “icing.” They’re a great way…
I’ve been browsing for great gift ideas for many weeks now, and I find myself constantly drawn back to the Australian based site Elk Accessories. Created by partners Adam and Marnie, Elk pieces are made from simple materials like resin, wood, and ceramic. The designs are organic and cute, and the entire collection is very…
Deck your halls DIY-style this year with an easy handmade tree skirt! In this post, I’ll show you the basics of sewing a simple round skirt, which you can adapt to any custom size to fit your tree — from a majestic 12-foot fir to an NYC-apartment-sized mini-tree like mine. The fabric you choose will…
I’m getting ready to go running off to complete the zillion post-holiday errands I have on my plate, but I decided I simply must add the supplies for this project to my shopping list. Jessica is a graphic designer by trade, which is clear to see from her choice of prints for these adorable coasters…
Good morning guys! I’m a little blurry-eyed this morning because I think just about every inch of my face (and living room) are covered in gold leaf. Last night I participated in an event that Erica from PS I Made This hosted at Kate Spade. Along with six other style/design bloggers I put my crafty…
I have a funny, quiet-before-the-storm feeling because this could be one of the last weeks on the calendar before full-on holiday madness sets in. So why not take advantage of these last, few mellow days to indulge in a little old-fashioned embroidery and get some holiday prep done at the same time? These handmade, hand-embroidered…
I’ve been totally smitten with the beautiful throws springing up everywhere lately. But I don’t love their hefty price tags. DIY to the rescue! There’s an amazing array of stunning wool fabrics on the market, and it’s insanely easy to whip up a throw yourself with just a couple yards of fabric. At the fabric…
A talented seamstress with a mission, Renske Solkesz decided to create her own wardrobe after finding herself frustrated with high fashion prices. When we saw her chic and modern wardrobe creations, we asked if she’d be willing to create and share a fun accessory tutorial with us. I’m super excited about what she’s come up…
Add a little fall flair to your kitchen with these quick and easy wool potholders. They’re super simple to make — just cut out the leaf shapes, add the decorative stitching and you’re done! You can finish one in an hour or less, and they’re a great beginner project for those of you still afraid…
It’s back-to-school time, and it’s hard not to have school supplies on the brain even if school days are nowhere in sight for some of us! Inspired by the good old-fashioned pencil case, I thought it would be fun to sew a lined, zippered pouch that you can use for pencils, makeup, electronics or anything…
august is officially over and i have to admit that i cannot wait for fall! i know the days are already getting shorter and my apartment is about to turn to ice, but i will always be a die hard autumn girl. these beautiful fresh floral accessories from the monkey flower group are already taking…
i know ottomans aren’t the most indispensable piece of furniture in the house, but is it criminal to say they bring me the most joy? i think upholstery maven shelly (aka ModHomeEcTeacher) would agree with me; she’s made a whole collection of smart looking ottomans using a range of found fabrics and materials. i am…
for me, there’s nothing more inspiring than a large blank canvas; something about staring at a two dimensional surface full of possibilities makes me ache with happiness. i know that space is a constant issue for many of us, but when it comes to inspiration boards i say bigger is always better. hannah found this…
When the time comes for your jeans to be reincarnated into your new favorite shorts, the top gets a new life but what about that sturdy bottom fabric going to waste? I have been saving the bottoms of cut off jeans for two years now, knowing that someday I would have a bright idea of…
when I get on a mission to tidy up my apartment, i usually end up becoming promptly frustrated by my woeful lack of storage space. so i’m always looking for ways to lose that feeling of clutter, even when i don’t really have any real space to stash my stuff—and thus, this kitchen cozy was…
i have a really bad habit of procrastination. the laziness usually extends to all home projects, but none worse than framing artwork; i just can’t seem to get myself through the process of getting things framed, or even buying pre-made frames, and as a result i have a lot of rolled up posters and prints…
Here’s a great way to snazz up simple textiles with an easy embellishment technique – machine appliqué! This technique allows you to apply cut-out shapes of fabric to the surface of another fabric, achieving colorful and interesting effects that would otherwise be complicated to sew. In this post I’m appliquéing a tablecloth, but you can…
