Shhh. Don’t tell my little Amelia, but I’ve been stitching up a storm for her birthday. I have a million things to finish before the big day, but I feel compelled to stop stitching for a bit to tell you about the inspiration for this project from “Hand-Stitched Felt: 25 Whimsical Sewing Projects” by Kata [...]

Crochet played a key role in my development as a young crafter. I got “hooked” around age 5 at Great Grandma Case’s Sunday night craft table where I learned to stitch granny squares with the crafty women in my family. I still LOVE to whip up projects with my old set of aluminum needles. (My [...]

I recently interviewed Trond Anfinnsen, aka “knitKid” and author of “Hat Heads: 1 Man + 2 Knitting Needles = 50 Fun Hat Designs,” for the podcast and can’t wait to share the story behind this fun book that documents how one man used knitting to connect with people in his life. While I work on [...]

Okay, folks, now’s your chance to win a copy of “Journal Bliss: Creative Prompts to Unleash Your Inner Eccentric” by Violette. To enter, all you have to do is share your favorite art journaling or writing prompt in the comment section below. If the prompt is not your original idea, please credit your source with [...]

When I sit quietly with an empty page in front of me, pausing for a moment before picking up my paint brush, I’m often surprised by what comes out on paper. I get answers on almost every page. Art journals are great that way, even for those of us who don’t consider ourselves great painters [...]

Today Betz White, author of “Sewing Green 25 Projects Made With Repurposed & Organic Materials” wraps up her blog tour with a stop at CraftSanity. Keep reading to find out how you can enter the random drawing to win the book which is loaded with projects that will inspire you to shop your closets and [...]

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This week my Grand Rapids Press craft column is a review of some inspiring new craft books. You can read the column on my newspaper blog. And be sure to read it all the way to the end to find out how to enter to win a copy of “Weekend Sewing” by Heather Ross. I [...]

I’ve been distracted ever since I got my hands on a copy of “Weekend Sewing” by Heather Ross. It’s a beautiful book (STC Craft, $27.50) featuring illustrations by Heather and great photography by John Gruen. According to the subtitle, the book is loaded with “more than 40 projects and ideas for inspirational sewing.” And I’m [...]

I look for answers to life’s big questions everywhere. Billboards, headlines, vanity license plates, those inspirational signs in front of churches. (I LOVE those signs in front of churches.) Today a review copy of a book by a man with some answers arrived up in my mailbox: “What Color Is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual [...]

Franklin Habit’s book, “It Itches: A Stash of Knitting Cartoon” (Interweave, $12.95), landed on my welcome mat last week and, wow, what a treat! I’ve heard Franklin read his knitting related essays on the podcast circuit, so I was well aware of his skill in the humor department. But I had yet to realize his [...]

How do you like these apples? Lovely, eh? There’s nothing like a bushel of fresh, locally grown apples to welcome fall. Sunday night I made two batches of applesauce and probably have enough apples to make at least four more. The plan is to load up the freezer and serve this delightful sauce warm as [...]

The girls and I ran several errands today and ended up at the public library near our home. I made my usual 30-second pass through the new book section to scout for craft books. On my way back to collect the girls from the children’s section, I passed a display of featured books, memoirs mostly. [...]

I’m not one to sport a lot of bling, but I love jewelry. And lately I’ve been stealing glances at the lovely projects in Melinda Barta’s new book, “Custom Cool Jewelry: Create 200+ Personalized Pendants, Charms and Claps” (Interweave Press, September 2008, paper bound, 144 pages, $22.95). The book is packed with ideas for creating [...]

In their book, “Doublestitch: Designs for the Crochet Fashionista,” twin sisters, Erika and Monika Simmons, make a serious case that crochet is sexy. And thanks to these talented Chicago designers a wider audience will hopefully grow to appreciate the hip possibilities of the hook. With more than 20 head-turning designs – many too hot for [...]