A couple weeks back when I thought my column writing days were numbered, I had a bit of a panic because I came very close to blowing my opportunity to write about one of the nicest people on the planet. A newspaper reader had sent me a tip about Bob Roskamp, an 82-year-old West Michigan [...]

Seasons greetings from CraftSanity! I hope you’re enjoying the holiday season with family and friends. The Christmas Eve snow didn’t stick here in West Michigan, so I crocheted some handmade snowmen stand-ins. I think it did the trick. : )

It was love at first sight when Lisa Gutierrez sent me her Willow Doily Blanket pattern for CraftSanity Magazine issue 4. Isn’t it lovely? Before pattern testing this design, I had never bothered to crochet a doily of any kind and now I’m completely hooked. And who knew that I would actually enjoy working with [...]

I forgot to mention in my earlier post that I published a fun and easy crochet pattern in CraftSanity Magazine issue 3 to pretty up your jam jars after you try out the strawberry jam recipe. I can’t crochet fast enough to make a lid cover for every jar of jam, but I’m sure enjoying [...]

Spring break is over and I’m in denial. I love it when we can wake up on our own with no alarm clocks and let our days unfold as they will. There were a few squabbles during our staycation, but for the most part we had a great week. And today we ended on a [...]

This crocheted vessel by Juliane Anderson was one of my favorite things to photograph for CraftSanity Magazine issue 2. The colorful mix of roving and yarn come together to form a wonderful coiled structure that is doubles as functional art and handmade eye candy. Don’t you love the colors?! And the wonderful thing  about this [...]

Wow do I love to crochet! I just finished another Easter basket while we were watching “Toy Story 3″ with the kids. I used the crochet pattern by Maria Stout that is on page 16 of CraftSanity Magazine Issue 2. (You can download the magazine pdf for $3.99 on the left sidebar of this site [...]

This blog has led me to meet some truly inspiring people since my husband helped me launch CraftSanity in early 2006. And it still amazes me how one rather spontaneous decision to become a craft podcaster has so dramatically changed the trajectory of my life and enriched it so. Alessandra Hayden is one of the [...]

Tonight I’m working on my column while Jeff edits the Maker Faire Detroit highlight video we shot yesterday. In the meantime check out the view of the West Michigan sky in the evening looking up through a bloom of Queen Anne’s Lace. Huh? I admit I’m procrastinating. This is what I often do when I’m supposed [...]

This Sunday my newspaper column will feature West Michigan crochet enthusiast, Kendra Wineman. After meeting Kendra and seeing her colorful stash of reclaimed yarn and cute, crochet nesting bowls, I decided to unravel a sweater and make some bowls for my daughters to organize trinkets in their room.

Happy Spring, everyone! It’s snowing here in West Michigan. And waking up to a blanket of white was a crushing blow after we were spoiled by nearly a week of sunny, spring weather. Ah, well, those of us who live in Michigan are used to this kind of teasing by Mother Nature. We often complain [...]

I haven’t had much time to craft just for me lately, but I did take a break last night to stitch this jumbo hexagon. The plan is the gradually chip away at a whole blanket. I love crocheting these. Check out this link to the very inspiring Attic24 blog if you’re interested in making some [...]

If you haven’t noticed, I’m on a major beading binge. And after treating myself to some new colors at a 40 percent off sale at my local craft store, my need to bead seems to have kicked into overdrive. I just can’t seem to get enough of those pretty little beads. This week I whipped [...]

The latest issue of Petite Purls went live today and includes a couple of my paper-pieced ornament projects. There’s still time to make the flower ornament pictured above, and a related festive wreath ornament, too. So head over to Petite Purls for the directions. This issue is packed with great patterns including fun crochet “Foamies” [...]

Here’s an update on the granny square hat that I’m making for my youngest daughter. It’s coming along, but I can’t decide how to finish the top. Right now it looks like a headband with ear flaps. I’m not using a pattern, so I have to make some design choices as I go. Any suggestions?