I’m feeling rather fickle as I indulge in the visual feast that is ArtPrize. Each new piece I see becomes my favorite. I’m currently enamored with this “Rag Rug” dress created by Betsy Timmer that is on display at the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM). The piece is made of found sheets, curtains and tablecloths [...]

As an apron enthusiast I’m very happy to see the results of the latest Spoonflower fabric design contest that asked designers to submit their best one-yard apron design. I didn’t have time to enter the contest, but I’m so enjoying the results as a spectator. Check it out! The deadline to vote on your favorite [...]

Yesterday I did my weekly “Take Five” craft segment on weaving with fabric on potholder and other peg looms. (I admit I’m a bit obsessed with the topic right now.) I’ll be demonstrating this technique and selling looms from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. tomorrow (Sunday 9/6/09) at the Fulton Street Artisans Market near the [...]

Walking into the fabric store often results in sensory overload for fabric addicts like me. So, this week I decided to take a step back and work with my favorite fabric of all time: unbleached muslin. Huh? What? That’s right. I LOVE plain old muslin because it invites creativity in a way that the wild [...]

My sister, Jacquie, found these great vintage sheets while trolling for goodies at an estate sale. The plan is to make some dresses and skirts for the girls, lots of aprons (maybe one or two like this). Then maybe we’ll use the scraps to make a vintage sheet quilt, too. I just love vintage fabric [...]

Okay, folks, it’s time to announce the five randomly selected winners of the Jennifer Paganelli “Flower Power” giveaway. To enter, entrants commented about what they would make out of the fabric if they won. Each winner will get two fat quarters. Here are the comments from the lucky random winners: 1) johannaR wrote: “Awesome fabric, [...]

Get the <a href=”http://www.widgetbox.com/widget/mp3-player-muzicera” mce_href=”http://www.widgetbox.com/widget/mp3-player-muzicera”>Mp3 player</a> widget and many other <a href=”http://www.widgetbox.com/” mce_href=”http://www.widgetbox.com/”>great free widgets</a> at <a href=”http://www.widgetbox.com” mce_href=”http://www.widgetbox.com”>Widgetbox</a>! Download the show (you may need to right-click the link) Subscribe to CraftSanity on iTunes RSS feed for podcast Tune into the this episode of CraftSanity to hear a conversation with Jennifer Paganelli, 50, the owner [...]

Download the show (you may need to right-click the link) Listen to show in browser Subscribe to CraftSanity on iTunes RSS feed for podcast Like many of us pursuing our own creative dreams, Amy Butler built her business one small step at a time. She designed and stitched and designed some more and before long [...]

A beautiful thing happened last Tuesday night when more than two dozen women gathered before a pile of donated fabric for the first meeting of a new community quilt bee. As you may recall, I accepted the fabric on behalf of the Craft Club I organize at the YMCA in Grand Rapids. The donor was [...]

Today my husband returned from his Grandmother’s house with one of the best crafty surprises ever. His dear, sweet grandmother started this quilt a long time ago and decided to give it to me to finish. The girls and I immediately took it outside for a quick photo shoot. It’s about a third of the [...]

We made fabric pendants today at the Y Craft Club meeting. This one could use more embellishment, but I’ll add that another day. These pendants would make great gift tags and interesting adornments for handmade cards and scrapbook pages. Podcast update: We’re working on it. Really we are. We’ll post it as soon as s [...]

I’m trying to abstain from garage sales because I’m afraid I’ll find something really great. I’m talking about a deal so great it makes me dizzy and unable to use sound judgment and think: Is this really worth the the precious real estate it will take up in my home? You see, I’ve been trying [...]

I thrive on deadlines, especially crafty ones. I love it when I “have to” work on a project. Today I’m whipping up a new gift apron. Actually, I have a few aprons in the works. When I get those done, I can finally make another one for me. Amy Butler’s Barcelona Skirt Apron Overlay pattern [...]