Get into the Madness

In case you didn’t know this about me already, I’m a hardcore Jayhawk (Rock Chalk). I graduated from KU, my dad graduated from KU. College basketball is sacred thing, and was the whole time I was growing up. Now March is upon us, that most unproductive time of year where at least half of my […]

The Masked Crocheter

“That’s what we’re trying to find out! We’re trying to find out who killed him, and where, and with what!” – Wadsworth, Clue Murder Mystery parties were a staple among my high school friends, so when my game night group mentioned interest in one, I jumped on the opportunity to host. We’re a pretty large […]

Historical Crafting Q&A

NothingButKnit posted another Q&A, and here are my answers: What item did you make that was a complete win? You loved making it, using it and got compliments on it. My crocheted prom dress, for sure. It took forever, and there were times when I got bored of it, but it was first big project […]

Skill-Builder Blankets

I love to teach skill-builder classes. What inevitably happens is I’ll get knitters who tell me “I’d love to do [cables, bobbles, lace, any knitting technique], but I’m not a good enough knitter,” but then they work at it, they struggle, they find their “aha!” moments. To see them have pride in their work, that […]

Shave ’em to Save ’em

I love a good challenge, even more so when it’s for a good cause. Shave ’em to Save ’em is a Livestock Conservancy initiative that’s working to make heritage breeds of sheep more viable to shepherds. There are 22 breeds of sheep on the conservancy’s priority list, four of which are listed as critical (which […]

New Year, Same Me (but with Loftier Goals)

Happy New Year! 2018 was great to me, and what I’m most proud of is I actually completed (some) resolutions I made on this day a year ago: Read 20 books This one isn’t really fiber arts related. I mean, I read fiber arts stuff all the time, but I think that was a little […]

Baldwin City Maple Leaf Festival

What better way to ween myself off of my crafty Ren Fest weekends than to surround myself in crafty goodness at a fall festival! The Maple Leaf Festival in Baldwin City, KS occurs in third full weekend in October. It started as a craft show in the late 1950s, to celebrate the leaves turning and […]

Yarn Advent Calendar Round-up

While I’m sitting here not working on Christmas presents, I’m instead looking at all the really cool yarn advent calendars they’re putting out this year. As if I have an abundance of time to work on additional projects around the holidays. I can’t stop looking, though, the idea is just so appealing to me. I […]

Christmas is Coming…

I hear you. “What do you mean Christmas is coming? It’s not even October yet.” People who hand-make their gifts understand though. I’m already late. It always starts with great intentions: buy the yarn and at least start them in August, work on them here and there, and be done around early December so you […]

Hook, Needles, Action!

In the process of planning a knitting retreat for the Sunflower Knitter’s Guild, I was making plans with a fellow member when she had a great idea from previous retreats she’s attended: a movie night with Wallace and Grommit: The Curse of the WereRabbit and Shaun the Sheep. I love it! Imagine how awesome it […]