I’ve been working quietly behind the scenes on a new design for a project bag for portable crafts, and couldn’t do it without the expert guidance of a professional seamstress like Pauline Van Gulden. Pauline was kind enough to sit down with me for a chat about her career and approach to designing. Some of
Vanilla Wedding Cake with Mocha Filling: Recreating a favorite from memory
When our friends Joe and Sarah got married a few years ago, one of the highlights of the celebration was their amazing wedding cake. I wanted to shove a few illicit pieces in a napkin and bring them home, but good manners got the better of me, so I decided to try to recreate it
25 The Knitting Nook, Portland Maine: This cozy neighborhood café is also a yarn shop.
Sometimes, it takes a life-changing experience to realize what you really want to do with your life. That’s what happened to the owner of The Knitting Nook, Lisa Plourd, when she fell through the ice and ended up in the emergency room. After her recovery, Lisa decided to combine her favorite things: eating, drinking, and knitting,
Art Yarn Spinning – First Time with Multiple Techniques
In my latest spinning session I decided to try my hand at an art yarn skein. It’s not a style, that I’ve had any experience with, and I would say the end product is also well out of my usual comfort zone. But, inspired by a spinning class I took last fall with Jillian Moreno,
Chicken Curry: classic flavors combine for a delicious, quick supper
As I’ve mentioned before, we’re often looking for new recipes to make at home, to mix up our menus when we find ourselves stuck in a rut. While I’m not new to cooking curry dishes, many recipes I’ve tried in the past have involved more ingredients, steps, and time than I usually have available, especially
Sewing a Skirt & Sash – A Project for a Special Night
If you’ve been reading the blog or following on our YouTube channel for a while, you’ll know that I don’t talk about sewing much. That’s because I don’t sew much, or at least haven’t in a long time. This year I’m hoping that will change. I believe everyone should know how to sew their own
Overdye Yarn: How to shift shades for a happier result
A couple of weeks ago, I shared an experiment for dyeing yarn with food coloring. The results were interesting, but I decided the yarn didn’t have a cohesive, finished look. So, it’s back to the dye pot this week. Overdyeing can rescue failed dye experiments if you’re careful about which colors to choose. In the
Dye yarn with food coloring: a fun and easy fiber experiment
In today’s yarn world, there are thousands of people dyeing yarn at home and achieving wild and interesting (and sometimes, even beautiful) results. Have you ever wanted to try your hand at dyeing your own yarn, but were too intimidated? Or, perhaps you just didn’t want to shell out money for an expensive set of
Holiday Films: Seasonal classics, and unusual favorites
We don’t always have time to watch as many of these as we’d like, but we love our holiday films. From classic and modern adaptations of A Christmas Carol, to more off-beat selections like About a Boy, there’s something here for every audience. Please share your holiday favorites by leaving a comment below! Filmography A
Beeswax Candles You Can Pour Yourself & Great Gifts
Sarah’s mother Nancy joins for a discussion of making your own beeswax candles at home. With a few tools and some helpful tips, you can make your own delicious-smelling candles, or give them as gifts. Beeswax is a byproduct of honey production, and readily available. We suggest finding a local source for beeswax via your