I'm not an art journaler. I totally admire people like Hanna who create loose, painterly journal pages each day. Keeping an art journal is a way to simply play with materials and images and create something with no expectations. That idea is so appealing to me! Even though I don't keep an art journal, I…
Archives for April 2014
Why I’ve Decided to Pay for Books I Review
I have a book review coming on Friday, but before I post it I wanted to share with you a change I've made in my book review policy. When you've got a blog with a good-sized audience marketers of all sorts reach out to you asking if you'll write about their products. Mostly I say…
10 (More) Podcasts to Listen to While You’re Crafting
What is a podcast and why should I listen to one? A podcast is an independently made radio show. The word podcast combines “pod” from iPod and “cast” from broadcast. Being independently made means that these are audio programs people are making themselves without depending on network syndication. A podcasts sidesteps the traditional gatekeepers of…
Studio Update
I have a few fun projects to share. First up, I made these two elephants for Sara Lawson's Quilt Market booth. Sara's first fabric line will debute at spring Market in a few weeks. Her line is with Art Gallery fabrics and it's callled Jungle Ave. It's inspired by city living. You can read more…
Podcast Episode #18: Meighan O’Toole and Caro Sheridan
In episode #18 of the While She Naps podcast I talk with Meighan O’Toole and Caro Sheridan. I’ve hung out with both Meighan and Caro here in Boston this year, but they haven’t met in person. It was great to introduce them through the show! Meighan and Caro have both created incredible careers for themselves…
How to Create Evergreen Posts for Your Craft Blog
Is everything you post on the internet just a flash in the pan? It sure feels like that sometimes. The clever tweet you carefully wrote on Tuesday? Buried in the feed. That hilarious Instagram photo of your cat sleeping in a cake pan? Already enjoyed its one minute of fame. Does anything endure? Don’t worry!…
Free Pattern: Casey the Crab
I have a fun free pattern for you today. Meet Casey the Crab! To make Casey the Crab you’ll need: 1/4 yard of red fleece (felt, wool, cotton, or other fabrics will work, too) 1 pair of 6mm safety eyes (I got mine at Joann’s, but they’re also available here) black embroidery floss or Perle…
Passover at Our House
Tonight is the first night of Passover, one of my favorite Jewish holidays. I thought I’d tell you about what we’ll be doing tonight: how we’ll conduct the Seder, what we’ll eat, and something special I sewed for the occasion. A Passover Seder is all about asking questions. In fact, Judaism in general is about…
Should You Write Sponsored Posts on Your Craft Blog?
I got this email yesterday: Save the Date: Michaels Blogger Event May 1 Hi Abby – Michaels is unveiling a new look at all of its Boston area stores and we are giving a select group of bloggers an exclusive sneak peek on Thursday, May 1 from 6-8 p.m. at the Saugus store. You…
Plush Taxidermy: Elephant and Giraffe
No need to go on safari! You can have your trophy head without harming any animals. Let me show you my new pattern… One of the challenges I had to think about when I sat down to design these was how I wanted to mount them on the wall. If you take a look at…