A place to be creative.  It doesn't have to be a whole room.  It can be a table or closet or corner in your house.  If you are thinking about making a space for yourself and are not sure if it would be worth the trouble; let me tell you that it really is.  
I chose to use the dining room for my craft area.  It is an open concept floor plan and the room is very much in the flow of traffic so the furniture I used needed to be functional yet attractive.  I didn't want it to look disorganized if I had a project in progress so a lot of storage was needed. I looked online at all of the craft table options and chose to pull something together with separate pieces.  I went to our local Sam's Big Box Club * No affiliation* and found the  cube room organizer. The link goes to an 8 cube piece but in our local store I found a six cube so I am not sure if my model is still available. I purchased three of them and then bought a 3/4 inch piece of best quality plywood for the top.  I stained the plywood with several coats  to match the cubes as closely as possible and then put several coats of polyurethane on it.  Once it was dry I attached the top with "L" brackets, so it would not have a possibility of tipping.

I wanted to have an interchangeable way to note what each bin had in them because you can't see through the material.  I used canvas scraps and an indelible marker to write each type of craft item I intended to store. I also used some pretty stamps and ink to add some embellishment.

The neat thing about this method is the use of safety pins to secure the canvas around the handles. Now if I ever want to change them it will be no problem.

I have enjoyed this space so much and am really glad I took the time to paint and decorate it.  Now when I feel like working on something, I have a place to store all of my materials and if I don't finish right away, it can stay set up without bothering anyone else in the house.  I hope this blog has encouraged or given you some ideas for your own craft space.  Remember enjoy your crafting, share what you learn and be generous with what you make. Someone will appreciate your hard work.

Unstructured sewing can be an enjoyable process.  In fact, sometimes a pattern that you have to expertly precut and follow can be intimidating.  I frequently enjoy taking remnants and odd pieces of fabric cutting and laying things out as I go to make something that is beautiful and functional.  Bags are my go to project when I want to sew this way because they are so versatile and forgiving.  There is no right or wrong way to sew a bag. It really is up to you and that freedom leads to great inspiration.  This bag came about because I found this outstanding Elvis fabric in the remnant bin. *Note the fabric used is trademarked and this pattern is not to be sewn and sold commercially*  On a prior shopping trip I picked up the musical notes fabric and I had the soft towel in my stash.  If you are familiar with using a measuring tape and have a straight edge to assist with cutting, you can design and sew as you go without spending a lot of money. The next time you visit your local fabric store, take a trip to the remnant bin.  It is very satisfying to get home with your treasures and then when inspiration hits, you don't have to go to the store. You will already have something on hand that will do nicely.

The tutorial can be downloaded below. It is full of color pictures and measurements for you to use.  If you don't have the same fabric, just improvise with what you do have.  Remember to have fun with it. I hope you enjoy the tutorial, share what you learn and are generous with what you make. Someone will appreciate your hard work

Sock Monkies are a lot of fun to make because you can really change their look and get creative.  Recently I made a few of them using a pattern I got at Hobby Lobby.  If you are ever in need of inspiration, just take a walk up and down the aisles of Hobby Lobby and look for the free patterns.  There are so many to choose from that I know you will be able to find something no matter what your crafting skills.  I had never tried sewing little monkies before but once I did, it became clear how easy they really are.  You can use the same body pattern but change up the face very easily.  I live in the "Roll Tide" state and thought this little elephant would be really cute.  The only thing I did different was I made her face long and thin and put a pipe cleaner inside so I could bend her trunk up. Her ears were sewn on low and I added yarn hair with a bow.  When I sewed her button eyes on, I left the thread long so  she would have eyelashes.  Her hounds tooth dress with the Alabama "A" finishes her off.

My last little friend actually found me.  I love visiting the book store and I saw a craft book about Star Trek.  In the book they had "Spock Monkeys"  Get It?Spock instead of Sock.  Whoever thought of that was pretty "swoof" as they say in the south.  I didn't use their exact pattern but took inspiration from it and made him my own.  He has a high place in my craft room and keeps me grounded with his little Live long and prosper sign and raised eyebrow.

I also made another little monkey using green socks and camouflage material for clothes.  She harkens toward the classic style but just look how changing the color of socks and adding the button nose can make her special. I love using the white background for the face and the little button eyes to make for a sweet expression that little ones won't be scared of.

These little guys are very quick and easy to make and you may have everything you need at home already.  I hope you enjoy this post, share what you learn and are generous with what you make. Someone will enjoy your hard work!

 When I brought my Rooster dishwasher magnet into the office to kind of show off my handiwork, several ladies really liked it and said they would like one also. That made my heart sing a little bit. So, I made the Hen above for one co worker that loves chickens too.  Using scraps I had in my fabric stash, I kind of "winged it"  Get it? winged it?  No pattern for this one but you really don't need one. Just go through your fabric and pick out what looks fun to you.  I drew out the shape of the hen and cut it out then stitched her body on my machine inside out and flipped it before stuffing.  Little details like her beak and eyes were hand sewn.  The nest is made out of burlap.  The eggs that she is sitting on are canvas with a zig-zag top seam and the letters are just stamped and then set with the heat from my iron.  I put magnets in the nest and in the eggs with hot glue also  and added a nice soft piece of felt to the back so the magnet wouldn't scratch the dishwasher. Ric Rac was used to attach the eggs to the nest.  More pictures below on this one.

Another coworker said her theme in her kitchen was pineapples.  I have seen a lot of those decorations lately and had some idea of where to go with her magnet but she also has a little boy and I knew exactly what to make so he could take part in using the dishwasher also.

No need to tell you who these little critters are.  He lives in a pineapple though so it is the perfect magnet for her kitchen and her little buddy.  I started with orange fabric and cut it into an oval.  I used some leftover batting in between the top and bottom and then I quilted it.  Green fabric was used for the pineapple top with batting so it would be "puffy".  For the actual cartoon characters I was able to freehand with a pencil first and then some permanent ink and markers.  I heat set it with my iron though. The ric-rac will keep little hands from losing the character pieces as they are attached to the pineapple.   You could trace these character images or similar ones if you aren't comfortable with drawing.  He tells you when the dishes are READY!  Gary the snail has a perfect perch at the top.  I finished the characters off with a spray of clear fabric top coat just to keep any stains from adhering.  Her little boy should really like helping load and unload the dishwasher!  Hope you enjoy these ideas for kitchen magnets; share what you learn and are generous with what you make. Someone will appreciate your hard work!

We are blessed in our household to have a dishwasher. I still like to wash my dishes by hand like my mama taught me but after a large meal it is pretty nice to be able to load up the dishwasher and either relax on the couch or spend time doing crafts.  My kids are teenagers but still have "chores"  One of them  is supposed to load and the other one is supposed to unload.  I don't know how the deception started but it seemed like we always had a load that needed to be washed. No one ever wanted to unload and pick up therefore we seemed to have an endless stack of items in the sink.  I couldn't get a straight answer from anyone so I did what most moms would do. I implemented a new system.  One of my favorite aisles in any store is the kitchen one.  I love the gadgets.  I came across several magnets that were supposed to go on your dishwasher to tell you when to fill it and empty it. Ingenious!  Some  inventor mom before me wised up too.   In my head as usual I said to myself:  "I could make that." So that's what I did.  No more confusion. How can one little magnet make life simpler?  There is no written tutorial for this. I used  scraps that I had in my stash. Never throw those away. They are like treasure!  Take a look at the pictures below to see how I made this one. I hope you Enjoy the project, Share what you learn and are Generous with what you make.

Are you looking for a quick service project for your Scouts or Church Youth group? Or maybe you have some scrap material in your stash and you feel the need to do something worthwhile but are not sure what that is?  This little Adopt Me Necktie is an easy craft that won't take a lot of time and it is not too expensive; especially if you use some fabric you already have or shop secondhand stores.  The puppies at the shelter would be most appreciative as will their friends who are charged with their care.  It will make their day and your heart will feel so light when you deliver these.  The pattern can be downloaded below.  I hope you enjoy this project, pass on what you learn and are generous with what you make. Someone will enjoy your hard work.

I happen to have an embroidery machine that I use for the embellishments at the top.  If you don't have this, you can use puffy paint or maybe hand embroider on it.  Stamping with ink and heat setting would also work.  You can also sew a long version or a short version that you will see on the pattern.  *Please Note* this is not a professional pattern and it is a hobby project of mine.  The pattern instructions download link is below.  It has multiple color pictures and pages with printable  pieces.

I hope you enjoy it, share what you learn and are generous with what you make. Someone will enjoy your hard work.

Sewing.  Love it or hate it?  Wish you knew more?  I do.  My official knowledge stems from lessons over a summer in between 4th and 5th grade that my mom was smart enough to sign me up for.  I didn't realize it then but that information I thought I forgot was still somewhere in my brain.  It gradually woke up when my mom gave me her sewing machine when I was twenty five.  I was married by then and had one child. I started sewing curtains for my home and it all came back to me. Especially my dislike for patterns. Why did they seem so hard to read and how many projects did I start with such hope and then crumple up or better yet throw away? Patterns to me are like higher math or standardized tests. We don't mesh well and yet I keep trying. I can't help myself. Walking into a fabric store is like a drug to me. Rows and rows of bright colors and textures and smells is almost as good as chocolate.  If I'm having a bad day, I go "pet" some fabric.  Try it. I guarantee you'll feel better too. You don't even have to buy anything.  The real stickler though is if I find a remnant pile or a "good deal".  That's how I stumbled on this Beginner Drawstring Bag. I'm sure I'm not the first to sew this but maybe this pattern will entice you to try sewing one more time if you have given up or start if you are scared. I too have put my machine away over the years but I keep coming back to it. Walking in Dollar Tree *(No affiliation)* one day I saw these shrink-wrapped towels and thought what a cute thing to make a bag out of.  When my kids were little they couldn't tie a bag but they could always pull something open or closed. I eventually got smart and traded in being a pack mule to letting them haul some of their own stuff.  This bag is perfect for just that and they will love it to bring action figures, cars, snacks with them. Better yet they may even keep up with their things because they have a place to put them. *Sigh*  You can hope for that but we'll see... They are also great for themed birthday parties for each guest. I bet a teenager might love one also. There is a tutorial which you can use below.  There is also a video on You Tube. It is about 17 minutes long and takes you through the whole bag. If you are just starting to sew or are trying to teach sewing, it is a great first pattern and very forgiving. I am not a professional seamstress but I know that I learn by watching and some things make sense learned in a different way.  Just remember these towels are trademarked and can not be sewn and sold commercially. I hope you enjoy the pattern, pass on what you learn and be generous with what you make.  Your hard work will be appreciated.