I'm a writer, crafter, Zombie Preparedness Planner, and homeschooling momma of two kids who will hopefully someday transition into using their genius for good, not the evil machinations and mess-making in which they currently indulge. I'm interested in recycling and nature crafts, food security, STEM education, and the DIY lifestyle, however it's manifested--making myself some underwear out of T-shirts? Done it. Teaching myself guitar? Doing it right now. Visit my blog Craft Knife for a peek at our very weird handmade homeschool life, and my etsy shop Pumpkin+Bear for a truly odd number of rainbow-themed beeswax pretties.
Gardening can actually be kind of expensive, considering that you’re supposed to be saving money on grocery stores and florists by growing your own organic produce and flowers.
Handmade Review: Gardening on a Shoestring Read More 👉
Even if you can’t sew, you can sew this.
How to Replace a Button on a Button-Down Shirt Read More 👉
Here are some of our favorite popsicle recipes. Most of them work well with the homemade popsicle bar that we like to put together, some are recipes that you can set aside to surprise them with, and some are just for adults!
13 More Wholesome Homemade Popsicle Recipes Read More 👉
If you, like I, would rather mix up your own hipster popsicles in the comfort and privacy of your own home, then have I got a treat for you!
Host a Wholesome Homemade Popsicle Bar Read More 👉
Why, oh why, has no one told me that Artist Trading Blocks are a THING?!?
Artist Trading Blocks are a Thing, and I LOVE Them! Read More 👉
Don’t be afraid to display your vintage photographs!
12 Beautiful Ways to Display Vintage Photographs Read More 👉
If you truly want to display your actual vintage photographs, then I say go ahead!
How to Display Vintage Photographs Read More 👉
Are there still sweatshops because the people who should be forcing companies to change are instead spending their time hitting the thrift stores, sewing their kids clothes using organic cotton, and buying boutique-style outfits off of etsy?
A Review of Homeward Bound: Does Domesticity Kill Political Activism? Read More 👉
The Magic Yarn Project makes the lives of kids with cancer better, one yarn princess wig at a time.
The Magic Yarn Project Makes Kids with Cancer into Princesses Read More 👉
I have an unwritten rule for my kids that whenever I mend something for them, I also add something new to make that thing a little cuter.
Freezer Paper Stencil an Old Shirt Read More 👉
Repairing clothes with embellishments on them sometimes requires a bit of finesse. Here are three methods to repair embellished clothing, so it looks good as new!
3 Ways to Repair Embellished Clothing Read More 👉
Sewing for big kids, however? It’s a whole new pastime, and it isn’t necessarily for the beginner, nor the faint of heart.
Sewing for Tweens: The Chambray Dress from Handmade Style Read More 👉
You know that kind of sewing machine that I’m talking about. Maybe it’s got a ton of fancy stitch settings. Maybe you just press a button and boom, it hems your skirt. Maybe it does some cute embroidery while it’s at it.
And yeah, maybe it costs a thousand bucks.
Crafty Review: The Singer 2277 Sewing Machine Read More 👉
Be Miss America. Be a Lookout, complete with Basilisk Slayer badge. Be the Ambassador from China.
How to Make a Brown Paper Bag Sash Read More 👉
To be a dog, all you REALLY need are puppy ears.
How to Make a No-Sew Puppy Ears Headband Read More 👉
Is it kudzu that is the menace where you live, or is it honeysuckle?
The Invasive Paper Project: Papermaking with Invasive Plants Read More 👉
Whether you’re an avid scrapbooker or a total novice, there is 100% an upcycled greeting card that you will love to make in the list below.
11 Upcycled Greeting Cards Read More 👉
When has being bad at something ever stopped me from doing that thing?
Um…. NEVER!!!
I can’t wait to see what I’m going to accomplish in another four years!
Project Show-and-Tell: The Star Wars T-Shirt Quilt that Took Four Years to Make Read More 👉
We have a homemade valentine rule in our house.
I mean, obviously.
Spotted: Paper Fortune Cookies from Unsophisticook, and 4 other Stash-Busting Valentines Read More 👉
It’s a cute and colorful decoration for a kid, especially if she’s a Girl Scout, and it’s an excellent one for a Girl Scout cookie booth, as it shows off all the different types of cookies that are on offer.
How to Make a Girl Scout Cookie Box Bunting Read More 👉
Thigh rips in jeans are the nemesis of anyone who has thighs.
How to Mend a Rip in the Thigh of Your Jeans Read More 👉
There are a lot of interesting, easy, and useful ways to upcycle cross stitched pieces, but one of the most interesting, easiest, and most useful is the cross stitch bookmark.
How to Make an Upcycled Cross Stitch Bookmark Read More 👉
It’s not your fault that a tree gave its life to make that wood pallet, and by crafting with it, especially if you’re sourcing it from a store that’s just trashing them, then you’re actually diverting that wood from the waste stream.
Crafty Book Review: Upcycled Porch Star from Crafting with Wood Pallets Read More 👉
I’m not saying that your home is smelly.
But… it could smell nicer, couldn’t it?
How to Make a Sachet: 21 Projects Read More 👉
Vintage flour sacks are still fairly easy to obtain and not too spendy, but nevertheless quite lovely, and they make excellent crafting supplies.
What to Do with a Vintage Flour Sack: 13 Projects Read More 👉
Here’s a bit of kitchen decor that’s also useful–a vintage cornmeal sack that’s secretly a sachet!
How to Make a Vintage Cornmeal Sack Kitchen Sachet Read More 👉
Elastic-waist pants are the easiest to modify, of course, since the absolute only thing that you have to do is swap out that elastic.
How to Replace the Elastic in Elastic-Waist Pants Read More 👉
You are loved. You are enough. You are so very bright.
Be a Part of the You are So Very Beautiful Project Read More 👉
Valentine’s Day is a great time to indulge in some sweet nature crafts.
11 Sweet Valentine’s Day Nature Crafts Read More 👉
There are loads of beautiful, unique recycled Valentine’s Day crafts that you can make, from decorations to valentines to sweet gifts, that will make this holiday special.
24 Recycled Valentine’s Day Crafts Read More 👉
You can’t always fix this. Sometimes, however, you can!
How to Repair a Dried-out Ballpoint Pen Read More 👉
Gather up your gaudiest serving trays, and check out these makeover tutorials. Find something that you like, make it happen, and save an innocent serving tray from a future garage sale.
How Do I Reuse a Tray? 17 Serving Tray Makeovers Read More 👉
Check out this relatively simple way to completely replace a coat pocket, so it’s even sturdier than the original.
How to Replace a Coat Pocket Read More 👉
