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.
hese nesting fabric baskets give you a lot of storage options. Sew a set in the same colorway from the same fabrics, and they’ll all match each other and your decor. Since they nest, they don’t take up a lot of storage space, but when you need them, you’ve got four whole baskets’ worth of storage!
Sew Nesting Fabric Baskets from Stash Fabrics Read More 👉
These fabric baskets are purposefully a bit on the droopy side, because I don’t like to sew with artificial materials like interfacing. A little interfacing or even cereal box cardboard would firm them up, though, if you prefer that look.
How to Make the Easiest Sewn Fabric Baskets Read More 👉
Because it’s so versatile and can take on so many looks, a log cabin quilt block is a great choice for a ton of fun projects. Here are some of my favorites!
20 Things to Make with a Log Cabin Quilt Block Read More 👉
I roasted while I sewed all that denim and flannel in the smack middle of June, but I’ll be so comfy this winter!
I’ve had this log cabin quilt sewn from upcycled denim in my mind’s eye for a few years, but it’s the embarrassing state of my fabric stash that finally prodded me into action.
Log Cabin Quilt from Upcycled Denim… And It’s King-Sized! Read More 👉
Want to resize a hoodie or reclaim an awesome graphic? Refashion your hoodie by swapping its graphic for something different!
Refashion Hoodies by Swapping Their Graphics Read More 👉
Outerwear can feel like some of the more complicated garments to sew. So many structural elements! So much hardware! So much interfacing and lining and piping and casings!
Free Patterns from Indie Pattern Companies: Outerwear and Layers Read More 👉
This week, we’re focusing on entire ensembles that you can sew–all the dresses, all the jumpsuits, all the pajama sets, all the rompers. And ALL from the free patterns offered by indie pattern companies.
Free Patterns from Indie Pattern Companies: Dresses, Jumpsuits and Rompers of All Kinds Read More 👉
Everything on this list is from one of my favorite indie pattern companies. The patterns I’m pointing you to are free, but I’ve also included plenty of suggestions for other patterns you can purchase from these companies. It’s important to show these indie companies some love!
Free Patterns from Indie Pattern Companies: Underwear and Accessories Read More 👉
Here are some of my favorite free patterns from those indie companies! We’re starting big with tops and bottoms, ranging from easy basics to add to your wardrobe to fancier styles to dress you up nicely.
Free Patterns from Indie Pattern Companies: Tops and Bottoms Read More 👉
Animal rescues need YOU to do some crafting for good this summer!
Looking for something to make that will also make a difference?
Here are some handmade items that you can make and donate to your favorite animal rescue!
Animal Rescues Need You To Donate These 20 Handmade Items Read More 👉
Wildlife rescues use fleece pouches to contain small and baby animals in a way that keeps them feeling safe and comfortable. It mimics the type of pouch that a marsupial animal will be familiar with, and recreates the feeling of a nest for other animals.
Sew a Wildlife Rescue Pouch from Fleece Scraps Read More 👉
Cat enrichment is so important to the physical and emotional well-being of your cats. Don’t let your tiny hunters suffer from boredom; instead, check out this list of my favorite cat enrichment items below, and make your best friend their new favorite toy!
20 Cat Toys and Enrichment Items from Eco-Friendly Materials Read More 👉
This upcycled cardboard cat scratcher is a great way to use up all your corrugated cardboard boxes. Cats love it, and it’s a useful donation to your local animal shelter.
DIY Cat Scratcher from Upcycled Cardboard Boxes Read More 👉
Today, instead of feeling like you have to go out and purchase new decorations and baskets and toys and treats, choose something from my list of my favorite eco-friendly Easter crafts. Make something that you’ll love to reuse, and save yourself from adding new items to the global waste stream.
36 Easy and Eco-Friendly Easter Crafts Read More 👉
Homemade games add an extra-fun element to any indoor play. You can customize your homemade games to perfectly suit the interests and current abilities of your kids, and older kids can even help with their creation.
20 Homemade Indoor Games Read More 👉
On the spectrum of weird American holidays, St. Patrick’s Day feels like one of the weirdest, so let’s lean into the weirdness together with this list of my favorite easy and eco-friendly St. Patrick’s Day crafts!
24 St. Patrick’s Day Crafts That are Easy AND Eco-Friendly! Read More 👉
This is a great way to use up small scraps from your recent projects, and especially other projects that you’ve sewn for these same kids.
Easy Stashbusting Project: Stitched Scrap Fabric and Felt Memory Game Read More 👉
My go-to process for cleaning wax out of jar candles used to be tedious and time-consuming. But now I’ve successfully used the Power of Science to come up with THE quickest and easiest go-to process.
The Easiest Way to Clean Wax out of a Jar Candle Read More 👉
We love outdoor games, and we also love indoor games that get us off our butts for a bit. Here’s my list of my favorite outdoor and active games to DIY. All use eco-friendly materials and methods, and all include free tutorials so you can have them in your backyard, too!
Two Dozen Homemade Outdoor and/or Active Games Read More 👉
This mini heart bunting is a low-key gift, since it’s nice and small. Big hearts are corny, but small hearts are cute!
No-Sew Mini Felt Heart Bunting Read More 👉
This Valentine’s Day, I’m giving my teenagers each this little gift created with their two favorite things in mind: sugar cereal and tiny notebooks!
Here’s how to make your own tiny heart-shaped notebooks with cereal box covers and upcycled papers!
Heart-Shaped Cereal Box Notebook with Upcycled Papers Read More 👉
In the past year we’ve been blessed with lots of new kid-craft books that use eco-friendly methods and materials, and have the explicit intention of encouraging children and their caregivers to live green lifestyles. Here are my favorites!
The Best Eco-Friendly Kid Craft Books Published in the Past Year Read More 👉
I’m always on the lookout and reserve a special place in my heart for those craft books that truly do use eco-friendly methods and/or materials.
Here, then, are my favorite eco-friendly craft books published in 2022!
My Five Favorite Eco-Friendly Craft Books of 2022 Read More 👉
If you have a phrase in mind that’s speaking your name right now, here are some fun, eco-friendly, DIY and NON-CHEEZY ways to get that word art out there into the universe
20 Eco-Friendly Projects To Create Word Art That Isn’t Cheezy Read More 👉
There are so many ways to create your own building block sets, so many ways to embellish old or thrifted block sets to make them playable in an all-new way, and so many ways to upcycle blocks so that you can enjoy them in brand-new ways.
Three Dozen DIY Building Block Crafts Read More 👉
Whether you’re refurbishing a kid’s hand-me-down building blocks for a new generation, or adding new interest to a current toy, painting building blocks is an excellent way to turn an old toy into something brand-new and exciting.
New Toys from Old Toys: Painted Building Blocks Read More 👉
Here’s how to deep clean wooden building blocks and simple wooden toys, how to refurbish them, and even how to polish them up so they look beautiful and fancy and like the high-quality heirlooms that they are.
How to Clean and Refurbish Old Wooden Building Blocks Read More 👉
There are so many DIY Christmas garland options using one of the most eco-friendly and economical materials out there: paper!
Paper Chains and Wrapping Paper Buntings: Two Dozen DIY Paper Garlands and Hangings Read More 👉
However, you can do a lot more with the classic paper chain, especially in terms of Christmas tree decor. Because wouldn’t you rather have an eco-friendly, customized garland that fits your specific vibe?
Easy, Eco-Friendly Christmas Craft: Paper Chain Christmas Tree Garland Read More 👉
Last week, I showed you all of my favorite felt ornaments. Here, then, are some of my other favorite felt crafts that I make around Christmas-time.
Even More Felt Christmas Crafts! Two Dozen Wreaths, Garlands, Decorations, and Toys Read More 👉
Felt is excellent for children and beginners because it doesn’t fray. It can be hand-sewn or machine sewn, and while it has zero drape, it has a ton of structure that allows you to skip the starch and interfacing.
So pick your favorite ornament, your favorite felt, and start crafting!
Three Dozen Felt Christmas Ornaments to DIY Read More 👉
You’ve picked out an old book and prepped its pages–what’s the next step in creating an altered book that you’ll love?
Let your imagination be your guide!
18 Ideas for Making Altered Book Art Read More 👉
Fortunately, those stained, snagged, or simply outgrown tights don’t have to go into the wastestream! Here’s how to upcycle your old tights in a myriad of ways.
18 Projects to Upcycle Tights Read More 👉
This photo shoot with Jack-o-lanterns on our heads is one of the funnest Halloween activities I’ve done yet in my life.
You Should Take Pumpkinhead Photos Read More 👉
Be warned: pants zippers are tedious and painstaking to replace. What they are not, however, is difficult. If you’ve sewn with zippers before, and you’re comfortable using a zipper foot, you can make this repair.
How to Replace the Zipper in a Pair of Pants Read More 👉
