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Rope Easter Baskets

3/29/2016

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Rope baskets are a thing now, and I thought I would see what all the fuss was about. They are easy, relatively inexpensive to make, and are quite meditative as you sew. They hog thread--about a spool per basket. I never got the hang of turning a corner to make a crisp base, but I also only made two baskets. They turned out larger than I intended, but my children thought my mistake meant all the more candy that the Easter bunny could leave them! Here are a few pictures of the basket in-progress and finished. The red marks near the handles were later erased with a hot iron (I use the FriXion erasable gel pens).
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It shouldn't be a surprise that someone who doesn't like plastic, doesn't go for plastic Easter grass. Green fabric is fluffy, the right color, cotton, and reusable year after year. When you no longer fill baskets, you can sew something with it. Win win in my book.

​I hope you had a lovely Easter, if you celebrate, and are enjoying that spring is finally here!
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3 Things that Make Me Smile Today

3/18/2016

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Image Source: http://ing-things.nl/product/wolmeisje/


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Image Source: http://www.mikodesign.nl/


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Image Source: http://www.amybradleydesigns.com/collections/quilt-patterns/products/quilt-squad-quilt-pattern

​Happy weekending!
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Bunnies for Easter

3/16/2016

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This time of year, I like to make a little something for my children's Easter baskets. If the project goes smoothly, I try to make some for my niece and nephew as well. This picture on Pinterest got me thinking. While buying the pattern would have been the easier option, I had some extra time this week and decided to draft a pattern myself and just go for it, pilfering the scrap bin along the way.
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Such a sweet face!
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The round body is what really struck me as interesting. I ditched the arms and legs from the original, and also rounded the ears a bit. I liked it so much I made four!
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​Ready for Easter with time to spare to get these cuties into the mail. If you're looking for more bunny sewing tutorials, here are a few you might like:


Bunny Drawstring Bag (top right)

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Bunny Tote (top left)

Bunny Softie (bottom left)

​This is a Bunny I made two years ago for all the kids in the family, a free tutorial on the blog While She Naps. The velour, which I found in the remnant bin at Joann, makes it so cuddly soft. (bottom right)

​Let me know if you decide to sew some bunnies this spring. I would love to see them!
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3 Things that Make Me Smile Today

3/12/2016

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Amazing applique and embroidery art from Louise Saxton.
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Image Source: http://www.gouldgalleries.com/Artists/tabid/80/ctl/ArtistDetails/mid/408/aid/1118/Default.aspx


​I think I need to make one of these for Easter.
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Image source: https://www.etsy.com/listing/68106508/pdf-sewing-pattern-betsy-basil-bunny?ref=shop_home_active


​This is gorgeous, not only in design, but with the re-use of discarded denim.
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Image source: http://www.thatcreativefeeling.com/cute-cloths-by-men-and-women/
Happy weekending!
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A Solution for Storing your Long Knitting Needles

3/8/2016

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Chances are, if you are an avid knitter, you have a decent collection of needles. You might have interchangeable circulars, DPNs, and a variety of straight needles. The long, 12-14" straight needles can be unwieldy when not in use. Most organizers, including everything currently in my shop, will handle everything except the super long straight needles. If you use a roll-up organizer, chances are the long needles fall out. Am I right?

​My brand new long and slender zippered pouch is perfect for storing those cumbersome long needles. My mother-in-law happens to have a hefty collection of heirloom needles passed down by several generations of family knitters. They are seldom used, but too precious to give away. Where does she store them? In plastic baggies...<insert head slap!>

​Those needles need this bag.
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With a length of 16.5" and a width of 4", you can fit at least 5 sets of long needles into one bag. At a price of $24, your needles will thank you for giving them a decent home!
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3 Things Making Me Smile Today

3/4/2016

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Today I thought I would try launching a new blog series. A simple post for Friday listing three things that make me smile. Hopefully they make you smile as well, and give you a great start to the weekend.
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Source: http://acultivatednest.com/2015/03/diy-button-craft/
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Source: http://ana-rosa.tumblr.com/post/40213771090
Happy Friday!!
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A New Way to Custom Order your Knitting Bags

3/2/2016

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The response to my yarn and sheep applique designs has been wonderful--you seem to really like them! Since maintaining inventory of every item I make in every possible combination is nearly impossible, you can now choose from a gallery of applique designs to order products!

​Whether you'd like an owl on a large project tote, a sheep on a drawstring bag, or even a ball of yarn on a cosmetic bag, you can now get exactly what you want. If you want a design that you don't see listed as a choice, please just ask. I'm happy to expand the choices I offer based on what you will enjoy.

​To start, I have 6 designs to show you with more in the works.
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There are individual listings available in my Etsy shop that allow you to choose from a drop down menu which applique you would like. Look for the words "Made to Order" in the listing title. You can even request a specific color and I will do my best to accommodate. Your special request will be ready within a week*!

​*Subject to change if this idea takes off like wildfire, but for now a week is a good estimate.

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Anyone thinking of Mother's Day yet? Knitting bags and cases make excellent gifts!
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    Karen Katin

    As co-owner of Stitchery in Portsmouth, RI, I teach sewing classes to children and adults. Welcome to my blog Dancing Threads RI. 

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