Guys, something wonderful happened to me last week in the craft studio: I fell absolutely head over heels in love with my new AccuQuilt GO! Baby fabric cutter. Now, I wouldn’t generally get so worked up about a die cutter, but the GO! Baby made cutting fabric so easy that I never, ever want to go back to scissors and rotary cutters again. First, some background: The generous folks at AccuQuilt kindly sent me a GO! Baby machine in advance […]
Craft Tool Review: Clover Weaving Sticks
In the mood for a quick stash-busting yarn craft? The new Weaving Sticks from Clover USA definitely fit the bill! Super-easy and way faster than knitting or crochet, these portable weaving sticks are a fun alternative to more complex yarn crafts, and are a great option for whipping up accessories and simple projects. Clover USA Weaving Sticks are available in both a fine size and a thick size, and each set includes 6 weaving sticks. According to the package: Fun […]
CHA Summer 2013: Tools for Custom Fiber and Fabric Projects
One of the things I love most about DIY is the opportunity for each maker to customize new projects in a way that incorporates her/his own personal style. And, since I’m a fabric and fiber crafter who’s pretty particular about shapes, color, and design, I always keep a special eye out for fun fabric and fiber customization tools and products while I’m walking the show floor. So, in my final CHA Summer 2013 post, I’ll give you a quick look […]
CHA Summer 2013 Booth Love – Haley’s Favorite: Bottle Cutting Inc.
When picking out favorite booths on the show floor, I’m often drawn to over-the-top displays, vintage throwbacks, or eye-catching colors, but not this year. At CHA Summer 2013, I only had eyes for Bottle Cutting Inc. Nestled among the new exhibitors, Bottle Cutting Inc. wasn’t the flashiest or biggest booth at the show, but the intriguing products that I saw there kept me coming back again and again. An easy-to-use bottle cutter that makes perfect scores look effortless? Bottle top […]
Craft Book Review: Crochet One-Skein Wonders
One of my favorite things about crochet is how quickly a project can take shape—especially if you’re using taller stitches. Because crochet projects can be much closer to instant-gratification than knitting, you’ll often find me with a hook in my hand instead of needles. The only problem is, since crochet projects generally require more yarn than their knitted counterparts, I often buy more than I need, and end up with an extra skein. Until now, that beautiful leftover yarn has […]
Craft Tool Review: Clover USA Pin ‘n Stow
Since winter CHA, I’ve been working my way through the list of new products from Clover USA, and I’ve finally arrived at the simple, handy Pin ‘n Stow. The Pin ‘n Stow is exactly what it looks like: an adjustable magnetic bracelet that’s made to hold pins while you’re sewing, quilting, or doing appliqué work. I always like a straightforward product that does exactly what it’s supposed to do, and does it well, so I was really looking forward to […]
Craft Tool Review: Nancy’s Hobo Tote Collection Trace ‘n Create Bag Templates from Clover USA
At CHA this winter, Clover USA had a ton of exciting new products, but Nancy’s Hobo Tote Collection Trace ‘n Create Bag Template was definitely one of my favorites. For me, working on this review couldn’t have come at a better time. My current handbags were all starting to look pretty rough, and I really wasn’t looking forward to the nightmare that is purse shopping. So, making my own custom bag with the fabric of my choice was the perfect […]
Craft Product Review: Boye Artisan Tools CrochetMaster Plus Crochet Hook Set
I’m pretty handy with a crochet hook, and Tunisian crochet (also known as afghan crochet) has been at the top of my must-try list for months. So, when I spotted the Boye Artisan Tools CrochetMaster Plus Crochet Hook Set in the Simplicity booth at both CHA and VOGUEknitting LIVE, it was love at first (and second) sight. The hooks are absolutely gorgeous—the warmth of the wooden hooks look fantastic next to the shine of the metal handles—and I jumped at […]
Craft Product Review: Christmas Woolens Ornament Kit from Rachel’s of Greenfield
‘Tis the season to be crafting, so in the spirit of celebrating the holidays with handmade goodness, I tried out Christmas Woolens, a lovely traditional felt ornament kit from Rachel’s of Greenfield! I came across this kit while browsing booths at CHA last winter, and the muted colors and thoughtful details stopped me in my tracks. Just looking at those cozy mittens and snug stockings brought back fond childhood memories of drinking hot chocolate and decorating the tree with my […]
Craft Product Review: Self-Finishing Needlepoint Coaster Kit from Jenny Henry Designs
For this review, I tried out a fun and surprisingly modern Self-Finishing Needlepoint Coaster Kit in the knotwork pattern from Jenny Henry Designs. Consider yourself warned: this is definitely NOT the kind of plastic canvas project that your grandma gave you as a kid! According to the Jenny Henry Designs Etsy Shop: This kit contains everything you need to create a set of four needlepoint coasters. 10 designs to choose from. Kit contents: 5 – 4″ x 4″ plastic needlepoint […]
Craft Product Review: Neenah EPC™ Film Cuttable Heat Transfer Film
Today, I’m reviewing Neenah EPC™ Film – Environmentally Preferable Cuttable Film. Neenah EPC™ Film is marketed as a greener alternative to more traditional vinyl heat transfer sheets, and it can be used as a substitute for vinyl heat transfer film in just about any project. It’s available in both multi and single color packs, and comes in green, black, white, blue and red. According to the Neenah website and downloadable brochure: Neenah EPC™ Film – Environmentally Preferable Cuttable Film Neenah […]
Craft Product Review: Kwik Sew Organizer Patterns
I definitely know a thing or two about keeping a craft room neat and tidy, so these Kwik Sew organizer patterns are right up my alley. And, since September is National Sewing Month, it’s the perfect time for a sewing pattern review! The fine folks at Kwik Sew gave me several organizer patterns to try out when I stopped by their booth at Winter CHA. For this review, I selected the Pouch with Pincushion & Cup Organizer pattern set because […]
Craft Product Review: Martha Stewart Crafts Pierce and Stitch Starter Kit
Sewing has always been my craft of choice, and I incorporate stitching into everything from clothing and home décor to paper projects. So, when I got the opportunity to review the Martha Stewart Crafts Pierce and Stitch Starter Kit from EK Success Brands, I couldn’t wait to try out the specialized tools—especially the piercing mat and templates! When I opened the package, I found that the kit contained everything I needed to do the actual piercing and stitching, so I […]
Craft Product Review: Sullivans Embroidery Floss
Today, I’m reviewing a selection of Sullivans embroidery flosses, including standard embroidery floss, pearl cotton, and metallic floss. While Sullivans might not be as well known as some other embroidery floss brands on the market, I was immediately drawn to the rich color, consistent texture, and lustrous appearance of the skeins—especially the pearl cotton. I decided that the best way to get a feel for the overall collection was to put all of the floss types to the test in […]
Craft Tool Review: ImpressArt Metal Stamps
I’ve wanted to try out a set of metal stamps from the first moment I saw what they could do. Luckily, the fine folks at ImpressArt shared my enthusiasm, and when I ran into them at CHA, they generously provided a full set of letters and numbers for me to review. In case you’re not familiar with how they work, metal stamps are tools that are used to stamp letters or designs into metals, and they are most often used […]
Craft Product Review: Babyville Boutique Sewing Line from Prym Consumer USA
Even though it’s technically designed with diapers in mind, and I definitely don’t have any rugrats of my own running around, I couldn’t wait to review the Babyville Boutiqueâ„¢ line from Prym Consumer USA! I may not be a mom, but the promise of breathable, waterproof fabric still sets my heart all aflutter, and polka dotted fold over elastic makes me a little weak in the knees. I mean, what sewer isn’t always on the lookout for good waterproof fabric […]
Craft Product Review: LED Sewing Kit from Sternlab.org
If you’re looking to add a little extra shine to your needlework and sewing projects, you’ll definitely want to check out this LED Sewing Kit from Becky at Sternlab.org. Even if you don’t have previous experience with creating circuits, don’t worry—the kits are easy to use and yield great results. Before I started this review, I’d never used conductive thread or LEDs in any of my projects, but I didn’t have any trouble getting started. Plus, at $10 each, the […]
Craft Product Review: Lion Brand Yarn LB Collection Wool Stainless Steel Yarn
When I received a sample of the LB Collection® Wool Stainless Steel Yarn from Lion Brand Yarn, I immediately fell in love with the packaging and presentation. Plus, with such an odd name, I couldn’t wait to try it out and see what it could do (and how it would treat my hands). After testing it alone, then incorporating it into several different kinds of projects, I’m pleased to report that the yarn was a ton of fun to work […]
Craft Tool Review: Martha Stewart Crafts and Lion Brand Yarn Knit and Weave Loom Kit
When the lovely folks at Lion Brand Yarn sent me the Martha Stewart Craftsâ„¢ and Lion Brand Yarn® Knit & Weave Loom Kit—and a giant box of yarn to use while I was trying it out—I was both very excited and completely overwhelmed. With more than thirty configurations for creating square, rectangle, circle, and oval looms in multiple sizes, plus tools for single knitting, double knitting, weaving, and making rosettes, there were so many possibilities that I didn’t know where […]
Craft Product Review: Clover Seams Right and Clover 5-in-1 Sliding Gauge (Stocking Stuffers!)
If you have a sewing enthusiast or fabric crafter on your holiday gift list, you’ll definitely want to stick around! For this review, I tested the Clover 5-in-1 Sliding Gauge and the Clover Seams Right, which are both products from their partnership with Nancy Zieman. I loved trying out both of these tools, and think that they would make wonderful additions to any craft room and great stocking stuffers for the holidays! Clover 5-in-1 Sliding Gauge According to the package: […]
