No FO?!

Since I'm concentrating on my two October KAL projects, I don't have any FOs to share this week. I can't even think of the last time this has happened! Luckily, I have a consolation prize to offer you: today only, there is a huge flash sale happening over on Craftsy!

From time to time, I blog about Craftsy: the classes I've taken, the yarn I've bought, etc. I usually just assume that everyone knows about Craftsy since I've been obsessed with it since its early days, but for those of you who are just now discovering it, today seems like a good time to give a more formal introduction: in a nutshell, Craftsy is a worldwide craft community offering online classes. It also has a pattern marketplace where independent designers can sell their patterns; a supply shop with great deals on yarn, fabric, and class kits; and a project section where members share pictures of their latest craft successes. They have over two million members, and they aren't just focused on the world of knitting and crochet: categories range from quilting, sewing, knitting, painting, photography, cooking, and more.

Why do I love their online classes so much? With Craftsy, I have 24/7 access to a host of knowledgeable instructors in the comfort of my own home. I can learn at my own pace, re-watch segments whenever I need a refresher, and if I ever get stuck, I can post questions in the course platform for the instructor or my classmates to answer. It's win-win!

Online learning is a great alternative to on-location craft classes, especially for people with busy schedules or who have difficulty leaving the house; Craftsy's classes are also much cheaper than the average in-depth workshop. If you still need convincing, you can check out my reviews of Craftsy classes or check out one of their FREE mini-courses!

Thanks for stopping by this week - if you were hoping for some FO Friday inspiration, come back next week or visit the Tami's Amis blog.

Have a crafty weekend!

Comments

Easy DIY: Beaded Vintage Snowflake Ornament Kits from Solid Oak Inc.

I was really excited to step outside of my comfort zone and try something new as part of my "Christmas in July" theme this month. The kind folks at Solid Oak Inc offered me a chance to review one of their Nostalgic Christmas beaded crystal ornament kits I couldn't resist. My tree is already full of ornaments I've inherited or been gifted from other family members and friends, so these pretty crystal beaded ornaments will fit right in I think! I was super impressed with this compact little kit , which includes everything needed to create three gorgeous vintage-style ornaments - just add a pair of round nose pliers (I found mine on Amazon for less than ten bucks). The instructions had some fabulous tips for newbies like me; for example, it recommended sorting the beads and laying them out in order on a towel or beading mat to prevent them from rolling away. That may seem obvious, but I was totally ready to start beading on my kitchen table without a

What If I Didn't Add Heels?

Last weekend, I finished the first sock with my Waterlilies yarn , and just for yuks, I tried it on even though it was basically just a tube sock. Much to my surprise, it fit really well, even without a heel. Who knew? So, that got me thinking: what if I just didn't add the heels? I never thought a tube sock would actually fit nicely, but I genuinely like the fit, so...why spend time to add the heels? As the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.... Let's say I decide not to add heels once the second sock is done - there will still be placeholder yarn for the afterthought heels, as you can see above, so should I leave it in and just weave in the ends? Or should I remove it, put the live stitches back on needles and at least graft them together using more of the Waterlilies yarn? I plan on mulling all of this over as I knit the second sock, and I'd love to hear your opinions of what you think would look best (or if you think this whole "n

Overdyeing A Finished Knit

Even after just a few years of knitting or crocheting, you're bound to have some finished projects lying around that never get worn or used. After 10+ years of crafting, I have more than just "some" or "a few"....and with my ongoing quest to declutter my house this year, I've become obsessed with going through these forlorn projects and making some Big Decisions. Sometimes, they are perfectly fine and just need a new and loving home. Other projects may have not turned out quite right: there might have been some mistakes in the knitting that I thought I could live with, or the yarn was gorgeous but not well-matched to the pattern, or my taste has drastically changed since I finished making the project...in any case, why on earth did I keep knitting?! Who knows, but I don't feel good about gifting anything that falls into this category to someone else. These projects have been relegated to the "frog pile" (or should I say, frog pond?), to b

handmade by stefanie

Search This Blog