Third Infinity

I love this idea! Take plastic grocery bags, cut them up, and make plarn (plastic yarn). It's easy and cool! Even I can make plarn and knit or crochet a sturdier plastic grocery bag out of those flimsy ones they give you at the store. Here's the link to learn to make plarn: http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2010/how-tuesday-how-to-make-plarn-crochet-an-eco-friendly-tote-b/   *´¨) ¸.· ´¸.·*´¨) (¸.·*  Lena Austin http://www.LenaAustin.com http://depravedduchess.blogspot.com

I learned a new technique at Quiltfest this weekend that I love. It's called "Fun and Done" Quilting, and uses a product called "Batting Buddy." Everyone who knows me is aware of how little time and money I have for quilting, so every little bit helps. This technique, when combined with what I already know using the Cotton Theory Quilting, makes the perfect quilting. By themselves they're both great techniques, but when added together, it's magic for me. The Batting Buddy (see picture above) is a two-part template that means no measuring! Take the inner square and cut your batting to fit. If you're using a foundation fabric, this is also the tool to make it fit as well. (When using the Cotton Theory, see the next paragraph. The frame is your template for the backing. Note that each backing piece could be a different fabric, so this is a great way to get rid of those 10" blocks or fat quarters. It also can be your basic cutting size for ...

Apple-Pecan Crisp Looking for a fruit dessert using Betty Crocker® oatmeal cookie mix? Then check out this great apple-pecan crisp recipe. Prep Time 25 Minutes Total Time 1:20 Hr:Mins Makes 12 servings 2/3 cup maple-flavored syrup 1/4 cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour ...

WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT TO TURN ON THE TV AND HEAR ANY U.S. PRESIDENT, DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN, GIVE THE FOLLOWING SPEECH? 'My Fellow Americans: As you all know, the defeat of the Iraq regime has been completed. Since Congress does not want to spend any more money on this war, our mission in Iraq is complete. This morning I gave the order for a complete removal of all American forces from Iraq . This action will be complete within 30 days. It is now time to begin the reckoning. Before me, I have two lists. One list contains the names of countries which have stood by our side during the Iraq conflict. This list is short. The United Kingdom , Spain , Bulgaria , Australia , and Poland are some of the countries listed there. The other list contains every one not on the first list. Most of the world's nations are on that list. My press secretary will be distributing copies of both lists later this evening. Let me start by saying that effective immediately, foreign aid ...

Knitting and crocheting are the most obvious forms of yarn work, and in the depths of winter they’re a handy craft to know! (No pun intended.) I’ve spent many a winter day snuggled under a crocheted or knitted project, and was almost sorry to give it away! While both will always have their proponents, even those who are intimidated by the needles and hooks can do the plastic knitting looms currently available in many craft stores. Do I expect you to knit a sweater or sock your first time? Heck no! The joy is in the learning, and sometimes even a simple knitted square is a triumph with a use. My dear friend makes the most wonderful hand-knitted and crocheted face cloths that beat plain old terry cloth face cloths hands down! Even I can manage face cloths, and I freely admit yarn crafting isn’t my favorite fiber art. However, my lack of enthusiasm hasn’t stopped me from making the occasional stocking hat, beret, washcloth, or even a bag or two. So, be a kid again. Pick up a simp...

The Witches’ Belt Spun craft can take a very useful and fashionable turn if you make yourself a cingulum. Depending on your tradition, the cord worn by a witch can have many different uses and meanings. 1. Cingulums are 4-1/2 feet in length so they may be used as a compass to draw the nine-foot circle of some traditions. Some other traditions demand that the cord itself be nine feet in length and wrapped around the body a minimum of three times when worn as a belt. 2. Postulants are bound with a cord for their initiation. In some traditions, this cord becomes their first cingulum. In some traditions, this cord is white to signify the novice. This is not true in all traditions. 3. Practitioners of ceremonial magick may have several knots in their cingulum to measure inner and outer Circles. 4. Some traditions may weave and join cingulums as a witch achieves rank, so her novice’s belt may be twisted and woven with her new level’s belt as a reminder to never forget what she has...

These are so gorgeous, I had to share. I wish you could see the pictures here, but you'll have to go to the site. It's worth the clicks. Hello Corlleen: We're knee-deep in January, and here in Minnesota, we've got the blues. The midwinter blues. Crafty that we are, we've cooked up crisp, cool new designs known as Delft Blue. Delft Blue pottery is nearly 500 years old, and those gorgeous shades of blue remain a timeless and classic design trend. Scenes depicted on plates, vases, platters, cups, and saucers, reflect peaceful and serene Dutch scenes of years gone by. New designs this week celebrate the beautiful art form known as Delft Blue. Fruit and flower arrangements are framed with graceful vines and lush blossoms. The result is designs that are sure to be a cozy addition to towels, table linens, quilts, cozies, and wall hangings. As a special introductory offer, these new Delft Blue designs are on sale now - only $1 each! Click here to find them, an...

I'm glad to hear decoupage is on its way back as a craft! It's a quick and easy way to make something unique.   If you have problems reading this email Click Here for an online HTML version . The beginning of a new year is a great time to restore and restyle! Learn about making the old anew in this article . See restore and restyle projects here . Stay warm and keep busy indoors with craft products we offer in the BIG Winter Crafts Sale ! Learn more on our Web site: www.plaidonline.com Did you know that plaidonline.com can help you answer your questions 24 hours a day? You can locate a retailer using our Store Locator, search for inspiring projects, discover crafting tips and techniques in our Frequently Asked Questions section, and more! If you need more information, our Consumer Advisory Team is here to help. Just give them a call toll free at 1-800-842-4197. They're available Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET. Plaid Enterpri...

Dinner Diva This is a great article to share with your friends & family How Safe Is Your Kitchen? By Leanne Ely, C.N.C. Dirty dining reports are becoming quite popular with local news stations all around the country and are grossing out America at the same time. I'm sure you've seen it before; local reporters go into the kitchens of restaurants to see what health code violations they can find. I'll spare you the gory details, but it's usually one more reason I prefer to cook my meals at home. But let me ask you-- how would your kitchen stand up to one of these inspections? I like to keep my sink shiny (thanks to FlyLady ) and my pantry neat (thank you Rubbermaid ) but as you may have seen in my pantry makeover blog just about a year ago, I found an old sprouting potato hiding in the dark recesses of my pantry. It happens! So how safe is your kitchen? When is the last time you gave your fridge and freezer a good disinfecting? How old is the shelf liner in yo...

I love, love, love my Rubba Scrubba from FlyLady.net. This has to be one of the all-time great things about being a Flybaby. (Don't you dare call me a maggot!) FlyLady just posted this list of all they can do. I've cleaned dishes, removed pet hair from furniture and crevices, and dusted my lampshades using mine. Rubba Scrubbas to the Rescue! Cleaning window screens Cleaning vegetables Cleaning dishes Cleaning mud/etc. off the bottom of shoes Sweeping up broken glass Sweeping up dust around baseboards Brushing off carpeted stairs Cleaning fan and hairdryer vents Cleaning grill vents Scrubbing out yucky garbage cans Picking up pet hair Rubbing/combing your pet Massager Sweeping dirt out of tent Brushing snow off of clothing Brushing up lint (especially velvet lint) Cleaning Dryer Lint screen Cleaning lamp shades Cleaning blinds Cleaning window sills Cleaning the divots and grooves in tile and linoleum Cleaning dust off of ball cap...

The scarf idea below is so great, I just had to share. Have you seen the Sewing With Nancy shows detailing those great remakes of scarves? I've already done one type several times. Now I'm on to more great scarves. They're a great way to accessorize without spending a fortune.   Having problems viewing this email? View it in a browser window. Share this on: Quilting Arts Gifts is a special issue of Quilting Arts Magazine devoted to the art of gift-giving! November 26, 2010 Stylish Holiday Gift Sewing   Every year at about this time I start having crazy delusions of sewing handmade gifts for all my friends and family. And then I look at the calendar and count down the actual number of days I have to get all these projects done—and I panic. Why didn't I start making things in July? What was I thinking? But then I get hold of myself, calm down, and make a realistic game plan. I decide to focus my handmade gift list only to the people who wil...