Cicada Studio’s Michelle Engel Bencsko

Written on January 27, 2010 at 7:13 am, by Magic Touch (Angie Packer)

When we discovered the fabrics of Cicada Studios on Etsy.com (we featured Dandelions in our “Console-tation” story in the winter 2009 issue of Do It Yourself — see page 86), we just had to know more about the creative spirit behind them. So we sat down with fabric designer Michelle Engel Bencsko to find out more about what goes into her gorgeous designs, her craft, and what’s next for her on the textile horizon.

What was the inspiration behind your Dandelions?
This fabric was part of a series called Earthly Delights that I created for Cicada Studio, which is my personal retail/craft business that I operate on Etsy and Supermarket. I wanted to focus on plant life and yet keep them all rather separate from each other. I have Pussywillows (shrub), Mushrooms (fungus), Lily of the Vally (flower), and then lastly the “weed”, Dandelion. I often like to balance motifs within a collection so there’s no real duplication of an idea. Also the colors were a nice contrast to the other prints, too. This range was very influenced by the art nouveau movement — very stylized, yet organic motifs.

Fabric design — what got you started in that?
It was really just luck. I studied photography in college, but my first job afterwards was through my mother at a men’s pajama company as design assistant. I have always loved working with fabric, so it was natural I should take a position like this. I picked up things very quickly and grew from assistant to surface designer. Eventually I moved on to another company as a design director where I was responsible for creating thousands of prints and plaids in my career there. Everything I know was through experience — I had no formal training.

Where do you get your design ideas and how do you create them?
Most of my ideas are primarily referenced from nature and natural motifs. As noted above, I like to work in collections, so it becomes a bit of a puzzle to fill in blanks, too. I will often sketch ideas from what I see on a walk or a drive, or even in my back yard. If I see something that moves me, like a dandelion, I will also scour images online in order to find the perfect viewpoint. I typically kick off with one idea that I really love, then the rest start to fall into place.

While I’m familiar with different printing methods, I don’t personally print my own fabrics. Cicada Studio fabrics are digitally printed on a beautiful mid-weight cotton/linen blend that is ideal for upholstery, various crafts, or window dressing. It took me a long while to find a professional printer I could work with and who would maintain my high standards. As a result, my fabrics are very costly. I’m very excited about the fact that people buy them regardless of the price. They are truly a pleasure to sew with, and I’m glad my prints appeal to so many.

When and why did you launch the Cloud9 Fabrics line?
In the early part of 2009, I got together with a former colleague to discuss the possibility of mass producing fabrics for Cicada Studio so that I could begin selling them wholesale (digital printing costs prohibit wholesale pricing!). Within a short time, Gina, now my partner in Cloud9 Fabrics, and I formulated a business plan that was rather new to and certainly wanting in the market: organic print cottons, with eco-friendly print methods, specifically for the quilt and craft shops.

We both understood the importance of the organic cotton movement, and we were excited about being on the cusp of this growing industry. While others have been here before us, it’s our goal to help bring organics to the foreground, and we do so with competitive pricing, contemporary prints, small collections that will rotate quickly and yet tie in to each other over time. We’re building a brand in Cloud9, and we hope to broaden our scope to products down the road.

Indeed, we’re moving pretty quickly, mainly thanks to our garment production backgrounds. Cloud9 Fabrics, Inc. incorporated in March, shipped our first collection this September, our second collection is due to ship in March 2010, and we have plans for another for Fall ‘10.

Who and what inspire you?
With Cloud9 there’s lots to be inspired by: the idea of running our own business, the betterment of the cotton print industry, our children (I have two boys, Gina has a daughter and another on the way), the health of the planet and the people who work the land and process the materials. As far as theme goes, it’s always back to nature for me.

Can you offer any advice to our readers who might be considering launching a product line?
I can honestly say that I could not be doing Cloud9 without my partner. I know many people who are capable of these challenges as a whole, but for me, the key was having someone to work with. Gina is the yin to my yang. We don’t overlap, and we compliment one another.

I know this partnership is not always easy to find, and had we not worked together in the past, we probably would not find ourselves here now. But essentially, I mean to say look for opportunity and seize it. Dream big, keep your sights focused, put your goals out there, and sometimes the universe hears you. Gina and I weren’t looking for this when we found it, yet here we are today because we knew we wanted to be successful in a self-made business and we embraced the possibilities and the opportunities.

I was very capable of formulating and running Cicada Studio by myself and I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved, yet it did not grow at the rate I hoped it would, which is why I reached out. Now my primary focus is Cloud9, while Cicada Studio will hang low for a bit while I work with Gina to take the next big step there, too.  It takes work, dedication, confidence… and, oh yeah, money!

Shade Garden Fat Quarter Bundle by Cicada Studio

Wild Mushrooms Fat Quarter by Cicada Studio

Meadow from My Happy Garden Collection by Cloud9 Fabrics

Pearl from Beyond The Sea Collection by Cloud9 Fabrics

You can find Michelle on the Web at these sites:
Etsy Shop
Cicada Studio
Cloud9 Fabrics
Cicada Daydream

---

Sneak Peek: Bonus Shots from Alison Warner’s DIY Cottage

Written on January 12, 2010 at 3:10 pm, by Team DIY

We shot first-time homeowner Alison Warner’s cute Michigan cottage for the spring issue of Do It Yourself magazine (the new issue hits mailboxes and newsstands today!). But it was bursting with so much color and style we couldn’t fit all of our favorite rooms into a single story. So here’s an inside peek at some bonus rooms—the bedrooms and baths—we loved but couldn’t feature in the mag.

Warner achieved the perfect balance of shabby and chic in her powder blue bedroom. We’re in love.

“I feel pretty…oh-so-pretty!” We can’t figure out how Warner doesn’t break out in song every time she sits down at her gorgeous vanity.

Check out the detail on the vanity!

The home’s cottage charm is accentuated with the damask and checkered patterns on the shower curtain and window treatments.

Warner put a fun spin on sophisticated stripes in her second bathroom with a punch of coral paint.

Which is your favorite room? Tour the rest of Alison’s house (including—spoiler alert! – an amazing faux-bois paint treatment on the dining room floor) in the spring 2010 issue of Do It Yourself magazine – on newsstands now!

---

Sweet & Simple DIY Photo Frames

Written on November 9, 2009 at 3:24 pm, by Guest Blogger

Since you (and we!) loved the last post from Beach Brights Blog so much, we’re thrilled to feature Christy again this week with a fun and fast photo frame project. See more of her work here. Over and out! — Team DIY

Easy DIY Photo Frames

These frames cost only $1 each, and it took me less than 15 minutes to complete three of them! They’d look great hanging on the wall in a group, or resting on a table or mantel. there are lots of options for customization (you could paint the frames before adding paper to the front or glue on fun embellishments). Use your imagination and enjoy!
What you need:

• Unfinished wood frame
• Glue
• Scrapbook paper
• Sanding block
• Foam brush
• Brayer
• Craft fnife
• Rub-on words

1. Cut paper to fit frame with 1/4 to 1/2-inch overlap.

2. Evenly apply a coat of glue to the top of the wood frame with the foam brush.

3. Adhere paper, rolling brayer of the top to smooth out air bubbles. Let dry.

4. Sand away excess edges or paper using the sanding block.

5. Lay the frame flat, paper side down and cut out the middle using your craft knife. Sand these edges.

6. Apply rub-on words to frame (optional).

XOXO-BeachBrights

www.beachbrights.blogspot.com

---

Trendspotter: My Of-The-Moment Etsy Faves

Written on November 5, 2009 at 11:58 am, by Trendspotter (Jessica Thomas)

Best of Show, a special section in the winter 2009 issue of Do It Yourself magazine, was one of the most fun and interesting stories I’ve produced, from conception to the final photo shoot. We shopped and surfed hundreds of Web sites, craft fairs, blogs, and books to find the best handmade items around. It was hard to edit all the great finds, so here are more from Etsy that inspire me, appear on my personal wish list, or just make me smile. Some are artists from Europe or even as far as South Africa but all ship internationally.

(Check out more outtakes from our Best of Show photo shoot here.)

TickledPinkKnit’s scarfs and wraps are beautiful and stylish. so “right now” in terms of the folds and ruffle effect.

I love the graphic yet whimsical nature of this artist from Spain,
blancucha

Merit badges never looked so cool. These are from Lee Meszaros. Merit badge for being drunk as a skunk:

Merit badge for taking the cake:

These ceramic poppy bowls from PrinceDesignUK are perfect to keep little whatnots in. Or use one as a jewelry cache on a dresser. And the love bird just makes me happy.

Skinny laMinx is a South African artist with fun and funky tea towels. I love her style, especially this design:

I am totally obsessed with these paper cutouts by Elsita

Show and tell time! Which Etsy sellers and goodies are you loving right now?

---

6 Smart Ways to Brighten Your Home

Written on November 3, 2009 at 10:21 am, by Guest Blogger

It’s officially that time of year. The days are short, and we often leave for work before the sun rises and return to a dark home. We asked Kate Hart, a professional home stager and designer based in Philadelphia, to share some tips with us for how to brighten up our personal spaces during winter months. In addition to TV and radio appearances, Kate’s work has been featured in lots of books and magazines. Her business, Hart & Associates Staging & Design, helps families and realtors get properties ready to show. So she knows a thing or two about making spaces feel cozy, warm and bright. Enjoy! — Team DIY

• Replace your existing light bulbs with full spectrum bulbs. Made to emulate natural daylight, these bulbs most closely resemble the sunlight that your body lacks as the days get shorter. I like GE Reveal bulbs; they filter out yellow light produced by other light bulbs.

• Swap out a large painting with a mirror to push more light around the room. Choose the wall you see when you first enter the room so that your eye is tricked into thinking the room is lighter at first glance. I use Pizzazz MirrorSquares from MirrorMate Frames; they’re affordable, customizable, and they look great in groupings.

• Switch out dark-color or heavy fabric lampshades for lighter, white lampshades to add more light to a space without having to purchase a new lamp.

• Start your spring cleaning early. Make your windows sparkle by removing any streaks that block sunlight from entering your rooms. Vacuum dusty screens (or remove them all together) to add even more light to your space

• Add metallic accents. Your eye is naturally attracted to bright objects. Polished silver or chrome accessories, such as candle sticks, bowls, platters, urns—even mirrored furnishings—will reflect light back into the room, making it feel lighter

• Dress your rooms in winter white. Dark colors absorb light, whereas white reflects it. Replace dark-color bedding with a white or cream comforter or duvet set to give your bedroom a brighter look. Add a white or cream slipcover to a sofa or chair to refresh your living room. Remove dark, heavy window treatments and add crisp white panels. Keep warm by choosing a down fill for your comforter, and accent with soft materials such as cashmere and velvet.

Remember, it takes a few simple changes to brighten not only the home, but our spirits as well!

Visit Kate’s Web site to find even more tips and videos about home staging and design.

---

Old Crow Farm’s Fall Party Projects

Written on November 2, 2009 at 10:33 am, by Team DIY

We were so excited to feature Kasey and Jordana Henke of Old Crow Farm in the winter ‘09 issue of DIY that we just couldn’t leave them alone. Their fabulous ice bucket, made from a galvanized metal pail and cast-off bicycle gears, has been a big hit with readers. So we’re thrilled they agreed to share with us some creative ideas for fall entertaining.

Those of you in the Midwest have several opportunities to meet Kasey and Jordana in person. Old Crow Farm hosts tons of antiques sales and cool events throughout the year. On December 5, join Old Crow Farm for Jolly Junk, a holiday-theme junk extravaganza that is not to be missed for any serious junk-hunter. The holiday’s are coming quickly! If you can’t make it in person, check out the online store.

We hope you enjoy these fantastic fall projects from Old Crow Farm! — Team DIY

At Old Crow we rescue good junk. Saving old discarded items and turning them into something cool is our passion. Good junk is everywhere, but our favorite place to rummage is old barns. We love to bring the outdoors in, and good old farm junk is perfect for that purpose . The two materials we work with the most are wood and metal. The combination of warm wood tones and rigid textures of distressed metal lend themselves perfectly to this season. This is why fall at Old Crow is our favorite. To celebrate the harvest season we created a funky salvaged wine rack and freshened up some old junk.

Fresh Ideas

Wine Glass Rack: This wine glass rack is in fact an old rake head. The rustier the better, we say! Perfect for an urban industrial look or country primitive decor. For a fun and quirky look we added a splash of color. Just lightly brush paint onto the rake head for a more distressed look.
Cheese and Fruit Stone: Stone or concrete is another great material to work into your home decor. This piece was originally a bed-warming stone, but we think it’s much cooler as a cutting stone for your cheese and fruit at your harvest party!

Place Card Holder: These little pretties are perfect to display your place cards or menu tags. These old stamps have been given a fresh start. With a simple saw cut a thin slice into the handle portion of the stamp. They’ll hold anything from place cards to pictures.

Ladder Wine Rack: This shows how awesome wood and metal look together. All you need is a wood ladder, two pieces of galvanized tin, two hardware hinges, and wood screws.

You can vary the size of this project, but here are the measurements and directions we used:

1. Cut your ladder into two identical 29-inch lengths.
2. Lean the two pieces together, as shown in the photo. Attach the two pieces by screwing hardware hinges to both sides. The frame should be secure. You’re ready to attach the tin shelving. The top tin shelf measures 10×14 inches and the bottom tin shelf measures 15×14 inches. Attach with wood screws. Your wine rack is almost finished! Just apply a clear wax to seal the wood, and you’re done!

---

DIY Kitchen Makeover…Take Two

Written on October 30, 2009 at 9:54 am, by Guest Blogger

If you have the winter 2009 issue of Do It Yourself mag, you’ve seen (and, if you’re like us, coveted) Christi Jensen’s fabulous kitchen. The DIY diva completely overhauled the kitchen in her 100-year-old home in Des Moines, Iowa, using products purchased from IKEA. The result is a hip ‘n’ classy space with tons of character and charm.

But what you see on the pages isn’t the first time Christi and her husband Craig have updated the space. Christi agreed to take us on a tour of the kitchen’s history and the road to remodel. Enjoy! — Team DIY

Like most young couples, Craig and I didn’t really see our kitchen’s flaws when we bought our house; we were just so excited to find something solid that we loved in our price range. Two years later, in the midst of pregnancy, the cream cabinets, fiddlehead-green walls, and scary linoleum were screaming at us. There was also the issue of the “pantry.” When our house was built, there was no pantry. Now there was this 18″ x 36″ mini-cave into which can goods disappeared. We didn’t have a lot of equity for a renovation, but we needed an inexpensive update, fast.

Craig took a Sawzall to the pantry and ripped up the floor and we painted everything that didn’t move a milk bottle white ($20). Pantry gone, there was just enough room for two shelving units (the most expensive at $200) that we hoped looked like built-ins. We even put up some paneling ($14) behind them to replicate wainscot. We chose composite flooring — it’s green, durable and inexpensive. Had we stuck with a solid color, flooring and supplies would’ve cost us about $40. We chose four, so we spent a little over $100. The downside: Cutting all the squares to make the pattern was a chore and you really need to follow the step-by-step directions. All of them.

Our cheerful kitschy kitchen served us well for awhile, but once we had the equity, we decided it was time for real change. We needed a little more room and a lot more storage. Our son loves art, so to keep him near during meal prep, we really wanted to incorporate a craft corner. With the help of our architect, designer (she’s a friend), and the indispensable IKEA kitchen gurus, we devised a budget-wise plan, once again incorporating the inexpensive composite flooring. To keep with our 100-yr-old bungalow’s style, we added small details such as mullioned windows and wainscot offset our sleek, modern cabinetry.

Almost constant rain and the floods of 2008 complicated construction and our remodel, but I have to say, it wasn’t really all that bad; careful planning helped us avoid a lot of hassles. Today, we have a great kitchen that fit our budget. I love the drawer storage (I even have a place to scoot away the dog food and bowls), and my son can reach just about any dish he needs. Having a craft/computer area is great – we’re helping with homework/art while we prepare dinner. We entertain a lot and everyone gathers in this room. I’d say our little kitchen’s gained a lot of grown-up sophistication, but it’s still the most fun room in the house.

A full set of the renovation photos is available on Christi’s Flickr page

Check out Christi’s cool and crafty blog, Gussied Up, and her Etsy shop, too!

---

Guest Post: Monster Magnets

Written on October 27, 2009 at 6:47 am, by Guest Blogger

We instantly adored Christy of Beach Brights when we made her acquaintance via our page on Facebook. Her knack for fabulous DIY room makeovers and projects makes us melt a little. So of course we were delighted when she agreed to share a few holiday projects with us. Enjoy — and look for more guest posts from Christy soon! – Team DIY

Monster Magnets in Boo Boxes

What you will need:

• Glue
• Clear flower marbles (1/2-inch minimum size)
• Craft papers with a small pattern
• 1/2-inch magnets
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Small tin
• Primer
• Spray paint
• Chalkboard paint

1. Lay the clear flower marbles out on a surface, flat side up.

2. Use a dime or small circle to trace patterns out of scrapbook paper. Heavy stock papers work better.

3. Add a small dab of glue to the top of the flat clear flower marble and put the paper image (image side face down) on the marble.

4. Give the glue a few minutes to dry, then add another drop of glue to the back of the paper and add the magnet. Let these dry throughly.

5. Spray the tin with primer, let dry (one coat should be fine).

6. Spray the tin with 1-3 coats of chalkboard paint, allowing them to dry between coats.

7. Cut a circle out of scrapbook paper to line the bottom of the tin. Glue in place.

Not only can you create seasonal gifts, these little magnets also work great as party favors or even little travel games!

I love crafts that can be enjoyed with kids or given as gifts. Plus, they’re super easy. This craft takes less than 15 minutes to complete.

Enjoy!

XOXO-BeachBrights

www.beachbrights.blogspot.com

---

Five Fab Ideas for Fall Parties

Written on October 23, 2009 at 9:05 am, by Guest Blogger

We think Stephanie Tait has a pretty killer job. She works with two of our fave home decor companies—Blissliving Home (adore the bedding!) and Chesapeake Bay Candle. Thanks to her crafty lineage and the time she’s spent at these design-savvy companies, Ms. Stephanie is pretty much brimming with cool ideas. Team DIY asked her to dish out some tips for throwing a fabulous fall party. Enjoy! – Team DIY

I’m crafty. Not in the cheat-you-out-of-money way, but in the “oh-look-construction-paper!” way. When I was growing up, my mother was always into some sort of DIY decorating project—stenciling the hallway, spray-painting the wicker furniture, installing tile in the basement, you name it. Naturally, I’m the same way with home decor and entertaining. And now I’m passing my craftiness on to you.

Fall is an amazing time to entertain. The weather is turning cooler, the leaves are brilliant, and the kids are out of the house (for the most part). When you’re planning an autumn get-together, don’t be afraid to let your inner-Martha Stewart out.

Here are five of my favorite entertaining tips for fall:

1. Put pillars in the fireplace. It’s cooler outside, but not cool enough to light a roaring fire. Pillar candles in a fireplace make a phenomenal statement. Choose any one color or combination of colors (I prefer all white pillars), then vary the sizes. Arrange them in a staggered, non-geometrical way inside your fireplace and light. It creates a real wow factor for your guests. This photo was shot by Dan Whipps at Mei Xu’s own home–she’s the founder of Blissliving Home and Chesapeake Bay Candle.

2. Use natural bounty. Fall is a time for harvest—use it to your advantage! Most fruits or vegetables with a rind or a tough skin are great to use in entertaining decor. Create a beautiful serving bowl by hollowing out a pumpkin and filling it with a rustic pasta salad. Slice off the top of a lime, scoop out the fruit, and use the rind as a votive holder—or try the same technique with a mini-pumpkin. The possibilities are endless! (I found the photo above in a great book — The Candlelit Home: Decorating with Candles Year-Round by John Terrell Fry.)

3. Stagger your buffet. If you’re having a buffet-type of meal, a multi-tiered buffet table is an amazing idea. Place a tablecloth on your empty buffet table, then gather boxes of different sizes. Make sure they are sturdy enough to support platters of food (milk crates work really well). Place the boxes facedown on the table. Then place a second tablecloth over the boxes, tufting the extra fabric between the boxes. Set a platter of food on each flat surface and voila: incredible presentation.

4. Scatter votives. I can’t stress this enough: Everything looks better in candlelight. Everything – you, your home, Mr. Stitches the family cat – everything. Scatter votives everywhere: on the buffet, on the dinner tables, around the bar, the side tables, on the mantle.

5. Use mirrors. Chances are, you’ll have tables at your get-together, whether it’s a sit-down dinner or a casual cocktail party. Placing mirrors on these tables will add a touch of glamour to your decor and set off the candlelight from your pillars and scattered votives. I prefer small round mirrors for this purpose; find them at IKEA or Target. Place the mirrors face up on tables with a votive on top. They reflect the light and sparkle of your party, and pump up the class-factor.

Have fun with these ideas and be crafty. That’s what it’s all about! You can even take all the credit for them. I won’t tell.

---

5 Questions with Patricia Hoskins of Crafty Planet

Written on October 21, 2009 at 10:26 am, by Team DIY

Good luck trying to leave Crafty Planet.

Once you’re inside, you don’t really want to go anywhere. Let’s begin with the latest Amy Butler fabrics. And entire walls of designer yarns. The campy-cool Sublime Stitching embroidery patterns. A well-edited selection of knitting, DIY, and crafts books. Tons of fun notions, embellishments, and hip sewing stuff. An entire back area for workshops, classes, and impromptu crafting. The shop itself is situated in Minneapolis’ hip Northeast neighborhood, with a vintage clothing store next door.

The store’s owner, Patricia Hoskins, is another reason to visit. She’s a one-woman wealth of crafty and creative knowledge. When we stopped by the shop, she had a brand-new baby nestled into a sling (constructed from super-cute fabric, of course), while she sorted mail, tracked sales, and paid invoices.

Not only does the new mom manage operations at Crafty Planet, work a separate day job, and organize the No Coast Craft-o-Rama, she is also co-author of a new book, out today. One-Yard Wonders: 101 Fabulous Fabric Projects is a nice, fat book packed with home décor, fashion, accessory, and other projects you can sew up using a yard or less of fabric.

Trish took a few moments to chat with Team DIY about her shop, her book, and what’s on the horizon.

Do It Yourself: When and why did you launch the store? How has it grown and changed?
Patricia Hoskins: We opened the store in October 2003 after some solid planning and prep. Our main motivation was to provide a warm, welcoming, fun place for new crafters to learn and to find those fabrics and supplies that were cool and hard to find locally. Emphasis being on the welcoming and friendly atmosphere; when I was learning to sew and knit myself, I would often find myself intimidated and overwhelmed in the specialty yarn and fabric shops, afraid to ask a stupid question.

Originally we envisioned carrying a little bit of everything crafty — cool stamps, papers, and more, plus consignment handmade goods, in addition to fabrics and yarns and other needlecrafts. Soon we realized we would do better to focus a bit more, so we stuck primarily to needlecrafts. We do still carry kids’ craft kits in a variety of areas, along with a few handmade consignment lines, but those are minimal.

As far as how we’ve changed, we started on a shoestring, so we now carry far more fabrics and yarns, and we’re much deeper in basic notions and supplies, as well.

DIY: What types of classes do you teach? What do you love about teaching?
PH: I’ve taught knitting, crochet, embroidery, and sewing — mostly beginning classes. I enjoy seeing people learn a new skill and gain that confidence in themselves. So many people say, “I’m not crafty at all!” or “I’m sure I will suck at this,” then they concoct awesome crafty goodness! I guess there’s a certain kind of crafty/creative “spark” that I enjoy seeing getting fired up for the first time.

DIY: Congratulations on the new book! How did you come up with 101 sewing projects? That’s a lot!
PH: One-Yard Wonders is a collaboration not just between Rebecca Yaker, my co-author, and me, but about 70 contributors as well. 101 is a lot of projects! We mostly solicited contributors through blogs, craft forums like Craftster, word-of-mouth, and Crafty Planet newsletters. We had so many great submissions we actually didn’t have room for them all. Rebecca and I contributed several projects of our own, of course. Some things we were already making anyway, or had been thinking of trying to make — then we just had to figure out how to do it with just one yard of fabric.

DIY: Who and what inspires you?

PH: I am a very big fan of retro and vintage design in everything from crafts and textiles, to architecture and furniture, and more. I particularly love the midcentury modern aesthetic, but not just mid-century; I appreciate design from a variety of eras and cultures. Also, our customers inspire me every day! Seeing what they’re putting together for colors and patterns and seeing their finished projects — this all gives me great inspiration.
DIY: What’s on the horizon for you and Crafty Planet?
PH: I’m working on a book called Crafty Planet Goes Green, which will feature sewing, knitting, and other needlecraft-y projects using all recycled materials. Of course I hope Rebecca and I can continue developing a One Yard Wonders series in the vein of the One-Skein Wonders series, though that’s all TBD.

On a personal note, my husband and I just had a baby in September, so a big part of everything in my life will be just figuring out how to juggle all my varying commitments! In addition to the shop and my writing endeavors, I also work more than 30 hours a week as a business librarian, so time management is top of my agenda right now.

Visit Crafty Planet’s online store here. Or stop by the real deal! Crafty Planet is located at 2833 Johnson St. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418

Pick up a copy of One-Yard Wonders: 101 Fabulous Fabric Projects here. Or find it at your local crafts shop!

---