I Knew You'd Be LovelyAlethea Black Broadway Books I Knew You'd Be Lovely is a brilliant collection of short stories. The true power of a short story is in its economy. You might give a novel a few chapters before you decide, I’m taking this back to the library, but short story has to grab you in the first few sentences. And it has to hold you the entire time. There is no room for chaff in a short story. Alethea Black has finely separated the chaff, spun the straw into gold, and then woven that
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At OttLite, we don't just make great crafting lamps. We are crafters and artists, too, and we love to share what we're working on with you!I'm currently working on this baby blanket. It's actually one of three baby blankets I have to finish before August. Seems like everyone I know right now is expecting this Fall!I used Lion Brand Yarn's "Pound of Love" yarn in crisp white. The pattern is a modified version of Lion Brand's "Recycled Cotton Earth Baby Afghan." The original pattern called for 5
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MJ Bailey is the creator of the super-popular amigurumi website, Nerdigurumi.com. She is also a administrative professional, mother to a "nerdy rock n' roll" teenager, and a crochet pattern designer.When did you start to crochet? Is it true you started crocheting because of a videogame?I started crocheting successfully in the fall of 2009. I had attempted to crochet on a few occasions prior to that, but struggled with various aspects of the basic concepts and techniques and usually gave up. As
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We at OttLite are honored that so many of you have shared your special craft projects with us. Christening and prayer shawls, baby blankets, DIY wedding decorations, special occasion handmade cards, and more.This particular project came to us through the mail. Not email--the old-fashioned post office kind of mail. We were so touched by the story that we wanted to share it with all of you.Joyce from Dade City wrote that this memory quilt is made of blood donor T-shirts her husband had accumulated
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Here's a pretty project from the people at Martha Stewart.com. Upcycle a solo pillowcase into a stylish shoulder bag!Sleeper of a Bagfrom MarthaStewart.comGive an orphaned pillowcase a new home -- over your shoulder.1. Trim 1/4 inch off the closed end, and cut the case in half on the diagonal. Turn the fabric of each of the four diagonal cut edges over by 1/4 inch, twice; pin, and hem.2. Place one pillowcase half inside the other, lining up bottom edges; pin, and sew at front where fabrics
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We fell in love this crafter's blog right from the home page. Carolyn's homework has a subtitle we just couldn't resist. Today's assignment: be inspired. How perfect is that?This upcycle project starts with a regular glass water bottle and turns it into a charming vase. The perfect addition to a side table near a breezy window, or, as Carolyn suggests, DIY wedding decorations.Upcycled Lace Water BottleWhat You Need:a glass water bottlelace (recycle old curtain lace or purchase at your local
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National Craft Month has us hopping for joy! Here's an absolutely adorable Easter Bunny quilt project from our friends at Hancock Fabrics!Easter Bunny QuiltFinished Size:Approximately 24” squareWhat You'll Need:June Tailor® Ink Jet Printable Freezer PaperJune Tailor® Amazing Alphabet Freezer PaperJune Tailor® Perfect Half-Square and Quarter-Square Triangles RulerFusible WebLight pink fabric for applique bunny and bindingMedium pink fabric for applique bunnyDark pink fabric for applique bunny,
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I absolutely love rubber stamps and colored pencil. They can serve as an excellent cheat when I don't have time to create an original drawing. Rubber stamps can also come in handy when you want to create a series of color variations.For the card featured in this post I went for the colored pencils, blending pens and added some glitter accents.Once I finished the artwork and the glue holding the glitter was completely dry, I used edging scissors to trim it and the accent color papers I chose to
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Cathy Clark is a multi-crafter; she knits, sews and makes jewelry. She’s also a big fan of OttLite, and we’re glad she is! It was her amazing knitting that we first noticed, and so she shared with us a little bit about how she became a knitter, what kinds of projects she loves to make, and a funny tip for beginning knitters.When did you start knitting? Who taught you?I started knitting about two years ago. I watched a lot of videos online and went to a local knitting store for help.What made you
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Cleopatra: A LifeStacy Schiff Back Bay Books, paperbackIf you like strong female heroes, love stories, treachery and espionage and ultimately, betrayal, this is for you. If you also like biographies that are as well-researched as they are well-written, this is definitely for you!Cleopatra is finally given justice with this artful re-telling of her life. She wasn't traditionally beautiful, but she knew how to put on a good show. She was intelligent, refined, and so wealthy she must have made the
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