Frugal Fibers for Budget Crafters

Chirped by Tina

Any devoted fiber artist or crafter probably has an overflowing stash of yarn for new projects. But let’s assume for the moment that you don’t, or that you’re new to crochet, knitting, etc. Maybe you want to test the waters with some small beginner projects – without breaking your budget on materials. Or perhaps you’d like to help a non-profit with a crafting cause, but can’t afford skeins of expensive wool? Sure, you can find discount bins at the craft store. But why not give the Earth a high five and try some of these upcycling ideas instead?

Thrift Store Gems

For many projects, used or re-purposed supplies may be perfect. If you’re making things like rescue nests or a potholder, you don’t need brand new yarn. You also don’t need perfect technique, so it’s a great way to learn and practice! Allow me, therefore, to introduce you to the Goodwill Outlet Store! These and other pay-by-the-pound-type thrift Continue reading

29 Shares

After the Holidays Cheep Trills

Chirped by Cass and Tina

The holidays have come and gone, along with the college boys, and we are back and resettling into our empty nest routines. Time to compile a top ten list of cheep trills from our long hiatus!

Favorite Book

Cheep Trills - Favorite BookIf you’ve never ventured into the genre of post-apocalyptic fiction, A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World, by C. A. Fletcher, is a perfect place to dabble your toes. I can also heartily recommend the Audible version, voiced by the author himself. Fletcher does a fantastic job of narrating, and you know you’re getting all the right nuances when the writer is also the story teller. Plus, it’s a terrific story, at least as stories of what happens after the apocalypse go. It’s easy to be transported to this future landscape, a hundred years or more after most of the world’s population has died of old age. It’s a world Continue reading

5 Shares

Ten Christmas Decorating Joys

Chirped by Tina (and Cass)

We love having an excuse to mix up our decor for the holidays, especially at Christmas time. Unboxed memories catapult us into the past, then boomerang back to brighten our season. Here’s a list of ten Christmas decorating joys, and why they make us happy…

#1: The Tree

Ten Christmas Decorating Joys

For me, the tree is the show-stopper. My family loves the look and smell of a real Frazier fir. Fraziers tend to have branches strong enough to support our heavier ornaments, too! In our house, the motto (ever since the boys got big enough to help haul it in) has been “Go Big or Go Home!” This year’s specimen is 10′ 8″ – but that includes the “antenna” that my husband refused to let me trim down to size. I love the afternoon we spend each year trimming our tree. I even look forward to the day I devote to taking it down by myself. It gives me a chance to savor every ornament, and Continue reading

37 Shares

12 Days of Christmas Hanger Tree

Chirped by Tina and Cass

12 Days of Christmas Hanger Tree

Christmas is right around the corner, and our chicks are in their final weeks of the semester at college. Last week we put together a 12 Days of Christmas Hanger Tree for each of them, to add a little holiday spirit to their dorm rooms. Since the accompanying decorations will be wrapped up with little treats, it’ll also make their countdown to winter break more festive and tasty! These three-tiered coat-hanger trees are compact, whimsical, and best of all, easy to assemble in an afternoon. Plus, you can adapt them for different decorative Continue reading

43 Shares

Thanksgiving Traditions: How to Make a “Thankful” Poster

Chirped by Tina and Cass

Every year at Thanksgiving, my husband’s family gets together under one roof to celebrate the holiday. This group is big on traditions, and for the past eleven years, without fail, we’ve created a special Thanksgiving “Thankful” poster. Each person decorates part of a long banner with something(s) they’re grateful for from the past twelve months. It’s a great way to reflect, give thanks and add a little extra fun to the holiday activities and decor. Maybe you’d like to start a similar tradition at your big feast this year? Here’s how to create your very own “Thankful” poster… Continue reading

5 Shares