Stitch 'n Dish

Tag: making

  • It’s all in the timing

    It’s all in the timing

    The last few blog posts I have written highlight my personal goals for 2025 of shopping less and getting into the habit of using what I have on hand, specifically as it relates to yarn and craft supplies. I have worried about my tenacity in sticking to this, and how best to balance those times…

  • Fiber fright fun

    Fiber fright fun

    Over the last few years, I’ve found a lot of joy in Halloween fiber arts! This year I not only found crochet patterns, like this Candy Corn stuffie by Okie Girl Bling ‘n Things, but I went all out and made my costume and a little bag to carry as a themed purse.  I made the…

  • Pittsburgh Creative Arts Festival: my review

    Pittsburgh Creative Arts Festival: my review

    I’m still trying to figure out how it’s already nearly the middle of October, as it feels that the end of the 2024 Pittsburgh Creative Arts Festival (August 23 – 25, 2024) was just a week or so ago! I have been thinking about that festival, along with many related topics. As it pertains to the festival,…

  • AI, technology & fiber arts

    AI, technology & fiber arts

    I began watching a Netflix series on Artificial Intelligence (AI) this week. In my professional world (healthcare and education), I have been dealing with and writing about AI and its impact for a while. As I sat on my couch, cat tucked in beside me and yarn in hand, I began to think about fiber arts and…

  • Challenge of the STASH

    Challenge of the STASH

    In my crafting communities, a lot of the conversation of late has been around our yarn or fabric buying habits. Almost all of us shared that we have more yarn or fabric than we’ll ever use – and we are a group that includes a wide range of ages! We know that continuing to purchase…

  • My Emotional Support Chicken (ESC)

    My Emotional Support Chicken (ESC)

    I’ve officially joined in the ESC craze, and finished my first hen. “Fluffy Freda” – pictured above – helped me learn the pattern, think about how I might want to adjust the pattern, and perhaps most importantly; fall in love with these chickens! My interest in the many benefits of knitting and crocheting have taught…

  • For no particular reason

    For no particular reason

    Sometimes I get into a funk and wonder why I’m spending time and energy making things that don’t seem to have a specific purpose. I also sometimes get down on myself about the mountain of yarn, yards of fabric or tubs of supplies. I know I’m not alone in having an occasional moment of despair…

  • Some favorite sites

    Some favorite sites

    I have been thinking about the MANY sites that are out there for fiber artists that provide patterns, tips, tricks and more and wanted to highlight some of the ones I have found in my travels. NOTE: this is NOT to suggest that I know it ALL about great sites – there are MANY out…

  • Mark your calendars!

    Mark your calendars!

    I’ll be facilitating a discussion at this year’s Pittsburgh Creative Arts Festival, focused on Yarn and Self-Care each day of the festival! Here’s the official description: This is an uplifting and positive session that will share widely-accepted practices for stress reduction in the context of yarn/fiber arts. We will explore the benefits of solitary practice,…

  • Quick and cute

    Quick and cute

    As I finished my most recent sunglasses pouch, I was still needing some “yarn therapy” so I picked up some pink, cotton yarn and was about to make ANOTHER glasses pouch when I got inspired to free hand something. I decided to make a small holder for folded paper money or ID to tuck into…