History of Chutney and Original Recipe for Christmas

December 19, 2019 // No Comments

There’s nothing quite like a tasty chutney. Sweet, savoury, or a combination of both, they’re so versatile and truly delicious to eat. On top of that, chutneys are particularly great at Christmas, and make really good presents too. But where... Continue reading →

A Few of My Kids’ Favorite Robot, STEM, Dinosaurs, Bedtime, and On-the-go Books

December 17, 2019 // No Comments

Every so often, I’m struck by the continued love and loyalty my sons feel toward a certain book or toy (or theme) and I thought I’d share some of their favourite books (with a couple toys) within certain themes because... Continue reading →

My All-Time Favorite Gifts Given & Received

December 13, 2019 // No Comments

It’s my birthday, so I’m sharing a list of all my favourite gifts that I’ve ever received or given. As always, Amazon.co.uk links are affiliate links. I made £26 in 2019 from this and I used that money to buy... Continue reading →

Best pet toys you can make with kids at home easily

December 12, 2019 // No Comments

My sons LOVE their canine aunt and have such fun playing with her, but also know their toys need to be different. Buying toys for pets can get expensive, but you can create your own at home that are so... Continue reading →

Your Guide to American Thanksgiving History, Recipes, and Crafts

November 25, 2019 // No Comments

As an American living in Ireland, I have had to adapt to Thanksgiving Thursday being just another day. I shared my thoughts on this several years ago in an article in The Irish Examiner. Today, I’m not reflecting on my... Continue reading →

How to Clean Your Stroller/Buggy

November 21, 2019 // No Comments

Picture it, Brussels 2012. We took our then 10-month-old Optimus for a trip. I packed just the chest carrier and left the big jogging stroller (or buggy as it’s called in Ireland/UK) at home. As a tiny baby, it was... Continue reading →

Sewing a Fleece Jacket for a Puppy

September 19, 2019 // No Comments

When a friend was fostering a puppy, she turned to me for ideas on how to convert baby clothes to a puppy coat to help keep the little one warmer in Ireland’s brisk Autumn weather (who are we kidding, it’s... Continue reading →

Sewing a Project Bag from a Canvas Bread Basket

September 12, 2019 // No Comments

When I’m knitting at home, I don’t have a yarn bowl but wanted something that would hold my supplies and knitting without breaking when it’s inevitably knocked on the floor by my kids. That’s when I decided to adapt a... Continue reading →

Interview with Mad Scientist Yarns, Hand-dyer

September 10, 2019 // No Comments

I first learned of Mad Scientist Yarns when I saw their 2018 Advent Calendar. It was fun and vibrant, while being its own style. Michelle & Scott agreed to let me interview them for my blog, so like the other interviews... Continue reading →

Don’t Fear Hemming a Dress

September 5, 2019 // No Comments

I’m afraid of plenty of things from zombie clowns from outer space to mean girl bullies, but one thing I do not fear is making a mistake or doing something wrong. Mistakes, for the most part, can be fixed and... Continue reading →

Interview with Alice of WildWoolE17, Hand-dyer

September 3, 2019 // No Comments

When I saw the cheerful colors dyed by Alice of WildWoolE17, I was reminded of candy! The vibrant hues are rich and happy. So when I had the chance to interview her, I was delighted. As with my other interviews,... Continue reading →

Patterns to Use with Mini Skeins & Yarn Advent Calendar Sets

August 29, 2019 // No Comments

This post includes a list of knitting patterns ideally suited for mini skein sets, whether they’re stash busting homemade sets of Advent calendars or fades. These patterns work with any mini skein combination or set, including Hanukkah calendar sets (like this... Continue reading →

Interview with Martin’s Lab, Hand-dyer

August 27, 2019 // No Comments

When I saw Martin’s Lab‘s bright vibrant colorways at Edinburgh Yarn Festival, it was love at first sight. I mean, we’ve all been there with a skin of yarn, right? I chose the one that made my heart sing and... Continue reading →

My Lunchbox Approach: Containers, Contents, and Labels

August 22, 2019 // No Comments

We’re well and truly starting the school year and I thought I’d share my lunchbox approach, from containers to contents to labels. Who knows, maybe something in here will help you. If not, at least I have this documented so I don’t forget.... Continue reading →

Interview with Wool Kitchen, Hand-dyer

August 20, 2019 // No Comments

When I first tried Helen of The Wool Kitchen‘s yarn, I knew it was perfect to be included in my upcoming Ultraviolet Knits book. What I didn’t realise is how much I’d love all her other colorways too. I was... Continue reading →

Personalizing a Thrift Shop Conference Swag Bag

August 15, 2019 // No Comments

I have been looking for a basic backpack to use for when I need to carry a bit extra for myself and the kids, but don’t want my purse to feel like I borrowed it from Hermione Granger. I usually... Continue reading →

Interview with Fibre Art Studio, Hand-dyer

August 13, 2019 // No Comments

I was delighted to get to interview Yoriko Oki of Fibre Art Studio. She is based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The region is already known for its stunning scenery, but if you’ve seen Yoriko’s Instagram feed you know she is creating... Continue reading →

Altering a Too-Small Dress to be a Just-Right Skirt

August 8, 2019 // No Comments

A few years ago, I found a dress at a local charity shop (thrift store) and I fell in love with the fabric. When I shop, I look for fabrics first, including fibre content, then fit and size. I can... Continue reading →

Interview with Green Elephant, Hand-dyer

August 6, 2019 // No Comments

You know those colorways that make you want to spin around with your arms in the air? Yeah, that’s how I feel about how Fiona of Green Elephant Yarn uses pinks and greens. It’s downright delicious. Check out her Instagram... Continue reading →

Sewing a Wristlet for Knitting On-the-go

August 1, 2019 // No Comments

I love the idea of knitting on the go with a purpose-built bag that is gentle on my wrist, so I started researching designs and features I prefer. I happened upon this helpful tutorial on Nadel & Gabel (I think... Continue reading →