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Living and Creating in a Dusty Century-Old House without central heat or air conditioning has its challenges.

First are the dust and cobwebs -- almost impossible to keep up with. But then who wants to when you can Create instead.

Also, there is the lack of temperature control -- cold in the winter and very hot in the summer. What do you expect in North Central Texas?

I am a confessed Serial Crafter. Currently my interests are confined to making handmade books and reacquiring my long dormant sewing skills. But this can change with little or no notice.

So, if you've found this site, follow along with me as I develop both it and my creative skills. And remember to get creative!

Reversible Fold-Flat Origami Cloth Basket (1.0)

Tried a new basket making technique over the last couple of weeks. The makeover intervened and it took longer than the day or two it should have. Quilted 2 fat quarters. This prompted a search for fabric markers that would truly disappear. I did finally find some that would wash out but not before I essentially ruined 2 fat quarters. I decided to use them anyway in this experimental basket project. Watched the YouTube video a dozen times to get the origami part right then aga

23 hours ago1 min read

Work Room Makeover (part 2)

The work room makeover is complete or as complete as it is going to be for now. I did a small purge getting rid of two large boxes of assorted "stuff" that I believe I will never want again. Most of this went to the curb but 3 things went to MarketPlace and have sold. Things have been rearranged a bit and drawers labeled to make locating everything somewhat easier. I've cleared off my main horizontal work surface as much as is practical and can now spread fabric and paper out

2 days ago4 min read

More on Fabric Markers

Since my earlier post on fabric markers and my general disappointment with them, I have been pointed in the direction of wax-free tracing paper. This comes in a limited variety of colors and does indeed wash out completely. The problem is of course working with tracing paper as opposed to just a marker of some type. In addition, the marks are faint. I stand by my earlier conclusion that there is no one really good solution to the fabric marking problem. dks, 11 Nov 2025

4 days ago1 min read

Work Room Makeover (part 1)

I am fortunate to have an entire bedroom in this Dusty Old House to use as a craft room. It is just a bit unfortunate that every wall has at least 1 door or window; makes it a bit difficult to arrange furniture. When I moved everything into the room, I just put the furniture pieces wherever they would fit without much attention to how they would work together. Later I rearranged and things are now in much better configuration. That's the footprint. The current problem is that

5 days ago2 min read

Which Fabric Markers?

Which fabric markers do you use? Following is a run-down on those I have tried but am dissatisfied with. Chalk markers Beautiful clear lines easy to see when stitching. They appear to be permanent as I have laundered repeatedly and not been able to get rid of the chalk. My conclusion: use only on the wrong side of the project. Heat erasable pens Nice clear lines. Ink disappears when touched with a hot iron. However, the ink is still there and will become visible again when it

Nov 41 min read