house Archives - Try Handmade

On Sustenance That Warms

November 21, 2020 by Diana Prichard 3 Comments

I was born and raised in the north. Michigan, to be exact. I’m still there, but remain convinced that the whole thing has been an epic cosmic mistake — or a higher power’s sick joke. I don’t take cold well and while Michigan is by far warmer than some places it’s also colder than far too many for my liking.

It’s not the being in the cold that really gets to me, I can dress in layers, but warming up afterwards I have always found nearly impossible without all the right tools for the job: tall, wool socks; a cozy, fleece blanket; a favorite canine friend and hearty, heavy fare.

Usually the holiday season gets me through until this time of year. The hustle and bustle, the family and friends, the sheer business of the season makes everything seem warmer. By the time mid-January sets in however, I start to get antsy; I start to get cold. The days, while they do start to get longer, seem exponentially so in a dragging, dreary, bone-chilling way.

Reluctant to stay in too much lest I fall victim to the seasonal mood disorder that so likes to grab hold of people this time of year, braving the cold becomes an avenue of defiance; a figurative middle-finger in Mother Nature’s direction. After so gesturing however, the evenings must be spent under the blankets, cuddled up in a fight against the persistent, miserable shivering that only the best winter foods and loyalest furry companions can kick.

The best of those nights are the ones on which the house is filled with the aroma of a heavy winter meal when I walk through the door. A juicy venison roast with potatoes, carrots and onions in the slow cooker, a pot of chili simmering on the stove top courtesy my thoughtful husband, a loaf of whole wheat bread in a bread maker that was set to be done just in time; all are heaven on earth for me during the coldest winter days.

Tell me, what are your go-to winter warm-up meals?

Barefoot Weaver

November 18, 2020 by Erika Jurney 4 Comments

Barefoot Weaver: I have been in love with color since my first box of crayons and I fell in love with weaving in the 70s when I watched a girl weaving (barefoot, of course!) in the back of a store in Brattleboro, VT. Here was not just color but dance as well! By the early 90s I had my first loom and there was no looking back. Looms have a way of multiplying and taking over the house (as my family can attest) and now I have four (we won’t count the one in the barn). I am always amazed seeing them warped and vibrant with potential.

Colors live in my living room and cones of thread fill my bookcases. I dye my threads on a big plywood table upstairs in one of my workrooms (did I mention that I have taken over the entire house?) and my clothes line is often draped with skeins of freshly dyed thread. I do my designing on my warping mill and my work now is mostly warp driven which just means that I want the warp to show more than the weft (or weaving).

I started adding more texture to my weaving some years ago as well inspired in part by knitting yarns that have flags and tufts and wraps and shiny bits and skinny and fat parts.

So, I overproduce. And I have three grown sons who really don’t wear my creations aside from a very plain chenille scarf or two. I live on an old farm with my two horses, three cats, one small dog, and a very supportive husband. We heat with wood, snuggle down in the winter up here in the North Country, and I am content.

Retro swimwear

November 14, 2020 by Erika Jurney 2 Comments

Tani Marie: I have been handcrafting clubwear, swimwear and lingerie since 1999. I learned my craft building exotic dancewear. I was hired as a house mom at a gentlemen’s club and started selling clothes that I purchased to the dancers. Not being impressed with the clothes available, I decided to start making them. After a few months of designing and experimentation I was able to construct outfits to sell. Six months later, having a large variety of patterns, styles and custom orders it was time to do it full time.

The experience gave me incredible insight into fitting and complementing for all body types. My style has always leaned to the sexy side, and I draw inspiration from hip hop, 80’s punk rock, classic funk, classic pin ups, classic cinema, anime, lowrider cars and bicycles, roller skating and surfing.

Sitting On The Unexpected

October 28, 2020 by Jesika Wolff Leave a Comment

Over the holiday weekend we had a bit of a dilemma. My hubby, darling he is, decided to invite 20 people to our petite house. The living room has enough room for one very slim TV stand, one mighty coffee table, and a three person couch. Ask any host or hostess and they’ll tell you the living space is where your guests will congregate.

Where were all of these people going to sit? Leave it to our friends to enlighten my often too traditional mind. They all sat on the floor. And you know what? They were happy! So next time you’re agonizing over buying another chair for the occasional get together look to the unusual first. This dog bed hand-sewn by Breezy Beach Cottage is absolutely perfect for your pet, but as Breezy Beach Cottage’s Kelly of South Carolina says “This bed is so pretty and practical, you could use it as a big floor pillow for watching TV.” All of her cushions are covered with removable slips, so they’re easy to clean. When the padding is worn down you can simply replace the pillow inside the cover.

I’m a big fan of hand-knits. There’s something so cozy about a hand-knit pillow, and these poofy balls by Lucky Hanks are no exception. They can be purchased unstuffed, so if you have a lackluster pillow hanging out at home, or a few extra bits of padding from that last craft project then these are the pillows for you. They look fantastic piled in a corner, and make great seating when you’re in a pinch. Theresa also recommends them for kid’s rooms. They’re easy to move around and quite soft, making them the perfect accessory for a rambunctious child’s abode.

This floor pouf by Jade Bliss of Houston, TX has such a great funky vibe. I love the fabric swatch, and the pillow is actually quite large. When placed next to a standard couch it sits level with the cushions. It would make a bold statement in any room. She has quite a few patterns available too, so if you’re not the numbers type maybe a paisley or plaid cushion could fill that corner in your domicile.

Let’s not forget about the space under the pillows. Our house has plywood floors. Not the classiest surface, but at least a few steps above peel-n-stick linoleum. Ekra of Carbondale, IL has these fantastic hand-woven rugs made from fabric scraps. She goes hunting anywhere bits of fabric can be found and salvages the threadbits to make these gorgeous woven rugs. I personally am a big fan of this type of rug. I’ve found is lasts longer than standard carpet, and it’s easier to clean.

We’ve got a nice blue woven rug sitting under our living room windows now with four floor pillows on it. And the best part? When no one’s around I put out all of the floor pillows and lay about reading a book. It’s quite relaxing, and certainly classier than folding chairs.

Handmade Home

October 15, 2020 by Christine Eclavea Mercer 1 Comment

A variety of handcrafted goods are available to enjoy around the house. Soaps and soft furnishings are only the beginning. Knitted goods and polymer clay can add to the uniqueness of your surroundings.

Brenda, at knittedfrenzy, offers shawls, coffee cozies, and cowls, in a variety of yarns in her Etsy shop. I was pleased to find a shawl made of soft acrylic yarn. Most of the shawls that I see are made of wool, which is fantastic if you can wear wool. But I cannot. So finding something warm, and not itchy is always a nice surprise for me.

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