Santa & Mrs Claus Wall Hanging

Santa and Mrs Claus, two very recognizable figures associated with Christmas. I like these traditional interpretations of them on this wall or door hanging. It will definitely fill the room and make it feel merry! My Etsy shop has a host of Christmas items like this one if you are searching for the perfect gift or item to spruce up your home this holiday. Santa & Mrs Claus all ready to celebrate the season. A close up of the merry couple.

7 December 2014 No Comments

Snowman Tree Skirt

As promised, today I am showing another item I made for the Christmas season – a tree skirt in the Snowman theme! When I did the craft shows earlier this month, I was intrigued that several people approached me asking for anything “snowman” as they collected them. I did have one quilted version of this but then decided to try a few unquilted just for fun. I like the traditional circular shape of these. Visit my Etsy shop to see if they are still available! ]

6 December 2014 No Comments

Different Ways to Knit A Sweater

Did you know there are many types of knit sweaters? They all eventually “look” like a standard sweater but the composition of each type is quite different. Read more about it on Craftsy’s blog post “Types of Knit Sweater”. If you knit, what is your preference for knitting style?

5 December 2014 No Comments

How Do You Read Books?

Photo Source: Huffington Post I was reading an interesting article that examines “What Kind of Book Reader Are You“. I must admit when I start a book, no matter how long it takes, I will read it to the end. I hold an English degree and took my studies based on my love of learning and my love of reading. I chose my course of study to support something that I enjoyed and as a result became a rather strong communicator both orally and written which was a delightful bonus. It was only within the last decade that I had

4 December 2014 No Comments

Budget Friendly Christmas Tree

Photo Credit: Noting Grace blog Every year we purchase a live Christmas tree. I love the scent but I’m not one to actually decorate it. I leave that to hubby and the kids. I sure do enjoy the finished product though! Here is an alternative to an actual tree from Noting Grace’s blog – it’s a budget friendly idea to use a ladder and wrap garland around it and then decorate that. This would be so great to put in a space where you don’t have room for an actual tree but for where it would be nice to have a

4 December 2014 No Comments

Reindeer & Polar Bear Christmas Tree Skirt

As I mentioned a few times (here and here), I participated in three craft shows this November. It was a good experience and opportunity to promote my The Ruthless Crafter business. Over the next few days I will highlight the items that I made. Some of them you will find for sale on my Etsy shop. Today I am showing you my reindeer and polar bear Christmas tree skirt. My favourite part of this one is the scalloped edges – so elegant! In this photo the scalloped edges are really clear. Love them! A closeup of the reindeer, polar bear,

3 December 2014 No Comments

Designing Your Own Patterns Digitally

Last week I wrote about how I was interested in getting more creative with my knitting so I started to work with more than one colour of yarn. You can read about it here. This week I was reading a review from The Spendy Pencil where she reviews an app called StitchSketch LE. This app has a free and paid version. It is basically a digital graph-maker so you can design your own patterns. Read more about it here. Do you prefer traditional graph paper and pencil method or would you/do you think a digital version is the better way to

2 December 2014 2 Comments

Crochet Snowman Hats – Set #2

In October I wrote about Snowman Hats I created for a customer. (You can read about it here). After I posted and shared it on my social media, I was contacted to create two more for Christmas gifts for some young girls. Here is the second round – I can’t get over how adorable this pattern is! You can find it for FREE from Repeat Crafter Me by clicking here.

1 December 2014 14 Comments

Giveaway #3 – Evil Minion Crochet Hat

Congratulations to Dawn M. who was the Giveaway #2 winner of Elsa crochet hat winner! heididaily, this one is for you as you suggested it as a potential giveaway last week – an Evil Purple Minion crochet hat!! Thanks to everyone for their comments! If you have an idea for a giveaway, please let me know. The one I am giving away will fit a child (approximately ages 3-10). If you need another size or just cannot wait to see if you have won, I sell them for only $25 Canadian plus shipping!! You can contact me at theruthlesscrafter(at)outlook(dot)com if

30 November 2014 8 Comments

Sewing Ergonomically

Photo Source: Shop Martingdale I work in my sewing room a lot. Whether I’m standing at my long arm quilter or sitting to piece my quilts or clothes for the children, after a long while the same position does wear on my arms, neck and back. Here are some finds on Ergonomic Products for your perusal. Nancy Zieman’s reviews Stitch This! has an article on 7 quick, low-cost fixes for your sewing space What do you do or use to stay comfortable while you sew for long periods of time?

29 November 2014 2 Comments

Sew a Toy Monster

Looking to make a gift for a child or a monster-loving adult this season? Click here for Craftsy’s FREE sewing pattern for a toy monster! Source: Craftsy.com Which one is your favourite and who would you make it for?

28 November 2014 No Comments

No Quilt Border or Multiple Borders?

Modern quilters tend to not use borders at all while traditional quilts have borders. If you are looking for inspiration on using multiple borders, check out this Craftsy blog post all about it. When Fall Leaves quilt photo via Craftsy member Diane Knott What is your favourite or personal style of bordering quilts?

27 November 2014 No Comments

Christmas Stockings FREE Pattern

I was commissioned to make three Christmas stockings for a woman, her man-friend, and her dog. This is what I came up with. I love them – I hope she feels the same way! Here is the FREE pattern I used from Yarnspirations. Instead of cross stitching, I used the chart and colour-worked the images as I crocheted. I also found a chart for letters and added them to the top of the stocking. Which is your favourite stocking – the Christmas tree, the Santa Claus, or the Snowman? I have shared this post with the blog parties found on

26 November 2014 6 Comments

FREE Crochet Santa Apron Pattern

I definitely need to make my family each one of these – how fun would that be? We could even use them as dinner bibs! Here is the FREE pattern from Red Heart. Please post below if you’ve made this, will make it, or if you would wear it!! Photo via Red Heart

25 November 2014 No Comments

Multi-Lingual

When I was a toddler, I initially learned to speak Italian. My maternal grandparents are Italian and cared for me while my parents worked. When I was two I was admitted to the hospital. Apparently none of the medical staff were able to understand me as I only spoke Italian at that point, so my family immersed me in English. They didn’t keep up my Italian and to this day I regret that they did not. It did make it easier to pick up the required French in our school system but it is definitely not as fluent as I’d

24 November 2014 No Comments

Crafting with Buttons

I do not own a lot of buttons but I am drawn to buttons when they are used in embroidery or other art projects. Check out these adorable ideas from the Craftsy blog. Do you craft with buttons? I’d love to get some more ideas to try!

24 November 2014 2 Comments

Two Colour Knitting

Last year I was getting bored of single rows of colour in my knitting. I wanted to “shake things up” so I decided to do some colour-working. I realize this makes me a wild woman who you may be shy of associating with, but check out a few of the results. I started with this simple hat. Then I got a little bolder with a more complicated pattern. Olympic fever hit our house – here is a patriotic Canada hat I whipped up!! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Hat (each turtle is represented around the hat) Captain America Knit Sweater for

23 November 2014 1 Comment

Craft Shows 2014

This afternoon I will be at my third and final craft show for the season. Three weekends in a row sitting and smiling and engaging potential present and future clients. I believe it is important to have a presence in the community for word of mouth and face-to-face to be a potential business attraction. I know myself I prefer to do business with people who I “know” rather than a sterile webpage. Crafting is all about art and the human reaction to it and that is how I would like to represent my business. The product may not have been

22 November 2014 1 Comment

Giveaway #2 – Elsa from Frozen Crochet Hat

Congratulations Jen S – last week’s winner of my first giveaway. I had so much fun that I am going to do it again! I’m hoping to make it a regular Friday event but I need your help … what items do you want to see me giveaway? Please let me know in the comments below. This week I am proud to offer a winter hat based on Elsa, the Snow Queen from this season’s biggest craze – the FROZEN movie. I crocheted it myself and it was so fun to work up. The one I am giving away will fit

21 November 2014 17 Comments

Nifty Strip-Piecing Trick for Quilters

I am always looking for tips and tricks to make my quilting more efficient. Check out this “Nifty Strip Piecing Trick” by Bloom and Blossom. Photo Credit: Bloom and Blossom Do you have any tips and trips for piecing? I’d love to read about it in the comments below!

20 November 2014 4 Comments

Rave Knitting

There is a trend of “rave knitting” in the UK that was featured in the Daily Mail. Kelley D basically floats out a few balls of bright coloured yarn into a crowd and they wrap the yarn around them, making human knitting. It’s an innovative concept, however, have you ever had yarn wrap around you and somebody tug? Ouch! What about all those substance-assisted participants falling over. I think I’ll pass. What do you think – would you try it? Read the details here. Photo Source: dailymail.co.uk

19 November 2014 1 Comment

Quick & FREE Crochet Craft Patterns

Moogly is such an inspiring crochet blog. If only my fingers could work 24 hours and not give me grief! Today’s gem contains 20 FREE patterns for crochet gift ideas that use 100 yards of yarn only. What a great way to make beautiful gifts and use up extra yarn! Check out these amazing FREE patterns on Moogly’s blog here. I like the owl mask. Oh wait! There IS that cozy ear warmer. Nevermind… I think I like them all!! Which is your favourite?

18 November 2014 No Comments

Craftshow Update & Giveaway #1

I have been sewing and quilting like mad recently to get ready for the November Christmas craft shows I’m participating in. I had one last weekend, today and my final one will be next weekend. It’s a lot of work but sewing up Christmas items sure gets you in the holiday spirit! If you want to see what I’ve been making, check out my Store on my Facebook page. To get us into the holiday spirit even further I’m hosting a giveaway of a set of two Coffee Cozies with Handles that I made earlier this week. I’d love for

15 November 2014 14 Comments

Photo Credit This month I’ve stepped it up with The Ruthless Crafter business. I’ve made a conscious effort to make regular social media posts and interact with those communities. I even signed up for PayPal and made an online shop on my Facebook business page. I’m so proud of myself for taking this seriously and now I have some custom orders coming my way plus I am starting to acquire followers in all forms of the social media accounts I have who are not just family and friends. Not bad since I only really got it up and running in

6 November 2014 No Comments

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Alpaca Yarn

*UPDATED July 2017* Local Alpaca Farmer It is my honour to work with a local group of alpaca farmer, Canadian Alpaca Products, who work together to bring the finest alpaca yarn products and services at the fairest price. [wc_box color=”primary” text_align=”left” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=””] Canadian Alpaca Products members work together to breed the best animals, provide the best in shearing and herd health services, create award winning products, and establish a breeder market. From rescue services and health care consultations, to nutritional supplements, fibre sorting and yarn patterns, the members of CAP bring decades of experience to all aspects of

3 November 2014 No Comments

Halloween Candies – Oh Boy!

In my part of the world, Halloween is all about dressing up and getting candy! I can hardly wait – oh boy!! Our school has started to collect hard candies. The idea is that the candy is sent to less fortunate countries where they only have rice to eat and their palates are not as well-rounded as ours. The theory is that the sugar in the candy will stimulate the taste buds. I’m not sure I agree or fully understand it but I’m happy to get rid of the hard candies and the children are in agreement so it’s win-win

30 October 2014 No Comments

Crochet Christmas Tree Hat

My friend hired me to make this fun Christmas tree hat for a tacky Christmas themed party she went to. Hubby is the handsome model here!

22 October 2014 No Comments

Crochet Snowman Hats

In 2012 I created these adorable snowman hats for a client. I may have to make some more – I forgot how adorable they are! The snowman’s top hat has stuffing so it stands up. You can find the FREE pattern from Repeat Crafter Me here. If you make one, please share with me! I’d love to see all the creativity out there.

18 October 2014 2 Comments

Italian Flag Crochet Afghan

A fellow I went to high school with – we shall not say how long ago – ordered this cozy afghan in the colours of the Italian flag. Interesting fact: you need to shop in the Christmas aisle to get the right shades for an Italian flag. I will never look at that aisle the same! I am very excited to deliver it to him. He tells me it’s a Christmas present for himself, which is fitting based on where I found the yarn! Ha ha.

16 October 2014 No Comments

Crochet Engine 1 Hat

I used this FREE Engine 1 pattern to make this adorable hat for a client. Thomas’s face and steam pipe are filled with stuffing.

15 October 2014 2 Comments

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