“Navalny” Is A Must See

April 26, 2022 by mymateriallife

Remember when Putin’s nemesis Alexei Navalny was recovering in Germany following his August 2020 poisoning? Director Daniel Roher was with Navalny and his core circle during that period and he made a documentary about it that you’ve got to see to believe. It’s fascinating, terrifying, and heartening all at the same time. Have you ever heard of Bellingcat, the international collective of investigators and journalists that rely on open source and social media? I wouldn’t even understand that question if […]

Categories: TV & Movies • Tags: daniel roher, navalny

Sticker Love

February 16, 2022 by mymateriallife

I’ve been spending some time with my sticker collection and let me tell you, it’s been very satisfying. I’ve got a shoebox full of stickers that were picked up here and there since the 80s. My favorites come from Mrs. Grossman’s and Paper House, but generic seasonal Target-type stickers have a place in my shoebox as well. It all began with Mrs. Grossman’s. The story goes that Andrea Grossman was working as a freelance graphic designer and had a client […]

Categories: Paper • Tags: gentle creations, mrs. grossman's, paper house, stickers

Caron’s Race to the Finish Crochet Lapghan, Finally Finished

January 4, 2022 by mymateriallife

Hello dearies. I’ve been missing from this space for quite some time now. A real dearth of anything getting made around here – other than dinner. But not to worry, I’m still here! And I managed to get this little throw off to my godmother in time for Christmas in just under two years since discovering the pattern and purchasing the yarn. Not exactly a “race to the finish”, but after all, these are exceptional times. From the moment I […]

Categories: Crochet • Tags: caron one pound, crochet, race to the finish lapghan

Nani Iro Quilted Double Gauze Baby Blanket

July 1, 2021 by mymateriallife

I found this gorgeous Nani Iro quilted double gauze fabric in an email from Stonemountain & Daughter. Do you know this shop? It’s in Berkeley, California. I’ve only been there once myself (pre-Covid), but I’ve known about it for the longest time. The shop isn’t as big as a Britex or a Mood, but they’ve got an awfully nice selection of the kinds of fabrics I like to use most and I love how I can learn about their choices […]

Categories: Kid Stuff, Sewing, Uncategorized • Tags: baby blanket, nani iro quilted double gauze, sewing

Small Projects, Big Style (Free Patterns!)

April 6, 2021 by mymateriallife

Hello my dears. It’s been a little while. I haven’t been making much other than things to eat it seems. I do have a blanket I’m working on (crochet) that I hope to share soon. It’s a lot of fun to stitch and could move very quickly if I just picked it up more frequently than I tend to do. I enjoy working on blankets, but it’s hard to beat the satisfaction that comes from being able to complete a […]

Categories: Crochet, Easter, Embroidery & Needlepoint, Knitting, Miniatures, Sewing • Tags: bargello embroidered pouch, free patterns, knit baby booties, knit sausage dog, mini crochet easter basket, nautical flag napkins, we are knitters

Thinking About Upgrading Your Mask?

January 31, 2021 by mymateriallife

If you’re thinking about upgrading to a more effective face mask you might want to check out the videos available on YouTube from a guy named Aaron Collins (that’s the name of his channel too, Aaron Collins). My friend Jill sent me his link and told me he is her source for mask info, so that was good enough for me. Not knowing Jill, you might require more of a reference. What I learned from Aaron’s videos is that he […]

Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: aaron collins, covid, kf94, protective masks

Maida Heatter’s Heirloom Walnut Icebox Cookies

January 18, 2021 by mymateriallife

These walnut cookies are so delicious. Though the spice ingredients are familiar, their combined flavor isn’t like anything I’ve had before; it’s warm and mellow, exotic and nostalgic at the same time. Maida called this “the perfect icebox cookie”. So comforting with a cup of tea or coffee. They make a lovely gift stacked in a cellophane* bag. Do you know Maida Heatter? She passed away in June 2019 at the age of 102. I never met her, of course, […]

Categories: Sweets • Tags: baking, cookies, heirloom walnut icebox cookies, maida heatter, maida heatter's brand-new book of great cookies

Woolly and Fuzzy Felt Building Ornaments

January 9, 2021 by mymateriallife

These were such satisfying gifts to imagine and stitch, a very last-minute inspiration that started with Sofia’s house. She’s a baby who lives in my neighborhood. Many months ago I told her parents that I was going to knit her some socks, but I had some trouble with them and eventually decided I didn’t like the yarn I was using anymore so I scrapped them. Then I found a booty pattern that seemed like it would work well with some […]

Categories: Christmas, Embroidery & Needlepoint, Sewing • Tags: alicia paulson, christmas, felt ornaments

Bright and Shiny Christmas Things

January 4, 2021 by mymateriallife

A very happy new year to you. I hope that you are well and feeling hopeful. I do wish I’d been able to share a few Christmas ideas before the actual holiday started, but that was not to be. It’s only the eleventh day of Christmas, however, so rather than eleven pipers piping I’ll share these with you now anyway. You’ll find purveyors of fine craft supplies for one thing. And it’s not too early to start thinking about how […]

Categories: Christmas, Paper • Tags: diy christmas crackers, dresden trim, paper mache ornaments, salt dough ornaments