Ann Leach

Crochet dishcloths made from Sugar & Cream yarn Using a medium, 4, worsted, 4-ply weight yarn and a G hook, I made these dishcloths -- This photo shows how the chain end will look after crocheting the SC into the back loop of the CH. It creates a finished edge without having to back and finishing the edge. CH 17, turn. Row 1 - Skip the first CH, then SC into the back loop of each CH across. Turn. Row 2 - SC in first SC. DC in next SC. Alternate SC and DC all the way across. Turn. Row 3 - SC in first DC. DC in first SC. Alternate SC and DC all the way across. Turn. Row 4 thru 16 - Repeat row 4 eleven times. Turn. Row 17 - SC in every stitch across and tie off.  This photo shows the texture created by alternating SC and DC in each row. Note: I used no turning stitches at the end of each row. Doing this, squared up my dishcloths to a 4" x 4" size, and kept the edges tight. If you have any questions about my pattern, please ask in the comme...

Toward the end of October, I set up a facebook page and opened my sewing and crochet business, specializing in standard-size pillowcases and crocheted dishcloths & scrubbie sets.  In addition, I am happy to take custom orders, either sewing or crochet. And before I could get some stock pillowcases sewn, a series of orders came in --  a set of two flannel pillowcases  a single travel-size pillowcase three decorative pillows  and another single travel (child) - size pillowcase. (Having some extra fabric, I made up a matching doll-size pillowcase.) Before I hardly knew it was happening, I was off and running with pillowcases. And soon after those came an order for a custom bible cover complete with a wrap-around outside pocket and zipper closure. Interspersed with these sewing orders, I was also getting orders for  a crochet dishcloth & scrubbie set and a couple of custom orders for toddler s...

Money, the taboo topic.   We're taught, by our parents and the culture we live in, to not talk about money.  Don't talk about how much you make.  Don't talk about how much you spend.  Don't talk about the ins and outs of credit cards.  Don't talk about how much financing really costs. And if you're in a financial mess, don't talk about that either. So we're each alone in dealing with our finances.  Oh sure, you an ask your folks.  And get the lecture.  Or you can pay for a consultation with a financial advisor, and their sales pitch (usually).  But where can you just sit and talk about the basics? What if you just want to know you're not the only one who is bearing the consequences of a bad choice?  What if you just want to share ideas and hear other people's thoughts on what is working and not working? I propose that it starts here.  My sustainable living passion isn't just about the planet, environment, and being fruga...

Part of being a stay at home mom and making sustainable living choices is keeping expenses down, but the other part is to increase the income, too.  And working from home allows me to develop multiple small income avenues rather than just going after the one big avenue of income. With that in mind, I've been brainstorming, trying to come up with a project for the cold winter months.  I've kicked around various crochet ideas, but was truly inspired when I came across the idea of making custom pillowcases. Here are some photos of the one I whipped up this morning specifically so I could take photos to promote this new business venture. Isn't that a lovely pillowcase?  I can't wait to share with you all the pillowcases I have planned! Come spring, I'll add chickens, well eggs, as another avenue.  And of course the garden will go in which will reduce our food spending in a big way. What small avenues of income are you working on? ...