(1) Dreaming of Spring from Early Bird Special
(2) Apple Tree by HARE and DRUM (via emma lamb)
(3) AMC Gremlin by doe-c-doe

It comes with a darning needle and yarn in eight colors, so you can add your own pattern to the mesh shade. It even sort of comes in portrait or landscape modes. The creatively meek need not worry–when the lamp launches in May, LampGustaf will also be posting downloadable patterns online, as well as providing a space for user-uploaded photos of their creations.

Many thanks to Becky Stern of Craftzine.com for pointing out this delicious tidbit.

The checkerboard itself could be part of a larger checkerboard — which is sort of like life.  –Jude Hill

Have you been watching the new series of videos by stitchery innovator and experimenter Jude Hill? Jude invites us to observe and thereby share in her creative process. There’s no highly structured how-to presentation. Jude’s videos, like her art, are low-key, organic, evolutionary, and fascinating. See the latest video. Or cruise backward through her blog to enjoy all of them.

Over the two years my website was closed, I received several requests asking for me to sell the pattern for my Arm Chair Sewing Caddy.  I had no idea where it was.  Well, I finally found it and, rather than sell it, I have published it for anyone who wants to download a free copy.  I hope you enjoy the project.

So generous! Get the pattern.

Janet Granger

For years, it has bothered me that people who make miniature furniture have to buy large tins/jars/bottles of varnishes, waxes, and so on, when really you only need a tiny bit! The problem was that I couldn’t source really small bottles and jars (as, to finish a doll’s house sized item, you only need a very small amount of wood stain, or wax, or whatever). But recently, I managed to find a great supplier, so now I have launched two Wood Finishing Packs – a Mahogany Wax one at £5.95 (to use with kits such as the tea trays), and an Oak Varnish one at £4.50 (to use with kits such as the dining chairs and rectangular stools). They will save you having to buy large amounts that you simply will never use up.

See the kits at Janet’s online catalog.