Amazon Associate Favorites...

I worked in my Etsy shop yesterday, creating a new banner, and adding new listings. Soon, I'll be adding new digital files featuring my wooly acorn pincushion, corgi pincushion and strawberry pincushion patterns. It's nearly time to update my blog banner, too, so look for a new look here, as well.

Today I'm creating a new page for my blog to link to all my favorite needlework, sewing and quilting tools and accessories. I think I told you already that I'm now an Amazon Associate, so as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through my links. 

I'm only going to share items I've personally used and highly recommend, so you know you can trust your purchase. I'll be adding more as I sort through my links, and I'll have my "Amazon Associate Links" listed on my menu at the top of my blog to make it easier for you to locate.

One more thing - If you are looking for something specific but don't see it here, please contact me and I'll happily share my link for it, and then add it to this page.

 

This is the exact stand I use. It's stable, sturdy and never loosens up when I'm stitching. The best stand I've owned in 40 years! Here's my link: https://a.co/d/7fV8OYT

#ad #commissionearned

 

Yamato Sticking Paste, the standard of starch glue, is made from environment-friendly natural materials
Yamato paste is made from tapioca starch and is an indispensable traditional Japanese product when working with washi, chiyogami and katazome-shi.
These squeezable tubes of prepared adhesive are perfect for when you don't have the time to mix your own. Yamato green tube adhesive is acid free, non-toxic and dries clear. It is very consistent and has long drying time.

I use this to secure threads on the back of my stumpwork/goldwork pieces. It's used by many needleworkers, and was recommended to me by my friend and teacher, Clara of Clara Stitching. Here's my link: https://a.co/d/821Eco5

#ad #commissionearned

 

Hazel Everett's Goldwork: Techniques, Projects and Pure Inspiration It's a wonderful book and I'm so glad it's in my library! Recommended to me by my needlework teacher, Clara of Clara Stitching.
Here's my link: https://a.co/d/3guoGPU

#ad #commissionearned

 

A wonderful little book from the Royal School of Needlework. I love my copy! Here's my link: https://a.co/d/cX9tXp3

#ad #commissionearned

 

My favorite "everything needlework" book. I purchased my copy immediately after returning from my RSN week in Lexington, KY. Here's my link: https://amzn.to/3tpftBb

#ad #commissionearned

 

Kaverme 3PCS Precision Tweezers Set, Upgraded Anti-Static Stainless Steel of Tweezers, for Electronics, Soldering, Laboratory Work, Jewelry-Making, Model, Craft

I love this set! I use the ESD-11s all the time with my goldwork, and the other two for all my needlework and sewing. Reasonably priced, too! Here's my link: https://a.co/d/7qvN75G

#ad #commissionearned

 

Madeira Thread Chest. This is filled with all the colors of the rainbow. Rayon threads in a beautiful drawer cabinet. Great for machine or hand embroidery. Everything is at your fingertips. Here's my link: https://a.co/d/5ZvqXNc

#ad #commissionearned

 

Jinmaya Silk Mulberry Silk Thread for Handmade Embroidery 60 Colors Spools Cross Stitch Needle Point DIY Handicraft Supply Chinese Suzhou Embroidery Silk

Imagine thread painting with these beautiful threads. Yum!! I admit I don't own these yet, but the reviews are great, and I'm looking forward to adding them to my studio.
Here's my link: https://a.co/d/b1oetWv

#ad #commissionearned

 

Thread Wax Thread Conditioner Beeswax for Sewing Thread Beeswax Thread Conditioner for Quilting Sewing Strengthening Line Embroidery Wax for Thread (4 Pieces) 

These are perfect for conditioning your thread for strength when working on embroideries or goldwork. There are actually four of them in the set, and each one will look like these. You can keep one with each project, because we always have more than one in progress, right? Here's my link: https://amzn.to/45Bm093 #ad #commissionearned

 

Just imagine how wonderful it would be to have this assortment at your fingertips whenever you wanted to begin a new thread painting embroidery, or simply to work on a new project. I love having mine handy, and have frequently reach for this luscious metrosene silk finish thread from Mettler when I'm embroidering my seasonal birds. Here's my link: https://amzn.to/3QdLWDk

#ad #commissionearned

 

This is all for now, but I'll be adding more items as they come to mind - or when I order and fall in love with something new. Check back frequently so you don't miss anything, and as always, thank you for supporting my love of needlework and all things handcrafted.

 

Gardening and A New Endeavor...

 

 

It was a beautiful day yesterday, and I spent a little time in the garden. I'm learning a lot this year. First of all, I learned that I planted my tomatoes much to close together this time. I won't make that mistake again. I also learned that my plants got much larger than I anticipated (larger than they every got in the past), and I can't add cages or more trellises after they're this big. I'll do better with that next season, too.

 

Straw Bale Gardening 

In my quest to improve my garden next year, I purchased a book I've been reading about a lot on social media from other gardeners. Straw bale gardening is a method for creating a raised garden without having to invest a tremendous amount of money. It's efficient, and the straw eventually breaks down to use as mulch to put back into the garden. 

Straw bale gardens are perfect for urban dwellers, too. They can be set up on hard surfaces, or on top of the soil in a yard. The book has a wealth of information, and under $15 for the paperback, it was very affordable. The title of the book (under the photo above) is a link in case you'd like to purchase your own copy.

 

Disclosure: I've recently become an Amazon Associate, so as such, I will earn a small commission on any purchases made through my links. I don't want to have distracting advertising banners on my blog, so I'll post such direct links from time to time to promote products I have purchased myself and personally endorse. Your support is greatly appreciated. 

Handsome and I will be purchasing the straw bales from a local farmer and will set them up yet this fall so they're ready to go in the spring. This year has been so successful that we're going to move our garden over to the north side of our property and expand its size. We'll have a really impressive garden next year!

 

I'll be canning pizza sauce today using this beautiful large bowl full of Roma tomatoes. I'll add today's ripe harvest to these for about ten pounds in weight. If I collect more Early Girls this morning, I'll make salsa, too.  

Canning and Crafting. How's a girl to choose? That's easy. The veggies tell me what gets priority these days. Guess canning will come first today. Hopefully, I can get my work done early and still have time for the "crafting" part. I'm heading outside now. The garden is calling.