My apologies go out to anyone who has been chomping at the bit for me to post a new blog.  I realize it's been a long time since my last entry.  Life sometimes has a way of getting ahead of me.  I'm sure you've been there as well, where there are only 24 hours in the day but if there were 30... One of the projects I was involved with in the last five months was helping my parents clean out their long-time home to ready it for the real estate market.  When I say help, I mean in a very limited capacity as I live in another state, and that THEY did the bulk of the work.  Considering that my Dad was in hospice less than two years ago and my Mom has knee troubles, cleaning out the family home of 48 years was nothing short of a miracle, some may say "miracles" is their legacy.  And speaking of legacies, my Paternal Grandmother has left her recipes for us in a box that is 12"x8"x8".  It's filled with hand-written recipes spanning much of the 20th ...

A friend recently purchased a diffuser. She hemmed and hawed for days before buying it online from Amazon. She even turned down a Groupon offer (which was apparently very tempting!) before finalizing her decision.   So let's say you Google "essential oil diffuser".  Your search comes up with "about 525,000 results.  Of course the process is overwhelming.  Add to it, many people are novices and aren't sure the level of investment they want to make, let alone what style and size to pick.  Let me help you out by narrowing your search. Target  offers a small, but very affordable option.  This one retails for $19.99.  Travel friendly, it operates on batteries or with the included USB cord.  If you want something that will last 1-2 hours, then this is the product for you.  However, if you are looking for something with more oomph, I would recommend the next model. This diffuser by Now ranges in price from $35-$45, depending on the v...

(r)Ice Pack Bundles I was recently going through my stash of fabric.  I like to save even the smallest of scraps because you never know how or when they may be handy.  From small appliqués to American Girl Doll quilts, these scraps have been helpful in a variety of projects.  This past summer, I made a gorgeous picnic blanket, and have held on to a variety of sizes of scraps.  Turns out, there were a dozen pieces of fabric about 5"x9".  These were perfect inspiration for making Small (r)Ice Packs.   Photos Above: Some of my larger scraps, organized by like sizing To make your own, start with any size fabric you like, but keep in mind that if using these as pocket warmers, boot warmers, ice packs for bumps and bruises, something in the 4"x4" finished size category is just about perfect.  (It's important to note that my sewing is like my cooking.  I tend to wing it with the materials/ingredients I have on hand.  If you wa...

Last week, I had an opportunity to experiment with various essential oil brands.  Knowing that no two brands are created equal, I have been on a quest to find the best of the best, while still keeping my price point affordable.  Until now,  Aura Cacia  has been my essential oil brand of choice.  I have also used  Now  Foods Essential Oils, but found their quality lacking when compared with Aura Cacia.  Back to last week.  I met with a representative from  doTerra .  Since I possess a vast knowledge of essential oils, including their properties, healing powers, and how/when to blend them, we were able to have fun, and not just make this about education. The most telling aspect of the session was when we performed a side by side comparison.  We chose to compare Lavender.  The brands compared were Aura Cacia and doTerra.  The first was in smell, which I can not convey to you in a blog other than through my own words. ...

The holiday season is moments away, and why not impress yourself and your loved ones with thoughtful, homemade gifts this year.  If you want to learn a new skill and spend more quality time with friends and family, Caught Red Threaded has the perfect idea for you.  You can H ost Your Own Craft Party !  It's as simple as an email to caughtredthreaded@gmail.com .