I’ve been incredibly productive the past few days, especially considering that I’ve been sick. In addition to my new website, I’ve been working on a website design for my friends’ new business. The only thing left on my to-do list is to get some Easter pics posted before the end of the week.

But first, I’ve posted a review of Crafty Chica’s Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Projects for the Everyday Crafter over at julie-k.

Now I’m off to a coffee date. I’ll try to get those Easter pics posted later today!

It’s been almost a year since the lincoln blog turned into julie-bird and a lot has changed for me. I’ve become very interested in reusing and recycling textiles, almost to the point where I want to talk about it all the time.

I’ve reached a little blog dilemma: the more I blog about crafts the more I worry about boring everyone who comes here for family pics. Plus, more and more people are coming here for the craft stuff, and I don’t want to bore them with family pics. (Ok, I’m sure no one ever minds seeing pics of Bella, but you know what I mean!)

So, I’ve decided to start a new blog, julie-k, just for chatting away about making things out of recycled textiles. Mostly, I’m going to be logging my projects — success and failures — and highlighting my favorite tutorials, techniques and inspirations.

I’ve got some other ideas, too, but not enough time to get to them all right now. Like most things in my life, it’s a work in progress. I figured if I wait until it’s all I want it to be it will never get off the ground! So, all of the crafty peeps who follow julie-bird, I hope you’ll join me over at julie-k for more crafty fun! Here’s a direct link to julie-k’s rss.

Don’t worry, friends and family. I’m not making any changes to julie-bird. I hope to write more about our daily lives and the fun we’re having out here in the Heartland. Oh, and plugging my new blog, of course.

Last Saturday I tore through my stash. I weeded out fabric, notions, yarn, felt scraps, and project ideas that no longer inspired me. I also dug through my closet and got rid of any clothes that no longer fit or were too worn to save.

I feel like I am starting with a clean slate. I’m excited about what I have and know what I don’t need to buy on my thrift store excursions. I also know what I don’t have and can take advantage of super deals without wondering, “Do I really need this?”

I found some really great things on my last trip to Goodwill and have to share. First up, buttons! There were tons of these little grab bags and I had to dig around to find one that I really liked. All of these for $4. I love them! A lot of them are the perfect size for brightening up some of my existing shirts.

I’ve also been meaning to make some scrubbies, but couldn’t bring myself to spend $5 for a ball of nylon yarn just for scrubbies. I had been waiting for a 40% off coupon, but then I found these for $1 a ball. They had a ton and I exercised serious constraint buying only three.

And finally, I’ve been wanting to make Bella a little tutu. I was thinking of something like Zoe’s, but she really likes Abby Cadabby and I was thinking about using some purples and blues, too. How awesome was this find?

I don’t know what I’ll do with the extra. There are four yards of each! For $2, though, I couldn’t pass them up. The colors are perfect!

Goodwill is having its 99 cent sale on Easter Sunday. It’s awfully tempting. I might sneak out for a little stroll by myself, even if it is a holiday.