Create. Connect. Inspire.

When I launched the Cloth Paper String studio I had two primary objectives; to foster creativity and facilitate connections. 

First, I want to encourage women to tap into their intrinsic desire to create beauty around them. I believe we were designed to create and be creative. Too often that creativity is pushed aside and left to wither. Maybe we are too busy. Maybe we have tried various projects in the past, but they didn’t turn out (hello Pinterest fail!). Maybe we want to take up a new hobby but we don’t know where to start and get overwhelmed with options. Maybe our budgets or living spaces are tight and we can’t invest in tons of supplies that take up a lot of space (but does it bring you joy?).

It hurts my heart when people say “I’m not creative.” It’s just not true. Everyone is creative and can benefit from spending time pursuing and strengthening that part of themselves. There has been so much research recently describing the mental and physical benefits of engaging in the creative arts. Just like physical activity, eating and sleeping well, and spiritual health play a role in your well-being, so can creative hobbies.

Cloth, Paper, String can help with all of these aspects. In the studio, there is space for women to gather and create. I stay up to date with crafting trends, I have decades of crafting experience in many mediums and am constantly learning new skills, the studio is well stocked with tools, and I have a worldwide network of other crafters to draw advice and inspiration from. And I offer all of this to you! In the studio or online, the Cloth, Paper, String community is here to help you be successful in your crafting adventures. 

But making pretty things is only part of the purpose of Cloth, Paper, String. We live in a very busy world. We can fill our calendars in an instant and fall exhausted into our bed each night, but still find ourselves disconnected from others, with only superficial interactions. 

Cloth, Paper, String is building a community of crafters. Here in Northern Virginia, and online. I want people to meet each other, get to know one another. When we are crafting together we talk and laugh. We talk about our joys and our frustrations. We see that others are carrying similar loads, and we learn that we are not alone in our day to day experiences. I’m always amazed at the connections and commonalities that we discover every single time a new crafter comes to the studio. If you think about the quilting circle or barn raising tradition, the simple act of creative activities in a group can have deep impacts that are not at all related to the finished product. Opening a space for these connections to happen is the most important part of Cloth, Paper, String to me. Even more than helping you craft something pretty to give, or wear, or hang on the wall, I want to help you to create connections to others.

Finally, I hope that our community of crafters can inspire others to step into the creative arts.To try new things and have fun. If they see something one of our crafters made, maybe they will give it a try and unleash a talent or enjoyable pastime they didn’t know they were missing.

So there it is, the Cloth, Paper, String motto: Create, Connect, and Inspire. I invite you to join us on this journey.

Rainy Day Crafting

Spring time means rainy days. And when the storms roll through, it’s nice to have a craft studio conveniently located in the basement! This time of year, if I’m not working in the garden you can find me creating in the studio. And some studio creations include flowers!

This lovely paper shadow box looks fancy and complicated, but it’s really quite easy. I found the original concept and fold instructions here.

Here is a quick diagram to help you understand how the page is scored and cut.

It’s made with a 12x12 sheet of cardstock. Our new Share What You Love suite and Designer Series Paper works beautifully for this.

You Are Wonderful

You are wonderful and so is this little card. 

This card is cased from a make and take I got at the April 2018 On Stage event, re-imagined for September’s Stamp and Sip. I’ve used the Rooted in Nature suite, but this design could be used with any number of images. 

The card is fairly easy to assemble once you have all the pieces cut and stamped. 

A tip on those leaves tucked behind the greeting. The original image is not quite large enough to peek out from the greeting and banner, so I snipped them in half and stretched them to fit. It’s ok, because the banner hides the gap. 

What’s Onstage? Only a twice a year, global crafting party with hundreds or thousands of crafters just like you! You can learn more here. Want to come along next time? Contact me by messenger or email for all the details.

Big Box vs Cloth, Paper, String

During the government shutdown, I had an abundance of free time, and did not have a long commute each day. I did all the crafts, but after a few weeks, I needed to get out of the house. Helpfully, Facebook suggested a DIY event st a local big box hardware store. My kids used to go to the Make and take workshops there when they were little, so I signed up and eagerly waited for the day to come.

I had a great time at the workshop, but noticed a few things that were similar to the workshops I offer in the Cloth, Paper, String studio, and a couple things that were very different. So I wanted to share them with you.

First, the things were the same:

1) The staff hosting the event worked hard to put together a good project. It turns out that the corporate planned project was actually kind of lame. The local staff tasked with presenting the workshop knew that the people coming to the workshop would want something better. So the staff scrapped the lesson plan and instead prepared three real life options at different price points and technical difficulties to demonstrate. In the Cloth, Paper, String studio, I work hard to plan projects that I think our community of crafters will like and that teach fun new techniques. Every workshop takes hours of project planning, design, and preparation. And I love every minute of it, because I know I will soon be sharing it with you!


2) The instructors were really eager to share their knowledge and skills. It was snowing on the night of the workshop. When I walked in, the instructors were so welcoming and happy that I was there. Between the two of them, they had so much knowledge about the tools and supplies. They answered all of my questions about the project, and also answered some questions about other projects I had underway at home. I also love to help people have successful crafting experiences. I have decades of personal knowledge and experience in many crafting mediums, but I also have access to a worldwide network of professional crafters to draw on when I don’t know the answer to your questions.

3) Small classes mean personal attention. I mentioned the snow. In the DMV, snow means all activity stops. However, as a Montana girl at heart, I was not deterred by the snow. The other seven people that signed up were not so brave. I was the only student! And we had a great time anyway. it was also reassuring to learn that even with all their corporate resources, advertising budget, and reputation plus being located in our very populous suburb, they attracted only eight attendees to this workshop. My biggest event was 12 students, but we most often have between one and four people. This means I am able to give personal attention to each person and ensure that they master the techniques and successfully create their project.



Now for the differences:

1) The workshop is not designed to be a hands on workshop.  The advertisement for the “DIY” workshop was a little misleading. The instructors ask for volunteers to help with various stages of the demonstration, but for the most part, it is just that, a demonstration. In the Cloth, Paper, String studio you do ALL of the crafting (though I have been known to tie a bow here and there). I prepare projects and instruction to teach you new skills and techniques that you can use in the studio and at home.

2) You do not leave with a finished project. The instructors demonstrate building one project, and at the end of class, they often give the finished project to one of the attendees as a prize. The advertisement suggested that I could purchase the supplies and build my own project, which I could do, but I couldn’t build it at the workshop. Because I was the only student in the workshop, I was luck to both build the whole project, I also got to take it home, so it turned out great. But it would have been a completely different experience if the other registrants had shown up. When you come to a Cloth, Paper, String workshop, you will have the supplies to do the project advertised, and you will take it home when the workshop is over. Every. Single. Time!




3) You have to buy all the tools and supplies to make the project at home. Normally, if I wanted to actually build the project demonstrated at the workshop, I would not only have to buy the wood and hardware, but I would also have to have the saws, hammers, and screwdrivers on hand. All to make the project I thought I was going to make at the workshop. However, when you craft in the Cloth, Paper, String studio, I have all the tools! (my husband is nodding in agreement) In my workshops you use my supplies to create your projects. No need to amass huge collections of tools and supplies. But if you already have a craft room and want to build your collection, or learn how to use what you already have, I can help with that to.

All in all, I had a wonderful experience at the big box DIY workshop. I left with a great whiteboard that helps,me stay organized during my studio work sessions. And I also left with more confidence and pride about what I offer in the Cloth, Paper, String studio. I want everyone who comes to craft in the studio to have a fun and successful creative experience, and I think most, if not all, would say they do just that. If you’re in Northern Virginia, I hope you will join us in the studio and see for yourself.

Blocking Your Hand Knitted Treasures

Whether you’ve just finished your first hand knit project, or you are hand washing that great sweater you bought last season, “blocking” your knitted item while it dries will help it maintain the intended shape and fit. 

Blocking can seem intimidating, but it’s quite easy. 

Here is what you need:

• good quality hand wash detergent 
• T-Pins (optional, but very helpful)
• A large towel 
• Foam core poster board (this is optional), or blocking mats if you're fancy

First, carefully hand wash your knit item. Use cool water and minimal detergent. 

Rinse thoroughly and gently squeeze out as much water as you possibly can. 

Then spread out your item flat on the towel in the general shape you want it to be. 

Now roll up the towel and knit item together, like a jelly roll cake. 

Now this part is fun. You need to press out the water. I like to step and walk on the rolled up towel to squeeze out more water. You can do this a couple of times with more dry towels if you are having difficulty getting the water out. 

Now that your item is just damp. Unroll the towel. You can swap out for a dry towel if yours is too wet. 

Carefully lay out your knit item in the desired shape. Be sure to flatten any edges that might be rolling up. Using pins to hold various edges in place can help. 

Then just let it dry! Sometimes, I will flip the item over after the top has dried and re-set the pins to make sure both sides are the right shape and lay correctly. 

Once the item is completely dry, it is ready to wear or share. 

If you love this vest, you can make it to. The Bamboo Shell pattern is available from Purl Soho here

https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2014/07/20/lauras-loop-bamboo-shell/