About

Heya – I’m Ariele Longsworth

My site is mostly about stuff to make at home.

When I was really young, about 12-13 years old, we had to go to home-economics class. It was for the whole afternoon once a week and it included cooking and sewing.

Each one of us was assigned a sewing machine and we were required to finish 2 garments that first year.

My first item was a flannelette night gown. My second was a harder item because it was a blouse with gathered sleeves.

By the time I reached the age of 15-16, I was designing my own clothes by modifying patterns and customizing them. I sold several outfits to other students who requested something they saw in a pattern, and I even sold 2 outfits to a teacher.

Needless to say, sewing was something I thoroughly enjoyed.

But around the same time, we were required to choose another type of project, in addition to, our sewing. I chose rug hooking and made a little round doily-size rug. I didn’t mind it, but at the same time, I wasn’t totally interested.

A friend’s mother introduced me to embroidery and that was super. I would scour the fabric store for stencils to put on pillow cases and dresser scarves. I couldn’t put down my project until I was done the whole picture.

The only problem was I had so many beautiful pieces and nothing to do with them, so they sat in a drawer for years!

Later on, when I went to university, I got a rug hooking kit for Christmas. It was a clown holding a bunch of balloons. Because it was so colorful, it really resonated with me and I picked up the hobby doing a few more pieces over time.

One year, the craft shop White Roses had their kits on sale for like 90% off and I got several of them. I did the brown and beige stalk of wheat and then gave the other kits to the church for their kids’ crafts activity.

I have to say it was way more enjoyable than that little rug I had to make in school. As you can see by the picture, though, I never got around to framing it. It has masking tape all around the outside because the backing material (rug hooking canvas) is really sharp.

If you want to see some of the other projects I did years ago, I uploaded a couple that I had photos for on this page.

We didn’t have cell phones and tablets back then, so it was a lot harder to get pics and keep them. Because of that, I don’t have many pics that survived. That’s also why the pic isn’t particularly clear!

For some reason, I never cared for macrame. I couldn’t think of something nice to make that was useful to me or to gift. Everyone else was doing slings for hanging plants from the ceiling. That didn’t interest me at all.

One year, we did a big bunch of Christmas bouquets in baskets that the hospital sold for funds to get equipment for the patients. The arrangements were all different with pine cones, greenery, sticks of presents, bows, and so much other stuff to make them pretty and festive.

That sure was a lot of fun!

Have a look at all the fun and easy-to-do Christmas Crafts here!

Now, I just make small things for myself to enjoy. I don’t like elaborate or detailed crafts. It becomes a chore for me instead of a fun thing to do. When I do any kind of craft or hobby, I want to relax, and I want to like my finished product.

The dog also benefits from my crafting because I am big on making him special food. He suffers with extreme allergies, and his skin is a mess with canned and dry food.

He gets real food made with proper meat, mostly beef, and he is way better. Plus, I feel better knowing I have done my best for him!

I also don’t like using harsh chemicals, so I typically make homemade concoctions for cleaning and doing the laundry. Vinegar and baking soda are staples in my home.

And, the same goes for skin care. If I can do something with coconut oil, I am happy. I never run out of it, and I use for so many things on both the dog and myself.

As you’ve probably guessed by now, I am a sucker for a good hobby or craft. I like things of good quality, and I like to know what is in the product.

So, yes, this website was a natural transition. It is a hobby that I can build myself, and it is something that keeps me busy when I am not at work – AKA – my real job.

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you enjoy my selection of crafts, hobbies, handmade, and homemade things!