My last real blog post was in November of 2022 and here's why ..read more

Kimchi offers a range of health benefits due to its nutrient-rich composition and the fermentation process it undergoes. Some of the key benefits of kimchi include: Probiotics: Kimchi is a fermented food, which means it contains beneficial probiotic bacteria. These probiotics, such as Lactobacillus species, can support gut health by promoting a balanced gut microbiome. A healthy gut microbiome is linked to improved digestion, enhanced immune function, and mood regulation. Nutrient Dense: Kimchi is made from various vegetables such as cabbage, radishes, and scallions, which are rich in v ..read more

A free sewing pattern to keep you happy and healthy in the new year For those of you who have already purchased a ,Sp1ke cushion for your sewing and/or office chair, I've been working on a pattern to jazz things up. Here are a few of the cushion covers that I've made as gifts for my friends and family. I’d like to say a big “Thank you” to my pattern testers. It makes such a difference to have input from other sewists. You can download the free pattern here. It’s a nice and easy pattern to get you back into the rhythm of sewing after Christmas, so crack open your fabric boxes and choose someth ..read more

When you're deciding on gifts for your crafty friends and family, take a minute to get yourself a little something as well. Your body will thank you for it! These items are a few of my favorite things in my sewing studio. Check the SHOP HOP Gift Guide for more information I'm uploading new products daily. Want to be added to my list? If you have or know of an item that helps keep us healthy while spending hours in the sewing studio, please email me at rose@roseparr.com. Check the SHOP HOP Gift Guide for more information ..read more

If you have been following me on Instagram you may have noticed that I’m heading to England this August for the Festival of Quilts. Six of the Sew Grateful for 2021 quilts will be on display, I’ll be delivering several ,lectures , as well as signing copies of my book in the Sewing Street lounge. The Festival of Quilts is an amazing show for all sewcialists, quilters, textile artists and clothing makers, and I can’t wait to walk around the textile gallery to get some new inspiration for my next quilts. Taking place at the NEC, in Birmingham from August 18th to the 21st, the Festival offers a f ..read more

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/b60113_016cf4cc126d461f8ff375f85339083f/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 It doesn’t matter whether you are working on 5-minute crafts or large month-long quilting projects, good lighting is essential to lessen eye strain and keep you happily crafting for longer. In this blog post I want to take you through how to adjust your lighting for crafts and sewing. Why you need good lighting for your knitting, sewing and other crafts Poor lighting will make you squint, which can lead to headaches and fatigue when sewing and crafting. More importantly, poor lighting leads to “leaning ..read more

If you follow me on social media, you will have noticed that I did not tour southern England after the Festival of Quilts, but instead spent a week in the Shetlands with my sweetie Dave!. First, let me share a few highlights and lessons learned from my trip and my time in Birmingham! Lessons learned while travelling, what not to do. Lesson #1 Do not try to avoid the big, scary, overwhelming airport and navigating the trains by taking two flights. Next time, fly directly to London and take the train to Birmingham like a big girl! Lesson #2 When booking two flights, give yourself more than 90 m ..read more

If you have been following me on Instagram you may have noticed that I’m heading to England this August for the Festival of Quilts. Six of the Sew Grateful for 2021 quilts will be on display, I’ll be delivering several ,lectures , as well as signing copies of my book in the Sewing Street lounge. The Festival of Quilts is an amazing show for all sewcialists, quilters, textile artists and clothing makers, and I can’t wait to walk around the textile gallery to get some new inspiration for my next quilts. Taking place at the NEC, in Birmingham from August 18th to the 21st, the Festival offers a f ..read more

Multiple studies show that volunteering your time, donating your skills or some cash can boost both your physical and mental health. Volunteering takes many forms, whether it’s donating your time by helping out in a communitythe kitchen at christmas (as pictured above) , donating money or a tangible product like a quilt. When we donate a quilt, we hit the donation trifecta. It takes hours to make a quilt from start to finish and even if you are pulling from your stash or all of the fabric, batting and thread were donated, they did not grow on trees. The best part is in the end you are able to ..read more

We stitch, we read, we type, some crochet, and some knit. Our arms and shoulders are in the same position for all of these activities. Our chest muscles (pecs/ pectorals) tighten, and our shoulders become rounded and our head can bend forward, which negatively affects our posture. So let's open things up with some simple exercises that can improve your posture. Why chest stretching exercises are important A chest stretch helps lengthen the muscles in the upper body that we often overlook when working. We sew in the rain, the snow and even in the summer if it's too hot to be outside. All of th ..read more