cjacks.com

Welcome to cjacks!

I am so happy you have decided to visit my blog. Here you can see some of my musings, creative projects, recipes and whatever else catches my fancy. You can also check out my social media.

Seed Stitch Knit Cowl

by cjacks@cjacks.com | February 21, 2025 | Crafts/DIY, Knitting | 0 Comments

In my never-ending attempt to finish half-done projects floating around and use up some of the enormous stash of crafting material avalanche threatening to suffocate me, I finally can cross this off my list. I started it last year when I, again, decided to try...

Kitsune

by cjacks@cjacks.com | February 6, 2025 | Painting | 0 Comments

A while back, I found an image I liked and it inspired me. Unfortunately I can not locate the image. But, I really enjoyed trying to find 9 "elements" for a nine-tailed fox and adding antlers.

Cat Felted Figure

by cjacks@cjacks.com | December 4, 2024 | Crafts/DIY, Felting | 0 Comments

A felted cat figure made with cat fur.

Watercolor Doodles

by cjacks@cjacks.com | December 9, 2023 | Crafts/DIY, Painting | 0 Comments

I was in the mood to dig out the watercolors the other day. It had been a while since I last did one, so I decided to try a few doodles to scrub off the rust, so to speak. I didn't have too much of a plan besides trying a sunset or two. That evolved into using scrap...

Pattern Review: Pineapple Peacock Shawl

by Valerie Schwader | February 25, 2023 | Crafts/DIY, Crochet | 0 Comments

This is going to be a pretty short review. I have made this pattern a few times and really enjoy making these. They work up pretty fast, but you will need to watch your counting. Be sure to lay it out occasionally to ensure there are no skipped repetitions! I did...

Blast from the Past

by Valerie Schwader | December 29, 2022 | Music, Sewing | 0 Comments

Years ago (2015-2017) I had the privilege of living out a childhood dream - to be in a band. I never shared any of my videos and photos on my blog, but it was an experience! We were known then as Psychedelic Revival and played mostly 60's music. As the new year...

Hippie Bench Revamp

by Valerie Schwader | July 29, 2022 | Crafts/DIY, Painting, Woodworking | 2 Comments

A few years ago My folks were getting rid of an old beat up bench that they had, so I decided I could take it and have a few more years use out of it. Well, after a year, the middle board rotted and I thought it had outlived its usefulness. But, being who I am, I...

Pokemon Graph-ghan

by cjacks@cjacks.com | December 14, 2021 | Crafts/DIY, Crochet | 0 Comments

TIPS This is my first graphgan. It has crossed off one thing from my huge bucket list whilst simultaneously making what, I hope, will make my friend happy (and warm) during these cold months in PA. This is my first attempt at doing a graphgan. I created the pattern...

Pattern Review: Basic Bralette

by cjacks@cjacks.com | June 29, 2021 | Crafts/DIY, Crochet | 0 Comments

Using some leftover yarn I had, I decided to give the basic bralette pattern by Morale Fiber a go. Overall, I found the pattern extremely well written and it worked up pretty quickly. I am pleased with the result, with a few caveats: 1. Check your gauge. I *never*...

Bastet: La Chatte Noir

by cjacks@cjacks.com | June 7, 2020 | Crafts/DIY, Painting | 1 Comment

I have long loved Art Deco/Art Nouveau and Poster Art. Back in the late 90s, I saw Théophile Alexandre Steinlen's 1896 Color Lithograph poster for the cabaret called Le Chat Noir. I had always wanted to try my hand at doing a version of the poster but never got...