JCasa's Profile

Hello friends!

This space is in the process of being downsized and relocated to another platform. Never fear, crafty friends, all of my sewing + knitting patterns, craft projects and recipes will be in the new space. Simplifying a decade of blogging takes a while, oh my. Thanks for visiting and I look forward to sharing the new space with you soon. xoxo Continue reading

Posted Aug 1, 2015 at Make Something Special

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Mix Match Note Taker from Vintage Made Modern

It always thrills me to see what others make while playing around with my patterns + projects when they appear on Instagram, Pinterest, Ravelry, Etsy, Flickr and elsewhere on the web. Take my Mix Match Note Taker*, for example. I have been making variations on these for years, and although the sizes and contents have changed a bit with each new incarnation, I always tend to gravitate toward using a patchwork of vintage textiles. What is so great about putting handmade projects like these out into the world, however, is that people like you are free to re-imagine them to... Continue reading

Posted Feb 19, 2015 at Make Something Special

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Oooh, I love it! And how sweet to read your Mom's lovely comments above. So clever are you to give a gift to the house :)

Commented Jan 19, 2015 on Mary Graceland: A quilt at house on hill road

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Happy New Year to you, Erin! What a lovely, thoughtful post - I connect with so much that you write despite us never having met in person (yet!), and this deeply personal entry is no exception. You have been one of my mainstays during the nearly 10 years I have been blogging and I have truly enjoyed this camaraderie of stitchery + motherhood with so many wonderful souls like you. I glean from Instagram that you have been involved at your girls' school a great deal over the years and am so happy you have enjoyed teaching! DO continue, as I am sure you are a natural :) I am most certain your horizon is filled with countless creative endeavors that will continue to enlighten and inspire others including me. Wishing you the very best and looking forward to staying in touch! xoxo

Commented Jan 7, 2015 on Looking back and stepping gently in to the new year at house on hill road

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DS knows her stuff. Lovely fabrics which you'll make into something even lovelier, I am certain. Enjoy your weekend, Erin! xoxo

Commented Sep 20, 2013 on I wasn't going to... at house on hill road

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On the Menu: Meatball Subs

I learned to make meatball subs at a friend's apartment back in college. She taught me this trick of stuffing cubes of mozzarella inside the raw meatballs before frying them up on the stove. When they were done, you would bite into this thing and cheese would just ooze out. So so very good. Over the years I have tried to make them that way, but somehow the cheese would always sneak out during baking and when you bite into them all you are left with is a cavern of disappointment where the cheese once was. I think it was... Continue reading

Posted Sep 18, 2013 at Make Something Special

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What a gorgeous place! p.s. It's so nice to see you all seaside again, too.

Commented Sep 17, 2013 on Field Trip :: Quoddy Head at SouleMama

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I absolutely love the new design, Erin. Did you paint it? Everything is pulled together so nicely! xoxo

Commented Sep 10, 2013 on Three things at house on hill road

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A simple fabric work basket

With my studio back home now and school in full-swing, I have been itching to spend a few hours in my new studio space and sew something. Has that happened yet? Of course not. Because, you see, I suffer from Startitis. You know what I'm talking about: too many ideas, too many materials, too much inspiration, and way too much procrastination. We're not talking about a project for project's sake just to blog it, either. Oh no. I am too old for that malarkey. This is something that serves a purpose, something I need and actually have wanted to make... Continue reading

Posted Sep 10, 2013 at Make Something Special

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It is a magical time of year. Enjoy your new discoveries!

Commented Sep 3, 2013 on starting in September at SouleMama

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Hexagons, by hand

It's no secret I have a special place in my heart for vintage textiles. They are always on my wish list when I'm looking around a thrift or antique shop, but I have learned not to have my heart set on finding something specific; instead, I enjoy the mystique of what treasures I might discover. A lot of times you can find unfinished patchwork blocks and if you're really lucky, even a quilt top. A pile of hexagon flowers is something I have a hard time resisting, what with their obvious charm and unique combinations of fabrics. I jumped on... Continue reading

Posted Sep 3, 2013 at Make Something Special

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so eloquently written, sweet friend. i've said it before (numerous times), you are wise beyond your years. i continue to learn from you + send warm wishes from our family to yours. xoxo

Commented Aug 6, 2013 on How We're Doing Over Here at Smile And Wave

Make Something Special: FALLING CABLES [a capelet to knit]

a few years ago, Jennifer at CraftSanity contacted me to see if i would design a knitting pattern for an upcoming issue of their print magazine. it was early summer when i started, although we were looking ahead to the autumn issue. Fall is my favorite season of all (if one can truly have a favorite season, they are all so uniquely beautiful here in Ohio). i closed my eyes and thought ahead to the textures and hues of Fall. the lovely people at Briar Rose Fibers offered to contribute my choice of wool for this project, and their rich... Continue reading

Posted May 20, 2013 at Make Something Special

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On the Menu: DINNER PIE

the last-minute dinner-making scramble happens to the best of us. especially when there are activites, lessons, sports, and not to mention a sunny day when everyone (including the cook) would rather be outside. enter the simple supper. i have a few go-to entrees that i rely on for when time is tight, leftovers are plentiful, or i just don't want to do so many dishes. Dinner Pie is a favorite. now you may be saying, "hey jennifer, that's just a quiche." au contraire, mes amis. perhaps some may call it quiche, but if you are looking to sway a skeptical... Continue reading

Posted May 17, 2013 at Make Something Special

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Make Something Special: PATCHWORK SWITCHPLATE

fact: there are scraps of vintage fabrics strewn about the house. i can never seem to part with even the tiniest bit. fact: for months, the light switches in our sunroom has been without a cover. it was misplaced during our kitchen renovations and had yet to be replaced. one thing led to another... want to make one? or more? (me too!) Patchwork Switchplate WHAT YOU NEED: fabric scraps, a switchplate (they are stock items at most hardware stores; this one cost < $2), Mod Podge (i used Fabric Mod Podge, but regular Mod Podge would also work fine), a... Continue reading

Posted May 15, 2013 at Make Something Special

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this is beautiful + i am so excited for you, erin! what a wonderful gift to yourself. may you enjoy every moment! xoxo

Commented Jan 7, 2013 on Here we go. at house on hill road

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so beautiful, erin. wishing you much celebration of all that has been, much peace + joy with what is yet to come, and all the very best for right now. xoxo

Commented Jan 2, 2013 on Taking Stock at house on hill road

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Make Something Special: THE GRADUATE

meet your new best friend: The Graduate deepening shades in the same color family highlight this oversized infinity cowl featuring gently rolled edges and a simple seeded rib stitch. knit one up in an afternoon using scrap yarn and leftovers in your stash, and show off contemporary ombré style while staying cozy all season. PDF for this pattern includes 4 pages of step-by-step instructions, full color images, and a super special secret bonus pattern! You will need approximately 200 yards (total) of bulky/chunky weight yarn in colors of your choosing and US 13 (9mm) straight or circular needles. One size... Continue reading

Posted Nov 9, 2012 at Make Something Special

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The GRADUATE [knit cowl]

Deepening shades in the same color family highlight this oversized infinity cowl featuring gently rolled edges and a simple seeded rib stitch. Knit one up in an afternoon using scrap yarn and leftovers in your stash, and show off contemporary ombré style while staying cozy all season. PDF for this... Continue reading

Posted Nov 8, 2012 at JCasa Pattern SHOP

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Ricotta Roll-Ups

a while back, we shared how we made homemade ricotta. trust me when i tell you dreams are made of this stuff. and it's SO easy. you may never buy premade ricotta again. but no matter how much you enjoy it, DIY ricotta it begs the question - what to make with it? (other than eating it by the spoonful...) ricotta roll-ups you'll need: lasagna noodles (cooked) ricotta prosciutto (or soppressata works well, too - think salty cured meat, yum!) spinach (quickly sauteed in olive oil + garlic with a tiny squeeze of lemon at the end) fresh tomato sauce... Continue reading

Posted Sep 27, 2012 at Make Something Special

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hi manda. i was just thinking about you this morning, curious as to why you haven't been on twitter or in this space, and decided to check in on you on the very day you surface to say hello. so hello to you, my friend. you are not alone, not by a longshot. you have a world of friends sending you a warm embrace now and always. you and your lovely family are in my thoughts and prayers, and i hope that you are finding peace in your days. xoxo

Commented Sep 20, 2012 on Summer was not how I had hoped it would be. The... at Tree Fall

Make Something Special: HEAD IN THE CLOUDS

one of the great things about knitting with bulky weight yarn is the obvious speed factor. normally six skeins of any given yarn would have me second-guessing, but we're working with the big stuff here and let me tell you it flies over your fingertips and onto the needles almost as fast as you can run up your charge card at the LYS. Head in the Clouds is an oversized creamy white pillow cover dotted with cloud formations that are so dreamy. it's a simple project that starts off with meditative stockinette and shifts to working on a chart full... Continue reading

Posted Sep 14, 2012 at Make Something Special

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i was just looking at their Bluchers last week! thinking the same things about how comfy they were back in (ahem) high school. i love 'em. and i may just join you, too. xoxo

Commented Sep 14, 2012 on Hello! and what do you think of my shoes? at MommyCoddle

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HEAD in the CLOUDS [Knit Pillow Cover]

Rest your head on this oversized creamy white pillow dotted with cloud formations and dare to dream, my friend. Made using the softest materials imaginable, this pillow cover is completely heavenly. PDF for this pattern includes 3 pages of step-by-step instructions, full color images and a chart to create the... Continue reading

Posted Sep 13, 2012 at JCasa Pattern SHOP

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