serendipity

Free Crochet E-Book

Looking for some fun crochet projects?  Favecrafts has published a free book of patterns
for those of us who are yarn-obsessed.  I've downloaded several of their previous publications
and they are always fun and full of great patterns.  Besides, how can you go wrong with free?

Crafting with Smoothfoam

"Creativity is the natural extension of our enthusiasm."  --  Earl Nightengale

Have I mentioned that I'm now on the design team for Smoothfoam?  Smoothfoam has a great surface for painting,
sanding, collaging, marking and cutting. It  comes in numerous shapes and sizes which makes it ideal for
use in crafting.  As a teacher, I've found endless uses for it in the classroom, whether for art lessons, math manipulatives
or science fair projects (fabulous for solar system and DNA models). 

Designer Crafts Connection Blog Hop :: Recycled Magazine Flower Door Decoration

 

Yesterday I spotted my first flower of the season! Wooohooo!  Winter is over!  In celebration, I wanted to add a bright jolt of
color to my front door.  I made this door decoration from recycled magazines and buttons from my stash. 

Free Pattern :: Crochet Twist Necklace

"Jewelry takes people's minds off your wrinkles."  --  Sonja Henie

Spring weather is fickle.  I am ready to pull out the t-shirts, but there is still a chill in the air.
I'm bored with scarves, so I made this twisted, crocheted choker. It adds a warm dash of color.

video love :: on handwork and why we need it

 

"Quiet the mind, and the soul will speak."  -- Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati

A former student recently reconnected and sent me this lovely video.  I had to share it with you.

Paper Wedding Cake

"Love one another and you will be happy. It's as simple and as difficult as that." 
--  Michael Leunig 

I like to give myself thematic challenges when crafting.  Can you imagine the theme for this one?  I love
wedding cake and thought it would be fun to make a paper version.  This is perfect for a bridal shower
that could double as storage for all the small momentos that come from a wedding or to have at the wedding
itself with a slit at the top for family and friends to give gifts of money.   

The Snow Queen: a study in yarn and paper

Springtime is the land awakening.  The March winds are the morning yawn. 
-- Lewis Grizzard 

Last summer during a blistering heat wave, I made a garment inspired by Hans Christian Anderson's story "The Snow Queen."  The top is knit from Lion Brand's Vanna's Glamour®.  It's a lovely yarn to work and adds this gorgeous shimmer that shifts with the light - perfect for my Snow Queen Dress. Having recently invested in a large die cutter, I decided to put it to the test.  I cut a 100+ cardboard snowflakes which I then embellished.  Naturally, no two snowflakes are the same.  I painted, rubber stamped and colored with pencil and pen. I glued on sequins, wrapped threads and added small sparkling stickers.  The dress became an experiment in how far I could push a mixed media approach.  

Designer Crafts Connection :: Buttons Galore & More Craft Challenge :: Prizes Too!

Wedding bells are in the air!  It's time to get crafting!  Buttons Galore & More has a wonderful 
collection of buttons with weddings in mind.  For this Craft Challenge, I chose these charming
buttons titled "Bridal Bouquet."    They have a lovely AB finish with silver highlights.  Made of 
plastic, they are lightweight, so perfect for a barrette.  I wanted to create a piece that could be
worn to a wedding, but get plenty of use for years to come.

Designer Crafts Connection Blog Hop :: My Favorite Craft

"Necessity is the mother of invention." -- English Proverb

This month's theme for the Designers Craft Connection is "my favorite craft."  I've been agonizing
over this one.  I love all the crafts!   I mean really - how does one pick?!  By default of
deadline and my niece's upcoming birthday, I settled on a cute crocheted collar for her to wear
with t-shirt and jeans.  Even at 6, Margo loves to be the fashionista!  

free pattern :: think spring t-shirt

"Springtime is the land awakening.  The March winds are the morning yawn." -- Lewis Grizzard

The weather has been quite a tease this past week with temperatures near 50° F one day and a bone chilling 16° F the next.  By this time each year I am done with winter and ready for spring.   My niece assisted with this project.  It is a reminder that warm weather fun is just around the corner.