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?
"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).
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.
"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.
"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.
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.
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.
"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!
"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.