Spring has Sprung!

... at least in digitized form!

Jennifer Carroll has a new issue of her beautiful Celebrating everyday life - and I think she really knocked it out of the park, with over 200 pages of great finds, DIY's, recipes, styling, interviews, parties and well everyday celebrations :)

I virtually met Jennifer through Holly Becker's blog course and so when she asked me if I would like to contribute to her magazine re-launch - I was thrilled to say the least.  The timing meant that I was unable to contribute a new project (the deadline fell during the move) so instead she was kind enough to include my nest of yarn as a spring DIY.  I am so honoured to be included in this lovely publication. It has it's own app for download here to view on the ipad.  How cool is that?!  You can also read it through magcloud here.  And there is a great clippings option to pin images or in this case create a collage for your blog...

I just love the colours in the Cinco de Mayo celebration from Jennifer, Pat Roberts and Sherry Spencer.  The homemade graduation ideas have me thinking about Ali's approaching graduation from middle school this spring!  I also just love the pom pom DIY from Kelly Elko.  Finally, the garden luncheon with the crown tablesetting (same team as the Cinco de Mayo celebration) looks just spectacular on my ipad.

You can find out all about the magazine and Jennifer at her blog here.  

And for a sneak peek, I have a mini-version on my side-bar.

I am really loving this first look at spring, while the weather people here warn us of another snow storm. I think I will stick with Jennifer's version of what spring should really be about.  It has me coming out of my crafty deadspace and thinking about my project idea for her next issue ...

come on spring - spring already!

Last Minute Easter Projects

Find the links to these DIY's here

Clockwise from top left - yarn nest, yarn pencils, felt rings, nest pins, egg-wrapping, knitting needles

Well... after a very, very long absence I hope to be back and contributing to the blog on a more regular basis.  I have come to realize that I kind of lose my crafty mojo, when I am focussing on something else that takes up a great deal of my time.

So ... although today I don't yet have a completed diy for Easter, I thought I would compile some of my quick tutorials that have an Easter feel.

I think the yarn nest for a gift topper would be wonderful with bright, spring-like yarn.  The little pencil toppers are very quick to pull off - easter colours as well would be really cute.  The neon rings - another quick project would be sweet in a little easter basket.  The nests I did for Gatherings Magazine, last mother's day, would be great on your spring jacket for easter brunch.  Wrapping up a little lip gloss in a scrap covered plastic egg are cute little gifts for your guests.  And finally... fun, bright knitting needle toppers could get you in the mood for spring knitting projects.

Have a wonderful weekend with friends and family and I hope to see you here more often in the near future.

Happy Easter !!!!

Wrap it up Thursday - Nest of Yarn - Gift Topper

You may remember my tutorial on making felt flower rings.  Well I have been busy crafting a whole group of them to give to friends as gifts.  My friend Shelley appreciates thoughtful wrapping so I decided to get creative.

I found some gorgeous turquoise velvet ribbon and thick cream wool, on spools at Anthropologie.  I knew I wanted to use them for something special.

I took a circle of card stock and began adding a strand of cream and a strand of taupe yarn, anchored with a glue gun.  I build the nest up with circles of yarn, continuing to glue,  and finally added a few strands in the center for my eggs.  The eggs are from a collection including store bought and hand felted.  Once I added the eggs I finished up the nest by building up yarn around the eggs.

I took three of the felt rings that I thought Shelley would like and added them to some thick kraft paper to fit in the box.  I made an x-acto knife cut, to fit them into the paper.  I used that same paper to make a tag and added a grommet to finish off the tag.

 Okay ... one present finished.  I better get cracking :)