Spring Cards

I had a few minutes today to make some of my quick spring cards between other projects. This is a design I have used in the past to share seeds from my Chives:

This time I had saved seeds from a milkweed plant. So first I put a photo with a label on some seed packet templates and printed them:

After assembling the packets and filling them with seeds, I made the cards with some simple changes:

And lets not forget some coordinating envelopes:

Some might wonder why I would share seeds from a weed but you can read about my milkweed plant here. Maybe this year the caterpillars will survive to become more Monarch Butterflies! Anyway, I would love to share the joy of watching these butterflies with my friends. Even weeds can serve a purpose.

Grapevine Wreath

Yesterday I pruned the grapevine so today I soaked the trimmings in the washtub.

It was such a gorgeous day to sit on the patio and weave a grapevine wreath! I haven't decided how I want to decorate it yet but I have time to decide while it dries. This was definitely a good way to spend a little time.

Check book cover

This is one of two check book covers I made from some Bali Batik Fabric that I ordered. I used Bamboo batting which was luxurious and tried my hand at machine quilting which was fun. I just loved making the pen match. A nice added touch that my friend liked. I have more fabric and a couple of ideas but I also have more jewelry to make. That takes a while to get photographed though.

Crochet Jacket

Here at last is the jacket I crocheted for myself being modeled by my daughter. I really like it over a black outfit which is how I wore it last night. Fun to make something for myself on occasion!

Macrame Bell Hanger

So here it is. The cow bell with the macrame hanger. I put it on this small Shepard's hook by the back door (the plant died in the extended cold we had this winter). I made it just long enough that when my dog runs under it on his way to the door he brushes it and it will ring. OK, that was the plan. And lo and behold it works. Well, twice so far. The idea is to teach him to ring the bell when he wants back in.

He is such a sweet heart. He doesn't bark when he wants in. He used to ram his nose against the storm door but last fall my son took it down for me. This really dumbfounded my poor Schatten. He just stands out there. Waiting. If he gets desperate now he has started scratching but I don't want him doing that so decided he needs a door bell. Or in this case a cow bell. Time will tell if he figures it out and drives me crazy with that bell. He is pretty smart.

More hearts

I finished the heart patterns I wanted to make and not too very late... I like them and will get back to them for some other project at another time.

Valentines Crochet

I am a little slow getting my Valentine Crocheting done this year but here are a couple of little hearts I just finished. The one with the white trim has another option for trim that I still want to try before I put this away for next year. Some years I run late and some years I am just way ahead for next year! How about you?

Hoping I win!

I know I have been quiet for a couple of weeks now. I had been dealing almost daily with the contractor and insurance to complete the work on the other house after the fire last August! But it is finished now and my daughter and her kids were able to move in. Which means they are almost moved OUT of my house ;-)

So I have been moving things back into my studio from what was once and soon will be again - my dining room. In the process of moving back in I have thoroughly cleaned and organized which has completely reenergized me. I am soooo ready to get back to all of my hobbies, not just my jewelry designs.

Next up on the cleaning list is my sewing room. Now that will take some time as it is also my craft room. The neatest thing just happened though. I was putting away the masking tape and saw my few remaining copies of old Workbasket Magazines and wished I knew where I could locate some more back copies as they are loaded with everything from tatting and crocheting to canning and decorating.

When I took a break and checked the blogs I follow and lo and behold there is a post at Crazy Mom Tats with a giveaway to celebrate her 100th post. Yes, you guessed correctly! She is giving away copies of Workbasket Magazines! I feel like a little kid again in school (pick me, pick me, please pick me!) If you have never enjoyed looking through one of these beauties she has generously posted photos. Check it out!

Crocheted Snowflakes

April's crochet pattern challenge this month was on snowflakes. I was so taken with this quick little pattern that is actually a garland if you continue that I had to try it out in half a dozen varieties. The photo doesn't show them up very well. Top is baby yarn, next white crochet thread, third I added beads to the last row and fourth I added even more beads trying to get a sparkle. The fifth one is white crochet thread with silver and unfortunately you cannot see the iridescent pearl on the last white/pearl crochet thread snowflake. It is by far my favorite. I have not finished off the end thread as I may decide to hang them so leaving my options open. They also have not been blocked yet as I was in a hurry last night. But these are quick and easy and fun and I may make a lot more.

More Crocheted Bookmarks

I decided to take it easy this past week and just finished up crocheting these book worm bookmarks. They are so cute. And then Suzie posted the instructions for the heart bookmarks. I love her patterns so I thought I would get a head start on those. What a nice break from the rush to finish gifts!