Christina's Spring Collections Pattern Giveaway

Today is the launch of my sister's new spring pattern collection called Whispers of Spring. We are all SO EXCITED!!!!! There are five patterns included: a sweater, cowl, hat, fingerless gloves and shawl. And, Christina has kindly offered to give a pattern booklet away on this blog! So, leave a comment and I'll enter you into the drawing to win this fabulous pdf booklet! I'll close the giveaway on Friday and announce the winner then.

If you don't win the giveaway, you can find the pattern booklet for sale on Ravelry here.
And, Christina informs me that some of the patterns will soon be offered separately, if you don't want to knit the whole collection.


Isn't it all so beautiful!!! I'm actually 3/4 through knitting the sweater for myself -- in a lovely teal color which will be perfect for spring. (Another distraction from my baby projects.)

I'm afraid these pictures turned out small, but it's better these than nothing. :) Isn't the hat so cute! Apparently, as you will read in the booklet, it was designed after something being worn by Emma in the latest Masterpiece Theatre production.

And the cowl, in this bright green, is just the thing for spring.

I wish you could see the lace detail on the gloves. Those of you that are members of ravelry can log on and have a look!

I think the shawl temps me the most because it is so delicate and beautiful. Another reason you need to go to ravelry and see proper pictures. :) If I didn't have a baby to get ready for.......

Okay, so now it's time to leave a comment and get your yarn ready!!!

Finding Inspiration

I must be a visual person. I love looking at beautiful things and beautiful things inspire me to make more beautiful things. :)

Recently I cleaned off the top of a dresser in my closet, took the framed art off the walls and redecorated with things that currently are inspiring to me.

My craft room is definately a much happier place to be now!

Although, my display is gradually dwindling as I'm knitting a spring sweater with the turquoise yarn and baby socks with the skein of Spud and Chloe pink.

It's sunny out today and we are off on a walk, those of us that can make it. Poor Rachel is still quite under the weather with fever and a terrible sore throat. It's a long-lasting bug. UGH!

Spring Craft Idea

We are enjoying spring weather! Sunshine, temperatures in the 60's and the chance to get outside. Never mind that we're supposed to see snow flurries on Sunday.

I came across this cute idea somewhere on the web for spring crafts for the little kids. James and David loved gluing the popcorn onto tree trunks to make a spring picture.

We've started piano lessons for Andrew and Rachel so this afternoon we'll be off for our next lesson (except for Rachel who is the latest victim of the sore throat bug). And we'll be having corned beef for dinner -- a little late, but it's still fun to be festive.

Passing it On

As you can tell, I'm quite passionate about handcrafts. It is hard for me to resist the urge to be busy with my hands at one thing or another. Another part of my passion involves passing skills onto other people -- multiplying the joy you take in something by getting others excited about it as well. What better way to learn a craft! It certainly beats trying to figure it out from the internet.

Last week I had two girls over to show them how to make felted purses. We had a great time and at the end of 3 1/2+ hours they each had a beautiful bag!

Here's the setup -- in my bathroom of all places. It just happend to be the most convenient place -- close to the supplies, sewing machine and felted sweater stash.

The girls each picked out a sweater and designed the shape and color scheme. Despite my apparent lack of spring sweaters, the girls managed to create some very spring-like designs.

And here is the first bag. We lined the bags and attached faux-leather handles. The shape was terrific (very classy) and the lining matched the center flower.

This was a winter sweater with snowflakes as part of the design, but look how well it converted to a spring purse. It's lined in a green that matches the leaves of the flowers.

I loved the resulting color combination!

And here are the girls with their purses!!!

Way to go girls!!!!

Try a Flowering Tea Ball

At the mall earlier this year I went into a tea store and saw some amazing "blooming" tea balls. You brew them in a glass teapot so you can watch as the tea leaves unfurl and a beautiful flower comes out. Well, the price wasn't in my ball park, so I left the store without any.

Then, I was at a friend's house and she pulled out a little packet of these she had obtained at Marsh (local grocery store). Voila! It was the same idea. She sent me home with the remaining two and here's what they looked like:

It's just the kind of thing to pull out when you have someone special over for a visit. And, you are meant to be able to get three steepings out of each tea ball. There were three balls in the original packet and all three bloomed differently.

Now I just need to find a glass teapot so I don't have to use the coffee pot! Oh! We have a tea cozy give-away going on over at The Cooks Next Door. So stop on over there for a week of Irish recipes and the giveaway!

Checkbox Diversion #1

My attention was diverted from my checklist last week by these sweet little Easter baskets. I could not resist making them.

I made several versions:

And it was hard to choose a favorite. Each of the bags was lined in a different fabric that coordinated with the flowers on the outside.

Saturday we took them up to The Village Yarn Shop where they will be waiting for owners. :)

And this morning I'm back to quilting the baby's quilt. But, as soon as I put in my day's worth on that I'll be working on my other diversion.....to be posted soon.

Tissue Paper Flowers

My sisters and I grew up making tissue paper flowers. They are relatively easy and lots of fun. Recently my mom was over and made some with the kids.


We start with several squares of tissue paper, folded and cut as if you were going to cut a snowflake (so it looks like an ice-cream cone when you hold it). Then we cut a design along the top of the "ice-cream cone".

We stick a pipe cleaner through the middle of the opened up "ice-cream cone". Sometimes we make stamens to attach to the pipe cleaner before we poke it through the "ice-cream cone" petals.

Then we secure everything with scotch tape or florist tape at the base of the paper.

It's a fun way to bring spring indoors.

Adults can get quite fancy with theirs, but we just let the kids play around with what they want.

The sun is shining again today! Two gallons of scorched yogurt are down the drain but 10 loaves of bread are being made as penance. And now it's time to do chores and get ready for the weekend.