Springtime in a pin cushion with matching needle case

I've just finished up another set of goodies for a fellow Craftster! She asked for something red and springtime festive. I hope I've captured that for her. I've made her a pin cushion with an altered Altoid tin needle case to match. The other items in front are toys for her fur children. :)

Who doesn't need a Hufflepuff scarf bag?

Here's the other piece that went out in a swap package with the Horton embroidery!

This is a Hufflepuff scarf bag. I didn't really have a pattern for this one. I knew how to make the scarf and I've made one crocheted bag before (the Luna tote posted previously!) so I just wrote down some simple dimensions to keep in mind, picked up my crochet hook and went at it! The bag turned out a tink bigger than what I had imagined but I'm very pleased with the way it turned out. I did line it with black fabric but failed to take a pic of that.

I hope it's happy in its new home. It should have arrived by post yesterday. :)

Note to Self

While driving home, I actually saw a pretty bumper sticker. Yes, I said pretty! :D

I must embroider this saying:

"We are all just spiritual beings having a physical experience."

MUST HAVE!

This old dog learned a new trick!

Crayon tinting! Where have you been all my life? How I love thee!!!

Seriously, the coolest crafting method that I've picked up lately. Super easy and the end result is so neat.

Here's a swap piece that I did this past weekend. It is (obviously) a Dr. Seuss piece. I used split stitch, french knots and back stitch.

DIY Swap

I had 2 partners in the DIY kit swap. Each kit contained a sample item of the kit requested, the necessary items to make the item (when possible) and the directions to make the item. Some of the people in the swap did videos and I'm looking forward to seeing a few of them. I might do one myself in the next round.

The first kit that I made was a Make Your Own Preserves kit. I included 2 jars of my preserves (apple butter and strawberry, but there's a jar of cranberry pepper jelly in this picture as a stunt jar! LOL!), canning utensils such as a wide funnel, wooden spoons, and rings with lids, along with a collection of my favorite recipes.

The second kit was a Make Your Own Fascinator kit. I made my partner a pretty little fascinator with crocheted flowers, buttons, feathers and tulle. I included ribbon (wired and non), two colors of tulle, a package of fluffy feathers, a small collection of buttons, hair clips, side combs and flowers. While I'd personally never wear a fascinator, I do enjoy making them. :)

Frugal Swap: Return of the Cheap!

Here are the goodies that I made for kaz in the Frugal swap. It was a blast to create!

I made her a reconned reusable shopping bag out of a thrifted jean skirt, 2 tawashi scrubbies, 3 crocheted dishcloths, a crocheted Swiffer sock, 2 dryer balls and the best part, a binder full of budget friendly recipes tailored to her likes. :)

More pin cushion goodness!

Here's another pin cushion that I made for a swap. It was hard not to do more decor on the top but I worried that the pin cushion wouldn't get used if I did. :/

The stitch along the side is feather stitch, combined with some back stitch and french knots to create the buds and flowers.

I had a coworker ask me a question. "Do you celebrate Easter?" After a bit of a laugh, I had to remind myself that he can't seem to put himself into my shoes. He's only ever been Christian, never taking much time to consider other faiths. He's no different from any other Joe or Jane living here in the South where there is an overwhelming obsession in making sure that others follow "your" faith.

My answer was "Yes, but not like you do." There's no church service and no overly scheduled order of events that have to take place. Being Buddhist is about remembering to celebrate the simplicity of life, actually taking time to smell the roses. I sat outside watching the wind move the clouds across the sky and laughed as my kids hunted eggs. A celebration of the renewal of Life and the coming of Spring is what I observe and had a wonderful time in doing so. :)