Recycled Windowsill Garden

Here's my entry for the Crafty by Nature Contest over at Craftstylish.com. It's easy and simple. It's not horribly impressive, but did I mention that it's easy and simple? You'll need:

* empty tin cans, rinsed out
* old wool sweater(s)
* bedding plants (or seeds) and a little soil
* a pair of scissors

Toss the sweater(s) into the washing machine using hot water and the highest agitation setting. Since they are wool they will shrink and felt up. Then toss them in the dryer or let air dry. Cut tubes from the arms the same length as the cans. Pot the plants/seeds in the cans. (And probably you should nail a hole or two on the bottom for drainage, although I didn't.) Slip the sweater tube over the can. Instant windowsill garden (or pencil holder or vase if you don't like getting your hands dirty.)

BTW, you have until midnight tonight to enter the contest - let me know if you do!

Strawberries take a little patience.

I planted strawberry plants last fall. And being the total gardening noob that I am, I thought that the few strawberries I 'harvested' (did I actually 'harvest'? and can you call a handful a 'crop'?) was it for those plants. Not so. I guess they take the winter to get established because now I have big healthy plants, quite a few flowers and the beginnings of a REAL crop. The Kid even got a little into it and sampled the first one. Getting him involved is the most important harvest of all.

Felt Nest with Robin Eggs

This little nest with robins eggs measures about 3 inches across. I sewed on a pinback so I can wear it. Can these count as Easter Eggs?

Embrace your Inner Grouch

[image: pocomedia.etsy.com]

"Meet Annie and Keith. They've been battling it out their whole lives - too bad mom forgot to keep score. They still love each other though, in a hate-hate sort of way. Black eyes, bruises, bite marks and unexpected haircuts are just a few ways of saying "I love you" to your sibling. Good thing they are related or it might be considered assault!"

Finally! Dolls that speak to my inner misanthrope! I've admired the twisted little dolls from Gravel Alley Primitives for quite some time. Reading their stories makes me laugh and reminds me not to take life so seriously - after all, no one gets out alive. I've leave you with another story for the road.

[image: pocomedia.etsy.com]

"She looks forward to the day when she can call you "hun" and make you wait 13 minutes while she changes her cash register tape. She'll giggle and say, "I'm new," even though she's not. She'll forget to scan your coupons and then make you stand in line at the customer service counter to get your discounts. She's mean like that. "

Felt Easter Egg Tutorial

These felts eggs are easy to make and I'm pretty sure they are fun to play with.


You'll need:

• craft felt (a 12" x 9" square will yield 6 eggs and cost about 25 cents at the local big box store)



• polyfill for the stuffing



• embroidery thread and an embroidery needle



• three straight pins



• sewing scissors



• an egg template

For the template just trace an egg and then add 1/4" all the way around. You can also get find a free template here but you will need to reduce it to 75% the original size to get an egg that will fit in an egg case.

• Cut out the egg shapes using the template. I fold the felt in half, pin the template to the felt and then cut two egg shapes at once. Two pieces will make one egg.



• Whipstitch the two pieces together using the embroidery thread. I find that about a 30" length of embroidery thread is just about right length for me.



• Leave about a 1" gap on the bottom of the egg for turning it inside out.
  
  



• Turn the egg inside out.



• Stick your finger in the egg and push out the seam all the way around.



• Stuff with the polyfill nice and tight.
  
  
  Now whipstitch the bottom of the egg closed. Have fun!
  

Free Yarmulke Crochet Pattern for Passover

The Purl Bee has graciously posted the pattern for these crochet kippot . These skullcaps would be perfect gifts for Pesach, which starts next Thursday, April 9. These are so appealing they almost make me wish women also wore them.

Sugar Free Peeps for Easter

[chiwaluv's Etsy Shop]

I found a crochet pattern for these adorable amigurumi peeps at

Chiwaluv Amigurumi Critters - perfect for Easter. Only 4 bucks for the pattern - about what you'd pay for real peeps plus your kids won't get cavities.