Fun With Friends...Craft Day!

Beautiful Basket of Chicks!

I think this is my favorite Easter postcard.

Have you noticed that the longer one goes without posting, the harder it is to get going again?  I had to literally force myself to sit down at the computer and start editing pictures for this blog post.  I have so many stories in the hopper that I need to work on...some from as long ago as last March!  Lazy?  Or is it Spring Fever?  Yesterday my daughter Amber told me a word that she learned from a German co-worker...Fruhjahrsmude.  This means essentially "Spring Fever."  Amber tends to get Fruhjahrsmude every February so we've always called it her "February Meltdown."

One way to fight Fruhjahresmude is to get together with a group of crafty friends and craft something so stinkin' cute that it lifts your spirits for days afterward.  I have been fortunate to be welcomed into a fun group that meets monthly at the home of Jann Olsen of Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson in Alpine.  She has a beautiful home just filled to the brim with wonderful things!  Our last meeting was March 15 and it was my turn to teach a craft.  I had so much fun a couple of years ago making things out of potato mashers...inspired by Pinterest...that I chose Easter Mashers as my craft.

 March Craft Day...Easter Mashers!

Oh, the lowly potato masher...what can you become?

My Masher Trio.

The idea is to use the masher as the platform for a tart tin or a nest and build the arrangement around it.  I love picking up mashers from the thrifts, so I had a few to spare for those who couldn't find one.  I made the red one two years ago.

Easter Parade of Mashers!

Each is as beautiful and individual as the woman who made it.

Masher Press Conference...lol!

Simple Easter/Spring Garland.

We also made these pretty and simple shabby garlands with Easter graphics, scrapbook paper, lace doilies and rick rack.  The paper circles are 3" in diameter and it takes about 2 yards of rick rack.

February Craft Day!

My Spring Basket.

February 16 was the first time we got together.  Talented friend, Joanne Martin, showed us how to make beautiful baskets using peat pots or berry baskets.  We brought tons of crepe paper and embellishments to attempt the ultimate in Easter cuteness.  Everyone was a winner!

Spring lambs were a favorite theme.

Every fashionable chick needs a party hat!

Easter Parade lined up for the photo shoot.

I wish I had taken more pictures. 

For more pics go to Jann's Post.

Paula of Pollyanna Reinvents showed us how to replicate

German Putz Sheep with Sculpy and light quilt batting like Warm and Natural.

She also has a lot of fun photos on her post.

Lastly...

New Easter Find...Candy Colored Vintage Bunny! 

I found her at Retro Betty, a darling vintage shop in Salt Lake City.

I'm so happy I was able to post before Easter!

Have a Blessed Holiday!

Easter Swap Eggs-citement!

 Viv's Easter Basket Swap!

 

Beautiful Chicks!

 

Easter is such a lovely time for crafting.  The images are so sweet and filled with meaning...many are symbolic of Christ and the Resurrection.  Colors are softer...like those in our memories.  We have had a very early spring in Utah.  Trees are leafing and blossoming...it seems more like the end of April rather than the last day of March. 

 

I had the pleasure to participate in an Easter swap hosted by Vivian of Viv's Whimsy.  I am so happy that she takes the time to organize holiday swaps...I would be so nervous to even try to do such a thing.  I hope she knows how much she is adored by her followers.  The theme of this swap was simple...a small Easter basket filled with treats and trinkets.  My swap partner was Debbie of My Vintage Daydreams.  I have been lucky to have been paired with new partners for my last few swaps.  It's lovely to get acquainted with new friends from around the country.

 Debbie's Basket...

Easter Basket...Full to Overflowing!

 

 

Darling letters spelling out my name.

 

Treasures packed inside.

 

Little miss reminds me of my childhood.

 

 

Vintage planter filled with fun trinkets.

 

A gentle reminder of the meaning of Easter.

 

My Basket...

Easter Basket made from a berry basket.

Little box holds chocolate eggs.

Simple Easter Garland...sweet graphics and rick-rack.

Just a few of the things I sent.

 

Random Stuff...

Thumper as Easter Bunny.

I had planned to do a whole theme with Bambi and Thumper...like I did with Snow White.

But I got derailed by a very busy month...next year for sure!

 

 

Disney Thumper Easter Wreath.

I've had this for years.

 

Vintage Bunny Doll I found on Ebay.

 

Thanks again to Viv and Debbie for a wonderful Easter Swap experience!

May you all have a very blessed Easter.

 

 

Here are the graphics I used in my simple garland...enjoy!

 

 

Here Comes Peter Cottontail....Swapping Down the Bunny Trail!

 Happy Easter!

Easter Cloche Swap

I meant to post this two weeks ago, but life got in the way.  This past year has been a challenge for many of my blogger friends and I guess it was my turn for a time.  One of my younger sisters passed away.  It was sudden...but not unexpected.  She had a lot of serious health problems and the past few years were a struggle for her.  I feel comforted...especially at this time of year...by the promise of Christ's Resurrection and His Plan of Salvation.  Even if one is not a Christian, the signs and symbols of Easter and Spring can be messages of hope and re-birth.  I have faith that I will be reunited with my family once again..."Families are Forever."

Easter Cloches...Springtime under Glass!

I really enjoy swaps...especially in the Spring!  Sandy of 521 Lake Street...one of my favorite bloggers...sponsored an Easter Cloche Swap.  Whoever discovered that dollar store wine glasses could be put to such an adorable use is a total genius!  What fun...a package of 6 wine glasses with removable bases for a dollar!  My heart just soars with happiness to see the tiny scenes captured under each small dome.  I feel like a little girl again with a little girl's love of miniature things. Thank you, Sandy for hosting!

I was so happy to be partnered again with Jenny of Jenny's Heart.  We met through an Easter swap two years ago.  She is delightful and I am so glad to get to know her better.  Jenny truly has the sweetest of hearts.  Thank you so much, Jenny.  The lovely items you sent me were part of the Easter decorations at the memorial luncheon at my home. 

Treats from Jenny...

Sweet, sweet things.

The red box is filled with note cards.

Jenny and I both love truffles!

"Sugar Egg Cloche"

Tiniest of chicks and bitty little eggs.

I love little chicks as an Easter symbol...I have collected them for years.

 I laughed out loud at this bunny wearing "bunny slippers!"

Look!  Tiny little whiskers...lol!

Flashback!  Ribbon spool scene Jenny made for me two years ago!

What I made for Jenny....

I love lambs at Easter...but I keep them up through Mother's day.

She's resting against a little fence.

Top of box I made to hold an Easter garland.

Lambs, chicks and bunnies...sweet symbols of Spring.

Can't resist pretty little chicks.

Random Easter Décor...

I love to use this shelf at holidays to hold little things that might

get lost in the shuffle...more chicks!

Not shown, but Jenny's "bunny slipper bunny" has joined the party.

Kitchen table vignette.

I made a Spring folding backdrop to take pictures of my Easter Parade.

But I didn't get a chance to work on new characters this year...maybe next Easter.

Have a lovely and blessed Easter Sunday!



Easter Mash-Up...Crafting With Vintage Potato Mashers!

Any nest can make a cozy home!

 

Why do I love birds nests so much?  It's almost a theme in my home...but I never made a conscious decision to decorate with birds, nests, cages and bird houses.  Just now I counted over 25 different bird-related items in just my bedroom and master bath...and heaven only knows how many are in the rest of my house.  When I was little, some of my favorite pictures were of pretty nests in a blossoming tree.

 

Pictures that give me hope for Spring.

 

When a new mother-to-be fusses over her nursery, sewing tiny clothes and tidying up her home, we call it "Nesting." If I could choose a symbol of what "Home" means to me...I'm sure it would be a nest...a place of safety and warmth with Mother and Father watching over and providing for their chicks.

Easter "Pinspiration" 

Isn't this the sweetest and most unique nest yet?

I am continually amazed at the creativity of my fellow crafters!

I found it on Pinterest...made by Vikkis Vintageworks on Etsy. 

This one has sold, but she has several more...as cute or cuter!

 

My Version...

I have made two so far...one for me and one for my sister's birthday.

I chose colors to go with our vintage kitchen décor.

She seldom reads my blog so I'm not worried she'll see it here.

 

A baby chick for Patti...

Beautiful bunnies for me...

 

Vintage chicken was a swap gift from a blogger friend...



Fun little hand mixer...

 

Over Valentine's weekend I went on an antique store quest in Vegas and Oatman, Arizona for potato mashers and I found four to add to the two I had on hand.  I plan to make four more for gifts.  I will probably use more traditional Easter colors on those.  And I have some smaller nests that will fit inside some little tart tins.  I have really enjoyed seeing holiday crafts made with unusual or re-purposed items on Pinterest.  I bet I could get more blog posts done if I'd give Pinterest a little rest...lol!

Simple, simple little garland...rick rack, scrapbook paper circles and vintage images.

 

Happy March...It's only a day away!