Tiny crochet carrot Easter decorations

I love to crochet tiny little dimensional projects and that is what Teeny, Tiny Crochet: 35 Adorably Small Projects is all about. So suffice to say I am in heaven!
The first project I had to try was the crochet carrots, after all Rorschach Amineko already has his bunny ears and eggs.

 If you too love making tiny cute crochet things I bet you will love:

Teeny, Tiny Crochet: 35 Adorably Small Projects
by
 Catherine Hirst

More about the Cico book:

 "All good things come in small packages" is the thinking behind this new crochet book from expert crafts teacher, Catherine Hirst.

 Meet Ekaterina, Elena, and Eva three sisters who live in the highest onion dome of a very old building in St Petersburg, Russia although they are only two inches tall. They are best friends with the three bears Mama, Papa, and Baby Bear who love to snuggle up at night under their beautifully crocheted blankets. And although they don t know it, they share their house with the Catnip Mouse, who measures a teeny, tiny one inch from the tips of his whiskers to the end of his tail. Working with fine yarn and using the smallest of crochet hooks, here is an adorable collection of 35 projects, from miniature amigurumi-style animals to tiny accessories. Crafts teacher Catherine Hirst has created a menagerie of small-scale pets, a whole host of families, and beautiful accessories. There are crocheted cakes which really do look good enough to eat, plus pretty flowers which can be worn as brooches or hair decorations and cute decorations for the Christmas tree. You ll also learn how to crochet miniature beads so you can make your own jewelry. As well as 35 easy-to-follow patterns, there is a comprehensive basic techniques section which will help beginners to master the art of crochet. This book really does prove that all good things come in small packages!"

Ribbon and yarn make great curtain embellishments

This has got to be about the easiest decoration/embellishment ever! We can thank the super pretty book Tinkered Treasures: More than 35 easy-to-make projects to bring charm to the everyday for this inspiration.

 This ribbon embroidery hoop mobile was my inspiration to simply go off to the yarn stash and grab up a whole bunch of spring/Easter colored yarn in a variety of textures and simply cut lengths and wrap them around my curtain rod hooks. Then cut. Did I say easy?

Now I know my St. Patrick's Day towel is in the shot but there are only 2 weeks between St. Pattie's Day and Easter and that is just too little of time to have my house in bunny heaven. So we have the combo decorating going on. If you want to get yourself in the running for a copy of Tinkered Treasures pop on over to Craft Gossip Recycling.

More About the Cico book
Tinkered Treasures: More than 35 easy-to-make projects to bring charm to the everyday
 by
Elyse Major

"Tinkered Treasures is a how-to craft book that demonstrates how everyday mundane items can be transformed into charming and unique items. Elyse Major has created over 35 projects, using objects that can easily be found or that you might already have. She refers to these transformations as 'tinkering' as it perfectly describes her style of embellishing, repurposing and altering things without the need for any specialist tools and equipment or techniques. Tinkering is not about constructing - it's about appreciating the flaws but seeing the potential in little details. Each craft project in this book is designed for complete beginners - there are no particular skills involved. Measuring often gives way to estimating and many of the simple techniques are repeated from project to project. The book shows how to tinker all sorts of household and craft items to create a range of gorgeous gifts, treasures and trinkets, from clothespin dolls and tiny picture frames to favour baskets, bunting, fabric garlands, bookmarks and more. If you are new to crafting, have no fear because simple instructions along with a tools and techniques section are provided. All the projects in this book can be adapted to your own tastes - with a simple colour or pattern change you can create items to suit any style or home."

How to give Aminekos recycled glove punk rock mohawks

OK sometimes, well a lot of the time, I get silly with my Aminekos. That is just the way they are, they bring out my silliness.
Today the aminekos got recycled glove punk rock mohawks inspired by the super silly book Return of the Stupid Sock Creature.

 They couldn't be easier to make.

 Simply stuff the fingers of a glove with a bit of batting. Then fold up the cuff to the inside. I just pinned the mohawk onto each of their heads but you could stitch them. I think the aminekos like their new spring "do". I know I do!

More about the Lark Crafts book:

Return of the Stupid Sock Creature
by 
John Murphy 

"They're back! John Murphy is famous for his weird and wacky sock creatures. In this follow-up to Stupid Sock Creatures, John shares the spotlight with guest designers in 20 projects that push the boundaries of stupid with crazy-cute quadrupeds, two-headed beasts, pop-eyed monsters, and more. The wide range of difficulty--from a simple one-sock monster to a four-sock extravaganza--means this book will attract all levels and types of crafter. And thanks to John's clear and humorous instructions, absolutely nothing is intimidating. Well, except for Piethagorus. But don't worry, he only eats pie (we think)! 

John Murphy created the Stupid Creatures on a whim in 2003. Since then, he has enjoyed nearly a decade making plush monsters. He's been featured in ReadyMade magazine and the Washington Post and has taught workshops nationwide. John is the author of Stupid Sock Creatures and Closet Monsters. He currently works as a counselor for at-risk kids and their families, and he hopes to do it forever. Visit stupidcreatures.com to see more of John's plush work. He lives in Bessemer City, NC."

How to make a mini wreath from a purse handle

Now that 99.9% of the Christmas decorations are packed up and tucked away my thoughts turn to the next holiday to craft for.....that would be Valentine's Day!

 The Crochet Dude has a whole bunch of new tools and supplies out. One of which is a col set of clear plastic purse handles.

I was flipping through the new book Indigo Junction's Fabric Flowers and I spotted this recycled sweater wreath.

So I thought I'd get out my stash of recycled wool felted sweater scraps and see what I could whip up for Valentine's Day using the purse handle as my wreath base.

I simply free form cut out a bunch of randomly sized hearts out of a variety of colors and hot glued them, again randomly, onto the purse handle. I used a strip of sweater that I cut out of a collar section to hang the mini Valentine wreath from my cafe curtain rod. I'm feelin' the love!

If you are like me and like making all sorts of pretty things out of fabric (and recycled wool sweaters) I bet you will love:

Indigo Junction's Fabric Flowers
by
Amy Barickman

More about the book from the publisher Indygo Junction:

"Express your individual style by adding a wink to your wardrobe or room with these beautiful blooms from Indygo Junction s Fabric Flowers. You ll find 25 quick and easy flower projects for wearing, decorating and sharing, with inspiring techniques for the novice to the more advanced creative enthusiast. Recycle your jeans, ties, sweaters and t-shirts, combine cotton prints into one-of-a-kind fashion statements, create painterly effects of needle felting, and play with felt, wools, and silks. 50 fabric variations to spark your creativity are included! From a simple rose created from re-purposed denim jeans to a full wedding bouquet of felted roses, the projects in this book teach traditional techniques and introduce you to flower making short-cut methods, featuring Clover Needlecrafts tools: needle felting tools, Kanzashi Flower Makers, Quick Yo-Yo Makers, Flower Frill Templates and more."

How to make recycled cup glitter votive holders

Christmas=Glitter 

In my book anyway and speaking of books, ReCraft: How to Turn Second-Hand Stuff into Beautiful Things for Your Home, Family and Friends is packed full of awesome recycled crafts like these recycled cup glitter votive holders.
 
They are pretty even without little battery powered votives in them but lit up they are sparkle-tastic!

I followed the easy directions in ReCraft to make the glitter coated cup candle holders.

I would add a note: 2 of the cups I spread the glue on a little too thick and as the glue was drying the weight of the glitter caused the glue to drip and sag down causing openings in the coat of glitter. So spread a very thin even layer of glue on the inside of the cup!

More about the craftastic book from the publisher Frances Lincoln:

ReCraft: 
How to Turn Second-Hand Stuff into Beautiful Things for Your Home, Family and Friends
by
Buttonbag Sara Duchars and Sarah Marks

"In today's thrifty times it is seems right to re-use fabrics and buttons and customize old clothes rather than buying brand new ones. The Buttonbag book is packed with instruction and ideas on how to re-use, re-cycle and re-create fantastic things, thereby transforming old into new.
There are about 40 step-by-step projects for a range of items including items for the home, clothes and accessories for all ages plus patterns, templates and basic techniques. Illustrated with photographs and hand-painted illustrations, the emphasis is on simple, easy-to-make items with a twist."