The March YOE theme, hedgehogs, was fabulous! I was excited to try out a few ideas for hedgehogs. I finished both the ornament which I made from felt and the the pincushion which I created from felted wool sweaters. So here they are. When I have some free time I'd like to try making some more hedgehogs but will try something different.
Val, thanks again for a wonderful swap theme! I have really enjoyed participating in YOE this year! Thanks for hosting it! Your themes and challenges are a great way to stretch and explore our inner craftiness. Thanks for the inspiration. I can't wait to start my bird's nest ornament!

And The Winner Is . . . .

Sorry I fell off the blog wagon here and am late posting the name of the gnome bowling winner! It was a busy week at school with IEP checks, report cards and parent conferences. Then to boot my home computer was in pieces while my husband replaced the hard drive and updated the operating system. He's a whiz and got it all back together. So the good news is my laptop is working perfectly and now I can announce the winner. So here goes:
And the winner of the gnome bowling set is Kerry. Congratulations Kerry! I hope you'll have fun with your new little gnome buddies! Kerry can you e-mail me your address?

Gnome Garden...

Just thought I'd pop in to show you some enchanted gnomey goodness.

My hubby and I have been paying our garden some attention this past week. We've built a raised bed and have planted some veggies ..... watch this space - we've never done this before!!!

I had this container from last summer, and the gnomes and mushrooms were pretties that I found at Target at the beginning of summer. A couple of cacti (they're more difficult to kill, I believe:-) and some pebbles later, and I have my own little gnomie garden, which I absolutely love. The red bench was a wood one you can get at any craft store, which I painted red .... all gnomes need somewhere to sit and admire their handy work.

YOE has really inspired me to step out of my comfort zone and try things I wouldn't ordinarily have tried .... Val you rock!!!

April's theme!

One of the most enchanting things in nature is the humble bird's nest.

I can watch birds build their nests for hours on end without getting bored. The birds are so determined and picky about what they choose and single minded and they just never seem to get tired of the flying, picking, snatching, weaving, poking.....just amazing.

And when they are done, even the simplest of bird's nests are lovely works of art.

Have you ever really looked at one? Bits of twigs woven with the grass; the occasional treasure like sparkly Easter basket shred or colorful yarn....all lovingly assembled, yet soon to be abandoned, works of art.

So in April, our theme will be the bird's labor of love....a bird's nest.

April's ornament: bird's nest
April's challenge: add a little treasure to your nest....maybe a sleeping fairy, bird eggs, etc.
April's activity: put out nesting materials for the local birds in your yard

Now, if you want to swap this time around, remember that you must be caught up with the other swaps to date. Just email me by April 1st so I can partner people up!

And for those not swapping, please remember to post your lovelies on the blog!

Home For A Gnome

I know I'm a little slow with posting about the gnome home I made for my February partner Ramie, but the beginning of this year just seems to have run away from me. Only now, do I feel like I'm getting caught up:-)

I made it out of felt, and then just added bits and pieces as I went along. I think I might like to live in a little house like this too:-)

Thanks Kerry!!

I got the most generous and lovely handmade package from Kerry.. lookie lookie what I got!!!!!!!!!!!!

She gave me lots of yummies too :-) On the bottom left is an adorable needle book that she made that included stitch markers (something I have been needing) AND a pair of scissors attached to the needle book!! Thank you Kerry!!

An Enchanting Little Creature

Here is the little hedgie ornie that I made for my sweet partner Courtney.
She turned out really cute, her face had a startling resemblance to our pet hedgehog, Mr Prickles, whom we owned a few years back.
The pattern came from Ana Paula Rimoli's book, Amigurumi World .... I love her books, and can highly recommend them. They are what encouraged me to give amigurumi animals a try - I'm so glad I did:-)

March was another fantastic YOE2 month, can't wait to see what Val has up her sleeve for April.

Hedgehogs and other goodies ...

Look how spoilt I was by Courtney :-)

The hedgehog ornies are adorable - those little faces of theirs certainly bring a big, happy smile to mine.

All the yummy candy - Peeps in my opinion are a neccessity!!! They have to be one of the prettiest candies around.

Look at the lovely hedgie drawing she did me - she certainly has bundles of talent. That has been popped in a frame, and now graces a wall in my craft room.

Fabric .... AAHHH ... I am such a fabric hoarder!!! I love the stuff. I have plans for the hedgie fabric. For a while now, I've wanted to design and make a knitting/crochet bag to tote all my stuff around in when I'm on the go. One with enough pockets and space for ALL of my goodies. This hedgie fabric is going to be incorporated into that bag.

Courtney, thank you for such a wonderful package - I loved everything you sent me.

YOE 2 - I'm so thrilled Val decided to give us a year 2 .... I'm having a blast:-)

Gnome Giveaway!

I've had lots of fun with YOE so far this year. The themes are great! I am enjoying expanding my creativity and trying new things. I've had lots of fun with the February gnome theme. After seeing Gnomeo and Juliet I've been enchanted with all things gnome. As a matter of fact, I created this little gnome home from cardstock and a Chrystal Light container.

Inside this little faux tree stump are 6 little wooden gnomes and a ball perfect for a game of gnome bowling. This little set is looking for a home, hence a Gnome Giveaway. If you'd like to take these little gnomes into your home, leave a comment. We'll draw a winner on Saturday March 26th.

Gnome Home Done

We're half way into March and I finally finished my gnome home! I'm glad this is a theme we weren't swapping because it's a bit too wonky to send to anyone but that's okay because wonky or not I like!

I doodled this picture awhile back and I stitched my picture to create another ornament for my YOE tree. I've had fun with this theme! Now I'm excited to start on our hedgehog theme and pincushion challenge. I'm off to watch a movie with my husband and work on my hedgie right now!

Hedgie pincushion complete

...here is my teeny weeny, itsy bitsy hedgehog pincushion that I made with a water bottle cap and some felt.


I'm officially done with March because I read the book yesterday!!! Now on to April....are ya'll almost ready?

Gnome Homes!

My partner was the very talented Gin who made me the cutest Gnome Home ever....It even has embroidered flowers up the sides! She also sent me mardi gras beads and flower seeds, a couple of fat quarters (maybe in honor of Fat Tuesday?) and a couple of sassy little gnomes....You Louisiana girls do it right!















Thanks so much Gin! I will treasure my ornament....

Because I am so late with mine...( been battling the dreaded shingles) I am going to show what is on its way...Just so you know I havent forgotten about you....











A fabric gnome home with a dangly gnome.









A fabric headband that was so fun and easy to make...I found the pattern in a quilting magazine. Some chocolate bugs and a little mushroom charm.









and I made you some house magnets just for fun....They are on their way to you....enjoy!

March? check....

I'm following Gin's footsteps and got my ornaments for March knocked out yesterday.

It rained ALL day so I crafted, watched movies and read a book. It was SUCH fun just hanging out with no agenda.


now I have to read this:

and I plan on making a pincushion and one of those ruffled hedgehog softies.....can't resist......

Done

Call them what you like -- Mr. & Mrs.,  Ken & Barbie, Luke & Laura, Jack & Jill, Brad & Jolie -- but they are my hedghogg ornaments for the month of March.
I lost the site where I found the pattern for these. They are crocheted and I used the Lion Brand Fun Fur to crochet the spines. The pattern called for the eyelash yarn, which I could not find. It looks a little longer in the pattern picture than what I used  Notice the silver bow in the Mrs.' pink spines.

Now I have to find the book  The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy winkle and read it with these two this week.

And perhaps make the hedgehogg pincushion and March will be completely done.

YOE =Cool

I have truly loved this gnome home I'm planning on making a village for my grand kids. Courtney spoiled me I almost make the same home she did but changed my mind as I was cutting it out. I love everything the yarn is perfect and have a project in mind. Thank you so much I had a lot of fun.
Cristal aka Holly

Thank you Cristal!!!

I got my feb package from Cristal today - and I was blown away! See for yourself:

The item on the bottom is is great journal with a homemade cover, the next item up is a giant mug rug (I will use this over and over as I drink hot tea all day), and a tea wallet on top!! She made me 2 adorable  gnome homes out of felt.. and my fav candy!! Thanks so much for spoiling me Cristal!