Crafts

[Editor's Note: Everything is better with ball fringe, including alpaca. Not only do I have a soft spot for ball fringe I also adore just about anything made with kitschy plastic animal toys. You thought they were just good for teaching toddlers about the animals of the world when all this time you could have been making them into wall hooks, book ends and pincushions. Emi from Small Good things had the creative vision to see beyond the toy and transform this alpaca into something downright adorable and functional. - Jen]  Read more

[Editor's Note: Clothespins have never looked so hip as they do on this sunburst mirror from Imparting Grace. This classic mid century modern mirror theme gets an interesting makeover when blogger Richella Parham visits the laundry room. Think of all the options – a clock instead of a mirror, colorful plastic clothespins instead of wood or even painted or decoupaged pins. - Jen]  Read more

[Editor's Note: The only thing I love more than a monster plushie is a chevron print. The two combined and I am in crafty hog heaven. Kelsey from Vanilla Joy created this creepy little cutie to go in her son’s monster themed bedroom. Talk about a pair of lucky little boys! Kelsey walks you through the steps of creating your very own monster pillow and the best part is it takes less than 1 hour start to finish. - Jen]  Read more

[Editor's Note: When it comes to yarn letters – no pain no gain. What? You didn’t know crafting sometimes hurt. Well wait until you start wrapping wooden letters in yarn and your fingertips are burnt to a crafty little crisp. Cranny + B has posted a great tutorial about creating your own set of yarn wrapped letters. They may hurt like heck to make, but the end result is so cute they are worth it. Spell out an entire word, make a set of initials or perhaps choose just one special letter. For someone who does not knit or do much crochet I am always looking for projects that enable me to play with all the beautiful colors of yarn out there. - Jen]  Read more

[Editor's Note: Cinco de Mayo is this weekend, how do you plan to celebrate? It’s not too late to embroider a fun piñata courtesy of Mollie Johanson and the Feeling Stitchy Gang. Picture them on napkins as you serve your family enchiladas! The charm of these pinatas extends way beyond Cinco de Mayo. Have someone with a 1st Birthday on the horizon? Nothing says celebrate like a piñata adorned onesie. Actually, speaking of birthdays the free downloadable embroidery pattern by Wild Olive not only has a piñata, but also a cupcake, balloon and gifties. Now go have yourself an embroidery fiesta! - Jen]  Read more

[Editor's Note: Amanda Kuzak has a great eye for up-cycling. Anyone who looks at old wooden fruit drying racks salvaged from a barn attic and sees a clever way to display photos is alright by me. I’ve never seen binder clips look so good. - Jen]  Read more