Peep Wreath

This time there is no fabric involved in a craft project. No beads. No zippers. Nothing Japanese. K and I have been attracted for weeks to the spectrum of marshmallow Peeps available around Easter. We worked together to make a wreath for the front porch. We planned to cover the wreath form in pink and use a parade of purple marshmallow bunnies; the store ran short, so we settled for a monochromatic look.
Lessons learned: licking your fingers during a project makes everything messier.
Hot glue doesn't work very well on Peeps (they melt), while toothpicks (though cruel) do the job.
The internet is full of Peep inspiration, and there are many people spending more time crafting with Peeps than we did. It's worth a look.

Retro Wow

I frequently see fabrics I can't resist. I have tried not looking so often, to avoid seeing and then buying. I can't resist looking, either. Another strategy is to look frequently and then wait for a true list of must-haves to develop. The more hunting around for great fabric I do, the more refined my list of must-have fabrics must become. Then I can shop from the top of the list, knowing I'm getting the most choice designs.
Number one on my hit list right now is this viewmaster pattern from Melody Miller. Printed by the Japanese Kokka fabric folks, I'm attracted to the scale, the pattern, the color combination, the kitsch, the texture, all of it. Back-ordered for some time, I now have enough to play. What to make first?

Snapped Up

I continue to play with ways to make a canvas shoulder/shopping bag with a zippy twist. This special order bag uses organic cotton for two outside pockets (one of which zips shut) and features another zippered pocket on the inside of the bag. A snap at the top adds a little extra security and shine. I folded the sides in to change the shape of the bag, but I imagine a full tote with expanded sides would be useful, too. I pre-shrunk the cotton webbing handles so the bag should be very washable. M cut a removable wooden insert to give the base of the bag more heft.

April Fabric

At long last, it's time to think about gardening. I like to start a few seeds under a grow light--coleus for pots on the front porch, geraniums for pots on the back porch, and later zinnias for cutting and basil for pesto. I have my fair share of yard ornamentation, too. My only garden gnome lasted a few years, but finally broke.
This month's fabric with free shipping at my web store (www.inmyvastsparetime.com) celebrates the kitchy yard friend.