Break time

For personal reasons I have decided to take a huge step back in my crafting ambitions. The holiday crafting I wanted to blog about this year is a terrific idea. Maybe I can commit fully to it later. Right now I need to focus on me. I feel lost in a sea of  possibilities; which can be a scary place if you don't think any  of the possibilities suit you.
I've been trying to define myself with all these label. Thinking I would be fulfilled if I had a successful craft business- with a popular online shop and good showing at craft shows. If I wrote more blogs and posted tutorials on other sites maybe I would  become popular in the crafting community. It's stressful, and it's not making me happy. It's not who I was meant to be.
Who was I meant to be? I'm not sure yet but it's time for me to work on it.

National Hobby Month!

Definition of hobby : a pursuit outside one's regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation.

I have many hobbies. Mostly I enjoy crafts such as crocheting and sewing. I also dabble in paper/ mixed media collages, gardening, and needle felting. I enjoy my time in the kitchen as a baker but since I was professionally trained in this (and really do hope to enter the work force once again) I don't really count it as a hobby. I am slowly teaching myself to play the diatonic accordion and I am bound and determined to teach myself to knit this year. 

Anyway I thought I would create some tools to help me with my hobbies this month! I've been wanting to make myself a new pin cushion as well as a needle book for awhile now.

Isn't this the cutest needle book? I think it is too funny and it's been on my to-do list since last year!

 

As far as a pin cushion goes I have no idea! I have seen so many delightful pin cushions on flickr and etsy. I want to make a version of all of them for myself. I'll be sure to post pictures of whatever I come up with! 

 So what is your favorite hobby? Leave me a comment on this post about what you do to relax and be automatically entered in my very first giveaway! The winner will be chosen by random and receive a surprise grab bag  package of hobby notions including but not limited to scrapbook paper, buttons, beads, and fabric!

 

Creatives Celebrations coming for 2011

2011 is going to be a great year! I wanted to start writing more which is why I started this blog last year! However I didn't have the motivation to keep up with it. I didn't feel like I had anything interesting to say. So I have a great plan for 2011 to keep this blog active!
You know how it seems like everyday is "national something day"? Well each week I plan to make at least one new craft going along with on the current national days. 2011 is the year of the hare in the Chinese zodiac.

The united nations has also declared 2011 international year of forests! I am so excited that I decided to do this year for just those two things! I already have a cross stitch picked out for year of the hare, and it's a big one so it might take be all year to get it done! And as far as international year of forests, you can expect lots of forest themed crafts from me seeing as I LOVE all things woodland. Gnomes, deer, squirrels, owl, HEDGEHOGS, trees and birds :) Some of my most favorite things of all time!


January is the national month of several different things.

• National Bath Safety Month
• National Blood Donor Month
• National Braille Literacy Month
• National Hobby Month
• Hot Tea Month
• National Oatmeal Month
• National Soup Month

I can already think of several neat crafts to share with you guys! I think it being national hobby month is a good sign as well. I will probably share some of my recipes too. And as a self proclaimed tea enthusiasts I'll be sure to share all the interesting tidbits I know about the delicious refreshment.

If you know any national days you'd like for me to craft along to, just let me know! I'm excited and look forward to a great year of celebrating and crafting!


*By the way just wanted to give a shout out to The Graphics Fairy. Thanks so much for providing all those wonderful vintage images!

Free Shipping Sale!

Had a really great time at the Robbinsville craft fair last weekend! Now I am hosting a free shipping sale over at my etsy store. Many new listings going up this week so please stop by!
super soft bunnies perfect for Easter basketsSweet pig made from fleece! Available soon at my etsy store!

Crocheted amigurumi piglet available soon at my etsy store!

100% Handcrafted- A Cutting Edge Art and Craft Fair

Hello friends!
I just wanted to invite everyone out on March 20th from 10-3 at Robbinsville High School in New Jersey for an awesome craft fair.

Do your shopping off the beaten path at the 4th annual 100% Hand crafted arts and crafts fair (no avon or tubberware sellers here!) You will find one of a kind gifts for everyone in your life. Over 50 local artisans, whose specialties include pottery, jewelery, botanical, wood, paper, textiles, photography, metal, candles, soaps and gourmet food products, will showcase their works in the high school's beautiful skylight common area. Admission is FREE! There will also be a raffle. Money raised will help support the high schools drama and music programs. And as a former high school drama and music geek I am excited to be participating. Stop by my table to say hello. mention this blog and receive $2 off your entire purchase.

Please click this link for more info and directions to the show. Hope to see you there!

Bargain Hunters Delight!

Recently I mentioned how I shop year round for Operation Christmas Child. Today I found such a good deal I almost fainted! Currently Wal-Mart has put some shoe box size plastic totes on clearance. I got a pack of 6- yes 6- totes for only $1!!!!!!!!!!!! That's only .17 cents a piece :) You can't even find that price at your local dollar store!
Now I don't usually encourage people to shop at Wal-Mart but this is such a great deal I can't help but share with everyone!
Operation Christmas Child doesn't require a plastic container. You can use a regular cardboard shoebox. I just prefer the plastic ones because I know it will last longer. Also I can never seem to find my saved shoe boxes by the time the holidays roll around....

Free Chicken Amigurumi Pattern

Hello everyone! I have been busy getting ready for a craft show in March. While stocking up on spring themed toys I created a chicken amigurumi pattern. He came out just like I imagined him. Wish I could say the same about all the patterns I create.

Pattern Use Edited Dec 2010
Please do not post this pattern on other websites or personal blogs. Please do not sell this pattern. You may sell items made from this pattern but I would appreciate an email to let me know if you are planning on selling them on line. ( snoodlestudio(at)gmail(dot)com ). Please link back to me at snoodlestudio.etsy.com and use my name Heather Casavant and website on tags. No mass production of items made with this pattern.

Happy Crafting!

Materials
worsted weight yarn in white, yellow, orange, and red
crochet hook G
yarn needle
scissors
stuffing, i use polyester fiberfill

Body- make 1
made in a spiral do not join rounds
Make a magic circle
Round 1-Ch 1 , then 6 sc into circle (6)
Round 2 -2 sc into each sc around (12)
Round 3- 2 sc into first sc, 1sc in next sc, repeat around (18)
Round 4- 2 sc into first sc, 1sc in next 2 sc, repeat around (24)
Round 5- 2 sc into first sc, 1sc in next 3 sc, repeat around (30)
Round 6- 2 sc into first sc, 1sc in next 4 sc, repeat around (36)
Row 7-15- Sc in each sc around (36)
Round 16- sc2tog, sc in next 4 sc, repeat around (30)
Round 17- sc2tog, sc in next 3 sc, repeat around (24)
Round 18- sc2tog, sc in next 2 sc, repeat around (18)
Round 19- sc2tog, sc in next sc, repeat around (12)
Stuff! Stuff! Stuff!
Round 20- sc2tog around (6)
Fasten off- close up hole- weave in end

Wings -make 2
made in a spiral do not join rounds
Make a magic circle
Round 1-Ch 1 , then 6 sc into circle (6)
Round 2 -2 sc into each sc around (12)
Round 3- 2 sc into first sc, 1sc in next sc, repeat around (18)
Round 4- 2 sc into first sc, 1sc in next 2 sc, repeat around (24)
Fasten off, leave tail for sewing onto body

Beak- make 1
made in a spiral do not join rounds
Make a magic circle
Round 1-Ch 1 , then 6 sc into circle (6)
Round 2 -2 sc into each sc around (12)
Round 3- 2 sc into first sc, 1sc in next sc, repeat around (18)
Fasten off, leave tail for sewing onto body

Feet- make 2
Leave a tail for sewing onto body and Chain 2
Row 1- 3 sc into 2nd chain from hook , chain 1, turn (3)
Row 2- sc across, chain 1 turn (3)
Row 3- in each st (sl dc sl) (9)
Fasten off, weave in end


Head Comb
Sc into the top of the body 3 time (make a row, not all in the same stitch) chain 1 turn (3)
Sc across, DO NOT CHAIN but turn (3)
Sc2tog, sc in next sc DO NOT CHAIN but turn (2)
Sc2tog DO NOT CHAIN but turn (1)
Sc (1)
Fasten off

Next to last triangle sc into the body 2 times (make a row, not all in the same stitch) chain 1 turn (2)
Sc across, DO NOT CHAIN but turn (2)
Sc2tog, DO NOT CHAIN but turn (1)
Sc (1)
Fasten off

Next to last triangle sc into the body 2 times (make a row, not all in the same stitch) chain 1 turn (2)
Sc2tog, DO NOT CHAIN but turn (1)
Sc (1)
Fasten off

Assembly
Fold beak circle in half, secure closed with tail and sew flat edge to body about half way down in line with comb. Sew wings to sides of body. Sew feet to bottom of body.

Happy Spring!