Even the Grass is Edible.

My cousin Suzanne made these for all the kids at Easter. So cute. She is so creative and has a hilarious sense of humor. I love to read her FB updates She's taught pre-K and Kinder for probably 15 years or more, so she gets my R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

Lana

My favorite clutches are the ones with a surprise inside. This one for Lana has a quote and a cute patchwork pocket. She grew up on a big farm in East Texas, so she said the red gingham reminded her of fun summers back home.

Emi Harrington

These little slippers are the product of watching a 6 minute YouTube video by Emi Harrington. She has hundreds of videos on knitting and crochet demonstrating just about anything you would want or need to know.

My crochet skills have slowly, and I mean slowly, developed over the course of 20 years. However, I learned more and came to a greater understanding of how it all works in a 6 minute video than I have from any book or online tutorial.

I think she's pretty amazing. She even has her own Wikipedia page, so other folks must think she's pretty amazing too. Apparently, she was one of the first Etsy shop owners in 2008. I'm awestruck because she so well exemplifies how with nothing more than a video camera and an Internet connection anyone can author original content to an authentic audience--the hallmark of 21st century learning.

I believe she was instrumental in growing the handmade market as well. She writes on her website that when she began selling her knit and crochet products, people started asking her for the pattern. This shifted her work to include the creation of simple patterns with few increases and decreases that still retain a high cute factor. She designs her patterns for crafters to quickly master and reproduce for their own local markets and Etsy shops.

I just love women who through their own greatness pave the way for others' greatness as well. Emi, you rock!

Spring Break Yard Crashers

I'm a true Texas girl. My favorite time of year is Easter through Halloween when the weather is warm and the skies are sunny. Shorts and flip-flops are my preferred uniform. Brad Paisley's song lyric," she prefers a campfire to candlelight" sums it up pretty well for me. So, over spring break we built this patio for the firepit. Really Wendy did most of the patio. She's a genius when it comes to that sort of thing--knowing that we'll need 2 yards of dirt, and 2 tons of flagstone--that's her thing totally. But, I was there for the cheerleading, morale support and the heavy lifting.

DIY Sussy

Believe it or not, Walgreens has the best smelling bath salts. The lavendar and eucalyptus combination is my favorite. Light and soothing. It comes in a big bag. Even better. Throw it in a mason jar (I can't get enough of these. I'm a little OCD about mason jars). Finish it off with little crochet medallions on an easy chain stitch ribbon. Simple.

Julia

The spring semester is always way more busy for me than fall--testing (Ugh!), master schedule, teacher observations, and Events, Events, Events. The clutch bags are cranking out very slowly. This one was for Julia our receptionist for V-Day. I've been playing around with piping. Growing up my favorite thing to do was to go to the fabric store with Mother. She is a beautiful seamstress. I would pick the top part of one pattern, the sleeve of another pattern, and the bottom of another pattern and somehow, she would always replicate exactly what was in my head. Mothers are pretty amazing. Of course, I had to have piping on everything--my Peter Pan collars, my monogramed cuffs, plackets. You name it. I wanted piping on it. And, I didn't want the kind of piping you get in the package.  Oh no, I wanted custom piping. Oh lord! Everyone, repeat after me "High Maintenance." So I thought I would give piping a try myself. Ta-Dah, this turned out pretty cute. You just cut a bias strip and use a zipper foot to sew it along a piece of cording. The quote is my favorite of any pouch that I've put together. "Amazing things will happen." It just makes me smile--kinda like thinking about all that piping momma made way back when.

Western Flyer Bicycle for Two

Look out! Here comes double the trouble. I found this Western Flyer on Craigslist for a good price. I've wanted one for as long as I can remember. It has new tires and wheels. It could use some new handlebars and grips, but it rides great and is so fun. I envision it painted metallic purple with a bell, basket, and streamers. Wahooo! Bring on summertime. Update on Big Bess: new handlebars and new pedals. Now the fix ups cost more than the bike itself. Only new grips are left. Surely, I thought that new grips are part of new handlebars, but nope Bicycle Inc just stuck those old ones back on.