Yarnable Wednesday: Dyeing Eggs

eggs dyed with embroidery floss by Margarita

Although I am a Passover girl, I had to share these amazing egg dyeing techniques. I love Easter eggs, and to be honest, making them was a great delight when I was young. My grandparents celebrated Easter and I remember wearing the most ruffled dress imaginable, carrying my basket, and looking for eggs. I think they still have footage of me slipping and falling on my ruffle-butt undies, Mary Janes and lace-edged socks high in the air!

In the Passover Seder, an egg is placed on the Seder plate to represent the coming of spring and new life. We dyed those eggs as well (our own family tradition). Here's some terrific ways to snazz up your lawn or your Seder plate:

Eggs Dyed with Embroidery Floss

These eggs by Margarita on her Greek blog, Syntages...Apo Spiti, are so cool and they look like they've been resting in a nest of yarn! Follow the link to her blog to learn this technique. This is such a unique look, and a wonderful idea! I think I might try wrapping instead of cutting, or trying to make designs with the thread. I'm definitely inspired!

from the blog Syntages...Apo Spiti

Silk-Dyed Eggs

Sara from Ourbestbites.com posted this excellent idea of recycling silk ties and using them to dye eggs! It's so inventive, and you get the most beautiful patterns! Go here for the full tutorial.

Temporary Tattoo Eggs

Country Living just recently posted the idea of making your own temporary tattoos, which you can then apply to eggs. It's super sweet and sophisticated, for those who love a Victorian twist. Or any other images you can download!

Photo by Burcu Avsar

Happy Egg Dyeing!

Valentine Faves Via Etsy

It isn't hard to like Valentine's Day: giving sweets to show love is one of the best ideas ever! As opposed to the usual merchandise found in your big box stores, try these more personal and hand-made items that are more small business-friendly:

Sugar & Spice is a custom cookie company that makes me want to drool. The artist Michaela Canady has impeccable decoration skill. You can order 12 of her beautiful hand-made sugar cookies here.

Black Baroque makes prints from vintage book paper and sheet music overlaid with intricate images of animals in black, grey, and bright red (one of my favorite combos). View more of their beautiful prints here.

I couldn't resist these embroidered lips made by Sam Gibson, in Northamptonshire, England:

Last but not least, Lemon Drop Papers makes this charming card, with eight small envelopes in which to hide eight personalized messages. For those of us who can't say "I Love You" once. 

All this makes me want some chocolate!

Dreidel Garland and Decor

Remember that lovely image I posted from BHG.com of the dreidel garland? Well, I set out to make it for my home. If you love these patterns, you can also just print and cut them out on heavy card stock. I wanted to use different colors, so here is my version. First, download and make a template from the printable by The Party Dress:

Then you will need all sorts of colored card stock. Trace the template, fold the tabs, and assemble. It's best to trace with a pencil on the back side of the paper, making sure you use a ruler to mark the fold lines, too. Press down enough with the pencil to make an indentation in your thick card stock. This will  make the paper fold just where you want it to.  

Use double stick tape or hot glue to assemble.

Make a bunch! Next you will need to make the stem of the dreidel. I used a square balsa wood dowel and cut it with an x-acto. 

Now get a large upholstery needle and some cotton string. Knot before and after each dreidel. You will need a delicate touch in poking through so you don't crush your dreidels! I found twisting the needle with a 

little pressure was enough to poke a hole.

Hooray!

I'm also super proud of my arrangement for the mantle:

Nature-Inspired Menorahs

You simply must check out these nature-inspired ideas by Lucia at The Magnifying Glass! 

And you can make them all too!

Rock Menorah:

Shell and Sand Menorah:

Shell Menorah:

Hanukkah Gift Wrap

I thought I'd share an alternate and pretty solution for Hanukkah gift wrap. Boy do I love those chocolate coins (especially the dark chocolate ones). They also make a terrific embellishment. The kids will love having edible bows, trust me!

Happy Wrapping!

Hanukkah Love

As I mentioned yesterday, I've been feeling less than inspired with what to do for Hanukkah and frustrated by my limited options. This quickly turned around, however, when I browsed Pinterest, Etsy, and the great wide open web. There are a ton! There are some fabulous ideas out there! I had to share all my favorites!

1. Star Deco Kit--Blues by Polli

2. Scalloped Hanukkah Garland by ElisabethNicole

3. A terrific dreidel pouch idea at marthastewart.com

4. Dreidel Garland on BHG.com

And in case you want to make those dreidels head over to The Party Dress for a printable by Kelly:

Did someone say mobile? I did! Try this wonderful dreidel mobile idea by Sara at Creative Jewish Mom:

This is still the most beautiful menorah I've ever seen, and it's at West Elm:

                                            These donuts and marbleized cookies are making me hungry!

1. "Glittered" Sufganiyot at marthastewart.com

2. Marbleized Cookies by Catherine at Homemade Lemon Cake

Lowe's actually had a terrific idea for an abstract Jewish star project in a lovely gold motif:

Here are some more great finds on Etsy. I think the wooden window hanger would also make a lovely trivet for your holiday table:

1. Hanukkah ornament of folded paper by Bold Folds

2. Printable Chevron Hanukkah Card by The Fussy Designer

3. Hanukkah Wooden Window Hanger by JC's Wood Creations

4. Hanukkah Wall Art by Sweet Lex

And finally, who says we can't have a tree? Some people prefer to call them a Hanukkah bush, which I never really understood. Why are we calling a tree a bush? Anyhow, the Tree of Life is a very common symbol in Judaism. There is even a lovely prayer in each Jewish service: 

"It is a tree of life to those who hold fast to it and all of its supporters are happy."

1.Ornament by Creationsbyjbd:

2. Hannukah Bush credited to Anne's Gift Cottage (sold out)

And those are my favorites. I was really quite pleasantly surprised with all the inspiration from Martha Stewart. And now I'm off for the rest of the week to meet up with family. Have a great weekend.

Etsy Crush: Geometric

I am loving all this geometric-inspired art, jewelry, sculptures, and home decor I've seen lately!

I wish I could show them all, but here are my favorites.

1. Togl . Print by Twamies

2. Modern Neon Christmas Tree Decorations Ornaments by Sketch.inc

3. Geometric Necklace Neon Arrows and Stripes, leather by Boo and Boo Factory

4. You Rock card, gocco screen printed by Rank and File

And while we are into tip top shapes (bad joke, I know), 

check out this nifty DIY Paper Gemstone project by Kate at Minieco.co.uk:

Templates included! Have a geometric weekend!

Lace Bowl and Votive

I love this glowing votive bowl of lace made by Meg at Spirello.

Google didn't translate the page so well, but I believe she made it with lace doilies (not the paper kind), some fabric stiffener, and a balloon. Simply saturate the doilies with the stiffener, lay them on a balloon, allow to completely dry, pop the balloon, and you now have a beautiful bowl and votive for the holidays!

Holiday Favorites

Hi Creatives! Did I mention I was moving? Yep. Sadly, this means I won't be able to make a bunch of crafty things until January! I know, I'm sad too. There are still tons of fabulous creators and makers out there to report and give credit to. No worries, I will still be here. I still haven't told my sewing machine, though. Shhhh...

As you can see, over the weekend I found all sorts of inspirational holiday ideas to share with you!

1. Adorable Felt House Decorations by Poopscape

2. Wrapper and Fabric Scrap Wreath by Homelife

3. Ruffled Crepe Paper Streamers and Gift Wrap by Lorajean's Magazine

4. Owl Ornaments by con M de Mujer

Here are some of my other favorites:

Photograph taken by Tobias D. Albert

DIY Recyled Paper Wreath by Green Goody

Yarn Gift-Wrapping Ideas from Martha Stewart Weddings

Sewn Notebook Gift Tags by Pilosale

DIY Paper Candy Pouches by Peppermint Plum