Quince and Quire

Horizon

The view across my street on this rainy day got me thinking about line, horizon, shadow, border. How do we see these things in life? In art? I got out my paints for the ten free minutes available to me. Not trying to make a replica, just putting lines of color on paper. More to think about for the week!

A very good sign

Purple & blue

It seemed for so long that spring was never coming to our little corner of the world, but at last, we have proof. Snow glories and crocuses! Tiny, fleeting--but bits of color amidst the brown bracken and downed leaves of autumn.

 

My daughter and I were inspired to make this purple lady to celebrate. (Don't let the photo fool you; she is a mere 2 inches tall.) I'm starting to think purple is an April color. Might be time to review the color book of the seasons . . . 

Color week: white

Color week: lavender

Color week: pink

Color week: yellow

Color week: green

It's color week at poppytalk. I don't usually follow along with group blog projects (I'm grumpy that way), but color! Okay. I can do that. 

Places to go, things to see

Here are a few links to keep you busy this weekend . . . Hope you enjoy! Happy April!

 
Art & Craft Projects for Kids to Do

I can't wait to try this project with my son . . . I would like to do this one with both kids . . . And this! So cheerful! Beautiful decorative eggs with no dye needed . . .

 

Home Design & Ideas for Living

 I have started following the progress of this lovely home . . . And I'm intrigued by the many tiny abodes found here . . .Enjoying these many eclectic projects for home and life, some modern, some vintage . . . How about this sunny house?

 

Beautiful Things

Look at this version of pysanky . . . Over here, the bunnies are multiplying rapidly . . . I love this gorgeous blanket . . . Oh, I wish I were so talented with scissors! I love this red and white stitchery, plus many things done with more style than I am capable of . . . 

 

Inspiring Places

It's always nice to visit the Atlas mountains and appreciate a peaceful life there . . . More thoughtful wisdom about the importance of order here . . . a lovely three lines, as always, from Grace . . . And the views of Greece are so vivid here . . . 

Momentum

I'm back to working on a variety of projects--some neglected longer than others--after another round of stomach flu at our house. WInter's little joke just never seems to end here: now we've got another 3 to 6 inches of snow forecast for tomorrow!

Well, even if I haven't completed anything of note in the past week, so many other people are doing amazing work. I'll have links to beautiful projects, new-to-me design sites, and lots more for you tomorrow. (Unless, of course, a snowstorm takes out our internet.)

Don't forget . . .

Another amazing way to raise money for Japan and get yourself beautiful art and craft starts today . . . go visit Crafting for Courage. 

Classic spring project

This little project has been one of my most popular crafts for young children: it has been featured on craft blogs around the world, including mammafelice, Craft Gossip, and The Crafty Crow.

 

The baskets are colorful, cheerful and easy for kids to make. 

 

For variety, have your kids paint the baskets with acrylics and add glitter while the paint is wet.

You can find the tutorial here. Happy Spring!

Shape of the moment

I was playing around with watercolors again, foolishly ignoring my lack of skills. But they are such fun.

When in doubt about life, paint circles: what else offers a vision of harmony, unity, stability, motion, new life, water, air, levity, and the dream of perfection? Not bad for one shape.

Crafts for the cause

There's a lot of grey right now, isn't there? In our skies, in our end-of-winter yards, in our worries and fears for our friends in Japan, Bahrain, Libya: anywhere others suffer. Looking at beautiful flowers does not keep the terrible images from my mind. Making brightly-colored cheerful crafts (see last post for examples!) grows more useless each day as Japan faces a nuclear disaster. What's a person to do?

I was thinking of a giveaway that I could link to donations for Japan, when lo and behold, I found many such ideas today, just from a few blogs I peruse. 

So, do consider participating in one of these great ideas:

• Tokyo Subway Map quilt giveaway at Oh, Fransson!
• Hearts + Hands print at Satsuma Press
• Be Still My Heart quilt giveaway at Tallgrass Prairie Studio
• A variety of craft-related relief funds at MADE
• Or make a simple donation to the American Red Cross

It's never too late for luck

What can you do with very little time, bright colors, a craft punch, a glue stick (not pictured) and a few kids who want shamrocks?

 

You can make four leaf clover greeting cards in dazzling colors. 

 

What if you add a few alphabet stamps and use strips of paper?

 

You get bookmarks for all the young people in your life.

 

And then, you can do it all in reverse! Add colorful envelopes for your cards and bundle your bookmarks in rainbow order and you've got St. Patrick's Day covered.

I hope this gives you ideas for any last minute St. Patrick's Day crafting needs you (or your kids) may have!