April 2011

Happy Thursday,
It's almost April and how I wish it was Spring was actually here.  I spent last week on the coast visiting my mom and was spoiled by an early taste of green grass and cherry blossoms, only to have my senses shocked into submission by blizzarding whiteness and a four-foot snowbank in front of our door on our return.  Maybe next week?  
On a happier note (or four), I've got some sweet ideas for Spring wreaths for you, I dropped off some of our products at a shop in Regina last week,  Cecelia made up an awesome tutorial for making a felt cake, and I finally got my sewing machine back from the repair shop.  

My cousin took my machine in for me a couple months ago after it started making loose and crazy stitches and I finally had a chance to get to Regina (why oh why isn't there a sewing machine repair shop in MY city? It's a dying art)  to pick it up last week.  It sews like a dream now -quieter than it's been in a long time (maybe that thumping noise was an indication I should have taken it in sooner...), stitches even and tight.  Pure joy!  I can finally get back to sewing again -hurrah!

D.I.Y: Felt Cake
Cecelia designed this cute chocolate cake to go along with some other felt food she made for her daughter's birthday.  It's a unique and simple gift idea for a kid who likes to have lots of "tea pouties".  Pair it with some nice child-sized wooden dishes and you are set!  Learn how to make it here.

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Stitchn Be Artisan Boutique
I met the owner of Stitchn Be last year at a conference -she recently opened this shop in Regina in the Market Mall near Northgate Shopping Mall.  She sells tons of colourful fabrics and sewing supplies along with handmade items by local artists include baby booties, silk and wool scarves, and some fine goods from yours truly, New Leaf Handmade!  If you are in the city, be sure to check it out!  Here is the website: http://stitchnbe.com/

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Spring Wreaths
Though the snow suggests otherwise, Spring is surely to arrive soon, and to encourage it's arrival, I made this wreath for my doorway (photo to the left).  It was easy and looks quite pretty -I just stuck some fake flowers into a grapevine wreath frame I found at the Salvation Army thrift shop.  



Here are some links to more Spring wreath projects:

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Click on a photo to be directed to the how-to tutorial.   From left to right -Design*Sponge, Craft Gossip, Pretty Handy Girl.

Have a wonderful April!  

Maria & Cecelia
New Leaf Handmaidens