Greetings all!

We have now grown over 90 members!!!  I would like to designate at least 2 moderators to help with ideas, blog projects and anything else they feel will benefit the group.  I'm having a hard time keeping up with the blog pattern of the week and other projects I have going due to family & work issues.  I am asking for your help on this project.

If you feel this would be a project you're willing to take on, please let me know.  If you want to try it for awhile then make a final decision, that's fine. :) 

Thanks and blessings,

Laurel

As Ostara is fast approaching it's time to begin thinking of things to do to decorate our homes.  This project can easily be done and the resulting "goo" can be used for other things such as baking, and what not. This project can be done by children, though I would recommend the adults to prep the eggs.  (There is a risk of salmenella due to working with raw eggs.)

You will need:

1. Eggs (large white are best)
2. a bowl
3. a stick pin 
4. a planter
5. peat or spanish moss
6. potting soil, rocks or florist foam (to fill planter)
7. string, yarn, fishing line or anything to use to "string" your eggs
8. Decorations: Beads, glitter, glue, crayons, paint or whatever you desire

• Use a pin and make two holes in an egg, one at each end opposite each other.  Begin blowing slowly & steadily until the egg comes out.  (It may take awhile).  Use the egg for other purposes such as cooking... Rinse the empty eggshell in cool water & allow to dry.  It's ready to decorate!

Fun- Decorating & Displaying 

• You can use egg dyes or natural home made dyes, paints, glitter, jewels, crayons... whatever your imagination desires! 
• To display your creativity use a planter and a nice branch left over from last fall. 
• Place a piece of floral foam or potting soil or rocks in the planter as filler, poke the branch in the "filler" and use peat moss or spanish moss to hide the filler.  Use yarn, string, fishing line or the like to string your egg like an ornament using a colorful bead (or beads) at the bottom.  Hang your creation on your Ostara Tree.

Natural Egg Dyes (from Wicca Craft for Families)

The colors are subtle and children are usually amazed that onion skins & red cabbage produce the colors they do.  Boil a large handful or two of the dye material in 2 to 3 cups of water for about 10 minutes.  Watch to ensure your pot does not go dry.  Strain, pour into cups, add one tablespoon of vinegar to fix the dye, let sit a few minutes then it's ready to dye the eggs.

Colors & materials to produce them:

• Deep golden to light golden brown  - skins from brown onions
• Light blue - red cabbage leaves
• Light blue-grey to dark grey-violet - blue berries
• yellow - tumeric or saffron powder
• pink - beet juice
• pale orange - carrot juice
• light purple - grape juice

*not necessary to boil the juices, just add vinegar.

(These dyes can be used for traditional egg dying)

I apologize for being a little late getting this weeks idea up.  Things have been a bit hectic here... :)

 This week I thought about doing something a little different... I know many people are snowed in and this might help relieve some of the winter "Blahs" and help bring a little fun for you into valentines day!!

Sensual Bath

I thought a pattern of the week might be a cool idea... watch for different techniques and mediums.  If you have a pattern you want to post for the weekly pattern on the blog (I think you can) please do!! :) 

This crochet pattern was designed with those that are still "in the closet" in mind.  The idea is that it will be known to someone of the same faith while remaining inconspicuous to others.  Using differnt yarns or crochet threads it can easily be adapted to work into an afgahn, a pillow, doily, altar cloth or any other use you can find!! Continue the rings or do a lacy effect, use beads while working to add pizzaz, make more than one motif and stitch them together to form something... the sky is virtually the limit.

I am offering this pattern for your personal use.  It is an original creation from my mind & hands.  If you desire to post it elsewhere, I ask that you mention me as the creator.  If you have any problems or difficulties with the pattern, please let me know!! Thanks, Laurel

Sacred Star

Created by Amy Clark aka Laurel

Hook Used: G
Red Heart 4 ply yarn (I used purple for the star and grape varigate for the ring)

Special Stitches:
Shell: 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc

STAR:
Round 1 - Ch 4, slip stitch in 4th ch from hook to form ring. Ch 6 (counts as 1st dc, ch 3) *dc in ring, ch 3. Repeat from * 3 more times. Join with slip stitch in 3rd ch of ch 6.

Round 2 - Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in first space (counts as 1st shell), hdc in dc, *shell in next space, hdc in next dc. Repeat from * around. Join with slip stitch in top of ch 3.

Round 3 - Slip stitch in next stitch. Ch 3, dc in next 2 stitches. Shell in space, *dc in next 2 dc, hdc in next stitch, dc in next 3 stitches, shell in next space. Repeat from * around. Join with slip stitch in top of ch 3. Fasten off, weave ends in.

RING:
Join yarn with slip stitch at one of the point spaces.

Round 1 - 3 sc in space, *ch 12, 3sc in next space. Repeat around. Slip stitch in 1st sc to join.

Round 2 - ch 3, dc in next 2 stitches, dc in each stitch around. Join with slip stitch at top of ch 3.

Round 3 - ch 3, dc in next 2 stitches, *2dc in next stitch, dc in next 3 stitches. Repeat from * around. Join with slip stitch at top of ch 3. Fasten off, weave ends in.

Hello Everyone!!

 Welcome to the Hand Crafted group.

This group is intended for those who want to learn and those who already enjoy making hand crafted items including crochet, cross stitch, plastic or mesh canvas, knitting, sewing, wood working and other techniques.

Getting to know each other is essential for any group to grow and function.  I figure that we should start by posting a bit about ourselves... here are some suggested points:

• Crafts enjoyed or that you're wanting to learn
• How long you've been crafting
• Special techniques you know or want to learn
• If your love of crafting was or is being passed down from generation to generation
• Types of patterns or ideas you're looking for
• Links that may be beneficial to a crafter
• Books & magazines you find helpful

Feel free to elaborate or post anything that you feel will benefit our group.

I look forward to sharing with you!

Blessings,

Laurel