Camera (and blog): Temporarily Out of Order

Here's the story: One day last week I was taking photos of some candies I was making for Easter--recipes to be shared here--and my shutter just quit working after I snapped off about two photos.  I am told by the camera experts this is not good news--at all.  I am told to expect camera repair bills upwards of $200.  I am told my camera may be out of commission for 6-8 weeks while it is being repaired.  

So, I guess that leaves me to tell all of you that I will not be around here the next few weeks while I await the repair of my beloved camera.  I am taking this as an opportunity to finally do some of that work around my house I have been meaning to do--painting, repairing cracks in plaster, making some new roman blinds for our bedroom...without the happy distraction of this blog and my camera sidekick.

I have lots of blogging plans though for the summer--some new toy designs, new tutorials already in the works...so, really, please consider this an extended spring break.  Me and my camera--once recovered--will return.  See you in early June and enjoy your spring.  

8 Projects: Pretty Things to Make for Spring

All of these projects are just so dang pretty.  That little Junebug Dress, that deliciously beautiful rabbit doll, that clever egg with a moustache and a party hat, and a jar of yummy coconut sugar scrub...I will take one each--or maybe, I will make one of each.

Project Links (clockwise from top left): Junebug Dress by Craftiness is Not Optional; Trick Up My Sleeve Coin Purse by Family Chic (photo from Upcycle Your Life); Coconut Sugar Scrub by A Pretty Life in the Suburbs; Little Egg Man from A Bit of Pilli Pilli; Hase Bunny Doll by Lieschen Mueller; Hippity Hop Easter Clutch by Sew Together; Naturally Dyed Easter Eggs by Two Men and a Little Farm; Easter Chick by Myrtle and Eunice

Make Something Spring-ish

Need some spring-ish projects?  How about 15 of them using an assortment of techniques, from embroidery to sewing to paper craft to making scented play dough?  Just wanted to drop in and remind you about my Spring Variations project set I put together last year.  It contains several projects perfect for whipping up a little something last minute but handmade for Easter--as well as other projects that would be just peachy for May Day or other spring-y events.  All the projects you see in the first photo are contained in this project set--so, yes, if you like my funny bunnies made from recycled sweaters, or those scented jelly bean bags--this project set contains the patterns and instructions for making both of those (and lots more).  You can find the project set here, in my Etsy shop. 

In My Shop: Funny Bunnies

3 lovely cashmere funny bunnies, all awaiting adoption into good families who will not judge them for being ear-challenged.  Did I mention they are made almost entirely with recycled materials?

You can find them here, in my little Etsy shop.

Whoops! About that Zakka Style Lucky Day Give-Away...

What?  I'm only 14 days late to announce the winner of the Zakka Style Lucky Day Give-Away like I said I would.  Punctuality is over-rated--and, clearly, for people with better memories.  So, if you are still lingering, wondering if I am EVER going to announce the winner...well, yes, I am.  Right now, in fact:

#12--LALANIA SIMONE!

Come on down and claim your copy of Zakka Style.  Please email me with your mailing address and other essential info and I will happily get the book off to you in the mail.

To everyone else who left comments with suggestions about what you would personally like to see in a Beeper Bebe book--thank you.  It was helpful to me to hear from you and will certainly help shape the direction of future book-ish endeavors.

In My Shop: Jelly Bean Bags & Vintage Button Barrettes

Check it out, baby: more stuff in my shop.  A few sets of jelly-bean-scented jelly bean bags, done up all tidy in an appliqued draw-string bag, and some new Cute as a Button barrette sets (made with all vintage buttons).  Have a look--but, really, only if you care.  

BottleRobots

Have you seen these awesome robots made from recycled plastic bottles and various other discarded plastic bits?  The complexity of the articulation and the amount of character they manage to express in each pose just kill me.  Beeper thought they were pretty brilliant too, and they have me thinking about saving up some of our own plastic bits from the recycling bin to try our hand at making our own.  You can see more of these amazing eco-friendly creations at the Bottlerobot blog (as well as get glimpse of robots in process).  You can also buy postcards of some of your favorites in the Bottlerobot shop, here.