Random Act of Art!

 
 

Have you ever heard of a yarn bomb?

 

It is an amazing way for yarn crafters to make people smile in a colorful, creative, artful way.  Some of them are really amazing... like the octopus tree or the lacey chain link fence or the mystery knitter at the London Olympics.

 

These aren't just crafts though... this is art!

 

I decided when we had a family camping trip over the summer that I would try my hand at a yarn bomb.

 

I thought long and hard about it, about my impact on the environment, trees and wildlife, and for the rangers who might feel obligation to take down what I put up.

 

I decided on crocheted birdhouses... writing this reminder on the bottom of one to show my good intentions.

 

As Steve and our kids and grandkids hiked, and fished, and played... I stayed at the campsite crocheting oddly shaped pieces out of the crazy assortment from my oddball bin - you know the few yards left after you finish another project but think "I might need this someday"?

 

Someday's here!

 

I used non-toxic glue to help keep the pieces in place, added loops for hanging, and enlisted my daughters help in hanging everything.

 

The campground has a gorgeous tree lined road, and they decided to spread our Random Act of Art along this section.

 

As people pass this way, they might see a yarn covered ornament swaying in the breeze, or a brightly colored birdhouse... and I hope they smile.

 

Many thanks to my daughters Christy and Amanda for making this happen!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I enjoyed the project so much that I made one more tiny crocheted birdhouse to hang in the Gramma Tree.  Cute, eh?

 

Third time's the charm Pink Parasol

Sometimes things don't come easy.  Sometimes you have to keep at it.  Sometimes you have to make adjustments.

These are the things I kept telling myself while working on this parasol.  It took my almost two months to get it done.  I know!  Me!  Here's why.

I found this amazing vintage umbrella with a pink Lucite handle and just *had* to use it.  But the ribs for this frame were light and whippy, and they just didn't stand up to the firm cotton I wanted to use.

My first attempt in Knitpicks Curio cotton was gorgeous, solid in the center, twirly on the edges.  What more could I want, right? 

As I began to tie it to the frame I realized I had crocheted 8 sections.  The umbrella has 10.  HEARTBREAK!

So, I frogged it. I did.  I know.

My second attempt using the reclaimed cotton had 5 sections, which works well because I can tie ribs at each half section and it would work out evenly.

It was just too tight.  I tried various fixes... but the frame ribs just didn't have enough firmness to support the solid fabric.

Third time's the charm as they say!

I decided the cotton thread was just too unforgiving, and I switched to Bernat Handicrafter Crochet Thread, 100% acrylic with a little more stretch.

I also switched patterns again, using Coats and Clark's Setting Sun doily... being careful to start with 5 repeats.  Look at that wonderful star at the center!

Changing up the colors to divide the lace sections really sets them apart.

All in all, I was very pleased with how it turned out... and it was worth all the trial and error it took to get there.

Check out the pink handle!