Squirrel Picnic

Handmade with Love and Stuff

Category Archives: Friends


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Charm Exchange Part 4: Community

Our bracelets and necklaces are nearing completion as my friends and I met for another round of the charm exchange. I really admire how each artist has chosen to address the different themes, and it’s been really interesting to see how the variety of mediums used work together in each collection.

One of the things I have enjoyed most about this experience is the sense of community. Most artists spend a lot of time working on their craft alone in their studio or workshop or craft space. Collaborations like a charm exchange allow us to meet up with other artists, share our talents and expertise, learn about new mediums and techniques, and be inspired by the work of others… in addition to chatting about life and enjoying a good meal together.

Have you started a charm exchange like ours? Do you get together regularly with friends for craft nights? Let me know how you have developed a community around your craft and I’ll share your experience next time when we wrap up this series with our final charm exchange. Stay tuned for photos of our completed jewelry pieces and more information about how to start an exchange of your own. Until then, here are the newest additions to our charm bracelets and necklaces. Continue reading →


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Patterns, Plans, Polls, and Smiles

If you’ve visited the picnic over the last month or so, you’ve probably noticed a poll I installed in my sidebar to gauge what readers enjoy most about this blog. I admit, I put it up out of sheer curiosity and to make sure you all are still having a good time. Here were the final poll results (gathered by PollDaddy.com). Continue reading →


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How to Open Your Presents Early

Can’t wait to open your Christmas presents? Are you dying of curiosity? Wait no longer. There’s a Wikihow for that. (Can you believe it?) You’ll receive step-by-step instructions on how to sneak a peak at your presents without anyone finding out. Or you could always bug your parents until they finally cave. That’s what Hodge and Podge did. They received one very big present this week. The suspense was killing them, so I let them open just this one…

Hodge and Podge Open Present 1 Hodge and Podge Open Present 2 Hodge and Podge Open Present 3 Hodge and Podge Open Present 4

Our dear friend, Bill Brown, sent us this gorgeous picture he drew of the main character from his web comic The Evil Squirrel’s Nest. Evil Squirrel, or ES for short, is a loveable gray squirrel who has a great sense of humor and a lot of quirky and interesting friends from all walks of the animal kingdom.

Thank you, Bill!  We feel very lucky to receive this coveted prize.


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You’re Invited to Mayor Snack Frog’s New Year’s Eve Party

Hi there, Friend! It’s me, Mayor Snack Frog.

You are cordially invited to join us for a fatimal New Year’s Eve party at my home on December 31. We’ll have appetizers, beverages, and a cotton candy machine! Dinner will be served at 7:30 followed by dancing on the tables and a spirited game of Twister. And of course there will be plenty of cheering and smooching at midnight.

New Year's Eve Invitation from Squirrel PicnicThis year we welcome some special guests all the way from Australia! Sharon from Gentlestitches was kind enough to finance their flight across the Pacific. Thank you, Sharon! A few members of the bunch wanted to join me in this invitation. It’s my pleasure to introduce Croc, Busty the bush-tailed possum, and Argyle the fox. They make up just a quarter of the troupe and wanted to say hi to you on behalf of all of them. They’ve been practicing their moves to teach us all how to do the Aussie Bush Dance.

So join us on Instagram and Twitter on New Year’s Eve to see all the fun as it happens. I’ll share these and photos of our party on the 1st, after I’ve properly woken, located my camera, and gotten my head on straight.

Still not sure if you’d fit in at a fatimal party? Check out the video from last year. Everyone has a good time. But even if we don’t see you, we wish you a happy and healthy new year!

Sincerely,

Mayor Snack Frog
for Squirrel Picnic