Squirrel Picnic

Handmade with Love and Stuff

Tag Archives: diy


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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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Announcing the Make It! Challenge Recipients for 2015

The response to my call for challenges was the best ever this year! As exciting as it was to receive so many Make It! Challenge proposals, with only three slots to fill, it also made for a very difficult decision. Thank you so much to everyone who submitted their ideas. I wish that I had the time and resources to pursue all of them. If your idea wasn’t chosen this year, please don’t be discouraged. Keep working on your idea to make it truly unique and resubmit it.

I think you will be very pleased with the challenges that I’ll be tackling. I’ll be trying a few new things and maybe even writing a knitting pattern! But before I ruin all the surprises, let me just announce the winners… Make It! Challenge 2015 RecipientsCongratulations! I’ll be emailing each of you in the coming weeks to let you know my schedule for the year and when you can expect for me to complete your challenge. I hope you are just as excited as I am to get this new year of challenges rolling.


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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


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Ugly Christmas Sweater Crochet Pattern for Your Squirrel Friend or Your Tree

Happy National Ugly Christmas Sweater DayOver the last decade in the US, Canada, and England, the ugly Christmas sweater has become a part of the seasonal celebration. And now there’s even a day designated to celebrate this trend: and you’re in luck, it’s today. Continue reading →


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Crochet a Santa Hat for Your Squirrel Friend

Santa Hats and Ugly Christmas Sweaters for Your Squirrel Friends by Squirrel PicnicHodge and Podge and Eric are all ready for Christmas now that they have Santa hats to wear. You may notice that in addition to jolly red hats, they’re also sporting Ugly Christmas Sweaters. That’s because before December 25 rolls around, we have December 12 to celebrate. That’s right. This Friday is National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day and these squirrels want to throw an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party.

Would your squirrel friend like to join us? Stay tuned for my free ugly sweater pattern for your squirrel friend, which will be out later this week. If you don’t have a squirrel friend, you’ll want to check it out too. I’ll be showing you how to make these into cute and hilarious Ugly Christmas Sweater ornaments. We’ll also give some thought to the motivation behind this new trend: is it ironic or just nostalgic? I’m curious to know what you think.

But first, let’s make some Santa hats. Continue reading →