Spring Seeds of Intention

Candace Jedrowicz's air-dry clay project is a fun way to re-seed your garden*. As your egg weathers it will disintegrate back to the earth and plant your seeds. Featured on Cool2Craft TV. Watch Candace's Clay Easter Egg with Seeds of Intention YouTube video tutorial of this project!

Materials:
Earthenware or stoneware clay - it must be natural clay - I found some in my local craft store, but it's even better if you can dig it from your yard

Toothpick Water Paint brush Seeds - any kind

 1. Take two handfuls of clay about the same size.

 2. Begin by shaping them into balls.

 3. Hold one ball in the palm of one hand. With the thumb of the other hand, push into the center of the ball right up to the knuckle.

 4. Keep resting the ball in your palm with the thumb in it. Press toward the thumb with the fingers of the same hand. Press gently, turn the ball, press again, turn and keep pressing until you've gone all the way around. Move your fingers to a thicker part and repeat until you have a cup shape with a 1/2" thick rim. Repeat for the other ball.

 5. Gently pinch the rim of one cup and push out thin little petals all the way around.

 6. If you like, whisper your wishes and intentions for Spring as you put your seeds inside one of the cups.

 7. Scrape the rims of both cups with the toothpick, leaving clay crumbs on the clay.

 8. Dot water in the scratches.

 9. Put the rims together and push gently.

 10. Gently fold the petals of the one rim over onto the other half of the ball.

 11. Smooth gently with your fingers at first, then roll the ball on your work surface.

 12. Shape the clay into an egg. Scratch and dot water anywhere you want to add dots, squiggles or any other clay shapes. You can scratch words into the wet clay or symbols. Make it as meaningful as possible.

 13. Allow to dry. Place in your yard and let the weather take the egg back to the earth and plant your seeds.

*Point of fact:  I normally do this with metaphorical seeds of intention.  I hope you'll consider trying it and let me know what happens.  I'll update this oost with my findings as well. 

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Almost a Yarn Bomb

 

This week's Cool2Craft TV show is about yarn.  I've been inspired by my friend, Mary England, to try a yarn bomb, so I made and installed one on Historic 25th Street in downtown Ogden, Utah.  It's not very good, but it's only my first try.

Below is my second try and it's a little different.

  I love the idea of yarn bombing, but I'm a slow and inexperienced knitter. I had an idea to combine yarn bombing with a random-acts-of-kindness sort of thing. Mary leaves surprises and gifts for strangers all over Baltimore and D.C. I'm so inspired by her enthusiastic, happiness- spreading journey! I knitted a scarf and attached a laminated card that says "Stay warm dear stranger" My husband gave me the idea when he commented how cold the dinosaur looked after a snow storm. I thought I could tie a scarf on, instead of sewing the yarn in place, and HOPE that someone who needs it would claim it. I realize it's not an actual random act if I tell someone, so pretend you don't know that I did it., okay? I'll let you know what happens!

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