Mind and Muse Crafts... the crafty side of my life
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Spooky makes for this Halloween season... includes a description of how to create an All Hallows bracelet set

10/26/2019

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“A person should always choose a costume which is in direct contrast to her own personality.”
— Lucy Van Pelt, It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
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Halloween has always been a favorite festivity not because of all the creepiness and horror associated with it, but because I like the idea of magic and magical beings. In addition, I love dressing up. Two of my children inherited this trait from me and, even as adults, we still have our share of Halloween fun.
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As a fiber artist… at this time of the year, I am drawn towards making things that commemorate the magical mischief associated with Halloween.  So let me share with you some of my October makes for this year along with the designers who have allowed me to be so wonderfully entertained.

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Rings of creativity ... includes instructions to make a crochet flower ring

9/16/2019

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“If these rings could talk, they would have more stories to tell you than even me.”
― Mukta Singh-Zocchi, The Thugs & a Courtesan
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I am going to have to say that rings are my favorite piece of jewelry. Yes, I love rings. I recently helped my youngest daughter move into her new home and during the move I lost four of the rings that I was most fond of. I was disconsolate. Every day we would look and relook into every box, closet and cupboard in search of my treasures, but they were nowhere to be found in the new house nor in the old apartment! I returned from my trip heartbroken but determined to move on… I mean, after all, they were just rings and I had many more where those came from! A month later, my daughter sent me this photo of my rings that had been found in the trunk of her husband’s car. Needless to say, I was ecstatic. Although, I told her to just bring them the next time she visited, deep down inside I was overwhelmingly happy that they had been found!

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5 great  crochet projects for this summer

8/11/2019

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Come rain or shine, cold or heat, I need to be able to create. Working on a project, makes me feel grounded and secure.  Crafting gives me a sense of belonging and helps me connect with who I really am. Through my crafting I express myself. It is, therefore, a means of communication and essential for my co-existence with others. Crafting helps me focus on the beautiful things my hands can create… something that I need greatly in my life.


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Crafty Wedding Outfit Accessories

7/15/2019

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Accessories are the perfect way to add something special. A hair comb or a beaded clutch can be a lovely detail to finish your bridal look.
​                                                                 -Jenny Packham (British fashion designer)
​I meant to get this post published in june, but life got complicated at the end of May.  There were summer classes (which are offered 3 hours daily) and family visits and, as I might have mentioned in some previous post, my youngest daugters wedding. Although, she contracted the services for food and decorations in a package along with the venue, she decided to add her own personal touch to the decor by crocheting up some of the decorations for the receiving hall. So, although she was pretty busy, I really didn't have much to do except prepare myself.
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5 tips for Gifting Handmade

5/4/2019

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“That's the thing with handmade items. They still have the person's mark on them, and when you hold them, you feel less alone.”
― Aimee Bender, The Color Master: Stories
​If you are a crafter, surely you are tempted whenever gifting time comes around, to gift handmade items. Surely, you have been caught thinking,  "Why spend more money on gifts when I already have all the materials I need to make my gifts." "Why face the hustle and bustle of shopping centers when I can peacefully create beautiful items from the comfort of my own craft room?"
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This was the first washcloth I crocheted as a gift for my sister who was coming to visit. She said she would use it as a doily to put under her plants.

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Making an egg is always an adventure...

4/1/2019

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Because each of us is an egg, a unique soul enclosed in a fragile egg.  Haruki Murakami ​

As you can guess by the title, today I am going to talk about eggs. But not just your regular chicken eggs. I am going to talk about eggs that, in some parts of the world, are used as home décor and about eggs that are painted, hidden and hunted at Easter, in yet other parts. Why is it that some of us find these little oval objects to be such attractive ornaments? 
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Let's make some luck!

3/4/2019

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​March is said by some to be an unpredictable month; a time when it is never clear what might happen next. In my case, the joy that March brings me is always predictable. I remarried in the month of March and during this marriage my youngest daughter was born; also in March. My youngest daughter and I both share a love for all things hand-made. We sometimes obsess over crafting and only we can understand why. So, one of us is always there to enable the other. I am very lucky to have such a relationship in my life!
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May you always have a good, strong heart!

2/11/2019

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Every February 14th, in the United States as well as places like Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France and Australia, people give tokens of appreciation to friends and loved ones in commemoration of Saint Valentine, even though little is known for sure about this Saint.

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Happy New Year 2019!

1/24/2019

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“New Year is a spring time! Open up like a flower! Let the world see your energy! And when the world sees your energy and enthusiasm, the previously locked doors will be opened to you!”
― Mehmet Murat ildan
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Happy New Year 2019!  I’m hoping that this New Year has begun by motivating you to try new things, plan new projects and take your skills to a new level. I thought I would write the first post of this year by reviewing my crafty achievements from 2018.  Hopefully this exercise will help me make a doable plan for this New Year. I really appreciate that you are willing to join me.

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To knit or crochet... Is that the question?

9/28/2018

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This is the third stop in the blog hop for Sock CAL 2018. Last week, Fay, talked to you about yarn choices in her post at Knit-it, Hook-it, Craft-it. Today is the official launch of Sock CAL 2018, so to commemorate, there are two posts to enjoy: this one and a second post, tomorrow Sunday, September 30. The fourth blog hop takes us  to Addydae Designs' blog to read up on Sock Anatomy.  (http://www.addydae.com) Happy Hopping!​

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    To work with ones hands is to be a laborer; to work with ones hands and brain is to be a craftsman; but to work with ones hands, brain and heart is to be an artist. - Louis Nizer

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    About me:
    Caroline Rodriguez

    Many years ago I discovered that there was a crafty side to me. Since then, there have even been times when I have considered taking up crafting as a full time job. But, I guess that is something I have heard most people who practice some craft say.  Someday... one day... Until then...  I guess I'll just blog about it. Thanks for being part of the crafty side of my life! 

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