Pretty neat huh?  As I was getting ready to write this post I did a bit of looking around the internet for details about the author.  It really is a small world, because what I discovered is that Ms. Nicholas lives in the same region of Massachusetts that I do!  Now we're not next door neighbors, but all things considered we're close enough that I'm sure we've driven on the same roads and shopped in the same stores! It's a rural area so we're pretty lenient about what we consider close by!!  Now are you ready for another bit of coincidence that will make you say wow?? Do you remember about a month ago when I decided it was time to learn how to knit and  I got myself a stack of books from the library?  Well, the first book that I opened up when I got home and the one that I am still referring to on a regular basis because of it's easy to understand illustrations is called Kids Knitting by Melanie Falik.  Guess who illustrated that book?  You got it - Kristin Nicholas!!  Now I'm not sure what the universe is trying to tell me, but I feel confident that there is a message in there somewhere.  It seems like our paths are destined to cross and I'm curious about what the future holds.  In the meantime though I'll settle for making more sunflowers and working on my knitting skills!!

What do you think about that?!?  Now it's your turn!  I'm giving away a copy of "50 Sunflowers" to one lucky winner.  It's free and easy to enter and I just know that you're going to love this book!  If you're interested in purchasing a copy it goes on sale on March 19. You can get a signed copy from the author herself by following the link on her blog, Getting Stitched on the Farm. You can also find it on Amazon and other retailers.

A few things about the giveaway.  First, please know that the books that St. Martin's sends me are newly published or advance copies that they have asked me to review.  The opinions that I express are my honest views about the books and are not influenced in anyway by the publisher.  Second, I'm sure it says it somewhere, but this giveaway ends on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at midnight.  I'll announce the winner within 48 hours. And finally, this giveaway is open to everyone everywhere.  If I can mail it to you through the USPS please feel free to enter!

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me!
I hope you enjoyed the review and will take a moment to enter the drawing.
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

Greetings Friends!
Let me just say that it is mighty cold in Massachusetts.  The eye watering, face burning, toe numbing cold that grips us every winter.  Our ability to endure must be coded into our DNA, because otherwise I fear after a week like this we would flee en masse leaving behind all but our most cherished valuables (yarn and books!) in search of a more hospitable climate!

For months I've been focused on making things that keep you warm, like hats, mittens, and sweaters. As awesome (and important!) as they are I think we can use a splash of spring,  and that's what this flowery jar topper reminds me of.

This is the Flower Jewelry Keeper from the August 2012 issue of Crochet World magazine.  I think the idea of crocheting a decorative topper for any type of jar is very clever, and I can imagine making them in a variety of different flowers, designs and yarns. 

The pattern calls for a wide mouth half-pint canning jar.  I didn't have one of those, but I did have this cutie languishing on the door of the refrigerator with a smidge of orange marmalade in it that no one was ever going to eat.  After a hot soapy bath it was ready to be repurposed!

Finish by making the petals.  My version looks identical to the one in the magazine, but is simpler because I skipped the part where you make a second circle, stitch them together and stuff it with fiber fill.  They also secure the crocheted topper to the lid with hot glue.  Since I ended up with a nice snug fit I didn't bother.

The bright cotton makes a color saturated flower that is a welcome reminder of spring and the warmth it promises.  I'm using my jar to hold a pile of stitch markers.  With this technique you could decorate jars for the kitchen, bath, office, or studio - any room that needs organizing would benefit from one or even a set of coordinating storage containers.  It's a great way to do something creative with all those uniquely shaped jars that would otherwise be destine for the recycle bin.  Plus, it's a project you can easily finish in one sitting which I always find appealing!  You can be sure that there are lots of toppers in my future!

And finally today I want to tell you about the giveaway that I'm hosting on Robin Reads & Writes.  Just in time for Valentine's Day I'm giving away an advance reader copy of Crystal Cove by Lisa Kleypas, and a heart shaped thread bookmark made by yours truly.  Pop over and have a look at the review.  I really enjoyed the book, and hope the lucky winner feels the same.  After all, what could be better than a bit of romance and magic to round out your Valentine plans?

Thanks for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me.
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!