Thursday, March 20, 2014

Happy Spring Yarn Decorations

Happy Spring!  Can you feel it in the air?  Can you smell the fresh soil and grass growing?   Well if you can't I am sure you will soon.  Here in Florida Spring is going full steam ahead!  I feel like I am a bit more prepared for it with some new plants in my garden and all my weeds now in the garbage bin.  

I decided to celebrate Spring with a bit of yarn decorating.  I really don't like the words yarn bombing, I mean how can you put such a wonderful word as yarn in the same sentence as bombing?  So lets call it yarn decorating shall we? 


Do you remember the impulse yarn purchase that I swore was going to be a blanket?  Well we all knew that idea would head south very quickly, I thank you for not telling me at the time that it was never going to happen.   After I got 8 squares into the blanket I knew it was never meant to be.  Impulse yarn buying is not really a good idea, especially when you have been on a yarn diet.  It is like getting a quick fix, instant gratification is not usually long term captivation. 


 I did not want to waste what I had made, yet I did not want to make anymore of it.  I did not even want a lap blanket, so what to do?????

Make a yarn decoration for my tree, that is what!
 

I finished sewing on the flowers this morning, and during Little Buddy's nap time went out and crocheted it together around my tree branch.   You can see my first ever yarn decoration at the bottom of the branch, it was some fun octagon's made from Lamb's Pride Wool.  It has lasted a couple of years, but now is in shreds.  That is some hardy wool making it though rain, wind, cold and lots and lots of sun and heat. 

This yarn decoration was made from Bernat Alpaca, which you understand is mostly acrylic and only a little bit alpaca.  We will see how this yarn holds up in Florida's extreme elements.  


Little Buddy is going to have a small swing set in this area.  I think this decoration will be very fun to look at while I am pushing him on his little swing.  
 
   
I wonder what my yard guy is going to think when he rounds the corner on his mower and sees this!  I'd love to see his face.  He thinks I am a bit quirky anyway, I once almost fired him for trimming a few branches on my tree. I am very protective of my trees!

I think my neighbors are also going to think I am a bit batty.  I guess everyone needs the quirky lady that lives down the street, who talks to herself and puts yarn decorations up in her yard.  If my son was not allergic to cats, I'd probably be the lady with 100 cats at her house, too!

 
Do you remember the alpaca nesting ball, and Max's fur nesting ball?  They are still in use.  I have streams of alpaca usually hanging all over from this tree.  I am not so sure the birds use Max's nesting ball, but I'd like to think it is adding something to the environment. 


I had one rose peeking at me from my rose bush while I was crocheting the yarn decoration together. She has the very faintest blush of pink on the outer edges of her petals.  So dainty and sweet.

Hope you are seeing the signs of Spring come your way very soon.

42 comments:

Anonymous said...

We are so alike even though we live so far apart. On our last journey through France and Spain I left a wool trail for all the little birds . And, I too decorate my neighbourhood with bunting etc. My best friend says I am quirky. I love that.
Little Buddy will love his special place

Unknown said...

The prettiest tree in all of Florida! I love your yarn decoration, perfect use for impulse-bought yarn, and I bet Little Buddy will remember this all his life, swinging beneath the pretty Yarn Tree. Your family - and your neighbors - are lucky to have quirky you! :-) Chrissie x

Betsy said...

Your tree decoration is so pretty Meredith. So you! At least what I know of you. And how fun that you'll be able to see it when you play with your Little Buddy, I've never asked my Hubby to let me do this in the yard, but I'm afraid his answer would be a resounding NO! He's very protective of his yard. :-). Tomorrow I'm off to play with the girls and Miss Piper. Fun times!

CJ said...

Gosh, your garden is beautiful. I love trees as well, and yours is wonderful. Little Buddy is going to love that decoration, it's fantastic. And when the neighbours see it, they'll all want one too. I think it will be the start of something.

Deb said...

such a pretty garden & happy tree ♥
happy spring Meredith xo

Amy at love made my home said...

I love it Meredith!! Yes, it might be a bit crazy, but that is the basis of fun, and this is lots of fun and something that I am sure that little Buddy will enjoy greatly. The birds and other animals will probably like it too. Hope that the yard guy likes it!! xx

Lynne said...

I can just picture you standing out there with your crochet hook attaching this to the tree! I think it looks awesome :)
Spring is here too, and the first roses of the year are always extra pretty!

linda said...

Well I know exactly where you are coming from Meredith, I think it's quite normal to decorate trees and put crochet roses on bushes. I think your tree looks lovely and who cares what anyone else thinks anyway. Your rose is lovely,our Spring is about to turn into winter again, we have wind rain and plummeting temperatures, but hopefully it won't last for long. :) xx

kristieinbc said...

Your backyard yarn decorating is awesome! It made me smile to see it, and I hope it makes you smile every time you look at it too. I never have quite "got" yarn bombing, but the idea of putting it on your own property is brilliant. :-)

Ana BC said...

I actually like how the blanket was going...but I understand that when you dont like a project, it is better to move on. I love your solution. It is a private yarn bombing, and it looks so cute ;-)

Anonymous said...

I was thinking about who the quirky lady in my neighborhood might be. Then I realized, it's probably me.
;-) (Maybe that is why we got along so well right from the start.)

I thought I was the only one that hated the term yarn-bombing. I prefer to think of it as sharing the wooly-love with the great outdoors.

Teresa Kasner said...

Meredith.. you must be happy if you're decorating trees.. that seems like a very positive thing to do. Tomorrow is lunch with the girls.. wish you were here. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

RURAL said...

Meredith...such a lovely idea...I saw the light posts decorated by a group of knitters a few years ago..and it was so pretty.

Jen

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Happy Spring Meredith ! I think it looks so cute on your tree branch! It will be a fun visual for your little one to enjoy from his swing. I have a jar of yarn clippings I need to disperse around my bushes for the birds to use in their nests...I need to out them out. It tries to transition to spring around here but winter is not going away quietly. Enjoy your weekend!
Hugs, Patti

Jennifer Hays said...

This is a great thing to do, I love it. The birds will flock to this tree!

Pradeepa said...

Beautiful! I guess almost all crocheters are quirky.

Joy said...

No Spring here Meredith, but I am happy to welcome Autumn after the heat of Summer - if it would only decide what it's going to be!!!
I love where your blanket squares have ended up - delightful, and such fun for Little Buddy on his swing - and all your other bits and pieces of wool waiting around for the birdies to use as and when they will. I love your 'quirkiness' too and am sure your neighbours are very happy to have you around!
That is such a sweet rose, I can almost smell it!
Warm hugs,
Joy xo

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

I would love to have you as a quirky neighbor. I have neighbors who don't do much of anything at all and certainly don't seem to care about their surroundings. How about the word yarn vamping? I like what you've done to the tree. The little birdies who land there will find it comfy cozy I'm sure. :) I have all sorts of yarn that needs to be made into something, anything. Today is a dreary day here. Crochet is in order as I don't think we will be going out since Sam has a cold. Take care and have a fabulous Friday. Hugs, Tammy

Una said...

I also dislike the phrase "yarn stash". Maybe we should swap stash for beauties, goodies, sweeties or just "collection".

Linda said...

What a lovely idea, to enjoy your yarn in the garden as well as in your home. Little Buddy and his swing set will be just perfect in your yarn decorated tree spot.

Spring has arrived here in the UK, some lovely sunshine days happening and plenty of daffodils nodding there heads at me on my walk into town yesterday. I also spotted some lovely flowers on a magnolia tree, always a sure sign that spring is springing.

until next time ...

cockney blonde said...

Love what you've done with the squares. I have to admit to being a bit of an impulse buyer at times...its like stuffing your face with a whole chocolate cake cos you NEED it and then feeling sickly for the rest of the day, lol.

kathyinozarks said...

wow what a very cool idea! something I never would have thought of-I love it-looks great Meredith

Tanna said...

Oh, Meredith! I LOVE your EXCELLENT idea of repurposing that aborted project!! It looks great on your tree's limb! Makes me happy! Wish your yard was right next to mine. =) blessings ~ tanna

Mindy said...

Ooh--beautiful roses already!!! Spring really WILL come this year. =) We've been amazed that enough snow has melted so that we can see that grass still exists in some yards here in the north. ;-)

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Oh I adore that lovely rose!

No Spring here yet...we are to have snow again next Tuesday, a high of 40....I guess we will be having snow showers on the 4th of July, too!

I so loved seeing all your pictures....you know when you show me pictures of Florida, I always get home sick...but I love it!

Love your tree decoration. I think LB will enjoy it too when he's swinging.

((hugs))

Annie Cholewa said...

I can just imagine Buddy swinging and appreciating that gorgeous splash of colour all the while!

Maybe you could crochet some tree bunting too, There was bunting in the trees at Yarndale and it was very effective.

Stins said...

Haha, that tree is extra pretty like this, I love it!
People should love you for making the world a bit nicer,
that's not crazy at all :-)
What a perfect place for little buddy to play!
Big hugs from Mirjam.

Lulu said...

thats so pretty...love it..

Jo said...

Great yarn bomb idea Mere. That should welcome in Spring. Jo x

Judy S. said...

Love that rose photo! We have quite a wait until ours bloom. A local park here decorated its trees but with "sweaters" on the trunks. I've see street lights wrapped up, too. Only I think much of the big pieces were machine knit.....

kathy b said...

If you count blooming snowdrops then YEs we have a sign of spring in chicago!! Ugh, it was supposed to get to 60 today but we fell far far short due to Lake Michigan breezes…..

I love seeing your spring.! I have some yarn hanging in the yarn for the birds for when they get ready.
Fireman just saw the male and female cardinals feeding one another

yarn and pencil said...

It's awesome to be quirky! I'm not sure that it is possible to be very creative and not be quirky too :-)
That rose is beautiful.
Tracey xxx

Frozen Feather Storm said...

I love your yarn decoration! And agree, its a much nicer name than a yarn bomb. Your alpaca nesting ball has inspired me to make something for my back yard birds as well. Thank you for the great idea!

Unknown said...

I think yarn decorating is much nicer and yours is really cool. I am loving that tree :)

Heldasland said...

Oh how I wish I had a tree to decorate then I could put to use of all my yarn impulse buys.
I went to a yarn show in London on wednesday and bought some yarn on impulse and I knew when I bought it that it will just sit in the yarn cupboard .I really want a tree.
Your tree art looks amazing

moonstruckcreations said...

I think your yard guy will feel really cheered up by this yarny loveliness!

Helenxx

Gracie Saylor said...

Meredith, Kathy B's comment made me wonder if you have cardinals in Florida? I was so shocked to discover they are not in Oregon!

The fluff balls we hung in our tree thanks to your inspiration, are still there, but I am hoping it is not just my imagination that they are getting smaller. We have not seen any birds shopping at them yet.

Our flock of sheep is doing well, as I hope yours is. I still have not sent you a picture of Nanny Taffy, FBB's sister, but I hope to soon.

I can imagine you enjoying your newly decorated tree with Little Buddy while he plays on his new swing set :) Fun!

Sending you Love with hugs xx

forgetmenotsblue said...

looks so lovely! You've yarn bombed the tree. Such lovely colours x

Suzan said...

Love how you're decorating your tree! When I was in Louisville, Ky last year - there were several restaurants that had their trees wrapped with the yarn. Really neat.When I asked about it- one place said that their patrons did the tree wrap.

elns said...

I love the pics of Little Buddy enjoying the outside play time :) What a great space for him. As for the elder boys not getting the yarn bombing decorations, why am I not surprised? I felt echoes of my own in your post. All the best.

Susanne Tyree said...

Dear friend, no smell of spring in the air here in Ohio, only winter cold and more snow today. We are caught up in a time warp, almost like the Twilight Zone of winter without end.
(((HUGS))) Susanne :(

RedSetter said...

Sadly Spring here is still just a six letter word under a miserable grey sky. There's always hope in Scottish hearts which is a triumph of hope over experience. That rose is exquisite as is your photograph of it.