meanwhile back at the ranch.

been busy making my rock climbing monkey chalkbags.

planting my window box finally with the sweetest of blooms.

finished the weaving that i started back in january 

b/c i bought this gorgeous yummy yarn.

had a fattening, adventurous mother's day when we adopted...

our newest family member from PAWS - 7 mo old 'Coco'.  isn't she sweet?

sketchbooks project touring.

saw the sketchbook 2012 project in Chicago earlier this month.  

fantastic fun! see it if you can.  my book is touring. TOUR DATES HERE.

ART INSTALLATIONS AT THE HYDE PARK ART CENTER

petal bangle.

can you tell i'm on a crochet.kick right now?  don't worry, it will pass.

but in the meantime.  enjoy this free pattern for personal use.  it was created with my new.found love of the crocodile stitch. from me to you.  happy may.day!

Petal Bangle
by Leilani Pierson 

Difficulty: Intermediate
Yarn: SockYarn
Hook: Size G

9 ch
1 dc  into 3rd ch from hook.
1 dc into next chain.
ch 2, skip 2 ch
(1 dc into next stitch) twice.
ch 2, skip 2 ch
2 dc into last ch of row 1.

A.
ch 1. Turn 90*
5 dc into 1st dc from previous row.
ch 1
5 dc into next dc.  (first petal created)
skip (2ch, 2dc, 2 ch)
5 dc into next dc
ch 1
5 dc into last dc
Turn
sl st into top of petal.

B.
ch 4
1 dc into top of same petal
ch 2
2 dc into top of 2ch from previous row
ch 2
2 dc into top of last petal
ch 1
Turn 90*
skip 2dc + 2ch
5 dc into first of middle dc
ch 1
5 dc into next dc
skip 2 ch+1dc
1 sl st into top of last 2 dc
ch 1 Turn

C.
2 dc into top space of 2dc from previous row.
ch 2
2 dc into top of petal
ch 2
2 dc into top space of last 2dc.

REPEAT A. B. C. till you have the length you want for your wrist - the one pictured is about 8 petal rows.

To Finish off Cuff:
Bring first row up to the last row.
1 sl st into back of first petal from first row.
1 sl st into middle of petal of last row.
1 sl st into back of last petal from first row.
1 sl st into last petal from last row.
Finish Off.  Enjoy!!




PURCHASE THIS BANGLE HERE.

making paper.

if you're interested in partaking in the TREEWHISPERS Art Project... which i talked about HERE. I created a short tutorial on our adventure in making paper this past weekend.  Making paper was one of my first adventures long ago before I knew anything about mixed-media art.  This weekend me and the family will work on painting and drawing on the paper for the TreeWhispers Project.  Happy Arbor Day!

crochet chain stitch.

for the young and young at heart.  easiest method of crocheting.  no need for a hook.  just a ball of yarn or even a long strip of fabric.



this is a great group or whole family project!  create multiple chains of the crochet chain stitch then gather them together to make a door curtain, or window treatment, or a skirt fringe, or yarn-bombing a tree... ah.  endless possibilities.  (please be sure to keep them clear from babies and young children.)

i taught my 3yo how to do this. this is how easy it is.  but my 6yo (smiling) really had fun with it!

we hung them in our doorway for a hippy.gypsy feel.

POST your Crochet Chain Creations

on my Flickr Group HERE!

the yarn.bomb low-down.

i gathered some lovely folks.  some knew how to knit/crochet.  some were pure beginners.  we ate mm's.  we ate lollipops.  we drank izze's.  we smiled.  we laughed.  we chatted.  about things.  the beginners were getting along well in their chain-stitch ropes.  long and lovely.  then it was time.  a couple of us stitched the squares together with yarn and a large needle in a long scarf-like manner.  the colors were scrumptious.  we emerged from our abode of creating and entered the streets, eager.  bundled up (it was windy and freezing!).  excited.  it was dark.  there were streetlights.  we started with the smaller pieces.  a few of us tied them up.  one carried the scissors.  the long-lovely-beginner-chains were wrapped smartly around tree trunks.  we moved forward to the main focus.  the tall bus-stop pole in front of some lonely, empty store-fronts.  we scanned the road for anyone who might question us... then proceeded.  quick whip stitches, round and round.  gaps were forming.  but we pushed on.  the wind howled and blew.  then we heard whoops and cheers from a nearby sushi restaurant.  we continued.  finally at the end.  our lovely.tallest member pushed the fibers to the top of the pole.  and voila.  we admired.  took pictures.  then ran.  back to our haven of warmth and safety.  pleased with our pursuits of coloring a smidgen of our corner of the world.

anyone can do this.  here are some great resources:

WHAT IS YARN.BOMBING

HOW TO YARN.BOMB

INSPIRING YARN-BOMBS

YARN-BOMB PHOTOS

EXTREME YARN.BOMBER

my take on the whole matter.  do it.  it is exciting!  it puts smiles on people's faces.  even just a square hanging somewhere.  for beginners - even just a handful of crochet-chains round and round a tree would be fabulous.  Arbor Day is tomorrow!!  :P

if you are much more timid.  tag your own backyard.  or even inside your home.  i have great plans to tag my old upright piano.  a long while back i tagged one of our cute wooden tables that needed a little lovin.

if you tag something, let me know how it goes.  add your pictures to the YARN BOMBING FLICKR SITE.  put some happy into the world!

**fun easy tutorial coming next!

ciao bella! xo

yarn.bomb.

we came.

we saw...

we conquered.

just to put a little happy into the world.


******************************************************************
ps. two fellow artists in my group:  RENE and BETH.  check out their stuff!

Playthings.

A friend of mine, asked me if I wanted to participate in her kids' school art auction fundraiser.  Of course I had to say yes.  The theme - Playthings.  Absolutely fabulous!

I made up a wacky hand-toss game:  Pebble Pals Hand Toss Game.  (Watch for another one to end up in my Climbing Etsy Shop.) 

If you're in Chicago May 5th... Go to the auction!  Don't you just want to play with these li'l guys?!

Also... this same sweet friend, who took one of my MINI WORKSHOPS in the past, was a brave soul and taught her daughter's classroom (27 students) how to felt stones! They made some beautiful creations for the auction, as well!