Compliments Collection, by Kristin Omdahl!

I'm a big fan of Kristin Omdahl. Her patterns are feminine and flirty with a whisper of architectural design. Her latest booklet, Compliments Collection offers 10 knit and crochet projects which speak to her signature aesthetic while offering the perfect inspiration for summertime stitching.

My favorite design in the book is the Aster-tiered Knit Cowl (shown above) for its delicate leaves, stacked to create a precious pop of color. You can see the all of the lovely projects offered though, on Ravelry. Plus, enter to win a free digital copy of the Compliments Collection here on this blog! Just post your full name and what types of projects you prefer to knit or crochet during the warmer months. Winner will be picket at random and posted on June 3rd.

Can't wait to nab yours? I don't blame you. Buy both digital and hard copies of the booklet here.

Stitch.Rock.Love,
Vickie

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Mothercraft: Super Hero Birthday Party!

Wonder Twin powers, activate. Form of: a Super Friends Birthday Party! Last weekend my daughter and her best buddy teamed up to celebrate their 3rd birthdays Super Hero-style. Fortunately for them, their mamas' happen to be crafty crusaders. Here's how my gal pal, Noelle and I joined forces to battle the b-day blahs by creating a party with all kinds of POW!

Kazaam, it's cupcakes!

• Plain, store-bought cupcakes turn thematic with handmade toppers. Design your own in Photoshop like we did (and when I say "we", I mean Noelle), or order customized versions from Etsy. Just do a search "for customizable cupcake toppers".

Comic Color Sheet Favors

• Repurpose second-hand comic books into crime-fighting favors! Pull the best pages out so there's a colorful image on front and back, and laminate. Attach a baggie containing a couple of dry-erase markers, and you've got reusable color sheets that are perfect for keeping kiddos busy at restaurants.

Kiddo Decorated Avengers Cookies

• Let the little ones get involved. Some pre-made dough, Marvel hero cookie cutters and a rainbow assortment of sprinkles make for a good evening of pre-party, family fun. My kids and I made these ahead of time and froze them. The week before the event became known as "Countdown to cookie eating!" Helping with these made a certain toddler feel even more excited about her upcoming soiree.

Brother & Sister Baking Team

Super-treat Station

• Set up a Super-treat Station to inspire guests when they arrive! We had ours filled with comic book favors, hero masks, vases filled with action figures, and some masked munchies.

Pillowcase Capes Waiting for Decoration

• Crime-fighters get crafty with a cape-decorating station! Upcycle thrifted pillow cases into no-sew capes. Cut the case in half to create two capes. Use pinking shears to shape, and thread ribbon or velcro pieces through the existing hem. Draw star, lightening bolt or other emblems onto fabric using a black pen. Have them hanging and ready for each wee *web-slinger to color in with fabric markers, and embellish with sticky-backed felt shapes. Each cape will run you less than $1!

 Customizing Capes for Future Crusades

Super Hero Rescue Station

• Oh no, Super Hero action figures have been frozen in time! Quick, save them so they don't have to pull a Captain America and miss out on 70 years of time.  We originally got the excavation station idea from our friend, Jennifer Perkins' Dino Dig. For our own Fro-zone though, we swapped out dinosaurs for action figures and surrounded the main glaciers with regular ice cubes so that even the baby guests would be able to play along (without that pesky digging). To freeze the fighters, layer small figures weighed down by ice cubes in plastic shoe boxes. Fill in the gaps with water and pop in the freezer. Our rescue station kept kids ranging in age from 18 months to 12 years old occupied for half of the party. If that's not a super feat, then I don't know what is!

Birthday Boy & Girl, Ready for Super-friends Action!

Mini-heroes Excavating Action Figures from Ice-y Capture!

All in all, I think Quinn & Clover's big 0-3 was a success. Super friends. Super easy. Super fun!

Check out more photos from the party on Flickr.

Craft.Rock.Crime-fight,

Vickie

P.S. I'm moving all The Mothercraft posts back to my regular blog. Stay tuned!

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*Note to our fanboy husbands: Yes, I know that Spider-man doesn't wear a cape, but I sacrificed accuracy for alliteration. It'll be fine; I promise.

My Next Book is Available for Pre-Order!

My 7th book, Step It Up Knits: Take Your Skills to the Next Level with 25 Quick and Stylish Projects hits shelves this Fall, but is already available for pre-order on Amazon. Nab your copy now, and be the first to get your hands on patterns for great accessories like slouchy beanies, shawls, baby ponchos, socks, purses and more! Step It Up Knits, also offers tutorials for skill-building techniques like knitting lace, cables, short rows, Fair Isle, and more! Reserve your copy today.


Stitch.Rock.Love,
Vickie

Join me on:

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