Summer is almost here and so is the summer issue of Creative Knitting Magazine. In it, they’ve given the ol’ nod of approval for our Cezanne.

Here’s what it comes down to; we like Creative Knitting Magazine, they like us and we both like you! That’s why we’re partnering up to host a giveaway. Tell us which Jordana Paige bag you like best and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a JP bag of your choice. I know, that’s a lot of liking. Have you liked us on Facebook? (I couldn’t resist).

On to the rules:

1. Explore jordanapaige.com and learn about our knitting bags.
2. Tell us which one is your favorite and why you must have it.
3. Comments must be made on this blog post between now and May 28th, 2013 at 11:59pm PST.
4. One entry per person. Be sure to include your name and email so we can contact you if you’re the winner.
5. One will winner be selected at random. Winner will receive the Jordana Paige bag of her choice (must select from available bags).

And, don’t forget to pop on over to Creative Knitting to check out their Summer issue, available online now and in print on the 28th.

Take a look inside her Cezanne here and then linger on her blog for awhile. Meredith has an eye for good design. You’ll find posts with beautiful, bright photography featuring crochet, knits, crafts, baked goods and more. It’s a feast for the eyes.

Do you remember when you learned about frogging? I’m not just talking about ripping back a few rows (or 50) to fix a mistake, which is never fun but worth for the right project. I’m talking about a full-on stop your project and rip it, rip it all the way back to your original ball of yarn.

Something most knitters love is the marvel of creating something from nothing. Ball of yarn + time = scarf! Yay! So when I first read about someone getting through half a sweater and realizing that no, this yarn must not be this sweater, it astonished me that she frogged it. The. Whole. Thing.

Frog my Emmery? Not a chance.

I was perplexed. All that time and energy gone! And instead of staring at a WIP, you’re staring at … yarn. How depressing.

After 1.5 years of knitting (!) I have finally come to the project that I have to frog. It’s those darn socks! (Sorry, I couldn’t resist the pun.) Despite all of your kind advice I can’t get the laddering to stop when I purl, and I think maybe I just don’t like knitting socks. I have to pull so tight on the yarn and knit around tiny double-pointed needles. I’m not into that.

So for the past few months I’ve been uninspired to knit. Well, uninspired to knit those socks anyway. Don’t get me wrong. I am in the middle of a little project for Lydia, my favorite six-month-old, but that project with its gorgeous yarn just sits there, staring at me. It got to the point where I hid it in a closet.

The other day I realized it had been months since I knitted even a stitch on it. I’m feeling guilty, like I’m cheating on the sock with my cardigan. This is serving no one. I have to let go. It’s like a book I never want to finish. It ruins the whole fun of knitting for me.

So I’d like you to (virtually) join me as I frog for the first time a half of a sock. I know it’s not half of a sweater (thank goodness!) but still, I’m a little teary about the whole thing.

Half sock + very little energy = ball of yarn.

Wait. That’s not right.

More like … Half sock + very little energy = BALL OF YARN!!!

Suddenly there are a world of possibilities out there. (I’m pretty sure I just lost an hour on Ravelry.) For joy! Maybe I’ll try socks again. Or wrist warmers? Or, to get away from the whole DPN thing perhaps a cowl. I’m giddy with glee!

I get it. Frogging isn’t always the worst thing in the world. In fact, it can be super liberating. More liberating than leaving a book unfinished because when you re-open that book it’s still the same chapters and words. With a ball of yarn, the world is at your fingertips.

Have you ever frogged anything? Was it worth it? Did it break your heart? Were you happy to see it go? Tell us about it in the comments.

I have been crafty for as long as I can remember.   I must have been about seven years old the first time my mom enrolled me in an art class.  Throughout my childhood I tried cross stitch, hand-sewn yo-yos (these were actually inspired by Jordana and her sister, Elizabeth), friendship bracelets, beaded jewelry, perler beads, drawing, painting, polymer clay beads, and too many others to list.  Can anyone relate?  Countless trips for all kinds of craft supplies and activities flood my memories, including one time when my mom loaded up my sister, my best friend, and myself in our jammies for a late night pajama party themed shopping event at Michaels!

With so many crafty interests many of my projects were left unfinished.  Though I am certain my mother encouraged me to finish the projects I began, she also was very understanding that the creative process can often be flippant and distracted based on inspiration.  This has not changed for me over the years, though I’d love to be more decisive and organized.  Crafting can be for artistic purposes, practical purposes, or “just because I feel like it” purposes.  What receives ample attention one day may not receive a second glance the next.  Sometimes it’s about finishing a project while other times it is just about having a project to work on.

I fell hard for sewing and quilting when I became a mom because my need for creativity collided with my need for practicality.  So, the older I get, the more I am driven to create for a purpose: a quilt for a new baby, a mug rug for a loved one who is ill, a dress for a special occasion.

(My finished projects from the past month: wonky star quilt for baby Quinn, inspired by this quilt; my first attempt at flying geese; Staple Dress pattern by April Rhodes made using Field Study voile by Anna Maria Horner.)

My children know that they can come to me for their own practical “needs” as well: a bag to hold Star Wars Lego figures, a skirt to replace Ariel’s fins, a little bag to hold tiny cargo waiting for the tooth fairy.  These special requests and the excited little faces I see when I present special items accompanied by passing down the love to create are the icing on a delicious cake for me.  Both of my children enjoy being crafty.  My daughter, who is four, has this year wanted to learn how to sew.  There is such a great joy in guiding her and in watching her excitement as she tries something on her own.

Expressing creativity is part of who I am and I owe it all to my mom.  She nurtured my creative disposition and now as a mom myself I get to nurture creativity in my children as well.  Whatever piques their interest, I aim to encourage them to try new things and discover a process they enjoy.  Whatever creative outlet piques your interest, I hope you make time for it as well.  If you aren’t crafting yet, start small to find what you like and take even a few minutes a day to improve, make progress, but most of all, enjoy something creative.  That’s the whole point anyhow. Have a happy and wonderful Mother’s Day appreciating those you love!

So how do we ensure that our children grow up understanding the power and beauty of handmade gifts? Teach them how to make and give them, that’s how! Looking around the Internets, there are plenty of fun Mother’s Day DIY projects for kids to create with dad’s help. But what about the card?

That’s where my brother-in-law and his kids come in. Sure, there are plenty of Mother’s Day cards at the mall, or you could make your own in the traditional style, but what if you wanted to make the biggest Mother’s Day card ever? One that you could see from Mars? Well, maybe not Mars, my nephew Zeke informs me, but pretty far away.

Here’s what you need:

• Sidewalk chalk
• Large area to draw like a driveway or parking lot
• Camera (optional)

Timing:

This project takes about 30 minutes, so if your kids are morning people, get them up to do this before mom is awake. If night time is better, park you car on top of the card and steer mom clear of it until morning.

Step One: Let Go of Expectations

If there is anything I’ve learned from playing with children it’s that planning is good, but can often be a source of anxiety. Things will hardly ever go the way you thought they would. That’s actually the beauty of doing projects with kids, because you learn to let go and just have fun.

Tell the kids you’re making the biggest Mother’s Day card in the world for their mom and that’ll get them excited. But beyond that, things should be pretty organic. Less stress for you, more fun for the kids, and trust me, mom will love the effort made, not just the final project.

Step Two: Craft Your Message

Ask your kids questions to get them ready to draw. Here are some to get the wheels moving:

• Do you want to use words or pictures of both?
• What do you like to do with your mom?
• What is your favorite place to go with mom?
• What does mom do that you like?

Step Three: Start Drawing

Once your kids grab hold of an idea, let them go to work! For my nephews, they got excited to draw roller coasters at the boardwalk where their mom brings them. Don’t worry about how big or small they draw something. Just encourage them to draw what they want.

If your kids are too young to write the words, offer to help them but also make it a joint effort. For instance, if you’ve decided to create a message at the top of the card, ask them to help you color in the words or add patterns.

Obviously infants and babies aren’t going to be able to participate in this project, but if your child is still young and has an older sibling, try to include them in the project in this way. Encourage drawing as well. Even if mom has to ask what the drawing is, it’s the thought that counts, right?

Step Four: Show Mom!

If you’ve got a driveway or parking area at home, you can bring mom outside and give her the card Mother’s Day morning. But what if you don’t have a spot? Or what if mom’s favorite thing to do on Mother’s Day is to take a spa day many miles away? Or maybe you just want to preserve the memory for longer than the next rainfall.

This is where the art of photography comes in. Grab your kids and have them lay down on the card. (You know they’re already covered in chalk by now.) Since this card is enormous, you’ll probably want to find a way to capture it all, like standing on a chair or taking the photo from a second story. Whatever you do, just be careful!

If you decide to give the photo to mom, this project should be completed at least the day before. You could frame it, or even make a frame with your kids, using a tutorial like this. Whatever you decide to do, know that mom is going to love her handmade, gigantic card, which will show your kids how wonderful it feels to have their handmade gift appreciated. And that’s a gift for everyone.

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Like this idea? Be sure to share it on Facebook and Twitter and pin it on Pinterest. Use the links on top of the post. Or just tell your kids you’d love the biggest card in the world for Mother’s Day. That’ll get them in the mood to create!