Wow.

It’s officially been a full year since I wrote my first post on craft lovely, and it’s been quite an experience to say the least.  I started a blog for many reasons, but the main reason being that I have a creative outlet (at a time when I wasn’t feeling so creative) that I had a commitment to.  I hardly knew if anyone was reading, but the fact that I made it part of my everyday life, Mondays through Fridays, to always post was something that I’m glad that I’ve kept.  There are days when my mind is flooded with ideas of posts, photographs, recipes, designs; and then there are days when I’m doggone tired and realize, “Shoot, I haven’t done my blog post yet.  What on earth am I going to blog about today?“  Not counting the time away I took from the holiday season, I believe I only missed 2 of my five weekly posts over the whole year.  It’s this commitment that I have to myself and to you loyal readers, that I’m most proud of… it’s taught me that whether or not you’re feeling creative, or even feeling in the mood to post, you stick to it.

It’s been extremely fulfilling to write on craft lovely, and I appreciate each and every one of you.  Thank you for your readership, your support (there’s been so much!), your comments and feedback, and most of all your friendship on this little corner of the web.  Here’s to starting off another wonderful year!

~ Colleen

{images in mosaic are from my Flickr}

Some gorgeous images of the Oregon Coast from Abby Try Again…

{images shown belong to Abby Try Again}

I’ve been curious to try making doughnuts for some time now, and these photos are making me drool…

Cherry Blossom Doughnuts from Cannelle et Vanille

{image shown belongs to Cannelle et Vanille}

We’re back to grey, chilly late winter days here in New England, but we had some really lovely sunny and warm spring days (which were a blessing after about 1-1.5 weeks of straight cold rain everyday).  These images of Grey Gardens as it stands now are making me really long for spring (found via quintessentially b).  I actually don’t mind the snow, and I’m disappointed that we didn’t have at least one huge snowstorm (I like a good blizzard once a year, one where everything closes and you have to “stock up” on your groceries and everyone gets a snow day).  However, after seeing a field covered in robins today (there must have been about 50 or so) I definitely think I’m ready for spring.

(PS: Before you dare watch the HBO version of Grey Gardens, you MUST watch the original documentary!  Big Edie and Little Edie were QUITE the pair.)

With St. Patty’s coming up and all the Irish folk in my family, I think this recipe is in order for the weekend!

Caraway Soda Bread from Simply Recipes

{image shown belongs to Simply Recipes}

With all of the gorgeous spring weather the past few days, I’ve been thinking and wondering why on earth I never tried making another terrarium after my first attempt last year (I over-watered them and had an issue with mold, so I dismantled them and was able to salvage much of the plants and replant them in my garden).  These gorgeous terrariums from Flickr have my hands eager to work with loose soil again.

{images belong to helloyarn, koko studios, ex.libris respectively}

I am swooning over this photoblog from Unruly Thing’s Alyson Graves.  Love the color palette and use of Gill Sans.  And I cannot get over that bathroom with the clawed foot tub and insect print.

{images shown via Mossière, actual owners of the photos are listed there}

Loving these gorgeous photos from 100 Layer Cake, especially the paperwhites and gigantic pinecones!

{images shown via 100 Layer Cake, taken by Jose Villa}

Oh. my. goodness.

I don’t even think I can fathom a more original, beautiful, more delicious wedding than that of Hello!Lucky’s Eunice and her husband, Daniel.  Going through their wedding’s slideshow on Martha Stewart (yes, their wedding is not only featured in MSW but is on the cover!), it was if my brain was going to explode from the overload of gorgeous ideas.  With every click to the next image, there was yet ANOTHER fabulous and well-designed wedding idea.  This was truly a designer’s wedding with every detail well thought out.  I love the fruity color palette, her ruffled dress, the backdrop of the ceremony… it’s all perfect to me.  I am totally in love with this wedding! (can you tell?)

More info on the wedding at the Hello!Lucky blog.  Eunice also blogged about the wedding on The Bride’s Guide here and here.  DIY Project how-to’s from the wedding were generously shared via here.

{all images shown were found either at Hello!Lucky or at MarthaStewart.com}

Forever one of my favorite accessory makers of all time, Twigs & Honey always has THE most beautiful, handmade pieces.  These veil alternatives are so gorgeous.  How can I come up with a reason to purchase and wear these since I’m three years married?

They would look marvelous while I’m gardening…

Available in her Etsy shop.

{images shown belong to Twigs & Honey}