Guest Post by Amber Smith from Mama Nature and a Giveaway

Today we have Amber joining us for a guest post on Natural Suburbia, she is a very creative and talented woman who loves nature and blogs over at Mama Nature.

In Amber’s words:

Who I am: I am simply aesthetic, spiritual, intuitive and imaginative. I support our local Farmer’s Markets.  I am a newly discovered community artisan! I believe in creating physically and spiritually. I want to inspire people to take whatever idea I share and make it their own and make it personal to them.
What I create:  I have been creating for my family the past year and it wasn’t until recently that I felt very encouraged by my friends and community to branch out and sell some of my creations. Things I create for my family: garden art, felt toys, polymer dolls and jewelry, knitted clothing (my favorite being the little red riding hood), upcycled patch-work clothing, quilt mandalas, illustrations for there bedroom walls, and stories that teach real value. Yes, I am a busy lady and I always try to involve my children in what I do. Most people may think being this busy might make life more complex but for me and my family it actually brings a simplicity and balance! It exercises our self-sufficiency, self discipline, self-awareness, self-discovery, our heart, our family’s quality of time and of course our creativity. I’m so thankful for the opportunities I’ve received in my life and I’m even more thankful for the supportive people in my life!
                        
 
 “Certain things catch your eye, but pursue only those that capture your heart…”
Native American saying
What inspires me: Three things that inspire me: my children, my community and mama nature. I don’t think you can get any more simple than that! My favorite musician is Jack Johnson and we start nearly every day listening to his music and allowing it to ground us and prepare our hearts for the day. I also have been a member of his All At Once Community for a couple years now. Other things that inspire me: my heritage & home, this waldorf, and wildlife

What is my crafting space like? Space is so important. It’s nearly a source of inspiration itself! A majority of my art doesn’t happen in my home – it happens outdoors or in our community! Occasionally, in the evenings or early morning I will construct a new felt creation. And my family has been very supportive in giving me quiet time for a couple hours Tuesdays and Thursday evenings. This is when I blog, craft and reach out to people outside of our home.
Craft Tutorial: 
This is a very open craft tutorial. If you aren’t afraid of using your intuition and prefer being natural over uniform and perfect – then you may really enjoy this tutorial!  There are no real rules for this but I will try to share how it worked for me! Go ahead and free your creativity – exercise your problem solving skills and make something unique and creative!
SUPPLIES:
flexible tree branch
multiple strands of yarn

HOW:
#1 First bend your branch into a circle. Then use some yarn to creatively wrap and hold the ends together. Next use a second piece of yarn to create grass by wrapping it half way down one end and up the other.
#2 Now choose the color for your tree. Once you have selected the color yarn of your choice cut 5 strands of equal length depending on the size of your branch. The center strand must be about 12 inches longer than the rest because you will use the center strand to wrap around all 5 pieces to create a tree trunk effect.

#3 Attach the longest strand to the center using the larks head knot technique
#4 Attach the remaining pieces *two on each side of the center strand* using the same larks head knot technique.

#5 Gather the strands at the bottom of the branch tightly. Use the long center strand to wrap and attach to the bottom of your branch.
#6 Once the strands are securely attached at the bottom continue to wrap the long center strand up about half way and back down again. Tie the center strand tightly.

#7 Choose a variety of colored yarn. The yarn can be all lengths or you can cut them to equal 24 inch lengths. Attach the yarn to one end near the larks head knot.
#8 Begin weaving and adding more yarn until finished!
Links for Mama Nature:


MAMA NATURE – GIVEAWAY
“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs.
Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do it.
Because what the world needs are people who come alive.”
-my grandma/
Robert Henri, The Art Spirit
Amber is giving away this incredibly cute handmade Bigfoot toy. If you would like to enter this giveaway, please like her facebook page and leave a comment below saying you have liked the page:) If you are not on Facebook, you can Tweet about the giveaway or choose one of the additional entries below:)
For additional entries you can choose to either ‘share’ her Facebook page, follow her blog Mama Nature or heart her Etsy shop.
Please remember to leave a comment for each entry.
The winner will be announced here in this post on Sunday, please ensure you leave an email address so that I can contact you if you are the winner.

Congratulations to:

I love every shop you all feature. So many creative people out there, Mama Nature included. I just went by and “liked” their facebook page. Thanks for the giveaway!

Amber, thank you so much for sharing here today on Natural Suburbia.
Linda
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14 Responses to Guest Post by Amber Smith from Mama Nature and a Giveaway

  1. eidolons May 31, 2012 at 2:01 pm #

    I don’t use facebook, but I have to say that this bigfoot is the cutest thing ever! I’ve favorited her Etsy shop so that I can head back that way for some little-boy-birthday shopping! Thanks for introducing me to her store. (:

  2. RobinBrz May 31, 2012 at 2:10 pm #

    Thank you for introducing Mama Nature. I enjoyed hearing about her philosophy and interests. I shared a like on my facebook page and tried to “like”, but honestly facebook and I aren’t the best of friends! Have a wonderful day.

  3. Mel May 31, 2012 at 2:45 pm #

    I love every shop you all feature. So many creative people out there, Mama Nature included. I just went by and “liked” their facebook page. Thanks for the giveaway!

  4. Sage May 31, 2012 at 5:12 pm #

    What beautiful creations! I ‘liked’ Mama Nature on Facebook 🙂

    Sage
    sweetcandydistro at gmail dot com

  5. Sage May 31, 2012 at 5:14 pm #

    I also added added Amber’s Etsy shop to my favorites 🙂

    Sage
    sweetcandydistro at gmail dot com

  6. Lídia May 31, 2012 at 10:08 pm #

    What a nice blog!!!! I’m glad to find and join your site it’s very interesting & sweet! Thanks to share so beautiful creations! 😉

  7. Tammy♥ May 31, 2012 at 10:44 pm #

    How adorable…!!! Love it..!! I have liked her facebook page..and thanks for the opportunity..!!
    knitwit29@gmail.com

  8. Libby June 1, 2012 at 1:29 am #

    I particularly like the weaving. I love nature crafts!!

  9. \(°v°)/ June 1, 2012 at 8:35 am #

    I shared mama natures fb page! Love bigfoot!

  10. \(°v°)/ June 1, 2012 at 8:37 am #

    I liked & shared her fb page. Bigfoot is adrable!
    ilikedreamn@gmail.com

  11. sandrarumsey June 1, 2012 at 10:16 am #

    I have liked Amber’s etsy shop and also subscribed to her blog. Would love to win bigfoot.

  12. Corina June 1, 2012 at 2:54 pm #

    I love it! And I immediately I made one too! http://handwerktuin.blogspot.nl/2012/06/inspiratie.html

  13. teresa June 2, 2012 at 8:55 pm #

    Love it. You are so amazing. I am very proud of the beautiful young lady you have become & how much joy you have involving your children with all the activities you do. Keep it up. 🙂

  14. Mama Nature June 4, 2012 at 6:08 pm #

    Congratulations Mel! I just visited your blog and realised we have so much in common! My dad works for the airlines too and I have traveled so much because of it! I am so passionate about the world because of it! I also adore your home projects!

    Anyways- I will be sending out Bigfoot ASAP! I just need to get a hold of your mailing address!

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