Looking for some interesting reading or a new project this weekend? Here are some of my favorite crafty things from the internet this week.

The Happy Dodo Stitchery Grand Opening

Today is the grand opening of Nicci's new shop, The Happy Dodo Stitchery, and I could not be more excited for her! She has been working on this new shop a long time, and I think you will love her new charts as much as I do - she's already got a peacock chart, which is the sign of a first-class establishment, in my opinion. Even better, all the charts are 25% off during the grand opening, so it's a great time to stock up!

Found a couple fabulous tutorials this week:

Ruby Murray posted a tutorial on her blog showing on how to make teeny tiny little finishing "hoops" for cross stitch or embroidery out of milk jug caps. I love the samples she posted of little button-art hoops - very cute.

Carina (of Polka & Bloom fame) posted a tutorial on joining crocheted granny squares that is so full of photos I think it would be impossible for even the very poor crocheter (read: me) to get lost while following it. Saved this one to Pocket for future reference.

If you are itching to start a new project this weekend, check out these free needlework charts:

Nutty Rectangle, a bargello needlepoint chart from Janet Perry

Spring Plantings, a cross stitch band sampler from EmbroiderBee (to grab the PDF, look for the chart name in the Box.net widgets on the left side of the page)

Butterflies from World of Agi - there are four varieties that you could stitch in a variety of colors

Pastel Biscornu, another cross stitch chart from World of Agi

Easter Eggs, a cross stitch chart from Rather Unseamly

Bunny Peeps!, a cross stitch chart from PixyStitches -this one will only be available for a week, so make sure you grab it while you can. (Disclaimer: this is not the actual name of the chart. but rather the name that I screamed inside my head when I saw it - thus the exclamation mark.)

Home Sweet Home, the first free cross stitch chart from The Happy Dodo Stitchery