Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Embellishing With Threads

For every one of my pattern designs, I always suggest that wool felt can be used instead of the 100% wool that is shown in my pictures.  I do this because 100% wool is very expensive whereas wool felt is a LOT less expensive.  Woolfelt might not give the exact appearance as 100% wool but for those who can't afford the real stuff, wool felt is the perfect alternative.

The real disadvantage with woolfelt is that textures, like tweeds and checks and plaids are not available.  Woolfelt is only available in plain, solid colors.
But, that shouldn't stop you from using wool felt in place of plaids or tweeds because it's easy to use threads to create that design on woolfelt.

Take for instance the plaid scarf on the "Let It Snow" design...
When I first introduced this design as a pattern, I recieved a rather nasty comment from an Ebayer which scolded me for suggesting that woolfelt could be used for this design. 

SIDENOTE:   I have to say that very RARELY do I ever get nasty remarks from anyone, but in all cases, I take the nasty comments as constructive criticism rather than insults.  I use those comments to help me improve my work.  Even the one person, who over the years chooses to subtly harrass me with anonymous emails, I learn from these type of comments ....and besides, "the customer is always right" is always my way of thinking.

Anyway, the Ebayer angrily insisted that the snowman's plaid wool scarf could not be dublicated with woolfelt since it's not available as a plaid.  While this is true, and since the customer is always right, I agreed with her, but I also let her know that embellishing plain colored wool felt with assorted colored threads to create the plaid affect would work very nicely. 
Another example, which exactly shows how I've used threads to create texture is my design, "A Crow's Day Off"...

I could have used a nice brown tweed for the sunflower centers for this but I used threads instead to create the textured grid pattern.  It's easy to do and it converts the plain colored camel wool into a texture. 


So, if you come across a design that you'd love to make but lack the exact color or textured wool to make it, give some thought to alternative options ... like embellishing with threads!

Happy Stitching and Happy Day!

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Friday, September 14, 2012

"Sunflowers!" For Fall <-----New Pattern!

"Sunflowers!" Wool Candle Mat Pattern



This is my new design for fall called "Sunflowers!".  I originally made this a few years ago, showing it on my blog post back then. I had forgotten completely about it until a customer (thank you Lisa :) inquired about it, wanting to purchase the pattern for it.  So here's the pattern for it!
I always use 100% wool for my designs, but 100% wool is expensive!  This can easily be made with wool felt for some or all of the wool requirements to save on cost.
The pattern will have a special template which will make it simple to center the sunnflowers and leaves perfectly onto the background.  Simply cut the template out, center it onto the black background wool circle, and draw around it with a chalk pencil.  Voila`, there's the stitch placement lines!

Pattern price is a special $8.00 for today and tomorrow.  After tomorrow (Saturday night) the price will go up to the regular price of $9.50.  The price includes shipping for US & Canada customers.

To purchase, just click on the "Buy Now" button over there on the left sidebar. For those who wish to pay by check, email me for my mailing address.  cathspennies@gmail.com
The price includes shipping for US & Canada customers.
I have an downloadable epattern available for this too.  It can be purchase from my PatternMart site: CLICK HERE

A wool kit is also available from my website. CLICK HERE to go to the website.  The kit includes the hand-dyed golden yellow wool for the sunflowers, the black, green and tweed wool.  The wool is 100% new, off the bolt Woolrich wool which is washed, felted and ready to go.

Thank you ladies!

Happy Day!

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

"A Crow's Day Off! <<------New Pattern !

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A crow loves his Sunflowers. 
 I would imagine that a field of Sunflowers would be like heaven to a crow.
That's why this new candle mat design is called "A Crow's Day Off!'   I think if a crow ever did take a day off, he would string up a swing right in the Sunflower Patch and swing the day away, snacking on the Sunflower seeds as they fall.
"A Crow's Day Off!" Wool Candle Mat  Pattern

The finished size is 13" x 19".
It's shown made with 100% wool but to save on expense,wool felt can easily be substituted for any or all of the wool requirements.
The crow's swing is made from braided Jute Twine. If you don't have any jute twine laying around, any dollar store carries rolls of it for $1.
  The price includes shipping cost for US & Canada.

To purchase, just click on the Buy button on the left or visit my website http://www.cathspenniesdesign.com 
As always, if you wish to pay by check instead of credit card, just email me cathspennies@gmail.com and I'll send my mailing address.
Wool kits are available too by visiting my website HERE

If you'd like to download the epattern for this instead of waiting for the mailed pattern, just go to my PatternMart site for the download purchase

Happy Day!