It’s a GOOOOD day for some HOCKEY!

At 3pm EST, hubby and I will be glued to the tv set. 
Forget everything else, the Hockey game must be watched!
Here in the Pittsburgh area, we are torn between hoping for the best for the Canadian team but yet wishing for US to take the win.
The Canadian team has our star player, Sidney Crosby playing.  Sidney, although I’ve never met him, is almost like a son to me.  We’ve watched him grow up over the years playing for our Pittsburgh Penguins so naturally, we want to see him do really well for the Canadian Olympic team. 
I’ve been thinking about this a lot and since I want Sidney to be the hero on the Canadian team,  I think the best thing that could happen would be that Sidney scores all the points for their team but our US team will win by one goal.  That way it will be an exciting game to watch.  Sidney will get to be the hero and come back to Pittsburgh refreshed and energized with his amazing playing prowess to continue to do great on our Pens team.  Does that sound ok for you Canadians?  :)  Good! 
No matter who wins, it’s going to be some great hockey watching today!

Here’s my latest project.  Remember that stack of freshly hand-dyed spring colored wool that I talked about last week?  This is what I had in mind for the wool as I dyed it. 
It’s not finished yet.  I’m excited to get it finished just because it’s so refreshing to work with these lovely spring colors.   …and because it’s matching pretty closely with the design picture that’s in my head. 
I don’t think that there was any one thing that inspired this design to come into my head.  It just happened.
I get my inspirations from really odd places sometimes.  …
The chick shapes that I just recently used in the “It’s Spring, Chicks!” pattern and the most recent tablerunner pattern was inspired by a picture that I saw hanging on the wall in the movie called “Yes Man”.  I don’t know what the picture on the wall actually was, but the distant shape of it reminded me of a primitive chicken and VOILA!  there’s my spring chick shape. 
I should go watch that movie again to find the scene that where I saw that picture.  I remember it’s a scene where some guy was standing on a ledge getting ready to jump and Jim Carey’s character was leaning out the window, talking to him.  The framed picture was on the wall right above Jim Carey’s shoulder.  :)
I was over to babysit at my grandson's house the other day and they always have stacks and stacks of books for him from the library.  I so much enjoy reading those kid library books to him just because of all the gorgeous illustrations and pictures the books have.  Just absolutely wonderful art can be found in children’s books.
This picture was taken from my cellphone so the colors don’t really “POP” like the actual colors, but this might give you an idea of what I’m talking about.  Look at the beautiful artwork in this book.  It’s really the cutest book about bees too.  Wouldn’t all those flowers look pretty done in wool?!
Thankfully, he loves having books read to him, so I get to marvel over the pictures while entertaining him!
Speaking of which, I’m absolutely convinced that the reason why my two daughters did so well in school, was because my hubby and I read to them ALLL the time in their preschool years. 
I would take them to the library at least once a week and we’d bring home stacks of books to read throughout the week.
So those of you reading this who have small children … (even babies love to have stories read to them).  Read to them every day and they will have an excellent head start when it comes time to start school.  /lecture.  :)  
Ok, I’m outta here. 
Happy Hockey day everyone  … and you Canucks?  I love ya but USA will win today!  ;)

Gotta love those Spring Chicks … New Design!

This is what I’ve been working on this past week.  I haven’t named it yet though.   As always, if you have a suggestion for a name, I’ll certainly appreciate it!

I almost don’t even want to show this because the pictures are so bad.They are the best I can do on this dreary snowy day…. not very much natural light. Better pictures will come once I get the pattern finished for this.

This one is a little better to show the colors and details …

This springtime tablerunner measures about 24” long .  What’s nice about making tablerunners is that they can always be eaily adjusted to the length that best fits the table you’re making it for. 

Anyway, I’m in love with this tablerunner.  It was so much fun to make.  I love the long and short legs on these chickies. 

This design was inspired by my “It’s Spring, Chicks!” candle mat design.  I love those cute little chicks and thought it would be cute to put bunches of them in a garden.

Here’s my original sketching of the idea …

The finished table runner turned out pretty close to the original idea.  The final finish is missing that butterfly though.  The butterfly that I wanted to make would have introduced more colors into the design and it took too much attention away from the chicks, so I scrapped the butterfly idea. 

I get asked quite often how long it takes me to make something like this from start to finished item. 

I do stitch rather quickly but for something like this, I can’t really say how long it took me because so much time was involved with the trials and errors of getting the design just how I want it to look. 

Little things like the color thread to use for the cracks in the egg take time.  I used a brown thread for the crack the first time and then took it out because it blended too well.  Then the black thread that I used was too thick so that was pulled out.

It takes SO much time just getting the colors and the shape sizes just right that I really can’t even guesstimate how much time it might take to make this from start to finish other than saying lots and lots and lots of hours. 

Once this is made into a pattern though, I’d think that it could be done rather quickly.  It does have a lot of shapes and pieces but the chicks and eggs are whipped stitched on so that goes fast.  The embroidery is mostly straight stitches for the flowers and grass, so that goes quick too. 

Maybe next time I make this, I’ll keep a log of my time just to see how many hours it really does take from start to finish.

Gosh, I feel like I’m rambling now … I’m going to shut up and go shovel some snow!

Happy Day everyone!

Questions, I get QUESTIONS!

I really enjoy getting emails from readers.  Most are  chatty emails, letting me know how they are progressing on the different candle mats of mine that they are making.  Quite a few emails ask questions or ask for advice. 

I have to say … if you’ve asked me something and didn’t get a response from me, please don’t take offense.  Sometimes, I just forget to answer.  I get busy with other things and then forget to go back to answer and by then, I’ve lost the email.  Just ask me again. 

Like just this morning, I remember that SOMEONE asked me about how the wool comes in the kits … if the pattern pieces are cut out or if it’s just the wool fabric.  I forgot to answer and I haven’t a clue where to find that email.

But the answer to that is that the kits come with the fabric and you get to cut out the pattern pieces yourself. 

People ask me about dyeing wools all the time.  I use Cushings Perfection Acid wool dyes.  They can be purchased at the Cushings website . 

I won’t give a tutorial on doing this simply because I’m far from being an expert on dyeing wools.  I mix dye colors to get the colors that I want but I don’t have recipes.  I do it kinda like how I make meatloaf … a little of this and a little of that.  It never turns out exactly the same but it’s still good.   You can get far better instructions for dyeing wool from Google, I’m sure. 

I did give a tutorial about “marrying wool” which is quite fun to do because it can give you unexpected results.

I get quite a few  A LOT of questions asking me where to purchase the exact tweed or plaid wools that I use.  Something like the tweed wool in this scarecrow hat ….

Any wool that has a small tweed or patterned design will work. Make it work!  Or you can use a solid colored wool and embellish it with embroidery to make it look “tweedy”

 

I only work with 100% wools but my patterns can all be done with woolfelts too.  I got a question recently from someone asking me where to get  plaid wool felt to use for this snowman scarf.  Woolfelt only comes in plain colors, but use your imagination!  Use some embroidery threads to make a plaid design on that woolfelt. 

I get a lot of questions asking the difference between wool felt and felted wool .  Even though they sound like they would be the same, they are very different, but that explanation would be better in a separate posting because it needs more space and time than I have right now.

The emails that I enjoy most are the chatty ones.  I really appreciate all the kind words and it’s really helped me to gain more confidence in sharing with all of you, what I love to do.  In a perfect world, I could stitch all day long, continuously …that’s how much I love it.  But I tend to still pinch myself in wonderment that you all would want to purchase anything that I make!  So it’s those emails of encouragement that are sooooo greatly appreciated.

My readers often share their own pictures with me.  I love seeing their projects especially those that are exceptionally creative.

Marla, (gosh, I hope it’s ok to use her name) sent me pictures of a handbag that she made. …

I love this bag. 

  The sheep is from a pattern.  Love the little heart buttons for the eyes too.

 

Anyway .. I really enjoy all the emails I get.   You ladies are all wonderful!

And speaking of wonderful.  My sister, Casserole Carol, is really getting upset with me because I haven’t been giving her much attention in my blog recently.   

I was scolded for not giving her credit for helping me to collect wool.  She runs the local Girl Scout store, you see.  The Girl Scout store has a 2nd hand shop attached to it so she has access to all the items that are donated.  They only sell top quality women’s /girls clothing so anything that is wool that can’t be sold, goes to me, if I want it, instead of in the trash bin.

BTW,  It is Girl Scout cookie season, so support your local girl scouts with some cookie purchases.  Those Somoas are soooo good!

 

Happy Day everyone!

It’s a Woolen Springtime

It’s in the air, I just know it is … Spring, that is.   I’m getting that “Spring Cleaning” kind of feeling now too.  Even though it’s only February, March and spring weather is right around the corner and I feel like repainting all the rooms of my house.  Oh, wait, that’s a lot of work!
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just flip a switch and your wall colors would turn a different color? 
Can someone invent that please?
It’s not really feasible for me to paint all my rooms, but I can easily change the colors of WOOL!
Dyeing wool was my Saturday afternoon project.
These wool springtime colors just make me happy.  Aren’t they soooo  pretty? 
I have a project in my head which will use ALL of these colors. 
My supply of wool colors has been running low and I’ve found myself doing the “dye as you need it” method.  It’s so nice to be able to go and pick out exactly what color you need right when you need it rather than have to take the time to dye the color.  So for that reason, I like to have a supply of assorted basic colors on hand.  I can always quickly overdye these colors if I need them a bit darker or more mottled, so I’m saving time in the long run by taking an afternoon to dye a lot of wool.
I dyed up a bunch of assorted colors of greens too so that I can have my pick of leaf colors. 
Which reminds me,  I get quite a few emails which ask me where to find the wools.   I know I’ve mentioned it here, in my blog, but I guess since there are new readers coming in all the time, I’ll do a little review.
I used to get most of my wools from recycled clothing, like wool skirts found at thrift/Goodwill stores.  That’s the ideal way to do it because it’s  inexpensive as long as you’re willing to prepare the wool properly after you purchase it. 
As much fun as it is to go to different thrift stores, looking for the hidden treasures, I just don’t have the time anymore to do that … and besides, 100% wools are getting more and more difficult to find at thrift stores now because so many people are collecting it. 
So I do purchase new, off the bolt wool fabric. 
Off the bolt wool fabrics can be found at your local quilt stores, and please, please support your local quilt shops before going off to any other online shop.  They will really appreciate your business.
If you don’t have a local quilt shop, there are a few woolen mills that I highly recommend for wool.   Dorr wools and Woolrich wools are the two that I’m most familiar with and their wools are so beautiful that you’re sure to be addicted and will never want to go back to woolfelt again.  Oh, that might be a bad thing, because it is expensive but it’s worth it, I promise.
I know our local Joann fabrics has a small selection of wool suiting fabric, but it’s made in China quality. 
There are quite a few Ebay sellers that sell their hand-dyed wools.  Some of them are fellow bloggers too.
If any of you fellow wool lovers out there know of a wool source that sells quality wools, please give your suggestions in the comments.  
Ok, I’m off to babysit the grandson today at his house and I need to pack up my stitching things to take along with me.  I get a lot done during his naptime.
Oh .. here’s just a little sneak peak at my current project.  I’ll try to finish it up in the next few days so watch for the update on that.  It’s a spring penny rug tablerunner and here’s just a small sample of what it looks like ….
Yes, it’s a dark picture!  I want it to be a big surprise so I’m not giving too much away.  I’m so thrilled with how it’s coming along that I just can’t stitch fast enough to get it completed!
Happy Day everyone!

Smelly (in a good way) Wool!

Ok, I’m going to give away a tip of something that I’ve done for a long time. Remember to use this info for good and not evil. :)
I get asked quite often by customers who receive my finished things, why my wool smells so nice.
Ya know all those perfume samples that can be found in magazines and your department store bill mailings? Don’t throw them away. Save them!

Use them for your stored wools and other fabrics.
I have my wool stored in large plastic bins, in a wooden cupboard and in a large dresser. Each drawer of the dresser, each plastic bin and the cupboard get one opened perfume sample.
It gives your stored fabrics a nice scent without being overpowering and it’s always nice to work with nice smelling wools. It might even help to ward off the moths. I don’t know that for sure so don’t extend an invitation to your local moths to visit, just in case I’m wrong.
Now, just a warning. Use just ONE sample for an area. If you mix sample scents in one drawer or plastic bin, your things start smelling like an old ladies church meeting. It’s bad, I promise you.
One sample lasts for a LONG time in a closed container.
Things are starting to melt on the Wagner family roof. This is quite a good thing because all that heavy snow is coming off the roof and I don’t worry so much that it will all fall in on us. The bad thing about the melting is that it’s quite dangerous to be close to the house because of the dagger-like icicles that are falling off the gutters.
One big icicle fell off yesterday and broke out our basement window. It’s not a big deal because the basement window needed replaced anyway.
One little curious birdie from outside decided to investigate what was beyond the broken window. The birdie flew into our basement and I’m not really sure how long it flew about our house, unnoticed, but in time, our dear old cat, heard the fluttering.
At that point, our dear old cat, felt the need to dash about the house following the bird. And it was about at that point that I heard a HUGE commotion upstairs in the hallway, just outside of the bedroom where I was just getting the grandson down for his nap.
Imagine my shock to see the cat, dramatically huffing and puffing with excitement over the prospect of actually catching something alive. She’s an inside cat, you see. … Actually scared silly to even step outside. While the bird flew up and down the ceiling hallway, she flew up and down the floor of the hallway, chasing it.
What she expected to do with it once she caught it would have been interesting to see, but I did feel the need to save the poor birdie.
I grabbed the old wire rug beater that I had hanging on the wall for decoration and carefully swatted at the bird to guide it into the bathroom so that I could contain it in an area WITHOUT the cat.
Once I was in the closed bathroom with the panicked bird, I kinda panicked then too. What do I do????
hahah.
Ok, it ended by simply by opening the window!
The bird is safely outside and the cat? Well, she stayed upstairs in the hallway for a LOOOONG time, nervously looking up, waiting for the bird to appear again. Poor thing, she was quite traumatized.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Happy Day!
Edited to say: Yes, I'm embarrassed to admit it but I was screaming like a little girl during the entire bird craziness!