A Warm and Wooly Christmas To You...

The cookies are baked, the gifts are wrapped, 

gingerbread houses are being made and decorated,

the "Twelve Days Of Christmas" are nearing the end,

the Christmas menu is ready to go.

Time to gather with family.

Merry Christmas to you !

I will return after the Holidays with more wooly goodness. ;)

          Rose

Hand Dyed Wool in Flesh Tones...

Flesh Tones in Hand Dyed Wool 

are back in my Studio again...

This collection consists of various subtle tones of flesh colored, butter soft wool, suitable for the shading of skin and faces in Rug Hooking as well as Applique and other Sewing Projects.

Luxurious soft 100% wool that I have hand dyed and felted

 using my original dye recipes...

Pale Cream, Blush, Whisper of Pink, Pink Chalk,

Baby Peach, Peach Mist, Light Beige, Tan, Suntan

This wool cuts nicely on a #3 cut (3/32 inch).

Vivian's Bubbles Christmas Stocking...

The last of the five stockings...

Vivian's Bubbles was made for my Granddaughter.

Vivian loves to watch the bubbles spread across my computer monitor, 
when the screen saver appears.

I have also hooked a "Vivian's Bubbles" rug...
actually I think I love those bubbles as much as she does !

The Bubbles have been hand cut from hand dyed wool.
The Christmas Stocking has been pieced and sewn by hand.  I used a Beaded Blanket Stitch around some of the bubbles to give them a hint of sparkle.

I finished the outer edge of the Stocking 
with a Beaded Blanket Stitch.

Penny Rug Christmas Stocking...

Rustic colors of wool, hand cut into Pennies...
most of the wool hand dyed.

This is one of my favorite Christmas Stockings.

Each grouping of Pennies is topped with a repurposed button from my Button Jar.

This stocking was fun and easy to make. 
It is 100% wool, front and back and is 
all hand work - a sewing machine was not used.

This Penny Rug Christmas Stocking has a rustic traditional charm 
that is perfect for my son - Vince.

Velvet Christmas Stocking...

What to do with a Bridesmaid dress ?

(Because no matter what they say...you will NOT be wearing it again. ;)

This Christmas Stocking was made from a dark green velvet Bridesmaid dress, that I wore in my Sister's wedding.

It is the simplest of all the Christmas Stockings.

(By this time, I had three little ones, 5yrs. old and under 
so I might have been a bit exhausted !)

But, this stocking has a lot of sentimental value because of the wedding. ;)

The cuff is made from the satin sash on the Bridesmaid dress.  It was at this time that I began using glass beads and crystals in my fabric projects.

A Christmas Stocking for Daughter #3 - Nadine.

Pieced Christmas Stocking...

Can one have too much fabric ???

NEVER ;)

This Christmas stocking was made from my old 

silk blouses, cashmere cable knit sweaters and mohair sweaters.  
(All of which I had been saving for "something special")

The buttons came from my Button jar, salvaged from repurposed clothing.

It was during this time that I began experimenting with piecing quilt tops....
and loving every minute of it !

So...it made perfect sense to piece a Christmas Stocking 
for Daughter #2 - Monica.

Counted Cross Stitch Christmas Stocking...

Years ago, I was enveloped in cross stitch projects.

Nothing was too big or too fine or too detailed.

Every free moment = Counted Cross Stitch.

I was working as a Nurse at the time. 

I arrived home from work, after a long shift, and as I opened the front door, 

there before me was strewn everything from my embroidery bag.  

Flosses, Pattern and bits of the linen I had been working on.  

After I gathered my wits...I realized my dog had a heyday with my project.  

Hmmm.  I found my project, (in another room) ...
amazingly, the actual design was not chewed into, 

however the surrounding fabric was in shreds.

It took me a few days to figure out what to do next...
there was so much more of the pattern to stitch.

I only had a "right angle" shaped design to work with.  
I couldn't add anything to it because there wasn't any fabric left to do so !

It was the Holiday Season and because of the shape of the design, 
I decided a Christmas Stocking might work.

The first Christmas Stocking was created for my first daughter - Olivia.

Christmas Stockings...

Years ago, I started making each of my children a Christmas Stocking.  
They are not fancy.  No Pattern, just a simple chunky design.  
I like stockings that can handle a serious amount of loot !

Each of these stockings has a story to tell...

Over the next few days, I'll highlight some of those stories.

Five handmade Christmas Stockings. 
On the first three, I used a sewing machine to finish putting them together.  
The last two are all handwork, no sewing machine.  I prefer to work with my hands and not use a sewing machine at all.

Each one filled with memories and a story...

Redware Pottery...

Over the weekend, the Manheim Railroad Station was home 
to a wonderful Folk Art Show.

There were about 12 local Artisans displaying their hand crafted items.

I purchased this beautiful Redware dish from Andrew Loercher from Lancaster, PA

He explained how he uses real flowers / leaves 
and presses them into the pottery to make the impression.

All of his pottery is food safe.  

Each one is beautifully detailed.
I especially like the way he has finished 
the edge of this dish.

(Andy can be reached at REDWARE(at)verizon(dot)net)

Green Apple and Licorice Penny Rug...

Green Apple and Licorice Penny Rug...

This is a contemporary twist on an old time favorite.

I have cut the pennies by hand and applied them with a Blanket Stitch 
on a Fine Black wool background.

The base is a Midnight Houndstooth wool.

I have finished the Penny Rug with a Pulled Thread edge.



Three Sheep Studio Christmas Giveaway Winner...

Three Sheep Studio Christmas Giveaway

A winner has been chosen by Random.org

Anne Henderson is the winner of this Wool Paisley Pillow.

Merry Christmas Anne !

Many Thanks to all of my wonderful Blog friends 
for your amazing support and kind encouragement.

Rose

Paisley Galore...

I love experimenting with color 

and working with different textures.

This project uses my hand dyed wool 

with a sprinkling of glass beads.

I am currently working on a grouping of Paisley Designs.

This is a sneak peak of a few that I have completed.

If you would like to try your hand at some Wool Applique,
you can get one of my Paisley designs free along with instructions 
at How To Applique With Wool - Part 1.

Don't miss the Christmas Giveaway !
Giveaway closes Monday, December 10, 2012.
One entry per person.

For a chance to win....
Click Paisley Pillow Giveaway to enter !

(This Giveaway is now closed.)

Stone Cold Snowman...

While on a camping trip in the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon,

a large smooth rock caught my eye.

I brought it home, not sure what I would do with it.

It has now become a snowman...

Following the rounded edges,

I filled in it's white body with acrylic paint.

When it was dry, I sprayed an acrylic sealer over the stone. 

Using a glue gun, I added some buttons

to give him some character. 

Maybe I'll cut a snipett of wool for a scarf

 to give him some pizazz !



Handmade Soap...

This is the time of year when the packages

begin arriving on my doorstep.

(I have to admit, I love the ease of shopping

without leaving home.)

 

But not all of them are gifts for others. ;)

 

 

I recently learned of the Pompeii Street Soap Company,

through the Handmade in PA blog.

 

Amazing handmade, high quality soap and body products.

The company is located in Mifflinburg, PA.

 

The soaps are luxurious and smell incredible and....

were shipped immediately. 

Ordered and on my doorstep in about 3 days !

 

I am always looking for nice hostess gifts and these would be a perfect choice...

if you can resist using them yourself. ;)

 

 

 



Color Inspiration...

A "candy store" of color.

Hand Dyed Wool...

Be Inspired To Create !

Pretzel Kisses...

A yummy combination of salty and sweet

in one delicious bite !

 

These are amazingly quick and easy to make...

(and they make a nice addition to a cookie tray.)

 

 

How To Make A Beaded Ornament Hanger...

Beaded Ornament Hangers are the perfect Hostess Gift, Teachers Gift
or a special treat for yourself !

I enjoy unpacking my ornaments each year for the holidays. 
It seems each one has a story.

Beaded Ornament Hangers are an eye catching touch 
to hang that special ornament.

(They can also be used to hang a suncatcher at a window.)

Flower Wool String Bag...

I made this String Bag from a very soft 100% wool houndstooth fabric. 

I pieced the flowers using hand dyed wool

and then applied them using a Blanket Stitch.

(Learn more about Wool Applique...)

The flowers are embellished with a few hand embroidery stitches.

The Houndstooth wool and the bright colored flowers give this String Bag a contemporary feel.

A String Bag is both useful and practical.

Hang in a convenient location...

It hides a ball of string...

Just pull and cut the length of string you need.

String Bag measures 8in. x 7.5in., the handle adds an additional 5in.

(20.32cm x 19.05cm, handle adds 12.70cm)