Wool Jacobean String Bag...

I recently had the opportunity to do some custom work.

This Jacobean String Bag is one of the pieces.

It is handmade from 100% wool fabric in Flax Stripe.
The front panel is lined to allow for easy movement 
from a ball of string.
I pieced the flower from wool that I hand dyed.

String Bags are useful and are a great way to keep a ball of string on hand - ready at your fingertips.
Read more about String Bags.

Easy Access with Washi Tape...

Washi Tape comes in fabulous colors and textures, it doesn't leave any sticky residue and peels off smoothly to allow you to move it around if needed.

I get my Washi Tape from Pretty Tape.

This is my wallet that I bought from Sew Merry.

The wallet has several slots for cards... 
Grocery cards, Library cards, Gas cards, Check cards, etc.
When all the cards are tucked into their slots, 
it is VERY hard to get just one of them out. 

Every time I am at a check-out, I dread pulling a card from my wallet. 
( And... who wants to lick their fingers to get a card out 
and then hand it to the cashier or clerk ? lol)

I attached a piece of Washi Tape to each card.
Different designs/colors for different cards.

This was a really simple fix that allows me to quickly pull out just the card I need ! ("quick" being the key word. ;)

Wool Crazy Quilt Pillow Top...

I've pieced together a crazy quilt pillow top from 100% wool fabric.
This is all new wool, however this project would be perfect 
for repurposed wool also.

It measures approximately 14in. x 18in.
(35.56cm x 45.72cm)

Piecing the top is not my favorite part....
but embellishing the wool pieces is nirvana !

More to come as this project takes shape.

Color Inspiration...

Color to inspire your next project...

The Humble Rug Hooking Kit...

 The expectations were immense for this one little, (very little), rug hooking kit !

I learned many great things from this package that arrived TEN ! years ago, 

and not from what was written on the directions...

I fell in love with the whole "wool experience" !

I learned I have more designs / ideas in me, than I have life left to live !

I realized quickly, as you can see from the photo, I had a lot to learn !

And, it only took me about 45 minutes to realize...

if I were to continue with my hooking experience, I MUST have a frame !  

The "hoop thing" was NOT going to work for me.

I unearthed this rug hooking kit while cleaning out some cabinets.  

Oh the memories...I was 'over the moon' 

when this package arrived in the mail TEN years ago, this month !

New Rug Hooking Project...

My latest find from my local used furniture store...

A sweet little bench with a drawer !

This bench may not look like much...

But with some sanding and a new coat of paint,
it will be ready for some wooly goodness...

The best part is, (the reason I purchased this bench), 
there is a top insert that lifts off.  This insert was originally covered in some very old plastic type vinyl, which I removed.

I am dreaming of Rug Hooking designs to cover the insert that lifts off.
The Bench measures 24in. long x 14in. wide x 17in. high.
(60.96cm x 35.56cm x 43.18cm)

Rug Hooked Bench...

This Rug Hooked Bench started out as a very large old piece of wood 

taken from a barn.  It didn't need to be cut or reworked in any way.  

It was beautiful with natural markings and imperfections.

When we found the plank, one of the sides was beveled, 

while the other was not.  All edges were naturally smoothed.

When I first saw it, it resembled a piece taken possibly from a large feed trough.

I had a carpenter add very simple, sturdy legs to make the plank a bench.  

It is 19.5in. (49.53cm) high.  Perfect for pulling to a dining room table for bench seating.  It measures 81.5in. (207.01cm) long.  It can seat many people, 

which I love when we have a full house !

It does double duty when placed in front of a sofa, like a narrow "table".

I hooked the runner with all of my leftover wool strips !

The only "anchor" of 'same' color was the black 'X' 

and 2 small rows of caramel at the center of each 'X'.

I finished the edge with wool yarn that has been whipped 

around cotton cording.  This makes a durable edge, 

which was especially needed for the use this bench would get.

This is an heirloom I hope stays in my family !

A Treasure...A Bargain...A Find...

I love to hunt for a bargain...a find.
Treasures await at Yard Sales, Consignments Shops and Thrift Stores.
Recently, while at Salvation Army, 
I spied a beautiful Hardwood Needlework Frame.

For $2.00 this Frame was mine !
It measures about 16in. x 18in. (40.64cm x 45.72cm)

I am dreaming about what treasures I can place 
in this Needlework Frame... ;)

Lavender Filled Sachet Hearts...

Would this not be the most beautiful gift for someone special on Valentine's Day ?

(Actually, I would be delighted to receive this hand crafted heart ANYTIME !)

I was recently contacted by Jessica... she purchased a bundle of Hand Dyed Wool from me and shared some of her creations using that wool.
I love the attention to detail that she gives to her work.

These one of a kind treasures have been hand crafted and embellished by Jessica.  Each one of these lovely sachet hearts is filled with Lavender.  

 More of Jessica's creations can be viewed at 
lesjardinsdevie which means 
"The Gardens of Life".

More Paisley Wool Applique...

I love this project - easy, colorful and perfect for the cold 

and sometimes dreary days of January !

Before the Holidays, I shared a sneak peak of a grouping of 

Paisley Designs I was working on.  

I now have 15 completed with 15 more to go, 

until I can complete my project.

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.

Button Snowman...

This snowman is full of character !

So easy to make.

He starts with a small styrofoam ball covered in paper clay.

His hat is formed from cardboard and 

also covered in paper clay.

Allow the paper clay to dry overnight before painting.

This project is a great use for all of those buttons.

The snowman's body is buttons strung on a piece of wire with a jingle bell attached to the end.

A piece of wire attached to the top hat allows you 

to hang him (or her) from a hook or a knob.

January and Easter Peeps, Bunnies and Bonnets !

January is the time of year when I go into the "meat" of my Hand Embroidery and Creating.  I usually take on a large project or two and dig in full time !

But.............

 January also brings longer daylight hours, thoughts of Valentine's Day, 

Easter Peeps, Bunnies and Bonnets !

(Even when I know the possibility of snow is almost a sure bet, 

along with very cold weather yet to come ! *grin*)

Sorbet Pastel Shades are in my Studio, 

fresh for your (and my) Valentine and Easter projects !

All Hand Dyed by me on silky soft 100% wool fabric, 

using my original dye recipes.

Label Your Work...

 Years ago, when I first began Rug Hooking,  

I would hook the year and my initials into the front of the rug. 

Even as I was doing that, I felt it was a distraction to the design...

Sometime later I began embroidering labels for the backs of my 

Hooked Rugs and Embroidered Wall Hangings.

It is important to include a "title" of the piece if applicable, who designed the piece, your name, the date completed and possibly your town / state.

I have found beautiful antique pieces of handwork that have not been labeled. 

I often think about who once cherished the completed handwork, 

where did it come from and what year was it made.

Snowy Countryside...

The Simple Beauty of a Snowy Countryside...

Happy New Year to you !