When my mother was a young woman sitting around her Uncle Henry's kitchen table, he taught her how to make hairpin lace. Every time I think of my great uncle, with his short, stubby aging fingers, handling a crochet hook, and patiently teaching his young protege, I smile. I would love to know how he learned, but alas, I never will. But even now, I love being able to trace this technique back to Uncle Henry, and have a true sense of the creative legacy we can impart on younger generations.

It has been a quarter century since my mom or I have used hairpin lace to make anything. Recently she decided to make each of her grandchildren afghans. While trying to decide on a pattern to use, I remembered this all but forgotten technique. My mom use to use 2 long knitting needles, pushed through 2 spacers my father had cut for her. We could not find these anywhere, so I purchased her a new set. And just because I was so excited to rediscover this technique, I got a set of hairpin lace needles (sometimes called a hairpin lace loom) for Michelle and myself. The pictures above are the start of an afghan I'm making for our home... although our 5 pound Yorkie, George, seems to have claimed it already!

This morning I'm heading over to mom's to have a cup of coffee, deliver the needles, and help refresh her memory of how to craft with them. I reminded her of how easy and fast it is to make hairpin lace, and she is anxious to get started. I'm having so much fun and think it is a technique that many of our readers would enjoy learning. With hairpin lace needles, you can create very thin, dainty lace to thick and warm lace great for afghans. So, if you are interested in learning a new technique, one that requires nothing more than being able to single crochet, you are in for a treat. By the end of the week, you may be starting your own hairpin lace project... and you can look heavenly and thank Uncle Henry! 
  

We have had our gnome house for almost 2 years now, and just like my own house, I am always adding a little here and there, changing this and that, and allowing our environment to reflect the seasons. When preparing our gnome house for Valentines Day, I decided we needed plates and cups. There are many different ways I could have gone with this... including using natural clay to craft them, but I must admit I took the easy route this time and used some  Polymer Clay I had on hand. Certainly, the same idea can be used with natural clay, but I do like the pretty pinks and reds for Valentines Day and will make some natural ones for every day use later :)

If you are interested in crafting your own set of cups, dishes, and vases, the directions can be found HERE or with our FREE Patterns. The kids will love helping with this craft. Enjoy!

WARNING: These are definitely CHOKE HAZARDS and should not be used with small children that still put toys in their mouths.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

I think God can relate to crafters. I think he can understand our desire to create something beautiful and useful. I think he can also relate to our tendency to jump from craft to craft... a time to knit, a time to sew, a time to cross stitch, a time to macrame, a time to stain glass, a time to paint, a time to needle felt, a time to sketch... you get the idea. Having lived half a century, most of which I've been crafting, I can look back fondly on all the different crafts I've dabbled in, and revel at the list of things I've yet to try. (I have a weaving loom showing up next week... can't wait!) 

Sure, there are some crafts that have been my mainstay... might call them my "meat and potatoes" crafts... I've always knit and sewn without interruption. But there were some crafts I was so totally immersed in, I can't believe I no longer do them. Like cross stitching. I'm not sure when I stopped making samplers and bookmarks. I know it was not a conscience decision to stop cross stitching, but I have. Every once in a while I go through my case of cross stitching supplies, look at the books and the unfinished projects, and think I should get back to it, but I haven't... and truth be told... not sure that I ever will. (I will point out I'm still not ready to pack off the supplies and give them away... you never know!)

Another one of those bygone crafts is basket weaving. There was a time when I constantly had a basket project going. My SIL Jennifer, was also enamored with weaving... she even went so far as to make enough baskets that she was selling them at street fairs... but over time, we both moved on. Michelle and my niece, Bailey, remember us basket weaving... even made a few projects, but they were too young to tackle the craft in earnest. After a fair amount of prodding, Jennifer and I decided to revisit basket weaving.

So, yesterday, we headed over to Jennifer's, with plans to basket weave. She had pulled out all the old supplies... she had become the caretaker of basket weaving paraphernalia... and the kitchen was littered with reeds and buckets, books and tools. Jennifer and I were both engrossed in flipping through our old books, oohing and aahing over the patterns we had made, and those we had not gotten to yet. 

I was trying to decide which basket I would like to make, when Jennifer went to the sink, and started filling a bucket with warm water, to dump into the big barrel that the reed would soak it. THEN, it came to me in a flash why I quit basket weaving... it is a messy, wet, time consuming, wet, skin cracking, wet craft. Did I mention you get wet while basket weaving... at least the way I basket weave! I get cold easily. The thought of working with wet reed held no appeal to me. And, my hands get so dried out in the winter, to the point of cracking, the thought of working with the reed sounded downright painful! I decided I was content to sit around the table, offering advice when advising was called for, drink my coffee, and flip through the books. I will point out, Jennifer made the same decision.

So, Jennifer and I sat at the table, chatting and laughing, while Michelle and Bailey worked on baskets. My mom even stopped by for a cup of coffee and conversation. We all had a great time. I felt like we were handing off the torch. Our time to basket weave was behind us (okay... I'm not saying I'll NEVER basket weave again, but if I do, it will be outside, in 78 degree weather!) and it was now time for our daughters to have a go at it. And, I couldn't help think... a time to teach, a time to learn.   
     

After 30 years of parenthood, 6 years of gammyhood, and over 10 years of being a preschool teacher, I have collected over a hundred different "Make Your Own" recipes. From the mundane to the extraordinaire, I have tried and true recipes for just about EVERYTHING! Glues and pastes, playdoughs and chalks, paints, crayons and sculpting materials. The benefits of making your own crafting materials are reduced costs, immediate availability and control of ingredients.

Over the next few months we plan to share our recipes, hopefully building a useful resource that we can all refer to. If you have a suggestion, a recipe that you would like to share, or a questions, just email us at weefolkart@yahoo.com. If you share a recipe we don't already have, we'll be sure to give it a try and include it in our data base. So, put on an apron, gather the kiddos around, and start concocting with us! 

Our first recipe is for your basic Cooked Playdough. A mainstay in any situation. I prefer home made, because if not overcooked... very important... it crumbles far less that purchase playdoughs, and has a wonderful feel. Plus, added your own flavorings, my personal favorite is coconut extract, and it smells sooooo good. 

COOKED PLAYDOUGH
2 cups flour
2 cups water
1 cup salt
4 tablespoons cream of tartar
2 teaspoons baby oil or vegetable oil (I prefer baby oil)
food coloring and/or flavorings

DIRECTIONS
Mix all ingredients in a saucepan. 

Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat when dough forms a ball. (Important: Do not over cook. Take off heat as soon as it comes away from the sides. It will still appear a bit "wet") Dump on a clean surface. As soon as it is comfortable to work with, finish the mixing process by kneading the dough. 

This dough can keep in an airtight container for months, but with high usage, I replace it every few weeks.

This has been a great week for us. We've gotten many emails and links from friends sharing the projects they've made using our patterns. When people post one of our patterns on a blog, we link to it on Facebook. But many of readers do not have blogs, so we get emails and photos instead.

Today I would like to share a project that Marta made using Our House applique block. I think the reason I'm so drawn to it is because of how she personalized it. I'll let you read part of her email:

My name is Marta and I am from a little town near Barcelona, Spain.

I just want to thank you for your big generosity sharing your beautiful patterns that inspire a beginner like me. Your explanations are so clear and easy that I feel I can make a project.

This week I finished my house. I started making your design, but then my daughter Sara asked me if she could keep it when I finish, and then I decided to make our house and I changed some things. The roof is red, the house is white, the chimney has a hat, the two cats that visit our grass,... I got dared and I started with my own details, and I send you my final result (in addition, it was my first serious experience with the sewing machine to make the frame).

Obviously I am very proud and Sara is very happy with her little house hanging in front of her while she's doing her homework. And that's why I write to you, because you started this blend of happiness, satisfaction and self-confidence for next projects thousands miles away with your generosity.

Well, I must admit we are pretty proud, too. We are so happy that our patterns and projects find their way into the homes of so many friends around the world! If we ever need to justify why we do what we do, we just need to share the myriad of emails we receive.

So, to Marta, thank you so much for sharing with us. You did a lovely job. And to Sara... you are a lucky girl. I know it must make you smile every time you look at your house. And to ALL our readers... think of our projects as a starting point. Use your own creativity and visions to make all our projects your own :)

We are still very busy crafting Valentines Day decorations for the gnome house. Thought a festive rug or two would be a nice touch. Whenever I make my Rip and Tear Napkins, I always have a long, narrow strip of fabric left. One of the great ways to make use of this fabric, is to rip it into 1/2" strips and crochet with it like you would yarn. (Hint: Prewashing the material removes the sizing and makes it easier to work with.)   

To join the strips into one continuous piece, simply overlap the ends and sew together. You do not need to be neat. You'll never see it once you start crocheting.

This is so easy. To make a rug 5 1/2" x 5 1/2":

Using a crochet hook size US I, loosely chain 14.

Rows: Turn and chain 2. Double crochet into 3rd stitch and ever remaining stitch.

Repeat until 5 1/2".

Dah Tah... you are done. When crocheting, it doesn't matter whether the right or wrong side of the fabric is showing... the variation will just add to the interest of the finished rug. Obviously, this can be enlarged to make pot holders and even floor rugs. That's one of the projects I would like to tackle soon.

What a busy time in the Thicket. Britta is bustling around readying the house for a Valentines Party she is throwing for some friends. She just finished this lovely banner with flowering vines meandering over a Valentine's heart. Although cold weather is still evident throughout the Thicket, hearts are warm with Valentine Cheer. There is no doubt that love is in the air!  

Here is a lovely Valentine Banner displayed prominently in the gnome's home. Make your own banner to share with your gnome friends or for a doll house. Haven't got either? Not to worry. The applique and embroidery can be used on any project that needs a little Loving Embellishment. The directions for the Gnome Valentine Banner can be found HERE or with our FREE Patterns. Hope you and your gnomes Enjoy!

We are always encouraging our readers to use our applique patterns to meet your own needs. I have a little wall with shaker pegs where I hang my Easy Cotton Shawls. I wanted a little something above the pegs... something that added a little color and a lot of fun. I crafted a banner using our Running Kitty and Running Mouse. I added a few funky flowers, and a fun, tie-dyed border, and came up with combination that I love. Bug noticed it as soon as he came in the room. All the grandbabies were "oohing" and "ahhing" over it, and immediately noticed that it was like the cat and mouse running up our stairs. Leave it to Bug to say, "Say, Gammy. You need to paint flowers on the stairs for them to be more beautiful like this." Hmmm... I think he is right!

The completed size of our Cat and Mouse Banner is 20" x 7", but can easily be adapted to fit a different space. Also, although I've included a pdf with a couple of cloud shapes and some flower patterns, let your imagination run wild and embellish your banner any way you like. The directions and patterns for the Cat and Mouse Banner can be found HERE or with our FREE Patterns. Enjoy!

Last week we received this email from a reader and having received her permission, wanted to share her email and pics.

Kimara and Michelle,

I found your blog a few weeks back. At the time I was bored and I knew I wanted to craft and sew but just had no inspiration. Looking through your patterns inspired me. A dear friend of mine is getting married in February and I wanted to make them a unique gift - one that reflects who they are. They both love the outdoors and gardening, so when I saw the tree applique I knew I could put a twist on it and embroider their initials in a heart in the middle of the trunk - one of those endearing memories of love. To complete the pillow I found a wool sweater at the Goodwill with a neat pattern, felted it, and used that for the backing and frame around the applique. I just finished the pillow last night and I wanted to share it with you. Thank you for inspiring me with your whimsical patterns - I have never used or worked with felt - and now I love it! I have so many ideas floating around in my head now and I attribute that to you both, and all the work and creativity that you share with others on your blog.

A million thanks,
Michelle

We thought this was such a lovely adaptation of our Tree Applique Block, that we wanted to share. Unfortunately, Michelle does not have a blog site or we'd send you there, but wanted to share how combining your needs and inspiration with our patterns, can turn out something very unique. We also thought this could be worked into a lovely Valentines project. The initials on the tree are brilliant and speak of Love. Using an old sweater and felting it for the pillow itself is icing on the cake. Thanks for sharing, Michelle!