Craft Room

Just wanted to take a minute to share some of the projects that Michelle and I have planned. To begin with, check back later in the day. I promised a new animal bookmark, and we have a cutey to share! I just need the add a few finishing touches and it will be good to go!

One of my projects while we were on our Staycation was reorganizing my work spaces. Let's face it... when it comes to crafting areas, we are all voyeurs! We all like to get a glimpse at the nooks and crannies that support our creative juices. Over the next week, tucked in here and there, I will be sharing my crafting areas. Above are pics of an attic closest... with the before and afters. The first photo is quite scary!

And, finally... We get lots of emails asking for tips on working with felt. After answering many such inquiries, we decided to run an on-line class... Let's call it "Felt 101" sharing tips and techniques for working with felt. It will be a 5 week "course" including topics like selecting materials, cutting tips, stitching tricks, etc. That will begin in September. Do you have a question about working with felt? Just leave a comment here and we'll be sure to get it answered for you.

Have a wonderful weekend and check back later for our new bookmarker!

Just received this month's copy of Living Crafts. If you haven't seen this lovely magazine, we highly suggest you check it out! This month includes wonderful blocks for knit farm mats, some lovely felted ornaments, incredible candles from nature AND a hobby horse, using a sock. Wee Folk Arts December's craft of the month is a hobby horse made of felt and a smattering of embroidery. It's fun to see how different people's patterns and interpretations can look. I should have ours completed by next week to give you a sneak peak of the pattern for you to compare. If your little ones do not already have a hobby horse, I think every youngin' ought to have his own stabled in the barn! Enjoy the mag if you get a chance to see one! 

There are many crafts that I do, most of which provide immediate gratification. Scarves and mittens, wee folk and dishcloths, skirts and sweaters, can all be finished in a relatively short amount of time. But there is something so rewarding in taking on a "big" project. I always have at least one afghan or quilt going, usually several, and these can sometimes take me years to finish, as they get pushed to the back of the crafting closet and memory!

I started this afghan last February, with the plan of giving to my youngest son for his birthday, which was in August. Missed that! Now, I'm planning on finishing it for a Christmas gift. So, it now sits on my computer desk. I'm on a mission. Sure, I'll turn out the quick crafts, but this one is now front and center stage. I MUST get it done over the next few weeks, before the holidays are upon us and things get crazy. It's a fun afghan to knit, but does take concentration. Wish me luck!

It’s not a shocker that both Michelle and I would embrace the same craft at the same time. We seem to travel in pairs, so we’re exposed to the same things, at the same time. I happened to be born with a pair of knitting needles in my hand, which I’m sure made for an interesting delivery! But Grandma Pearl, my crafting muse, was a knitter, so it was a skill I learned early, and I adopted Grandma Pearl’s attitude that crocheting was a Johnny Come Lately craft that only people who couldn't handle two needles, were drawn to! (BTW...Grandma was a closet crocheter and could turn out a toilet roll cover with the best of them. She just viewed the craft as plebeian and chose not to share it with me!)

Looking at our blog to date, it seems we've offered very little for boys. Our apologies to all the wee men out there! Believe me, Bug has not been overlooked over the years, however, we've been rather fixated on girl projects the past few weeks. For all of you crafters out there with boys, thought we'd give you a rundown on some of our projects in the works. Over the next few weeks you can expect patterns for capes and tabards, scabbards and belts! Bug is anxiously awaiting his tabard...think that will be the first thing on the list!