Watch Cap

Elizabeth Zimmerman's Watch Cap pattern, done in brioche stitch is a great winter cap.  For Christmas presents this year I paired one strand of handspun yarn with a complementary strand of mohair yarn and knitted with the two strands for the cap.  The result was colorful and very warm because of the mohair content.  This pattern and Elizabeth's "Very Warm Reversible Hat" are my two favorite hat patterns for winter.

Easy Knitted Hat

Jessica and I have been making hats with this loom. It is a very easy project for kids to do and it gets them into knitting. Jessica is taking orders in school to make hats for her classmates.

Paper Bag Basket

Hi, This is a great way to use up all those paper bags. It takes 4 large bags to make this basket. You can also use Iris leaves from your garden and weave a smaller basket.

To find directions on internet, go to http://http//makeprojects.com/Project/Woven-Map-Basket/75/1

Birthday

I made this puppet show and safari animals for my 4 year old great nephew's birthday. The doll high chair is for my great niece's 3rd birthday. I hope they will enjoy them. Jessica had fun helping me with the safari animals.

Thinking ahead...

I'm learning that when it comes to Etsy, I have to think ahead, so I've begun working on some Valentine's Day cards. Here is a preview of my first Valentine card print. I've added a little interest by slightly raising the printed portion of the card with foam tape.

Alpha-snake

This is a new direction for me, scroll cutting. I have done some wood burning carving before. This puzzle seemed like such a great way to learn the alphabet. It is going to be a Christmas present soon, but I wanted to record its creation, the first alpha-snake. It might be a bit scary for a 3 year old, but he will soon get the idea.
The detail is done with with a burning tool and leaf-shaped tip used for shading. The tip had the perfect shape for the scales on the snake.  Hope he likes it. Photo to follow of befuddled little boy with a wooden snake puzzle.

turtle neck

Hi, I found this pattern on www.knittygritty.com thought it was cute. It's a turtle neck for a tissue box. I changed the pattern and made it fit a smaller tissue box.

Christmas felting projects

A dear friend generously gave me some felting wool so I have been busy working on some felting projects this week. Using some pearl embroidery floss, felted beads and a charm from the Bead store in Johnson VT, I made a couple necklaces for Christmas gifts. To make the holly Christmas tree ornament, I used a cookie cutter to form the leaves and the berries are more beads sewn on with floss. These are all needle felted, and yes, I did manage to poke myself real good! But only once!

South American Style Purse

This little purse was woven on a simple peg loom by a five year old and me. She will receive this for Christmas as a present for her doll. I think it will fit nicely as a shoulder bag on the doll. It certainly is colorful! I hope she likes it.

Succulent Greens in Winter

I thought I'd take a break from my usual "printing posts" and share a simple way to have fresh greens during the long cold days of winter. All you need is potting soil, a container, (I used a seedling tray) and some seeds. I used sunflower seeds, but you could also use pea seeds as well. To begin, put a shallow layer, approx. 2 inches deep of damp soil in the bottom of your container, then sprinkle your seeds on top of the soil rather thickly. Put in a window (and hope for some sun!) adding a cover to keep in moisture until the seeds germinate. The warmer your window spot is the faster the seeds will grow and make sure to keep the soil moist. In about a week or so, the "shoots" will be tall and have leaves. Cut and enjoy! When you have eaten all your "shoots" take the container to your compost pile or garden and dump out the soil. It'll be a "mat" of soil held together by the roots of your shoots and start the whole process over again!