Spring

I think it is funny when someone says a word or phrase incorrectly.  My granddaughter said she has a footdad.  She meant stepdad.  Foot, step; so similar. LOL  The other day a lady was in our office and talked about a neighbor child who was autistic.  She kept saying that the child was artistic.  

Isn't spring beautiful?  It has taken about 25 years to get the wisteria to bloom so well.  The fragrance permeates the air on the strong, Kansas winds.

 In the back of the house, I have a lilac bush.  I had to bring some lilac beauty and fragrance in the house.  I had to place one of my socks from a current project onto the table.

Grandbaby 1 and I planted herbs together last week.  We had a pretty good success rate.  The packages were kits so it would have been hard to mess up.
  

I started making fireplace mantle covers, dresser scarves, buffet covers, or whatever they can be used for covers.  One edge has hand dyed wool locks which can go to the front edge, or hang over the front edge.  This one is reversible and totally different.  

See the new chicks.  They are growing!  I may have eggs this time next year.  Last week we lost one of our adult chickens to a neighborhood dog attack.  A second chicken lost her tail feathers.  She may have a bite on the top of her back, but she is holding on well.  The third one was not injured and gives moral support to the injured one.  We have a variety of colors and breeds with the new chicks.  

What projects are you working on?  I have some project bags ready to sew.  I hope to start a knitted pillow, another pair of socks, and a large rug.  

Have a great week!!!  Dawnie

More wool locks, etc.

I haven't made many things as of late.  I threw my back out and I spent several days in pain with a lot of Icy Hot patches and muscle cream along with some kind of muscle relaxer/pain pills.  I was a little out of touch.  I couldn't bend without major hurt in the lower of my back, especially on the right.  You just don't know all of the things you use those muscles for until you need them.

I finished one of the fireplace mantle cloths.  I made this one a little wider so it could be used on a buffet or a dresser.  If it is too wide, it can be easily folded on the back side.  This mantle cloth is for the fall.  It has tiny deer heads on it along with pastel leaves on a dark golden metallic brown background.  The reverse side has a burlap look alike fabric.  All along one side is long sheep wool locks.  They are kettle/rainbow dyed with primarily gold color.  There were also yellow, purple, brown, and orange colors in the dye pot.  I love the longer locks and the bling in the fabric!  I don't have a mantle, but my mom does, so I made use of it.

up close

This is a table runner I completed this summer.  I love the vivid colors.  It really makes a great mantle cloth too!

The harvest mantle cloth.  It has a blackboard-like background with vivid fruit and veggie pictures and canning jars.  The other side of the cloth has a coral fabric.  This is such a playful fun fabric.  I could see some canning jars on this the mantle or on a sideboard and this cloth used for a sideboard cover/cloth.

When making the mantle cloths, I needle felted the wool locks onto the fabric and then sewed the seams.  I think the locks will be less easy to pull off.

My grand-baby turned 2 and my mom turned 87 on 9/11.

I noticed all of the curls in my grand-daughter's hair.  All I can see is wool locks for spinning.  LOL

I hope you are all doing well.  Have a great weekend!  Dawnie

Did you ever want a fireplace mantle cover with a little pizzazz??? Look at this. It is fresh and exciting.

 New dresser scarves, buffet covers, or fireplace mantle covers with little fiber locks.

The beginnings of my buffet cover.

After I got this far, I decided to purchase a felting machine.  It is like a sewing machine, but it does not have thread, just felting needles.  Felting needles resemble fish hooks on the ends.  This allows for the wool to be felted or small amounts to be pushed to the other side of the fabric. 

https://www.amazon.com/Janome-Needle-Felting-Machine-Exclusive/dp/B015YCBBRO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1533079677&sr=8-
3&keywords=felting+machines

I tried the edge of a decorative pillow with the new felting machine.  It worked very well and goes much faster than by hand with 1 to 3 needles.  

The recent accident in Branson, Missouri where Tia Coleman lost 9 family members on a Duck Boat that tipped over, really got to me. I have been on vacation in Branson and have ridden on a duck boat. After reading that her deceased husband was found with all 3 of their deceased children and about the promise he made of always taking care of her and her children.  This family must have been remarkable!  Can you imagine the love and compassion this family had for each other! 

These are the quotes from the KAKE news article:"Somebody told me that when they found my husband, he had all three of my babies," Coleman told Anderson Cooper on "Anderson Cooper Full Circle," a daily interactive news show on Facebook Watch. "So the reason I couldn't find them is because he was protecting them."

"That right there will keep me fighting for my family forever," Coleman said. "To know that he did (was) exactly what he always told me when we first met: 'I will always take care of you and our children.'"   

I challenge each and every one of us today to stand tall and take responsibility for our children and grandchildren.  Model the correct behavior and show them the right way to care for family. 

My new powder puff.

I found a use for vintage broaches.

https://www.joann.com/how-to-make-a-rit-dye-room-refresh/30913745P3.html#icn=inspirationLP&ici=Nav&start=1
Interesting roving wall hanging

Fermented Suint Vat Wool Cleaning Method

There is a method of cleaning wool that is becoming popular, even though it is not a new method.  It is where wool is placed in water and allowed to ferment.  Sheep make suint which is their sweat.  This is a natural cleaner. One of the best places online to view this method is at: 

https://mozfiberlife.wordpress.com/fsm/


Thanks for viewing!  Dawnie