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

Romance & Roses

Soon it will be Valentine's Day and many of us start thinking of Romance and Roses.  We desire to surround ourselves with bath and body items of beauty.  One of the many things I like to use is body powder for days that I may be hot and sticky.  Body powder can be purchased or made at home.  I like to use cornstarch, arrowroot powder and tapioca flour. A mixture of these powders works fine.  A touch of white mica (for shimmer) and a bit of fragrance oil or essential oil is sweetens the deal.  Different essential oils have antibacterial properties which is helpful when you are prone to sweating.  Oh, I forgot, women glow.  LOL   Most well known of these antibacterial essential oils is tea tree and lavender.  Tea tree is stinky to me and would have to be camouflaged with other fragrances. 

Body Powder,  Dusting Powder, Talcum Powder, & Perfumed Body Powder are all terms to describe the same thing.  Talcum is seldom used and most powders have some sort of fragrance, even Baby Powder.

If you decide to make your own powder,  you probably have containers at home to place the powder in.  I have a salt shaker shaped as a dress.  It works great for shaking powder onto my hand so I may place it on my body.  My preference is to use a powder puff, so my hands aren't all powdered.  These puffs can be made with the use of novelty yarn.  Any soft yarn such as eyelash or extra fluffy baby yarn is preferred.  I crocheted a circle and then closed the circle up.  A little piece of ribbon for a holder can be used in the center of the puff.   For containers, I like to use small jars and decorate the jars and/or the jar tops.   Another simple container to use is a teacup.  What do you think you will use?  

Don't forget to make a washcloth using the heart pattern posted here:  https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8166745332559091209#editor/target=post;postID=3780019047132877636;onPublishedMenu=template;onClosedMenu=template;postNum=3;src=postname

You can use any cotton yarn, but my preference is a thinner yarn, such as dk size.  I find the sugar n' cream yarn is too thick for me to use as a washcloth.  Once you use the washcloth or dishcloth, you want it to thoroughly dry between uses.  It is not necessary to use a second yarn for the additional sparks in the washcloth.

Do you have Valentine's Day plans?  I hope you enjoy the day!  Thank you for reading my blog.  Dawnie

PS  Don't forget to go to my website at: https://www.slipperywhenwetsoaps.com or my website at: https://www.custercottage.com or my Etsy shop at:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/CusterCottage