Play Time

Well I hope everyone had a pleasant weekend.  I had a great time with friends and new acquaintances at a Mexican dinner party on Sunday.  We had a scare and then a good laugh when the chef that prepared the dessert bumped his head on the corner of a cabinet.  Then someone in the kitchen doctored up his head with raspberry syrup (really meant for the pie) when we weren't looking, so that when he brought it out there was mock blood dripping off his forehead!  It looked so real!

Today I taught my second class at an active retirement complex in Post Falls.  It was needle felting again.  This time the students made felted pockets using Corridale batt.  Many of them carry their apartment keys and a cell phone around and wanted a small 'purse' to place them it.  They worked hard and finished within the two hours!  Next up for this group will be some sort of 'gift' for Valentine's Day...I am thinking felted book markers.  Going to have to work out the details though...

Tomorrow I am on to the pillows I need to make.

Have a great Tuesday,
Janet

Up to row 9...back to row 7 :(
{sigh}
Luckily tomorrow's another day...another chance to go forward...

Taking Stock

As we near the end of the month of January I have taken stock of...well everything!  Sometimes that is a scary thing to do (grins).  As far as my goal to felt something every day...and I think I must revise my goal.  Out of the first 27 days of the year I have only met my goal 10 times.  This really cannot be considered success no matter how you analyze it.  I have managed to do some type of felting each week.  So I think my new goal should be to felt 2-3 days out of every week and see how I do on meeting that goal.

For my goal to knit some lace project, I selected a simple lace stole.  It has one Estonian lace stitch in the pattern and the author states that if you have never knitted lace, this is a good first project.  I now have some sharp, pointy rosewood circular needles made by Lantern Moon, and modified by my dear husband to my specifications.  I think I may have a selected a yarn that is iffy.  The silk will help the stole keep its shape, but the mohair can make it difficult to take stitches out if a mistake has been made. (Like my first five rows!) However, today I had to take a row out and that mohair worked to my advantage.  It didn't tangle so fiercely this time and I was able to pull the whole thing off the needles without any unraveling.  Then I pulled out an inch or two at a time and the remaining stitches stayed right there waiting for me to put them back on my needle - which I did!  I'm now up to row 4 - for the second time. ;)  Making headway...even if slowly.

As far as business goes...things are moving along at a steady, if minimal, rate.  I have a set of custom pillows to make in the next few weeks.  I still have a couple pair of custom felt earrings to make.  And two people asked me to contact them in January about custom felt drapes...another wants me to call her in May.  I have my stuff in one brick and mortar shop in north Idaho and at our site online.  Unfortunately, I needed to remove my things from the other shop because of some financial issues...don't want to get into that tangle.  And Farmer's Market opens on May 12th and I have new lines of products I want to have ready...which brings me back to the top of this post and my original goal to felt every single day...sure wish I could!

Tomorrow we are off to Sandpoint to refresh our stock at Blue Flag Hand Weaving Studio.

Take care and have a great weekend!
Janet

Kindergarten All Over Again

What fun!  Remember finger painting?  I love tactile projects and today was one in that realm.  My friends and I gathered at a lady's home to learn how to dye and antique lace.  It was so like kindergarten finger painting.  Here are some quick shots of my play time this afternoon.

If you are interested in this type of art check out this site: (Yes, it will bring up lamps for sale.)
http://www.myvictorianelegance.com/
Be sure to click the link to their online store for the dyes.

Have fun painting!
Janet