Saturday, October 29, 2011

Felt Your Own Pumpkin for Halloween!

Hi Everyone!

You know years ago I started out my felting career with needle felting.  Specifically I made a pumpkin for Halloween.  Then I bought more supplies and took them with me on a 'girls retreat' in Oregon.  Both my sisters and my mom learned how to felt pumpkins on that trip.  It was a super time for renewing bonds, sharing childhood memories and creating something beautiful and useful!  We didn't make a video all those years ago, but I found a very delightful woman on YouTube who did.  Click the link below and follow along.  I bet you can get one of these done for yourself before Halloween on Monday!  And you can keep using it right on through Thanksgiving.




Now days knitting shops as well as Jo Ann's and Michael's are carrying the wool needed for this quick fun project.  Have fun everyone!

Janet

Friday, October 28, 2011

To Weave a Spider's Web

Hi There!

Well if you remember I was telling you about walking my dog and seeing all the lawns covered in glistening, gossamer spider threads...SO ...I have figured out a couple scarf designs that represent that shinny thread-like look.


and

Spider's Web Wrap in Progress
And now since the bewitching hour has come I am off to bed so tomorrow I can start felting these beauties!

Janet

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Pillow Fight Anyone?

Tonight I have a finished pillow front that I felted over the past couple days.  I was using some transparent strips of nylon that I found at a local fabric shop, plus some prefelt that I have been working with, merino and merino/silk blend...it took a bit of elbow grease to get through all the layers I had made in some places, but it finally worked!  I have two now. I can't wait to stitch them to their back covers and stuff them!  They will be part of Sapphire's inventory and are destined for Blue Flag Hand Weaving Studio in Sandpoint.  http://www.blueflagweaving.com/
Transparent Nylon Strips


More Prefelt




Finished Pillow Front 1


Now... I want to tell you about something really wonderful.  I was walking my dog the other day - It was a clear crisp morning following some very heavy overnight rains.  All the sudden, I noticed sparkles out of the corner of my eye.  Upon closer examination, I saw that every lawn in the neighborhood was covered in tiny gossamer threads!  Was this the work of fairies or elves?  I think not...but it was all very enchanting.  As I continued along the threads kept twinkling at me.  I am sure it was the work of spiders...yet it t'was so beautiful that I decided then and there to design a scarf or something representing that effect...but that will have to wait until another day...check back...
Our website is making progress...not quite ready...but check back there as well as it shouldn't be too much longer.
Janet



Beautiful Glass Artwork

From my old stomping grounds...well almost.  I was born in Bozeman, Montana and I met a woman from Laurel the other day.  I am sure I must have been there as a child, but I don't remember it.  Still that takes nothing away from my enjoyment of the wonderful pieces of glass artwork being created by Elaine LaFlex-Green.  406-855-5086



 I chose this particular piece of hers because Sapphire Brand's logo (part of Kings Treasure Chest, Inc. our company) is a mermaid holding a Sapphire.  While my new glass piece isn't holding a sapphire, she is in the correct colors and I love her!  I plan to make the bead into a pin to wear to shows.