Craft Book Addiction

So I have a confession to make....I am addicted to buying craft books. There I said it. I love to buy them, look through them over and over, keep them on my bookshelf, admire all the great things in them, and say to myself "I can make that." I even like to buy the materials needed, which are stockpiled so lovingly in my basement/storage room/craft room. So my 2010 promise to myself is to make at least one thing from every book I have.

My newest favorite book is Hand Stitched Felt by Kata Golda. I love her work as it is cute, quick and super easy!

I just finished these notebooks during Wednesday night craft night at the Arts Station. They are made with the store bought felt, and embellished with felted sweater bits and pieces. I also have a stockpile of paper in my basement/storage room/craft room (for scrapbooking of course!) so that is what i used for the inside. FUN!

Swirly Tree with Sun

I have always had a thing for cool looking trees, like the Burmis Tree in the Pass. This is just a picture of a swirly looking tree using the wet felting technique. Once it was dry, I did some needle felting on the "swirlies". (Is that a word? Wonder if I could get away with that one in a game of scrabble?) I sold this picture and hope they love it!

Felted Bowl Addiction

Have you ever shrunk a wool sweater in the wash? Well then, welcome to the world of felting. All you need to felt is wool, hot water, soap and agitation. These are felted bowls I made over balloons. I covered a balloon with 3 layers of wool roving (that nice fluffy wool from a sheep, that has been cleaned and dyed). I then add hot soapy water and rub the balloon with bubble wrap to agitate or "felt" it. Once it starts felting you pop the balloon, rub it a little more and voila

you have all these cute felted bowls all over your kitchen for your husband to adore when he gets home from a hard days work!! I seriously became addicted to making these....I have so many...could not stop making them. I use mine for "clutter catchers" in the kitchen and bathroom, or have put a jar or pot inside them for flower vases or plant pots.

Avery's First Purse

Many people wonder how I do any crafting while having two kidlilngs. Well Kaden, a 2 year old boy, is quite happy to empty the kitchen drawers, wreak havok with his mighty machines, or dump out all the pasta from their packages while I am crafting. Avery on the other hand wants to craft all the time. This day she simply said "Can we sew a purse today?" So I figured I would teach her to do some hand sewing on felt. All I did was thread the needle, show her a couple stitches and off she went. I then cut out some felt pieces for her to glue on & helped her with the handle. Not only was she thrilled but I had some time to work on my own projects!

Happy Valentines Day

I made these adorable softies for Avery & Kaden for Valentines Day.

The monkey is for Kaden, and is made out of some of his old baby clothes that I loved - a blue courdoroy shirt and a blue & white plaid shirt. I even attached the pocket from his shirt onto the monkeys tummy, with a red felt heart. He loved it and had to take it to bed with him!

The house is for Avery, made out of a really cute pink shirt that I loved her in. I have boxes of baby clothes that I can't bear to part with so I loved making these, and can't wait to make more! Thanks to my Wednesday night girls for introducing me to the book & ideas "Softies Only a Mother Could Love".