Shopping sprees

Between the fiber festivals and craft fairs I went to this fall,

I've added to my stash, though I should be trying to use it up.

I have a hard time using the "good" yarn I buy though.
Want to make something extra special, usually for me.

Here are 3 wool yarns.

The top one is a hand-spun, bulky denim tweed.

The middle is hand-dyed worsted Norwegian wool

The last two red and white are fingering weight

and were seconds from a mill in Maine.

Any suggestions on how to use them?

I always go for the bargain bins at shows,

and don't mind buying vintage stock.

These are both wool and about $2 a skein.

I'm thinking of using them together.

I'm also building up my roving stash.

I have used the drop spindle once to make some yarn,

just enough to make a sweet flower brooch.

Need more time or to find someone who gives lessons,

in both spinning and felting, to get the most of these.

And I couldn't resist these cute pewter buttons with bagpipes!!!

I still have a stash of Scottish wool tartan and solids

I would love to pair these with.

Maybe a bag for me .... to carry my latest yarn projects in.

Faces of fiber

Spent the afternoon yesterday with my husband,

our two younger boys and these fine creatures.

Whenever we go to the Washington County Fiber Festival,

and similar events, I'm not sure which I like better -- 

all the yummy yarns or the animals from which they came.

(Be sure to click each image for a larger view.)

Craft show recap

The one craft show I had on my schedule this year is now over.

It went very well, especially the sales on Saturday morning.

Two of my boys took turns keeping me company, helping me out

and spending the money I made on yummy goodies!

I love my spot in the hallway with its loads of light

coming through skylights and from spotlights

aimed toward the brink wall. Perfect!

Can't wait for next year!

Craft show weekend

 You have only one chance to see me and my wares

at a craft show this year and it just so happens to be this weekend.

Classy Crafts for Christmas will be held

Friday 2 to 8 pm and Saturday 9 am to 3 pm

at Our Lady of the Annunciation Church,
48 Aviation Road in Queensbury.

If I am in the same place as last year,
you will find me in the long hallway.
Come say hello!

Got Christmas stockings?

I made dozens of Christmas stockings to sell a few years ago, after making them for my own and extended family. Maybe I made too many of  them (or people preferred getting them from Walmart, I've overheard that at craft shows and it saddens me) but I have a lot left.

I haven't relisted them on Etsy this year, but since I have quite a few new followers through Twitter and Facebook, I thought I'd offer them here. Each one is 19"long diagonally from hanging ribbon to toe. They are completely lined with with cushy batting between layers and no raw seams showing.

I'm asking for $15 per stocking (with shipping included) and can give you a deal for multiples. I also have mini stockings (10" diagonally) in a wide variety of patterns and medium-sized stockings (17" diagonally) in train motifs for $5 and $8 respectively. These are thinner as I omitted the batting and they don't have cuffs.

Leave me a comment, or contact me on Twitter or Facebook, about what you are looking for and I will let you know exactly what I have available. Merry Christmas!

 

 

 

 

Craft show photos

I didn't get my application in on time, so I had to settle on a hallway space after another vendor canceled. I think I will request the same spot next year. While it did get crowded with folks trying to pass in opposite directions, it seemed like I got the same people looking at my table more than once. They would spot something new each time they passed. I also liked that I could use the wall space and build my displays upward.

 

 

Improvised hat rack and more critters

For the life of me I couldn't figure out an inexpensive and quick way to display my crocheted hats at my upcoming craft shows. So I did what comes way too easy for me now -- I tweeted for suggestions on Twitter. a.Minor aka Bright Moments gave me a few great ideas.

Once she said pumpkins, I knew it would work -- and that I could expand upon the idea. I headed to the grocery store with some hats in hand to "try them on" (while secretly hoping no one was watching me). I came out with four pie pumpkins for $5. When I got home I pulled out a rack I have used to display pumpkins in the past. Now my hats aren't only filled out but they will also be up off the table and more visible.

 

Most of my little friends (4 bears and 3 bunnies) are dressed now, well before my Friday deadline. This was such a fun project, I hope they sell well so I can buy some more furry friends to accessorize.

The only one who isn't complete is the bunny in the ironstone sugar bowl. She might be Winter Rabbit since the bowl is as white as snow. The little pink bunny is now nestled in a teacup with pink roses. The big bear on the right is wearing a real infant dressing gown, bib and crocheted shoes plus has a pink flowered ribbon on her head.

 

The large white bunny, bedecked in daisies, is ushering in spring. She sits on a green Melmac plate, a green sash and plastic clip-on earring all with the yellow and white flowers. Granny Bear in the front has one addition, an iridescent abalone stone hat pin that matches the button at her neck. The bear at the back right would make a nice gift for the proud parents of a baby boy, done in turquoise instead of the traditional baby blue. He sits in a diner mug that is on a white plate with carnations and wears a ribbon around his neck, closed with two stacked buttons.

The largest animal is actually an older jointed chocolate bear, made much more feminine dressed in white. She has on a beautiful baby gown, leather shoes and a lacy doily tied as a bow atop her head. Around her neck hangs a carved silver medallion decorated with a mother-of-pearl buttons and a sheer ribbon. Turn the piece around for a big surprise --- dried rose petals nestled behind the glass watch crystal.

If the sun comes out tomorrow, I'll take photos of the details, like the card each critter has tied to his or her right arm. They were created with manila tags and rub-on transfers, that didn't remove from their protective plastic coating. Sometimes a mistake works -- they look like laminated tags.

Beautiful day for a craft show

The church where we got married 18 years ago.

"Hey boys, get out of my light! No wait, do that again, it's cool!"