The Owl Pillow That Isn't

I guess I'm pretty lucky, most often when I get an idea or see an idea from someone else's work, I can dig in and make it. Sure - it's not always just what I had in mind - but it works.

Well I saw this pattern somewhere on the world wide web some time ago and thought it was a great idea. It appeared that an owl face and outline was either painted or drawn on a beautiful wool fabric. (I apologize for not giving full credit to the original artist - I'm sometimes so bad about noting where I get ideas from so I can't point back to it when the proper time comes.)

I remembered a wonderful gray wool that I had stashed away for years - waiting for the right project to come along. I dug it out and proceeded to drawn the owl faces on the fabric - intending to sew each individual one into a small pillow-like piece.

I started the process by using a permanent black marker thinking that it would certainly work well - easy to draw with - and it's permanent, right?

After utilizing all of the fabric I had, I started to cut out shapes to sew the pieces together for the pillow - and realized that the marker was rubbing horribly off on my fingers. Sure - it was still permanently on the fabric - but it was also on my fingers.

I decided to try washing the already marked fabric to see if I could wash away the residue that was coming off on my fingers. I was able to do that - and able to get the marker to stop bleeding from the fabric - but by that time, the design was so light that it wasn't strong enough to look ok on the pillow.

So....I now have about 10 cute little faded owl faces with no place to go and no place to call home. All-in-all, kind of a failure project, but I guess I learned from it. I've also debated whether I want to try hand stitching the design with black wool yarn/thread, but gosh, that seems like a lot of hard work. In the meantime, this project will sit in the undone world of my fabrics and projects.

Wool Dryer Balls

My oh my - I can't believe how long it has been since I've posted anything for The Lavendar Tree. Sometimes the weeks just fly by and I can't figure out where the time has gone.

I've been working on product for a couple local shows coming up in the next few weeks. (Note: HOW can it be creeping this close to the holiday's already??)

Here are a few 100% wool dryer balls in progress. They have yet to get the final outside layer of roving before the final felting process.

It cracks me up that even the not-to-be-ever-seen-again inside ends up being purple. I guess I really DO breathe purple.

The Red Bowl - Wool Heart Version

I ran across some wool hearts that I knitted [is that a word?] and felted some time ago. I thought they might be fun to see in the red bowl series and I just couldn't wait until Valentine's Day!

Wool Cushions [Pillows]

I just read about a cool initiative happening.

Woolsack is a project that enables anyone to contribute by making a cushion [pillow] from British wool. They will then be given as a personal welcome gift from the people of Britain to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

Here's a peek at just some of the great cushions being created. Aren't they fantastic?!

Their Sweater Cup Runneth Over

Wow - I guess the initial plea for penguin sweaters only went out about five days ago - and already there has been such a outpouring of penguin love that they have more sweaters than they need. But they are telling people that if you've already gotten one made, please send it and they will be placed in a reserve.

That is great news, indeed!

It is so heartwarming to hear that those cute little duffers will be properly clothed to help them heal, but it's just a tad sad that I wasn't able to move my knitting needles in time to provide one myself. However, I pray that they are never needed again.

You can read just a little more about the small yarn shop that started the campaign right here. Cheers to them and swift, caring knitters!

Knitting for Penguins

It's so sad and so cute all at the same time!

These little (fairy) penguins on New Zealand's coast need our help. An oil spill has left their environment unclean and dangerous. Volunteers are working hard to save them and take care of them - but they are asking for little knit wool sweaters for the oil-soaked babies. The sweaters help keep them warm and also prevent them from ingesting oil while trying to clean their feathers.

I understand there is a new need for more sweaters - so if you're interested in getting your knitting needles moving (I know mine will be!), here's the pattern. More information can be found at Skeinz, a New Zealand yarn store. Also, look here for more information about fairy penguins who were saved after a 2000 oil spill).

Penguin Jumper in 8ply - Must be 100% Wool Yarn

1 pair 3.25mm , 1 pair of 3.75mm needles , 1 set of 3.25mm dpn’s or circular

• Cast on 36 stitches using 3.25 needles.K1, P1 to end of row. Repeat this row 7 times. Change to 3.75mm needles and K2, P2 rib. Work 4 rows increasing at each end of every row. (44 sts)
• Continue until work measures 15 cms.
• Decrease 1 st at each end of every row until 28 sts remain.
• Decrease 1 st. in middle of next row (27 sts.)
• Leave on needle.
• Make second side the same.
• Transfer the 54 sts from both pieces to 3 of the set of 4 3.25mm needles.(18 sts on each.) and work a round neck in K1 P1 rib for 10 rows.
• Cast off.
• Stitch up sides to decreasing to 27sts (opening for flipper). Add elastic to the top and bottom to prevent the penguins getting out of them. Top: 15cm of elastic; bottom 17 cm (knots allowed).
• Flat elastic ok to use.

It's WOOL WEEK

Wow! Who knew? I just found out it was Wool Week!

The Campaign for Wool (created in part by the Prince of Wales in January 2010) is presenting this week as Wool Week. It is just part of their efforts to help promote wool in it's many forms and uses.

The fairly new (but very cool) campaign supports sheep farming and the many textile communities and industries as it encourages people all over the world to LIVE NATURALLY...CHOOSE WOOL.

Me?  I LOVE it! Love wool. Love the campaign. I'm glad I happened across the information and could share it with you.

Now, if only I lived closer to the Prince, I would most definately attend some of the events happening this week in England!  Hmmm, I wonder what the airfare would be from Wisconsin...

Toooo Much

It's either too hot, too cold, too buggy, too late, too early, too dry, too wet, too windy, too still. Or I'm too busy, too stressed, too lazy, too tired. 

I just haven't been able to get myself out into my garden very much this year. I have just too many excuses why I haven't. Maybe I've been too happy, too sad, too fat, (no...not too thin!), too hectic, too relaxed.

But I know one thing. I'm too darn happy that my garden is continuing on pretty darn good without me.

Recycled T-Shirt Scarf

As promised, here is a picture of the knitted scarf that I made from recycled t-shirt strips. I decided to dye it with a denim colored dye (which meant an extra trip to the store). It's ok, but I'm kind of wishing I would have just stuck with the black/gray dye I first thought about using.

At any rate, I still am thinking that I may add fringe of some sort to it but haven't yet decided what to do. Someone suggested adding some fringe with beads - which would look very cute - but I'm afriad it might make it a big heavy.

I did knit/crochet a dish cloth as well. Maybe a photo will be coming soon! I used a simple knit stitch throughout and then added a row of single crochet around the outside to create a border. I used a t-shirt that was already colored, so no dying was required. (Which is just a little bit of a bummer - I like dying fabric.)

I've crocheted round rugs in the past with strips of cotton fabric, but I'm thinking I may want to try one with t-shirt fabric as well.  Hmmm...

Cleaning Out the Fridge

Last weekend I decided it was time to clean out my refrigerator. 

You know how it goes - items get pushed to the back - things that haven't been used in quite awhile. Then a quick trip to the grocery store and new!/fresher!/better! things get put in front and those "back items" get pushed back further and forgotten.

In my attempt to do a "good job" cleaning out - I may have gone a little too far. I think my fridge looked like it had sat in an empty non-rented apartment for a month.

Thank goodness I was able to make a trip to the grocery store a couple days ago and bring my cold-box back to normal...until I decide to clean "good" again!

Blessings

Blessings to all on this Memorial Day.

I hung the American flag outside my house today. Made me happy.

21 Days Has Passed

Yesterday was day 21 of my 21-days-of-learning-to-meditate-better.

I have to be totally honest and say that I did not meditate every day. I tried to do it many of the days, but it just didn't happen as planned.  I did however, open my daily meditation-support-email every day. Do I get any points for that?

Even thought I didn't successfully complete the 21 days as planned, I still am glad that I have started to work on improving my meditation. Without a doubt, I have a long way to go.  I still can't believe how far a mind can jump from thing to thing when it's supposed to be quiet.

I read that Buddha began his search for himself by saying he would sit in silence until he was in a deep meditative state and at peace. But I'm quite sure he didn't have to go to work, take out the dog, answer the phone, and turn down the TV.

I'm not "there" yet - but I'll keep trying. Dang it, come hell or high water, I'm WILL BE calm!  :-)

Did Someone Say Hot?

As promised, it's time to share a few photos from my recent visit to Florida.

We visited Safety Harbor, a small community about 20 miles from the Tampa area.  I love the feel of the community. It's very simple, small and cozy. You can immediately feel the creative air and whimsy of the close neighborhood.

Every third Friday of the month, they have a street fair that consists of live music, food and handmade merchandise. Fortunately, we were there during that time. Main street is busy with activity and people walking the streets on the warm Florida evening.

Safety Harbor is clearly a dog-friendly community. It seems that about half of the festival attendees are proudly walking their favorite four-legged family member.

There are also several shelters among the vendors with some of the most lovable dogs looking for their special new home. Some are young and some are old - but without a doubt, they all are adorable and full of love. As an extreme dog lover, it takes me quite some time to get past all the cute tail-waggers and I do believe if I didn't have to fly back home, I'd have a couple new members added to my family! To everyone's relief, I controlled my doggie-desire and headed back to the hotel fur-free. :-)

Downtown

Pizzeria (Best homemade pizza!)

Time anyone?

My nieces cute feet and sandals :-)

Our hotel from the boardwalk

A sweetie looking out a business doorway while "mom and dad" are working inside

A tree (the trunk and the blossoms up above) - for real!

I don't know what it is but it was sure fun to see

The Blooming Season

I love flowers. This year in Wisconsin, our flowers are growing quickly and blooming at their peak much earlier than normal.

Gardening is a wonderful hobby. Not cheap - but what is? It's a lot of hard work and sweat. It's a lot of aching backs from bending and lifting. It's a lot of weeds, bugs and worms.  However, it's also a lot of reward, pride, relaxation, meditative moments and complete joy.

This morning I grabbed my camera and snapped a few shots of my complete joy.

Let me take you on a quick garden tour...

Blue Flax, Chives and Iris

Dianthus with morning dew

Iris and hmmm....something from the Allium family

Splendid Rose (look carefully and you can see a little ant on one of the petals)

Roses and a variety of other greenery with bistro table and chairs in background

Pink Mallow

Hang tight, because I can guarantee that you'll be forced to see more of my garden throughout the season. So just sit back and enjoy the ride...

Hot

I'm back from a trip to Florida. I was at a cute little community called Safety Harbor.

It's hot in Florida right now. Really hot. I thought Wisconsin would feel much better. Now it's hot here. I must have brought it right back with me.

I'll try to post some photos tomorrow. . . but right now I'm too hot to do it.

I Want to be a Sheep Farmer

Usually my dream "job" is just to be creative. To be free to create things that people love - maybe have a small shop - maybe teach some classes - and live comfortably and happy. But yesterday I decided that I might want to be a sheep farmer too.

Just a couple miles north of my home is a cute little spot that houses lots of little sheep. After after work the other day, I decided to stop, chat and take some sheep-snapshots. They were the cutest sheep - baaaa...baaaa...baaaa...as they ran to catch up with their fellow friends and see what were up to.

My, they are very busy little creatures - constantly eating and eating (hmmm...similar to me!). They did pause occasionally to give me a quick smile - but then it was off to munching again.

Seriously, it was so hard for me to leave them. I felt like I was leaving good friends and I wanted to take a couple home - but I just wasn't sure if my black lab, Charlotte, would approve. Sure, they might be new fun playmates for her, but I'm not even sure they speak the same language.  But heck, maybe it's not too late to learn a new language....

Remembering Mom

It's Mother's Day.

I'm very grateful - my son drove a five-hour-drive yesterday afternoon to come and visit me from college. I am so blessed to have a wonderful son who makes my heart soar.

I'm also very sad. My mom has been gone for four Mother's Day's now. This Mother's Day is not much easier than the first one. I miss her very much. She was my wonderful mom and my wonderful friend.

This photo was taken of my mom and dad three days before she passed over and eight months before my dad passed.  Mom went in her sleep. We had no idea she was sick. She was 69 years young and could easily run circles around me. Without a doubt, I miss her every day. Mom and dad were a couple weeks short of celebrating their 49th wedding anniversary.

Thank you God for allowing me to be a mother to a beautiful son and  daughter to a beautiful mom.

Pillow Talk

I prepared a few bird-tweet pillows for a friend of mine to give to her mother and mother-in-law for Mother's Day. She picked her favorite two and that left me with two. No problem. Actually, good. I could post them for sale on my Etsy site. More postings are always a score.

But another friend that has an incredible shop called Compliments in Nisswa, Minnesota, asked if I wanted to put them in her shop. She said she'd love to carry some of my items and maybe have a trunk show with me later this year!  How fun!

So two of my tweet-pillows have headed up to the northwoods of Minnesota. It's always exciting to be able to venture into new territory....literally!  (So sorry for the poor color quality of the photos - I took them on a dreary morning before heading to work - and I didn't "have time" to putz with proper lighting on my camera. Some day I'll learn to slow down and do it right. You can't tell from the photos, but they both have the same navy blue background fabric.)

Have a tweet day! (Sick, I know - but I couldn't resist!)

Can Someone Slow the World Down?

My goodness. It's been a long time since I've had a moment to blog. I've been busy working and sleeping.

My "day job" has been very busy with conferences and extra hours. And it seems that all I manage to do when I come home from a full day's work is sleep.

However, I did take time last night (during my few waking hours!) to watch a video that I purchased about a month ago.  It's called The Hustle for Worthiness by Brene Brown. Brene talks about love, belonging and being good enough. It was fantastic and I need/want to watch to it again and again.

Brene was a speaker at a series of conferences that I work with and I'm so grateful that I was able to meet her and get to know her. She is a truly gifted person who has an incredible impact on most everyone she meets. She had a huge impact on me - she's the person who encouraged....well, insisted....that I start selling my wool items on Etsy and the first to feature my work on her blog (which, a couple months later, resulted in me starting this blog).

Thanks Brene!