There is a mouse in the house ... and an IPad cover - perfect Father's Day gift!

Finished a couple more items today.

The IPad cover I made of a recycled wool sweater which I fulled. The label I actually purchased in Belgium a couple of years ago, I just never found the perfect item to put it on until now. I had made a cover for my own IPad the day before I went to Belgium also from a fulled sweater but I ran out of time to put anything on it and since the sweater I used to make it had actually a fair isle pattern it really didn't need anything extra. This one I made with Father's Day in mind but it would work just as well for anybody. Available in my shop at http://www.etsy.com/listing/75163790/knitted-felted-grey-ipad-and-ipad2-case

The little hat is one of my lunch time projects. At first I was going to use some off white lace on it but then changed my mind and turned it into a cute little mouse. You will find it in my shop: http://www.etsy.com/listing/75164605/knitted-newborn-baby-mouse-hat

Mauves, blues, rain and more ...

Couldn't help myself ... trying to de-stress and move my mind away from my dad who's battling lung cancer, so very frustrating not being able to help him feel better. So, to make myself feel a bit better I try focusing on making beautiful things ... with him still on my mind.

Some more treasuries

Treasuries I've been featured in during these last couple of weeks. Thanks to the wonderful Curator's who take the time to make these beautiful treasuries will all kinds of fun, cool, creative items from our Etsy stores. Here we go ...

This one is called "Mischief in Cozy Hill Hollow" by AuntieKaren (who is patron of the Etsy arts!) featuring my needle felted bunny. I love the color combination in this treasury and all the items listed, just gorgeous. Thanks Auntie Karen! My favorite of the week so far. :0)



Next up is "Clear and Soft" by http://www.etsy.com/shop/FabricFascination featuring my fabric hair clips. This treasury is part of the nonteamchallenge 33 of which we're patiently awaiting to find out the winner for that challenge. In the Curator's shop you will find beautiful fabric. Here is part of the shop announcement for more info please visit the shop. "If you love color, texture, and design, this is the place! I believe a good deal is a good deal for both parties. To this end, I try to keep my prices fair, and shipping costs low. FREE U.S. Shipping on orders of $45 or more*. EARN POINTS ~ for every dollar you spend (excluding shipping) you earn a point. For every 100 points, you receive a $10 off gift card which you can use toward anything in my shop the next time you order. FREE PATTERN SHEET included with orders over $20.00."



Next is the treasury called "Tweet ... Tweet" which is also part of the nonteamchallenge 33. I must say another favorite of mine, just gorgeous all these beautiful birds in this one. Great job on putting this treasury together by http://www.etsy.com/shop/nansmithimages and featuring my little needle felted birdie. In the Curator's shop you will find photography inspired by nature: bold florals, fiery foliage, woodland wonders, intense colors, graphic montages. Available in prints and canvas gallery wraps–perfect wall art for any decor. Also note cards. Beautiful stuff so make sure you visit this shop.



Next is "Hammie Heaven" by http://www.etsy.com/shop/platypusmonger featuring my Critter Onion! In the curator shop you will find cuddly fleece tunnels, hammocks, cozy sacks and more can all be made to custom specifications. Here is the rest of the shop announcement: "I love to make matched sets to coordinate your cavy domain! If you have another critter whose home needs some artistic love, don't worry, I make these toys in all sizes, not just for guinea pigs. Thanks for looking and please convo me with any questions or requests." If you like cute critters and want to spoil them a bit this is the place to visit!



Next is "Spring Green" by http://www.etsy.com/shop/robinleeshaw featuring my needle felted bunny again! Seems to be a favorite this week. This is another gorgeous treasury, looooooving it! In the Curator's shop you will find afghans, lapghans, shawls, scarves and accessories for your comfort, style and warmth. Handmade. Variety of styles and colors. Adding something new on a regular basis.



Next is "Pinks and Creams yummy sherbet colors" by http://www.etsy.com/shop/AllUsedUp featuring my crocheted baby shoes. Here is part of the Curator shop announcement: "Old fabrics made new- Crocheted Jewelry, cuffs, Tailor-made Vintage Clothing, Denim bags, crocheted totes,Free Gift Wrapping and FREE SHIPPING- Fashioned out of denims, bamboo yarns, vintage fabrics, silks, leathers & velvets & linens." For more info make sure you visit the shop! Lots of cool goodies so go visit.



Last one for today ... "Cheerful Whimsy" by http://www.etsy.com/shop/UberVintageThreads featuring my knitted baby hat. Here is the Curator's shop announcement: "Welcome to my shop! Thanks for stopping by to take a gander at my vintage and one-of-a-kind up-cycled goodies. I hope you find something that tickles your fancy. Please feel free to convo me with any questions you might have....I'm happy to help. I love my customers!" Make sure you visit.

Pucker up! Time for a citrus treasury.

Since it's been so hot I figured this might be appropriate. More treasuries to show later today but for now here is one I made this morning ... just trying to stay cool in this heat.

Nonteamchallenge 33 Treasury by me

Yes, another treasury for the nonteamchallenge. Here it is!

The white pumpkin that finally felted!

Ahhhhh, silly white pumpkin that is! This is the pumpkin I mentioned in my prior post, the one that didn't felt. While I went ahead and wet felted it by hand I contemplated why it didn't felt in the washing machine like I have done many times in the past. I figured out it just stayed on top of the water due to the fact I had filled it with fiber fill before felting it. In the past I've always felted them before I filled them so there was never an issue. So problem solved I did it by hand and it ended up felting beautifully. I want to also thank Robin who commented on my prior post suggesting to stick it in a mesh washer bag with some marbles in it which would definitely prevent it from floating to the top! Thanks for that Robin, I will have to try that with my next felting project.

So here it is, it's up for grabs in my shop with more pictures to look at so go and have a peek.
Thanks for visiting my blog!

BLue baby booties and pumpkins that won't felt!

I just listed a couple more items in both of my shops. I've made these during the winter months and just hadn't made the time to take pictures of them until now.

The pumpkin I made using a wool yarn so I went ahead and felted it in the washing machine BUT the main part (the orange) part didn't felt. The stem and the leaf did but the rest of it didn't so what to do now??? Aha I found some orange sheep's fleece and went to work needle felting it right over the body part that didn't felt and tadaaaaa I must say I'm pretty happy with the results. Went actually pretty fast since I had already shaped it before trying to felt it.

So yesterday I finished another pumpkin, crocheted one a white one this time making sure I used the 100% wool yarn which should definitely felt since I had used that same yarn for some other felted projects and they felted up beautifully. Wellllll, you gonna believe this ... it didn't felt again!!!! What on earth is the issue here??? I realized the problem ... see I first crochet the pumpkin but before closing it up on the top while I'm still crocheting it I fill it with fiberfill. Well, that's the problem, the fiberfill doesn't really soak up any water unless you force it too. So therefore the pumpkin ends up floating on top of the water in the washing machine which doesn't expose it to enough banging around to get it to felt properly! And that's what happened to the orange pumpkin as well since I know for a fact the yarn I used does felt up nicely. Instead of needle felting over this white pumpkin I just made (that didn't felt) I went ahead and wet felted it by hand in my kitchen sink. While I was doing that is when I figured out what the issue was because doing it by hand worked like a champ. All I have to do now is figure out how to get it to stay under water in the washing machine. If any of you have ideas on how too please let me know! Only thing I can think of is to just not fill it before felting it, I know that works since I've done it that way before but I like to fill them before I felt them.

The white one is still drying so I don't have pictures of that one yet but it should be up in my shop in the next couple of days.

I made the pumpkin pins with polymer clay, each pumpkin will come with three of them. If you like more pins or only the pins please e-mail me with your request so I can give you a quote for that.

To purchase any of these items or to see more pictures please visit my etsy shops listed on the left side of this page.

Thanks for visiting, see you again soon.

Father's Day treasury

Here is a treasury I just put together with all the dad's in mind. I just spoke to mine earlier today which made me think of Father's Day coming up which in turn made me start looking for all these great gifts out on Etsy and voila ... here is my treasury.

Owl Necklace giveaway!

I love owls and so does my daughter so of course I had to enter this give away to win this beautiful owl necklace although we might have to fight over who will end up wearing it if we do win this little guy! Make sure you visit the shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/earringsnation?ref=seller_info who's offering this give away, she has some really pretty jewelry for sale.

Here is the link to the site who's offering the give away:

http://craftydream.blogspot.com/2011/05/wise-owl-necklace-giveaway-from.html?showComment=1306320872172#c6071914778209017107

A couple more treasuries and waiting for the fireflies

I love the fireflies here in Virginia so River (our dog) and I are patiently awaiting them to show up. See River loves to chase them and eats them. I don't chase nor eat them I just like to watch them. When they show up I know summer is really here and even though it's been hot this past week I haven't seen one yet but I have a feeling tonight might be it so both River and I will be on the look out.

Now back to work ... here come more treasuries. This first one named was made by http://www.etsy.com/shop/LunaPetunias from the We Knit Hats Team featuring .... no ... not one of my hats but my mixed media baby decor. Just like she says all of us on that team don't just make hats we make other items as well so be sure to check out all these shops and what they have to offer. Make sure you visit the Curator's shop where you can find some unique looking hats and beanies. This is their announcement: "Sustainably farmed, ethically created, hand made woolen goods from coastal Maine that keep you warm and cozy on the chilliest of days. One of kind variations of brilliantly hand colored yarn, hand felted and knit."



Next is the treasury named "Eclectica" by http://www.etsy.com/shop/Coruja42 featuring my crocheted critter onion for your little pet or it can be used as a toy. In the curator shop you will find some beautiful photos and this is the shop announcement: "Welcome to Photo Coruja! My shop is brand new and I offering a 30% discount to my first 5 customers on Etsy using code NEWSHOP30. Thanks for visiting!!"



Next one is named "Sew Cute Pincushions" by http://www.etsy.com/shop/uta1114 and it's one of my favorite treasuries! As you can guess from the tittle it's all about pincushions ... BUT not just the ordinary ones so make sure to check them all out including mine (please) which is the needle felted fairytale one. These are some amazing pieces of art, not just the plain old pincushions! Now the curator of this treasury has the cutest shop ever! I especially love her little model named Sophie. In her shop you will find the most adorable doggie outfits you've ever seen so make sure you visit her shop. Even if you don't own a dog it's worth looking at. Little Sophie (the dog) even smiles when she models, so darn cute. She also has a website you can visit for lots more info so be sure to check that out at http://www.littledogfashion.blogspot.com/

nonteamchallenge 32 and favorites treasury

Today I will share my entry for the nonteamchallenge 32 treasury. All based upon the winner http://www.etsy.com/shop/karinagracejewelry of last week's #31 challenge. She choose the "Mystic Pearl earrings" to be the inspiration item. The color of the item made me think of winter so I started my treasury with picking items winter related but then I found some other things that would work well color wise so therefore I ended up with a mix of seasons and therefor the name "Mixed emotions" for this treasury.



Next is a treasury made by http://www.etsy.com/shop/AngelinaElizabeth featuring my needle felted bird named Ernie. This is her shop announcement: "We have a beautiful vintage wedding gown, knitted ring bearer's pillow, lovely bridal garters, and luxurious covered hangers for your viewing. BRIGHT COLORED KNITTED ACCESSORIES ARE IN, so check out ours in our shop. We are a mother/daughter team who enjoys making jewelry, Victorian treasures, needle arts, wearable art accessories and home decor items. Our store presents all aspects of those crafts, especially unique items that make perfect gifts."

For my surfer guy

Here is a treasury I made using mostly items from Etsy shops that are part of the nonteamchallenge group. If you like to find out how to participate the Non Team BLitz you can read all about it at http://treasurychallengenonteam.blogspot.com/ . I've been making treasuries for the nonteam challenges but this is my first one I've entered for the Non Team Blitz. I love making treasuries so I might as well making them with items from participating shops. This one is for my dear husband who was born and raised in Huntington Beach California. We both love the beaches and even tho we're not living near one I'm sure down the road we might end up by the water again. Enjoy and thanks for visiting my blog.

Feeling a bit blue

It's been a little more then a month now since my best friend passed away and it still hurts. I know, I know ... it will hurt for a long time. I remembered a conversation she and I had many many years ago about having our own store or gallery together. We joked about it off and on since she lived in Belgium and I lived across the big pond it would be kinda hard but we still liked dreaming about it and I guess that's what it will always be now ... just a dream, a dream I will treasure forever tho. And that's what made me think of making this treasury, a treasury full of wonderful dreams so here it is my "Feeling a bit blue ... or rather ... teal" treasury made with lots of happy thoughts about my best friend Erna. This one is for you kiddo!

Tomatoes and toadstools

Today I have two treasuries for you to have a look at.

First one is called "How does your garden grow by http://www.etsy.com/shop/Janisfineart featuring my knitted baby tomato hat. In the Curator's shop you will find beautiful traditional painted oils on canvas.



And the second one is called "I'm on pins and needles ... for pincushions" by http://www.etsy.com/shop/FabTabulous featuring my needle felted fairytale toadstool pincushion. This is the curator's shop announcement: "Eco-Friendly, Recycled, Upcycled--soda tab jewelry and accessories. Now, all Fabtabulous accessories are made with soda tabs purchased directly from THE RONALD McDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES in Kansas City! Help them out by collecting tabs for your local RMH." If you're looking for some unique jewelry, this is it!

Saturday Treasuries

Well, these weren't really made today (Saturday) but I couldn't come up with another title for this post so Saturday Treasuries it is!

This first one is called "Abby's Favorite Green Finds List No 2" featuring my baby shoes by curator http://www.etsy.com/shop/AidforAbby who sells one of a Kind Artwork by a child with Autism, Language Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Visit their shop to read all about it. I love the colors of this treasury, even though green is not my favorite color this treasury is beautiful.



This next one is sooooooo pretty, it's called "Beauty and the Beast" but I must say these are the most adorable beasts I've ever seen! My needle felted foal is featured in this one. The curator shop announcement states: "The Jetty offers our own unique art, crafts, clothing and supplies inspired by the ocean. We have a beautiful selection of natural sea glass, hand-printed t-shirts, jewelry, sailor's bracelets, marine shells, maritime crafts, and more. We use natural, recycled, non-toxic or organic materials in our crafts and packaging. Our nautical collection is growing so stop back again soon. Thanks for shopping with us!"



Next treasury called "My saturday favorites" featuring my baby owl made by http://www.etsy.com/shop/joellecutro You will find previously enjoyed vintage items in the curator's shop.



That's all I have to share with you today. Enjoy checking out all the cool items listed in these treasuries as well as visiting the Curator's shops I'm sure there is something you can find you can't live without!

Thanks for visiting, have a lovely weekend.

Time for another treasury challenge! Nonteamchallenge 31 is here.

and here is my entry for this week's challenge! I loved putting this one together. Nope, I'm not French, although my name is French (Chantal), I was born and raised right next door to France ... Belgium. I've been to France many many times, if not to visit driving through it to get to Spain where we went on summer vacations when I was young. I loved the Provence with all of it's lavender fields, soooooo pretty. Anyway, here is my entry for the challenge. Lots of cool shops to check out so make sure you click on all of them to see what else they have to offer! Thanks for visiting my blog.

Perfect little pumpkin!

I love knitting these little pumpkin hats. This one is for a newborn to 3 month old. Just listed in my http://www.etsy.com/shop/BitsOfFiber?ref=ss_profile shop. That's where you need to look for more info on this little hat. These usually go fast by the time Halloween gets here so if you're thinking of getting one ... don't wait!

Mauves and purples

I really was going to finish another project but ... I took off in treasury dreamland and made a treasury with all things mauve and purple-ish! Hope you like it as much as I do ...

Baby hats and May treasuries

I finished a couple more baby hats and put them in my http://www.etsy.com/shop/BitsOfFiber?ref=pr_shop_more if you are interested in purchasing them and to see more photos and want more detailed info on them please visit my shop.

I'm still catching up with things and one of them is listing these great treasuries Etsians have created with items from my shops. So I better jump on into the treasury world!

This first one called "Come Sale Away" by http://www.etsy.com/shop/Surori featuring my knitted pumpkin hat which is ON SALE! Love the title of this treasury, so appropriate! If you want to save some money have a look at all the great items listed in this treasury and they all are ON SALE! The curator's shop specializes in one-of-a-kind jewelry, so unless otherwise stated every piece is unique to itself. We hope you find something that is YOU!!



Next is the treasury called "Blue Hue" I loooooooove this treasury. My itty bitty blue baby booties are featured in this one with lots of other beautiful blue things. This was one of the treasuries entered into the nonteamchallenge 30. The curator of this treasury http://www.etsy.com/shop/taanz# sells hand crafted products and artworks by New Zealand Multi-media Artist Tanya Dann. To view all of Tanya's work visit www.nzartguild.co.nz/tanyadann or www.facebook.com/tanya.dann.artist



Next up is "Ducklings and Daffodills" by AuntieKaren (who doesn't have an online shop) featuring my needle felted ducky. If you like little ducks, yellow and daffodils you will have to check out this pretty treasury!



Next is "Strangely Awesome and cute ... please ship them my way" by http://www.etsy.com/shop/AnnabelleArt featuring my white needle felted foal. This treasury has all kinds of darling creatures in it, a must visit! This is her shop announcement: "Our OOAK greeting cards are individually hand stamped and handmade by me. I do not use printed art; only the best quality papers, stamps, embellishments, inks and glue! Each card design is one of a kind, or produced in very limited numbers (2 or 3)."



Next is "For our Little Friends and their humans" by http://www.etsy.com/shop/RatAttackTeam featuring my needle felted mouse and a piece of cheese. If you love these little creatures (and I do!) a must see treasury with lots of cool items all rat and mice related. The curator's has been rescuing domestic rats since 1998 & hammock sales help with veterinary costs. Please make sure you visit her shop and website http://www.freewebs.com/ratattackteam/ for more info.



Next one is called "Wild Horses" by http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheStrumpetsTentacle featuring my needle felted white foal. If you like horses this is THE treasury to check out. Lots of shops with horse related items to go visit! In the Curator's shop you will find exceptional crocheted patterns,pieces and custom orders.



Next is "It's a Pink World" by http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheDoubleKnitters featuring my needle felted pincushion. In the curator's shop you will find beautiful knitted items.



Next is "A Mother's Love" by http://www.etsy.com/shop/LynnetteJewelry featuring my needle felted mother and baby hedgehob. The curator's shop announcement states: "I sell beautifully handcrafted jewelry, accessories, and vintage buttons. I personally design and make each piece, using only the finest genuine gemstones, beads and materials. Most of the pieces are one of a kind, and matching pieces can usually be made upon request. I have another Etsy shop called jewelry56, which sells more of the same items."



Last but definitely not least! Treasury called "Where the wild things are" by http://www.etsy.com/shop/AnyaCloudJewellery featuring my needle felted baby harp seal. I loooooove this treasury, it has so many cute items in it. Make sure you take a closer look at this one. In the Curator's shop you will find hand crafted jewelry.



Oops, almost forgot to list the pictures of my baby hats I just listed this past week. I'm working on some pumpkin hats which I will be listing soon. Thanks for visiting everybody. Have fun exploring all the great shops listed in these treasuries and don't forget to visit the Curator shops as well. Talk to you soon.

Some new items added to my shop and another treasury for the nonteamchallenge 30

I've been busy finishing up projects I've started some of the a couple of months ago and I have more to come. But for now I have another baby boy hat/cap I crocheted which you can find for sale in my http://www.etsy.com/shop/BitsOfFiber shop on Etsy and a pincushion with lots of cute toadstools I needle felted which you can find in my http://www.etsy.com/shop/PurplePlatypus?ref=ss_profile shop also on Etsy. The pincushion also includes 3 pins which I decorated with toadstools I made of polymer clay. If you like toadstools then have a look at this blog http://www.make-it-do.com/celebrate-it/the-woodland-party which has the cutest cupcakes ... and you guessed it ... they are decorated with toadstools but it has some other really cute ideas for a woodland party so make sure you check it out.

I'm also including a picture of the treasury I made for the nonteamchallenge 30 on Etsy. I love entering this challenge on a weekly basis, they give you an inspiration item which is an item picked by the shop owner who won the challenge the week before. I think it's a great way to keep this going without having to belong to an actual team. If you go to http://treasurychallengenonteam.blogspot.com/ you can read all about it. I have more treasuries to share with you in which I've been featured but that will be for later this weekend. And before I forget HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all you mother's out there! Hope you have a lovely day. I do have to work on this day but I do love my job so I'm not fretting having to go to work on Mother's Day.

Rosie on her Sunday Best and Laura's Tired Ballerina

While I was visiting my family and friends in Belgium I wanted to show my mom how to needle felt so I made this little bird. I wasn't sure yet at that point what else I was going to do with her until I brought her home. She's now turned into a cute little pincushion wearing a hat and 3 heart pins I made of polymer clay. She's looking for a nice home so she can be put to work helping her new owner sew, quilt and/or craft or would be very happy to be used for decoration only! Would make for a unique mother's day gift that's for sure so go and check her out on my PurplePlatypus shop.

I also made the Tired Ballerina statue for my niece Laura. She is made of electrical wire, aluminum foil you use in the kitchen, painters tape, old T-shirts and other types of fabric. I used Powertex in lead color and a metallic paint to dry brush her with. Isn't she a doll?

April Treasuries

Finally got a chance to sit down and finish posting the treasuries I was featured in during April so let's just jump right on in and list them.

This first one is called "Felt" and in it is my needle felted foal together with lots of other gorgeous felted items. The curator of this treasury http://www.etsy.com/shop/Fefie# makes and sells Needle Felted animals and teddies made from different wools and silk. She often wash, card and dye raw wool to produce colours and textures that are perfect for these Felted Friends.



This next treasury called "I'll love you forever" which featured again my needle felted foal by curator http://www.etsy.com/people/AuntieKaren who's an Etsy buyer and doesn't have a shop.



Next treasury called "For the love of Momma" featuring my needle felted mom and baby hedgehogs by Curator http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShirleysStitchery who makes and sells quilts, baby blankets, bibs, cloth diapers, wet-bags, dresses, and reusable snack bags in her Etsy shop.



Next treasury called "She sells seashells by the Season" featuring my needle felted harp baby seal by Curator http://www.etsy.com/shop/foreversew who makes and sells hand stitched art, unique items and chic modern crafts.



This treasury called "H is for hedgehog" features .... what do you think? ... haha of course ... my needle felted hedgehog family! The curator http://www.etsy.com/shop/AliceCreations makes and sells beautiful photographs, hand etched glass and other handmade items so make sure you check out her shop.



That's it for the month of April. Already have my list going for treasuries posted this month of May but I will feature those in a different post. Thanks to every Etsy curator for featuring items from my shop. I don't have the time these days to make treasuries and include all of you in a treasury so I hope doing this will still help you out with new visitors and customers to your lovely shops!