Vikie Howell

If you're looking for some really cute last minute halloween crafts for kids to make check out Vickie's page. http://vickiehowell.blogspot.com/2010/10/6-last-minute-halloween-crafts-for-kids.html

Variegated Yarn

I just can't seem to find time these days to add to this blog! Not that I don't have anything to show or talk about ... I have plenty of both ... just short on time. Anyway, here are some pictures of a baby set I made for a friend of mine. This will be for a Florida baby so I had to find something bright and cheery. I started using some different types and colors of yarns I still had in my stash but it just didn't say "Florida" to me so off I went to the store to find some yarn. I found this yarn which I thought was nice and bright and thin enough to crochet with except ... it's a variegated yarn. Nothing really wrong with the yarn, it looks beautiful in a skein. I've purchased many variegated yarns in my life but every time I try making something with it ... I'm disappointed with the way it turns out. Not sure if it's the patterns they make (stripes, spots, etc) once you knit or crochet with them or what but I'm just never happy with the results so I rip out my projects and put the yarn back into my cabinet until ... I found this yarn. Now I must say I did start knitting with it and again ... didn't like the result ... would have been fine if I was knitting a pair of real socks but that's not why I purchased it ... so I pulled it all out I put it away for a couple of days and gave it another shot this time crocheting with it and voila this is the result. I still wasn't too thrilled with it until I walked into my studio where I had scattered some things on my table that were going to be for the farmers market when I noticed that the fabric flower I had made actually looked really cute with that baby hat I had made! I had crocheted a flower the day before that I tried putting on the hat .... nope didn't look right ... I tried different ribbons ... nope still didn't like it so I had put it aside until that big fabric flower landed on it and voila! Anybody else who thinks variegated yarns are sooooo cool but when you work with it (except for socks, they are great for socks I must admit) you are disappointed with the results? I suggest try combining them with some sheer fabric do-dah ... you might just be surprised how it will change from "crafty" to more elegant and "artsy". Of course that's if you prefer it to be more artsy.

Baby Shoes with Needle Felted Toadstools

I decided to make another pair of soft baby shoes from some wool recycled sweaters. I had made a similar pair of these but they went to Belgium. The toadstools are needle felted with merino sheep's fleece. I attached some strips of velcro to open and close them fast and easy, plus it makes them more adjustable for narrow or more chubby baby feet. I just listed them in my http://www.etsy.com/shop/BitsOfFiber shop.

I miss the Brumbies

Seeing the wild horses running in the Auzzie desert was the most awesome thing I've ever seen. I miss seeing that. For now ... I visit with all the horses on Woodruff Shire Farm where Sofie goes for her riding lessons. They have some gorgeous horses. The big Shire horses are just amazing. Sofie gets to ride Monet who's a Shire. Here are a couple of photos I took today and earlier this month.

Brownies and other yummie treats by Picklepetunia

Annie who has a shop on Etsy called Picklepetunia send me some of her brownies and oh boy ... love at first bite!!!! They were simply the most delicious brownies I've ever had! and trust me ... being I was born and raised in Belgium I know about chocolate. Anyway, with the holidays upon us make sure you visit her online shop and order some of her yummie treats if not for you I'm sure you can think of a loved one, coworker, boss, etc. who would be very happy to receive some yummie delicious treats! Here is the link to her shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/PicklePetuniaMade?ref=seller_info

Pincushions and more by Shizuka Urusai

My little Arthur - needle felted pincushion - got featured in Shizuka Urusai blog http://shizuka-urusai.blogspot.com/2010/09/craft-fair.html so go and have a peek and look at the other cute pincushions she featured as well. She also has a shop on Etsy where she sells purses, pouches, pincushions, etc. This is the link to her shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShizukaUrusai?ref=API_juln_CraftCult so go on over and do some shopping, the holidays are really not that far away you know!

Meet Arthur - Needle Felted Hedgehog Pincushion

This little guy is soft as can be ... not prickly like the real thing. I needle felted his coat out of Leicester fleece so when you use him as a pincushion. Your needles and pins will stay in great shape thanks to the lanolin oil of the fleece I used. I didn't wash out all the oil but did clean the fleece thoroughly. He's for sale in my http://www.etsy.com/listing/56591008/needle-felted-hedgehog-pincushion-arthur shop so go and have closer look at him. Thanks for visiting.