Needle Felting

 

Needle Felting:  piercing tufts of raw wool hundreds of times using a very sharp needle with tiny barbs to sculpt shapes into fibers.

(Photo – Google Image)

Roving is wool that has been washed, combed, carded as well as sometimes dyed.  It is shaped into a thick “rope” that can be spun into yarn.

Wool roving shouldn’t be cut – rather pulled apart into small pieces that are easier to work with.  You can purchase several tools to help with felting.  One such tool is this needle that has several barbed needles all together – this will help you go faster.  You can also make one of these by poking several holes in an old cork and pushing several needles into it. 

You can also purchase a base that looks like a huge comb.  Or you can purchase a piece of foam and put that under your felting project.  If you are working on a flat surface this prevents the tip of your needle from breaking. 

You can felt into any type of fiber – wool works best.  Wool can be expensive – new – so always check out the thrift shops for fabric or things made of wool that you can recycle.  You can also “felt” a wool sweater.  To do this, just machine wash and dry an old sweater made of 100% wool.  This process is called felting and condenses and matts the fibers together.  You can do this to make a “canvas” to “felt paint” on. 

Once you learn to needle felt, you can make all kinds of things.  You could try sculpting and making animals, to do this you would start with a raw wool batting and begin felting the roving into the batting and sculpting them into whatever shape you would like.

I recently taught needle felting at a Hands On Day, county wide 4-H class.  It was at the UWMC (Marathon County).  We felted eggs. 

I started by making each kit an egg.  This is really easy to do.  You cut 4 leaf shaped pieces.

Sew them together in pairs.  Open them up and sew the two together.  Leave an opening for stuffing.

Whip stich the egg closed.  Then using your felting needle, begin felting the roving into the wool egg.  Keep punching and molding with your hands to shape into the right size.  The more you felt it the better it looks. 

Here are two examples of the eggs that were made.  All the kids and even adults had fun making these eggs.  I enjoyed teaching the class. 

Blessings from Wisconsin.

DePere Antique Show, bicycle accident and surgery

 

This past 2 weeks I have been busy working on my business.  I set up a booth at the DePere Antique Show.  One thing about being self employed is that you are only as good as the effort you put into it.   With that said – my efforts paid off!  I had a great sale. 

With that said, this week hasn’t been so good.  My husband had a bicycle accident and broke his wrist.  He had surgery and will be at home for several weeks.  Things to be thankful for:  he wasn’t hurt more…or run over by traffic, he had a week of built up vacation time which will carry us to his long term disability insurance time, that his work carries this long term policy for employees, the surgeon didn’t have to put 2 plates in or filler bones, we winterized our garden in the fall and now I only have to rototill and not plow the garden (I am going to have to learn how to drive the tractor – it was on my leap list anyway), the weather has been so mild that we don’t have to worry about snow plowing or blowing, we will have some time to spend together – maybe rummaging and that Jesus is faithful to our needs – especially in times of need.

I hope to get caught up on my weekly cookies and posting some projects and a class I taught on needle felting soon.

Blessings from Wisconsin.

Blog Award

 

I recently was nominated for a Liebster award.  I was also recognized previously:  http://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2011/09/liebster-award.html

Liebster" is a German word meaning dear, sweet, kind, nice, good, beloved, lovely, kindly, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome.

The Liebster is awarded to spotlight up and coming bloggers who currently have less than 200 followers.

How fun!! Now for the rules:

1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.

2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.

3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.

4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.

5. And most of all - have fun!

http://doublehphoto.blogspot.com/2012/01/award.html#comment-form

Double H Photography – a blog about real, hands on experiences living on a ranch.  I LOVE bloggers that post about what they have done – not necessarily what they read about.  To me, real live experiences are “priceless”.  She has another website where she sells her photos.  Her pictures are actually what drew me to look at her blog.  After reading her posts about ranch life – I was hooked.  Her love for the family farm and lifestyle she grew up in shows in how she writes.  Check out her blog and website – the photos are awesome!

So, my 5 picks are (some slightly over 200 followers):

1.  Gracie’s Cottage:  http://cobblecreek.blogspot.com/.  She posts about her antique and flea shows and finds.  I actually introduced myself to her at the Junk Bonanza in MN.  She currently has a new selling spot at an antique shop in Waterloo, WI.  She has an etsy account too.  Check out her decorating style and “goodies” in her booths. 

2.  Looking for Firsts:  http://lookingforfirst.blogspot.com/.  This blogger, Calli, actually was in my 4-H group.  She has since grown up and moved to Alaska!  Her blog is about all the “firsts” in her life and that of her son, Seth.  She is doing a great job as a “mama” and has just announced that she is expecting baby #2.  Congratulations!

3.  Willow Homestead:  http://willowhomestead.blogspot.com/.  “Bo Peep” is the blogger at my next nominee.  Her blog is about the retro lifestyle.  She is an expert seamstress and has this apron challenge (sorry I haven’t entered yet…) where she makes an apron a month.  She posts about her hobby farm life, sewing projects, sheep and spinning.  Check out her fun blog.

4.  Wisteria & Roses:  http://simplypractical.blogspot.com/:  “Bama Girl” has an informative blog about her life in Alabama.  She posts about gardening, cooking, frugal and simple living.  Her posts are full of pictures and very informative.  Check it out. 

5.  Hometown Victory Girls:  http://hometownvictorygirls.blogspot.com/.  Wild Kat and Bo Peep post to this blog.  This one is all about retro living.  They share a passion for this era and all it offered us.  Including what a real woman should look like – “pin up” shape….  They even do a “Pin Up” beauty contest, held right here in Wisconsin.  They both are very creative and share many ideas.   Check it out. 

So, I am happy that I have been recognized not only once, but twice.  I enjoy blogging and have connected with some really nice people.

Blessings from Wisconsin!

Cookies Week 9: Flax and Walnut

FLAX & WALNUT COOKIES:

1 C butter                                      3 oz. cream cheese

2 eggs                                           1 C brown sugar

1 t vanilla                                      1 t baking soda

1/2 C ground walnuts                      1/2 C flax seeds (ground)

2 1/2 C flour

Cream butter and cream cheese, add brown sugar and eggs, mix till fluffy, add vanilla and soda.  Put walnuts in coffee grinder – grind up 1/2 C add to mix.  Measure 1/2 C flax seeds, put in grinder and add to mix (so, measure nuts after ground and flax seed before grind).  Add flour.  Roll into balls and put a nut in center of each, bake 350 for 10 – 12 minutes.  Makes 4 doz.

I actually made this one up too.  My husband wanted me to make a “healthy” walnut cookie.  I know baking is really a science, it is easy to make mistakes and I have – but these turned out great!

I hope you give them a try – not sure how “healthy” they are, but they are tasty.

Blessings from Wisconsin.

March–Interesting Facts

MARCH – “In like a lion, out like a lamb”

“31 days hath March…”

March – (Roman) was the first month of the year – Martius after Mars the Greek god of War.

Birthstone:  Aquamarine

Flower:  Daffodil

“The March wind roars like a lion in the sky, and makes us shiver as he passes by.  When winds are soft and the days are warm and clear, just like a gentle lamb then Spring is here”  unknown

“A light exists in Spring not present in the year at any other period when March is scarcely here.”  Emily Dickinson

“Winds of March, we welcome you, there is work for you to do.  Work and play and blow all day, blow the Winter wind away.” 

MARCH:  Irish American Month, National Nutrition Month, Women’s History Month, National Craft Month, National Peanut Month

EACH DAY IS SPECIAL:

1st:  National Pig Day

2nd:  Dr. Seuss Day – National Reading Day

3rd:  National Anthem Day

4th:  U.S. Constitution Day (March 4, 1789)

5th:  Hula Hoop Day

6th:  Frozen Food Day

7th:  National Cereal Day

8th:  Popcorn Lover’s Day

9th:  Barbie’s Birthday

10th:  Middle Name Pride Day

11th:  DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME “Spring forward”

12th:  Girls Scout’s Day

13th:  Ear Muff Day

14th:  National Potato Chip Day

15th:  Everything You Think is Wrong Day

16th:  Everything You Do is Right Day

17th:  ST. PATRICK’S DAY

18TH:  Supreme Sacrifice Day

19th:  National Agriculture Day

20th:  1ST DAY OF SPRING

21st:  National Goof Off Day

23rd:  Toast Day

24th:  Chocolate Covered Raisin Day

25th:  Waffle Day

26th:  Make Up Your Own Holiday Day

27th:  Postage Stamp Day

28th:  Black Forest Cake Day

29th:  Lemon Chiffon Cake Day

30th:  National Doctor’s Day

31st:  Lemon Day

Did you know:  that the 2nd week in March is:  National Bubble Week, Crochet Week and International Women’s Week.

IMPORTANT DAYS IN HISTORY:

1789 – March 4th - U.S. Constitution went into effect

1845 – March 17th – Rubber Bands were invented

1862 – March 10th – We first used paper money

1872 – March 1st – Yellowstone National Park 1st National Park

1876 – March – Alexander Graham Bell makes 1st telephone call

1877 – March 13th – Ear Muffs were invented

1886 – March 29th – Coca Cola was invented

1912 – March 12th – Girl Scouts Founded

1933 – March 7th – Monopoly game invented 

1950 – March 6th – Silly Putty invented

We can’t forget March Madness – basketball finals.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY – wear green to show your Irish pride.

 

I love March – signs of Spring, Robins come back to Wisconsin, start seeds indoors, melting snow, babies:  lambs, calves, chickens, bunnies, DePere Antique Show, bowling fundraiser for school, Spring Break (week off from school), maple sap & syrup….

Blessings from Wisconsin!