Felt frenzy!

Well it's not exactly a frenzy, but it sounds good. Whatever it is, here is the result of it so far.

Five Felt Hearts, made from charity shop woollen jumpers that I washed to shrink and cut up many moons ago. I've used some of the multi stripe before so there wasn't enough to make 2 with that. They have some lavender inside and also a little wool stuffing to give them shape, because if it was just lavender it would all fall to the bottom.

The same template for the centre of the lavender hearts made these little felt brooches. I made myself a similar one a couple of years ago and get many compliments when I wear it.

Here's a close-up of the green one (which is my favourite out of these) with a thimble to next to it, to give some perspective. I've put them on my Thread Shed Facebook page (post scheduled for later today) in the hope that I'm in time to cater for St Valentine's Day and also, possibly, Mothering Sunday.

I'm not finished with the felt yet but haven't managed to do anything with it today, apart from raid my shed for some more materials. Instead, I've been doing some admin for myself and a couple of voluntary organisations I'm involved with, which has taken me the best part of a couple of days when it should have been only a few hours.


Bye for now
Teresa x

Variety is the spice of crafting!

 We've had this bird feeder up for many months. According to hubby, it's for certain birds only because the holes to get the seed out of are quite small. I've watched it through the kitchen window swinging wildly in the wind and wondered if, maybe, it could be in a better place: maybe further away from the road, too.

But it appears that hubby was correct, because these birds have been visiting the feeder recently. I think they are goldfinches. There are three here and they seem unconcerned to be buffeted by the wind, and didn't fly off when a car went past. They are a lovely sight. I'm only sorry I can't get a better picture of them.

Meanwhile, I've hatched a plan to help me decide what to craft. Having so many different materials to choose from, I find it's not practical to think of something to make and then go looking in my stock. I'm hoping I can be more efficient and productive if I decide on a specific material, or type of material, THEN think of what I can make from it. I may change it each month, but I'll see how it goes.

So, to start the new year, my January material is felt. I've made the odd brooch or two in the past but not any great amount. In this pic are the beginnings of a few brooches and lavender hearts.

I'm hoping this system will encourage me to make better use of my stash, and to develop a more varied turnover of materials and stock for sale. How do you decide what to make? Do you have the idea first or the materials? I suppose, being a recycler, I am more limited.

Over the holidays, I've been busy sewing projects requested my customers, including a duvet cover modification and a few walking frame pocket hangers (don't know what else to call them). I'm always happy to receive requests because it takes the guesswork out of knowing what people want. Next week, a friend is bringing me a favourite bag of hers (not one I made) for me to replace the torn lining.

Variety is the spice of life!
Bye for now
Teresa x