*NEW* Haste Ye Back... Wool Applique Pattern

I was pretty excited yesterday when it started to snow... on the day I needed to take a photo of a snowy scene, no less! I know that most of you are longing for Spring and possibly want nothing to do with snow right about now, but bear with me...

I have had an image of a vintage hooked rug in my inspiration folder for a very long time. Quite simple and folky, it shows a tiny log cabin flanked by three enormous Fir trees. So cozy and homey and reminiscent of the imaginary picture in my head of Heidi’s Grandfather’s home in the high Alps.

Don’t we all have an ideal image in our minds of a peaceful and rustic place to escape the busy reality of our everyday lives?

Now I have a reminder hanging on my wall to Haste Ye Back… even if that just means setting my tasks aside for a few moments and breathing deeply, imagining myself in a peaceful and cozy place.

Included in this pattern booklet are full-size, ready to cut out template pieces, and basic instructions.

For now, this pattern will only be available through my etsy shop, or by contacting me directly.

I had the pleasure of working with my friend, the owner of Wool Town, who custom-dyed the wools for my model according to my often-rambling descriptions, and got the colors spot-on. For a limited time, she will make custom kits available for sale in her shop. Hurry and place your order before they are gone!

T is for Turkey and Twist

Imagine my delight, when, shortly after declaring my love for Turkeys, I received this amazing creation in the mail.

I proudly wore him on my clothes all Thanksgiving week long.

I'm pretty tempted to keep wearing him all through the Christmas season too. Turkeys are timeless, right?

In addition to her hand-crafted token, the talented Patti also included the Christmas issue of FOLK magazine (never heard of it? Its a brand-new publication.).

Want to know why? LOOK!

Happy dance in the middle of the Post Office!

*NEW* A Bird of Courage Wool Applique Pattern

There is just something about Turkeys that make them fascinating, don't you think?

Ben Franklin wrote, after seeing a new national emblem depicting a poorly-rendered Bald Eagle,

I am on this account, not displeas'd that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turk'y. For in Truth the Turk'y is in comparison a much more respectable bird, and withal a true original native of America.... He is, (though a little vain and silly, it is true, but not the worse emblem for that,) a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a grenadier of the British Guards, who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on.

I wanted to add a little more to the design, by way of a natural element, so I did some searching and found that the Oak Leaf represents Bravery. Having spent a good portion of my young years in Southern Oregon where wild Turkeys and Oak trees abound, I thought it a very fitting combination.

I hope you enjoy stitching this design as much as I did!

Included in this pattern booklet are full-size, ready to cut out template pieces, a line drawing to help you with piece placement, and some basic instructions.

For now, this pattern will only be available through my etsy shop, or by contacting me directly.

Lets Talk Turkey

I think I want a pet turkey.

Just so I can look him in the eye and have a gobble-off every so often.

Turkeys are strange, clumsy, and somehow super-cool looking all at the same time.
Sort of like me. Or like Josh Krajcik on the XFactor, who has perhaps my new most-favorite-voice-of-all-time, but who looks like the burrito maker that he was in his former life.

But I digress.

I like turkeys. A lot. Possibly because I was born in November, and every several years celebrate my birthday on Thanksgiving.

I don't have a collection, unless the combined grouping of a cookie cutter, sampler, table runner, and mug count as a collection.

I decided last year that I need a Turkey to hang on my kitchen wall during the Thanksgiving season, and have been letting the idea simmer in my head ever since. But with the season now upon me, all of the lingering pieces have come together, and I am in the midst of stitching up a turkey out of wool pieces.

I absolutely adore wool applique work. In between projects I forget just how much I love it.

This fellow will be revealed in all his completed splendor very soon.

Carrot Season is Hare! New Wool Applique Pattern

A cheeky little nod to that sweet and naughty garden-thief, the Rabbit. This is my second wool applique pattern release, and I couldn't be more delighted to offer it to you.

The pattern comes with full-sized templates for parts and pieces, color suggestions, and a line-drawing sketch of the finished piece to help with placement. I have also included basic applique and finishing instructions.

For now, this pattern will only be available through my etsy shop, or by contacting me directly.

I Like Cutting Things

I love the sound of scissors cutting cloth on the tables at the fabric store.

I love how it feels to run the rotary cutter through a piece of wool.

And I love cutting away little bits of paper with my knife, watching as my design emerges from a single plain sheet of paper.

This will be listed next week on ebay:


I also love stitching the cut pieces back together. :)

This was inspired by a friend, and is being made entirely for myself: