17 December 2010

{Self Portraits}

Happy Weekend! I am currently in the process of redesigning my website and creating some new and exciting products for 2011 for my official product launch! (I will keep you posted)
I couldn't wait to share these cute little self portraits I've been working on for my website, so I decided to give you a sneak peek today. Hope you enjoy!


10 December 2010














Happy Weekend! A little weekend craft project perfect for gift giving this Holiday Season. It is an easy and quick pattern, you will be knitting and felting in no time. Give this adorable felted bowl to someone special.


{Large bowl}

Materials

15mm straight needles, 1 yarn needle, 2x 100g balls of 100% wool yarn
Gauge: 10cm x 10cm

1. Cast on 54 stitches

2. Work 20 rows of stockinette stitch (work will measure appox. 7" long)

3. Decreasing rows:
Row 1 - K5, K3tog (repeat until last 5 stitches) K5
Row 2 - Purl
Row 3 - K4, K2tog (repeat until last 5 stitches) K5
Row 4 - Purl
Row 5 - K3, K2tog (repeat until end of row)
Row 6 - Purl
Row 7 - K2, K2tog (repeat until end of row)
Row 8 - Purl
Row 9 - K1, K2tog (repeat until end of row)
Row 10 - Purl
Row 11 - K2tog (repeat until end of row)

4. You will have 8 stitches remaining

5. Measure about 15" of yarn from your last stitch and cut. Thread yarn needle with the yarn. Pull the knitting needle out of the last 8 stitches, then send the yarn needle through those same 8 stitch loops.

6. Fold the finished bowl (which will look like a knitted hat), so the right sides are facing in.

7. Sew the two edges together with the same needle and yarn from the top of the hat down to the bottom edge.

8. Tie a secure knot when at the bottom of the edge.

9. Turn the finished bowl right side out.

10. Begin Felting


{Felting}

Place the finished piece in a wash bag and run it through a regular laundry cycle in hot soapy water. Toss it in with other items,which will intensify the agitation and help felt the wool. Mould the damp felted wool over and upside down bowl or cup and let it dry overnight. It will take the shape of whatever is used.

Then fill finished bowls with seasonal treats!


Original instructions for felted bowls printed in the October 2010 issue of
Canadian House and Home, weekend decorating.





{Dreaming of a Sweet Christmas}




Vanilla Crescents



Do I have a treat for you today! Baking Holiday Cookies was always a big part of getting ready for Christmas in my house growing up. Now that I have a small family of my own, and our house is officially decorated, shopping is well under way and the Christmas cards have been put in the poste, I've started thinking about baking some goodies. I spent a portion of the morning looking for some lovely cookie recipes to inspire you, and almost gave up until I took a peek at Design Sponge and saw their fabulous post about Mowielicious.

After taking a quick peek at Mowielicious I instantly fell in love! I recommend spending some time taking a look at his lovely website especially his German Christmas Cookie section. Not only do the recipes sound delicious but the photography is gorgeous. Also take a peek at his about section, a truly inspiring story.

Do you have any Baking plans this weekend?



06 December 2010

{Holiday Cheer}


Here are some illustrations I've been working on to celebrate the holiday season, and to spread some holiday cheer! I love gingerbread at this time of year.


{Nesting Dolls}





Silver Leaf Nesting Dolls: handle & spout




Lavender Gold Leaf Nesting Dolls: handle & spout


Happy Monday. I hope that everyone had a wonderful weekend and is ready to start the week!

It is snowing here in Toronto and our house is finally decorated, so it is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. Speaking of Christmas, the holidays are fast approaching, and I have been searching the internet for great handmade gifts. Martha Stewart recently had a craft show (oh how I wish I lived in, or near New York sometimes) that had some very lovely goodies for sale which would make such thoughtful gifts for family and friends. Go to M-Dashing to take a look at some of these goodies.

Speaking of goodies, as you may all know by now, I LOVE Nesting dolls so when I saw these little lovelies from handle and spout (one of the vendors at the Martha Stewart craft show) I instantly fell in love with them and had to share my find with you. Aren't they sweet?


03 December 2010

{Pretty DIY Wreaths}




Winter Wonderland DIY Wreath Purl Bee




DIY yarn wreath Take Heart




Felt DIY Wreath Pickles



Felt DIY wreath Pickles




Felt DIY Ruffle Wreath Domestifluff


Happy weekend everyone! Continuing with my love of felt and wool, I have been thinking about various Holiday crafts that use these fantastic materials. Today I am sharing some DIY wreaths that you can work on this weekend too. Aren't they lovely?

02 December 2010

{Handmade Gifts}





1. Lovell Image credits:Lovell Designs 2. Jenna rose Image credits: Jenna Rose
3. Hilary Cosgrove Image credits: Hilary Cosgrove 4. Hilary Cosgrove 5. Jenna Rose


After going to the one of a kind show in Toronto, I found a lot of great handmade items that would make fantastic gifts to give to your loved ones. As an added bonus all of the handmade goodies were created by talented Canadian Crafters!