Hand Felted Acorns

After all the hikes we have taken the last month.....well, lets just say I have at least 5 pockets worth of acorn hats. So, I decided to teach my kids how to hand felt wool roving. I tried this last year but, it seemed their attention and hand strength just wasn't there yet. This year we had a blast working on this project together! Of course, they had a hard time giving up the felted ball to the acorn hat. We used them on our fall nature table so they can visit them when ever they like.

I am teaching myself how to needle felt for some of my toys that I make. With the help of Youtube and blogs I think I got it! For this project I am using black wool and was able to find some from an etsy seller that lives here in KY. The wool came yesterday.......sheared from a black sheep but has some white strands mixed in because of the sheep's age. Much better than dyed wool. Can't wait to get started!!!

WOW.....

I was a little confused when I received a number of "convos" today in my etsy store. I was getting these really awesome compliments and wasn't sure how they found me? After some checking a craftcult.com I found that I was on the front page of etsy today. It has been a while since I have been there so it was a nice surprise!! The treasury was really beautiful.....fall colors perfect for this amazing fall day! Thanks for all the thoughtful compliments!

Fall Break at Cumberland Falls : Kentucky

Loving the spectacular EARTH!!!

Hematite Lake : LBL Kentucky

These are some shots from a recent visit we had with my friends Patrick and Tonia plus Adrian their sweet boy. We spent a day out at Land Between the Lakes, which happens to be in our backyard! Before our hike at Hematite Lake we spent some time driving around the elk and bison range. It was so nice to catch up with old friends........we went to grad. school together in AZ and have not seen them in about five years. Can't wait to visit them in Alabama!!

Update on the Crafty Bastards Show

Week late but, I have tons of excuses.....I will get to them in the coming days. For now, I should say that I (we) had an amazing time in Washington, DC at the Crafty Bastards Show and more! Couldn't have asked for a better day! There were clouds in the sky and the sun was shining in and out through the day. The show was very very busy.......I was excited to meet Jen from indiefixx.com and Daniellexo from the Etsy Admin. plus all the great customers and admirers of little ol' me. It was actually very amazing to meet so many people who had already checked out my work on etsy! Everyone helping out the vendors were so nice and helpful and made my day when they brought me lunch by Whole Foods, delicious! My only regret.......since I was working solo all day I didn't have a chance to walk around and met other vendors or check out all the cool stuff--bummer.

Feature on the Crafty Bastard Blog!

I know , I know....no time for bloggin' for me lately! I have been working hard on trying to get my stock up for the Crafty Bastard show in D.C. on Oct 3rd. So, excited to go to Washington and do this show! There are going to be some really happenin' people there that I have admired on Etsy this past year. It was such a honor to get invited to this show !! Now, I have been featured on the Crafty Bastard Blog... WOW! Check it out here. I promise to catch you up to what I have been making in my studio soon!

Oh, and don't forget to vote for me as the craftiest bastard!

Goodbye Summer

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall, Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall

Goodbye flowers

Hello Acorns

What cute little hats!

by Lyra, age 4

Thrifted

About a week ago I was in Murray signing my daughter up for a dance class. Her class is taught in the Old Fine Arts building right on the very campus I attended. It was very bizarre walking into the Fine Arts building after so many years. After registration we did a bit of visiting and ran into one of my favorite people Dale Leys. He got to meet my amazing daughter and we had one of those disjointed conversations you have with someone you have not seen them in ten years. It was nice to have that moment. After, we drove around, ate some lunch and stopped into the local Good Will. I totally scored! I found bags full of felt board materials typically used in a Montessori classroom. There were about 6 sets of two inch alphabet letters, 3 sets of numbers 1-10, tons of different shapes of all colors like pumpkins, apples, ginger men, ice cream cones that are perfect for counting. Plus, two sets of felt stories including the written story and songs. The entire lot cost me around five dollars, I kept half and gave half away. Even though I choose to send my child to public school.......I like to home school in my own style while we are together.

Cinnamon Bun Bun

Okay...Okay....I admit it. I am a big push over when it comes to adding animal members to my family! This time we have adopted a Velveteen Lop we named Cinnamon Bun Bun. He is so laid back and sweet, nothing like I remember my childhood rabbit being. The breeder we purchased him from said these were one of the most lovable rabbits to have. So the story goes, we were going to purchase two bunnies but my daughter fell in love with the Flemish Giant. This particular rabbit was the buck and lucky for us his "wife" the doe was preggo! She is due next week and we have to wait for six more weeks to bring home the bunny. These rabbits are huge, they get to be 12-20 pounds and have a sweet personality much like the lop. I was amazed because I really thought L would go for the miniature breed. She always surprises me!

New Work: Commissions

These "Secret Keepers" just shipped off to South Australia! These little babies helped the push to get my metal working space carved out here at home. Granted it is in the garage which can be hot at times but, not as many spiders as one would think! I am loving metal work right now. I guess absence makes the heart grow fonder even when it comes to making art. More to come....I am planning on making some new work for the Murray State Alumni Show coming up in October.