Nan's Fancy Wool Flowers

Susan Feller's Artistry

2012-02-17T05:45:00.000-08:00

Under the masterful creative hands of Susan Feller, WVA, wool fabric is dyed to perfection and appropriately marketed as ArtWools. Susan recently dyed a batch of wonderful color mixes for me, and they are identified by adding her name to the mini label in the reverse side of the pin. The number refers to the photo taken of the piece and stored in the computer for copyright reference. Happily, there are over 3,000 flowers being worn around the country!

Susan and I discussed the making of "budding soft pink flowers with their fresh green leaves" and the result is so lovely, I might just frame a section of the piece so you can see it at a show sometime soon. The technique, to all the dyeing rug hookers, is called "twist and dip." Photos do not do it justice! Like an oil painting, you have to see it to believe it! Thank you Susan!

Susan is the author of Design Basics for Rug Hookers, published recently by Rug Hooking Magazine, and available from their website, rughookingmagazine.com.

Springtime in January

2012-01-06T12:17:00.000-08:00

What a great sunny day in January! Thanks to all of you, the Christmas season was wonderful for me, and almost all of those poinsettas are being worn on the winter coats of people everywhere! Just last week, I spotted one on the shoulder of a shopper at the grocery store!

What am I to do, but start making spring flowers! I'll soon be delivering them to all the specialty shops who carry them (see list).

A few of these stores will be stocked with my own hand-dyed narrow wool strips similar to the one shown above, from which you can make your own beautiful blossoms.

Today, my January/February copy of Rug Hooking Magazine arrived, and I was very pleased that my book, Making Flowers from Wool, is advertised there! Order a copy today!

This flower is hooked on one linen canvas scrap, about 4 " wide, with tiny accent leaves setting off the tangerine, pale pink and hot pink blossoms. I'm going to try to have at least one of these little gems for each shop carrying my products. You may be lucky enough to find one you like!

Fun at Creative Stitches Cafe

2011-12-01T06:21:00.000-08:00

A big thanks goes out to staff and guests at the new Creative Stitches Cafe in Monroeville for an exciting hour talking about sewing flowers!

We all decided to do it again in January and make daffodils for spring gifts.

This Sat., Dec. 3 is Open House at the Cafe, so check out all the super deals at the website: http://www.creativestitchescafe.com/.

I, however, will be at Heinz History Center, Pittsburgh, for their Annual Book Fair, 10 am to 3 pm, on the 5th floor, along with 60 other local authors, for book signing.

My book is also available at Heinz's Gift Shop, Creative Stitches Cafe, Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Bo Peep Fine Yarns, 2nd Chapter Books (Ligonier)and on-line at http://www.spoonwoodgallery.com/, produced by our own Westmoreland Creative Collective.

Creative Stitches Cafe

2011-11-19T08:49:00.000-08:00

Shop owner Sharyn (standing) and I meet to arrange demonstrations and classes at this exciting new sewing center in Monroeville, located next to D'Annunzio's Restaurant.

Sharyn and I met a few weeks ago at the Martha Washington Guild biennial exhibit in Washington PA. We discovered a shared interest in all the things which can be done with a needle. In addition to classes on Brother sewing machines which can help people do embroidery and quilting, carrying a line of the beautiful Moda fabric, and Mettler threads, the entire staff is completely knowledgeable about heirloom sewing, Swedish embroidery, leather moccasins, and other amazing techniques.

My flower pins are there, and my new line of kits for youngsters as well as hand-dyed strips for making flowers. So, I'll be on hand periodically to show others how to make creative flowers.

First off, I'll be showing visitors how to use stem wire as a sewing needle for making wool pine cones, on Wed. Nov. 30 from 1 - 2 pm.

Stop in to see what's going on at the Cafe!

Rosy Poinsettas

2011-10-28T12:36:00.000-07:00

Poinsettas look great in a variety of pink, rose, magenta, burgundy, red, and red plaid. A few have dark green plaid leaves so subtle, you might never know it!

This year, they are in two sizes, and the slightly smaller size is perfect to accent any garment. Or, be like me, and pin your poinsetta to a wreath which hangs indoors.

Two shops already have a small selection: Westmoreland Museum and Bo-Peep. There will be dozens for sale at the Quilt Show next weekend in Washington, PA, and the info is detailed in the sidebar. Then, Heinz History Center Gift Shop and Carousel of Colors will be receiving a generous supply of flowers in both sizes.

Lastly, I plan to have poinsettas listed on the new Spoonwood Gallery so you can order online anytime. If you know anyone with a birthday in December, think about the poinsetta as a remembrance.

Of course, I've been creating seasonal flowers in my spare time (!) and have added just a bit of sparkle to a few of them. You can see them shining through in the accompanying photos.

Need a gift for someone who loves to do crafts? Pick up a copy of my book, Making Flowers with Wool! I'll be signing copies On Dec. 3 at the Heinz History Center Gift Shop in Pittsburgh.

Carousel of Colors

2011-10-08T09:59:00.000-07:00

Carol (right), owner of Carousel of Colors, Castle Shannon, PA, meets with me last week, to check-in a supply of wool flowers.

Carol's shop features her own hand-crafted framed wall art, plus that of many area artists and designers specializing in lovely, traditional giftware. You'll see candles in tea cups, soaps, floral arrangements, children's items, greeting cards, and much more.

My offerings include not only autumn flowers, but also wool pumpkins in two sizes, plus realistic dimensional pine cones made from many layers of brown-shaded wool fabrics.

The shop is located at 300 Mt. Lebanon Blvd., in the busy Lebanon Shops strip shopping mall, bordering on Mt. Lebanon.

I'm happy to be included in Carol's roster of designers, and hope you have the opportunity to visit soon.

Spoonwood Gallery Now Open

2011-10-02T12:02:00.000-07:00

At last, you may now buy flowers anytime at the brand new Spoonwood Gallery, http://www.spoonwoodgallery.com/, created by my friends in the Greater Westmoreland Creative Collective.

This juried marketplace is the brainchild of director Cia Williford, who administers the website, and in her spare time, paints beautiful angels which you can see at Spoonwood. Check out the meaning of Spoonwood ( Pennsylvania's Mountain Laurel) at the website.

Participants also include director Merriann Grant, and members Katie Resch, Helen Setina and Lisa Hertzog.

If you've met us in person, then you know we are down to earth residents of Westmoreland County working in our studios (indoors or in fields) and loving every moment of the creative process. We assure you that we actually make our products with our own hands, taking care to finish them beautifully, and that we truly appreciate our customers. Visit us at Spoonwood anytime!

Fun in Somerset

2011-09-12T16:24:00.000-07:00

You can't see the scissors in my hand, but I did try to cut off the Civil War re-enacter's pants leg to get some authentic blue wool! It didn't work, but we had a great time in Somerset PA at the Mountain Craft Days show last weekend. Thanks to all the interesting visitors who braved the rain: the woman who actually has bicycled across the country from Washington to NJ, the kind wife of the re-enacter who makes Civil War costumes, the amazing paper cutters, teenagers who are going to make flowers, Georgia, Bob the straw man, and the kids who believed my story about the wool gold fish which were swimming in the nearby pond.

All my sunflowers are gone, so, to those who plan to attend this coming weekend's Penns Colony Festival in Saxonburg, PA, know the sunflowers will be freshly picked!! I'm dyeing yellow wool fabric right now!!

Hooked on Flowers

2011-09-04T10:34:00.000-07:00

At last, I've started hooking a group of flowers on one piece of linen canvas, then creating a pin out them. This is what rug hookers did on rugs a couple of centuries ago -- and are still doing-- but not too many cut them off of the rug to create something different.

On one of these old rugs, you might see a little dimension, but the remainder of the rug would be hooked with very low loops to serve as background. I'm hooking high loops to cover the canvas background, so I can cut it off and make it wearable for you!

Lately, I've been seeing printed fabric, wallpaper and other decorative items with small airy flowers hiding underneath large, breezy, open mum-type blooms. I decided to try my own version.

My mini-collection will be available for the first time at Artful Affair, Oct. 1, as shown in the side bar. This one-day event is directed by Cia, Mer, and myself, with four others rounding out the event. Everything is hand-crafted, painted, grown, or baked in Westmoreland County, PA., by thoughtful people who absolutely love the creative process, and selling it to the public.

Fresh biscotti, freshly picked pumpkins and corn stalks so crisp you can smell the wonderful countryside, newly made needlework, just painted art pieces, shiny jewels --all for you! Hope you can stop in, 10 am - 4 pm.

Wings

2011-08-26T16:16:00.000-07:00

Our transportation system is amazing! This giant canary flower was crafted from one piece of wool fabric spot dyed with purple, orange and pink by Susan Feller, WV.

Today it was shipped to RI to Susan Gower of Nifty Thrifty Dry Goods who suppplied the central purple button. Susan also supplied many other buttons which are incorporated into other flowers I created for her. She will have them at the Country Living Fair, Sept. 16-18, at Ohio Village, Ohio Historical Center, Columbus, OH.

In the meantime, I'm creating even more flowers for the shows I'll be doing (see sidebar), to culminate on Oct. 1 in Greensburg PA with the Westmoreland Creative Collective's Artful Affair.

Next stop: the world!! Stay tuned!

Book Signing at Sauder

2011-08-20T14:06:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Rug Hooking Magazine for the opportunity to talk with rug hookers about Making Flowers from Wool! Ali Strebel Designs was very kind in offering flowers to shoppers, many of whom stopped by to show off their purchases.

I welcome your photos of flowers you make--I'm sure they will all be beautiful, especially if you use the gorgeous hand-dyed woolens from show vendors and the glorious trims from Nifty Thrifty Dry Goods.

Sauder Village is located west of Toledo, and has events which appeal to many interest groups throughout the season. Accommodations were very nice, food good, staff friendly and volunteers helpful! I'll return anytime!

It was also wonderful to see beautiful hooked rugs of many types and eras, all now presented in Rug Hooking Magazine's Celebration of Hand-Hooked Rugs XX!

A very sincere "Thank You" to everyone who reacted so positively about my new book -- I appreciate it !

2011-08-14T09:36:00.000-07:00

The annual Rug Hooking Week at Sauder Village, OH starts Wednesday, and the flowers above, made just for this event, will be vended by Ali Strebel Designs, who will have a booth in the Exhibition Hall.

I'll be signing copies of my new book on Friday at 11 am and 1 pm, in the Exhibition Hall, near Rug Hooking Magazine's booth. Stop by and say hello!

Hello Sports Fans

2011-07-10T15:39:00.000-07:00

Does a black and gold flower look great on a sports team shirt?When you shop at the Heinz History Center Gift Shop in Pittsburgh, you know the answer! Steeler Nation!

I was elated to hear from gift shop associate Eleanor who wished to add my flowers to the line of wonderful merchandise at this neat location bordering on downtown and the Strip District.

Knowing they have a Sports Museum in the facility, plus a wonderful sports section at the gift shop, I decided it was time to do black & gold. Since I have a decent collection of gold blazers cut up and ready for sunflowers--I did a 180 and cut them into --you got it-- Steeler flowers!!! Now, when you have to show up at work with your No. 7 jersey, but it's in the laundry, you can get by with a great flower on a black tee!

My rug hooking companions suggested a year ago I add black & gold---and I am eating crow now!

Anyway, the History Center now has a large collection of wool flowers in a vast array of hues to suit anyone, and I am one happy camper, er, rug hooker. Thanks, Eleanor!

Show Time

2011-06-24T05:30:00.000-07:00

We are getting ready to drive out to the Western Reserve Rug Hooking show in Kirtland OH, just east of Cleveland , for a fun Fiber & Wool Fest at the Farmpark Sat. & Sun. I'll be inside the Visitors Center, down the hall from the milking parlor where kids of all ages can witness the source of milk!

I'll have copies of my new book which I'll be very happy to sign just for you!

Many thanks to the attendees at the WCCC flower making class last night: very talented women with a plethora of skills easily picked up on all the techniques used in making flowers. We had lots of fun!

Show time!

Thanks, Waynesburg!

2011-05-23T16:21:00.000-07:00

Here's ewe Roxie and her lamb Sweater, photographed by owner Heidi of Avila PA, in a warm hug from yours truly. It was so enjoyable to meet lots of people interested in working with wool, sharing techniques, catching up with familiar vendors, learning about rug hooking and making flowers! Of course, I had to do a bit of shopping also....

The 2010 Fayette County Fair Queen Jessie stopped by, and remarked that she wore one of my pins, as shown in the photo, while she performed official duties during the year. Jessie is very charming, hard working, and a pleasure to meet!

And, thanks to the shoppers, it is time to get the scissors in hand to make flowers for the next show this coming weekend on Wooster, OH.

Making Flowers

2011-05-19T06:22:00.000-07:00

After a year in the making, my first book is about to be published by Stackpole Books! The process was initiated by Rug Hooking Magazine Editor Deb Smith, and is based on my own self-published instruction booklet. Beautiful illustrations by Kim Kiser were a big plus in attracting the attention of Crafts Editor Mark Allison, who assigned Assistant Editor Kathryn Fulton to the task of adding another book to the Crafts & Hobbies category.

Last summer, I shipped 50 flowers to Stackpole for their professional photographers to shoot. The flowers are as large as eight inches in diameter and as small as 1 inch in diameter, and represent what can be done with leftover scraps of wool.

The book will be available from: stackpolebooks.com and will sell for $14.95. You may also buy a copy from Rug Hooking Magazine's booth at rug hooking events, or me at the various shows I'll be doing.

A big "thank you" to all who helped the book become a reality, beginning with my rug hooking companions! It's true: when the door opens for you, walk through!

Fresh Flowers at Waynesburg

2011-05-18T05:14:00.000-07:00

Here's a selection of fresh purple flowers made from Sandra Brown's dyeing class. I'll have these, and more in Waynesburg, PA this weekend at the Greene County Fairgrounds, Sheep & Wool Festival. The following weekend, I'll be in Wooster OH --see the listing on the right for details.

Class

My first class at WCCC, Youngwood PA is scheduled for Thurs. evening June 23, at 6:30 pm. See http://www.wccc.edu/, continuing education, personal enrichment, for more information!

Dyeing Wool with Sandra Brown

2011-05-13T10:43:00.000-07:00

Just one of the many hand hooked rugs created by Sandra Brown inspired a small group of rug hookers last week in a dyeing class at Sojourney Farms, southwestern PA. Not only is Sandra an expert teacher of rug hooking design, specializing in geometrics, she also loves to dye her own woolens.

The easy part was watching her dye eight shades of purple. The hard part was spot dyeing layers of color over scrunched up wool settled on the bottom of a large pan. First dollops of spinach green, followed by golden cheese, a little tomato red, and I'm thinking we were preparing lasagna--not a feast of colorful wool. After it gently simmered for a while, then dried, I was awestruck at the beautiful mottled colors Sandra created.

We managed seeing drifts of icy color, floating in water until it gentled up to soft white wool, carefully adding a tiny bit more blue here and there, until we were satisfied with the merest swirl of heaven on earth.

We finished up with a fiery furnace of black, rust, deep gold and flaming red, so intense I don't want to cut it up!

During this wonderful day, we feasted on farm fresh foods Sandra prepared, including the most golden and delicious scrambled eggs ever, accompanied by freshly picked asparagus.

In short, if you ever have a chance to attend one of her classes somewhere on the east coast, do so!

Here's the kind of dog I love:

2011-04-24T11:21:00.000-07:00

Birds chirping means the rain is over and sunny days are coming! So, I had no choice, but to try my hand at life-size dimensional birds--what fun!

I'm getting ready for the start of spring festivals, so check out the list on the right hand column for a location near you!

Classic Pendelton

2011-03-25T05:26:00.000-07:00

A beautiful find from a favorite resale shop: Pendelton black & white plaid blazer. The white flower shown above is attached to part of the blazer sleeve, with 2 shiny black buttons partially hidden. It's a bit unusual, but I hope the contemporary shape will appeal to a shopper.

Every rug hooker loves the Pendelton brand, Portland, OR, because the wool fabric is processed in the USA and has beautiful woven patterns. I try to keep various labels from clothing I use, as shown below. I wash each and every garment I buy as soon as I get home from a shopping excursion, then dry it until it gets hot and shrinks. You can be sure little critters are gone, and since they don't like to feed on clean wool, chances are you'll never see them in products created by rug hookers.

Welcome Spring

2011-03-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

These icy spring colors are beautiful! I've been working every day, creating soft flowers for spring, and all three shops carrying my products have a full selection.

Plus, I'm stocking up for spring crafts shows, listed in the adjacent column, beginning next month.

Great news: Westmoreland Community College, Youngwood PA,will be the site of a "how to" class scheduled for June 23, 6 pm to 9:30 pm, called "Making Flowers from Wool!" If you want to learn how to make flowers similar to mine, look for the listing in the Summer Continuing Education class offerings, to be published later this spring.

Even more news: I'll have a booth at the Penn's Colony Festival, Saxonburg, PA on Sept. 17, 18, 24 and 25! This is a wonderful show in the manner of the 18th century, with costumed vendors, re-enactments, music, food.

In the column on the left, you can see my interpretation of a lion, from a tavern sign painted by an artist born in 1775! The actual sign is in the permanent collection of the Westmoreland Museum of American Art. My hooked attempt took about 40 hours of stitching in cold January and February, and I'm going to try to save it until the Penn's Colony show. In the meantime, I hope to stitch the lion's eyes for small pouches suitable for carrying 18th century items or 21st century eyeglasses.

Pears

2011-01-27T12:02:00.000-08:00

When I'm looking for a change of pace, I try something new! Pears have been on my list of fruits to create, so having some spring green wool at my fingertips, I revised my mini pumpkin pattern and came up with those pictured. They look great with this wonderful mug, a gift from a friend.

So, I decided I also needed yellow pears, and experimented with yellow dye with a touch of green in it, and below is the result. I love them! I'll have these for sale at the first crafts show I do, and so far that will be at the Westmoreland Museum on April 23.

Now, back to creating spring flowers!

Odds and Ends

2011-01-06T11:52:00.000-08:00

At year end: A huge thank you for enjoying the flowers I love to make! It is very rewarding to hear that Christmas gifts were a hit, and that recipients were pleased!

Year end means that I clean out storage areas to make room for the newly acquired junk--and use up bits and pieces I find along the way. This flower (made two days ago)shown above has a found object: the grape hyacinth is actually an I-cord I knitted two years when I was trying to knit woolen strips from my rug hooking stash. Hmm, maybe I'll knit a few more.

The new year also means planning for specialty craft shows, and I'll post them once they are cast in stone.

In the meantime, I'm going to make a small collection of spring flowers just for Visit Pittsburgh, the Welcome Pittsburgh Information Center and Gift Shop, Fifth Avenue Place. It is wonderful news that shoppers, especially Highmark employees, have discovered the little soft wool flowers look great on drab winter coats. Wait till they see how great they look on spring suits and summer hats! Thanks Visit Pittsburgh for the opportunity!

Poinsetta Season

2010-11-12T07:56:00.000-08:00

This season's new flower is a poinsetta! I began last year to experiment with creating the flower using rug hooking techniques, but was not entirely happy with the result. Now, petals are glued around center buds which are knotted from my wool strips. Last year, I knew I was going to have to iron petals, and since ironing is my least favorite household chore, I put it off. Well, these petals must be ironed to illustrate (and hold) their shape so, here I am, happily ironing! I'm taking a batch of poinsettas in white, hot pink, magenta, burgundy, cherry red and barn red to Harrisburg next week. The Westmoreland Museum Gift Shop is getting a new suppply since they sold out already and next stop is BoPeep Yarns in Ligonier. Sorry, but Visit Pittsburgh will not have the poinsettas in stock.

Visit Pittsburgh Opens Shop

2010-10-21T06:19:00.000-07:00

It's official: the Welcome Pittsburgh Information Center and Gift Shop opens Friday at its new location at Fifth Avenue Place, downtown. My felted wool flowers are part of the collection of merchandise offered by the Westmoreland Museum of American Art! I'm thrilled!

Pictured above are four new holiday flower pins attached to one hat-- only for photo purposes, of course! Obviously, these are not part of the VisitPittsburgh group since I just made them yesterday, but I am certainly cutting up a storm these days in anticipation of holiday events.

Pink Lily

2010-10-19T15:41:00.000-07:00

Sometimes simplicity is everything. A few weeks ago, I dyed some hot pink and orange. Some subtle stripes appeared which looked as if they could be petals, so I made the most of them. This flower is in my collection, awaiting a permanent home...with you?

Artful Affair Thanks

2010-09-30T05:13:00.000-07:00

The results from the first trunk show sponsored by the Creative Collective are rosy! Thank you friends, family and groupies for supporting us as we bring artistic, hand-crafted products for you and your home. This rose, and many other hand-dyed flowers are now gracing your clothing. The Witch Out of the Midnight Blue found a good home, and the Purple Martin Wreath is settled in for winter.

Nothing beats success, so I created a new suppply of fall and winter pieces for Bo Peep Fine Yarns in Ligonier and delivered them yesterday. Now, I'm busily crafting a large batch for the Westmoreland Museum in Greensburg and will soon deliver them.

Joy Joy

2010-09-19T15:42:00.000-07:00

This hooked pillow is finished ! The 8" square hooked center in 4 shades of red/purple, took about 7 hours to stitch, so it's no wonder I'm joyful to finish it just in time for Artful Affair, Sat. Sept. 25, at 1104 Middletown Rd., Greensburg, PA. Luckily, the background fabric design matches the one used for the green budding stems I created for the other pillow shown. You can buy both!

I will also have lots of autumn and winter flower pins to accessorize your coat, suit, blazer, hat, etc.! Not to mention the topiaries (you have to see them to believe them) in purple, green, magenta, red, tilting out of contemporary vases with a mirror finish. And, of course, those frosted pumpkins are ready to be displayed among your autumn decorations! Hope to see you Saturday!

Purple Martin

2010-08-18T08:10:00.000-07:00

This purple martin is going to spend the winter indoors perched on his new 10" grapevine wreath. If no one buys him at the "An Artful Affair" trunk show in Greensburg on Sept. 25, he'll have a happy home with me!

As I write this, I'm reviewing Pantone's Fall Colors for 2010, and imagining more orchids, pale gold and scarlet hues that I will try to dye for making autumn flower pins to coordinate with your cothes. Even though we may not be buying many new clothes, accessories in the new season's colors will convince everyone we're fashion conscious.

Yesterday I decided to make acorns from tourquoise, rose and gold wool to accent brightly hued wool maple leaves. Would you wear a blue acorn? You'd be surprised at how cute they are, especially when they appear in a grapevine wreath. And---wait till you see the black Halloween crows perched on their nests filled with orange eggs (disguised as Reeses' Pieces). At least I'm having fun!!

Mini Pumpkin Collection

2010-07-31T06:03:00.000-07:00

These little pumpkins can decorate your home for a tribute to autumn! I've also dyed wool a pale orange hue and added soft glitter as I was thinking about the old poem, "The Frost is on the Punkin"--and will have these for sale at the first ever "An Artful Affair" slated for Sept. 25 in Greensburg, PA.

Artful Affair is a wonderful collabration with Merriann Grant and Cia Williford. Since Merriann creates classic jewelry with beautiful silver and real gemstones, and Cia dreams up cute miniatures --and writes like a dream, we are sharing our love for the handcrafted with the public at our own group show. We have also invited a few extra special artists with their own gifts: from baking to wood burning, to participate. Plus, we are recycling materials-- wait till you see Merriann's earrings made from plastic gift cards! You can learn more from our blog: westmorelandcreativecollective.blogspot.com. Hope to meet you on Sept. 25!

Woolfest Fun

2010-07-01T16:06:00.000-07:00

Kirtland OH was the scene last weekend for the Western Reserve Rug Hookers exhibit and plenty of sunshine welcomed all! An arena was packed with lots of yarn enthusiasts buying fleece, hand spun yarns, wheels, spindles, woven rugs, etc.

Thanks to the shoppers who stopped by my table and took home flowers! Thanks to C. who sent me her tailored teal jacket for future flowers--and it is perfect for hooking into a wall hanging of the flower girl pictured in this blog.

Promises Kept

Last month, I promised to tell you about the new product created and designed by Michelle, owner of Bo-Peep Fine Yarns in Ligonier PA after she introduced it at a trade show: retractable /expandable circs! Pretty, colorful knitting needles, made of aluminum, which has a plastic filament which can easily slide into the knitting needles, reducing the circ by about 8 inches!! They are wonderful, a dream come true for everyone who has decreased rounds in a hat to discover--yikes--the circluar needles are too long to hold the hat! (Knitters will understand.) You can see the Prettys on the website: bopeepfineyarns.com, or stop in the shop.

Decorate a Summer Hat

2010-06-08T15:31:00.000-07:00

This hat band may give you an idea for decorating your own favorite summer hat, and is detailed in the upcoming June, July, August issue of Rug Hooking magazine, soon in the mail to subscribers and available at your local rug hooking shop, or at a big box book store magazine section. Or, check out http://www.rughookingonline.com/ to see if the article is featured on the website.

    Since I wrote the article, I've made a few more bands, as shown below and will have them at the Woolfest in Ohio.

   If you decide to make your own, be sure to measure around the hat to determine if the recommended 24" length is good for you.

   I'd enjoy posting your uploaded photo of your own version of a decorated summer hat, and will offer a (yet to be determined) one-of-a-kind flower to the most lovely of those submitted by Aug. 1, 2010.

The winner will choose the color! So, get creative, and have fun!

Special Order

2010-05-31T03:47:00.000-07:00

When I dropped off a fresh supply of flowers to Bo Peep Fine Yarns, owner Michelle mentioned that she is announcing a new product in her first trade show ! (I'll tell you what that is next month.)

I designed three flowers in her colors: pink and black, as pictured in the photo. Good luck, Michelle!

Westmoreland Museum also received a basketful of flowers to sell in The American Marketplace. The shop has a great selection of handcrafted jewelry including hammered silver, copper, large beads, stones of all sizes, ranging from beautiful understated pieces such as Merriann Grant's to funky recycled originals by Gerry Florida.

In the meantime, I've been making blossoms for the Woolfest later in June, emphasizing lively summer colors and a smattering of autumn hues.

Fun at Waynesburg

2010-05-17T16:10:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful weekend in Waynesburg PA and lots of families came to see sheep, buy lambs, eat lamb dishes, herd sheep, spin wool -- etc. Thank you all who stopped by my table and bought all my pink, rose, red, magenta, and lilac creations plus the orange, and yellow sunflowers! That makes me happy! I enjoyed meeting many other vendors and talking shop. I'll be seeing two of them in June at the Woolfest in Ohio. Until then, I'll be making lots more summer flowers! I'll show you some soon!

With me is Roxie, whose beautiful fleece was just sold, owned by the charming Heidi, of Avella PA, who graciously took the photo.

Lilac for Spring

2010-05-08T05:15:00.000-07:00

These new hand-dyed lilac flowers will be available at the Waynesburg Sheep & Wool Festival, May 15 & 16. The festival is at the Greene County Fairgrounds, exit 14 off I-79, Waynesburg, PA.

Initials are always great gift ideas, so I now carry every letter of the alphabet in a variety of colors. They are mounted in a 5x7 white mat and ready for a photo frame, decorative frame, or anything else you can imagine--they make cute gifts for baby also.

My space will be indoors with the crafts vendors, so look for my display featuring hats and flowers. Bring your trading card for an even exchange--or mention this blog! Hope to see you!

Turkey Roaster Dyeing

2010-04-29T15:39:00.000-07:00

It's true: I use a turkey roaster to dye white clothing from resale shops into glorious colors, like this yellow. It comes out of the oven after just an hour, then I rinse it, dry it, iron it, and then get creative. After I dyed this yellow, I tried for a chartreuse (used in the "thanks" photo)--but did not quite get it right. It will be put to good use regardless.

Thanks

2010-04-29T15:29:00.000-07:00

Thank you everyone who visited me at the Westmoreland Museum Saturday! It was my pleasure to meet so many of you who are interested in rug hooking, and talking about the flowers I love to make. I truly appreciate your interest in having a little flower you can call your own! A couple of you are planning to teach 10-year-olds how to make simple daisies this summer, and I was happy to show you how to do it. Kids need to learn how they can make things for it offers a great sense of accomplishment to their lives.

Thanks also to Cia of Briarwood Miniatures for help in redesigning this blog. I love it!

Artisan Saturday At Museum

2010-04-21T10:47:00.000-07:00

Westmoreland Museum of American Art, 221 N. Main St., Greensburg, PA will feature an Artisan Market from 11 am to 3 pm. The show is free to the public. I'll be part of a group of creative people who make decorative accessories, jewelry, ceramics and much more--and we all make it ourselves, from scratch, without relying on imports from other countries that we simply package. Our spaces are tiny, but you will meet the artisan, not an employee, and be able to find out why they make their speciality, how they make it, etc. Many of the items are one of a kind. If you want a gift for someone special, make it a gift that is truly made in the USA!

Speaking of "one of a kind" I like to vary the flowers I create. I did not have 3 dozen exact matches hidden below the table! If I have more than one sunflower, you can be sure none of them will be a perfect match to another. Now you know why I don't make earrings -- most women would want them to match. I can't cut out two one/half inch big flowers and have them be the same!

The photos above are a few of the flowers created just for spring, and available on Saturday.

Fantasy Blooms in the Spring

2010-04-11T14:59:00.000-07:00

So, when I'm not cutting out flowers, I'm snipping blossoming fantasy trees for my friend Ric. He loves to create crazy animals in his own imaginary folk art forest! This time, I did not see the 2 jets flying, his usual signature, but once it is framed, it's too late!
Flowers are flying everywhere since I'm getting organized for upcoming spring shows. New this year: cute hat bands ready to accent your favorite summer hat! They will be introduced at the Westmoreland Museum on April 24.

Beautiful Yarns

2010-03-21T09:52:00.000-07:00

I visited with Michelle, above, left, at her great shop, Bo Peep Fine Yarns in Ligonier PA to drop off some spring flowers. Finding a perfect green for a knitted handbag is one of her customers, Marie. Talk about eye candy ---the Japanese yarns are beautiful, and there are lots of articles knitted up so you can see how they look. I especially love all the fingering yarns created for socks--what hues! Hats are felted and then shaped over a form and customers have a good time finding a suitable flower to liven them up. Michele also has wonderful multi-color beads created by a local artisan, and shawl pins to die for. Her shop is comfy & relaxed and Michelle is very welcoming to everyone who stops in. Even a guy stopped by, on a mission for bamboo needles, which Michelle had at her fingertips!

Daffodils are blooming

2010-03-06T07:11:00.000-08:00

The snow in southwestern Pennsylvania is melting so I decided to make some daffodils--then I saw a snowman in the neighborhood. He was under a yellow beach umbrella, and had a yellow/orange beach towel under his arm-too cute! The neighbor kids already think it's summer!
To make a daffodil, I cut out five yellow petals and took a tiny stitch, making a pleat in the base of each one. Then, I glued them to a yellow base. Over top, I glued on a yellow tube. Voila! Call either of the two shops to be sure they have them in stock!

I'm also working out a way to make a permanent copyright label for each flower so that you know you have an original flower made only by me. Why? I'm planning on doing a few shows & being a little more visible out there in the marketplace--potential imitators will be out there too!

Fancy Flowers Booklet

2010-02-24T09:09:00.000-08:00

If you have a stash of wool fabric and want to create something that's fast and easy--this book will guide you through it. You don't need patterns, just a little skill with the scissors and a bit of self confidence.

The easiest flower I describe briefly is pulling a knotted wool strip through a hole in a wavy circle!! You can do it!! I use this flower as accents, and glue them on barettes for kids. They are going on my new products, too! What new products? They are "works in process" if you know what I mean!

Nancy Blood Meet Charles Linford

2010-02-05T13:00:00.000-08:00

Rug hooking friend Carolyn cleared out some of her stash, so I bought hundreds of wool strips, ranging from 1" to 3" wide and a half-yard long. The most glorious colors were hand dyed by expert Nancy Blood, New York. Mixed hues of soft green, rust and purple flow in and around camel. I clipped half circles around the top edge of my sole 18" piece, basted, shirred, and turned it into a ruffled flower. Then, I introduced the flower to a painting The Afterglow, created in 1887 by Charles Linford. You can see the complete painting, and a close-up above. Gorgeous! Nancy is an artist! You can always find color inspiration in a museum. Painters choose their palettes so very carefully, with wonderful lights and darks. When I'm making one simple flower, I try to audition various colors to select the hues which complement each other best. Try to include warm and cool tones of the colors to add movement and flow. Get inspired--see The Afterglow at The Westmoreland, listed above. Now--I've got to check out that Tiffany window to see if I can match the reds and oranges!

One of a Kind

2010-01-24T06:15:00.000-08:00

I like variety and do not want to make exactly the same thing over and over. Scraps often make only one flower. I'll create a variety of shapes and flowers from a large scrap, then mix them up with other colors and styles.

Recycled does not mean dirty! Everything is washed the minute it gets h0me! I like to buy white and dye it in my turkey roaster (never used for turkey!).