Betty Lou Blue bird

Is it OK to post something like this?

It's really, really old...

from a

1917

Fleisher's Knitting and Crochet Manual

I haven't seen this label on threads...

hmmmm.

So, if it's not OK 

Tell me - Please.

My Mom says her nick-name was 

Betty Lou Blue bird, when she was little.

She was also called 

Betty Lou Red bird - 

wonder if it was the same person who

used those nick names?

Mom's day tomorrow is huge 

and she

is ever present in my mind.

My hands can't make this

even to honor Mom.

But - someone might want to take on the project

for their own special little bird.

10 or 11 skeins of snow white

1 ball or skein of 233 

and 

1 ball or skein of 235

Fleisher's Germantown Zephyr, 4-fold

Amber hook 3 1/2.

4 stitches = 1 inch

5 rows = 1 inch

Chain 123.

Work even for 190 rows

using a single crochet catching both threads

With blue - copy the Blue Bird design in cross stitch

Placing the birds as shown in illustration.

 

a sweet blanket 

crocheted with love.

Deep breaths - but not too many at once.

 

Penguins - can't get them out of my mind...Why?

Penguins...

What is it with the penguins in 

my head...

Maybe the weather...

wet and cool,

really, really wet -

but nice to breathe

the air.

 

If you're looking for some felting inspiration....

These penguins, Santa's and trees are - 

EASY!

Yes, easy.

And - 

QUICK!

Well, quick is relative...

If I have an hour in bits and pieces, 

I can get one of these little creatures

made and maybe start another.

Bits and pieces- 

that's how I work.

Needle felting can be hauled around

without much effort.

I use an old lunch box 

or one of those

cool, cute, stiff plastic-y bags

with a handle.

A few chunks of wool-

a piece of foam-

Felting tool and some extra needles-

and my imagination.

Then,

one idea leads to 

3.

Then I have a collection or an obsession.

It's hard to determine which.

If you're not tired of penguins, yet...

Here are a couple more...

Happy 

felting - needle punching - quilting

or 

whatever!

Solder art - here we come....

Can you say 

"Obsessive - compulsive"

I can, and I am...

I get that way about every new artsy crafty thingy 

I learn...

Solder art is no exception.

I am having a blast 

and 

teaching other folks along the way...

This is a kit we carry...

Everything to get you started - soldering

 Super cool extra hands 

for which I have already found

many, many more uses
including threading a needle -
Yes, it's true.

 Wavy copper foil that looks so cool

on the winter-y ornaments

 2" x 3" glass that makes perfect sized ornaments

Use images from cards you've received

or 

Cut images from calendars,

postcards,

old books.

art books

oh, my gosh the list is endless....

 

The back of this one says -

These are a few of the pieces

my friend and I made one day.

Oh, my goodness!

We had so much fun.

Lots more fun in store for everyone.

You can do this...

Yes, you can!

Kaw! Kaw! said Crow

I love, love, love sparkles.

Doesn't everyone?

Scored these at an estate sale.

Sweet success...

Oh, Happy day!

Make Believer

That isn't a typo...

I'm a Make Believer...

I'm officially out of the closet

Make Believer's Unite!

Of course if I'm going to Make Believe

then I have to have a tiara...

And not any old tiara but

a special 

Handmade

Special-for-the-character tiara.

This tiara is for the 

Princess of Change.

Not pocket change 

Change - change

Like change in the weather 

or 

seasons change.

I'm always changing - well in my mind, at least.

 Adventure gurl made the second tiara...

She is also a 

Make Believer

These little wonders are so easy to build.

I kid you NOT!

Easy!

In a few days...

I'll have a little video thingy posted

so you can see how easy it is.

AND

we are going to carry solder art supplies and kits so you can make your own

tiara.

In my opinion...

We should wear a tiara every day.

Yep!
Everyday Tiaras

For sure.

Been busy...

Wow!

I have been really busy.

Good stuff...

all of it.

Added a bundle of wool roving colors to 

eBay called 

Halloween Party

Playing with solder - an expert I'm not but I am having fun

Everyone needs a little luck every now and then...
The 5 leaf clover was a gift to a friend who
needed something to break the spell of
silly weirdness that was happening in her life.
I think it worked!

We're going to be adding supplies to make
soldered art - soon...
Just jumping through some hoops -
like
building a different web site.

On the personal side....
I've been -
Exercising - more than a walk around the block

Working with an estate sale service - way too much fun for words!

Working for a great company merchandising greeting cards...

See!
I've been busy.
Happy Day!

Possibility...

in my most humble opinion...
I am most nearly always
open to
possibility.
Am I?
Hmmmm....
I'm thinking that it's possible that I
have time to make one of the many 

Halloween patterns we carry
before Halloween.
Will I make it in the manner of the original intent
Or
Put a spin on in?

hmmmmm.

Love these
Many faces of Jack - Pots and Pins

Possibility 1

Individual needle felted pumpkins on wool or
sculpted pumpkins

Possibility 2

 Jacks - made in wool felt
and made into a pillow or two
well, while I'm at it...
go for the third one, everything
is better in 3's.

Possibility 3

(see 3's)
Cut backgrounds pumpkins and face shapes
from fabric with fusible web on the back.
Let the kids, card group, study group,
charitable group  (you get the picture)
Put their favorite Jack face together and iron it.
I'd be half way done and have

memories

already tied to the quilt.

I just love this fellow.
Happy Hollowbones - Su-Sun Designs
he appears to have a pleasant nature.
I'd like to make him just the way he is...
different fabric - of course.
Or maybe, have the pattern enlarged and make him
Really, really, really

Big

Like to fit on my King size bed.
Oh, yeah - sleeping with a skeleton.
Bet my spousal unit would frown on that.

Happy Owl-o-ween - Su-Sun Designs
Silly, silly owls...
Dressed up like the trick-or-treaters they see each year.
Hmmmm.....
Ok!
This may be the ONE

Cats n Jacks - Pots and Pins
Enough with the possibilities -
It's time to pick one and
do it!
Happy creating!

Meet cher tea cher...

Well, that's how the 

"littles"

say it...!

Today is Meet your Teacher day.

That means summer is officially over in this neck of the woods.

We've been very busy and now we're all ready

to get in the routine of school days.

Yes!

Really.

We played school this summer to practice some skills.

Pretended we were in this little school house in the forest...

Around the schoolhouse - Nancy Olsen Spornitz

learning our

ABC's

ABC's for Max - Pots and Pins

Oh, summer days...

It was nice to have you for a visit.

 Summer Brights

Now, we're ready to rock and roll into Fall 

and all the 

glorious

Fall colors!!!!

9 for Fall

Forest

Happy creating! 

What ever it is that you are working on 

or have completed...

let us know - send a picture

we'll post it on our blog - or not.

Depending on your wishes....

and the livin' is busy....

How many sports camps can a child go to in a summer?

We're about to find out!

We've had 

volleyball

soccer 

and

baseball...

The "Littles" are enjoying 

Meeting new friends

Seeing old friends

Learning new skills

Polishing old skills

Playing outside

Packing lunch in the morning

being exhausted in the afternoon

just for a few minutes

and then....

hopping on a bike 

or 

going for a hike

or 

a swim in the lake.

Add in my activities:

helping a friend prepare for an estate sale

soldering everything I can get my hands on

keeping up with packaging

and 

shipping 

wool roving and patterns

Wow! 

And...

We're all having fun!

Lots of it!~

Pictures when I have time to breathe!

Learning something new!

Perhaps, from the title you are expecting

something profound....?
Like learning a new language
or
patience
or
calculus.

Well, maybe.
Someday...
but not today...
Today!
I'm learning how to solder.
Yep.
It's so darned fun -
maybe addictive!
Go ahead -
act surprised -

I'm not the best solder-er
but I'm certainly having the most fun
since
I learned to needle felt...

Wonder what I'm going to
do with all my little creations?

Me too!

Right now, I'm wearing them.
One at a time, of course.

And sometimes...
Sharing them...
but it has to be true love.
Oh! Happy Day!

Celebration!

I'm developing a habit.

Yep!

I think it's a good one...

is there such a thing as a good habit?

Well, this one is...

I'm finding something to 

Celebrate

every

day!

Little 

Big

Simple 

Complex

It doesn't matter.

Last weekend, we celebrated

being together.

We walked on a beach near Seattle.

Squeezed thru the crowds at Pikes Market

 BB'Qued fresh veggies and the last of 

this season's Sockeye.

Yum...

Finished Adventurgurl's pre-travel errands...

Then off to Tolt River for a hike and some seriously

cold swimming.

 Sunday evening was fun...
A gathering of
Adventurgurl's friends -
laughing,

playing,

eating,
hugging,

no crying!
We all know this is where this child needs to go -
on a
 trip around the world!

Trip around a Star - Nancy Olsen Spornitz