The Wolf

Monday's sun did not linger. Today is a chilly mix of snow and rain. Such a day calls for something warm and savory cooked all day in the slow cooker. That was the first order of business this morning, the chopping, mixing, seasoning, and then put the lid on to let the magic happen. I ask you to imagine how amazingly delicious the little green cottage smells right now. Later, the music man (whom I haven't seen in far too long) will come over to dinner with our family, we will share freshly baked crusty bread, heavenly roast and a nice bottle of wine. The simple slow things in life, how nice!

The next order of business for the day has been at the back of my mind for the last little while. Lurking there, waiting in stealth and I was a bit uneasy...

I wasn't quite sure how to proceed with my fairy tale. Still, The Wolf was waiting.

Part of my uncertainty has to do with a question I have, Where am I going with this business? Will these be part of a framed series? Should they be cushion covers? Are these little scenes even finished? Just what is it I'm making? I still don't know.

Right, that was more than one question. No matter. I'm just going to have to be patient and discover the answers as i go.

And one more question; just what goodies does Little Red have in her basket? Ooh, it must be lunch time!

Happy Leap Day everyone!



PS. a nice little write up on the music man here (for full disclosure - yup, he's family)

Little Red

This morning I woke up to sunshine, a welcome antidote to the Monday blahs. I also woke up thinking about Little Red Riding Hood, go figure! I couldn't possibly tell you why, one of the many trapdoors in my noodle popped open and I fell through I suppose.

After the Monday morning rush around to get ready for the day; coffee made, breakfasts eaten, lunch packed, chickens tended, hair brushed, etc. We were out into the crisp morning air for school drop off and playing on the car radio was the song Little Red Riding Hood. Well, that sort of sealed it for me; it was simply meant to be a day for Little Red.

Out came the felt and a couple of vintage doilies and along came Little Red. And as we all know, the wolf can't be too far behind...

Oh, and what of Granny?

Well kiddos, we shall have to continue this fairy tale another time as there are Monday chores to tend to.

Have a lovely day!

Feltycuffs: A Tutorial

Due to my recent aquatic adventures, my 'makers mojo' and I have not been getting on too well. Something about me being unbalanced (go ahead, make your jokes now) and the concentration and constant looking down of stitching, made me a bit queasy, dizzy and blurry. Now that I am finally coming 'round a bit, I felt the need to make something - anything. I thought that I should start off small and simple. Then fortuitously, I received an email from a friend asking me to recommend some sewing projects that might be suitable for 10 year old girls. I sent her some links and then later, she asked if I had any ideas that could be accomplished by 3 girls during a crafty sleepover with beginning sewing machine skills. I thought about it for a while, and finally resorted to Feltycuffs. Do you see what I did there? Instead of 'Fistycuffs' I said...yes, well.

Felt is awesome, it's a no fuss, no muss material that makes up some seriously cool projects. It also ticks all the right boxes for a kid craft. However, once I started playing around with the felt, I started to imagine all the cool grown up stuff I could make using the same ideas.

The first thing I came up with was a woven felt wrist cuff/bracelet. I will be showing you in a brief, step by step tutorial how to make your own. So, here we go!

Gather up some felt scraps.
You will need 2 pieces for the main cuff part. You can measure your wrist with a tape measure, making sure it is not too tight but, a comfortable length on your wrist. Once you have that measurement, add 2 - 2.5 inches (5.5 - 6.4 cm) for overlap. I cut my pieces 8.25 inches (21 cm) long by 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) wide. Then cut some skinny strips of felt slightly longer than your main pieces. I cut 4 strips.
Using a rotary cutter and mat make this quick work, you can also use scissors.

Now, working with the top piece of your main cuff (I used gray), use a craft knife* or small embroidery scissors, and a ruler to make 4 rows of small slits in the felt. To make this more even, you can place markings on the wrong side of the felt with a fabric marker. Make your slits just big enough for your skinny strips to fit through. I made my cuts every 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) along the length and in 4 rows across the width. I did not mark mine so they came out a bit wonky.

* If you are doing this project with kids, you will want to supervise use of the sharp craft knife.

Now start weaving in your skinny strips. It's up to you if you want to alternate the pattern. Try to be fairly gentle, as you don't want to stretch out the felt too much.

Once you have woven in all the strips, trim off any excess length.

I gave my finished piece a quick press with the iron before I continued.
Next, Match the edges of your 2 cuff pieces, wrong sides together.

Using a simple straight stitch on your machine, sew around the outer edge, using 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) seam allowance.

In one end of your cuff, make a slit with a craft knife or scissors just big enough for your chosen button.

On the opposite end, sew on your button. Wrap the cuff around your wrist to help find the proper placement of the button.

Ta Da! A super cool, super easy woven felt wrist cuff!

After I made this one, I couldn't stop. So, I made 2 Super Star cuffs for Pony Girl. I used the exact same technique for the cuffs but, without the woven element. I simply cut out 2 simple star shapes out of contrasting felt and appliqued them to the cuffs with a straight stitch.

Here is Pony Girl rockin' her cuffs!

(click the pic for 10 times the awesome!)
And I still couldn't stop!

What about a simple and elegant napkin ring? Does anyone use those anymore? I used to love looking at my mother's small collection of vintage napkin rings when I was a kid. I thought it would look so nice for a special dinner.

Wait, there's more!

What about place holders? These would be so pretty at a wedding, special party, or just because.


So yes, endless possibilities! I made one wrist cuff with a crochet flower sewn on that turned out lovely. It was too dark to photograph by that point. I keep thinking of other ways to use this very simple idea. How about you, can you think of some?

As always with my tutorials, please feel free to ask questions. And, if you make this project, or one inspired by this project, I would love it if you uploaded a photo to the "Lola By You" flickr group!

Have a super star day!

Oh, I almost forgot. Lola has a new Facebook page come check it out!

On The Make

I have been a little concerned over my lack of production lately, especially with a new shop to run and it being so close to the big holiday. I am trying to accept that this is just where I'm at in life (remember, I am a woman pressed for time),that I am doing the best I can, and it is enough. I have managed a few bits here and there and I am currently 'in production' of a couple of items for the shop. Though it's all in the unfinished phase, I find an interesting beauty in works in progress so, I thought I might give you a peek at what I am working on.

My crush on soft trees has been revived, I wasn't certain after the craze of 2008 but, these little trees still drive me wild. How could I resist?

click the pic for full view
just a few finishing touches left

Back again this year, are my little hens. Modeled after our very own brood, these lovely ladies still need sewing up and a coop to call their own. I can't help it, they make me smile.


I am hoping to get all these in the shop by next Monday

...and lastly, I must give myself a little pat on the shoulder and an A for effort because...

I hooked my first granny!
Armed with 3 different sets of instructions, some 'slippery little sucker' yarn and a 'can do' attitude, I had at it. With much consternation, a few not so nice expletives, several rounds of unraveling and a wee nip in between colors, I finally managed something nearly resembling an actual granny square! I am a bit proud of my wonky, not quite right square and I may just see a garland in my future.

I'm off to fortify the flock, lovely day to you my sweets.

A Woman Pressed for Time

I seem to have lost some time somewhere, if any of you have seen it, would you kindly send it back to me care of Lola Nova? Well, wherever it's disappeared to I just don't know, perhaps it's gone to the same place that my rose colored glasses have runaway to. In any case, just a quick post before I ready my gear and safari hat to go 'in search of'.

Today I will be putting two new items up in the shop. I had hoped for a slightly larger number but, as we have already established, there's that whole time situation working against me.

The first is the Something to Crow About Journal. Seasonally festive and full of potential.


Secondly, and my very most favorite thing right now, is the Lovely Leilani Cushion. I admit to becoming so smitten that I almost kept the beauty for myself. Something about the colors of peridot green and aquamarine (or is it duck egg blue?).


See the sweet vintage doily? You are welcome to think that the other bits are snowflakes, the bearded one made that observation as well. They are actually hand cut Hawaiian Naupaka flowers in the style of traditional Hawaiian quilting. As with many things Aloha, there is a legend that goes with the Naupaka flower.
This has been a little break through for me, you see I have been longing to find a way to bring some Hawaii into my making, I lived there as a child and some of my heart still belongs there. So, I think this will be popping up in my designs for a bit.
So, stop by the shop if you wanna see more. Until next time my dears, have a lovely day!

The wheels in my mind keep on turning

The weather is changing, we have had some rain and cooler temps these days. My wee summer toes are bucking closed in shoes and I am not quite ready for fall. Along with the incoming season I am having a heck of a time keeping my head straight. So many ideas keep popping into my mind that I am waking up a few times a night to sketch or jot down a note. Of course when they come - they seem absolutely brilliant but, by the time I am doing the laundry or making dinner, it hits me, "Nope, no good at all!" I say to the stir fry, "It'll never work."

I am working on things for the much hinted at Etsy endeavor, not nearly where I want to be. I look around my studio and think, 'Is that all there is?'...'then let's keep dancing.' Above is a photo of a little Day Of The Dead piece I have been messing about with. I have some more embroidery and beading to add. At first, I thought I would make a few postcard size pieces, now I'm wondering if I should work it into a larger piece. I don't know.

My schedule is about to change and my studio time will be less. I may have to take up night time coffee drinking to kick up the pace. What I should be doing is filling my freezer with stews and soups, you know, gathering for the coming winter. Ah well.

Today's odd little post was brought to you by the misty shivers that are creeping in from outdoors. Oh, just a few more days of sun please, then I promise I'll be good.

AARRRRR!!! It's a pirate tutorial!

Ahoy mateys! It's coming up on pirate season and I thought I would share this super easy tutorial for a Pirate Pouch. It slips onto a belt, perfect for a wee pirate's treasure.

Here's what you need:
cut one= 7" X 13" rectangle of felt
cut two= 1.5" X 4.5" felt rectangles
Extra felt scraps for embellishment
Thread



Take your large rectangle and fold into thirds (letter fold), press folds with an iron. (If you are using synthetic felt use the synthetic setting on your iron or finger press folds).


The small felt rectangles will be your belt loops.
Now, press under short ends of small rectangles by 1/2 an inch. Place belt loops on the back center panel of the large rectangle about 1" from the edge and Pin.


Stitch 1/4" from folded edge of belt loop to secure in place. Back stitch at both ends of stitch lines.

Next, I embellished the top panel by cutting a simple Jolly Roger out of colored felt and hand embroidered it to the pouch.


Fold up the bottom panel to meet the middle panel, pin and stitch close to edges creating a pocket.

Yes, I know this is a different color, I somehow missed taking this shot when I made the original.

Because we are working with felt, there is no need to finish the edges. You could even sew them using a blanket stitch for an interesting detail.



Oh look, you're done! I told you it was super easy. Now just slip your pouch onto a belt and 'Tis truly a fine pouch for ye loot!



You could line your pouch with fabric if you like, use a sew on patch for embellishing, and even adjust the size. Have fun and keep your eyes peeled for pirates!

Felt Egg

Just a quick post as a follow up to the egg pattern. I have to thank Feltorama for reminding me that I had wanted to test out my pattern on felt. I am excited to say it worked great! In the photo you can see that I'm not done yet. I think I might add some embroidery decoration.



A couple of tips using the egg pattern with felt:

Because felt is thicker, I definitely recommend clipping your curves (making sure not to clip though your stitches).

Also, leave as big an opening as you can, making it easier to turn right side out.

I will show you more when I finish.

Half A Bubble Off Plumb

I saw this great tutorial here and remembered that my girl had asked for a PINK crown for her birthday...





...at 10 pm, the night before the party, recovering from the flu...yup - that's just crazy.

I swear, the birthday stuff is almost over. Pretty soon no more pink...
for a little while anyway.

Still in the Pink & Something to Crow About

Yes, it's dress #2 in the world series of PINK. Here you can see the closeup of the wool felt flower charm I made to go with the dress.
...and the dress in it's entirety

No, it isn't all pink all the time but, it is pink enough to make the qualifying round.
I used a pattern for this one. Onion 20026 with of course, some alterations. I loved putting this together, a great pattern! I will have to get some other Onion patterns and try them out as well. I used a Michael Miller print for the bulk of the dress and a Kaffe Fassett cotton for the cuffs and hem.

Now, in other news...


The Lovely Miss K and I finally had our Tuesday Craft Date. Last week's was cancelled due to illness. The craft du jour was freezer paper stencils.


This is a very satisfying and simple craft. There is a great how to here. Miss K painted poppies on a T-shirt and I chose some crows for a piece of cotton calico. We used Jacquard fabric paint and paint brushes to apply it. Miss K took hers home to dry so, I don't know what the finished result looked like. I am hoping she will sport her new shirt soon so I can check it out. Here are my crows (I have a little thing for crows), they will be used in an upcoming project.



I love that a group of crows is called A Murder of Crows!

I Felt It

One more quick post before I leave on a jet plane tomorrow. Lola Nova has been featured on the Felt-o-rama blog! April has done an amazing job with this blog, it is full of wonderful information and fantastic inspiration. I definitely recommend you taking some time to poke around over there. It is the companion blog to her shop www.feltorama.com where you can find beautiful Hand-Dyed Wool Felt, Eco Felt, embellishments, books and patterns as well as needle felting supplies. So, go check it out and tell her Lola sent you.

Lovebirds #2

Oh yes, more of the sweet tweets.

These come with a template you can download and instructions, hurray!

O.K. I actually debated whether or not to post this project. I just didn't have the time to do it justice but, I wanted to get it up before I went on vacation. Yup, I'm going on vacation (more about that later). So, I just whipped it up in a flurry. Since I have been promising free patterns for the people, I figured I'd better - as my grandma Alta used to say on canning day, "put up or shut up!"

Here is the finished piece of Love Bird loveliness.


What you will need is some felt scraps, small scissors and thread.
The background felt piece I used is 11"x8 1/2". You could easily use a piece of fabric instead. In fact, my original intention was to applique the birds directly onto one of my girl's jean jackets, until she tried on said jackets and discovered them much too small.

Next you will need to download The Love Birds Template here which looks like this.
Now, print out the template. Cut the shapes from the paper and pin them to the felt or trace them onto your felt. Cut the shapes out of the felt following the cutting guide given for each shape with small scissors. Once I have all my pieces cut, I like to lay them out how I want the finished piece to look.


Next I sew the wings onto each bird body. I simply used a straight stitch on my machine and stitched close to the edge, slowly.

For the next step I used a glue stick to set the pieces how I wanted them. You could also use a spray adhesive for fabric. I then stitched again, close to the edge of each piece with a straight stitch on the machine. I finished with a french knot embroidery stitch for the bird eyes, and voila!

This would be darling worked with hand embroidery. Make it into a pillow, sew it on a jacket or applique the birds and hearts onto a tea towel.
I made mine into a little Valentine Treat Bag for my girl since I wont be with her on Valentines day. I will fill it with special treats and fun stuff for grandma to give to her on the 14th.

If anyone wants directions for the bag, I would be happy to share that as well. Just leave me a comment or send me an email and I will get it to you.
Happy Crafting!