Here’s some that are a combination of fingering wool and regular wool, some are made with dark green, some with light green, and there is even a wool trivet. This is the [...]]]>

I’m on a roll this morning – have been crocheting bowls like crazy lately – and today, decided to felt them in the washing machine.

Here’s some that are a combination of fingering wool and regular wool, some are made with dark green, some with light green, and there is even a wool trivet. This is the wool fingering yarn that I used:

This next one is the final version of the crocheted bowl with the troublesome yarn – see I Love My Felted Bowls to see what I’m talking about!

This is the last bowl that I have felted today, single strand of red – a bowl with a belled out top and some coasters – those were a test, as I wasn’t sure how small they would get. Next batch I will make bigger first.

I have some more yarn that I’m going to try – LOVE FELTING!!

Sandi

Here’s a post about one of my bowls offered as a prize!

And another [...]]]>

If you have visited my Etsy shop in the past, you know that I have created some felted bowls. Some of them, I have used as gifts, others as prizes – it’s a work of love for me to see the results

Here’s a post about one of my bowls offered as a prize!

And another post where I talk about how I got started felting.

I’ve garnered advice from many of my friends, and I’m always trying to come up with different looks.

Recently I made some bowls with different types of wool yarn. This one came out really fuzzy – I actually like the way it looks!

This one was made with alpaca – first time I’ve tried a felted bowl with it. Used 2 strands – didn’t really stiffen up like I like – but turned out that it was the ‘perfect’ bowl for a friend.

This is the before

And this is the after

My latest bowl has been a struggle. I bought some hand dyed wool yarn from a new Etsy shop – and when I tried to use the yarn, it kept twisting tighter and tighter as I crocheted. Sought advice from several people, and was just about ready to pitch the yarn. It was a nice yarn with thicker and thinner sections – figured it would work up nicely. I talked with a gal in the local yarn shop (I say local – I think it’s the only yarn shop within 100 miles of me – and it’s about 30 miles from my house) – and she said to attach something to the ball and let it unwind periodically. So dh suggested a clothespin.

This bowl took me a lot longer to crochet – as I was having to stitch a little and then unwind – it was an experience. I haven’t felted it yet – but I took my basic bowl pattern, where I would normally stop, I decreased stitches, and then when I was satisfied with the decrease, I started increasing – I used the whole skein!

Can’t wait to see how it turns out once it’s felted.

Sandi

As a part of her writeup – we are giving away one of my sets of felted bowls! You know about my obession to felting, well here’s your chance to win [...]]]>

A friend of mine, Tracey from Tracey Knits who is also a member of the Etsytwitter Team with me, has featured my shop on her blog!

As a part of her writeup – we are giving away one of my sets of felted bowls! You know about my obession to felting, well here’s your chance to win some of these adorable bowls.

This adorable set includes a square brown bowl, a fluted orange bowl and a little tall one with artificial flowers. These are great on your dresser, your desk or your table – soft – won’t scratch, and can hold all sorts of little trinkets.

How can you win these? Go on over to Tracey Knits and read what she has said about me (blushing). She’s have some things that you can do to enter. Leave a comment here too and be sure to include your email address. I’d love to hear from you!

The drawing will be held on Monday, January 25.

These bowls need a new home – will it be yours?

Sandi

Want to know more about the sneak attacks – Check Here

So, we decided on 3 shops and they were great. Everyone was [...]]]>

Last nites sneak attack was a very special one. Besides myself, Linda from Engelfelt and Joy from co-sponsored the event! We had a lot of fun choosing which shops were going to be ‘Attacked’.

Want to know more about the sneak attacks – Check Here

So, we decided on 3 shops and they were great. Everyone was surprised that they were being ‘attacked’ which basically means we bought things from their shops as a way of helping them out!

The first shop was Resinpop This gal makes the most delightful scrabble pendants and resin pendants. The one I’ve included is a favorite of one of our ‘Sneakers’ as she loves elephants.

The 2nd shop was Heart of Fiber Delightful felted scarves, eyeglass holders and more!

I managed to purchase this, before someone else grabbed it! It’s a tissue holder and so adorable looking!

The 3rd shop was Falling Coconuts A delightful array of greeting cards. I couldn’t resist – I bought 2. The first one is for my DH, he watches all the shows on tv about bears and the 2nd one is great for a birthday card.

Fun was had by all last nite! Be sure to join us next time.

Sandi

With that, this week’s favorite shop is The Felted Chicken. [...]]]>

By now, you know about my delight in anything felted. While I only do felted bowls, there are a number of extremely talented Etsy shop owners who use felting as a medium – in that – they create things you just wouldn’t think of as being felted.

With that, this week’s favorite shop is The Felted Chicken. Oh my – not just chickens, but everything else. Says Chrissy: I’m in love with the process of creating things. It doesn’t matter what I am making, as long as my hands are busy.

This one hit me first when I was browsing Chrissy’s shop. Combining her love of felted creatures with her sushi items – she came up with the black widow spider – sends chills down my spine….

Or how about this yummy treat with Chocolate – mmmm

Add to the felted collection – Chrissy has made reGift Bags using pre-felted fabric called Eco-spun. This is a synthetic felt that is made of 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles – yeah for Chrissy – keep those plastic bottles out of the trash!!

Check out the Felted Chicken – definitely unique items!

What are your concerns about Christmas? What kind of gift can I give that won’t break the bank? How will I wrap it? How can I wrap the [...]]]>

Christmas always has a way of sneaking up on me! I looked at a counter graphic and found that Christmas is 52 days away. Much closer than I thought.

What are your concerns about Christmas? What kind of gift can I give that won’t break the bank? How will I wrap it? How can I wrap the gift, without having all the wrapping thrown out.

Today, I’d like to make some recommendations!

Let’s start with what kind of gift you can give that won’t be really expensive. With the trend turning back to handmade and handcrafted items, rather than store bought,  I’d like to recommend Etsy for your Christmas shopping. And you can shop from home – save gas!

Not familiar with Etsy? Your place to buy all things handmade. Etsy offers just about anything you are looking for in the way of a gift for that special someone.

My Etsy Shop is Handmade By Sandi where I offer a variety of crocheted items, sewn items and jewelry. And custom orders are welcomed!

Do you know someone who loves Starbucks? Use one of these crocheted coffee cozies – replace the cardboard sleeve. Helps to keep the coffee hot and keep your hands cool! A variety of colors are available – just the coffee cozy or some are embellished like this one with flowers.

Have a teenager to buy for? How about a unique choker that can be worn with casual as well dressy outfits? These chokers come in a variety of colors – very soft feeling and ties in the back!

Do you have someone that has everything? Want something truely unique? This bowl is great for potpourri, is crocheted and soft and won’t scratch furniture.

Have a friend who loves to take her own bags to the store? How about one of these?

Now how do you wrap these gifts and any others that you purchase? Save money and the earth. Don’t buy wrapping paper and tape. Try one of my fabric gift bags from Sandi’s T’s. Offered in a variety of sizes and different Christmas fabrics – these gift bags will keep on giving!

Now is the time to order your gifts and gift bags before the holiday rush! You will be greatly appreciated by whomever receives your gifts.

Enjoy your shopping from the comfort of your home!

Sandi

And the person who won the bowl is StockAnnette

My bowl is now featured on her blog – check her [...]]]>

Last week, I gave away one of my blue crocheted felted bowls to a good home! Actually, I donated one of my felted bowls to The Homemade Movement as part of their weekly giveaways.

And the person who won the bowl is StockAnnette

My bowl is now featured on her blog – check her out.

Sandi

But for right now I’m concentrating on bowls.

The first felted bowls I made, were created with Patons Wool. It’s a thin wool strand so took 2 strands crocheted together to get the bowls [...]]]>

Actually, it’s not an obsession yet – wait til I have a little more time, I want to try needle felting, and felting soap.

But for right now I’m concentrating on bowls.

The first felted bowls I made, were created with Patons Wool. It’s a thin wool strand so took 2 strands crocheted together to get the bowls to be sturdy.

This time, I used Lion Wool, which is a heavier strand, and was able to use just one in my crocheting.

I ordered 3 colors in the Lion wool – Cocoa, Pumpkin and Fern. My plan was to make a few of each color, and then combine 2 colors to make one bowl.

I started with the Cocoa, and used a little of the Pumpkin on one of the bowls.

I used a variety of methods for the first bowls that I made – the first one I used about 35 min of hot water wash – with just the bowl in the machine, the next one w/ a pair of old jeans, and the 3rd, which was my first square bowl – I put that bowl in a mesh bag, with tennis balls in the washer. Not sure which method I used that I like better.

This time – I put the bowls in the mesh bag w/tennis balls in the washer, and I have to tell you that it seemed to take forever to felt. I’ve been leaving the washer lid open – so it wouldn’t go into the spin cycle – but that might make the warm cool down. Also since this was a different yarn – the length of time is probably different. This time, after having the bowls in the mesh bag – I took them out – let them agitate with the tennis bowls – I also drained the water out of the washer and added new hot water.

finally they were done – I was trying to eliminate the look of the stitches, and I’m not sure that’s been done as much as I’d like, but I like the way the bowls look.

This time, I made the square bowl with sharper corners vs the first square one I made. The 3 smaller bowls have a curved lip – I like that look – the largest bowl with the cocoa and pumpkin – I put over a large can – to make really straight sides and a flat bottom.

My plan for the bowls is to list them 3 bowls at a time, one of each color. I want to make all of the bowls first to see how I want to arrange them.

So far, I’ve made the cocoa ones that you see – I’ve made 4 pumpkin colored bowls – but ran out of both the cocoa and pumpkin to make the largest bowl. So I’ve ordered more yarn – yet more to add to my stash.

When I get the pumpkin ones done, and the green, I’ll add a post with those as well!

This has been fun.

Sandi

I received an email from Jen yesterday – telling me that my interview would be [...]]]>

I belong to the EtsyBloggers group, and Jen, from Mama’s Magic contacted me about being interviewed for their Friday Feature. Of course I said yes – I love to talk about my business, my hobbies, my family, not in any particular order.

I received an email from Jen yesterday – telling me that my interview would be published today. Wow what excitement – isn’t it great to see your name in print??

So, here’s the interview Hope you enjoy finding out more about me!

Sandi

Kristen Evans, who creates unique jewelry designs and textiles from vintage and new components, as well as recycled/repurposed vintage pieces and fabrics, always presents [...]]]>

Where to start? This weeks Shop of the Week is Firebirdhouse Designs – and I have to tell you I was hard pressed to pick only 2 of the items from this shop.

Kristen Evans, who creates unique jewelry designs and textiles from vintage and new components, as well as recycled/repurposed vintage pieces and fabrics, always presents her items in a very professional way.

If you have been reading my posts – you will know that I’m a sucker for earrings.  And the ones below are a favorite of mine -

Kristen has named them: Sultana- Vintage Ornate Moroccan Ruby Red and Garnet Earrings – I love Garnets and Rubies…

This little pillow struck my fancy -

In Kristen’s words: Made from a wonderful, vintage repurposed wool in a vibrant royal purple and soft cabled pattern, the pillow features lime green wool flowers, needlefelted centers of yellow and purple, and funky magenta stems needlefelted from 100% wool felt.

Since I’m really getting into felting – I look for interesting felting designs and techniques – haven’t tried the needle felting yet – but…

Why does Kristen create what she does? No matter what I am doing, I am drawn to the beauty and color in life. My creations reflect my love of repurposing and recycling what is old into something useful and beautiful.

In addition to all the unique creations from Kristen, she is also the co-leader of our Etsytwitter Team, helps, along with Vickie – to keep us all straight!
Check out Firebirdhouse Designs and you will see more of her delightful creations!