Crafting with Wool Felt

I'm primarily a Knitter, but I also enjoying mixing things up and, lately, I have been experimenting with embroidery and wool felt. I'm pleased with the result and so am passing along to you this cute project idea, which is easy and satisfying no matter how meager or vast is your experience with embroidery.

Pictured above is a small brooch that I embroidered on wool felt. The idea (and "know how") to make this brooch came from Tiny Happy who has a talent for beautiful free style embroidery, mostly inspired from nature. She simply plucks and pillages small bits of foliage from her garden which then becomes the model for her designs.

Following her lead, I set about finding my own inspiration to make a brooch.... which led to Steve wanting to know why I was taking pictures of weeds. I patiently explained that these were not weeds, they were my inspiration!

I'm sure if you look at the picture below, and then compare it to the photo above of my brooch, you will see with what talent I captured these weeds, ahem, flowers. You don't have to say it. I know you can. Because this was my first brooch, I went with a simple design (as recommended by Tiny Happy) and used a combination of running stitch and french knot. I've enjoyed wearing it several times and have since then made several more brooches of different designs and colors that I like equally well!


You'll naturally want one for yourself, but I think they also make cute gifts. With the fast approaching holiday season it's always a good idea to have a few small gifts items on hand for teachers, neighbors or hostesses or for simply whenever the mood strikes you to make someone smile! If sewing isn't your thing, the washcloth shown above takes just minutes to knit and, along with a nice bar of soap, is another quick gift idea.

The handmade bar of soap pictured is from Lizzy Lane Farm . I enjoy this blog which provides a glimpse into country life complete with chickens and a little girl named Daisy. She uses the money from her sales to pay for school books and I wish her every success. I'm sure that I'll buy more as I have thoroughly enjoy using this soap which is scented with roses and has small pieces of oatmeal for exfoliation and is not at all drying to my hands.

Particulars: tutorial on making a felt brooch is found here; brooch dimensions: 2" diameter; I bought the wool felt (and matching embroidery floss) from Prairie Point Junction ( i.e. the wool felt connection); a comprehensive free on-line embroidery stitch dictionary is here; the chenille yarn for the washcloth is from Dancing Leaf Farm; to knit the washcloth I used US 11 needles - cast on 14 stitches - and knit every row until I had a square; you can buy the rose scented oatmeal soap here; the Wool Fat soap I buy from British Import shops.

As you can see, Mr Puffy is feeling great and getting out and enjoying himself. He is eating like a field hand and we like to say to him "Puff, you are A SURVIVOR!"

Steve and I thank you all for your well wishes and concern. Until next time, be well, love well, and happy crafting!

Holiday Survival Tip

We are at that time of year when the holidays are in full swing but I'm not going to talk not about preparing for the holidays but rather how to survive the holidays. The holidays are a stressful time of year for everyone with all the activities and gift preparation. It's easy to get caught up with all the hubbub and forget to take care of yourself at this time of year. That's why instead of focusing on all that could or should be done in preparation for the holidays, I'm offering a Holiday Survival Tip.

Mr Puffy's Holiday Survival tip:

My holiday survival tip is to escape to the bathroom for a luxurious bath. It's amazing how time to yourself having a long soak in the tub can improve one's patience and lagging spirits. The beauty of this holiday survival tip is that one can have a bath whether you have company in your home or you are a visitor in someone else's home.

I like to play relaxing music during my bath and a couple of CDs I like to listen to are Time to Say Goodbye by Sarah Brightman or Isn't it Romantic by Michael Feinstein. Adding bubbles is not strictly necessary, but bubbles are nice and I strongly recommend them. My favorite bubble bath is Clarin's Relax Bath and Shower Concentrate and ~ may I say ~ it does indeed create a relaxing bath experience. Back when I used to work long stressful days as a lawyer I discovered the restorative properties of this product and have been a devote ever since. Fluffy bathrobe with happy clouds, purely optional.



Knitting impacts virtually every aspect of my life, and bath time is no exception. It goes without saying that a handknit washcloth adds a luxurious element to your bath ritual. I like to make washcloths from the super duper extra fluffy worsted weight cotton chenille that I find at Dancing Leaf Farm. This yarn knits into a washcloth oh, in about 20 minutes, at a guess.


Simple Washcloth Pattern: 1 skein Oh-So-Fat Chenille; US 11 Needles. Cast on 14 stitches and knit every row until you have a square. You can make several washcloths from a skein and that, along with a nice bar of soap, makes a quick and easy small gift.



Back when we lived in the Midwest Mr Puffy would often enjoy a bath and sometimes he didn't wait for you to get out! The first time he hopped into the tub I was so astonished that he was in the tub before I could get out - that was a surprise I'll tell you! I learned that he particularly enjoyed a bath when it was cold and snowy outside, I think, because it seemed to warm him right through on a cold night. Unfortunately, because we now have a sunken tub and it is too hard for him to get in and out of, he no longer takes baths. I did manage to find this old picture, though, that was taken about 10 years ago during bath time while we still lived in South Bend, Indiana.


Even though Mr Puffy no longer takes baths he still enjoys a relaxing spa experience with his own special shower set by Happy Tails (Spa On the Go). He says a shower isn't the same as taking a bath, it's still very nice.

We are heading up North to spend the holiday with Steve's family and will be staying in the quaint town of Healdsburg, California.

That's all for now. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving everyone ~ and take time to enjoy a bubble bath over the holiday!