house wren studio

cat and mouse ornament

I made this for you.

Many, many Christmases ago, Oxmoor House Country Christmas (1992) asked me to do some ornaments for their collection. I did a series of felt designs and just unpacked this prototype last night. I love it still. A felt cat and a felt mouse connected by a short length of ribbon so it drapes, hangs and balances on the tree branch. Because I knew you'd like it too, I made it again to offer as a giveaway. One for us, one for you. And for those who want to make their own- here's the pdf pattern. (Maybe trim those mouse ears a touch- they look kind of bunny-ish. Very cute though, either way.) Not into sewing? Make it out of paper and twine for a gift tag.

Please leave a comment here for the giveaway drawing on Friday.

Happy holidays, my friends!

xoC

house wren studio sessions :: 2

After the last class I was so happy when many of you asked for another. I've been thinking about what we could do and when.

The date is set for Saturday, January 23 and the project will be Sweater Craft. Here in home-sweet-home Irvington, NY at my friend Jane's house again. As before, we will start up around 9 or so with coffee, work until lunch and finish around 5.

You loved the Hats and the Totes. This time, let's make a variety of projects from red and white felted sweaters for Valentine's Day. These are all perfectly suited to the beginning sewer and you will have a choice of little and big projects to try. There will be a few no-sew projects too!

I have a long list of new things to add to the studio favorites. First off, I made up a new pattern for some slippers and they turned out so daaaaarling! Sketches and samples in the works for an apron, mittens, a scarf, a pillow, a garland, a needlebook and whatever else I can think of. There will lots of options.

Looking here and there, I even found a friendly snowman for winter cheer,

 

little lovely hearts,

and simple mug cozies. Just right for Suzanne's morning coffee and delicious homemade scones (!!!) to share together.

And her incredible gourmet lunch! Door prizes, favors, friends.

 

Pack up your bag of craft and sewing tools and come join us. The daylong workshop with materials, morning coffee, lunch and extra goodies is $155. Please email me- chlyons9 (at) gmail.com to reserve a spot. It's a small group. Relaxed and cozy.

A few student blogposts about the last class are here and here and here. I am ready to help you with recommendations for hotels and restaurants and other unique local adventures. It's so lovely here!

xoC
 

next class

Getting ready to tell you all about the next class on January 23. Hoping to post the full story tomorrow. Please stop by then. xoC
 

making

Stocking the shop today with holiday houses and a few trees. I have big plans for additions to come and some of the wonderland mobile kits too. We'll see. Thanks for all the holiday house kit orders. A few still left.

Someone contacted my agent to see if I could supply 75-100 snowmen for corporate gifts. O, what a wonderful request! Just came a bit too late in the season for me. Nice though, ya know?

How are your holidays shaping up?

xoC

let's set the table

Thinking about my random last-minute placecards and table decorations. I've posted about some of those here. Actually a little ahead this year and made some to share. Click to enlarge and save the jpeg, then print these two cuties onto cardstock as needed for your table settings. (Personal use only please.)

 

Wishing you all a very happy day! xoC 

always

Scrolling through photos and files I found this image from Mothers and Daughters at Home. That was so, so long ago, but I still remember shooting that little scene when we lived in the warehouse loft in - what year was that, '98? It sends me back to that sunny, happy day, back to the wool stack, back to a never-fail inspiration. Doesn't matter what year it was. Could have been yesterday.

Mo is home for the holiday! Everything has a new sparkle here even though it's so gray out. Looking ahead to this busy time of year and also still thinking about the great time we had in Omaha. In and out of the classroom. Love my sweet art friends!

Kelly

 

Pam, Rebecca, Teresa

 

Denise, baby Claude ....where was Jennifer? She had to be veeeeery close by.

Kaari

Denise and Cori

 Anna, Denise, Teresa

Inspiration. Friends. Family. You. Grateful.

silver bella mobile class

 

Before I get too far away from Silver Bella (the unpacking and putting away continues), a quick recap of the second day of teaching at SB - two sessions of the Mobile class. That lucky bit of scheduling worked out well because after the first day, the pace relaxes a bit and it's good to have a class or two that doesn't challenge every part of the brain so much. I wondered out loud which was harder- teaching all day or learning new things all day. Hard to say, really. This class was the kind where folks get to work and play with the materials they are familiar with, decorate with trims and bits and enjoy the community of crafting. Lots of swapping, sharing, chatting, laughing, a gentle hum of busy-ness and delight. A different kind of thrill than the hat class. It's a nice balance.

Everyone brought fabulous materials and extras. Yum!

I always love seeing the personal touches that change the project - in any class.

Some of this, more of that.

O, look- burlap trees! Love those!

It's just plain fun. Who doesn't love a twirly ring of sparkly, pretty fantasy cottages and trees?

I'll be posting a few kits on Etsy early next week.

house and home

Finishing up the last of my houses to take to Silver Bella in a few days. And wrapping up some designs for new classes TBA. They have helped to fill the gaps of time here.

Thank heavens for needle and thread!

Another day recently spent at the ER with my mom, new rounds of physical therapy and doctors' visits, a wheelchair breakdown and tune-up, a restorative outing to the park on a rare warm and sunny autumn day. Stitching my way through it.

We've spent a lot of time looking at our front (and back) steps trying to figure out how to build a ramp that will get her up and inside for Thanksgiving. The steps are too many, the approach is too short. Anyone have any brilliant solutions to share?

And then, Mo's birthday was, of course, spent away at school. This year her sisters and James went out to visit and celebrate with her (cookies from home). They all said it was a wonderful weekend there and just as they worried I might dissolve into tears, I was reminded that she will be home for Thanksgiving. Just a few more weeks. To build a ramp, to hug that girl.

hats, hats, hats

 

The wind kicked up off the river the other day prompting me to think about making another version of the hat - for me and for class. Some folks are going to bring those Daddy-sized shetland wool crew neck sweaters. I love those because they give lots of felted fabric and the colors are always so rich. I think I have a shell pink Ralph Lauren one with cables. Popped collars and Palm Beach!

Anyway, this is what we can make out of those. A bit more refined than the other model and decorated with some of my cherished covered buttons. I like this one and expect I'm going to wear it alot.

Except that would mean I'd have to take off my Yankees hat! No time soon.

attn: silver bella hat class peeps

Just checking to be sure you all have your thrifted, wool sweaters washed, felted and ready to go for class next week. We're going to have some kind of fun cutting and sharing.

Thoughts and tips:

• If it has a hole in it, mend that before you felt or plan to cover it later with a patch or design. The hole grows in the felting.
• Mix and match colors and patterns. If you are still hunting, check the men's and children's racks at the Goodwill or Salvation Army.
• If it has a little acrylic in it, that's okay, it will be fine and still felt. Felting is an experiment - even for those of us who do it all the time. The best part is the surprise.
• If it's felted enough out of the wash, just air dry to avoid too much felting occurring in the dryer.
• Flush the washer with an empty cycle to clear the pipes of lint and check that dryer trap frequently as you dry. 
• Bring some buttons and yarn for decorating. And your camera .... expecting some creatively fantastic results!