Wool And Felt And Avoca

Avoca

I came across some wonderful things from this company some time ago. They make the most amazing goods from wool. Their woven throws and blankets are stunning and their hand knits are imaginative and very trendy.  I particularly like their scarves and gloves and recently bought myself one of their capes. The company is based in Avoca Village,  County Wicklow in Ireland and they have a great website - see it   here ...  The company started in 1723 as a co-operative when local farmers got together to weave and spin their wool and remains today in the same mill premises with an ethos relatively unchanged. I love their stuff - do take a look.

My lovely cape

Wool
A Lovely Seed Stitch Cardigan

I have really become fascinated by knitted things and have been trying a little seed stitch (moss stitch to some) and found it quite difficult as you really need to concentrate on each and every stitch. I recently made a mistake, which I did not notice for six rows and then had to unpick and rework it until it was corrected. It was difficult to pick up the stitches the right way round and so I have decided that no more seed stitch for me ... although this does look wonderful.

Felt
A Little Time Waster

I love felt - why have I not used it more? I sometimes make tiny things but realize it is so much more versatile and it is possible to turn out reasonable items in an hour or two. I have been under the weather recently and so it is nice to be able to relax with just a few items and craft. Today I thought I might try a simple pincushion.

I cut a few shapes

Did a bit of simple decoration

And a bit more decoration

Sewed the top and the sides with blanket stitch

Attached the bottom in the same way (leaving a small gap to stuff it)

Popped the stuffing in

Now to sew up the gap

Close up

Another close up

Now for a bit of decoration ...

Super Cute Felt

Inspirational Book

Felt Goodies

I have been buying felt shapes and squares and reading felt books and trying to inspire myself to make some easy pin brooches. They are simple and cheap and fairly easy to do ... I love things that can be completed in one sitting. I think they may be a good decoration for the outside of Christmas parcels - say brown paper and hessian string with a brooch pinned on?

 I am not at all artistic so, (as with everything I make), I find a good example and try to accurately copy it. Other people are so much better at design and putting colours together.

This ...

Plus this ...

Plus this ...

And this ...

And these ...

Equals ...

Violet Chaos

Perfect in  Pink

Beaded Button

Blue Dawn

 The Blues

 Pink Posy

 White Water

I think that I realise that the background I choose to take the photo's on makes quite a difference to my blog ... again this is a learning process!  I need more interesting backgrounds (maybe a more interesting home?)  and better photography. At present I use a wooden kitchen table top, a black slate conservatory table top - with or without a white sheet of card. Would love some advice on improvements.  Meanwhile, note to myself ... must try harder!

More pretties  to try to work with ...

Bouquets by Violonjello

 

 

 

I read recently that these felt flowers were the 'in thing' for unique bridal bouquets.

Bridal Bouquet - Source unknown

Another Violonjello pin

And this is what I am aiming for!