Merry Christmas!

Joy to the World, the Lord is come!

Making Wet Felt Coasters

Dyeing the wool.

I am getting so I really enjoy making these coasters. Color combos will pop into my head and I can't wait to make them into something. The red and brown ended up reminding me of chocolate covered cherries.

Off to cut them. I hope someday to use the scraps for ATC's.

Our trip to California

Finally made a trip to visit my Mom in California with an added bonus of also visiting Martha who is down in Mexico with Caravans Ministry. It was just Katelin and I - we left the guys at home, Theodore finishing up his semester and John was working. 

My Mom just before her Christmas Luncheon on Friday.

She had everything beautifully decorated.

A highlight of our visit was a trip to Christmas Around the World
in downtown Bakersfield.

Just a few of the over 600 Nutcrackers

There were 40 countries represented with Christmas trees
decorated with traditional ornaments.

A fast overnight trip to San Diego to see Martha.

This was an unexpected sight. We took a little detour and walked around near
the museum for the Midway Aircraft Carrier.

Bob Hope entertaining the troops.

Kate is enthusiastic.

Lunch with Martha just before we said goodbye.

Back in Bakersfield - I had promised Kate a trip to Sweet Surrender for
some cupcakes. Fun store.

Another accomplishment was finding a new 'old' couch for Mom.
This was just so unexpected to find just about exactly what she
wanted and to find it so quickly and at the right price too!
It looks perfect in her home.

One project done and another to begin...

I just finished making my first ever felt birthday crown. This is for my grandson Kaden who loves everything about cars. He will be having his third birthday this month and I am feeling a little pleased that I got it done in time. I then realized to be fair maybe I should do one for all my grandkids. Do you think a little seven year old boy and a nine year old girl would like a birthday crown? Hmmm! I may be doing a lot of crowns in 2012.

But first I need to work on a baby blanket for our new grandson. I loved the colors and cuddly softness of this yarn and it made me think it would be perfect for a Teddy Bear Blanket. I found a pattern at Michael's that I thought I will try.

Christmas Decorating-Done!

Love it when the tree is up and everything is in order. 

Each ornament has a special memory.

The Button Factory

This last weekend was Open Studios at The Button Factory in Portsmouth NH.  John and I spent several hours there but we needed much more time to see everything. During Open Studios you can visit the many artist's studios as well as artists that are just there for the weekend.  One of the highlights was watching a wood turning demonstration by Michael Wise. We bought the very object that was made during the demonstration.

A baby rattle for our newest grandson due to arrive in February.

We also enjoyed visiting with Laury Nichols (L NICHOLS woodcarving) who has the cutest wood carvings. I loved how she had models of the process and did a bit of actual carving while we chatted. She was very encouraging and urged me to look into the jury process in the League of NH Craftsmen.

An Unsuccessful Acorn Hunt

My son is really interested in acorn cap hunting.

Kate's self portrait.

I have once again had the urge to felt acorns using real acorn caps. Last year there were so many acorns laying around and I did collect some but you know how when something is too easy you just do not value it like maybe you should. Well now I am looking at my acorn cap collection and thinking I need more so off we went to look with several bags to put all the caps in and we ended up with less than a handful. Kate got some good pictures and we both stepped in the poo, (dog poo) really!!!  Lesson learned--Don't take acorn caps for granted:)

Little Birds in a Row

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I have been working on birds this last week. This is the first time I have done several at once. The legs end up being the most tedious and messiest part so of course I saved it for last. So here are my birds lined up in a row waiting for their legs. They look a little sad:(

Much better, don't you think?

Craft Fairs

A little over a week ago, my daughter Kate and I had our first craft fair experience. We were part of a small fair at the Wiggins Library in Stratham, NH. We had a great time together. I love that my teenage daughter enjoyed sitting at a craft fair all day with me and is looking forward to our next experience this Saturday at the 'Not Your Grandma's Craft Fair' in Manchester. It was a great experience to meet other local crafters and to sell some of my things to appreciative shoppers. 

Frost-nooo, SNOW on the Pumpkin!

Don't I wish that I had taken a picture of my pumpkin all covered in snow but no I was huddled inside my dark and cold home feeling humbled at how physically and emotionally dependent I am on electricity. I hate to admit that I did a lot of pouting as I tried to work in the dark. So this weekend was a first for me, a California girl, to see snow on green grass and autumn trees.

Exeter Fine Crafts

It was a scary thing to do! I took some of my work to Exeter Fine Crafts at the beginning of September to be juried. I was so excited to be approved to sell my felted creations there. I have always enjoyed looking around at all the amazing workmanship in this store and now I get to be a part of it too. AND in two weeks two of my birds sold!

              Saying goodbye to Early Bird and Snow White Owl.

       I love the connection to the town of Exeter, too. It is such a pretty place.