New year, new you

 I have determined that I'm not a good blogger.  I have all these things I want to say, but I can't make the thoughts come out onto the page.  When I'm in the field doing something farmy and quaint, I write these things in my head and they're amazing.  Then I grab the laptop, and suddenly, I don't know how to word.  

So I've decided to just start posting photos and explaining what they are to try to get my sea legs....er, my blog legs? 

I have been creating gifts for the last 2 months, both for my friends and families and for my client's friends and families.  I can now start sharing the photos of those items.

Today, I present pincushions from a pincushion swap my small group did/are doing. Basically, no rules, someone suggested it in June(ish) and periodically, someone gets a pincushion in the mail. 

The wool I used for these pincushions came from my dad's sweater. I cut it up and felted it in the washing machine.  The color is not the prettiest, but it has some sentimental value.  I cut strips, folded them hot dog style, rolled them like a cinnamon roll, and used a blanket stitch and embroidery floss to secure them.  I cut a disk for the bottom to cover up the raw edges and again, used a blanket stitch to attach it.  I did the cross stitch over waste canvas (loosely woven cross stitch fabric that you can pull out, thread by thread), and that was that.  They are personalized to each of my friends.  Two Halloween lovers, a beekeeper and a Blue Willow enthusiast.  I googled "Blue Willow cross stitch pattern" but I can't guarantee that it's actually a Blue Willow design. If it isn't, my friend spared my feelings and didn't tell me. That's what friends do. I "signed" the bottom with some commentary on the year, it was well received. 

And here they are!

Till the next time,

D