Thursday, October 14, 2010

Wednesday Woes Equals Thursday Thankfuls

Today I am thankful...that Wednesday is over!! Wednesday was not such a great day. It started right off with a virus on my computer and Internet failure. Yep at the same time, errrrr. I spent over an hour on the phone with the cable company to re-establish my Internet connection but than I had to get the virus on my computer fixed so another four hours on the phone with Microsoft and tada, I'm back. Of coarse there were also three appointments yesterday that also didn't go so well. I discovered I had two appointments scheduled for the same time, good grief I don't mind multi tasking but I can't be in places at once so I cancel one. Okay now I only have one in the morning and one in the afternoon work them in between Internet issues, computer virus issue and be sure to pick up hubby from work on time, I can do this. Errrr both appointments the other parties involved with these appointments are no shows, you have got to be kidding me, especially since the morning one was a doctor appointment, huh.....So to say the least I totally missed Wool Wednesday, so sorry. Thank goodness it's Thursday!!
So here we are and I am so ready to PLAY!! Quick recap, we've sorted, we've washed, we've done some dyeing. So next I promised we would do some kettle / pot dyeing.
We're still using food coloring and / or kool aid for this technique. I did use both for these batches. First you will need to let your wool soak in your vinegar water solution for about 30 minutes or more is okay. Pick out the colors you would like to use and as before mix each with your water and vinegar solution. You may need to pour off a bit of the liquid in your pan before you add your colors. To much liquid everything can turn to mud as to much liquid will cause your colors to bleed into one another too much. Don't panic, you will be fine. Heat up your wool so that it is hot but not boiling. Now your ready to pour your colors into the kettle / pan. Let it simmer uncovered, remembering not to let it boil for about 30 minutes. This technique gives you the ability to dye more wool at once than our previous techniques.

I really love this technique!! This technique is a dyeing surprise or as I call it pot luck as you really won't know how it is going to look until you take it out of the pan.
Okay we simmered, now we will need to let it cool once cooled you are ready to rinse in cool water. Just look at all of the beautiful colors that you created with this technique and all in just one batch. I usually rinse mine about 2 to 3 times in the same pot I cooked in and changing the water for each rinse. Remember to remove your wool from the pan, squeezing is okay to remove excess water but no twisting. You will need to do this for each rinse until the water runs clear. Now your ready to dry. It will dry the fastest outside on a nice sunny day but I have dried mine on top of the dryer on wash day and on my registers when the heat is on remembering to rotate several times during the process. You can also set it in an area and blow dry it with a fan. We northerners have to improvise during the Winter months, hehehehe.


TaDa, you did it!! Just look at all those luscious colors!!
Easy again huh!! Now your ready to do some more creating, enjoy and have fun!!
So where should we go next. Well, are you ready to tease your wool???
I hope you enjoyed kettle dyeing as much as I did.
See you soon and happy Thursday everyone!!
Brenda

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Wool Wednesday Update Finally and 4 Weeks of What???

Whewwwwww, I've been teasing wool for the last three days for a special order in my Etsy Shop and my poor fingers are beginning to look a bit like hamburger and I have a nasty blister too!! Thanks goodness I'm almost done!! Okay so finally the cooler weather is here which with that comes Fall and Halloween yippeeeeee!! So that means it is time to dive back in to Wool Wednesday, whooo hooo. Mark those calendars as we are back on track starting Next Wednesday, October 13th!! I can't wait!! PS, wait to see my surprise, hummmm I may be feeling a new challenge coming your way.....
I can't believe it has been 4 weeks since I posted last, where does the time go!!!!

Well, some of it went here. I've been crocheting lots of these little Basket Bowls.

Oh and something new for me...
I totally fell in love with this!!

"Jazzy Blues"

I have been Hand Dyeing my own buttons for my Etsy Shop!!

"Purple Passion"

Oh yeah, did I mention buttons!!
Buttons, buttons and more BUTTONS, lol!!!

Believe it or not, hanging my head in shame here....





All of these buttons are from my own PERSONAL STASH, yes....

and of coarse I have more, ummmm, a few food storage bags full, a small sandwich bag, a canning jar and two 5 gallon ice cream buckets full, well you never know what one your gonna need when your making crocheted decorative pot holders... I love buttons, I have since I was a kid. I loved to play with Grandma's Button Tin, ooooooooo...My grand kids take right after their grammy, they have a great big bowl of buttons sitting on the coffee table here that they love to play with.


Okay, can we say I have a real crafting problem..



So yes, I have begun DE STASHING and listing my over abundance stash in my shop.
I hope it is good therapy for my CCD (crafting compulsive disorder, hehehehe).
Okay, now one of my little secrets is out of the bag, believe me when I say you haven't seen nothing yet, hahahahahaha. Did I mention my surprise, ummmm all 44 pounds of it, hahahahahaha, bet your scared now huh, hahahahahahaha.
See ya here again soon or at least by next Wednesday!!!
Happy Wednesday!!
Brenda

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Whooo hoooo, It's The Grand Re-opening of HalloweenArtists.com!!!

We're new and improved!!
A New Magazine / Market Place!!
A new look, new columns!!
Just a Sneak Peak
We have
You must check out the Artist in the Spotlight, a wonderful and super talented artist!!




Have you guessed who the writer is for the Collectors Corner??? I would recognize that illustration anywhere!!



Yepper Heather of Witch Hollow Primitives is there too, with this fab column!!
Have I inticed your Courious Juices yet???

and my big news that has been killing me to keep a secret
written by
who, yes ME!! Whooo hooo!!
Yes, yes, yes, I am selling there too, I'm over the moon with excitement!! I'm doing the biggest happy dance!!


A New Look, Great Columns of Interest for you our viewers and Amazing Halloween Art!!
It doesn't get any better!!
So what are you waiting for?
Grab your broom and fly on over to HalloweenArtists.com and enjoy the ride!!



Happy September 1st Everyone!!
Brenda

Friday, August 27, 2010

I'm So Dizzy My Head Is Spinning, Your Making Me Dizzy...

Okay, yes, I do feel a bit like this these days, lol. Tis the season to be a bit over whelmed creating with the feeling of being unfocused and not so centered. Although I so love the whole process of prepping and creating for the Holidays it gets a bit blurry sometimes and takes you so out of the loop!! I want to apologize for not popping around to visit all of you, I love our visits and miss them terribly!!

So what have I been doing....



Lots of Crocheted Spiders, Mummy's, Black Cats, Witches and Scarecrows oh my....
Waiting for faces...





A gazillion Crocheted Angels, Knitted Lipstick / Chap Stick Slipper Holders, Crocheted Dish Cloths, Crocheted Christmas Stockings.....
Must sew, add ribbons, pull ends, add decorative touches, make pom poms did I mention I absolutely hate to make pom poms, ewwwwww, lol...






Crocheted Petite Sachets and Small Doily Sets made with crochet thread...
I haven't made doilies in years, had to cure a sudden craving, lol...






and
These little foil armatures are awaiting their skin, lol.
Whewwwww, I wish I could say this was all I had in progress but ohhhhhh noooooo where would the fun and stress be in that!!




So

this year I am taking a vow. Come December 1st this Grammy Bear is going to take a Family Winter Hibernation Break all the way through January 1st 2011!! Every year it feels like the Holidays come and I missed them, ughhhhhh, I can do this....
I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...
So back to work I go, sure hope I get that vacation December 1st, lol.
Happy Creating Everyone
Enjoy the process
and
Remember to stop and smell the Holidays!!
((Hugs))
Brenda

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

This Summer Slacker Is Finally Busy with Handmade Treats and some Halloween Art, yipppeeee...

Coming Soon Some Yummy Cat Nip Treats
No not for you, for your kitty of course, hahaha.

Laundry Sets
Now in my Etsy Shop
I love these!!



Oh yeah and some Art too, whoooo hoooo
Hows about some Magic!!

This was my entry for our current MHA Cat Challenge, lol, I know my cat picked up some strays, hehehehe.

Did you know that you can find MHA (The Magical Holiday Artists) on Etsy and NOW ON EBAY TOO, whooo hooooo!!! We are MHAE on Ebay, be sure to look us up!!




The Cat, Moon and Pumpkin were sculpted and applied to the glass.
I love how this piece came out!!



and one Candy Corn Ornament, my entry for this months SEHA challenge.
There is a lot of great entries this month, be sure to check them out on Ebay by placing SEHA in the search bar!!
This little cutie is currently listed on Ebay
and so many more things in progress...
So back to work.
PS, Wool Wednesday will be returning this Fall!!
Hope your having a wonderful week!!

Brenda

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

The Wool Wednesday Challenge Comes To An End.....

A beautiful Mixed Media Piece by Maggie of Just Add Glitter and Stir. Be sure to check out Maggie's blog and all of the details she included in this up cycled treasure trove piece!! Check out her amazing Pink Wool Bouffant Hair Doo, loving it!!


Lori of Flossie Kat's Korner, this is the most beautiful hat and your needle felted Rose takes it from casual to elegant!! There is nothing more classic than Earth Tones and your creation just proves it!! I love it!!

So there you have it!! Each and every creation was amazing, beautiful, unique and created by some of the most talented people!! I had so much fun offering this Challenge to each of you!! Thank you for joining me!!
Hats off to each of you!!
Keep creating, have fun and remember wool isn't just for blankets and socks!!
Brenda


Thursday, July 29, 2010

GI Joe Pimps a New Ride! And A Couple Of New Creations From Me Too!!

Designs by Eddie, 6 years old and Tonya, 5 years old.
Eddie is still looking for the perfect wheels.
Here's a pic of the grand kids latest creations with a little help from grammy.
Tonya has a car for her Polly Pockets to but she hid it on me, lol.
A double seater car boat for GI Joe and a pair of binoculars made from those handy dandy toilet paper rolls. Got to love toilet paper rolls, I swear you can make anything with them!! Caution when using scissors to poke holes for sticks and seats please have an adult to supervise the adult, lol. I sliced my finger wide open during this project, ackkkkkk.


And a couple of
sneak peaks
of my latest creations...



These ornaments will be for sale soon, somewhere new for me, fun, exciting, stay tuned for more info and front view pics, hopefully, lol.
Mumble, mumble, grumble, grumble, I hate taking pictures, darn camera, darn lighting, Yes, I'm sure it's not the person operating the camera, hahahahahaha.

PS, we still have three more Wool Wednesday Challenger Creations coming soon. Can't wait to see them Lori, Maggie and Sherry!!
And a Mystery Guest from London, England with a few Wooly Creations made with my Wool Fuzz and Nubbs, just wait to you see!!
Welp, I'm off. I have been eyebrow deep in wool, so many things to finish and get listed, whewww.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!!

Brenda

Saturday, July 17, 2010

And A Pic Of My Latest WIP...

I'M
SO


Are you, lol?
The image above is a sneak peak of one of my latest WIPs, wicked cruel aren't I, hahahahahaha
Try to stay cool!!
Brenda

Thursday, July 8, 2010

We're Off to Woodstock, Ireland, A Mad Hatter Tea with Pumpkin Man and your Goody Bag awaits You, It's Time for More Wool Wednesday Challenger Treats!

Before we begin our travels today you may want to tuck your credit cards or other magical treats in this Goody Bag!! Created by Dede of Brightest Blessings Wiccans!! She even created the handmade button, totally awesome Dede!!

Maybe we'll run into this guy at the Mad Hatters Tea Party today, you never know....
I adore this Pumpkin Man Ornament!! He was created by Becca of Magikal Seasons!!

It's A Mad Hatter Tea Party Today and Robert of Halloween Fanatic created this Fab Mad Hatter for the Special Occasion!! Be sure to pop over to Robert's Blog today for his Mad Tea Party!! He came out wonderful Robert, I will be popping over for some fun today!!

A blast from the past and we're off to Woodstock!! Created by Chris of Magical Fairys!! Isn't she beautiful, love her and her Peace Sign, what a great touch!


Are you ready to party with the Irish Green!!! Hang on to your Shamrocks and away we go...
So what happens when you mix an Irish Farmer with the Black Sheep of the Family, well this of coarse, lol.
Here is Sarah's Creation of Cottage Garden Studios!!
I love green, emeralds and this guy!!! Fantastic Sarah!!

Whoooo hoooo folks for some of the most fabulous creations I have ever seen!!
Will there be more, yes indeed, so hold on tight this ride isn't over quite yet!!!





I also wanted to apologize for being late again this week, this crazy heat, I've been suffering with my first ever heat rash and had to have two teeth pulled last week, acckkkkk and I spent most of the day yesterday with my 6 year old Grandson who is so sick, my poor baby. He has been running a high fever and throwing up, so when he called Grammy yesterday to tell me he felt like he was going to throw up and he didn't feel good well off to my Eddie's house I went. We ended up taking him to the Doctor's and they didn't feel it was heat related nor did they think it was step so we are still waiting for the test results today. Grammy tends to drop everything when it comes to her Grand Babies, sorry folks!!


Today is showing progress though, yipppeeeee. I am playing with Kool Aid and more food coloring, OH YEAH!!! More on that very soon!!
Happy Wool ummmm Thursday All, lol
Hope your all having a wonderful week!!!
Brenda

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Happy Birthday America and

Happy 39th Birthday to my wonderful sister Kim!!!
Remember I'm smiling because your my sister
I'm laughing because you don't have choice, hehehehe.
But it could have been worse, if Dad had gotten his way you would be...

Cindy Puff, ROTFLMAO
Love ya!!

HAPPY 4th OF JULY

Enjoy your holiday weekend everyone!!!

Brenda

Thursday, June 24, 2010

I'm Late, I'm Late...For Wool Wednesday!!!

I know I said we would do Kool Aid dyeing next but I decided I really needed to finish processing the dyed wool I had already done before I dive into more so I have spent the last four days doing just that. It is now finished and ready to be listed in my Etsy Shop. Tomorrow, I will work on getting my wool goodies listed, whoooo hooooo. So now I am finally ready to start the Kool Aid dyeing, yummy.....



I wanted to share a few awesome treats created for our Wool Wednesday Challenge so far!!! I am loving these and what you folks are coming up with for this challenge is blowing me away!!! How beautiful and fun!!!
Cat from In The Light Of The Moon has already created two mixed media items with her wool!!
Loving them Cat!!!

1st she created this fab textured book!!
then...
she created this awesome pendant, what a great idea!!!




Robert of Halloween Fanatic, now has a new passion, yep wool!!


Robert created this mischievous sculpted witch Delores with beautiful woolen locks!!
Mischief is written all over her face, lol.
Love her Robert!!!

I am loving this challenge!! I can't wait to see more of your wonderful creations!!
and I will leave you with this.....

I started playing around with an idea for my woolly creation tonight made from the scraps, lol, we shall see......
Have a GRAND weekend everyone!!!
Brenda

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

I Be Jammin


Hahahahahahaha
Gotcha!!!!

Those antibiotics are working good, lol.

Jammin in a Head Banging Way That Is......

Fill Your Day With Some Fun!!

Brenda

Friday, June 18, 2010

Toothache, Dentist, Yuck!!!

and I have to wait until Tuesday, ackkkkkk.
So not real chatty but here's an update...
Whooo hooo Maggi is joining us for the Wool Wednesday Challenge!!
How great is that!!
Only two spaces left, lets fill them up!! It will make my tooth feel better, okay maybe not but we would love to have you join in....
See you soon
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!
Brenda

Friday, June 11, 2010

The Wool Wednesday Challenge Has Begun...

Its all about having fun!!
Tie it in a ribbon.
Tie it in a bow.
Wrap it around your primitive crow.
You can wet it
or keep it dry
What you make will be our surprise!!
4 openings left!!
So you can play to.
Now you know what you must do!!
Come on in and join the fun!!
After all this Challenge has just begun!!
Be sure to check out my previous post for the details.
Whooo hooo, mailing the first 6 challengers wool out today...
Chris
Cat
Dede
Sarah
Lori
and
Becca
Thank you so much my friends for playing!!
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!
Robert
Maggi
and
Sherry
#10 - time to enter has expired, sorry.
Brenda

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Wool Wednesday Challenge! Are You Ready?

What am I going to do with all of this wool?
Well I'm going to send some to each of you, whooo hoooo!!
So how does this work? I am offering each of you a chance to create something from wool. Anything you want, no theme, no boundaries here and all you need is your creative imagination. Already worked with wool no problem your still welcome to join in on the fun. Wet felt it, dry felt it, use it for hair on a sculpture or cloth doll, how about some fringe for a sewing project, stuffing, I would love to see a mixed media artist incorporate it into their work. Your wool will measure approximately 3 - 3 1/2 inches in length. Keep in mind wool is not Washer and Dryer friendly though unless your going for a felted or matted look. This is for fun!!
All you have to do is post here that you want to Take The Wool Wednesday Challenge! Feel free to snatch one of the Banners on my side bar for your blog if you would like.
I will send you a small package of wool for FREE!!
This is wool that has been processed by me. It will come to you clean but may contain small pieces of hay that can be shook or flicked with your fingers on out or combed out with a regular hair comb, however you prefer to use it in your project.
Contact me by email through my blog with your mailing address and
Let me know if you have a color preference of the following choices
Natural
Color (Reddish Pink / Pinkish Red, Green, Yellow, Blue, Orange, Purple or Rainbow Striped)
Brown with a bit of a gray hue
Or a mix of any or all of the colors above.
Prefer to process your own, no problem I will send you some dirty wool to give it a try.
All I ask in return is that you send me a picture or pictures of your completed creation(s) so that I can share them here on my blog with a link to your blog to show what can be created with wool.
NOTE: I am limiting this challenge to the first 10 people to respond by next Wednesday, June 16.
You can send me your pictures once your creation is finished or by July 16th.
So what are you waiting for???????
Ohhhh yeah, I make number 11 in this challenge!!
Thank You
I can't wait to see what you create!!!
Happy Wool Wednesday Everyone!!
Brenda