Roosters crowing at the break of dawn, the sun peeking up over the mountains, fiery colors on the tops of the trees, woodsmoke curling out of the chimney...there are so many wonderful things about mornings on the homestead. It just makes a person want to get up early! I have needlefelted this scene on a couple of occasions, and this is my latest one. These homesteaders have planted a ...
Mountain Hearth Handcrafts
The Birds of Fern Ridge
Living close to a large reservoir and wildlife refuge that is a major stop along the west coast's migratory flight path, this is the time of year when I've got birds on the brain. They're everywhere you look. All sizes, shapes, colors and songs. I spent a Saturday vending at our local Wings and Wine festival, and made this wall hanging in honor of our fine feathered friends. A canoe paddles ...
Mountain Hearth Handcrafts Giveaway at Wooly Moss Roots
My dear friend Taryn is giving away one of my cast-iron skillet grabbers and mason jar warmers over on her blog, Wooly Moss Roots! Stop on by at this link: http://woolymossroots.blogspot.com/2011/05/mountain-hearth-handcraftsgiveaway_17.html for a chance to win! ...
Around the Maypole
Yesterday was our Waldorf school's annual May Faire, and in honor of the season, I made this needlefelted wool wall hanging of a May Pole dance to sell at my booth. I had started out intending to felt a different scene entirely, but the excitement of May Faire got me thinking about the May Pole dance, and it took shape from there. As I was making the pole I decided it should have roots, and ...
The Runaway Bunny Returns
"Shucks," said the bunny, "I might just as well stay where I am and be your little bunny." And so he did. "Have a carrot," said the mother bunny. -Margaret Wise Brown I so enjoyed needlefelting a wall hanging based on Margaret Wise Brown's "Runaway Bunny" last year, that I decided to make another one. I've been seeing little wild bunnies hopping away at the edge of ...
A Full Nest
I just finished this custom handmade nest for a woman with eight grandchildren who wanted one felted egg to represent each. I was just so tickled by this, I had to share it. Every Spring I make these nests out of European beach grass roots, an invasive species that is causing our local sand dune ecosystem to disappear. Habitat restoration was my main focus in college, and I still can't ...
The Lake Isle of Innisfree
The Lake Isle of Innisfree I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree, And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made: Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee; And live alone in the bee-loud glade. And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow, Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings; There midnight's all a ...
Eco-Crafting
As a handcrafter, I always strive to make eco-friendly art. I work with wool and natural fibers. I scour thrift stores for old sweaters and silk flowers which I recycle and re-purpose. I remove invasive plant species like dried teasel flower heads for making magic wands, and European beach grass roots for birds' nests. I make needlefelted wall hangings that ...
My Lady Spring
"My Lady Spring is dressed in green, She wears a primrose crown, And little baby buds and twigs Are clinging to her gown; The sun shines if she laughs at all, But if she weeps the raindrops fall." ~Traditional Children's Rhyme I just finished needlefelting these Spring maidens from soft wool roving. Each holds a pussy willow staff and a basket of Springtime treasures to ...
The Daffodil Faeries
Daffodils I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on the milky way, They stretched in never-ending line Along the margin of a bay: Ten thousand saw I at a ...