Felted Holiday Trees to Brighten the Gray Days

The gray days of late Autumn are here.  Moving to the darkest night, it is our tendency to add our own brightness to the universe.  I've been craving colors. The brighter the better. And lush softness.  What could be better than to create that color, and soft lushness into the iconic shape of the evergreen. And so I offer these Felted Trees.  I started making these about 2 weeks ago and they seem to fly out the door as soon as they are seen.  Here are a few more:

 

The three above are about 8 inches tall and about 4 1/2 inches at the base. These are $15 each.  The smaller ones below 

 

are about 6 inches tall and 3 inches at the base.  These are selling for $9.00 each.  Each tree is a one of a kind piece.  They are made on a base of Shetland wool from my big Ram Lincoln. Over this I have needlefelted Cotswold locks that have been individually dyed in various greens and blues with some golds and reds.  The individual locks are hand blended to create depth of color such as might be seen reflecting off a hillside of evergreens at sunset at this time of year.  I will keep making these for awhile and will have some at this weekends ArtWalk in Elizabethtown.  If you would like me to hold one or two or three for you to see there, let me know by this Thursday.  I will be delivering 4 to Greensburg, so if you are in that area, let me know right away.  They may also be ordered for delivery after the Winter Holidays, as well.


Knitting with Handspun
Every once in a while I am asked what can be done with a small skein of handspun yarn.  I also was wanting to knit a hat that fits me, keeps my head warm and dry (and my hair from frizzin'!)  Since I've amassed quite a stash of small skeins spindle spun handspun and the perfect project came up in the most recent issue of SpinOff, the time is right to practice what I preach.  Here is the Tahoe Hat I knit this past week.  It was so easy, that I, with my very limited and basic knitting skills, finished it in a few sittings.

I used a black brown worsted weight slightly thick and thin as the unifyer to separate the various colors that stripe around the brim and top.  You can see that some are very bulky and thick and some a smaller guage.  I even threw some light laceweights in there that I doubled to create even more interesting combinations.  And I reached my goal of finishing and wearing it Saturday afternoon.  It kept the dreary drizzle off my painstakingly flat ironed hair and made me feel quite the artista! 

Some of these yarns went into the hat. I'm planning another one.  I love it so much and had fun playing with the colors.  Much much more at the home studio and at the booth this weekend in E town.

 

Old Towne Revival

I live near the wonderful old town of Elizabeth KY, full of historic old buildings each with its own wondrous past.  In recent times it has been a bit quiet down in the old town square.  Many business and shops have moved out to the many newly developed highway malls all around. BUT, there is movement afoot to revive the energy that once thrived here.  Driven by the Renaissance of the Grand old State Theatre (historicstatetheater.org/) and the efforts of the Heritage Council, this year there is a wonderful ArtWalk bringing those lights and sounds of the holiday back to the square.  The once empty shop windows have been transformed by local business  Inside, the shops have been turned into Galleries featuring fine, graphic and folk artists from all around the state. Find more details here.

Wool Comes to Town:

I have been having a great time participating in the Elizabethtown "Old Towne" Artwalk. The new venue prompted the inspiration  to get back to doing some serious felting:

 such as this Art Doll called 'The Singer',

and some bold new Art Yarns like this plush hand dyed thick and thin plied with gold and dark green threads, felted balls and yes, tiny hand knit socks:

and this huge skein of core spun multi colored hand dyed locks called 'Holiday Lights'. 

There will be more of my handspuns every week as I get them off the wheels and prepped and felted pieces as inspiration hits.

For more fun and variety, I have invited fellow fiber artist Stephanie of  LunabudKnits to join me.  A beautiful selection of her hand dyed yarns will also be found in my shop space including some she whipped up with some of my fibers.  The girl is multi talented indeed. Follow the link above to check out her blog and Etsy shop and

learn more about her wonderful fiber arts and her visit to AllOneFarms recently.  She will be visiting the ArtWalk again next weekend and we just might put some combined "luna power" to spin up some new yarns or felted creations to add to the shop.

It has been a fun event with a variety of activities that began with the Thanksgiving Day Parade and continues every weekend (5 to 8 pm) evening through December 19. In addition to the programs at the State Theatre, which include screenings of vintage Holiday Classics such as "Miracle on 34th Street" this weekend, there is always live music and variety of quality vendors and artisans.  Last week a Harpist and Singer sat by my door and crooned to passers by while the vintage train ran between the Theatre and Santa Land. A couple of doors down at another huge Gallery Space the Dulcimer concert drew a nice crowd. Come down and check it all out and be sure to stop in to say 'hi' to me.

The view from here.....

It is November 1 and undeniably Fall.  The rainy spring and summer has created a most spectacular display this year in Kentucky to rival any I've seen in my life in the North East.  Whatever season I'm in is my favorite, I admit. The lovely Earth as she changes her costume through the wheel of the year is a reminder to stop and take notice, to breathe and reflect on the joys and blessings in my life here at All One Farms. 

The cottage shop, though not quite finished, is lovely in the evening sun amidst the ancient maples and willows.

The sheepie girls still have green pasture to enjoy right outside my upper office window.  

Their plump sillohettes display the lovely wool they have been growing all summer.

Soon after their Fall shearing next weeek, they will be selectively bred and carry their new lambs till the spring .

As the business of Blueball Mountain Spindle and Needleworks continues to grow, the farm has changed and developed as well.

The Old Work Barn is being outfitted for processing the wool more efficiently.

The house renovation took a big leap a few weeks ago with the painting of the living room. I finally found a color that I didn't get tired of before it got onto the new walls. 

The House now feels warm and cozy 

filled with my favorite collections.....

and does double duty as the shop till the cottage is done.

 

As the house is more and more finished, I've been able to host a number of Spin Ins and Knit Ins as well as GurlFrenz Craft Gatherings with local friends.

One guest room is now ready and served as accommodations for visting Spinning Teacher, Jacey Boggs (www. Insubordiknit.com) during an early Fall Workshop which I had the honor to fascilitate at our local Extension Office. 

opportnities to learn from great teachers

and relax during down time

 

and share good food and good company in the cozy kitchen, comfy porch and sunny side yard.

Finally, since today is Dia de Los Muertos, I remember and honor my Mami, who passed away this Summer after a long illness. Her gifts to me include personal strength, perseverence and steadfastness in your goals, creative energy, and a love of beauty.  Blessed be.