Well, Halloween has come and gone and we have just entered November. I am now busy preparing things to sell at upcoming fairs and holiday open houses.
Each year I host a holiday open house in my home called "A Homespun Christmas". I always celebrate it the weekend following Thanksgiving weekend. This year it will be Dec. 4, 5 and 6. I invite several of my crafty friends to participate in the event. They work on their creations during the year and sell them as they would at a typical craft fair. I usually send out more than 100 invitations and encourage folks to bring friends. I have several folks that come back year after year.
Pictured below is a pillow I just completed boasting the sentiment "My mittens warm my hands . . . my family warms my heart". I read this quote in a random catalog and liked it so much I thought it would make a cute pillow to set out for the winter season. The mittens are appliqued wool scraps, embellished with hand-crocheted cuffs and buttons. I embroidered winterberries coming out of the mittens. The quote is also embroidered.
This little guy (or gal) I created from a doily that I crocheted. I used black wool for the head and legs and real sheep curls adorn the tail and the small tuft on the head. To embellish the pillow for Christmas, I appliqued green wool holly leaves and embroidered mistle toe among the leaves. Please click on the image to enjoy a closer look at the detail.
I really love working with wool, as it is so forgiving. I designed this snowgal wearing a wool coat. She is holding embroidered flowers and is appliqued to a patchwork foundation of Thimbleberries fabrics. I have the piece hanging from a stick with wire so it can hang on a door or the wall.
Another wool creation I just completed below is a mitten candle mat.
Here is another wool mitten mat that can be used for a candle, or maybe a candy dish.
This image shows a close-up view of the mitten detail.
I continue to work days and evenings on additional things that I hope to complete by my December 4th and 5th showing. I will share my pictures as I finish things. 
The trio of pillows below spells out "Live Laugh Love" and are done in coordinating pinks and greens. They are romantic and would bring charm to any feminine space.
I recently purchased some whimsical fabric that features various snowmen. With coordinating fabrics added, I made several projects with the piece, including the pillow and table runner below. I also made three additional table runners that are not pictured in this post.
This table runner has prairie points at each end with rusty bells attached.
I embroidered "Olde Country Home" on this homespun dish towel and hung it through a shutter with a missing slat.
Here's is a close up view of the embroidery on the towel.
In an earlier post, I used this sentiment on a pillow that I designed with wool mittens. I used scraps of wool to make the mittens that are attached to this sign. I also crocheted tiny doilies for the cuff detail.
Once in a while I get the urge to paint something! I had purchased this cute 5-drawer stand several years ago. It was unfinished wood when I bought it. I had this paint left over from a bathroom renovation project so I decided to use it for the stand. The color is neutral, a grayish brown and would match the decor in just about any room. On top, I crocheted a candle mat from 100% wool yarn, washed and felted.
Please check back from time to time as I will continue to post pictures of my creations as I complete them!
This little guy (or gal) I created from a doily that I crocheted. I used black wool for the head and legs and real sheep curls adorn the tail and the small tuft on the head. To embellish the pillow for Christmas, I appliqued green wool holly leaves and embroidered mistle toe among the leaves. Please click on the image to enjoy a closer look at the detail.
I really love working with wool, as it is so forgiving. I designed this snowgal wearing a wool coat. She is holding embroidered flowers and is appliqued to a patchwork foundation of Thimbleberries fabrics. I have the piece hanging from a stick with wire so it can hang on a door or the wall.
Here is another wool mitten mat that can be used for a candle, or maybe a candy dish.
This image shows a close-up view of the mitten detail.
