Monday, November 8, 2010

Settling In

I love living in an area with such distinct seasons, and after the busy-ness of summertime and harvest I look forward to wintertime because that means...crafting time.  The last couple weeks I've been pulling out projects that I've been "meaning to get to" (do you have a stack of those too?).  Now I've got a needle felted sweater on the go in the living room; a felted sweater patchwork quilt being put together in the sewing room (not to mention bits of felted sweater all over the kitchen because I'm doing the cutting in there); balled up knitting projects in my purse, on my bedside table, in an apple crate by the couch, and in a picnic basket by the bookshelves (must not mention the other partly done knitting projects shoved in boxes - ahem).
And...I love it.  There is just something wonderful about this time of year for me when we can Slow Down and enjoy our hobbies.  Yesterday we dug the last of our carrots and beets from the garden in town (and I collected all the rest of my dry pole beans to save for seeds - I've been saving these seeds for at least 10 years now and I love the beans I get from them).  I've got three big buckets of carrots to store and that truly is IT for this year's garden.  Completely Done.
But, I couldn't resist picking some of our Calendula to make a batch of Calendula/Comfrey salve.
So, once the carrots are stored and the salve (link to details of making simple calendula salve or to see how E makes salve you can click here) is made then I will focus (I will!  I really will!) on one project at at time and work on getting them done.  First up I want to finish the patchwork quilt so we can use it to keep  us cozy on the couch on cold nights.  I also love hearing about projects others have on the go (and am in need of gift ideas) in case anyone has any links they want to share. ;-)
at

9 comments:

  1. AnonymousNovember 8, 2010 at 8:51 AM

    I love that red needle felted sweater in the picture, it's beautiful! I didn't have a garden, so I was not busy harvesting, but I WAS insanely busy for the past while. As of today, life is going back to normal and I too, am looking forward to crafting and creating. There is nothing like a cold fall night to curl up and create! Good luck in those projects!

    ReplyDelete
  2. donna!eeNovember 8, 2010 at 10:10 AM

    so looking forward to pics of your sweater patchwork quilt...i have made gifts for the friends & fam Christmas for the last 25 yrs. since it has become ridiculously commercialized...i have 15 women on my husbands side of the fam and i've chosen to give scarves this year with collage quilty embellished ends w/fringe and for the "younger" girlies i'm thinking of making penny pendant necklaces from "just something i made" tutorial cathe holden/scjohnson... the hubs takes care of the fellas...last year i made purse tissue cozies...they went over with a smile! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  3. momma raeNovember 8, 2010 at 10:37 AM

    oh, i am working on a sweater patchwork quilt, too! i would love to hear about your process as i am just winging it. i have never made a quilt of any sort before. right now i am still cutting the squares out. happy creating! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  4. farzanaNovember 8, 2010 at 11:43 AM

    Hello Heather. I Hope you and the family are well. I see that you folk are winding down and getting ready to Hibernate.

    Our rains here, in South Africa, have been delayed and so too our crops of Summer Bounty. But anyday now. Mangoes, Litchis, Peaches and Plums. Mmm Salivating at the thought.

    Please do tell what the process of Felting entails.

    Oh and I would never know half the names of Flowers if you didn't post a Pic alongside your Informative Posts.

    Thank you. You a star. Stay well

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousNovember 8, 2010 at 3:17 PM

    Hi Heather,
    I am always so excited when you leave a new post, I love reading about your life and the rythym of the seasons. Have a look at little Cotton Rabbits and Attic 24. Two english ladies that are just amazing with what they knit and crochet.
    Brenda

    ReplyDelete
  6. The Apple Pie GalNovember 8, 2010 at 7:47 PM

    Oh, the only really great thing about winter is crafting! Yes, I have piles of things in the works just like you! And I can't wait to get to work...in my pj's with a cup of coffee :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. HeatherNovember 9, 2010 at 7:24 AM

    Thanks Donnalee for that link, I checked out those penny pendants, they're so pretty. I'm thinking I might be making some gift scarves too.

    Hi MommaRae, I just posted some pictures of my quilt, I'm so pleased with the way it turned out. Good luck with yours too.

    Hi Farzana, fresh local mangoes? How divine. I've posted a link to a bit of a description on felting so that you can see what it is all about. I put the link in a post with my quilt pictures today. Thank you for your good wishes, I hope you are well too and that your rains come soon to water your fruit. Take care.

    Brenda, hello! Thank you so much for your kind words, I appreciate it. And that you for suggesting those blogs, I've bookmarked the knitted strawberries on Little Rabbits and will look forward to making some of those for a little girlfriend's play food. How fun to find new ideas.

    ReplyDelete
  8. carrieNovember 9, 2010 at 10:37 PM

    Hi Heather,
    Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your blog. I've tried several things you have blogged about. I made the laundry soap which I use for my high efficiency washer and love it. I made the felted pan handle covers as well. It's also always fun to hear what other families are cooking for supper. I've been making some Xmas gifts as well. I'm a beginner knitter but have been knitting two needle mittens for my children and my nieces and nephews, knitted dishclothes, bar soap (my first attempt), camo fleece jackets for the kids, and cloth napkins. I look forward to seeing more of your projects.
    Carrie

    ReplyDelete
  9. HeatherNovember 12, 2010 at 5:12 PM

    Hi Carrie. Thank you for commenting, it's lovely to hear from you. I'm so pleased you let me know about using the laundry soap in your HE washer, I've had a few people ask me about that but I wasn't sure. Now I know. ;-) Thanks for sharing what you've been making. I'd love to hear how your bar soap goes, I keep wanting to make that with my boys but we still haven't gotten around to it yet.

    ReplyDelete