making other things

sometimes i forget i know how to make things other than doodles on little scraps of paper. but since i got my list of swap partners for the holiday ornament swap, my brain has been spinning with non-drawn handmade possibilities. i have already scrapped quite a few of the ideas, plus remembered what it was i disliked so much about glue guns.  let me tell you: when martha stewart recommends always keeping a small container of ice water next to your workspace when you're hot glue-ing, that's pretty smart advice.  i ignored her sage wisdom and lived to regret it, or more accurately my fingers got rather scorched. i won't do that again.

anyway, i haven't quite nailed down my final ornament idea, but i did make this wreath for my dad and stepmom as a thanksgiving present today. i have quite a nice stash of rug hooking wool, all of it dyed great colors by an old friend - some overdyed old wool patterned shirts and other good stuff - so i used some scraps and made this:

it's embellished with smaller strips of wool and three buttons i made out from envelope security patterns. i like it alot, even if part of me wants to yell 'ahoy, matey!' and chuck it to a man overboard. {{and even if you can see quite plainly that i haven't washed my windows in, well, since i moved into this house.}}

Comments

[Dawn]

I love it and was actually thinking of making a fabric wreath this year for us. Yours is gorgeous. xoxo

[erin]

i love the wreath and the door and the wall of art and photos behind it. it is all so charming.

[erin]

i love the wreath and the door and the wall of art and photos behind it. it is all so charming.

[Ali]

Your wreath looks amazing - what a lovely gift for your folks.

I love my hot glue gun, but then I am blessed with asbestos fingers.

[lisa s]

super cute!
now i want to make wreaths all day

[Isa]

Everything you put your hands to turns to gold---I saw your show today and was blown away, such a variety of work! You are selling out there too, hot damn! Anyway I was inspired and came home and promply did art projects myself...thanks!

[geek+nerd]

ooh, I like this - pretty colors!

[Lori]

beautiful wreath, and i love the photo. that black door really sets it off.

[meg]

i love the colours you used! it looks as though it is autumn tree inspired with a touch of sky. really lovely.

[Tracy]

I haven't washed my windows since we moved into our house either, and we are moving out in 3 weeks. I suppose I should.

[Dawn]

Wow!!! You are famous for your wreaths now!!!xo

[betz]

Ha! You beat me to the wooly-wreath-punch! Now I've got to finish mine likedy-split!

[natasha roe]

this is the most adorable thing I have seen in YEARS!! AND I love that I got a little peak inside of your home. Looks lovely from my view. :) I think I am going to have to try this project out this weekend. Thanks for the inspiration.

[Julie]

I would never have thought of this but I love it. Great idea.

[Holly Fillmore]

Love, love, love this!! Thanks for sharing it with us...

I posted about this on my blog. Hope you don't mind!

[Rebekah]

this is so pretty! I love the combo of colors and patterns that you used!

[Sarah]

I love your idea for that wreath. What a great way to use up pieces of cloth. I saw another wreath site lately that had a lot of colorful ideas.
www.ladybugwreaths.com/wreathgarden
This lady teaches and has some cool video clips too.
I'm always looking for wreath ideas and I just love yours - so simple.

[Cheryl]

I advocate the use of a bowl of cold water by your side when hot gluing. Have a nice little scar on my finger to show for not doing it. BUT take my advice always put the bowl on the opposite side to the hand you hold the glue gun in, one time I almost dropped the gun in the water....ooops