Thursday, July 30, 2009

Am I crazy?

It’s been really hot here for the past week or so.  Temps in the high 90’s and possibly hitting 100 today.   So, “what are you working on, Anne?”, you ask?    Why WOOL of course.    I think the heat has gotten to me for sure!

I finally got the center of Stars around the Garden put together and made the decision to use wool for the applique.   Here it is all prepped and ready to sew down.   Hmm, cotton and wool.  Now where have I heard of that?   ;-)

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And my other project is some Christmas stocking kits that I got from Primitive Gatherings.  Maybe this is just my attempt at “thinking” cooler weather.  Or…I'm crazy!

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Now, I have a question for you.    Santa’s beard and cuffs are supposed to be attached by “needle punch”using naturally curly roving.   I haven’t got a clue how to do that and I don’t want to invest in supplies I may never use again.   Does anyone have an easy lesson for me or a better idea?   It would be much appreciated. 

What should I work on next?  Snowmen you say?   Glad you’re thinking cool like I am!

30 comments:

Jodi Nelson said...

I'm not real familiar with needle punch or wool roving. But, could you do something like french knots with some sort of fiber or yarn or something to get the same type of look?

Pat said...

I would use wool like the rest of the santa. I have done needle punch but not with wool roving. The special needle, hoop and threaders would be too expensive for this little bit of work.(I think!)

Anonymous said...

Needle punch isn't hard and perhaps wouldn't cost too much if you can get the punchneedle at JoAnn's with a coupon. The beard would be dimensional. But wool would look wonderful too. Liking all that wool!!

Karen said...

Your on a blogging roll there sister :). Loving your projects and that stocking is just to cute. I think it would look great in wool - but then you knew I would say that, lol.

Sending you cool hugs from my neck of the woods - cool weather here, what's going on, we actually want warmer weather.

Hugs - karen

Abby and Stephanie said...

Hmmm...how about a little warm and natural batting or some wool batting for that darling Santa's beard?

Anonymous said...

Lol, I am thinking fall right now... working on hocuspocusville! I love your wool applique... the colors are beautiful! And those stockings.. so cute. Sorry I don't have any advice about the cuffs, except just some good old wool applique :o)

sewprimitive karen said...

Well, all you need is the needle that has a little hook on it and some foam for underneath it and it's really fun to do. The French knots idea might be really cute as well. But I do love to punch with that long needle.

Libby said...

Did the roving come with the kit? You'll only need the felting needle and some thick (THICK) foam if it did.
Or you could just use some tack stitches to apply the roving.

antique quilter said...

I am sure there is some kind of funky wool/yarn you could use as the beard, do you have a great yarn shop you could visit and ask for suggestions?
or a doll making quilt shop?
maybe there is a funky yarn they use for the hair in white :)
snowmen thats a great idea
we are having very humid weather here in the NE now too
me, give me the 50's every day and I would be happy!
Kathie

Kaaren said...

Wool cut to the shape of the beard would work as well, Anne. I wouldn't use a white, white but a 'dirty' white...for lack for a better word.

To heck with the heat. Bring on the wool!

Carol said...

Oh the wool applique is just beautiful! Love it. Your Santa is wonderful. Hope the heat breaks soon!

Crispy said...

How about some Minkee for the cuffs and maybe some cotton or even wool yarn for the beard?

Crispy

WoolenSails said...

Both beautiful pieces. I do punch and needle punch and I would put a piece of foam inside and needle punch the roving on or if you don't want to do that, I would sew it on.

Debbie

Janet said...

your projsects are looking really good, I would have suggested french knots too.

Yvette said...

ooooooooooooooooohh!

I love the way the wool looks on your Stars Around The Garden!

I tried Needle Punch and threw it all out. LOL!

Terry said...

Your Stars Around the Garden is beautiful! I love how it looks! And great idea working on Christmas and winter things now. I have loads of winter projects to sew. I might just have to get some out and start working on them! :0)

Candace said...

Well you're doing better than me, Anne! Without A/C it's too hot to do anything! Do you know you can get little tiny packages of curled beard roving? I'm headed to where they sell then on the 14th if you want me to pick up a package! I love the Stars around the Garden - and the background is delish!
Cheers!

Auntie Pami said...

I know, we are all wishing for rain! I don't like this heat and my yard is so "crunchy".

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Such a beautiful quilt Anne!! No real great ideas for Santa's beard other than just a more textured wool applique?

brigette said...

um, anne, i think your best friend knows how. in fact i KNOW she does.
she might even have a tutorial up on her site.

Stina Blomgren said...

Oh my gosh.. love your wool projects.. looking wonderful...
Hmmm.. for the beard.. I liked what Libby suggested... and If not I would have made something with sttiching.. like french knots or some other stitch.. just to pop out some!! :o)

Behind My Picket Fence said...

Your projects are totally awesome! They are just my style and as soon as my "gardening compulsion" lets up, I'll be back to wool & quilts.
The needle punch is easy to do. It is different than punch needle. Wool roving is purchased in a little bag. It's like a bit of fluff. Then you need the needle which is inexpensive and start punching the fluffy roving into your project, making any shape you want. If you don't like the shape you made, just pull out that part. It would look great as the beard and cuffs but then so would the other options mentioned.
I'll be keeping my eye on you girl.

Anonymous said...

I do punchneedle and it is very easy. But since you do not have a needle and do not want to purchase one all you need to do is insert one of the strands of wool roving into a needle knot it in the back and make little stitches that will form little loops ontop for santas beard. I really do not think you would be happy with the french knot idea. I used to make dolls and all we would do for santas beard was to glue or you could stitch wool roving on him to make his beard. When you were done you could comb it for that fuzzy full effect. I hope this helps you.
Susanne

Designs on 47th Street said...

Your projects are beautiful! Truly! I'm jealous that you can do such neat stuff! :) I used to be into needlework until I started my silk plant business. Now floral arranging takes up all my creative moments.

thank you so much for visiting my blog and encouraging me that my washer smell will get better! I can't wait for it to arrive.

I enjoyed looking at the pictures on your blog. Hope you'll stop by and see me again.

Donna

Wendy said...

Your wool projects are looking fantastic. I don't know how you can do it in this heat.
I've used both needlepunch and wool roving. You could make it 3 dimensional with the wool roving.

vickibellino said...

What beautiful projects! Just love your wool quilt!

Red Geranium Cottage said...

I dont do needlepunch but it's not hard to do. I just dont need another hobby. But you could just use some tea dyed wool, in off white or batting?? That would be just as cute. I love that stocking. And I really dont care what you use on mine. :-)
Love your new banner. The sign is veryyy cute.

paulette said...

I love working with wool regardless of the weather! Your work is gorgeous....keep going!!!
Paulette

Carrie P. said...

Such beautiful things you are working on. Wool roving does involve some equipment but I would try like Quilt Hollow suggested and buy and little kit at Joanns. The roving will look cute.

Gypsy Quilter said...

Your "stars around the garden" is simply gorgeous. Won't you stop by and show me how to do such lovely applique?