Still Knitting!

OK guys...I can't seem to stop myself from knitting!! Must be the cold weather. I finished my linen colored icicle scarf & posted it on Moonflower Art last weekend. Here are some photo's of the finished product:

I loved how the fringe turned out. I used almost 200 Czech glass beads to add fun to the fringe. The weight of the bamboo and beaded fringe is great.

I discovered some really great books on knitting at the Frederick library. Everytime I go I seem to find more books! Here are a few that I particularly like if you're looking for some good knitting books:

Knit Scarves! by Candi Jensen

The Knitting Answer Book by Margaret Radcliffe

Knitting Beyond Scarves by Melissa Leapman's

Last-Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson

Hope you find some of these books fun to look at. Here's a sneak peak at the Angel Hair scarf I'm working on now. I'm going to do a beaded fringe on this one too. I think that the beads really add a lot to the scarves. This scarf was worked in the seed stitch which really shows off the color.

Well, hope you all have a great day! Talk to you soon!

Stacie

I just love how Stacie's cozy Book Scarves came out. when she said book scarf... I wasn't sure what to expect. What a warm concept! I can just imagine the feel of it! She really does have some unique ideas...

As for me this week... mmmmm.... Just finishing up some vintage bottlecap magnets and scrabble pendants. And maybe dabbling in some more beaded bookmarks. I would love to make some keychains using the same concept. And more felted bookmarks. I love handmaking felt beads. (Once the beads are made, you can embellish them with tons of seed beads!)


It's snowing today... and there's no school! I love late mornings with the kids! I hear them rustling around now... so I better run!
have a great day!
-Allison

Book Scarfs are here!

I finished the book scarfs and I love them! Not only were they a blast to make they turned out great! What a great way to keep your book warm and cozy in between readings!

Look for the book scarfs on Moonflower Art! I should have them posted no later than Saturday. I made three with the journey charm to post on etsy.

Happy reading & knitting!

Stacie

New Felt Beaded Bookmarks

So I have been really into felting lately. Knitting and then felting, roving felt and even felt beads!
I really love the way it feels and the MANY things you can make. I love making maki sushi rolls (to eat of course) and so I thought I could use the same concept into making FELT MAKI SUSHI BEADS. Here's the bookmark I made this am. It's just a prototype. I am going to tweak it so it is perfectly FABULOUS!

I am taking Stacie's advice on stopping work 15 minutes before I have to. I think it really would relieve a lot of stress and force me to not rush the end of my projects. She mentioned to me, "how much more can you really get done in 15min?" I think she's right. So I, a true person who can not just sit with nothing moving in my hands, will give it a go!
By the way, last week Stacie had me and a couple friends over for a fun knitting day. It was LOADS of non-stress fun! A true playdate! Thank you ~ I can't wait til we do it again!

Can't wait to show you more beads soon... right now they are still sitting safely on my mind!
-Allison

Wrapped in Yarn

Good Morning!

I have been wrapped in yarn working on several projects. With the cold weather and early evenings it is just a perfect time for knitting.

I'm working on a beautiful white scarf that I'm knitting in a lace pattern. When I have completed the scarf, I'm going to add beaded fringe. The scarf should be complete by next week, so look for it on Moonflower Art.

Another project I'm working on are book scarfs! Use you're imagination!! You'll have to wait and see.

This year I'm determined not to rush around...so I've come up with a new rule for myself...always stop what I'm working on 15 minutes before I need to. I can't tell you what a difference it's made! Instead of working until the last second and feeling frazzled, I feel complete and relaxed. Give it a try and let me know if it works for you.

Enjoy your day!

Stacie

Some prelim views...

Here are some pics of preliminary steps when I make bottlecap art!
I start with clean, uncrimped bottlecaps. When they arrive they all have this rubber seal. That need to be removed!

This is what it looks like when it is removed.
Then it needs to be cleaned!
Here it is cleaned and pounded so the edges are turned inside out! A smooth finish!

Then comes the fun part! You cut out your image, seal both sides 3 or 4 times... (no air allowed!!!)
You paste your image in and then seal again!
Some of our caps are left at this stage because adding resin would change the look... too polished!

I made quite a few of these caps ready for sale soon!
There are several vintage ads...
and a few I collaged onto the ads!

Another project I have been working on...
scrabble resin pendants!

Now I just have to add the silver bails to the backs and they are ready to go!

Do you have any new projects you are working on?
-Allison

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year Everyone!

I hope that everyone enjoyed their holiday break. I finally had the time to go through my studio and get rid of the old and organize the new!

Here are some photos of my new creative space!
This is my main work area. With the table moved this way, I have way more table space to work on. Also, I have room for other fellow artist's to come and share my work space.

This is my more industrial table space. I have my kiln here for firing PMC as well as some other electrical appliances I use to create my work.
This used to be a closed in closet. Now I have much more space for books, yarns, and paper's.




I also love to display other artist's work to inspire me. The first photo is a piece that Allison made me for Christmas. The inspirational sayings are great motivation for me!
The second is a piece created by my friend Hillary Banachowski. Check out the article about her in The Next 72 hours weekend section of the Frederick News Post today, Thursday, January 8, 2009. Hillary's new work is called "For the Fun of It" and is on display at the Muse in Frederick until January 31st. For more info check out The Muse's website The Muse.



I am excited to work on new jewelry projects and fun new pieces for Moonflower Art in my updated studio. I always feel more creative when I can work in a postive artistic work area.
Talk to you soon!
Stacie

Happy New Year 2009!!!

Happy January
and
Happy NEW YEAR!

After the nice long break... I'm so glad to be getting back into the groove again!
This week I've decided to focus on bottlecap collage pendants. Above just sealing images in, I want to add my own touches to each picture! I think I will experiment with microbeads, alternate colors and other mixed media!
I hope the end results have more of a touch of me in each one!

I will add posts along the way!

so this is it... the kids are back in school. Hubby is back at work and we are back in business!
Come visit us soon on etsy... new items posting weekly!