projects and parrots!

I received a surprise order recently for one of my hand-dyed felt business card holders. Thanks, Teresa!

So that inspired me to dye some more felt and start some more business card holders. These are in progress - I will be adding special buttons, beads, and/or charms to each. I will have selling opportunities coming up, so...

I finished this sweater with Noro yarn a few weeks ago, but only found THE best button for it yesterday.  The sweater seems huge. Not sure when it will fit my granddaughter - it's a toddler size 1.

I made a hat with the yarn left over. Not the most practical yarn.

Side view.

Recently we spied FOUR wild parrots on the tree in the front yard. We've seen them flying around Irvine for years, but ths was the first time I'd seen them in our trees.

Here's a closeup of two of them. No, they're not native to Southern California! The legend goes that they are descendants of escaped pet parrots. They squawk and make all sorts of noises, but nothing intelligible. No "Polly want a cracker."

Christmas Goodies

Well, the house is decorated, I've started shopping, and I've run out of Christmas cards. So I'm feeling relatively secure, although I still have lots to do. Here are some photos that show what I've been up to.  I gave away my cookie stocking at the ornament exchange, but I made another one to keep.

This is the cute Santa that I received in the ornament exchange, made by Darla. I just love him.

The tree's up. I go for the eclectic look, so there are lots of wonderful homemade ornaments, many made by friends, mixed in with ornaments that my kids made when they were little.

Small ornaments get lost on the tree, so this year I hung my favorite little guys on this branch in the dining room. It looks very cool. You may recognize a few of the felt balls I made last year.

Here are a few of the felt business card holders I've been making. I made some similar to these to give to my Cut-Loose friends. I'll have some available at the Craft Festival at the Muckenthaler on December 20 (more info in previous post). I dyed white wool felt with Silk Color and other silk dyes that I had. It's fun to make each one a little different.

I was so happy to get my "Go With The Flow" quilt back after its trip to Quilt Festivals in Long Beach and Houston in the "Detours" exhibit. I hung it up, and it looks great with my Christmas stuff.

My "Fifteen Selvedges" quilt also recently returned home, and I happily hung it up also, in the midst of my Christmas decor. It was part of the "Edges" special exhibit that also went to Long Beach and Houston Quilt Festivals.