Thursday already?

I can't believe it's Thursday already and I haven't posted a thing since Monday! I guess I've spent too much time reading information about biscornu, Springerle cookies, knitting, Dorset buttons, and housekeeping tips!

I've still been working on Dorset buttons and ornaments.

I have a good supply of rings, but I still keep searching for new ones to try out!

I've also been spending a good deal of time looking at threads. Why? I guess it doesn't matter. I'm having fun!

Keepin' busy

I honestly don't know how the weekend passed so quickly! I did get caught up in working on a few projects.

I've been wanting to try knitting a seamless top down sweater for a long, long time. Over the weekend, I decided that now is as good a time as ever. Knitting a sweater takes forever for me. The swatching alone took up a good amount of time. I'm a very loose knitter, and I know that I have to go down two needle sizes to get gauge. So why do I always start with the suggested needle size? 

I'm following a class on Craftsy, and I'm using the suggested yarn, Rowan Pure Wool Superwash Worsted. It's very nice to work with, and I love the color!

I also managed to make some Dorset buttons and turn two into ornaments.

I guess I've been a color snob for too many years. I'm finding that these little splashes of colors that I never would have chosen in the past really brighten up my day!

Several years ago, I was really into making Springerle cookies. Let's be honest, collecting decorative rolling pins and cookie molds is far more interesting than baking cookies... at least for me! Anyway, about a week ago I started thinking about the salt dough ornaments that daughter Joanne and her kids made for Christmas ornaments a few years ago. Daughter Alison made gingerbread ornaments the same year. Why couldn't I make ornaments with my decorative rolling pins?

I started doing some research on the Internet, with one thing leading to another. I've read about salt dough ornaments, cinnamon ornaments, and then air dry clay ornaments. I talked with the art teacher, and she brought up making kiln dried ornaments. That's too many choices for me!

After further discussion, I decided that I would try air dry clay. I've never worked with clay before, so this was a totally new venture for me. Here's my first batch of air dry clay ornaments. They've been drying since Saturday morning. I will be taking them to school for the kids to decorate. It will be interesting to see what they decide to do!

Working with the air dry clay was pretty easy. I did watch some videos about working with clay after I made these. I probably should have watched the videos first! I did pick up a few tips that will come in handy if/when I decide to make some more.

I wonder what will distract me today?

Taking time to blog

I've been distracted for the last few days. I've been following links on the Internet, reading books, organizing crafts, and doing a little tatting. However, I haven't taken time to blog!

I've decided to work my way through my other box of WonderFil perle cotton. I'm working from the top left across, just like reading a book!

The color changes seem subtle when looking at individual pictures, but in the box each color looks very distinct.

Working with this box of colors has pushed me outside my color comfort zone. If I had purchased individual balls of perle cotton, there's only one color I would have been drawn to. Can you guess which one?

Sparkle!

 

I decided to add a little sparkle to my tree with some chandelier crystals. I also moved two of my ornaments, because one has a shorter hanger. The one with the shorter hanger fits perfectly inside the star at the top of the tree. It doesn't show up well in the picture, but there's lots of sparkle going on!

After cleaning up another of my Christmas trees, I decorated it with Dorset button ornaments and crystals. I love it!

The next button in Dorset Ring Buttons is Petal - traditional. This one was super easy to do!

Labor Day tatting

Labor Day is always low key at our house. After all, we are supposed to be resting from our labors!

 I rested by finishing another set of Dorset button ornaments!

Internet down

Our Internet was down from Monday night until mid-morning today. It's amazing to think how much of my life involves being online.

I thought I'd accomplish a lot more, but I found myself getting distracted by things I wanted to do around the house. I guess being offline is not all bad!

My Dorset button adventure continues. This pattern is Old Dorset - traditional

This one is Honeycomb - traditional. I love that I'm creating different centers for these button ornaments with a needle and thread!

I'm still making button ornaments for Christmas in the Village. Some of my color combinations seem a little strange, but I still like them. With any luck, others will like them as well!

More Dorset buttons

I'm really enjoying trying the patterns in Dorset Ring Buttons by Gina Barrett. This one is Blandford Cartwheel - traditional. 

Next in the book is Dorset Basket - traditional.

Although I'm enjoying making these, I really need to focus on ornaments for Christmas in the Village. So, I think I'm going to try and limit myself to no more than one each day.

That's going to be hard to do!

Fun!

 

There are two shades of green in my Wonderfil Eleganza set of perle cotton.

I'm happy that I had time to work on them both today!

I also tatted a button ornament for Christmas in the Village. I think I really am enjoying myself way too much!

I thought I was done...

 

I really thought I was done tatting for the day after this morning's post. However, I just can't get enough of these Dorset button ornaments!

I'm still trying to keep up with my button ornaments for the Christmas in the Village sale.

Because of the amount of time it takes to complete a Dorset button ornament, I will not be offering these for sale.

Instead, I will give them as Christmas gifts to very special friends!