Wednesday, December 05, 2007

I MEANT TO DO THAT

In a previous post I mentioned that my friend Kathy, in San Diego, CA, sent me bundles of wool blanket pieces. At first I was perplexed because the wool is so thick, unlike what we normally buy for our craft projects. But after playing around with it I have really come to enjoy how nicely it handles and holds the stitches, etc. The crow on the basket was the first thing I tried. After I added the holly, it had to sit a while and ferment.

As that was stewing on the back burner of my brain, I decided that I could actually put things IN the basket! So I thought about gingerbread men. I didn't have quite the right color, so I asked my friend Joan if she had any gingerbread wool. "Oh I know I do", says Joan. So off I go to Joan's house while she digs through her wool stash. Joan pulls out TWO YARDS of the perfect camel colored wool that she bought to make a skirt. She never made the skirt, so she felted the wool and it was all to my good fortune! The gingerbread are about three inches high, so you can see there are many more gingerbread men we can make. I can see them dancing around penny rugs, etc. Don't I have the coolest friends? Well, this little crow is flying off to California for Christmas, and the gingerbread men are running as fast as they can to Joan's house! I know that Joan is not so sure about the little satin skirt at the bottom of the project, but she will come to love it, as I have. When I first showed the blanket project with the satin binding still on it, I was half way joking about leaving it on. So many of you liked it, and I have to say that I have come to like it a lot also. Sometimes things are so hokey that you have to love them. Remember shabby before it became chic?


I might also add that this type of project is so relaxing because it doesn't need to be perfect! In fact, you want it to look homespun and primitive. That means adding knots where they don't normally go and making imperfect stitches on purpose. I could get really good at this striving for imperfection thing!


So sorry Kim, Darlene and Angie, these already have a home. LOL!

19 comments:

Darlene said...

Lots and lots of cute stuff!

So, the gingerbread men are not coming to my house? I don't care if they don't go to Kim or Angie's house but they should come to mine. :-) Pretty please with a little cherry on top! They would really look cute in my kitchen - really they would! Send them and I'll show you. :-) teehee

Rose Marie said...

Love the gingerbread and the satin gives it a different look from all the other pieces out there. It makes someone take a second look and then they 'get it'!

Susan said...

I love your designs! They are both so cute.

antique quilter said...

these are all so adorable. Love them!
Kathie

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh Marcie!!!! I'm screaming mad that those gingerbread boys are not coming to my house! That is ADORABLE! I loved the crow too, but then when I saw the gingerbread boys! Oh how cute!

pat said...

Marc--
Your stuff just keeps getting cuter and cuter. I miss having your inspiration around; thank goodness for blogs!

Paula said...

I really like the crow with his little Christmas hat! So cute!

Angie said...

Daggone your hide, Marcie!!! You KNEW that I would be running to the mailbox every day looking for one!!! And they are the most ADORABLE little quilties I've ever seen!!! :/ Guess you'll just have to use a bit more of that 'perfect camel' wool for more gingerbread, AND since I have to wait even longer for mine, guess you'll just have to make me a Gingerbread Basket AND a Holly Blackbird basket!!!! (sing Na na na na na) *hootin & hollerin' going on here in NE Tennessee*

Libby said...

Just too darned cute . . . as for the satin binding - that's my favorite part *s*

Angie said...

And you can just IGNORE Mz. Dazeeee Darlene up there whining!!! Well, okay, you can send her some gingerbread men----too *g* See, I know how to share! :D

KC Quilter said...

Oh so darling, Marcie!!! I NEED a basketful of wool gingerboys for my gingerbread kitchen!!!!

Kim said...

I was going to suggest that you could surely make three more--one for me, one for Darlene, and one for Angie. But I see Darlene's being mean, so it will be even easier for you, Marcie--you just need to make one for me and one for Angie! LOL! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these little projects! And once again, we seem to be thinking along similar lines since I just finished a gingerbread man project too!

Kairle Oaks said...

Ooooooohhhhhh!!!!! Cuuuuuute!!! You could actually take a whole wool blanket, use it as a throw and applique a wool design in the corner or around the edges. Wouldn't that be cute?!

Perry said...

Really cute stuff!

May Kristin said...

How cute! Love your little "woolies"!

Karen said...

These are just adorable. I love the gingerbread men in the basket. What a cute idea for crafting.
Thanks so much for sharing.

Feeling Simply Quilty said...

Those are great. And recycling too boot!

Alison said...

Oh, they are so sweet! I love the little gingerbread men!

Unknown said...

Oh, Marcie those are so cute. I love the satin at the bottom. Sort of finishes it off.