So, do you remember the glass beads that hubby made for me a little bit ago? If you don’t – never fear, here is the photo.

lampworked glass beads

I actually found time to wire-wrap them into rings.

Blue Glass Ring

The blue one goes with nearly my entire wardrobe and I have already worn it several times.

Spring Glass Ring

The yellow one is sooo spring like I find wearing it just makes me feel happy  I’m sure it’s the reason for our lovely sunny weather and days in the 50’s over the weekend. Sooooo untypical of a Michigan March. I’m reveling in it 

Key to the Universe

And of course, having a willing torch wielder at my disposal, I talked him into trying his hand at melting glass onto some old skeleton keys I’ve been collecting (for who knows what) over the last several years.

Key to my heart

I just knew they would be really cool for something one day!

Key to my Zen place

And he had to do one in my favorite color (this week), aqua!

These are just waiting to be used in something really wonderful. I’ll let you know what it is as soon as I find out.

Deb H

Detail - Zig-Zag Bag before felting

Another finished project and some knitting that was just plain fun! There is something thoroughly satisfying about knitting with really big needles on occasion. Especially if your usual bent is sock yarn on size (US) 1’s or 0’s.

Baby Zig Bag, before felting

My Niece had a birthday recently and I wanted to make something for her that was fun, even quirky, and practical too. This little felted bag (pattern by LynnH of ColorJoy!) seemed the ideal project. Made with a lovely teal color of Shepherd’s Wool Worsted and a skein of hand dyed (by me, of course!) Cascade 220, it felted consistently and without an excess of fuzz.  I failed to include anything in the above photo to show scale but the bag, before felting measured about 21″ wide.

Teal Felted Baby Zig Bag

After all the knitting comes the brave bit. I tossed it into the washer and dryer. Since I have a front loader it took three times but the end result was a fabulous sized small purse. I photographed it with my wallet, phone, and iTouch for scale. They all fit perfectly and now I want one of these bags too. It’s a good thing I have more yarn, yes?

the perfect little felted bag

I hope she likes it as much as I did making it 

On another subject, for those who have wondered… Yes, I’m still using my AeroGardens constantly. One is always herbs

Herbs in the AeroGarden

and one is always salad stuff. I like having fresh salad greens I pick myself when the ground is covered in snow!

Salad greens in my AeroGarden

I think salad is on the menu for tonight!

Deb H

Knitting socks for the Fairy Folk is just silly fun – but I really like to do it! And I’m sure their tiny little feet appreciate it too  ;o)

Tofutsie Fairy Sock

I had included a free pattern for my easy Fairy Sock in the December 2009 PHAT Fibers box with a note that for more detailed instructions, they were to go to a certain web page. To all the PHAT Fiber box recipients who tried this, I apologize profusely!!! I could not figure out how to make a private page. I have published it here, under my “Free Patterns” section (see side bar) and made it accessible to all my Blog readers instead.

Enjoy!!

Deb H

PS – I’ve got the whole private page thing figured out now (I think), but hugs to everyone anyway 

Blue Flying Saucer Bead

And even though “lolli-gag” mode feels like unproductive time spending to me because I’m spending more time playing with stuff than doing anything in the way of serious work, I’ve not been doing “nut’n”.

Aside to my daughter, the writer and English major -> I could hear you groan at that last sentence 2500 miles away – chill, girl!

I have played a little with wire and even coerced DH to heat up his torch! Top photo is a blue flying saucer bead that looks like it will grow up to be a ring to me  ;o)

Glass Bead - Spring!

The next bead is so bright and cheerful I must make a ring to help me think “spring”! But, that’s for the next time I dig out the wire.

The "Turtle Moves" earrings

This time I just whipped up some cute little earrings for my DD (you know, the one who is forever correcting my grammar  ;o) because I had these adorable silver charms in my box and thought she needed some just for FUN. She also is a huge Terry Pratchett fan and loved the whole “the Turtle Moves”  thing. I only had one turtle so she also got a frog – she’ll adjust.

Drama Queen earrings

And because life is not all silliness, she got some simple wire and glass bead earrings in black and red for a more dramatic mood. Appropriate for a Playwright.

Deb H

Ocean Sock

I’ve been trying to get myself out of the Holiday “lolli-gag” mode and back to productive time spending 

As such, I have succumbed to the cracking of the whip and scheduled classes to teach at Heritage Spinning & Weaving. You can also see my class schedule on my “I Teach” page.

Want to learn to knit socks?