Wool.Easter.Basket : :

Well it certainly had been a while since I made one of these! Afterall, making felted items for children is where it all started for me. This project request came to me from a mother who wanted similar Easter baskets for her two little boys, and I had already made a basket for her first son -- how could I say no? Really, I couldn't. And I am really glad I didn't. I have had the same barely started project on the needles for quite some time now and with Easter around the corner, this really forced me to jump in. It seems as I get more and more into sewing, the knitting and felting that I use to just love, just keeps getting further and further away. This project made me think of {bunnies, fox, owls, trees, bees, butterflies, and Spring -- of course} but also about balance. How could knitting, something I was SO passionate about, be replaced by a new passion? Well, it shouldn't be. I love to knit! I love to sew! There you have it.

So, here is a little wool, nature themed Easter basket that required a lot of knitting, some felting, needle felting, embroidery, hand stitching, and just a little bit of sewing, too.






Here's hoping there is a lot of passion and a bit of balance in your life, too!

* * * * * * * * *

Handmade Holidays ♥ A Winter Song Dollhouse : :

This Christmas song is one of my very favorites and the video... amazing, beautiful and so inspiring! Last year I made this Winter Dollhouse, inspired by this songs story : :

 Hand knit with soft wool yarn, felted to be sturdy and durable...

This dollhouse tells the Winter Song story... A little bundled up girl leaves her snow covered, icy little home -- searching for a little sign of love in the snow.

With lots of needle felted and hand stitched details -- She finds the sun shining brightly down on a little love that is beginning to grow...

This dollhouse is still one of our most favorite items. Enjoy the song and have a wonderful Monday!
~ Maureen

Handmade Holidays ♥ Christmas Dolls : :

A few new dolls...

{smiles} ~ Maureen

Heart Felt Owl Dolls : :

A few of my newest owl dolls...

These are holiday custom orders, but I'll have a few available in my etsy soon! I've been so busy (and not feeling very well lately) --- which is why I am really lacking on the blog posts. I have lots to share and am feeling much better, so stay tuned!

Knitting, knitting, and more knitting : :

I spent a good part of this past weekend knitting. Now that it’s Fall and much cooler, it’s so easy to turn to the yarns. Every year at this time I want to knit everything, so that is what I'm doing. A dozen new dolls, several new dollhouses, and a couple mini totes are all waiting to be felted and I can't wait to show you all! 

I don’t know what it is about picking up my needles that creates such an all-consuming effect. It's been this way since the day I learned. When I begin a knitting project I'm either happy as one can be, starting out with a new idea and so excited or I'm in the deep, dark throes of trying to finish it as fast as I can and feeling like it’s never going to end. Once I start, I don't like to stop until I'm done. Thankfully my husband and children are all very used to me saying, "Just let me finish this row first...." If you're a knitter --- you know what  I mean. : )

I hope you had a lovely and productive weekend, too! ~ Maureen

Who-o-o, Who-o-o

I so love making these owl dolls! And, noticed tonight that I am getting pretty close to 500 followers!!! Once I do, I am planning a HUGE giveaway...the mother of all destashings!!! So, be ready!!!

xo, Maureen

Owl Picture Day : :

Doesn't this remind you of school pictures? It must be the background. I didn't do this on purpose, although it seems so fitting now that some of our little ones are back in school and this day for them is quickly approaching. The truth is my other pictures of these little owls just didn't turn out and these are all that I have since they've already flown the coop. Now that I see that connection, I'm finding these pictures so silly!

Well anywhoo, this is "Blue Screech" owl --- name given by 10 year old Hannah, whom received him as a birthday gift. : )   : :

And, this owl is for my etsy shop : :

I have decided to stick with this design for a while. I think it's my favorite so far...

What do you think?

 I enjoyed using some of my new fabrics...

Designer fabrics from Sew Fresh Fabrics.

And, I just LOVE adding little details like this...

I have never shared this before, but this is how I sign each doll. It's not as clean looking as a tag, which I am considering, but to me it just makes my handmade items look a little more handmade.

How do you put "your stamp" on your handmade items?

Owl doll. Owl details.

I realized it's been a while since I've shared any new dolls. So, this here is my latest custom order request to come through my etsy. Created to be a special doll for a babe on the way with a nursery waiting for him/her decked out with this Alexander Henry -- "It's a Hoot" fabric.

I wanted to make a similar doll to the last one I blogged about --- with that sweet, bright eyed, baby owl face.

With lots of "It's a hoot" fabric details.

Under the wings.

And, on the feet.

Oh yes, I love this fabric! I still have an owl embroidered pillow, with this wonderful fabric, still available. And, a few more owl dolls that I am almost ready to share.

Little Miss Hoots : :

Well, it cooled off about 20+ degrees this evening and so what does this lady do --- she heads right to the wool! I just finished up this newest owl doll and I am feeling like she may be my new favorite. Here is our old favorite  just in case you were wondering. Not sure why - but I really like this one. I'll be taking better pictures, when it is not 11 p.m., but I was just so eager to share...

And, wish you all a wonderful weekend!

New Owls. In the Shop : :

I finally have added a few dolls to my etsy shop! Each of them are so different from the other, with their own colors, details, and little personality.

This is my first patchwork owl doll, with embroidered details and lots of my favorite fabrics --- available here for anyone kind enough to give it a home : :

and Dottie Owl, with needle felted details and fun Riley Blake Fabrics --- available here : :

and this sweet little owl, with lots of embroidered details, a needle felted heart, and a little of  Anna Maria's fabulous fabrics, available here : :

It's been a VERY long time since I have used that poor, neglected shop of mine, so I hope to have you visit me there, as well. One day it will be full, but first I have to focus on the local art show in the works for the fall. I am so excited about this opportunity and for the awesome collection of artists that will be joining together. At the pace of which I have been producing work lately, I'm guessing I'm going to need all of this summer to make the items I have in mind to have on display.  And, I am totally ready for the challenge!

And while you're following the trail of links I am bombarding you all with today, I'd love for you - if you have a second, to check out a recent article about my work. : )

Until tomorrow friends...wishing you the loveliest of days! ~ Maureen

Button House, Bird, and Mouse : :

I just discovered the amazing Betz White yesterday. After spending some time on her blog and following the trail to her flickr group for her recycled, felted wool sweater projects, I was inspired to make this cute little recycled wool sweater birdhouse. I just love stumbling upon projects like this and am always looking for fun, child-friendly ways to use up scraps to make what's old, new again. I still had some of my friend's sweater left, that I already re-used in several new ways --- to make a bowl, to back my first embroidery hoop, Jacob's first hoop, and Kaiden's. This ended up being a super quick and cute way of using up a little more.
It was Jacob's idea to use these adorable, little corduroy mice that we already had. How perfect!
Haila loved this little bird that I made out of an old wool/cashmere baby sweater of her's that I accidentally felted. It is so incredibly soft! I have a feeling I will be making more of these - I have lots of sweater left.
After the kids are asleep and my husband is at work, I love having these type of projects and those I come up with to keep me busy,probably way too late into the night, but it sure is fun.

Alright, One More : :

Sarah, the winner of the giveaway, chose Alex Owl and shared why on her blog. The other owls are already at or are heading to hello Bluebird.

So, I guess I wasn't ready just yet to stop with the owl parade. Meet the caboose --- Elma Owl
I made this pillow on Sunday for the daughter of my friend, a sweet little girl named Sophie. (Haila had to see for herself if it was comfortable.)
And, since I didn't share a great picture of Jacob's Birthday Crown last week, I decided to share a better picture. If you have a little one in your life, making one of these is a must. Jacob designed this one himself and wore it for a week straight. --- So quick, easy, and absolutely adorable!
Wishing you a wonderful day! ~ Maureen

And The Winner Is : :

Sarah ~ Magnolia Surprise - you've been emailed! Congrats! & thank you, thank you, thank you everyone for entering! What fun this was for me and my family! As of this morning, 268 comments were given throughout the Owl Parade!!! Even though the giveaway is over, I still hope to see you all stopping by - I have lots to share!!! Yesterday we celebrated Earth Day in a way that is similar to many days around here, with just a bit more education on why we do, what we do. My children are small, so I don't flood them with the doom and gloom of the state of the world, but you better believe I am doing my best to make sure they fall in love with it! I am so happy that the importance of environmentally friendly living is becoming more widely understood and green living has become incorporated into mainstream life. I feel now that it is our great responsibility to get our children interested in and aware of the importance of being eco-conscious. My hope, is that if they are introduced to it young enough, it will become second nature! Thank you for sharing all of the ways you are making a difference, too! ♥

Today I am headed into my boys school to teach Kaiden's classmates an Eco-friendly craft. How to make these plastic bottle flowers :
I'm really excited!

Thanks again everyone - visit me soon! ~ Maureen

Happy Earth Day : :

As always, thank you so much for your interest and wonderful comments on these little owls! It has been an absolute blast putting the combinations of wool, felts, fabrics, and threads together, with my helpers, for the parade and giveaway. The giveaway has been running from April 12th all the way through today - Earth Day, April 22nd! To Win : : All you have to do is follow and leave a comment. Today I'd also love for you to share something that you do in an effort to be a good steward of our planet. Stuff like recycling, growing your own food, anything to be more green! A winner will be chosen randomly from the comments, they will be notified by email tomorrow, and I will announce them here, as well. Good luck, have fun and be green!

The kids are always eager to help with choosing the yarns and the fabrics, and so it's only fair that they get to name them --- But, today Mr. Cracknell decided he wanted to name this owl - Elwood OwlYou can read more about the history of Earth Day, as well as the mission and the core issues behind it here.

A New Favorite : :

The Owl parade continues today with the kids favorite one yet! If you didn't see yesterday's post - I mentioned that I decided to cut the giveaway a little early, to end right on Earth Day. As much as I love creating these little dolls, making them is usually slow, quiet work, and at this speed seems something better suited for late fall, early winter. Where I can sit peacefully, knitting their pieces and sewing there seams and details by hand. So, I plan on doing this again when the cold comes back around. And, after the giveaway, I will be sharing lots of other new things, many new dolls and felted goodness, and no doubt - new pillows!

There are only two days left until the winner of the giveaway will be announced and I appreciate everyone who has visited and commented. After listening to Haila play peek-a-boo with this owl, under the dining room table, I was inspired to take these photos. The kids are always eager to help with choosing the yarns and the fabrics, and so it's only fair that they get to name them. Haila named this Owl - Molly Owl :


Thank you again for all the nice, funny, encouraging comments these last two weeks, honestly.

Today my son Jacob turns six - Happy birthday to my sweet boy!

Alex Owl : :

Say hello to - Alex Owl! After much deliberation as to whether we were naming a boy or a girl, we all decided on a name that would work either way.
Thank you to everyone who keeps coming back to visit and comment. I'm beginning to think that I may be running the longest giveaway ever. : ) As fun as it has been, we have decided that we will draw the name on Earth Day, this Thursday night and the winner will be announced Friday! I was so thrilled last night when I opened the blog and saw 200 followers! I am hoping to make real connections and friends here, with all you wonderfully creative people. I've been visiting all your blogs, as well, and I am so impressed!
Wishing you all a beautiful day! ~ Maureen

***** If you are new here today, you can comment on Alex and on yesterday's owl post, for another chance to win an owl.