Saturday, July 25, 2009

Giveaway & a Rainy Day Craft

Hi Knitters,
First off, I am hosting a fantastic giveaway over here. Hop on over quick to enter. I want you all to be included. I am even throwing in a Pom Tree!! And you know how I feel about the Pom Tree. You will love all of this loot. Be sure to click on the link to find out more information about the items in the giveaway.

All you have to do is comment on Spud says! Please do not email me to enter this one. Good luck!

We have been having a couple of rainy days as of late. Yesterday was one of those all day rain sessions. I was trying to think of a fun new craft for The Collector and me. I remembered seeing and talking about felting rocks with my sister. She had this book where she saw the felted rocks. I didn't think I had the book so I even called her to see if she could look up how to do this in her book. Later on, I found that I have my own copy of Last Minute Fabric Gifts and I don't even remember buying it. I wonder if I have my sister's copy. Anyway, this book is where you can find out about the specifics of felting rocks. 
So I have a bag of roving in fun playful colors. You can get this same roving here. They have a wonderful collection of colors to choose from.
The Collector ran outside to pick out some rocks from our yard. She kept to fairly small to medium-sized rocks. The smaller rocks were easier to felt for sure.
Basically all you need is a rock, some roving, some thread, hot water and soap and a nylon. The author of the book offers some great details and instructions on how to make the rocks felt up really well. There are about 5 steps to go through, and then repeat several times, so you need to check the book before you start. I don't want to give too much away from the book. 

This is a fun project to do together because there is one point where you really need two sets of hands. I couldn't get any of my older kids to participate but The Collector is always game for a good rainy day craft. That's why she ends up on my blog so much. She is a crafter at heart. My other kids can often take it or leave it when it comes to crafts at this point and that's fine, too.
I took this shot of The Collector through my storm door, she didn't even know I was there. After dinner she made quite a few more felted rocks on her own while sitting on our front step. You can see her hands working the felt around the rock. It was such a quiet peaceful moment of making for her. I know that feeling so well. Love and contentment.

Make some felted rocks! You'll love it. I want to get a big bowl of felted rocks to put out on a table. I think it would be great fun. We are well on our way.

Go enter the giveaway!
best, susie
p.s. look here for some coolness. It's almost gone!

6 comments:

Deb said...

Such a great giveaway. Thanks! The felted rocks look like a fun project. I've never tried felting, but it is something I would like to try. This looks like a good project to start with. Your daughter is such a cutie :). Love the new look of your blog.

Rosemary said...

I love to come to your site for inspiration! You are very generous with your kitting skills and family activity. Go to blue blog and see her S&C progect. Rosemary

Denise said...

Hi Susan, love the giveaway so I had to pop over and try my chances.
I haven't been knitting for ages, but hope to get back to it and to my knitting blog soon. I can't wait to get your new book too, didn't realize it was coming out so soon, having not blog hopped much!
Will you be having a giveaway of it any time soon? a signed copy would be awesome, didn't you do that with one of your other books, or was I dreaming?
Have a great Sunday
Hugs
Denise

lindagerig said...

Can't believe I cannot find my copy of ITTY Bitty Hats. It must be hiding around here somewhere. Needed to make a baby hat but had to use another pattern. It will turn up one day. It does seem like I remember seeing it somewhere. It has stirred me to clean up my craft room. It will take a while though. Linda Gerig

Sarah Dedmon said...

Hello Susan -

Near our home in Maine there is an artist who makes lovely felted rocks and sells them in local art shops. She simulates the classic patterns of some of the rocks that we all love on Jasper Beach. They are irresistible because they look like soft fuzzy replicas of the hard things we all have in our pockets when we leave the beach.

Working on the Ishbel scarf now courtesy of your mention of Ysolda. Wow, does Lace require focus or WHAT?? Maybe not with three kids i the room next time.

Sarah

Melissa said...

I love this idea. I want big bowls of felted rocks all over my house! I want this so much I have ordered 10 colours of roving! I am going to enlist the hubby in this project! Thanks for the great idea