The 43 Annual Maryland Sheep and Wool

It’s that time again. We are crazy busy,  buzzing around prepping and packing  to get on the road again.

Our next stop is the annual Maryland Sheep and Wool festival. The show is next weekend in West Friendship, Maryland. If you are in the Maryland area please stop by and say hello.

Steves’ passion for turning and the ever useful “yarn Swirlette” inspired the birth of our small business, The Whispering Woodturner. Steve collects wood from all over the country to make yarn bowls, and yarn swirlettes. If you ever stop in at one of our shows, you are sure to hear stories, and learn about the history of the various bowls. The ” Yarn Swirlette” is the first piece he made that was not only beautiful, but also practical to use by all yarn enthusiasts.

Here are a few pictures of our prep work.

Swirlette bases and spindles ready for assembly.

Finished bowls and blending boards ready for packing in boxes.

Cheese / bread boards, oiled and beautiful. We just recently added these to our  inventory.

Our new display for the novelty t-shirts that say, “Not buying yarn is like not breathing” .

Aromatic lavender, for sachets…..a great way to keep your wool,  free from bugs.

Buttons, and WPI tool, (wraps per inch )

Inheriting a true treasure

Words cannot say how greatful I am, to have inherited a schacht baby wolf loom. I am excited to share photos of this beautiful workhorse.  Learning how to weave has always been on my list of things to do. My fascination with tea towels is a direct link. Now that I have this awesome tool, there will be lots of weaving going on here, to make dish towels.

Having absolute zero knowledge of how to weave, a huge transition and learning curve is before me! I am thrilled to embrace this age old craft!

(LOTS of you tube videos started the night this loom came into my house)

Having been stored for a few years she needed a little cleaning.  The rods on the harnesses needed a good sanding to remove the rust. Other then that, a good wipe down and a bit of bees wax to condition the wood was all that had to be done. We did remove the purple warp that was on it.

.

After sanding…. I also wiped the rods with a little wd40. Now, the heddles glide with ease.

 

My weaving journey begins- warping, dressing the loom, sleying the reed, threading the heddles, winding the beams, sett, epi- this is only the beginning.

Have you ever looked at a weaving pattern? Oh my!

Thank you Kathy, for helping a girl out. This loom is a true treasure, and I am over the moon to have received it!

Be happy …and have a happy life crafting!

Janette

Stampin up 2016 retired list

Stampin up is getting ready to launch the catalog for 2016-2017. What does that mean?

 

It means that there are many products that will be retiring.

Click on this link:  Retired items to take a look at what is going away, the never to be seen again stamp sets and other stamping products.

There are also many items that are 50% off….. Now is the time to take advantage of the special offers.

Here are a few cards we made in our ” bringing birthdays back ”  stamp class,  recently.

All products used to make these cards are available on my website. Or you can click on the individual products below or link above and shop stamps.

Fancy fold.

Tri-fold and gift tag :

Four fun cards using the same stamp set. Endless Birthday Wishes.

Be happy … and have a happy life crafting!

Janette

Product List

Build A Birthday Photopolymer Stamp Set

[138646]

$16.00

Cupcake Party Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[134126]

$17.00

Endless Birthday Wishes Photopolymer Stamp Set

[140273]

$16.00

Cupcake Builder Punch

[121807]

$18.00

2″ Circle Punch

[133782]

$18.00

2-3/8″ Circle Scallop Punch

[118874]

$18.00

1-3/4″ Circle Punch

[119850]

$18.00

2-1/2″ Circle Punch

[120906]

$18.00

1/2″ Circle Punch

[119869]

$6.00

Banner Punch

[133519]

$13.00

Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack

[133787]

$17.00

Banner Triple Punch

[138292]

$23.00

Tag Topper Scalloped Punch

[133324]

$23.00

Rich Razzlebberry Classic Stampin’ Pad

[126950]

$6.50

Melon Mambo Classic Stampin’ Pad

[126948]

$6.50

Tempting Turquoise Classic Stampin’ Pad

[126952]

$6.50

Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin’ Pad

[126944]

$6.50

Pear Pizzazz Classic Stampin’ Pad

[131180]

$6.50

Cucumber Crush Classic Stampin’ Pad

[138324]

$6.50

Watermelon Wonder Classic Stampin’ Pad

[138323]

$6.50

Bermuda Bay Classic Stampin’ Pad

[131171]

$6.50

Delightful Dijon Classic Stampin’ Pad

[138327]

$6.50

Watermelon Wonder 1″ Dotted Lace Trim

[138425]

$6.00

Cucumber Crush 1″ Dotted Lace Trim

[138423]

$6.00

Rhinestone Basic Jewels Embellishments

[119246]

$5.00

Cherry On Top Designer Washi Tape

[138384]

$8.00

Confetti Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

[140592]

$7.50

Ovals Collection Framelits Die

[129381]

$27.00

Whisper White 8-1/2″ X 11″ Card Stock

[100730]

$8.50

Watermelon Wonder 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock

[138334]

$7.00

Brights Designer Series Paper Stack

[138434]

$22.00

Bermuda Bay Thick Baker’S Twine

[138413]

$3.50

Brights Stampin’ Write Markers

[131259]

$29.00

Cucumber Crush 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock

[138335]

$7.00

Delightful Dijon 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock

[138338]

$7.00

Cherry On Top Designer Series Paper Stack

[138443]

$8.00

Tip Top Taupe Classic Stampin’ Pad

[138325]

$6.50

Cedar bottom chest of drawers

Here is another up cycled chest of drawers. It’s the perfect place for your hand crocheted or knit sweaters, shawls, scarfs and countless other items.

The chest has aromatic cedar lined drawers to help keep the moths away. Can you think of a better place to store your treasured hand made items?

This fiber artist chest is yours for the taking. It will be displayed at the Maryland sheep and wool festival on May 7-8; in the Whispering Woodturners  booth, located in the main building.

Hmm….it may make a great Mothers day gift for someone.

I used Anne Sloan chalk paint and wax. The colors are gray with dark antiquing.

Yy

 : to help keep the earth beautiful!

Be happy and, have a happy life crafting.

Janette Boas

 

Avi is off the needles

It is with great anticipation that I can announce; Avi is officially off the needles. I’m ashamed to say, I started this adorable pattern, 3 years ago. It’s one of those projects that your excited to start and finish …. And then you hit a glitch.

All I had left to do is mattress stitch up the the arm seams and …. Are you ready for this, take the 6 stitches under each arm (that I was instructed to put on stitch holders) and Kitchener them together…… That was the glitch. When I put the stitches on holders, I followed the directions and feeling perplexed, I told myself to not get discouraged- keep on knitting- don’t let a little detail no matter how unfamiliar it was, turn this beautiful sweater into a UFO…so, I kept knitting until all the knitting was done.

Then it was time to Kitchener under the arms. I Kitchener the toes of my socks all the time…. But some how this spot turned into a glitch for almost 3 years. I had never Kitchener stitched armholes before.

Avi, became a UFO until last week. With a little Kitchener and sewing side seams she was done. The sweater was originally intended for my granddaughter Reagann. ( I started and stopped this project while she was in mommies tummy) Of course the sweater being to small  for her now, Is going to Reaganns cousin Karolina, who is one. She has beautiful brunette hair and the purple will look lovely on her.

see…

The blocking stage….

Things have a way of working out……!

I am satisfied with the results and feel a sense of accomplishment putting Avi behind me.

Avi can be found on Ravelry.com …..

Be happy and have a happy life crafting!

Janette Boas

Crochet for the Grand Girls

Those angels I call my Grandchildren are always on my heart and mind. I find great joy when I “yarn” something for them.  It’s a way of keeping them close to my heart, when they are not with me. I feel that way about everyone I knit for. I’m sure all you knitters and crocheters can relate. 

My “yarning” technique of choice this time was crochet, one of my first favorite hobbies taught to me, by my Mother.  When I saw this cute pattern for this crochet dress I couldn’t wait to start. I knew it was going to be one of those projects that won’t let you put the hook down. I have many UFO’s in my collection, (unfinished object) this was not going to be one. In fact, I said “I’ll make two” and here they are. The pattern kept my attention and they were finished in record time. I can’t wait to see the girls in them….. My hope is to get a picture of Karolina and Reagann together wearing the dresses , with bare feet. 

This Grandma has dreams. 

You can find the pattern on ravelry.com; it is called Crochet Tiered Dress. I have more pictures posted on Ravelry and yarn information. You can find me as  Boasj on Ravelry. 

If you have ever wanted to learn to crochet or knit….. I say, take lessons….. Take the plunge…. It’s worth every stitch. Don’t worry about being patient, you will learn patience along the way. 

   

Be happy ….and have a happy life crafting. 

Janette Boas 

A nice cuppa

A quick peek into our card class from last week…

The featured stamp set  from Stampin up was “A nice cuppa”. We also used the matching dies to cut out the images using the big shot.

We made a card that says “you are tea-riffic” …..filled a cup with embellished goodies; the result was a giftable treat. If you look close you can see the cute charms that are attached to the cup, card and tag. The tag reads  ” there is always time for tea” the little tea bag tag reads ” and you” .

A sweet gift for the tea drinker in your life.

The individual, items were a double sided teabag holder, 2 paper cylinders filled with lemon drops, and a gift tag. After all, what’s tea without lemons.

Imagine the different ways to decorate and package up a quick gift, using this creative stamp set. No limits!

Thank you Janice, Jeanette, and Debbie for sharing in the fun…

be happy….and have a happylife crafting.

Janette Boas

 
Product List

A Nice Cuppa Photopolymer Stamp Set

[140683]

$17.00

Have A Cuppa Designer Series Paper Stack

[140567]

$8.00

Have A Cuppa Embellishments

[140570]

$7.00

Cups & Kettle Framelits Dies

[140624]

$29.00

Soft Sky 8-1/2″ X 11″ Card Stock

[131203]

$7.00

Pear Pizzazz 8-1/2″ X 11″ Card Stock

[131201]

$7.00

Pink Pirouette Classic Stampin’ Pad

[126956]

$6.50

Pear Pizzazz Classic Stampin’ Pad

[131180]

$6.50

Soft Sky Classic Stampin’ Pad

[131181]

$6.50

Bermuda Bay Baker’s Twine

[134575]

$3.00

Whisper White 8-1/2″ X 11″ Card Stock

[100730]

$8.50

1-1/4″ Circle Scallop Punch

[127811]

$16.00

1-3/8″ Circle Punch

[119860]

$16.00

Banner Triple Punch

[138292]

$23.00

Tag Topper Scalloped Punch

[133324]

$23.00

Stampin’ Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.00

Liquid Multipurpose Glue

[110755]

$4.00

Rhinestone Basic Jewels Embellishments

[119246]

$5.00

Subtles Designer Series Paper Stack

[138437]

$22.00

Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin’ Pad

[126944]

$6.50

Allergies got you down?

Here is a simple duo sure to make someone feel better. With pollen season here, many of us are fighting off allergies. This little Kleenex  holder and matching card  is the perfect way to say I hope you feel better soon.

This was a fun project to make and share.

I was inspired to make this tissue holder by Dee Slater, another stampinup demonstrator. You can find her tutorial on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/P0cducd4pcw

Below is a list of products I used to create the card and Kleenex  holder. All the products can be found in my online store just click:  Here or click on the individual items below.

Be happy, and have a happy life crafting,

Janette Boas

Product List

Crumb Cake 8-1/2″ X 11″ Card Stock

[120953]

$7.00

Whisper White 8-1/2″ X 11″ Card Stock

[100730]

$8.50

2015-2017 In Color Designer Series Paper Stack

[138432]

$22.00

Watermelon Wonder Classic Stampin’ Pad

[138323]

$6.50

Mint Macaron Classic Stampin’ Pad

[138326]

$6.50

Tip Top Taupe Classic Stampin’ Pad

[138325]

$6.50

Pansy Punch

[130698]

$16.00

Flower Shop Clear Stamp Set

[130942]

$18.00

Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stack

[138435]

$22.00

Rhinestone Basic Jewels Embellishments

[119246]

$5.00

Large Oval Punch

[119855]

$16.00

Curvy Corner Trio Punch

[139683]

$20.00

Scallop Oval Punch

[119856]

$18.00

Bow Builder Punch

[137414]

$18.00

Window Word Punch

[119857]

$16.00

Teeny Tiny Wishes Clear Stamp Set

[127802]

$27.00

Thoughts & Prayers Clear-mount Stamp Set

[127805]

$19.00

Serendipity challenge

Here is a fun Easter card I made for the  serendipity card challenge. The challenge was to incorporate circles and dots in the design of the card and to use a serendipity image.

With Easter around the corner,  I decided to use this cute bunny pulling a wagon  of eggs, stamp. I also chose buttons and  a dots embossing folder to meet the challenge requirements . The buttons added  some dimension and interest.

 

I enjoy coloring stamped images with Prisma pencils, water colors and copics. Here I chose copics. The bright vibrant ink, colors compliment the bright paper choice.

You can learn more about the serendipity challenges at this link: http://serendipitystampschallengeblog.blogspot.com

I hope this card inspires you to create with circles, bright colors and serendipity stamps.

Be happy, and have a happy life crafting,

Janette Boas

Holiday cheer

A quick share of what we worked on in our last stamp class. All products are from the Stampin up holiday catalog  and/or the 2015-2016 catalog.

Burts Bees lip balm holder using the ” snow place ” stamp set.

   
Poinsettia gift tag and Carmel corn snack using the “Reason for the Season”stamp set and festive flower punch bundle pack and the fry box die.

 
Christmas greeting card using “winter wishes” stamp set.

   
A group picture….. They were fun projects. 

 
I certainly hope that you can find time, to stamp a little festivity, into your schedule for the holidays. 

Be happy and …Have a happy life crafting

Janette