Decor, a Sleep mask and my Pets

Hello and welcome to 2018! I know, several weeks late and almost a month so (ha haha!). Winter has been a mixture of storms, warm spells and my pets having little colds. I know, the poor fur babies!

So if you have not paid my etsy shop or Instagram a visit ~ you should! I update with photos, new listings and projects I am working on. I also enjoy posting short videos of projects, techniques or things I have found in craft stores. You can also keep up with me on those places since I enjoy posting often.

my DIY fawn sleep mask

An ongoing project is my Fawn sleep mask. This is a project I've had going since last month. I used a homemade pattern based off a current sleep mask I have. From there I sketched ideas of what I wanted to make, coming to the idea of a fawn or deer. I used cotton printed fabric, flannel for the back (against your eyes) and felt for the ears and antlers. You can use any elastic for the piece that goes around your head, I used soft elastic used for clothing.

I also made a new front door decoration for the coming of spring. I based it on Saint Brigid's cross. She is often associated with Ireland and Gaelic stories and lore. Her cross is unique in it's shape and is weaved from many types of materials. I used faux grass reed, flower and ribbon for my decor. And on the back I did add some glued spots to keep it together in the outside weather. 

my St.Brigid's cross

So far no birds have decided to use my decor for their nests. It was an afternoon project that I greatly enjoyed making. You can also find many tutorials online about how to weave the middle cross part. Once you get the hang of it it's not too difficult for children to learn as well. Mine is hung on my front door but can also be made smaller and hung on the hearth of ones home.

And now for my pets - goodness me! Our calico got sick and needed medicine. And if you have a large cat (she is 13 pounds) you know what a challenge it is to trick them into taking it. The dog got quite sick after a vet visit, we think he caught something while there. The poor boy, you could tell how uncomfortable he was. Off to the vet (again) to give him medication and a shot, he has since recovered. And the boy cat, my fluffy mutt. He surprised us all! He is newly diagnosed as diabetic. The veterinary first suggested we try a special RX food for him. We return for a follow up next month to see if insulin daily will be the next step.

my boy, Howl cat

So next month I hope to share more projects, new listings in my shop and pet updates! Be well friends. Please be sure to visit my Etsy shop and Instagram, links on the side bar.

Summer projects

It's hot... it's humid... I'm melting away! So what does one do when it's hot, humid and every time you step outside you sweat away 3 pounds?! Why, indoor projects!

I'm working on some little things here and there. I do have a large sewing project I want to tackle but haven't had the room or time for it yet. You want to know why?

Izzy the dog

The reason I can't pull out my huge table to cut fabric on is because - I'm pet sitting! Above is a picture of Izzy, a terrier mix. I am also watching a big ole boy named Willie, along with my own dog (and two cats). My cats out weigh the smaller dog, and they aren't afraid to let her know this (with various forms of hissing). So basically I can't do much with a full house here. 

But I have done a few little projects I'd been wanting to do. I love to put a decoration on our front door each season or holiday. So for summer, I wanted something rustic and a little farm-ish in style. I found these lovely chicken wire, metal letters at JoAnn Fabrics on sale two weeks ago. I picked one out, picked some ribbon and faux flowers and went to town. It made for a nice afternoon project while stuck indoors avoiding the heat outside. 

Don't be intimidated by the above finished piece! You honestly can pick up supplies for under $15 and play around to get something you love. I sometimes use reference photos I see online, otherwise I just let my creativity flow. To hold everything on the wired letter, I used old bread twist ties (since I have a surplus of them). 

I'm also making things for my shop on Etsy. Check it out for what I have up for sale, because these will be listed shortly. I figured with extra doggies around, I could make dog bandannas! Here is the small sized, which I have 2 finished now (different fabrics). The bandanna slips onto the dogs own collar, so no need to tie it on. I use dog bandannas on my own dog all the time. I use it for visibility, since he is medium sized and almost complete tan in color. I also use it for spraying bug spray onto the fabric, instead of the dogs skin. 

my model Izzy, in the fashionable heart print bandanna 

So for summer, it's little things and projects. I'm also already playing with yarn for future winter things. Because... reasons. Because we are all secretly longing for a break from the heat (am I right?!)