In a Retail Store Near You!

Boot Cuffs are in The Shoe Closet in Cochrane, AB! (By the way, they have super cute shoes. Definitely go check them out if you're in the area!)

On the needles: Boot cuffs, scarf, mittens, and one more wedding blanket!

In the plans for Crestmont Christmas Fair: Felted mittens, slippers, bags; also some regular knit mittens (full and fingerless).

In the plans for personal: Ginko Shoulderette Shawl available for free on Ravelry! (I want this for Victoria in November!) Yarn to use: Yummy Yarn Studios (from Calgary, AB) in their Ruby Colourway, with sparkle.

Yes, the title and the link are correct! I'm now in a retail store near Calgary, AB. The Shoe Closet is a locally owned and operated store in Cocrhane, AB. They were looking for someone to commission boot cuffs from, and I was the one that they chose! I'm still super stoked about it. They've been so popular that I'm making another small batch for her to deliver Friday for this weekend, and then I'll restock the rest next Thursday. Definitely go check it out! They're awesome. And Danielle is super nice. So happy about it all.


Otherwise, that is a super long list on the top. I'm looking to have quite a bit of winter stock for the Crestmont Christmas fair, and I have my fingers crossed to get at least two bags done in that time (I've got some Scottie-dog appliques that just NEED to have felted plaid bags to go on~!).

So, that's what I've been busy with.

News: I'll be at the Crestmont Christmas fair November 2 and 3. I'll give you more details in week, and I can give you a sneak peek at the items I'll have! 

I've also come to a decision about my Etsy shop. I am reopening it the weekend of November 10. I don't know if it'll be the Saturday or Sunday, but I'll let you know the closer we get. Which day mostly depends on how much I have to photograph!

Also, I am going to start having a systematic update of every couple of weekends. So, the update after that will be the weekend of November 24, and I'm going to set that update for November 25. This follow my boyfriend's schedule of week-in/week-out, leaving me time to work on stuff and to photograph it.

Now the only thing is is that I will be out of town from November 16-21. So anything ordered between that point will not be shipped until November 23-25. So if you want custom order mitts or anything like that, now's actually the time to order them!

Otherwise, keep an eye on the Facebook page and Twitter; I'll be posting some pictures on there leading up to November 2.

What I have also been considering is doing a video podcast. What would you all think of that? I would be talking about what I'll be putting up, what I've got in the plans, and etc.This would likely be put up the day before I do shop updates (so Friday/Saturday). Just a thought. Then I can give you a tour of my new craft room! This is still brewing in the back of my mind, though, so we'll see. :)

Other than that, just been super busy at work and with commissions. And I have my fingers crossed that the Crestmont Market is super busy!

So, message me on Facebook, contact me in the comments section, or however you want to find out about custom orders, or come see me either at the last Calgary West Country Market I'm doing (October 27, ~8-2), or the Crestmont Christmas Fair, November 2 and 3 (Google search to find)!

Type at you later!

Katie =^..^=

And Now, A Review! Cariboo Butterfly's "Little Hoot" Needle Felting Kit

On the Needles: Blankets

In the plans: Socks; shawl; sweater; felted goodness.

So, a couple months back (unfortunately! I've been slow on this process) I told Jen over at Cariboo Butterfly  that I would review her new needle felting kit! I've been looking to learn how to needle felt 3-D objects, so this was a perfect opportunity for me, and Jen has been super patient in waiting for me to actually review her kit. 

The kit was packaged up super cute, and it includes all the supplies you need for one owl, including a twig to perch him on when all's said and done! 

I tried to take process pictures to show you folks what all is included in this kit, and how my owl turned out. The instructions included on the CD were super easy, with lots and lots of instructional pictures. Jen has done a really good job putting this kit together for everyone who has never needle felted before, or whoever wants to learn how to do more shapes and etc.

This kit is an excellent craft kit to do with older children. Because of the sharpness of the needles (I even poked myself a number of times, and it hurts!) I wouldn't suggest that young children participate in this craft. But that's OK. Older kids (and kids at heart) need crafts, too!

 

By the way, love the foam; I've 2-D needle felted purses before with a brush, but the foam is much more forgiving!

This is the fibre (which is 100% Corriedale wool). The main body colour was a gorgeous dark brown, and sooooo soft! 

I just wanted to squish it all night. haha

Jen is awesome, and includes two felting needles!  This is super important, since the needles can break easily; I broke one as I was finishing my owl body.

Fibre! There's just over an ounce included here. Which makes this little owl body:

Now, I was bad. I didn't follow Jen's instructions to the tee. I more took to heart her blessing to be creative with her kit. So, instead of a rounded owl that was pictured on her kits, I went with a more modern, squared off owl:

Square owl body! So cute. I love it!

And this is the front of my finished owl:

And the back!


 If the kit isn't enough, then she also has a video tutorial.








Jen was very thorough in putting this kit together. I would recommend it for anyone and everyone (from older kids up) that wishes to learn how to 3-D needle felt. It taught me how to do it! And I have enough left over fibre that I'll be making a kitty-cat face and putting together a pussy-cat and owl mobile. Super excited about it, so keep your eyes open for pictures of that soon!

If this review has piqued your interest in needle felting, or Jen's other work (she makes amazing hand-felted soap!), check out here site here at Cariboo Butterfly.

Take care, everyone! And stay way from the tips of those felting needles! haha

Katie =^..^=