Here are 2 more wonderful contributions to the Face of Joy challenge:
Susan’s Joy Piece:
Susan wrote:

Hey Noreen,
Here is my first entry! I had a great time making this. First time all around! I chose a butterfly because they are signs of renewal and Spring is all about renewal of trees, flowers, everything! So I call this Renewal of the heart.
I made the square out of Bamboo Yarn on my Hazel Rose weaving loom 4 inch, followed by my colorful butterfly which I spool knit and the antennas are chenille stem with lil black beads. So as not to attract away from …read more

Today, a wonderful package arrived in the mail.
I was so excited I could hardly stand it.
Last week, a very kind person sent me a note, saying that she had found a book on her shelf.  She knew that I would love it, and was sending it to me.
She also laughed about some of the rather strange projects in the book.
Needless to say, I was intrigued.
The title sounded vaguely familiar, so I googled it and discovered that it was uploaded on several websites.
Wow! I was about to own a copy! I could hardly wait until it arrived!
I have been peering into …read more

Do you have some plain curtains that could do with a little spiffy-ing up?

photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay (copyright)

My daughter, Chloë Findlay-Harder, made a gorgeous set of curtains for her brother and his wife.
The curtains are a heavy, soft brushed denim in smokey green.
Chloë spool knitted cord with Lily Sugar’n Cream in ecru, and then pinned and stitched Celtic Interlaces to the top corners of the curtains. She also did this at the lower edge of the curtains.
They’re beautiful!
If you have a plainjane set of curtains that are ho hum, get out your spool knitter and have fun embellishing them!

This week’s listing of artsy bloggers links has, as usual, some fun stuff for you to check out!

Cyndi always has great tutorials to inspire you. Check out this week’s: She shows how to make absolutely gorgeous monoprint papers.
I just loved Chloe’s tutorial on making woven heart bags, so I couldn’t resist including it in today’s roundup:
A New Creative Journal
Heather Goldsmith is starting a new blog about journal writing.
How to Make Window Envelope Cards
Which do you prefer – the stamped or digital version?
Recycling and upcycling for threadies
My  husband bought me a bag of mystery …read more

Tottie Tomato began her life here on hankering for yarn.
And, she’s undergone all manner of transformations.
Such a busy life for a little tomato!
She now has her own blog in which she and I share our love for spool knitting, crochet, tatting, knitting, small loom weaving, sewing, doll making, puppets, wood working, recycling and eco crafts, to name just a few.
She’s just getting started, but do check her out: Tottie Tomato
Image source: Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

 
A week or so ago, I posted about the silk/wool/eco-spun combination of yarn that I was spinning.
Here’s what I was spinning it for: A ‘Here Be Dragons’ stole that I just designed…..

I’ll be publishing the pattern in a little while….
Image Source: Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

I have been spinning up a storm this past week…..
Here’s some bombyx silk that I’ve spun up and am spool knitting like mad with to finish a project for workshops I am teaching in September.
Spin spin spool spool….
spin some more
spool some more…..
(As I get  things completed, I’ll upload pics. Right now, there’s a million half done projects all in a flurry of studio whirling!)
Image source: Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

 
I love teaching workshops at the Knit and crochet shows….. workshops
I love to bring together lots of different fiber arts in my workshops: mask making, doll making, crochet, tatting, spool knitting, freeforming and all manner of other things unfold in workshops.
It’s always a ton of fun!
Image source: Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

It’s been so crazy busy around here that Jim and I have not had much chance of keeping up with our spool knitters.
A few weeks ago, I begged him to puhleeeeeeeeeeeeeeze spend some time at the lathe for me… so, bless his heart, he picked up his chisels and started turning….. yay!

Ah, bliss….. I love having all that ‘blank canvas’ potential!
And here’s what I’ve been up to in betwixt and between meeting book deadlines…
A Fairy Door Mighty Mamma…..

There were 2 Homages  to Jane Austen, but one of them has already flown away.
This Jane Austen is wearing a blue cloak.

And, last …read more

One of the most common ‘FAQ’s’ that I receive is:
Q: What can I spool knit with kids? (or my 8 year old or 7 year old etc)
A: That depends on your child. When my daughter was tiny, she was more skillful at a lot of the needle arts than many adults.
So, you’ll need to look at different projects and then decide if your kidlet has the interest, manual dexterity, and attention span to take on some projects.
If they have trouble with a small spool knitter, find them a larger one.And, have fun with your spool knitting! and with …read more