And the Winner of Giveaway #2 Is.....

Carapace is the winner of the Daikini Pincushion giveaway!  She was randomly drawn and will soon be the keeper of a Folk Craft treasure.

Congratulations, Carapace! And to everyone else: THANK YOU for entering!!  I will continue to have giveaways in the future, though the next one might not appear for another week or so, so keep checking.  Thank you for following, and for the lovely comments!  :D

Super-Cheap Bamboo Roving...Kind of!

Giveaway:  I am extending thecurrent giveaway till Sunday or Monday!  The good news is that this means you still have time to enter if you haven't!

{ On to the Post... }

For those of you who spin, I just wanted to share a rather economical (and eco-friendly) discovery I made recently!  The other day I was in the fabric store and searching from some fiber fill for plushies; I was looking for one of my favorite ones, but didn't see it.  Instead, a bamboo fiberfill caught my eye.  I love bamboo, so I figured I would get it.  Upon closer inspection, though, I didn't think it would be exactly what I wanted; it looked too dense.  But it also looked....like something else.  What did it look like?  Roving!!  It looked like something I could spin!

So of course, I purchased it.  I didn't know if it would work or not, but I figured that if it didn't, I could just go ahead and use it for my original intend purpose anyway, right?

I did indeed spin a little sample of it this week, and it works!  That is, it easily spins into a string that won't fall apart.  Granted, it is not nearly as smooth as roving intended specifically for spinning would normally be.  However, it's all a matter of taste, and I personally don't mind a little bit of "ruggedness" in my yarn!

The price of a 12 ounce bag was $9.99 at Joann Fabrics.    After a minimal amount of internet research, it would seem that the average price for actual bamboo roving would be about $25 to $35, depending on where it was purchased.  

Conclusion:  bamboo stuffing is a dream come true for me!!  The texture of the fiber works well enough and the price definitely works.  I am very pleased.  :)

Another Giveaway? Seriously?!! YES.

Okay, I have been in the bad habit (again) of not keeping the ol' blog up to date.  Forgive me, I will probably have ample time this weekend.  

But in the meantime, be sure to check out my friend Mandi's blog, sewredplanet.blogspot.com, for a truly radical giveaway!!  She has a sweet garden clutch that is just begging to be filled with tubes of strawberry lip gloss and organic tea tree oil antibacterial spray for your hands....err...um...that is, if you're so inclined.  

Enter now!!   {  Please.  :)  }

GIVEAWAY No.2: Daikini Pincushion

Here it is, my second giveaway!   This time, I am offering you the lovely--and, as always, handmade by me--Daikini Pincushion.  Why is it a 'Daikini' pincushion?  Well, first of all, I'm a huge dork.  (In case you didn't know that.)  And the fabric I used for the top was purchased because I saw it one day right after watching Willow, and it TOTALLY reminded me of the blanket the Daikini baby was wrapped in...totally.  Did I mention I'm a dork?

Okay, here are the oh-so-simple ways to enter:

If you would like one entry, simply follow the blog, but make sure you leave a comment here to let me know you're following!  

To enter again, visit the shop, folk.etsy.com, have a look around, and come back here to let me know which item is your favorite.

To enter a third time, mention me in your blog, twitter, etc.  Be sure to let me know in a comment!

Basically, each comment is an entry, so if you're doing all three of these things, be sure to leave three comments! :)  The winner will be drawn someone on Saturday, June 27th, using a random number generator.  GOOD LUCK!

(PS--pins are shown for an example and not included...sorry!!)

Just a few good things....

Sweet new goat kids (they're so TINY!)

Green beans, homegrown in our garden.

Soon available at Folk!

And the Winner Is.....

LUCKY PACKET!!

A number has been drawn using a random number generator, and Lucky Packet, you are the winner of Folk Craft's First Giveaway contest!

Thank you all so much for following the blog, entering in the contest, and leaving such lovely comments.   :) 

I would like the Folk Craft Giveaway to be a regular event, so I will try to post a new giveaway next week, possibly Monday...?  We'll see!

And don't forget to tell your friends so that they, too, have a chance at winning!

HAPPY WEEKEND!

Day Trip to Newton

Before I forget--I want to say Thank You to all of you who have been leaving such lovely comments on the blog, and who have been blogging about me!  I truly appreciate it and be checking out all of your blogs shortly if I haven't yet.  And don't forget--it's not too late to enter the current Folk Craft Giveaway!

CUTE fabrics from Charlotte's Sew Natural

Now, onto the post.  Recently Biscuit (my mom) and I took a trip to Newton, KS.  It's a small town north of Wichita, but surprisingly crafty and very hip!  It is such a pretty lil' place; I highly recommend you visit sometime.  There's Pages (an indie book store), The Beadery which sells quality beads and yarn (they're still up and running, though their blog hasn't been updated in a year!), Charlotte's Sew Natural, a clay and ceramic shop, and probably some I don't know about.  AND, there are a couple fabulous thrift stores.  I found some great vintage skirts at The Et Cetera Shop!  The Et Cetera Shop also sells hand-woven rugs made from recycled materials--yay!

I didn't end up taking pictures of everything--like the storefronts, which would have been great--but here are a few shots from the day.  Hope you enjoy!

Butterfly Mobile

I have seen a couple different paper mobiles on Etsy--mobiles always fascinate me for some reason--cut from the pages of books.  I love the way this looks.  So, of course I had to try it for myself!  

I took a book I didn't care much for and the result is...well, it's not horrible, but it's not great.  I chose to make a butterfly mobile; I usually don't like butterfly motifs, but I sometimes do end up making butterflies in various pieces of art when I think it's appropriate...I thought this was appropriate! 

I think I know what I might do different next time.  And next time I post I'll tell you what I do different!  But anyway, it's kind of cute floating in the corner of my room.

PS--don't forget, it's not too late to enter the giveaway!  (See the last post).

Folk Craft's 1st GIVEAWAY!

Yay!  It's finally here!  I have been thinking/talking about a giveaway for a while now, and I finally have something to offer my lovely and loyal readers.  

This prize is a cute lil' garden wristlet.  It is one-of-a-kind and handmade by me!  It measures approximately 7.25" x 4", and is printed with silhouettes of garden vegetables, (from a stencil that I created.)  The outter fabric is white with very subtle, light green pinstriping.  It is fully lined with an awesome sage green fabric, the same that was used for the wrist strap.  Zipper opening, and lightly padded with eco-friendly bamboo batting!  Yay!

Now, HOW do you enter?

To enter, simply follow this blog (the 'follow' button should be seen at the right of the page.

Then, to make your entry final, leave a comment on this post!

If you want a second entry, go to my shop, folk.etsy.com, have a look around, and come back to the blog to tell me which item is your favorite!  

If you want a THIRD entry, mention the giveaway in your blog and let me know!  

The winner will be chosen NEXT Friday, June 19th, using a random number generator to draw your number.

Good luck!

Cats are bad.

....I'm just saying.

I have just received my FIRST blog award!! The "One Lovely Blog" Award, from the Divine Miss Mandi of Red Planet! If you haven't already, you MUST look at her lovely and lively blog!!  

I am so honored to receive this award and hope that I can keep it lovely for y'all in the months and years to come! 

The rule is that I must pass this along to 15 other blogs who are deserving.  But, as Mandi also said, I am fairly new to the world of blogging and don't know if I can pick 15 that I really want to give the award to!  So I will pick a few gems.  Check them out!

grrl+dog

CraftLit: A Free Podcast for Crafters Who Love Books.  (A seriously spectacular podcast!) 

purse-onality

I didn't sign up for this.

oh, hello friend.

tout-est-des-roses

everyday beautiful

Fleeting 

Red Planet (yeah, she already has the award, but I have to mention her!!)

If you are one of the blogs I listed, join in and share the love with 15 other blogs you think deserve this award.  (Or you can choose the appropriate number!) :)

And again, take a look at these lovely blogs, because they are lovely.  ALSO--if you know of any lovely blogs I should be reading, let me know in a comment!

Randomness

A random exercise; because I need some room to play, I need to ramble meaninglessly, I need some color, I'm feeling slightly uninspired as of late...(and I especially like pretty pictures.)

1. Roses...well, roses are always beautiful.  I love the scent of rose, especially this perfume.
2. Handmade hair barrettes by me; perhaps these will end up as part of a giveaway?  ;)
3. I am loving lace, and I believe I have mentioned that by now.  Some gorgeous vintage lace that was given to me by a church friend!  I need to start making more bloomers...
4. Ladybugs are not only lovely but beneficial to organic gardeners, as they eat unwanted pests.  I love it when I see them in the garden.
5. Embroidery floss from France: lovely, silky, and so brilliant!  Just one of the many, many things on my want-to/need-to-do list.
6. A flower from a friend...when I took out my watercolors the other day, I couldn't believe it had been 7 years... 
7. I have a bunch of thrift store sweaters just waiting to be washed, ripped, soaked again, wound into a ball and then knit into something totally different!  I WILL get around to it some day!
8. Geraniums have such a unique smell.  The oil is good for a mosquito repellant, among many other things.

Update!

I am soooo bad about updating!  I can't say it's because I'm too busy; I'm in a bit of a creative rut.  So I've been taking some time to do a bit of "housekeeping" where Folk is concerned...here is one of the fruits of that labor!  I now have a facebook fan page.  SO, if you're on facebook, become a fan!!  :)

Bread and Buttons

{Bread}

I had a gloriously glorious morning of homemaking!  Who knew baking bread and doing the dishes could be so much fun?  (Well--the dishes were tolerable, anyway.)  I've never actually made bread before, but, I'm kitchen-challenged!  So go easy on me.  This is an old favorite recipe of my mom's, and it is so simple that even...well...even I can do it!  It tastes wonderful, too.

ENGLISH MUFFIN BREAD

2 1/2 to 3 cups all-purpose flour

1 package active dry yeast

1 tablespoon sugar

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cup water

Cornmeal

In large mixer bowl combine 1 cup of the flour 

and the yeast.  In a saucepan, heat water, sugar, and 

salt till it is warm (110 - 115 degrees), stirring to dissolve 

sugar.  Add to dry mixture in bowl.  Beat at low speed 

with an electric mixer for 30 seconds, then beat for 3 

minutes at high speed.  Then stir by hand, mixing in 

enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough.  

Shape into a ball.

Place in a lightly greased bowl; turn once to grease 

surface.  Cover; let rise until double (about 1 hour).  

Punch down.  Cover; let rest 10 minutes.  Grease a 1-quart  

casserole or bread pan (depending on the shape you want, 

of course,) and sprinkle the pan with cornmeal.  Place 

dough in the pan; sprinkle top with cornmeal.  Cover and 

let rise until double (30 to 45 minutes). 

Bake at 400 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes.  Cover 

loosely with foil if top browns too quickly.  Remove from 

dish; cool.  Makes 1 loaf.

{Buttons}

Today I made use of some charming little vintage buttons from my button stash; these items will soon be found at the shop!  I think the buttons add that perfect little touch...

{And just a little note:}

I am hoping to have a GIVEAWAY sometime in the very near future!  Maybe next week?  I haven't figured out the details yet.  But be sure to follow the blog so that you don't miss out!

Apron Giveaway!!!

Okay--it's not my giveaway, it's a giveaway sponsored by the AWESOME group I'm part of, Wichita Handmade!  And you can thank Shelly for creating this lovely masterpiece!  

To enter to win, simply stop by the Wichita Handmade blog, become a follower, and leave a comment; the winner's number will be randomly selected by a number generator.

Good luck! 

Yummy Yarn! {My Etsy Finds}

This evening I took up the old wool 'n' spindle, 

went outside,

 and worked on the lovely, though slightly unimpressive, length of yarn 

I've been working on since...um...January?  Sure doesn't look like I've made a lot of progress. 

Hopefully someday I'll be able to make works of art like these, 

but until then, 

I'll just have to ogle the fiber on the internets!

Okay....this hasn't been made into yarn yet, but wouldn't it be gorgeous??  Maybe I'll treat myself...

{libertyfibers.etsy.com}

{sparkcrafted.etsy.com}

{kittygrrlz.etsy.com}

{larimeloom.etsy.com}

{LHogan.etsy.com}

{Trizy62.etsy.com}

{loop.etsy.com}

And, hey...a girl can never have too many spindles, right? 

{3gwoodworks.etsy.com}

Homes that Hang

Just a few sweet little house ornaments I made last week and forgot to share. 

(And yes, they are available at the shop!)