Needle Felted Garden Motif

I just finished this "garden" - needle felted florals on a hand-dyed wool background.  Usually I turn these pieces into wall hangings, but I decided to frame this piece instead - in a rustic old wooden frame I've had for years.  I'm thinking old windows would also be nice as frames for some of these felted pieces.

Framed needle felted "garden" on hand-dyed boiled wool background

Measures 11" x 13 1/2"

$70

Available by contacting me rdyer@nexicom.net

Close up detail

Handmade Buttons - Fun with Sticks and Branches

I took a break from hooking and felting projects yesterday and had fun with sticks and paint to make these rustic buttons.  I selected a nice sturdy branch from my yard, sawed it into disks, drilled button holes, and painted the designs.  The buttons have been sealed with acrylic varnish to make them more durable.  I would suggest that they be used on knitted, crocheted, or other craft projects, since wooden buttons wouldn't stand up to constant laundering.  If item must be washed, simply handwash it in warm or cold water, and blot the button dry with a towel.


I intend to make more wooden buttons, and have put in a request for beeswax from Wren Lane Honey - one of the vendors at the Lakefield Farmers' Market.  The beeswax will provide a lovely protective covering for the wood.

Rustic Wooden Buttons
Set of four - $10
(SET OF HEART BUTTONS - SOLD)
Available by contacting me at rdyer@nexicom.net

Upcycling

Anyone who knows me, knows I love to recycle, upcycle, find new ways to use old things!  Years ago, I was given these whimsical drawer knobs, and just held onto them until I could find a useful way to incorporate them into a project.  They seemed to go perfectly on this old wooden board - painted and decoupaged with colourful paper - great for hanging all sorts of things in the kitchen....... tea towels, utensils, dried herbs ....

Colourful Kitchen Hanging Rack
Measures 29" (including hardware handle on right side) x 5"
$35
Available by contacting me at rdyer@nexicom.net
SOLD

Rug Hooked Chair Pad

A little black bird perched on a heart!  This square chair pad was hooked in primary colours on burlap.  The piece measures 11 1/4" x 12 1/4", and would look sweet on an old chair or stool.

Rug Hooked Chair Pad
Wool hooked on burlap
(Measures 11 1/4" x 12 1/4")
$40
Available by contacting me directly at rdyer@nexicom.net

Rug Hooked Sunflower Wall Hanging

This bright,cheerful sunflower design was hooked with a variety of beautiful handspun, hand-dyed yarns on burlap.  The piece measures 25" x 14 1/2" and would make a lovely wall hanging.

Sunflower Wall Hanging
Yarn hooked on burlap
(Measures 25" x 14 1/2")
$150
Available by contacting me at rdyer@nexicom.net

Rag Rug

Several  years ago, a friend in Lakefield showed me how to crochet rag rugs.  I used colourful, recycled sheets, tore them into strips, and machine-sewed the strips together.  Then I began to crochet the rug.  I made several over the years, and they were very popular. But, after a while, I found that the  ripping and sewing became too tedious, and I stopped making them.  I still love the look of rag rugs, though  - so when I was "gifted" a bolt of 2" uncut fabric  (i.e. one continuous piece!!!), I was inspired to make this pretty little rug!  At 28 1/2" in diameter, this would be a perfect bathroom, kitchen or bedside rug.

Rag Rug
Muted tones of rose, green, cream
(Measures approx. 28 1/2" in diameter)
Unavailable - the colours in this rug looked so beautiful in my bathroom that I decided to keep it for myself....

Rug Hooked Sheep Wall Hanging

I was recently gifted a "bushel full" of beautiful hand spun, hand dyed wools by a generous neighbor who no longer works with textiles.  After spending hours just drooling over the fabulous colours and textures of the wools, I decided that this guy would be the first project using my new stash!    I especially enjoyed working with the gray nubby wool that was used for his coat.

This piece would make a lovely runner or wall hanging (loops have been added so it's ready to hang).

Spring Sheep
Wall Hanging or Runner
(Measures 21" x 8 3/4")
$150
Available by contacting me at rdyer@nexicom.net
SOLD

Branch Hooks - Fun with Sticks and Branches

This past week, I've been playing with driftwood, twigs and branches.  The weather has been so warm, it's been a real treat to go gathering up bits and pieces from around the yard!  To make this useful little item, I decoupaged a piece of wood, and added two twig "hooks".  This would be great in a kitchen to hang tea towels, or dried herbs; in a bathroom or bedroom for necklaces and bracelets; or a mudroom for, maybe, the dog leash!

"Decorative Hooks"
Wall Mounted, decoupaged backing with twig "hooks"
Measures 8" x 5 1/4"
$30
Available by contacting me at rdyer@nexicom.net

Rug Hooked Wall Hanging

I call this new wall hanging "Still Life."  The old crockery pot filled with colourful padulas (that's the word in the hooking world for imaginery flowers), would add a warm and rustic touch to any room.  The piece was hooked using a variety of yarns on burlap, and is all ready to hang.

Hooked Wall Hanging "Still Life"
Yarns hooked on burlap
(Measures 21" x 16")
SOLD

Upcycled Coffee Bag Floor Mat

I was given this beautiful burlap coffee bag a few years ago - it was meant to be used as burlap backing for rug hooking.  But I couldn't bear to hook over the beautiful logo.  I finally got the idea to cut out the pattern, and affix it to a piece of recycled lino flooring - and turn it into an original floormat!  Several coats of urethane have been applied, making the mat waterproof and easy to wipe clean.

Floor Mat - Burlap on Recycled Lino Flooring
(Measures 28" x 17 1/2")
$40
Available by contacting me at rdyer@nexicom.net