Long absence, long update...

It feels good to come back to the blog; my absence was unexpected.  My father passed away on Sept., 1, 2012.  I lost my desire to post or even work on stitchery for a long time.  It is amazing to me how much energy grief takes.  He was a very gifted man, especially with his hands.  I like to think he was proud of my talents.  Here are a few things I have been up to:

These crocheted sweater pins were created in honor of my good friend Brook Sellers.  We have talked on the phone an average of once a day for over twenty years.  Most of those years we lived 3 miles apart.  She is a partner in "craft-crime."

So, I got carried away with the flowers.  They are crocheted with a DK or sports weight yarn, then edged in a size 5 perle cotton. 

I also got it into my head to make acorn sweater pins.  Funny thing to do in March.....

So, I got carried away with these, too.

  They are knitted in wool, felted, then are added to a real acorn cap and amenities.

I tried my hand at amigurumi, Japanese for "small crocheted or knitted stuffed doll."  The owls stand approx. 3" tall.  These are crocheted in sock wool and are nestled in crocheted and felted wool nests.  The white is merino wool.  These are toasty owls!  So I got carried away with these, too.  They are ridiculously addicting to make.  Even my 15 yr. old enjoys seeing whatever one I have finished.  The following are close-ups: