{inspire}

in·spire (n-spr) v. in·spired, in·spir·ing, in·spires v.tr.

1. To affect, guide, or arouse by divine influence.

2. To fill with enlivening or exalting emotion: hymns that inspire the congregation; an artist who was inspired by Impressionism.

November is a particularly busy month for me…and it’s almost over!!! Can you believe December is right around the corner. Who would guess, especially with all the warm-ish weather around here lately? It certainly makes attending to all those last-minute, before the snow, outdoor chores a little easier to accomplish. I did break-out my pair of Carhartt overalls a week or so ago… silly me!

Most of my gardening chores have been completed (with the help of my goats!). I’ve potted my rosemary plants and made a few topiary forms to offer for sale in my shop. I’ll also over-winter several rosemary pots indoors… rosemary won’t survive MI winters un-protected! My scented geraniums, bay tree and French lavender potted plants have all been re-located indoors for winter as well.

Yesterday, I finally removed all my FALL corn stalks & pumpkin decorations. Even though I semi-decorated a wee bit for the Christmas holidays a few weeks ago (to set the mood for my Holiday Open House), I couldn’t bring myself to taking down the pumpkins ’til after Thanksgiving! I divided my pumpkins between the goats, sheep and chickens…a little treat they all enjoy (don’t forget to split them open)!

We have taken two of my goatie-girls ((Coriander, whom I’m still milking as a first freshener and Cassiopeia, who’s my yearling doe and will be a first freshener next Spring)) to rendezvous with Buck-y Boy (hubby will not ‘allow’ me to keep a buck of my own) for a romantic date! Hopefully they’ve ‘settled’ . I’ve marked the calendar and I’ll be watching for signs of returning heat.

We took advantage of Matt home for the weekend and also shuffled around sheepies in preparation for breeding… just a few ewes. I always look forward to Spring-time and the farm babies – happy happy times!

Besides all the usual day-to-day rig-a-ma-roll, I’ve been trying to keep up with fiber’n projects to re-fill the shop. I don’t mass-produce anything… and the effort to keep a decent inventory can be overwhelming at times! I try not to succumb to the anxiety of it all and continue to do what I enjoy ~ one day at a time ~ but, there’s soooo much more I’d like to do, there doesn’t seem to be enough time for it all.

Here’s a peek at a few simple things I’ve been working on…to inspire you. Perhaps you can gather ’round with family and friends and test your own hand-work. After all, it’s the memories and friendships that are the most important gifts!

I’ve used my crocheted flowers to embellish knitted/felted hats (a Fiber Trends pattern). You could also add a feather, costume jewelry, vintage buttons, etc.

Does anyone wear hats anymore? I guess I’ll find out…

Another wet-felted sheepy pillow. Got WOOL??

 

 …and a simple prim scented pillow/sachet stuffed with scented rose hips made with ‘tea-stained’ striped ticking fabric. Less is more, eh?

Snowmen have the benefit of decorating all winter, and sheep… well, forever!

I cut an oval from wool and blanket-stitched it to the ticking; used old buttons for eyes, embroidery floss French knots for ‘mouth’ and a cinnamon stick (in keeping with the scented rose hips) for a nose, stitched-on with a few prim stitches. But, you could use a twig, needle felt or recycle wool/felt for an orange carrot nose too!

I wanted a very simple, plain sheep…she’s made/stitched on with recycled wool and stuffed with scented rose hips too.

In parting, just a reminder of the many local artisans that will be hosting a ‘free’ Holiday Open House December 3 & 4. Shop home-made. Explore a few (if not all) the local shops & drop-in and say ‘hello’! We truly appreciate your business!