Better Late Than Never

Better late than never ... I hope Flower Lady agrees.

Back in January I participated in Vicki's, from Two Bags Full,  Grow Your Blog Party.  Many participants offered a prize for visiting and leaving a comment. At my post I chose to do this also. I love the idea of creating a gift for someone I do not know. There's a peace in creating something for someone just out of love for your craft and the love of spreading joy.

 Lorraine from Flower Lady's Musings was my winner. I've been following Lorraine's blog for a while, and I was so happy she was my winner.

I won this adorable handmade pillow from Jessica from Blessings in the Country.

                      

I had already decided what I was going to make for Lorraine. I had joyfully browsed through books for inspiration. I had sketched my design. I had made the fabric for the front of the pillow. Then I got the flu. Ugh! Sitting at my worktable needle felting and sewing was something I did not have the strength to do. For now ...

BUT, after drinking lots of fluids and getting plenty of rest I got better, and I was able to return to creating my special project for Lorraine. I am always in awe of how God created our bodies with the ability to heal themselves.


This photo is of my sketch. Drawing is not one of my gifts so I use cookie cutters and stencils to help me with my sketching.

This is the fabric that I made. First, I knit it on my knitting machine, then I threw it in the washing machine to felt. I used Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool to create my fabric. This yarn creates a felt that is soft to the touch and so wonderful to work with.

Next, I needle felted my design onto the felt. I used cookie cutters to help me with my design. They also protect my fingers from the sharp felting needles.

I added some embellishments. This is my favorite part! I love to embellish things! 

I apologize for the poor photo. The sunlight streaming in the window makes the right side look a bit tan colored. The whole backing is ivory. Photography is a skill that I want to improve. 

                                

I then sewed on the fabric for the back of the pillow and stuffed the pillow with fiberfill.

                               

I hope Flower Lady likes it. 

GROW YOUR BLOG

 Hi! I'm Terry. Welcome! 

First, I would like to thank Vicki from 2 Bags Full for hosting this annual "Grow Your Blog" party. Thank you, Vicki! 

I am most happily married to Gary. I am the very proud mother of Meredith, Rick, Shannon, and Tracy. My children are 26 years old. Yes, all four of them. They are quadruplets. Here's a picture when they were babies. 

 

I also have a furry baby named Dory. 

I am an elementary school special education teacher. I was blessed to be able to stay home with my children for the first 8 years, then I returned to work - part time at first, but full time since they were 14. I am looking forward to retiring. I dream of baking cookies and doing crafts with my grandchildren (none yet, but I'm dreaming) and having lots of time to devote to my other passions.

I love to teach, read, write (in the form of journaling and blogging), take long walks with my girl friend Denise, care for and decorate my home, spend time with my family and friends, craft, knit, crochet, and needle felt. 

I named my blog "Sharing Divine Inspiration" because every morning I have my first cup of coffee with God. I express my gratitude, read a devotional or two, and listen. I listen for Divine Guidance and Inspiration. I then go about my day following that Guidance and Inspiration. I blog to share with you what I am Divinely Inspired to do.

I choose not to blog about my job, however I may occasionally share a good child's book or website.  I sometimes blog about my home and family. I always blog about my creative passion.

My creative passion is hand making felt fabric, then needle felting a design on it, then making pictures, pillows, and handbags with it. Here are a few photos of my projects: 

Above is a pillow I made for my sister. I hand knit-felted, also known as fulling, the green fabric then needle felted the design. Green is her favorite color, and she has a granddaughter named Daisy. 

This was my give away for Vicki's first Grow Your Blog party. I made this using the same procedure as above, then matted and framed it. I used cookie cutters to help me with the house and the heart. The stars are buttons. 

To make the bag above I hand knit, holding two strands together, the bag in two pieces, front and back. Then I crocheted it together and felted it. The bumps on the sides were by accident - I think they were the result of crocheting. I needle felted the design, and attached the handles. I still need to line this bag, then it will be done. I've been making this for myself, so it keeps getting put on the back burner. I am planning to use this as my knitting bag. 

Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I am designing a prize for a visitor from this wonderful party. I don't know exactly what it will be yet, but I can tell you that it will be felted. Just leave a comment on this post, and you are automatically entered. I will announce the winner on February 15 as Vicki requested. 

I am looking forward to curling up in my favorite green chair, with a hot cup of coffee, my iPad, my cat Dory, and visiting your blog. 

With gratitude,

Terry

Slice of Life: Quality vs. Quantity

This morning I was reading Life is a Verb by Patti Digh. On page 66 she tells a story about a pottery teacher who told half his class that they would be graded only on the quantity of their work. He told the other half that they were to produce only one piece of pottery and they would be graded only on the quality of their work. At the end of the story, the work of the highest quality, out of all the pieces, were the pieces from the quantity group. This story led me to think about my students and my felting.

I am reminded that our students must write a lot to get better. I asked myself if I had my students write enough this year or did I spend a large amount of time having them work on one piece. Did I let them choose or did I assign the genre? Did I let them work on more than one piece or did I insist that they complete a piece before moving on to another? Were their Writer's Notebooks filled with ideas and attempts or were they given white paper to write on to turn in? Every June I think about what I will do differently next year. In September, I am going to have a discussion with my students - quality vs. quantity. Something tells me that they will clearly already know what I needed to be reminded. I want my students to produce their very best work, and I now clearly understand how to help them achieve that.

I am a needle felter. A while back I signed up to be a participant in a Peace Felt project. In this project each person is assigned a giver and a receiver. You are to create a piece of art that is at least 25% felt. This piece is to represent peace or unconditional love. You send your piece to your receiver and you receive a piece from a different giver. The goal is to spread worldwide peace and love. Since signing up for the project I have been thinking about and sketching my piece. I have NOT, however, been felting. After reading the pottery teacher's story this morning I will be needle felting daily. I want my receiver to receive a piece of high quality, and I now understand how to achieve that goal.

I am reminded of the saying,"Practice makes perfect." I am also reminded of the old joke, "How do you get to the Metropolitan Opera House?" "Practice, practice, practice."

I have been needle felting! I love it! I bought a beginners kit about two years ago in a wonderful yarn shop in North Carolina call "Knitting Addiction." I set it aside and finally, this summer, I took it out and gave it a try. I am addicted! I love to knit, but it takes a while to complete a knitting project. I can complete a needle felting project in one night. I know what I'm giving as Christmas gifts this year.