Fun and Games

We had our grandson visit us last weekend and we took him to a corn maze. We had tons of fun!

This is the coolest tire swing I ever saw!


He's figuring out where that milk is coming from!


Jumping Beans:


Shucks!


Gramps getting a work out!

Fingerless Gloves and Matching Cowl

What a great gift set! Fingerless Gloves with a matching Oversized Cowl in rich maroon heather.

And if you want to make this set yourself ~ Both knitting patterns are available as well!








Be ready for the cold weather ~~ Stay Warm!

Snowman - Felted Wool Vase

As I sit here listening to the rain coming down, I imagine when all this moisture turns to snow and I can have a real snowman in my yard. That really isn't too far away.. just another month or so.

This cute little snowman vessel is sure to lift your spirits all winter long. He's not just for the holiday season as he can be displayed until February or March!



Enjoy your holiday shopping this year in the comfort of your own home ~ Shop on-line at valeriesgallery.etsy.com or valeriesgallery.artfire.com

Getting ready for Christmas

It seems so early to be getting my shops ready for the winter holidays. Although I am not an early shopper, I know there are those out there that have all their holiday shopping done and stashed away sometime in July. Well, maybe someday I will join that club! Meanwhile, I am slowly stocking my shops for those early shoppers.

And while everything in my shop makes fabulous unique gifts, here are some of the items that have holiday themes. Look for more during the coming weeks as well!

Christmas Candy Dish ~ Felted Wool Green, Red and White:


Snowman Wool Nesting Bowls - He's a stacker!



Christmas Fun - Felted Wool Bowl - Green, Red and Oatmeal



Come on in and browse my shops and enjoy the fun of on-line shopping!
Valerie's Gallery on etsy and Valerie's Gallery on Artfire

Fingerless Gloves

I've been working on fingerless gloves lately and have perfected a pattern for simple, yet interesting mitts!

I love the swirly wrists and the smooth palms! The design really does fit like a glove!


I hope to make several more in various colors, but if you need a particular color or size, please feel free to contact me and I will make a pair especially for you. Or, if you are a knitter, check out the PDF pattern for these fun gloves!



And don't forget to check out this brand new matching oversized cowl!


I will be releasing the PDF file for the cowl pattern in a few days.

Stay warm!!

Apple Season

Here in Central New York, the apples are ready for picking. Apple cider, apple cobbler, apple pie and apple sauce is everywhere.

Here are just a few fun finds from the etsyhookers team that celebrate apple season~~~

This fun apple cozy from UnravelMe is great for bringing apples on the go:


I love this apple coaster set from MonikaDesigns. I haven't had a good yellow apple in a long time... Mmmmm



And this cute little apple pouch from samscrochet is soft and fun!



And don't forget ~~ An apple a day keeps the doctor away......

Enjoy!

New This Week

This week I have been working on a custom order for three photo album covers.

The request was for a 8 inch high and 10 inch wide book with a 2 inch by 6 inch opening in the front. The cover is to be fixed to the book with adhesive by the client and it was requested that it was made with a natural looking wool.

My trial one came out pitiful! But I think I needed to work through it to figure out what works well. The second one came out good and I'll be knitting up the remaining 2 covers this week.



I was also able to get these fun items completed this week:

Felted Card Holder $12


Knit Wool Blend Double Braided Cable Scarflette in georgeous cranberry $25


Red and Grey Felted Wool Bowl $18


All would make fabulous gifts.

Sunday Morning

Daryl and I are in year 6 of a total home make over. We bought an old farm house that really was ready for the bulldozer, but we felt complelled to save it. We spent the first 4 years tearing it apart and now we are slowly putting it back together.

Daryl is getting ready to finish the entry halls and the pantry and I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will be done by Christmas.

And although I wasn't ready to start thinking about decorating yet, I found this fabulous cupboard on one of my garage sale outings. I just had to have it.


This isn't a typical garage sale item. I found a woman who salvages cupboards, dressers and all sorts of wooden goodies from old homes. She strips them and re-creates wonderful accessories for the home. Her work is amazing. The end result is a beautiful and clean re-creation, while the original authentic design remains.

My kitchen is not really a kitchen at all right now. Unfortunately the kitchen is one of the last rooms to be put back together. Of course we have a sink, a stove and a refridgerator, but we have no cupboards. Until I got my wonderful cupboard I stored all our dry foods on open shelving. That is not the best method when the house is filled with plaster dust! This cupboard is PERFECT.


Linda - if you do happen to see this - THANK YOU! I couldn't be happier ♥

Spinning Wheels

I admit that I love a good garage sale. I can usually find some good books or a pretty dish or two for some loose change and I usually go home feeling proud of myself for being so frugal.

And last weekend was no exception. I found several children's books for my grandson and an old spinning wheel for me! It is in rough shape, but I think that adds to it's beauty.


This is definately just for looks and not useable (I wouldn't know how to use it anyway!), but I just love it.

For now, I have it in one of the unfinished rooms where it will wait to be placed somewhere in this old house. I think that a big green plant may look great setting on it. Oh, and in this picture you can get a glimps of the cradle that my father hand made for my daughter 28 years ago.

Quilts

I've made a few quilts in my day. Well, several to be honest. There is something about a colorful, soft, warm quilt to cuddle in that makes me feel happy.

I'm not sure why I haven't made one in awhile. I still have enough fabric to open a fabric shop. I think I just need to have my sewing machine get a good overhaul by a mechanic. Perhaps I can get Daryl to look at it and see if he can make it hum again.

Meanwhile, I was browsing through etsy this morning and I found two fabulous quilts that I would love to own.

I love this floral patchwork by deerviewquilting.



And this one from personaloasis is so stunning. I love how the flower pattern forms perfect circles!


I'm not sure when I will get my machine going again. But in the meantime, I will just admire the beautiful quilts on etsy! I hope you enjoy them as well.

New this week

I've added several new goodies to my shops this week...

Come on in and take a peek:

Felted Wool Bowl with a lovely purple rose. A perfect gift for that hard to buy for woman:



Wavy Fingerless Gloves in beautiful plum - and a matching scarflette, just to tempt you a bit more ~~




A beautiful scarflette / mini shawl knit in a lovley textured pattern in 100% wool for those chilly days ahead.

New Felted Bowl

In preparation for the upcoming holidays, I made this felted forest green bowl with Christmas in mind. Imagine it filled with peppermints or pinecones. It just makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

But really... just for holidays? I think not! This bowl will look fantastic year round holding anything and everything... everything except your breakfast cereal, that is!