Mason Jar Warmers

My mason jar warmer is in the running for Cold Antler Farm's mason jar cozy contest! She asked readers to post photos of their creative solutions to insulate canning jars for holding hot beverages. You can stop by Jenna's blog to view the post and leave a comment to put in your vote at:

http://coldantlerfarm.blogspot.com/2011/11/warm-jar-flash-mob-part-2.html

You can also find more of them in my Etsy shop at:

http://www.mountainhearth.etsy.com/

I hope everybodys hands are staying toasty out there.

It's cold outside!

Mushroom Hunting

With the rain and mists of Winter in Oregon comes one of my favorite reasons to go out in the woods. Mushrooms. Wildcrafting for fungi is a delightful way to spend a November afternoon, and my enjoyment of these excursions often carries over into crafting inspiration.

With Chanterelles piled all over my counter, in my dehydrator and in many of my meals last year, I started making these little Chanterelle mushroom folks. I found just the right color of orange wool felt, and stitched up their wavy little caps.

I made little translucent white faces from clay to give them a little extra character.

Here's my King Bolete among the oak leaves.

And  brightly colored Amanita toadstools are a lot of fun to play with. Just remember not to eat them.

It's good to take time to enjoy the fungus among us.

You can find more of these little mushroom folks in my Etsy shop here at:

http://www.mountainhearth.etsy.com/

Garden Goddess

It's late Summer and gardens are bountiful. All the gardeners are busy harvesting, and baskets are spilling over with ripe fruits, squash, carrots, potatoes, onions, greens, garlic and tomatoes. Many folks are proudly wearing dirt under their fingernails on a daily basis.

 The Garden Goddess is smiling on us.

I needlefelted this seasons figure from soft, colorful wool roving in honor of late Summer. You can see more pictures of her here on my Etsy shop:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/74251325/garden-goddess

Homestead Sunrise

Roosters crowing at the break of dawn, the sun peeking up over the mountains, fiery colors on the tops of the trees, woodsmoke curling out of the chimney...there are so many wonderful things about mornings on the homestead. It just makes a person want to get up early!

I have needlefelted this scene on a couple of occasions, and this is my latest one. These homesteaders have planted a small orchard beside their winding stream. I imagine they're sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee and getting ready to go out and start the morning chores.

You can see more pictures of it here on my Etsy shop at:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/74248832/homestead-morning-felted-wool-wall

The Birds of Fern Ridge

Living close to a large reservoir and wildlife refuge that is a major stop along the west coast's migratory flight path, this is the time of year when I've got birds on the brain. They're everywhere you look. All sizes, shapes, colors and songs. I spent a Saturday vending at our local Wings and Wine festival, and made this wall hanging in honor of our fine feathered friends. A canoe paddles across the lake in between stands of marsh grass and cattails. Redwing blackbirds sing, great blue herons stand stately and tall, swans glide across the water, a mother duck is followed by a row of fuzzy yellow ducklings, and overhead a "V" of Canadian geese prepares to land. Fern Ridge Reservoir is a haven for birds and bird watchers alike.

You can find more pictures of this one on my Etsy shop at:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/74249628/the-birds-of-fern-ridge-felted-wool-wall

Giveaway on the Wooly Moss Roots Blog!

My dear friend Taryn is giving away one of my cast-iron skillet grabbers and mason jar warmers over on her blog, Wooly Moss Roots! Stop on by at this link:

http://woolymossroots.blogspot.com/2011/05/mountain-hearth-handcraftsgiveaway_17.html

for a chance to win!

Giveaway!

Be sure to head over to my other blog, A Mountain Hearth, to enter my giveaway in honor of reaching 100 official blog followers! I'll be sending off a handmade bird's nest, a cast iron skillet grabber and a mason jar warmer to the three winners.

You can follow the link here at:

http://mountainhearth.blogspot.com/2011/05/100th-blog-follower-giveaway.html