What a week! We moved to a new nest last Friday! Debra then proceeded to get under the weather for a couple days, dropped "our" laptop which sustained considerable injury so we have been MIA in the virtual world until today!

This new next well new is hardly the word for it, it is even older than Debra :) actually built in 1840's an apparently Victorian Gothic style. Debra goes for that kind of thing! Without further ado welcome to our new nest! Follow the Fowl!

It is Fowl Friday with Fran & Freda AND moving day! Actually we aren't really do much moving as we are boxed up in our nest inside of one of the many bird cages Debra seems to collect!

 Freda was sure we would be riding in style in the front seat of a limo to our new home but I told her basically "when pigs fly". We are lucky we are in a bird cage and not encased in bubble wrap in a large moving box!

Speaking of "when pigs fly" which means something is totally absurd, not ever going to happen. The origins of the phrase are traced back to the Scots probably in the 1600's, they have a dry sense of humor as well as being witty. Lewis Carroll in Alice in Wonderland has the Queen using the expression and is probably the first well known reference to the phrase. 

So what do pigs look like when they are flying well not nearly as graceful as we chickens but at present a display of sculptures entitled "going with the wind" at Kingsbrae Garden has a whimsical example of the pigs in flight! Till next Friday Follow the Fowl! Fran & the "fabulous" Freda (she inserted that herself, typing with one toe, I said she should have picked a much shorter word and thank goodness for spell check!)

I have been having such fun lately with Rit Dyes and my favorite wool felt from National Nonwovens plus I love to needle felt so my pen tool from Clover came in handy to add dimenssion to the dove.

What you will need.

Rit Liquid Dye Aquamarine, Fuchsia, Lemon Yellow
2-9" x 18" pieces of Natural Wool Felt by National Nonwovens

2 ounces polyester stuffing

4 yards of white craft thread

1 yard black craft thread

Measuring Cup & Spoons
Spoon for stirring dye
2-Gallon Container
Large Pot for heating water
Rubber Gloves
Plastic Table Cover

Westcott Brand Scissors

Cutting Mat

Clover Pen Needle Tool

Ruler

Embroidery needle
Pencil

Cardstock

Pattern (enlarge 50%)

Step 1:

Prewash felt pieces to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.

Cut  ¼ piece of felt off one 9" by 18" piece.

Step 2:

Cover work surface with a plastic table cover. Wear plastic gloves.

In a large pot, heat 4 cups of water on the stove until very hot, at least 140° F.

Dye Preparation: Wearing rubber gloves shake dye bottle and measure 1/2 cup of Aquamarine with 1 cup hot water. Stir well to mix dye and water.

Carefully transfer 4 cups heated hot water into large dye container. Pour dye solution into hot water and stir well.

Immerse a piece of wool felt in the dye bath and stir continuously for 10 minutes. Add 2 yards of craft thread to dye bath. Stir felt. Allow the felt to remain in the dye bath until the desired shade is achieved. Color will appear lighter when dry.

Remove the felt from the dye bath and squeeze out excess dye. Rinse in cold water running water until the water runs clear.

Repeat dyeing process with Fuchsia dye.

It is Fowl Friday with Fran & Freda! It is gardening time once again. Debra won't let us near her plants. She is like an elephant, :) she never forgets. All because we forgot to water a couple pots while she was away.

We thought the watering can was a new perch, who knew! Now that we are moving to a new home in a week with a lot of garden space not sure Debra will let us anywhere near the garden. Our fear is being given mower duty! ugh! Feathers are flustered! Freda feels faint!

Till next Friday! Follow the Fowl!

Continuing with my playing with dress forms. Dress forms have been around since the Middle Ages. In the Middle Ages the aristocrats had dress maker forms which were the exact measurements so they did not have to be bothered with fittings.

 Miniature versions were made wearing the fashion designed for the aristocrat which could then be sent off to a family member or esteemed friend to be recreated.

During the industrial revolution the dress form became very popular and today for designers as well as serious home sewers in indispensable tool allowing for design draping and fitting of garments.

I have designed a pin cushion using talented Tim Holtz's dress form die for Sizzix. Using wool felt from National Nonwovens which will keep pins and needles both sharp and together.

Cut two pieces of wool felt 3 1/2" x 6" and cut dress form die from fabric.

Blanket stitch around all four sides leaving opening, stuff lightly and finish blanket stitching closed. Use fabric glue to adhere dress form, embelish with ribbons and buttons. Enjoy!

Sew Inspired! 

Well it is about time for Fowl Friday, remember me I am Fran! Debra has practically forgotten our existence, well not entirely she does feed us and keeps the nest tidy but! ....we are surrounded once again by boxes, a big flurry of activity with another moving day coming up! Apparently the new place is some sort of historic home on the river, ugh water, hopefully we won't have any water sports in our future.

Freda has tried water skiing and it wasn't pretty, first the bikini of choice well let's just say itsy bitsy does not work with Freda's figure. Strings can be problematic too lets just say once again Freda did a lot of dangling in very awkward revealing poses!

Debra is a romantic, flowy dresses, lace and lately Victorian crazed especially dresses and dress forms. Her favorite Sizzix die at the moment Tim Holtz's dress form die for Sizzix. Wonder if they ever wear out?

Our biggest fear is the tiny lace outfits we see being fashioned, not sure but they look fowl sized! Yikes! Follow the Fowl!

 The Designer Crafts Connection hops this month with Vacation Crafts!

In Canada we are still celebrating Canada Day long weekend and with the 4th coming up for our US friends I decided to craft up something very quick and easy to take to any party, a wine bottle topper. Using a sparkly tag, some pretty ribbon and flowers. I made a loop with the tag so it can be reused by the hostess!

Check out all the other great vacation crafty ideas from our talented group of international designers by clicking on the Designer Craft Connection Button! Happy Hopping

Happy Canada Day!

from Monkey McSockers!

Needle felting with Wool Wisps from National Nonwovens and Styrofoam Brand foam is one of my very favorite techniques. The above design I created for the 4th of July can also be adapted very easily for the Canadian July 1st celebrations. Photo courtesy of and complete instructions are available at CraftsnCoffee.com.

Crafty happenings, the talented and divine Ms. Margot Potter is on the new TLC Craft Wars show hosted by Tori Spelling. Can't wait to see her! Trailer promo http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/craft-wars/videos/on-the-craft-battleground.htm

Have a creative week! Follow the Joy!

I have always believed Life is simply a love story, it is through loving, caring and sharing we connect with the world. It gives life meaning, value amd richness. This photo from the Sculpture Garden at Kingsbrae Gardens in St. Andrews speaks of love so simple and yet so expressive. We just see love, feel it and know it captured by the shape and placement of four rocks. How wonderful is that!

In visiitng the gardens over many summers from the beginning has been a true gift. The beautiful garden arbor was quite bare for the first few years but now is glorious! To wander through it was lovely this year.

Kingsbrae Gardens has evolved, grown with the years and the seasons, creating a space with all of nature's bounty, with woodland trails, formal gardens, water features, children's fantasy hideaways, animals, whimsical and striking sculpture all set high on a hill with the ocean breeze constant in the air! A place filled with creative inspiration! A joy! Happy weekend everyone!