Whittle Mushrooms

I have been playing around with my knives again. 

I like whittling even though I don’t really know how. I have carved some crochet hooks and hair pins but then I decided to take it a step further and try to create something more detailed. So I decided to whittle a tiny mushroom. It was easy and fun.

  

I friend from church saw it and asked if I would make a couple tiny mushrooms for him. He knew a girl that loved anything with mushrooms and would like to give them to her. I told him I would and I did. 

If it was warm outside, I would sit outside and chip away but since it’s so cold outside and the projects I do are so small, I am able to drape a rag towel over my lap and whittle while watching TV.

It takes me about 30 minutes to turn a stick into a mushroom. 

I carefully placed the mushrooms inside a tiny keepsake jar and will give them to him at church today. 

It is said that mushrooms grow in wet areas and that is why they are shaped like umbrellas. 

Other fun facts about Mushrooms:

-Mushrooms that are not edible are what they call “toad stools”.

-They can glow in the dark.

-Some can turn ants into zombies.

-They are more like humans than plants.

(Source)

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Branch Weave

I have been having a little fun with weaving lately. A couple post ago, I shared some things I created by weaving on a homemade loom. In case you missed it, you can find it HERE.

Then I learned about a thing called “Branch Weaving”. I looked at a few pictures and thought, “Hmmm, I think I can make that”. On high interest, I kept looking around. What is branch weaving and what do you do with it? Here is what I found.

1. Branch weaving started back 12000 years ago in the Neolithic times. Branches and twigs were interlaced to create fences and shelter.

2. Fiber artist created many different styles of branch weaving and no two are alike.

3. Creators make branch weaving as art to hang on walls. You can find them for sale on Etsy and other sites.

4. Some list for over 800.00! Smaller ones like mine are selling for approximately 50.00 each.

I just wanted to see if I could do it. There is just something about bringing nature indoors and creating something unique. 

I went out into the yard and found a twig from the only tree in the yard. The dogwood tree. 

I brought it in and had my husband cut it to the length I wanted. After a little rough sanding to get some of the loose dirt and bark off, I began stringing it from left to right. 

Then I grabbed a few colors and started weaving, making it up and winging it as I go. I was not sure how it would look until it was completed. 

I just impressed myself with this one. I loved the natural colors. If there was anything I would change about it would be to make the fringe longer. But hey, it’s my first one. Probably will not be my last one. Who knows, I am likely to find more nature to play with with. Stay tuned because I have another idea. 

Sashka -Review

I just purchased more arm candy. I love anything with a beach vibe. I am obsessed with the glass beaded rolled Nepal bracelets. I have several made from different Nepal artisans. That's why I'm excited to be part of SashkaCo's. advocate group.

SashkaCo. offers beautiful hand made jewelry that is delicately created in the valley of Nepal by artisans with passion, skill and love in putting together these one of a kind bracelets. Each piece is created using the worlds finest glass and sterling silver beads. My first purchase of more to come is this beautiful clear/white and gold beaded bracelet.

With every purchase made, proceeds go to empower Nepali artisans to rise above poverty through fair trade. Women earn a living wage that exceeds local minimum wage and get a fair price for their goods.

.....and you get to wear a beautiful bracelet like me! I love how these roll on bracelets are light weight and have just enough stretch to roll over your hand and onto your wrist. They wear good whether your sleeping, working, swimming or working out.

I like wearing mine best in the summer where they can be seen stacked on my arm with several other colors. I get a lot of compliments on my Nepal bracelets and they often become a great conversation piece.

Visit SashkaCo. today and purchase your very own one-of-a-kind bracelet. They even come in plus size and all bracelets are backed with a 100% guarantee.

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This product was purchased by me, for me. 

Reviews and honest opinions are all my own. 

I may receive a small commission with each purchase.

Acorns

Acorns are one of my favorite Fall reminders. They fall from the trees and bonk us on the head to remind us Autumn is just around the corner and then the squirrels will scurry around for the best acorn nuts to stash away for Winter.

I remember as a little girl before my teenage years, my daddy would give me pocket knives. I loved to go out into the yard and find giant acorns of many colors. They were so many swirling with colors of Autumn. I would sit on the steps of our front porch and twiddle out the centers of the acorns with my tiny pocket knife. I was extra careful not to cut myself or mom would take the knife away. I would then string the acorn beads to make a necklace. 

Well, Fall is just around the corner so I thought it would be fun to share some ideas of ways to decorate with acorns. 

BUT FIRST!....Rick over at life101 blog, made a comment the other day saying he thought I should make some acorn earrings and had no idea what made him think of that. I responded to him “ don’t tempt me”. Well Rick, here they are (modeled by my daughter). You gave me the idea and I did it. Haha. 

I made these crochet acorn earrings and kept the natural acorn tops. 

These are one of a kind. I may be making more depending on the interest. 

Buy them here: LiLiDi’s on Etsy 

I love these Adorable wooden acorns. 

They would look so pretty displayed inside or outside and you do not even have to worry about the squirrels stealing them from you. 

Find them here: The Holiday Barn

How about these cute acorn napkin rings? 

They can bring Autumn to my dining anytime. (Except Spring of course). 

Learn to make these here: NewEngland.com

Acorn Marble Necklaces are something I have done in the past but they did not turn out nearly as darling as these little sun catchers.

These would be perfect party favors or used as ornaments too.

Step by Step video at:  Rhythms of Play

How about pulling out a book with you favorite page marked with this fuzzy felt acorn book mark. 

Buy here: Vart on Etsy

I start decorating for Fall on the last week of September. 

During October, I will just add few spooky things to the mix until its over then back to just the Fall look through Thanksgiving. 

How do you like to decorate for Fall?