Baby Presents

Fleece yarn seems to be the "in" thing for edging baby blankets this summer and fall.  Crochet thread with fancy scallops is still popular but fleece is edging out the thread.  Pardon the pun.  Flannel baby blankets with a hand crafted edge are such a fun, fast and  easy project to give to expecting moms.  Babies certainly need a lot of them.  There are so many colors to put on the edges too.  It isn't just a blue and pink world out there.

Start a project for someone you love today.  Yarn is great therapy.

Crafty Classes

Classes filled with creative souls are energizing.  I love it when there is a group of fiber arts or budding enthusiasts trying out new things.  It takes some kind of crazy to step out of your comfort zone and do something new.  It takes some struggle with the unfamiliar.  But what I hear over and over again is, " I always wanted to try this but..."  It's so wonderful to hear a group of people wrestling with new skills.  They laugh.  They giggle.  They frustrate.  But in the end, they come away with a positive experience.

What do you want to learn to do?  What are you waiting for?

Passing on the Passion

Tatting is a rare craft.  Fine thread and tiny knots blend to create lovely lace.  It is one of the most popular classes I've ever offered at the shop.  Lots of people want to learn how to tat like their grandmother or aunty did.  A few people are priviledged have doilies or small samples of the items these ladies left as a legacy but they are fiercely protected in keepsake boxes.  The handcrafted items of our forebearers allow us to touch their spirit many years after their passing.  Learning and perfecting a craft that they valued allows a part of them to continue with us.

Passing on the passion for a craft is an amazing thing.  I recently attended a funeral for a great man where many of the grandchildren talked of the legacy of woodworking and fly tying that their grandpa had left to them.  This grandpa worked with his grandchildren by his side as he produced useful items and toys for play.  He also spent time with these children so that they felt of his spirit and sense of humor.  Both girls and boys spoke of how this grandpa built animal cages and kites and took them fishing frequently.   These grandchildren hold tangible evidence of an enduring love and a skill to continue on with them.

Such is the nature of handcrafting.  It is the item and the experience we value.

The Painted Sheep has added a section of counted cross stitch kits.  There are kits for every interest and skill level.  If you are looking for short weekend project, we have little items with animals, snowmen, butterflies and many more.  There are kits for new babies.  There are beautiful, artistic works that would look good in any room.

Many of our regular customers have asked about cotton yarn for dishcloths.  We have 17 colors of Sugar n' Cream on display now.  Dishcloths are a portable project for travel or wait time.  They are also a gift item that is very much appreciated.  It's not too early to start thinking about your Christmas gift making list.

We are getting new things every week.  We are not on Main Street but it is worth your time to find The Painted Sheep.

This little sign is a bit scuffed.  It has weathered some wind, rain and snow.  It is sitting outside right now in intense sun that would wilt anyone.  It was an impulse purchase shortly after we opened the shop.  We needed to generate some more traffic and one of the suggestions was to place a sidewalk sign out.  This little sign has brought in more people than any one ad has.  Yarn shoppers are a bit attention deficit disordered.  They can be diverted by a simply word. "Yarn".  They are pretty motivated to come check "it" out.  Just give them a ready excuse.  "Yarn".  They swerve over to the side pretty quick.

Like flowers in spring after a short snowstorm, these wooden pins appeared on Monday.  They are handcrafted by Dennis Bertucci over in Boulder, Utah.  There are more colorful in person, so you must come see them.  They make wonderful hair picks for those of us with long hair and they look stunning closing a sweater or a shawl.  I am sure that they won't last long on the table.

Reggie, the shop sheep and the hat models have formed a committee to plan and execute the First Annual Crazy Hat Contest.  The have announced the official entry date to be June 23rd, 2012 with voting to be completed and announced  on June 30.  The voting will be via shop visitors and facebook friends.  Only one vote per person will be counted. 

Rules: All hats made by knitting, crocheting and or felting are eligble.

Catagories: Prizes will be awarded in the catagoies of most colorful, most embellished, most glamorous and most bizarre. 

Prizes:  First place winners will recieve a prize redeemable at THE PAINTED SHEEP (of course).

Reggie and the hat models have already observed many visitors checking out the crazy art yarns and hat patterns so get going now.