I was putting up my plushie white tree, thinking, I would love a white felt ball type garland with just a tinge of color here and there. I immediately thought about taking cotton balls and wrapping embroidery floss around them...
I went to my stash, pulled out some delicious colors...
And, before you knew it, I was smiling from ear to cotton ball loving ear...
So, here are a few tips in case you want to make your own. I used extra large cotton balls for my garland...
Then, I cut a piece of embroidery floss that was about 26" long. You can use any length you want really. But I found 26" a good length for going round and round to my liking...
Make sure you leave about 3 - 4 inches of extra thread at the end (like a tail), so you can tie your ball when you are done.
Then simply start rolling your cotton ball up, round and round in all directions. Making sure not to tie up your 3" tail.
When you are almost at the end of your thread, simply tie the end piece up, with the 3" tail you left at the beginning.
You will have a little knot on the top now, where you tied the ends together (make sure to double or triple knot it).
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are going to string your cotton balls onto thread to make a garland, you will not be able to insert a needle through the center of the cotton. It will be too dense. You must insert your needle underneath your knot, like so...
Then simply trim the tails off.
What is extra fun about stringing these under the knot, through the top of your cotton balls, is that you have the option of sliding them close together and they will alternate directions all by themselves...
You can also choose not to string them up on a garland, and hang them like berries instead...
Or do both ;)
I hope you try these, they are so much fun, and so easy, and so fulfilling to make.
Now, in the fairy news realm. Some of my beloved fairies are showing their faces this birthday season BIG TIME! So much so, that I cried bliss and touched to the core tears today, as I quite felt like today was my birthday (even though it's on Friday).
You see, there are these two crafty and artsy fairies, who are super talented, and whose work I see every day in my house...
Krista Komis, together with her lovely Mom Sandy (I love Mom and Dot teams, don't you ?) Have a business called Komis Couture, and they make things like -
They added huge amounts of magic to Halloween Day with the parcel below. Did I mention Krista and Sandy make incredible jewelry?? I know. Amazing.
Can you believe that cameo piece? I am in love with it.
These girls are so lovely and kind. They have such giving hearts, and I could never ever express what my and Mister Lovee's faces look like, when we open one of their packages.
So, you can imagine how I felt yesterday when I opened a box filled with this, and it was from Miss Krista and Miss Sandy...
Pinch me! Swoooon.
Of course, I won't peek at all (and that is the truth, I am good at being patient) until Friday. I can't wait!!
I feel a bit greedy, but mostly I feel lucky ;)
As I was showing Mister these goodies this morning, we heard the dogs go bonkers because Fed-ex was visiting us...
With a great big box of fresh cut dream boats sent by a fairy who I was friends with via the virtual world, before she started blogging. Her name? Why, it's Roo (of Roo's Tree house) of course! (never mind my handwriting done with my mouse ;)
Roo is a really special soul. So special in fact, that you have to e-mail her to believe it ;) She is clever beyond this planet and on to the next. She is so so special. When we first became friends, we talked about things we both love.
Including bunnies in the sky. So, I made this for her ages ago, because it really epitomizes what she is like.
Bunnies really do appear in the sky in Roo's world. And they stay for tea, and they tell long tales ;)
I am one who adores words, kind gestures & positive vibes. Those elements are gifts in themselves. So I am always blown away to actually receive parcels in the mail. It is icing on the good vibes cake.
I am so, so touched.
Thank you doesn't feel sufficient.
So, Mister (as well as I) shed a couple real tears, as an effect of how touched we were. And he didn't even make me delete this. ♥ (wipes tears with a hanki...)
I shared with him too, btw.
So this morning, with a heart full of joy and thankfulness, I set out to bake. This mornings eggs were so stunning. The yolks were enormous, and the shells, so thin with such glorious bisque tones...
I made oatmeal, raisin and pecan cookies. I used giant oats Mister gets at the natural grocery store, so pretty. These cookies are so outrageous. You know how every so often, you bake something, and the brown sugar and butter caramelizes just ever so perfectly?
Well, that was today's cookie luck. I sent cookies to my dear sweet Yodi and Mandy at my old job, and to my friend Dick and his Mom. My friend Dick (Mister Lovee's friend for 30+ years, and band mate) stops by at least once a week. He sings like a bird, and is so kind. I video tape him all the time, and have yet to share. So, we piddled on the piano a little today and then he was off, cookies in hand...
I looked through the photos from Luminaria Nights, where I was with my family this past weekend. I loved this shot driving down there. There is a HUGE tree that sits atop a mountain, and I couldn't get a clear shot, but I do quite love this...
It was so cold. I had to buy shoes because my heels were hurting from my feet being so frozen. We found a little thrift shop (so random) and I got hearty walking shoes for 6 bucks. Dad paid, and then hollered, "Happy birthday My Love." He did this loudly, so that all the gals in the shop heard him and giggled madly... Real funny ;)
Lovely shops and galleries...
Then we saw Santa, of course ;)
We had the most unreal dinner at Melio's and lights lights lights...
Then I reveled today in watching Mister and the pup playing and chasing each other around (Mister is on the floor too, but you can't see him).
I sipped coffee made in my coffee press, and watched birdlings fly around...
While other winged creatures taunted each other, and practiced karate moves on one another...
I was mesmerized by ice formations in the garden.
And then, I spent a huge amount of time in Mister Lovee's man chair (of the reclining variety, yes, we have one of those), cuddling with my heart's love of all loves.
Poopsie of my madly in love heart (otherwise known as Matty Matisse). Although, today we played Little Women, and he had to be the youngest ;) (Do you think he will forgive me for this?)
I am so in love with this furry baby. Canoodling with him is like, like, like. I don't know. Free creamy endless, delicious hot chocolate coming out of the tap or something...
-I just ran outside to give my friend cookies, and guess what she said? "Ummm, that is some ensemble you got on there, my friend." Then we both giggled.
What a funny little day.
A funny little day indeeeeed.
Let me know if you make cotton ball garlands. I have photos to share of folks who made clothespin dolls and fused plastic. So much fun I tell ya.
See you super soon. I am about to fire myself from this blog if I keep inundating you with these long posts, goodness!
♥ ,V
ps: I have listened to this on repeat for two weeks now. I just adore Carol of The Bells, and performed this way make me so delighted. Those steel drums make my knees wobbly. I looove them!
