2

My blog has moved!

3

You should be automatically redirected in 6 seconds. If not, visit
http://makingchickensalad.com
and update your bookmarks.

4
DSC_0175
I just finished some super last minute gifts... Button rings (inspired by April's)
DSC_0158
and a little owl purse for Josh's niece (inspired by Elsie's super cute owl bib)
DSC_0160
with pink lining, of course!!

I hope you have things more in order than I do at this point!

xo
`
))

Do you need some last minute handmade gift ideas? Join the party at Handmade Sentiments! There you will find step-by-step instructions for the following five projects:

*LEATHER BOW KEYCHAIN
*FOUND PAPER & FABRIC MINI-NOTEBOOKS
*LACE PATTERNED COASTERS
*LEATHER BRACELETS
*DOILY WREATH

All projects use basic materials and are perfect for giving!

Here are some sneak peaks from the private blog...
DSC_0662
DSC_0684
DSC_0780

To purchase, simply click on the button below--the one-time fee of $14USD gains you unlimited access to the private blog. Hope to see you there!






I picked up the November/December issue of Selvedge yesterday and thought I would share some of the pretty photos with you. There is so much inspiration in these pages!

I have not attempted a granny square yet, but my yarn remnant bin certainly has enought bits to give it a shot at this point...

These needle felted dogs are so sweet!


Perfect.


Singers and sequined puppies? Sold!



I love the scrapbook feel of the layout. Nothing is overly polished or perfect, yet everything works together in just the right way. So pretty!

In case you are looking for us, I have a feeling there will be a lot of this going on over the winter break... Someone I know LOVES The Polar Express!



A little preview of a few of the cowls that will be in the Katherine Handmade shop this afternoon... Henry is home sick today (boo, fever!) so I am hoping to enlist his assistance in a little photo shoot so I can get these puppies listed!

Liane was one of my first (and has been a great returning) customers and I was so happy to see this little video of her. If you have not already, check out her Etsy shop, Enhabiten. I just love her work and her style!
DSC_0062
DSC_0048
DSC_0029
I just listed three of my cowls in the Katherine Handmade shop...
DSC_0060
DSC_0052
I had fun making the labels to sew inside.
CSC_0024
DSC_0010
And Henry had fun playing with the camera. Now I'm off to see what kind of a mess he has waiting for me downstairs...



There will be a visitor in my little studio tomorrow, so I have been trying to get things tidied up. Cleaning and rearranging furniture are synonymous in my house--for some reason I feel the need to shift things around when I am doing serious cleaning!

And, making a rare appearance in this place is someone who has apparently taken a liking to my newly finished cowl! I lobbying hard for him to wear it to work tomorrow, but so far he can't be convinced. Maybe I will have to learn to make socks...

I made a cowl! I plan on making a few more of them today and experimenting with appliqueing (how do you spell that word?!?) bits of lace (go figure). I will show you how they turn out!
4161437738_e824daa6b9
I am home from my trip, and for some reason I am having a hard time getting back into my routine! I have had bloggers block about writing this post. Quite frankly, the thought of capturing the weekend in a blog post is completely overwhelming! I will say that I was beyond thrilled to meet Jamie, Janel, Nicole, Rachel and her beautiful family, Jen, Talisha, Kristin,Katie, Angela, Mandy and Kim (who have the cutest mother/daughter relationship!), Elsie and Jeremy, Erin and Will, and Haley.
035
One of the most exciting aspects for me is that Janel taught me how to crochet! I have avoided learning this skill like the plague (always seemed too fussy), but now I am slightly obsessed.
DSC_0623
I actually have a good use for all of this yarn! I have already completed one project...
DSC_0624
But this is not it. :) Inspired by this adorable owl clutch I bought from Elsie,
DSC_0625
I made this pug purse. Go ahead and laugh--it's pretty horrible! I think I need some more practice...

On a totally unrelated note, I joined Twitter this morning. There is a little link on the sidebar if you want to follow me.

Hope all of your weeks are going well so far!

Please watch this video, and take a few minutes to find some old episodes of Anything I Can Do. I hope you love Mag as much as do!

TUTORIAL: WOOL CHERRIES CHARM

DSC_0553
This is a quick little needle felting project to spruce up any handbag or luggage of yours. If you have never needle felted before, please visit Kay Petal's website for an introduction to this amazing craft. The Felted Ewe sells all of the necessary supplies (including some really good starter kits) and also offers free instructions.
OK, let's get started!
DSC_0532
You will need:
*An 8" piece of latigo lace (available in the shoe section of any drug or big box store) *Wool roving: natural colored and red
*felting block and needles
*key ring (for this project, I like the ones that swing open)
*green felt
DSC_0533
DSC_0535
To begin, fold your leather lace in half. Holding it in the middle of the keyring, pull the ends through the loop in order to secure it to the ring.
DSC_0536
Tie a knot on each end of the leather.
DSC_0537
Wrap a length of natural colored wool roving around your fingers in order to form a loose ball (about the size of a golf ball), making sure to leave an opening in the center.
DSC_0538
Slip one of the strips of leather though the middle of the sphere
DSC_0539
DSC_0540
and use your needle to felt the wool into a ball shape. Please watch your fingers--those needles are sharp!
DSC_0542
Repeat to create a second cherry.
DSC_0543
DSC_0545
Using your needle, adhere a layer of red wool to each cherry.
DSC_0548
Cut two little leaves out of felt and use hot glue to attach them to the back of your cherry stems.
DSC_0551
And you're done!

These are really quick to make and are great last minute gifts!