Now THIS is a Public Art Project-"Yarn Bombing" in Seattle

Today, on a cold, dreary day in the Pacific Northwest, I was driving through downtown Seattle. I'm just recovering from a serious bout with the flu and was frankly tired and grumpy about having to drive "in the city." All of a sudden, I just had to smile.....

While stopped at a busy intersection in Pioneer Square, my eye caught color....bright, vivid color and on TREES! The trees had striped knitted blankets rising up their massive trunks. I just had to open my car door and take a quick cell phone photo, as shown below.

Unfortunately, you can't see the color like I did, but after coming home, I researched "knitted trees" in Seattle and found this article about the art exhibit.

By Jessica Alberg
Whimsical Dr. Seuss trees and light poles are springing up in Pioneer Square’s Occidental Park, thanks to local artist Suzanne Tidwell.

Tidwell is participating in yarn bombing, sometimes considered a form of graffiti, which uses colorful yarn instead of paint or anything permanent. Tidwell, who posted on her web site that she was hired by the Seattle Parks & Recreation department to create an art installation for its summer ARTSparks program in Pioneer Square, is wrapping 16 small light posts, 16 tall light posts, 13 small bollards, 52 tall bollards, 16 flower pots of various sizes, and 42 trees in Occidental Park.

The installation will be up all summer, and the stripes (done in a palette of warm purples, reds, oranges, yellows and pinks) are designed not only to reflect the summer, or wish for summer, but to contrast with the dark, green square.

Before Occidental Park, Tidwell was already yarn bombing. Her yarn bombings have included tree stumps all over the city and a scarf for the famous Fremont Troll. Tidwell had hoped to have her installation up by June 11, the first International Yarn Bombing Day ever.

But the task of covering Occidental Park was too massive to complete by then, so the art project continues. Tidwell has been getting some help, posting a statement on her blog: “So... grab your most HOT, SHOCKING, and VIVID yarns... On your mark...get set...KNIT with me!”

Hopefully it will also bring a smile to your heart on this cold winter night.

EnJOY!

EcoAwareness Public Art Project Just Launched On Kickstart!

I feel like I just had another baby....lol. This past week, I saw a news show about "crowd funding" and Kickstarter. They accepted my project plan and I was just launched today! I'm excited that, if funded, this will provide me the opportunity to share my recycled fiber arts know how with a lot more kids on Whidbey!

Make It Mondays! Cashmere HandWarmer Tutorial

Everything But The Oink means we use everything.....I mean everything of our recycled sweaters and other natural fiber items. It's eco friendly, frugal, responsible and fun to find ways to use every last piece. We even cut up the teensy scraps and use them to "stuff" our Mini Mice, Alien and Monster Buddies and our Bird Ornaments.

When we have a precious cashmere sweater find, we don't want to waste any teensy weensy piece of this luxurious upcycled fabric. So, we created Cashmere HandWarmers, filled with organic lavender and (uncooked) rice for a special treat to keep your hands warm during these cold winter months.

Here's all you need for this simple, easy-peasy project:
A small rectangle of cashmere felted "fabric"
Coordinating length of natural fiber yarn, threaded onto a large eye needle (chenille works well)
uncooked rice and organic lavender buds (optional)

STEPS:
1. Fold your rectangle of cashmere in half so that is square shaped.
2. Sew up all but one side of the square with a whip stitch.
3. Fill the cashmere "pocket" with uncooked rice and lavender buds.
4. Finish sewing up the last side of the square.
5. Heat in microwave for 30 to 60 seconds and then put it in your glove, your coat or pant pocket to keep your fingers warm and your body relaxed from the yummy lavender. :)

This can be reheated and re-used, over and over, and over again...for many years. These would make wonderful Valentine's Day gifts and your children can even sew these up for their teachers and favorite aunts.

Of course, you can make these out of other natural fiber scraps, but the cashmere handwarmer is...well.....just extra special.

EnJOY!

Make It Mondays! Coupon Wallet Tutorial

I made this as a custom order for someone whom loves tea and likes to carry teabags with her in her purse.

As I made it, I thought this would also make the perfect gift for those involved in couponing.

The four "pockets" inside are perfect to organize coupons.


MATERIALS LIST:
Recycled wool felt piece (8.5 inches x 7.5 inches)
Craft felt or thin recycled wool piece (8.5 x 7.5 inches)

TWO recycled wool felt pieces (8.5 inches x 3.5 inches)

Natural fiber yarns, vintage buttons
Large eyed needle (yarn darner, tapestry or chenille needle)

STEPS:
1. Cut out your wool/felt pieces. You want your large inside piece to be thin so that the wallet can fold and so it will be easier to sew all the layers together.

2. Embroider/embellish the large wool piece. Use a large button and attach it in the center. You will use this later for your wallet closure.

3. Now, take your craft felt or thinner wool piece and pin the smaller wool pieces to each end. Blanket stitch these smaller wool pieces to the craft felt AND stitch a "divider" down the center of each pocket.

4. Pin the completed "inside" to the embellished "outside" wool piece. Now, blanket stitch the project together. You're almost done!

5. Take some of your yarn and cut three pieces long enough to go around the body of the folded wallet with a bit extra yarn. Tie these three lengths of yarn around the large, centered button. Now, braid these three lengths of yarn together. Knot at the end. This is now your wallet closure. Wrap it around the wallet and then around the button. Easy access and looks cute too! EnJOY!

4Her Fiber Arts Open Studio This Weekend

My Christmas gift to my fiber arts 4Hers was a two day Fiber Studio Open House, where the kids had the opportunity to come over and spend two entire days handcrafting Christmas gifts.

Sweet Heats (lavender/rice microwave heat packs) and Owl Babies were the most popular creations.

It was so rewarding to see young teens spending their time totally "unplugged" and enJOYing the process of handsewing and using recycled natural fibers.

That was MY Christmas gift!

Projects Galore!

Yes, recycling and then upcycling wool/natural fiber treasures takes time.....okay, lots of time. Yet, it warms my heart to be saving a sweater or other clothing item from the landfill and then turning it into a treasure for someone else to enJOY.

This group of projects is from three months of work, each and every day. That's three months AFTER all of the sweaters, etc. were located and feltedx3 in the washing machine. Yes, lots of time, but also lots of LOVE in each and every stitch. :)

Nuno and Cobweb Felted Scarves

In between new recycled wool creations (check out our Etsy and/or FB pages to see Owl Babies, Alien and Monster Buddies and Mini-Mouse), I've been experimenting with nuno felt and cobweb felt scarves.

I love our hand dyed alpaca and an awesome ramboullet-silk blend (from Crystal Creek Farms) for the cobweb felt. Both art forms are perfect for incorporating little "treasures" of other fibers, yarns and threads. :)

Also getting excited about our first Fiber Friends 4H group meeting in early December. More on that project to follow.....