Sunday, June 13, 2010

A cozy to warm my coffee or yours...

I made a coffee cozy for myself about three years ago. I have made several more since than as gifts for friends and family. I started this one about a month ago for myself and I finally finished it this evening. It is made from hand dyed wool, both the felt and the roving. I use a coffee sleeve as a template and cut out the felted wool, I then needle felt and embroider the design.

Once the design is finished I sew a cotton backing to it and blanket stitch a border. They are fairly simple to make and are useful and sustainable. To quote Kelly Rae Roberts from her book "Taking Flight; Inspiration & Techniques to give your Creative Spirit Wings" I've been hearing gentle whispers lately. I have had several people tell me that I should be selling these in local independent coffee shops. There are three in my area within a 25 mile radius. My biggest hurdle is finding the time to make them. I would LOVE to hear how all of you creative, crazy busy, artsy women make the time to listen to your whispers. Post a comment and next Sunday, June 19th, I will randomly draw a winner and this coffee cozy will be yours.

6 comments:

Grace said...

I love the color and the flowers.

My children have relatively early bedtimes so that Mama has some free crafting, emailing, blogging, sewing time in the evening. It is what works for us.

Unknown said...

I love this cozy! I agree with everyone who has encouraged you to market these.

My passion is photography. I take my camera just about everywhere I go, and I'm constantly looking around for frameable moments. If I need to edit the photos, I work on them after my husband and kids are asleep. Or on the weekend when the kids are busy playing with dad.

I've seen moms though who take their craft with them to their child's sport practices, dance lessons, and in waiting rooms.

I hope you find the time you need. :)

Anonymous said...

If I win, make mine fit a large Starbucks.
Sometimes I would get up at 5 am to sort out my contact sheets or finish up in the dark room. Sometimes in the evening (especially when you were out of the toddler stage) I would just spend part of the evening in the darkroom. You and your sister knew better than to just barge in when I was in it. Love you.
Dad.

Cassie Shella said...

Dad-
I used to love hanging out in the dark room with you. I liked the sound of the timer you would use for your enlarger...

she dreams big! said...

Hi Cassie! So glad you found my blog and left such a sweet comment. I hope you'll visit again soon!

Take time to do the things you like to do! The laundry, dishes, dusting will wait! After all, you will just have to do all of that again anyway!

Suzanne said...

I love this! So cute and clever!
It is so hard some days to make time for crafting....so, I have to give myself a deadline to get something accomplished. Although, I've found I must work better under pressure because I usually end up working right up to the self-imposed deadline!lol!

I do take my craft along whenever my sons have appointments, etc. and I usually am working while "relaxing" in front of the TV at night. :)

Keep listening to that whisper, and your friends who have suggested you sell these cozies....they are great!