Stinging Nettle Fiber

Who knew that this amazing organic fiber could be made from the Stinging Nettle plant.

 It's a bit difficult to crochet with as it's not as smooth as most other fibers and has no stretch to it, but it has a great rustic look and becomes softer the more it is handled. I am pairing it up with these lovely chunks of quartz to make a wearable earthy art piece.

 On my work table.

It's my current work in progress.

karen

Fiber Vessels

Fiber vessels in the works.

 Made with my own hand spun wool.

 Just the beginning of something great I hope.

karen

Meditative Stitches

No patterns or rules...

just stitches...

and texture...

and me.

karen

Earthy

Wishing for the snow and ice to be on their way.

Longing for sunshine and a walk in the woods.

Missing the earthy smell of the outdoors.

Just to sit a while and listen.

Not to speak or think.

Just to be.

karen

Winter

Quiet

Cozy

Crochet 

 Cold

 Winter

karen

Home Grown Cotton

Cotton is one of my favorite fibers to work with.

I love cotton yarn and fabric and was always curious about how it looked and felt in it's natural state.

Recently my sweet friend Marcie sent me a package of cotton that she had grown herself.

I think these are so wonderful!

I should have gotten some photos of these before I unwrapped them.

Marcie had wrapped each one (a box full) in a beautifully hand stamped paper to keep them from getting tangled together.

A few days later, I received some seeds from Marcie so I can try to grow some too.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Karen Ann



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Grand Reopening

Hello everyone!

I am happy to say that UMELECKY has reopened with a new line of products for you and your home.

For right now, I have listed several Natural Jute Items and some Linen Apples.

I am working on some New Jewelry Designs and will be listing them soon.

Crocheted jute baskets, containers and mug mats.

Linen Apples

Please stop over and take a peek!

Thank you all so much for your time and your kind comments!

Hugs!

Karen



Upcycled Decorating

As winter approaches, I am compelled to change the look and feel of my home to something warm and inviting. You can create a whole new look without spending a lot of money just by moving things from one room to another or upcycling something old into something new. I've been finding some interesting pieces at my local thrift store for next to nothing, as well as some forgotten treasures packed away in boxes in my basement. Crafting with things found in nature is another way to freshen up the look of your home and it doesn't cost a thing. I'm having a lot of fun with this idea...a sort of challenge to do a home makeover for free or almost free. I'd like to share my ideas, so I'll be posting some of my decorating tips here on my blog. I'd really like to hear about your upcycled decorating ideas as well.

The first project I'd like to share is a new set of kitchen curtains that I made from some old muslin tab panels. The panels were my living room drapes about ten years ago and were stashed away in a box in my basement. I cut off the tabs and hems, stitched two of them together end to end, then folded the top down to form a casing for the rod to go through. That's it. Fresh new curtains that didn't cost a thing.

The windowsill needed something new too. I filled 4 thrifted spice jars with some moss and pebbles from my backyard to create some tiny terrariums. They will keep me thinking Spring during the long winter months ahead.

Total cost for these window makeovers was about 50 cents for the thrifted spice jars. I love the new look and it inspired me to wash those dirty windows.