Laughing Dog Arts

Monday, January 2, 2012

Christmas gifts

Now that Christmas is over I can show some of the gifts I made and gave away. First are these old wooden spools that I wrapped with fibers and beaded on. I saw them first at Leslie's blog, MarveLes Art Studios.

I've saved wooden spools since forever, finally I found a fun use for some!

They were fun to make and fun to give.
Here are some finished ones with hangers on them.  I thought people might be able to put them on their Christmas trees.

I gave this Dooleybobber #17 to my friend Maggi at To Dream to Stitch, over in the UK.  She didn't receive it until after Christmas even though I sent it 12-12-2011 but that's okay, as long as it arrived safely.

Here are some close ups.  The green and purple "beads" up there are sari silk strips wrapped with kunin felt and zapped with the heat gun to melt the felt.









Last but not least are these bottle snow people.  I used Starbucks frappachino bottles.  They were kinda fun to make too.   Heck it's all fun!  That is why I do what I do.  I guess I will get back to it now.  Hope you all had a lovely holiday season.  What are you planning for 2012?

Be well.
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23 comments:

Mary Helen-Art Saves Lives said...

I love these spool gifts you have made to share. I will try to remember the pop bottle snow people for next year. Happy New Year for 2012! May we all be healthy and enjoy creating our works of art. Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Robin said...

Jan, your work is so so beautiful!! I just love it!! Over the holidays I spent some time going back through your blog and I enjoyed it very much. So much creativity spilling out of you!! You inpsire me!! I happen to have a whole shoe box of wooden spools that I got at a garage sale....you're giving me lots of ideas!!!

sjmcdowell said...

Hi Jan,

A Belated Merry Christmas and A Happy and Healthy New Year to you.
Things were a bit crazy around here for the past few weeks. My mom was in the hospital and I had been suffering with a lot of pain. Mom is better and so am I now.
I look forward to another year of keeping in touch and visiting you here.

Smiles and Hugs,

Susan

Maggi said...

What a great idea for ornaments and those bottle snow people are so cute. I love my Dooleybobber and was so glad it arrived safely. It is now hanging where I can see it often, in my work room.

Emma said...

Lucky Maggi! ;)

Lovely spool ideas, it's wonderful what we can find out there!

Happy New Year to you, here's to a healthy happy creative & lucrative one! (I don't ask for much ;) x

Flowermouse Design ❀ Lone said...

Happy new year, Jan. I love those spools - I would actually wear them as pendants... You have a wonderful creative way with every thing that comes your way. The snow men are so much fun!!!

Nancy said...

Lovely gifts, and I especially love the spools. What a creative use for your long-time collection.

nacherluver said...

What a lovely homemade Christmas!!!
Happy New year to you and yours.

maddyrose said...

Lovely gifts that I'm sure will be treasured by those who received them. You really have a way with combining different eliments to create something beautiful. I love the heart you gave me for my birthday and have had several compliments on it. Have a great week.

Anonymous said...

So much fun and bling Jan, great gifts. Keep having fun. We love it when you do because you give us joyful eye candy. xox Corrine

Glenn Stenson said...

Great, vibrant gifts all! No wooden spools around here, but I have an abundance of empty beer bottles and cans.

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

Happy New Year Ms. Jan. Love the spools and thingamabogs. Fabulous use of materials of all kinds. Love um.
You asked what 2012 holds as far as projects.....well I'm going where I have not gone before, trying some new fiber art. I'll share as I go along and will look forward to your comments. I after all respect your thoughts, cuz your so good at what you do.
Oma Linda

Heloise said...

Happy New Year. The spools are wonderful and very happy looking snowmen.

Susan said...

fun and pretty! Love your new blog header too.

Kier said...

Jan, I found your blog via Matt's "I'm just walking" site. I love your art and your pictorial story of feeding the cows/horses was great! You have a wonderful style. Looking forward to future posts.

Robin Olsen said...

What colorful fun all of these are! The whole post makes me smile.

DVArtist said...

You are amazing!!! Fantastic!
Happy 2012.
Nicole/Beadwright

Laura said...

I had to take a double takeon the snow men...and then I saw what you made them out of...so cool and Love the wooden spools.

Mary Fox of Fox On The Run said...

The spools turned out just beautiful, Jan. Your friend in the UK was probably soooo happy to receive a piece of your art work. I know I cherish all you have ever made for me. Happy New Year dear friend.

DIAN said...

Fantastic spools

april said...

Love your little art quilts! And those spools are beautiful! The snowmen are such fun - I made one a few years ago - an idea from Cloth Paper Scissors, I think at the time. They're darling.

Darlene K Campbell said...

HI,
Your work is very creative. I have lots of spools and now I know what to do with them. Thanks for the inspiration and visit to my blog.
Darlene

Anja said...

pure creativity, got a lot of smiles from me when seeing the lovly playful items on your post. Love the way you done them.

Alles Liebe
Anja