Sunday, October 03, 2010

WOOL Envy!
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I may regret this but I have to try it - I just have to! I know you understand - please say you do. :-)
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I have had serious "Wool Envy" for months (OK, years) - so many friends working with wool and I can't. Why? Well, I'm allergic to lanolin - it's a natural ingredient in wool and does not wash out. Liken it to trying to wash the oil out of your hair - can't be done! Over the years I've had to be careful with make up, lotions, etc. In fact I don't wear lipstick because my lips swell like crazy (trust me, it's not pretty). LOL
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Paulette, Kaaren, Karen & Lori are almost finished with a wool pincushion round robin. Paulette just finished an adorable Gingerbread Boy wool mat and I want one. LOL I've received some fabulous mats from Kaaren & Karen - serious wool envy from me. Huge Sigh!
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I've decided to try a project and see how it truly affects my hands. After a quick phone call to my favorite local quilt store The Olde World Quilt Shoppe to check on wool kits my daughter, Kris and I made the trek. My daughter was so cute when I asked her if she wanted to take the ride with me to look for a wool project - she said, "Mom, you don't need another hobby" I explained that it was part of stitching and quilting and she left me alone. LOL Hey Kris :-P
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So, here's my new project - it's been here a few days and I'm completely intimidated! I don't even know what to do first. LOL It's a well known fact that I carry my brain in my back pocket and usually sit on it but today I'm going to pull it out and put it to work. ;-)
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Wish me luck as I embark on a new journey and that I don't hit a brick wall.

(I apologize for the ugly glare)

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Thanks for visiting; please come again soon.
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In Friendship!

42 comments:

Melanie said...

I'm so excited--- You're going to be completely addicted--- I just know it. The colors, the textures and the ease of using wool for quilting. Can't wait to see the pics...

Terry said...

Have fun with your wool! It's going to be beautiful! :0)

Cheryl said...

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that you don't have a reaction to the wool. I love working with it. Easier and faster than applique with cotton! We could have crossed paths at TOWQS. I was in there the last two days and remember someone in the wool corner as I was leaving. Was that you? I have made two crazy wool pincushions per Kaaren's tutorial and love them! Have fun!

Abby and Stephanie said...

A pumpkin project for Fall is the perfect way to start. I admire wool and handstitched projects siince I don't like doing it for myself.

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Oh how cute - hope it works out for you and you can continue to work in wool.

Lori said...

You can do it! It is so easy, fun and forgiving!! If it is going to bother your hands what about using thin rubber gloves?
Love the pattern and your wool!!

Monica said...

Cute! Good luck with the wool. I'm wondering if wearing some latex gloves would help protect you.

Jeanette said...

My lips swell up with lipstick too! I wonder if I am allergic to Lanolin as well. I have never tried a wool project...hmmmm something to think about.

Your little project is darling, I hope you can pull it off. If not, go to the dollar store and buy a package of Latex gloves to get you through until you're finished. You can still feel through them, so hopefully they would work.

Kaaren said...

Yay!!!!!!

Promise me one thing...if your hands start to act up to the extent that you won't be able to complete it, please allow me that honor. I'd be happy to do that for you.

But you know what? You'll do it, just wait and see. And if you need some help, I'm just a phone call away. But heck, if you can do the blanket stitch, you're home free!

Yay! Woo hoo! Hurray! Yippee!

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Hope it goes great for you Darlene! It is a lovely kit. I too love wool projects, have done a few and have a few in queue. I would also be happy to finish it for you if you find you can't work with it.

Unknown said...

Good luck!

May Britt said...

I really hope your hands will not react on this wool. The project is soooo cute. I will try wool someday too when I find some woolfabrics :)

Anonymous said...

Oh Darlene...when there is a will there is a way. I do believe you will be all over this one and if need be I bet some of our wool buds would help you out with a finish! I'm green with envy on those pincushions they exchanged myself! Aren't they just TOO flippin good!!

Cath's Pennies Designs said...

Good luck with the wool project. I hope your hands will make it through! If not, try looking at some flannels. I was just at Joann fabrics and they had a really nice selection of flannels that look so identical to wool, that I had to touch it to make sure it wasn't!
Also, I was told a long time ago from a sheep shearer that the wool loses the lanolin in the hand-dyeing process. So perhaps the hand-dyed wool won't be as harmful to you? I'll be anxious to see your results ..hopefully not skin results but nice wool candle mat results!

Loris said...

Well, I certainly understand :-) Wool is so enticing and the projects that are designed for it don't make it one bit easier to pass up! I really hope you are able to find a way to protect yourself from the lanolin so you can enjoy this really lovely pumpkin table mat. Thanks for the link to the quilt store. They have some nice projects kitted up.

tami said...

Primitive Gatherings is a good place to start with wool. I love her patterns (including the 3 I own and haven't yet started).
I hope you can do it. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you.

quiltmom anna said...

Good luck with the wool project- it looks like the perfect fabrics for your mat. I hope that you will be able to complete it.

Your schnibble quilts turned out beautifully too. Thanks for sharing.
Regards,
Anna

Yvette said...

What an adorable kit. Good luck, I think you will be hooked.

Quilter Kathy said...

I love the look of wool projects and have a friend who makes gorgeous things, but I just don't like how it feels in my hands :( I can't get over disliking it and just prefer the feel of fabric, so I'll keep quilting! But look forward to seeing what you create :)

Rita said...

I am so jealous that The Olde World Quilt Shoppe is your LQS. We went to Phoenix last year and I was able to visit that shop...I absolutely loved it! It's a beautiful shop. Good luck with your wool project.

kathy said...

I just finished that same project! It was fun to make. I hope you enjoy working with the wool. I am doing more with wool than with cotton anymore - it's pretty addicting! Have fun.

Kathy

Karen said...

I am saying a little prayer for you that your hands don't swell up like one of those pumpkins you are going to be stitching. If they do swell, package up the kit and mail it to me. I will finish it for you.

joan said...

Oh I hope you won't be sensitive because I can hear the desire you have for wanting to do this... I have not contemplated this yet but knowing me It will hit me after I see your beautiful projects!Enjoy!

Allie said...

Darlene, can you wear latex gloves, like the doctors do? Maybe that would help. Wash your hands real good after working with this, too, that might help also. Stock up on Benadryl Itching Cream just in case. I LOVE the project you picked - and I can't wait to hear how you do, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

Oooh what a gorgeous bundle of wool! Your project is sure to be fun! Just don't work at it too long at one time~ easier said than done, and maybe it won't bother your hands too much. Good luck! As for where you carry your brain, that happens to most women when their brains out grown their heads. ;-) Do you know that story? LOL

Kim Brackett said...

Super-cute project! Love the pumpkins. I hope you're able to hands are up to working with the wool. I know you'll be good at it!

Thelma said...

I've been fascinated with these adorable little wool projects too! Yesterday I ordered my first kit, a snowman mug caddy I saw in the latest Mcalls quilting magazine....Good Luck to us both!

StitchinByTheLake said...

I've made that pumpkin mat and love it - the stitching is easy and if your allergy allows it you'll want to do many more. blessings, marlene

sunny said...

I hope it works out for you! I'd like to try some wool, and I bought a small pattern at a quilt show a couple of weeks ago. They didn't have the right colors of wool, though, so it's still in a To-Do pile.

Lindah said...

Neat colors and a neat design! I can identify with your allergic, swollen lips. Maybe this wool has had most of the lanolin processed out of it. I hope it works for you. Looking forward to seeing a pic of your completed project!

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh wow! That wool is gorgeous! And it is such a cute pattern! I hope you can work with it. You might be good. My friend here is allergic to a lot of things and wool clothes, but she is fine sewing wool projects.

Elzaan said...

Well, you will never know until you try. If it really affects your hands, why don't you try wearing powder free surgical gloves? It will probably ruin the experience while working with it, but you can still admire your work afterwards.
Looking forward to see your work.
Elzaan

QuiltSue said...

I hope you have loads of fun and no problems with your allergy. It looks like a lovely kit.

julia said...

Hi Darlene!
My fingers are crossed that you won't have any problems due to your allergies!! xxx (oops, it seems that I have a third hand with fingers to cross...would be nice this would speed up hand stitching...but I disgress).
Have fun with your wool project ~ it's something I always wanted to try, too, but I thought I didn't need another addiction to indulge in ;).

Janet said...

Hopefully you'll be fine because of the washing. Good luck, it's a great pattern.

Sparky said...

Darlene, after my own heart with wools...lovely colour choices..keep us watching...blessings madame samm

Dresden Quilter said...

Good Luck! But I am sure you will not need it.

Wendy said...

You picked the best project to start, I love that one and have the pattern but still haven't make it. Lets hope the wool is done with a different process than the old days. You know there are lots of back up people if needed but I know you'll be fine.

Carole said...

Alright, I think I have to start way back! Yes, it is the same pattern! Off to time travel! ;o)

Nanette Merrill said...

Your progress is good. I've really not worked with wool. I hope you get to finish it without a problem.

Dawn Heese said...

Beauty supply stores such as Sally Beauty supply sell very thin gloves. These gloves should be thin enough for you to do the wool applique with ease and save yourself some misery.

Carrie P. said...

Starting of nicely with your first pumpkin. Great wools. I love working with wool.

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