Snowflake #1 topper beautifully done in red!

I recently received another order for some topper patterns from the Hickory Stick Quilt Shop in Hannibal, Missouri. Pat (the owner) and Marla (manager) have been very enthusiastic about adding wool felt and wool felt patterns to their store, which is located on Main St. I asked Marla to send me a picture or two of any completed DesignAndBeMary toppers for this gallery – and she sent me this wonderful picture of Snowflake #1 done in reds and whites. It is so nicely done. I like the look created by matching thread colors to the felt colors, letting the design and beading stand out. And those little snowflake ‘buttons’ seem to be made for the piece! Don’t forget to click on the photo for a larger view! Marla said that this was made by ‘one of the girls’ at the shop – Diana Jones. Thank you for sharing this! (By the way – stop by if you are in the area. Their recent order included my most recent new patterns and they carry the National NonWovens line of wool felt.) Please keep sending me your pictures of finished projects!

My last order of Valdani threads.

No, not the kind of threads you follow on the web!! I’m referring to all those wonderful spools, skeins, and balls of luscious colors, various finishes, exotic textures that are always begging to be put to use. I’m old enough to remember when thread choices basically consisted of sewing threads (silk, cotton, some rayons and polyesters), embroidery thread skeins, some variety crochet and tatting threads; I also remember my mother searching hi and low for a good quality metallic thread that she used in some of her tatting work – usually just a gold or silver color! Times have changed and today’s manufacturers bring us an astounding variety of threads to enhance and embellish almost any application. While I have my favorite threads for my quilts/quilting, it was my involvement with wool has led me to more closely re-examine the choices being offered today. More…