DIY a Pressing Mat? Wool, yes, I think I can!

Let me preface this post by saying that when you add up time spent and supplies, yes, it may have been cheaper for me to click the "pay" button. But for me, I don't always DIY something to save money or time. I just simply love the creative, inventive process of DIY!

In the quilting world, there is an endless number of things on the market to magically make me become an amazing quilter....I admit to falling into the trap more than once. I love watching videos and going to quilt shows to be mesmerized by demonstrations of quilters' tools. I must admit, I am blown away by the abundance of ingenuity in the quilting world.

Trending this year....the felted wool pressing mat.

Oh, yes, I wanted one when I saw them being used....c'mon, admit it...you did too!

I love my DIY iron board, but what if I had a felted wool pressing mat? Could my quilt pressing be sooooo much more satisfying?

I had to know.

This post was created after visiting many online stores placing the magical felted wool pressing mat into my cart only to leave it abandoned in the virtual aisle waiting to be put back on the shelf by the virtual stock person because the DIY voice in my head kept saying, "Hey, I wonder if I can make one?"

I have no idea if my felted wool pressing mat performs like the ones I left abandoned in my cart. I do know that creating this was fun and it felt kind of adventurous because I could find no DIY,  made from scratch, felted wool pressing mat tutorials on the world wide web.


So, this is my adventure creating a felted wool pressing mat.....

I crocheted a large rectangle using inexpensive 100% wool yarn. I got tired of crocheting at about 38 x 28 inches and figured that was good enough for my experiment.



After stitching in my loose ends (not sure if this matters but it feels necessary).
I tossed my rectangle into the wash with some towels and set the machine to HOT. I added a drop or two of detergent and closed the lid, pushed start and hoped for the best!

I have some experience in felting so I knew this was going to require patience and a watchful eye. One of the important things to note here is that the spin cycle will create creases in your hours of crochet (don't ask).....do not let your machine go to spin!

It took 5 cycles to get my nicely crocheted rectangle to become
this ---------------------->

I know, it doesn't look very impressive but wait...










 Shaving is a very important part of a felted piece's beauty. Shave, shave, shave...a lot!










Shave it some more...trim it and oh my!     

                                     It looks like it could be a REAL felted wool pressing mat!

Let me say again, that I don't know if my DIY felted wool pressing mat performs like others but I am pretty impressed with the flatness of my block!








My mat is not as thick as purchased mats but it still works well and I can use it on any surface without worry AND I created a hinge in mine so I can take it with me to classes. I can use it open if I have room or folded if I have a smaller space....HA!...Two sizes in one!

My finished size is 26 x 12. Those of you with math skills can figure the shrink percentage precisely but I'm going say as a general rule make your square or rectangle 50% bigger than the size you want to end up with should you want to go on this adventure.

I love my DIY felted wool pressing mat!

Serendipity Shopping Day

**Sigh*** It's Friday already....I know, I should be excited that the weekend is here but I was looking for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday this morning....I don't know where they went...can't find them anywhere! Not surprising though, have you seen my sewing room? It's a wonder I can find anything in there. I guess I should spend some time straightening up in there this morning.....oh, wait a minute...I said it's FRIDAY...that means it's Serendipity Shopping Day!!! Oh thank goodness, I can get out of that "organizing" stuff and go wonder through some shops that treasured mine this week.



I love surprises! Can't wait to see what I find in them...lets go shopping!!!

Lovelace Designs has a fun shop filled with themed picture frames and room decor. I like this one....my boys were in the band in high school, this would be a nice way to frame a band picture, don't you think?

I don't have any little baby girls but at The Crochet Lady there are some things that make me wish I did! I love baby shoes...so very cute!

If I was a jewelry maker, I might have to consider purchasing some beads from ArcadiaBeads. She has so many beautiful handmade beads...how do you choose?

Nina at Creatingwithni has such an eclectic collection of things in her shop. Supplies, paper crafting items, crochet, shoes....the list is long and you could linger awhile in her shop for sure!
Aren't these polymer clay flowers cute?

Doesn't this cowl look cozy? It's still cold enough outside to think about stylish things to keep you warm. At DivineLuluCreations you might just find the perfect pair of fingerless gloves!

I just had to add this wonderful piece of work to my shopping list today. I have been following Sandy's blog but I have never wondered into her shop, QuiltinCats .

Today I did.

I love, love, love these cute little mug rugs! She makes them while on the road with her husband traveling here and there, how fun is that?

So, that's it for me. I really must get to "organizing" my sewing room, it's a mess and I have projects calling me to be completed. I need to move them up on the procrastination list.  

I hope you had fun shopping with me today!

Serendipity Shopping Day

 It's Friday...well, at least it was when I started writing this post! Then my hubby decided to whisk me away for our anniversary...oh darn!

He is my fishing dork who ties his own flies and is pursuing his BS in Physics at the ripe old age of 50. 



He keeps me on my toes, he loves me even when I've spent waaaaay too much time on the computer and he cooks!

 Thank you, honey,  for 23 years of fun, frustration, joy and serendipity!


It's been quite a ride!!!


Hubby said I could go shopping for an anniversary gift so I thought I would begin by checking out some of the awesome shops who treasured my shop last week!



Let's go see what surprises we can find in these marvelous shops!











My first stop is Water Colors n More She has these beautiful vintage earrings, I think they are so sweet !










I also wanted to look at The Pretty Do Good Erin makes these super cute sparkly dinosaur necklaces and they come in lots of different colors.










I found this surprise package at Audrey's Buffalo Creek Crafts I wonder what's inside...you know I love surprises!












SunDevonaDesign is a shop that has amazing unique handcrafted jewelry.
I love this Eiffel Tower pendant, it reminds me of my sister.We traveled to Paris together and had so much fun!
                         






I  sew, but never for myself. TheSlightly Sarcastic Seamstress is my kinda gal!
Besides making beautiful aprons...she's slightly sarcastic....now that is a trait I am familiar with, it runs in my family!

Here's a pretty purple (love purple) scarf I found in NekozukiYarns, I think I'll add that to my list too!

I know a lot of people who collect ACEO's after seeing this one at TheVenusCollection, I think I might have to start collection

Hmmmm, I might have to ask for an E reader just so I can carry it around in this super cute tote I spotted at Simplynotesandtotes












Waterrose is owned by Rose and she is a wonderful textile artist. She makes these beautiful fabric cuffs. So pretty and lots to choose from too!

I wandered into Toppytoppy and found so many wonderful crochet and hand knitted items it was hard to pick just one to share with you. She is quite the yarn diva!

I told my hubby I would have to put something from AnitaSperoDesign on my list. I have always been fascinated with art that re-purposes things. I love this framed art piece!

GypsythatIwas is a fun shop too! So many wonderful, crazy fun items in her shop. I love these pink bubble gum earrings, so pretty for spring!

I am amazed at how many knitters and crocheters there are out there. DivineLuluCreations is a new Etsy shop that makes beautiful, warm fingerless gloves, hats and scarves, these are my favorites!

My last stop is another new Etsy shop. CHARMATIONS creates wonderful elegant  jewelry pieces. This piece is definitely on my list!






Wow! That was quite a shopping trip! My feet are tired.....I need a glass of wine and  a snack from the food court. I think I'll hand my list over to my hubby and let him decide what I want for my anniversary!

Thank you so much for shopping with me, I hope you got some nice things for your anniversary, birthday or just because list!

It's A Serendipitous Shopping Day

Whoo Hoo! Friday is my Serendipitous Shopping day
 (I love surprises!)

During the week various shop owners have treasured some of my shop items. I love that!
It's always a surprise to see the beautiful treasuries put together and right there amongst so many crafty things is something from my shop!

Making treasuries takes time and a good eye for color doesn't hurt.

They most often are be put together as part of a team challenge and are a tremendous promotional tool for the Etsy community.

I could show you the treasuries but I thought instead I would like to "pay it forward" and share with you some of the wonderful things in the shops of the crafty people who treasured me this week!
                                   
                                                 So, let's go shopping!!!


 For the pet lover, you might shop at   clasergraphic   for a special pet keepsake.




   Spend A Moment in Paradise with beautiful candles and delicious smelling things to sooth the soul.




     Aloha Cookie Girl    has fun tags and   cards and wrappings straight from Hawaii !        








 Dine in Style makes cloth napkins and coffee cozies but this dinosaur bank is really cute too!

Tonebelle has lots of very nice crochet items and lovely jewelry too!

Sky Blue Designs 2  creates beautifully stunning  mixed metal hair clips

                   


At  The Burlesque you will find fun and stylish totes and clutches

Nekozuki Yarns knits and handcrafts wonderful things to wear




 If you visit Amydscrochet you might find wonderful crocheted things like this afghan (it reminds me of my Grandma, she made lots of these)
                   

And of course, it goes without saying that I love to go to the fabric store. Maras Fabric is a place to find all kinds of great fabric without getting into the car.

                                                
Who knew you could crochet a swiffer cover? Audrey's Cozy Crochet did! What a great idea!

  Sassy Pants  creates simply fun and beautiful jewelry. I love the beads in this bracelet!                    

Wow! That was a lot of shopping! I hope you found something you thought you could not live without!

                                               Have a wonderfully serendipitous weekend!!!