~*Crushed Walnuts & Wool Filler*~

Hello Dear Friends!

I've spent the weekend finishing some projects.  You may be interested in the filler.  My friend, Ginger, shared this with me and I thought it was worth sharing with you.  Crushed walnut shells (Lizard Litter found in the pet stores or pet departments) is a wonderful filler.  It is about the consistency of sand, but cleaner.  It is crushed english walnuts.  It adds a nice weight to your works and will help keep your pins and needles sharp.  Sometimes though, it can almost feel too heavy.  Ginger suggested a mix of wool snippets and crushed walnut shells.  Awesome suggestion!

My latest works have been filled with this combination.  However, I must admit... getting the right mix was a little tricky at first.  Some of my pillows are heavier on one end than the other.  I added too much wool or too many walnuts in big 'clumps'.  Oh well... they are primitive and I'm not going to stress over it.  By the fifth pillow full... it was about even from end to end and side to side.

Wool snippets are the small trimmings left from hooking rugs.  I have bags full as I prefer to NOT throw anything away.  Waste not want not!

 My crushed walnut shells in a plastic tub with a lid.  Inside I store my small funnel (pictured above) and this old creamer.  If you have them, dried lavender buds add a great scent.  I have some in storage somewhere... but haven't run across that box in the store room yet.  (Yes, it is frustrating that we still have so many boxes cluttering up that room!)

My finished pillows without the camera flash...

One is a pattern by Lori Brechlin of Notforgotten Farm.  One is a pattern by Beth Seal of Summer House Stitche Workes.  One is a pattern from With Needle & Thread book by Blackbird Designs.  The other two are my own freebie patterns.

 

And with the camera flash...

I still have these ditties to finish...  two will be needle books and one a small pouch when done.

One is a pattern from Isabella Abbiati of The Primitive Hare and the other two are patterns by Stacy Nash.

 

And I have these hooked candle mats and coasters to complete too.  The glue should be dry around the edges.  No, this isn't a great way to finish a RUG, but it will be just fine for these little things... and quick too!  I'll show you more when they are done.

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty