Smile And Wave

Yarn Stash Pom Pom Ornaments

Note: This post was created in partnership with Voya Financial. All thoughts and fantastic pom pom making skills are my own. 

I love switching up our Christmas decor each year in some small way so I've learned to get resourceful. It allows me to respect the budget and spend that hard earned money on gifts instead! I have stashes of beautiful vintage glass ornaments from years of thrifting but our toddler has made it quite clear he is not to be trusted with breakable orbs. I realized I would either have to leave the bottom half of the tree bare or come up with an easy, inexpensive solution for adding some color to our white tree.

I started brainstorming ornament ideas after seeing some of the projects shared by the ever resourceful Holiday Hall, who has been sharing creative holiday ideas and tips over on the Voya Financial Facebook Page. My studio is full of random yarn cut offs, and leftover mini skeins from weaving workshops so I decided to put them to work. I'm not a traditionalist when it comes to Christmas colors so I gathered my favorite shades and my trusty pom pom maker and worked through two holiday movies on Netflix while cranking these out. I love the texture and color they add to the tree, but even more so, I love that it cost me NOTHING to change things up this year.

Here's what you need to make your own...

SUPPLIES

Various coordinating fibers from your stash

Clover large pom pom maker

scissors

 

Open your Clover pom pom maker and start wrapping your first color in the middle of the arm. Then wrap a different color on either side of the first color so that they are generally the same thickness. 

Add a third color almost all the way across the arm to cover the first two colors. Put the arm back in place and repeat the process on the opposite arm. 

Cut the yarn by placing you scissors under the yarn on one of the arms where there is an opening that looks like a gutter, for lack of a better term. Repeat on the other arm while holding the flat sides of the pom pom maker as shown. Then cut an 12" length of yarn and place it in the blue gutter so that it wraps all the way around and pull tight. Tie a knot, tighten it as much as you can without breaking it, and then tie another knot. 

Gently remove your pom pom maker and trim your ornament until you have a lovely round ball. Repeat, repeat, repeat!

If you have kids, this is a fun way to employ their pom pom making skills! Make plenty more and string them into a garland, top your presents, or add them to your stockings for extra texture. It's such a useful way to use up your yarn stash! Keep them for next year or repurpose these fun pom poms by adding them as tassels on a pillow or throw to give it a modern twist. Or use them to make this woven wall hanging!

Check out other ways to spend less this holiday season with Holiday Hal and learn more about Voya Financial online and through their Facebook, and Twitter.

I hope your holiday season is full of love and peace.

-Rachel

 

Ready for the Cozy

Fall! It means the end of mosquito season when we can enjoy coffee on the front porch again! It means there are colorful weeks ahead of us as the maple in our backyard fills the sky with golden leaves! It means cozy vibes from that first fire in the fireplace, flannel sheets on all the beds, and layering up for the first time in months. 

For the last four years I've had a favorite citron yellow hat or beanie that sees me through the colder months. It's my go-to fall color and kind of hard to find so I was thrilled when I saw Rella had more than a few hats in this color for their Winter 2016-2017 line. After opening the box they sent over, I knew I'd probably not have to look for a new citron yellow beanie for a few years! It's double layered and made of 100% cashmere which means it's not only an incredible color, it feels pretty deluxe. 

Living in Colorado for three years taught me to appreciate a warm hat but not all warm hats are created equal! This hat is one that feels both practical and stylish so I don't have to sacrifice one for the other. It's also versatile enough that I can wear it to pick out pumpkins with the kids or on a casual date night with my favorite chunky sweater. I also expect this hat will be joining me every Saturday morning for the rest of the Mighty Mites football season! 

Check out the rest of their beautiful collection here to find that one perfect accessory for this fall/winter season.

Are you like me and get attached to a favorite hat or coat or do you like to rotate through a few different colors and styles? Are you into the capsule wardrobe or on the minimalist track? I think I might be by default! Also, doesn't Sunday look cute in her matching yellow bandana? Yeah, we went there.

-Rachel

This sponsored post was in partnership with Rella but all thoughts and opinions are my own. I love working with brands that fit the Smile and Wave DIY aesthetic and only share those that I'd buy/use myself. Thanks for your support!

 

New Woven Wall Hangings in the Shop

My late summer collection of wall hangings came from a place of wanting to try new designs, explore larger warp sizes, and work within a restricted color palette all at the same time. Writing my book, DIY Woven Art, forced me to design a certain amount of work that was cohesive but where each piece had a specific role and could stand on its own. In my book, I taught a new skill or technique with each new project while building on prior lessons and with each of these pieces, I found myself using them to test out something new myself. The design process is rarely rushed and pre-planned, though. It seems to show itself once I've warped my loom and pulled a few fibers I'm feeling drawn towards on that particular day. It's a very intuitive and organic process. 

Each of these pieces are one-of-a-kind except the small collection of roving wall hangings with vintage beaded fringe. They are still one-of-a-kind in that there are variations in the details and slightly in the sizing. I love these as a neutral element for any space but think they'd be especially sweet in a childs' room (out of reach of course). 

These are all available for purchase here.

Limited seats for my Nashville Weaving Basics Workshop on Sept 11th from 1-4pm are also available for purchase here and spots are filling quickly for my Tulsa Weaving Basics Workshop and Woven Camera Strap Workshop here on Sept 17th. 

It's a busy fall season with some exciting things on the horizon! Are you feeling the change of seasons yet? Noticing the way the light slants in the morning and evening and the earliest leaves drifting off the trees? Fall in the Ozarks is pretty spectacular so I'm not mad at all. 

Happy long weekend (in the states) friends!

-Rachel

 

 

Weave Your First Wall Hanging on Skillshare

Weave Your First Woven Wall Hanging

An Online Skillshare Class by Rachel Denbow

I'm so thrilled to share my first video eCourse through Skillshare!

I've partnered with them to create a 45 minute video that thoroughly covers the fundamental techniques you need to know to make your first woven wall hanging. It's designed for beginners and gives instructions on how to make your own wooden loom if you don't already own one! Learn my favorite technique for choosing colors, how to warp your loom, plain weave, soumak, rya knots, and how to get everything finished and off the loom so you can enjoy your wall art. This design is exclusive to this course and hasn't been shared elsewhere. 

Skillshare hosts an incredible range of courses for those wanting to learn how to do almost anything. I first stumbled upon them when I was trying to figure out how to use SEO correctly! Their free plan gives you access to a number of helpful classes but the premium plan gives you access to every class in their site. It's such a valuable resource for those that are visual learners.

I'm celebrating the launch of my first course with a giveaway! The first 50 people that use this link get free access to my course with no obligation.  It's my way of saying thanks for all of your support on this weaving journey!

http://skl.sh/2bdcO1c

I can't wait to see what you think but head over and sign up today before all the free spots are taken! 

There's more exciting weaving news this month and if you've already pre-ordered my book, DIY Woven Art, you know it's headed to your house a little sooner than planned! Woohoo!!!

I hope your end of summer days are treating you well, friends! I'm not ready for autumn to get here just yet. I have a few more warm weather adventures to take!

-Rachel

 

Fall Weaving Workshops

I've just opened up registration for three of my fall weaving classes over in my shop and am so excited to be offering an exclusive Woven Camera Strap class to the mix! The first class will be offered in Tulsa, OK with another class in Oklahoma City that will be available soon. Click through to get details and secure your spot!

 

Learn to weave your first wall hanging with me in Kansas City, MO at Restoration Emporium on Saturday, August 27th from 2-5pm. Grab a ticket to shop the Vintage Whites market before the class and make a full day out of it!

I've also got spots for my Weaving Basics class in Nashville for Sept 11th at the beautiful studio of Camellia Fiber Co. You'll learn to create plain weave, soumak, rya knots, and finishing steps to get your wall hanging off your loom and onto your wall. Take home a loom and tool kit as well as a few goodies from our sponsors!

Sign up for the Nashville class here.

I'll also be offering the Weaving Basics class in Tulsa the morning of Sept 17th at Prairie Letters Shop. You can take this class by itself or stay all day and join us for the Woven Camera Strap class later that afternoon. Just be sure to secure your spots over here! 

There are so many exciting things happening with Smile and Wave DIY over the next few months. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter in the sidebar (scroll down a bit) to keep on top of the big book release and further workshop details before anyone else!

You all are the best!

-Rachel