gift

“Red and Green”

thegreensheep 8 Comments

Over a year ago, Robin saw a photo of “Roasting Chestnuts,” one of my earliest blankets, and set her heart upon it.  Of course, setting her heart on it didn’t do her any good, for it had already gone to a loving home. But I did tuck away in my mind the colors that Robin liked. Did I mention that Robin lives in a charming log cabin home? Well, she does.

I didn’t hear anything more about it … until last fall when Robin’s husband emailed and said he wanted to surprise her for Christmas with a blanket for their king-size bed in their charming log home. Did I mention Robin’s husband is my cousin? And that he’s 6’8″? Well, he is.

I said “Yes, I’d love to!” and turned to the felted sweaters I had been collecting with Robin in mind “just in case.” I needed many more sweaters than I had been stockpiling, however.  This blanket was not just to top the king-size bed, but to drape over the edge all the way to the box springs. That’s huge — double the size of most of my blankets! This was a new challenge for me.

But, as always, it was an enjoyable challenge. And how could I not be inspired by picturing those beautiful log walls as the backdrop?

My schedule and the weather did not cooperate in my slim window between finishing the blanket and delivering it –I never got a good shot of the entire thing. I’ll have to leave you to your imagination with just these snippets :)

All folded up…

…and packed for delivery.  Robin, may you enjoy your Christmas gift from your great husband!

“Red and Green” (size: 110″ x 84″)

This particular item is not available for sale.

woolen stockings

thegreensheep 9 Comments

In November, my newly-married daughter called and said, “I was thinking of sewing a pair of Christmas stockings for us — but then I thought of you…” Could I maybe sew them a pair? Would there be enough time? Her request fell into place after the year-end orders, and then I made the time. So for my dear daughter and son-in-law on the occasion of their first Christmas: keepsake woolen Christmas stockings.

(Unfortunately, our house is not equipped with its own fireplace mantel for the perfect photo shoot, but I do have this gorgeous oak buffet passed down from my parents. Hmmm, yes, I think it’ll do.)

Green for him:

And red for her:

Stockings are 18.5″ long, 10″ wide, lined with cotton knit.

“Love in Your Heart”

thegreensheep 11 Comments

I met Molly a few weeks ago through Kathy, owner of some Green Sheep blankets (see here). While we were talking, it came up that Molly’s mom’s 80th birthday is around the corner.  What a milestone!  Molly put on her thinking cap and recalled a sweater of her late dad’s, and….ahhh!….another blanket started brewing.

Molly’s mom is Irish through and through. She has devoted her life to her family and still loves taking care of them.  She also loves to read, and has a comfy brown chair in which to do exactly that. Molly wondered if I could make a throw to keep her warm in that comfy brown chair.

I hope I have. As usual, it was a delight to see what sweaters and colors would come together with the “seed” of the first one.  (In the photo below, the ribbed piece over the arm of the rocker is from Molly’s dad’s sweater.)

As Molly talked about her, it wasn’t hard to see how much her family loves her. So, for Molly’s mom on a very special birthday, here is “Love in Your Heart.” The name comes from this simple and lovely Irish blessing:

“May you be blessed with warmth in your home,

love in your heart, peace in your soul,

and joy in your life.”

It sounds as if those blessings have already been bestowed :) .

“Love in Your Heart” (Size: 50″ x 60″)

This throw was a custom order.

“His and Hers”

thegreensheep 6 Comments

Recently I hinted about a wedding blanket under construction and gave a sneak peek. The wedding was at the end of August and I can now give you the full reveal :).  But most especially, congratulations to Matt and Cassady!

This gift was from the parents of the groom, so it was important that the blanket have a masculine sensibility to it but at the same time be welcoming to a very feminine bride.

So, for him: subdued, masculine colors. For her, a foliage print and the black Gap sweater with ribbon embroidery. For both, a cashmere binding to cuddle up to. (On a meaningful note, the binding is made from a sweater the groom’s dad contributed.)

May your marriage be a blessing to you both, Matt and Cassady.

“His and Hers” ( 64″ x 82″)

This blanket has already gone to a good home.


I have not fallen off the earth

thegreensheep 1 Comment

It’s been so long since I made a post that I can barely remember how to do it.

I finally caught my breath after our daughter and son-in-law’s May wedding and then the extraordinary quality of summertime itself — so little is routine and mundane! — including having our second daughter home from college for the summer.  It was difficult to keep up on The Green Sheep things, both designing and blogging, but I’m finding my footing again.

I’ve been helped along by some delightful blanket orders, which to me are sort of like an invitation to an amusement park: PURE FUN.  I’ve been working away on those over the past couple of months and am here today to give a sneak peek…

First, for a lake-lover:

And second, for a wedding gift:

Can’t wait until I can do the “reveal” on each one.  In the meantime, I’m off to finish designing a blanket for a friend’s dorm room and after that, baby blankets for my mom-of-two friend who is expecting sweet twin girls in the fall :).

“Papa’s Pockets”

thegreensheep 5 Comments

A sweet friend from work, a fellow therapist (she’s speech, I’m occupational), along with her husband recently finished their basement and turned it into a really welcoming living area.  She came to me and said, “Now that the basement’s done, I’m ready for a blanket for it!”  And then she handed me a beautiful wool sweater that had been her dad’s. Wow. My first chance to make a keepsake blanket with an honest-to-goodness keepsake!

This wasn’t just any sweater, but a gorgeous Irish-made one (Irish like the whole family) of thick, cream-colored wool.  That’s it in the foreground, the creamy cabled piece with the pocket near the edge.  It felted beautifully.  My friend’s dad is gone now, but I know having something of his means a lot.  And when the kids and grandkids are over, hanging out downstairs, they can cuddle up with a keepsake from grandpa as well.

Thanks, Maureen, for trusting me with your dad’s sweater :)

“Papa’s Pockets” (Size: 65″ x 83″)

This blanket has already gone to a good home.