Carrie Cahill Mulligan

Well, after the second snowiest winter in New Hampshire history, spring seems finally to have sprung in Canaan, as evidenced by the lovely crocuses in front of our house.

You’d think I’d be over the moon, as nearly everyone here is, ready for all the fun of warmer weather.

The truth is, I am entirely torn. Because warmer weather brings the end of hockey season for me, and this winter I have played the best hockey of my life.

That’s me in the yellow helmet, playing in the women’s intramural hockey championship match at Dartmouth’s Thompson Arena last month…

And there I am, moments later, just after scoring a goal (something quite unusual for me, as I generally play defense…)!

Despite being born in Canada, I didn’t learn to play hockey until I turned 30 and was living in Healy, Alaska.

So I reckon I am making up for lost time… I have 5 hockey games in the next 5 days, and then the ice goes away for the summer.

If I seem a bit down, despite the sunny weather, you’ll know that hockey fever just won’t let me be…

Each spring for the past couple of years, I have joined the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen participating in the Spring Auction for NH Public Television.

Along with other League artisans, I have donated my work for auction, and on Gallery Night, I have joined with Sunapee Fair Director, Terri Wiltse, and Marketing Director, Pam Sullivan, to help answer phones and take auction bids.

This year, I am tickled that my donated felt hat has been chosen to be part of the Virtual Gallery, starting today!

You can now bid on my Spring Snowflake Hat during the early online auction, from Tuesday, April 15th until noon on Tuesday, May 6th. The highest online bid will be posted as the hat is auctioned live on the air on Gallery Night, Wednesday, May 6th, from 6:00 p.m. - midnight.

This is a great chance to get yourself a one-of-a-kind, art-to-wear felt hat, and support Public Television at the same time, so visit the Virtual Gallery and place your bid today!

“This hat is The Bomb! It has totally revolutionized my relationship with winter!”

So said Dean Christian, the Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at Dartmouth College when I delivered his custom embroidered felt hat last month.

Dean moved to Hanover from Texas last summer, and quickly became interested in the warm hats I make while checking ids at the Dartmouth gym.

After assuring him that men do wear my hats, and agreeing to attempt a new freehand embroidery design in the form of the Dartmouth “D”, I set to work.

“I had no idea how cruddy my old hat was, until I put this one on…”

(Drumroll, please…) Here it is! The final hat (#175) in my 2007 Collection.

Finished with custom, freehand embroidery last night, and sent in today’s mail, this pink-on-pink beauty is now heading to Christine S. of New York City.

I sure hope this warm felt hat gets to Chris in time for Valentine’s Day. We’ve had some cold, snowy weather here in the Northeast, lately…

I am proud to have my Heirloom Hand-knit-felt Hats included in the 2nd Annual “Body Bazaar” at the Fuller Craft Museum, in Brockton, Massachussetts this winter.

This spectacular holiday boutique features unique handmade, wearable art:

handbags, scarves, jackets, hats and jewelry to name some of the artisan-made items available.

The Body Bazaar runs from:

November 23, 2007 to

January 20, 2008

open daily 10-5 p.m. (Wednesdays ’til 9 p.m.)

Folks can shop without paying museum admission. Parking available on-site.

For more information:

Fuller Craft Museum

455 Oak St.

Brockton, MA 02301

tel.: 508-588-6000

About 2 years ago, I received my all-time favorite holiday greeting…

Susan Houlihan, owner of Alpenglow Skincare in Homer, Alaska, chose this wintery photo of her family, featuring one of my very earliest spiral embroideries.

What fun to see my handiwork gracing Susan’s smiling face as she wished Peace to all her friends and loved ones!

So, thank you Susan, for making my hat a part of your life… And welcome to the club!

New to knitting?

Interested in knitted felt?

Want to learn the secrets of felting from someone who’s made over 600 knit felt hats herself?

Then consider joining me for the 5th “Ancient Art of Felting–with a Modern Twist!” class at my home studio in Canaan, New Hampshire, this Saturday, January 12, 2008, from 10 am - 2 pm.

This 2-day class is part of the Hanover League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Winter CraftStudies Program, and they handle the registration.

On the 1st Saturday, we will discuss color and design, review the pattern and get knitting.

Over the next two weeks, class participants will finish knitting their own oversized, pre-felted stocking caps.

Finally, on the 2nd Saturday, January 26, 2008, we will breathe deeply together and toss all the hats into the washing machine to see what happens!  

Please see the classes page for more info… I hope you can join us.

Normally, I am bit of a tomboy when it comes to things like jewelery, clothes and shoes. Maybe it’s because I had two older brothers, or maybe it was the 10 years living in Alaska, but I generally require things to be practical first and foremost…

That’s why my new one-of-a-kind art-to-wear pieces are so much fun for me… they are just for the sheer joy of it!

I discovered Jessica Sirois’ unusual silk and silver pendants at the Westport Young Woman’s League Creative Arts Festival when I returned in November, 2007.

I have been wearing mine every day since…

Then, imagine my joy when I received these coordinating, light-weight & cheerful, recycled paper earrings from Melissa Lanitis Gregory, just for participating in her recent Virtual Open Studio!

Thanks so much, Melissa for hand-picking just the right pair, as I have worn these paper delights every day since Christmas…

I reckon a little hand-made bling can delight even the tomboys among us… especially in winter when the landscape could use a shot of color and cheer.

So, thank you, Jessica and Melissa, for following your creative muses and making these treats I treasure. I feel more cheerful when I wear your work!

Wishing you all the best in the new year:Health, wealth, prosperity, and peace!

Thank you for making 2007 the best year yet for my Heirloom Handknit-felt Hats, and for welcoming my work into your lives.

Here’s to being the best we can be and living the changes we hope to find in the world!