Back to The Balsams’ Visiting Artist Series in Dixville Notch, NH
20 May 2009 at 9:34 pm | In All About CCM Hats, Art-to-wear, Craftsmen--Fiber, Demonstration, Embroidery, Exhibits, Fashion, Felt Hat, Handmade, Knitting, Travel | 1 CommentTags: Dixville Notch, Grand Resort, new hampshire, nh, The Balsams, Visiting Artist
It’s the most exciting phone call of my year: when the Balsams’ Activities Coordinator, John Kennedy, asks if I am able to return for their Visiting Artist Series this summer.
CCM at Table Rock above the Balsams Grand Resort in Dixville Notch, NH
“Yes! Please!” is my unhesitating reply.
As a Visiting Artist, I have the pleasure of conducting knitting & embroidery demonstrations and workshops with resort guests.
Felt Hat Embroidery Demonstration at the Balsams Grand Resort in Dixville Notch, NH
My first year, I even attempted a felting demonstration, with fascinating results.
The Balsams is a treasure. Luxurious accommodations and to-die-for dining are set in the northern New Hampshire wilds of Dixville Notch (where the first voting in the country happens each election).
Enjoying the bike trails of the Balsams' wilderness in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire
Hiking, mountain biking, swimming, tennis and golf galore can fill up your days, while fantastic food and dancing to Rick Erwin’s Orchestra in the ballroom complete your nights.
If you’re looking for a fabulous getaway this summer, I highly recommend a stay at The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel.
And if you happen to visit between June 29 and July 6, 2009, I will see you there!
Spring Blossoms Felt Hat Now Online at NHPTV’s Virtual Auction
29 April 2009 at 6:32 pm | In All About CCM Hats, Art-to-wear, Craftsmen--Fiber, Embroidery, Fashion, Felt Hat, Fine Craft, Fine Craft Galleries, Handmade, Knitting | 2 CommentsTags: blossoms, League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, new hampshire public television, nhptv, online, spring, virtual auction
Spring Blossoms, my 2009 felt hat donation for NHPTV's Virtual Online Auction.
It’s that time of year again…
Spring has sprung in New Hampshire, so it must be time for NH Public Television’s ever-popular Auction.
Once again, I am delighted that my donated felt hat has been chosen to be part of the Virtual Gallery!
Online preview bids on my Spring Blossoms Hat are being accepted during the early online auction, from now until noon on Tuesday, May 5th.
The highest preview bid will then be posted as the original felt hat is auctioned live on NHPTV, Wednesday, May 6th, from 6:00 p.m. – midnight, during Gallery Night.
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 Weekend in Ottawa: CCM Felt Hat at Labrador Society Auction
29 April 2009 at 4:12 pm | In All About CCM Hats, Art-to-wear, Craftsmen--Fiber, Family, Fashion, Felt Hat, Fine Craft, Handmade, Knitting, Travel | 2 CommentsTags: charity, custom, adoption, reunion, Ottawa, Canada, Labrador Society, Labrahat, birth father, Joseph Michelin, Allan Goudie, silent auction
Custom knit felt hat for the Labrador Society of Ottawa's silent auction.
Lately, I’ve been reading books about Labrador: Woman of Labrador by Elizabeth Goudie, Northern Nurse, and True North by Elliot Merrick being some of my favorites. These memoirs of rugged northern trappers and adventurers from a century ago are fascinating.
Why the sudden interest in Labrador? Well, if you happened to read my 25 Random Things about Me, or watch my TV interview, you know that I’m adopted, and that I was recently found by my birth father.
Who happens to be from Labrador. My Labradad, if you will.
Suddenly, I have a whole new culture to learn about and understand. (Although, having lived in subarctic Alaska for 10 years, I feel like I’ve got a head start!)
So, this Saturday night, May 2, 2009, I’ll be at the Labrador Society of Ottawa’s Annual Dinner & Dance. There will be the unveiling of the new Labrador tartan, as well as a silent auction.
And, just for the occasion… I’ve custom designed the above felt hat.
My Labrahat, if you will!
Great great grandfather, Joseph Michelin of Traverspine, Labrador, ca. 1910.
Great grandfather, Allan Goudie, near North West River, Labrador, ca. 1900.
This Weekend in Canaan: CCM Felt Hats at “Twisted” Fiber Show
28 April 2009 at 9:30 pm | In All About CCM Hats, Art-to-wear, Craftsmen--Fiber, Demonstration, Embroidery, Exhibits, Fashion, Felt Hat, Fine Craft, Handmade, Knitting, Upper Valley | Leave a CommentTags: Canaan, canaan street meeting house, Cardigan Mountain Art Association, fiber show, International Year of Natural Fiber, Kathleen H. Peters, new hampshire, nh, Twisted
Detail of freehand ribbon embroidery with caribou antler buttons on knitted felt hat.
My wet-felting neighbor, Kathleen H. Peters was inspired by the United Nations declaration of 2009 as the International Year of Natural Fibre.
So, in association with the Cardigan Mountain Art Association, she’s gathered together natural fiber artists from the Upper Valley of New Hampshire for a 2-day fiber show and demonstration.
“Twisted: A Celebration of Natural Fiber Crafts and their Modern Turns,” will feature spinning, weaving, dying, basketry, felting, knitting, rug hooking, mill history and more.
Where: Canaan Street Meeting House, Canaan, NH
When: 10am – 4pm, May 2nd and 3rd, 2009
Cost: Free! Refreshments included.
I’ll have 7 knitted felt hats with embroidery in this show, so come out and see what’s new.
My Garden This Morning: Enter Asparagus!
28 April 2009 at 7:26 pm | In All About CCM Hats, Demonstration, Gardening, Handmade, Home, Life, Organic, Organic Farms, Upper Valley | 1 CommentTags: asparagus, new hampshire, patience, planting, yummy
Spring asparagus shoots return!
Last spring, Andy & I dug and planted our first-ever asparagus bed.
Initial trench digging after sod removal.
It was several days of hard digging, with lots of attention to building a rich soil bed for our 50 young, mail-order crowns.
Andy spreads the tentacle-like crowns over a hill of rich compost.
Technically, we’re supposed to let this year’s shoots grow, without harvesting any to eat, so they can continue to nourish the roots and develop into healthy, beautiful, fern-like plants.
Late summer asparagus plants (left) little resemble spring spears.
I’m just not sure I can wait another year to taste them!
Mmmmm... to eat or not to eat?
CCM Felt Hat Interview Online at Concord TV Today
14 April 2009 at 7:40 pm | In All About CCM Hats, Art-to-wear, Craftsmen--Fiber, Demonstration, Embroidery, Fashion, Felt Hat, Fine Craft, Handmade, Hockey, Knitting | 1 CommentTags: Arts Telefest, Concord TV, interview, new hampshire, nh, television
CCM Felt Hats at Concord TV's 5th Annual Arts Telefest.
Now available for your viewing pleasure! My 8 minute interview for the Arts Telefest is online at Concord TV.
This was my first ever television interview… let me know what you think!
Happy Easter!
12 April 2009 at 3:55 pm | In Handmade, Holidays, Home, Life, Organic, Upper Valley | Leave a CommentTags: apple pie, happy easter, pastry, spring
Behind the Scenes at Concord TV’s Arts Telefest 2009
2 April 2009 at 6:43 pm | In Fine Craft | 3 CommentsWell, that was fun!
On the set with Mark at Concord TV.
Although my interview time was delayed by 15 minutes (due to the nature of live television), I really enjoyed my visit to the studios of Concord Television.
Mark and Carlos were charming, putting me instantly at ease. And my 8 minutes flew right by.
Checking out the camera equipment with Carlos at Concord Television.
And the gracious Doris Ballard, who organized all the artists, promised me a copy of the interview… So stay tuned! I’ll post it soon as I can…
CCM Felt Hats Live on Concord TV’s 2009 Arts Telefest
23 March 2009 at 3:59 pm | In All About CCM Hats, Art-to-wear, Craftsmen--Fiber, Embroidery, Fashion, Felt Hat, Fine Craft, Handmade | 1 CommentTags: Arts Telefest, concord, interview, new hampshire, television, tv
Concord TV’s Arts Telefest is a celebration of over 75 artists and arts organizations in the Concord, New Hampshire area.
My 8 minute live interview begins at 7:43pm this Sunday, March 29, 2009.
The are 3 ways for you to watch the Telefest:
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Tune In – Watch it live on Channels 22 & 6 in Concord
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Drop In – Watch it live in-person at the Christa McAuliffe Auditorium at Concord High School
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Click On – Watch it live online.
This will be my first television interview… wish me luck!
Caribou Antler Button Embroidery
19 March 2009 at 8:25 pm | In All About CCM Hats, Art-to-wear, Craftsmen--Fiber, Embroidery, Fashion, Felt Hat, Fine Craft, Handmade, Travel--Alaska | Leave a CommentTags: antler, button, caribou, embellish, macro, seed bead
My sweet husband hand-cuts these buttons from caribou antlers for me to embellish my hand-knit felt hats.
Neither of us hunt, but we’d occasionally find shed antlers when we lived near Denali Park, Alaska.
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Art-to-Wear for Every Head
Each of my Heirloom Handknit Hats begins as a giant, over-sized stocking cap, knit by hand of llama and wool.
Next, it is shrunk into a thick, durable felt in the washing machine, which is then shaped by hand and air-dried.
Finally, each hat is lined with a silky ribbon to keep it's shape and provide lasting comfort. Many are finished with freehand embroidery, as unique as the wearer.
All are signed, dated and numbered by hand.
With less than 200 made each year, these hats are truly limited-editon, art-to-wear pieces that will provide years of warmth and comfort for the lucky owner.
Want to know more...
-about the hats (& pricing)
-about me, or
-about this site?
Read on... and then let me know what you think! -
My Goal
I strive to create highly functional, exquisitely handcrafted art-to-wear Heirloom Handknit Hats.
Winter is wonderful... but not if you are cold. That's where a lovely, warm hat fits in!
If wearing one of my hats helps you get outside and enjoy yourself, then I will have played my small part in making your world a little warmer and brighter.
Your head is sacred. I aim to create original art-to-wear hats that are worthy of your head. -
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