The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has issued an updated set of guidelines on wearing face coverings in public, including homemade face masks as the US struggles to fill a coronavirus-driven demand for more personal protective equipment.  If you love alpacas and llamas, like I do, you might enjoy checking out the alpaca and llama collection of face masks available.  You can click on either the picture, or the link below the picture, to purchase!

Many other designs available too!

I do a small amount of affiliate marketing so if you purchase one of the items in this post, I do receive a small percentage of the sale, and I thank you, especially during these difficult times!

Flock Of Alpacas Pattern Cloth Face Maskcom
(A group of alpacas is actually referred to as a herd.)


Bright Colorful Alpaca Pattern Cloth Face Maskcom

Alpaca Maskcom

There’s no strong evidence that homemade masks and face coverings can keep you from acquiring the coronavirus, but there are some benefits.

Alpaca Cacti Pattern Cloth Face Maskcom

Wearing a homemade face mask may block large particles ejected from sneezing and coughing.  They might help protect others from your sneezes and coughs if you acquired the virus but are otherwise asymptomatic and in public.  Face masks could encourage more mindful behavior, including avoiding touching one’s mouth, nose and eyes.  Last but not least, wearing a handmade face mask can give peace of mind.

Cute Alpacas Pattern Cloth Face Maskcom

Homemade face masks should be used in combination with appropriate social distancing.  Thorough hand-washing is still the most advocated medical advice for healthy people to avoid acquiring the virus.

Doodle Alpaca Pattern Cloth Face Maskcom

Trendy Dressed Llama Pattern Cloth Face Maskcom

Colorful Llamas Pattern Cloth Face Maskcom

Pattern Of Alpacas, Cute Llamas With Hats, Flowers Cloth Face Maskcom

Cute Llamas With Scarfs, Alpacas, Cactus, Stars Cloth Face Maskcom

Cute Llamas On Teal Pattern Cloth Face Maskcom

For more Alpaca and Llama Face Mask designs, click here.

Homemade face masks are not medical-grade and are not in any way a substitute for N95 or surgical masks, but they do serve a purpose.

How to Make a Face Mask at Home

To start a DIY face mask, you’ll want these supplies on hand:

Cotton fabric

Elastic

A sewing kit or sewing machine

A nonporous yet breathable material to go between the fabric (this may be detailed in a pattern)

Some designs call for filter material, which is added in an effort to block smaller particles.

According to Etsy, “Tens of thousands of sellers have already augmented their product offerings to include fabric face masks, demand will very likely outpace our sellers’ existing supply.  That’s why we are continuing to let sellers know that those with the skill and materials may want to consider creating and selling face masks on Etsy.”

If you’re looking to donate homemade face masks, there are multiple options, including Joann Fabrics and hospitals and organizations on this list.

The video above shows How to Make a No-Sew Face Mask.  For a video on How to Crochet a Face Mask, click here and a video on How to Knit a Face Mask, click here.

Stay safe!

Inspired by Ashley Martineau’s pattern and free video, I’ve created this cowl out of my own hand spun Suri Art Yarn.  Though the bulky, very textured yarn is a bit of a challenge, the results were well worth it!

NEEDLE

Circular 16″ Needles US Size 15 – 10.0 mm

MATERIALS

50 Yards of Hand Spun Suri Art Yarn

PATTERN NOTES

DIRECTIONS

 Make a Slip Knot, then cast on 30 stitches.  Knit in the round using the double elongated stitch until you’re reached the desired length.  Bind off loosely.

Very simple!

Fasten off, and weave in ends.

Super easy, quick too, with our Snuggle yarn and a large crochet hook!  For this cowl, I used Plethora of Pinks colorway.

HOOK

US Size 9.0 mm (M/N) Hook

MATERIALS

2 skeins of Snuggle yarn (took about 137 yards)

PATTERN NOTES

DIRECTIONS

 Make a Slip Knot, then crochet 95 Chains.  (With a 12mm crochet hook, crochet 55 and with a 10mm crochet hook chain 81.)

Row 1~ Chain 3, skip one stitch, then hdc into the following stitch (5th Stitch). *Chain 1, skip one stitch, then crochet a hdc into the next stitch.* Repeat from the * mark all across, making sure to end with a hdc into the last Chain.
Row 2~ Chain 2, then hdc into the Chain one space. *Chain 1, skip one stitch, then crochet a hdc into the next Chain one space.* Repeat from the* mark all across, making sure to end with a hdc into the top of the 3 Chains you made in the previous row.
Row 3 – 13~ Chain 2, then hdc into the Chain one space. *Chain 1, skip one stitch, then crochet a hdc into the next Chain one space.* Repeat from the* mark all across, making sure to end with a hdc into the top of the 2 Chains you made in the previous row.

When you’ve completed all the rows, connect the two ends of the scarf together to create a circle. Add half a twist before Slip Stitching the two ends together.

Fasten off, and weave in ends.

Pattern adapted from a free pattern by Hopeful Honey!  Her pattern calls for a bigger hook, which I may try next time and the finished dimension of her cowl is 14″ wide.

The winner of  The Magic Morel Treasury is  Morel Mushrooms … congratulations to Melissa Garden’s Shop!

About the artist…

“I am a commercial, editorial, and scientific illustrator. My strength lies in my versatility, my curiosity, and my love of the collaborative nature of freelance illustration. With a BFA in Commercial Illustration (with distinction) from California College of Arts and Crafts, an MFA in Scientific Illustration from the University of California at Santa Cruz, and five years of experience in commercial illustration, I approach each project as an opportunity to get my hands dirty and become a subject matter expert in a new area. Each illustration is infused with the insight I have gained through researching the history, evolution, science, and market trends of my subject.

With each project, I am again grateful to have pursued a career that continues to sustain my interests and fuel my passions.”

Congratulations to our winner and thank you to those that voted!

Shop Burpee.com and get 20% OFF all Perennials, while supplies last!

It is the season for hunting these Spring delicacies…the morel mushroom…and in Ohio there seems to be a plethora of them!  Be sure to read Into the Woods on My Hunt for Morel Mushrooms.  Hope you enjoy this Treasury with The Magical Morel as its theme.

Leave a comment and vote for your favorite Etsy item, that is not your own.  The winner will be posted here and on my FB page!

Giant Morel Mushroom by Morel Shop

4 Morel Morchella Cut-Out Cards by Fungifantasy’s Shop

Embellishment Nest by Laurl’s Shop

Morels – PRINT by Emmaklingbeil’s Shop

Leaf and Ivory Balls on Cord by Tijusai’s Shop

Magic Morel Mushrooms – by The Market In The Glen’s Shop

Morel Mushroom by Spirit Helpers Shop

Wool Neck Warmer by Critical Eggplant’s Shop

Morel Mushroom Ring by Chris Mueller

Wool Locks Spinsleydale by Headley Grange’s Shop

Morel Mushrooms by Melissa Gardens Shop

Felted Scarf with Flowers by Critical Eggplant’s Shop

Nuno Felted Scarf by Amys Funky Fiber’s Shop

Morel Mushroom Bowl by Cyndi Merrill

Dark Morel Mushroom Handmade Ceramic Beads by Make A Basket’s Shop

Women’s Morels Screen Printed Tee by Critical Eggplant’s Shop

As I finish up this post, I realize I have selected duplicate entries from the same shops.  I must have been in the woods too long, staring at my feet, hunting mushrooms!  I apologize for not giving each of you a fair chance at winning the contest.

Hope you’ll vote anyway and enjoy these selections from some very talented Etsy artists!

Such delight I felt when I saw robins in the back yard yesterday – surely Spring is just ahead!
Enjoy this Treasury of lovely items from some very talented Etsy artists…

Leave a comment and vote for your favorite Etsy item, that is not your own.  The winner will be posted here, in next week’s announcements, and on my FB page!

Alphabet Letter Photography Home Decor Wall Art by Alfabetfotos’ Shop

SLUGS Fleece Boot Liners by  Those Alaskan Girls’ Shop

Sew Seeds of Love and Hope Pincushion by Pinpinn’s Shop

Spring Green Pottery Bracelet by Captured Moments’ Shop

Love Dream Hope by Beth Nadler’s Shop

Spring Pure Silk Scarf by Debrosse Hardesty’s Shop

French Nougat by Kettle Confections’ Shop

Spring Glory by Sparkling Knitwear’s Shop

Spring Green Butterfly Silhouettes by Sugar Lane Shoppe’s Shop

Silver Bird Nest Necklace by Sweet Ride Designs’ Shop

Light Green Hydrangea Do-It-Yourself Centerpiece Kit by Kate Said Yes’ Shop

Spring Bean by Knitty And Color’s Shop

Spring Boxwood by Two Inspire You’s Shop

Wool Dryer Balls by Clean Sypria’s Shop

Robin’s Egg Blue Sun Hat/Beach Hat by Creative Dragonfly’s Shop

St. Patricks Day Party Dress by Maple Tree 2000’s Shop

This is my Etsy pick of the day… love browsing through the shops… and I love the work by this artist.

Autumn Jig

Dancing a jig in the fallen leaves.
Cider warming on the fire,
Winter in the air,
Ah, to be a fox and not have a care!

The artist’s name is Amber Alexander.  She lives in Vermont with her husband and two crazy poodles.  She paints whimsical animal art and sells her original paintings as well as prints.

My mind wanders all over the place.  What is a jig, anyway?  This is the definition according to Wikipedia…

The Jig (Irish: port) is a form of lively folk dance, as well as the accompanying dance tune, originating in England in the sixteenth century and today most associated with Irish dance music and Scottish country dance music. Jigs were originally in 2/4 time, but have been adapted to a variety of time signatures, by which they are often classified into groups, including light jigs, slip jigs, single jigs, and treble jigs.

There you go!

So anyway, I know you would enjoy visiting Amber Alexander’s Shop. Take a look and post your favorite piece here!

I was recently asked how to make a Treasury and in order to answer the question I did a little research.