Samara Fibers Merino Wool Batting + Fun Craft Projects! {Handmade Giveaway #3 US}

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The next Etsy shop I want to highlight is Samara Fibers. I won this nifty bag to keep my knitting safe and secure from curious little hands in a giveaway on Graphoniac. Now, I used to knit all of the time - before Little Guy made his appearance. Even when he was sleeping, I couldn't get my knitting out all to often because it was inevitable that I'd leave it out (in its fancy plastic grocery bag) and he'd find it. I have one project that I started and re-started five times  thanks to his pulling all of my stitches out before I could rescue what was left! This bag has saved my sanity and allowed me to knit a little more often!


Now, I can't afford to give the bag away or else I'll have to cut out another shop. So, you can pick one up for yourself for $25 (see below for a discount code to make it even less!) TOTALLY worth it! The fabric is super soft and it is well-made. You could use it for almost anything. Toss a diaper, wipes, a snack, your wallet, and the camera into it and head out to the park!

For MY giveaway, I'd like to offer my readers these Merino Wool Batts.  

Aren't these colors beautiful???

Four, approximately 1/2 oz batts of luscious merino wool, curly Romney, and cruelty-free silk I have hand dyed and carded on my Strauch drum carder, in aqua, pale green, golden yellow, and sumac red.
92% merino
3% silk noil
5% romney
Perfect for spinning, art yarns, felting, etc.
Created in a pet-free, smoke-free environment. Only professional acid dyes were used.
Fiber can be spun into yarn upon request. Additional fee will be based upon yardage and number of plies.

Now, what can I do with these? Let me tell you! Have you heard of wool felting projects? You can make balls to play with, scarves, even bowls with this stuff. It only takes a short course in felting, some soap and warm water to get it done. See below for some great links! These are projects that you can do with children of all ages and they turn out looking so professional.

First, you need to know the basics on making wool felt. Then, you can create some really cool projects like these:

Wool Felt Beads

Felt Rocks (so cool!)

If you get good and want a challenge, check out this site! Yeah, this doll was made from wool batting!

AND, just in time for this giveaway, Stumbles and Stitches is having "Felt Week" with tons of ideas on how to use this stuff with lots of techniques, craft projects, and interviews with felt artists!

I think you've got the idea of what you can do with this stuff. I have seen purses, really cool-looking balls, baby blocks, cars... anything you can imagine made from wool batting. Hey, I have a great idea for baby-proofing the sharp edges of your coffee table!!! LOL I did a Google Search and found a ton of sites filled with ideas. Just go HERE to get to my search results.

And, just so you can get acquainted with the shop a little better, this is from her Etsy profile:

"Samaras are the seeds from maple trees that spin as they fall. My children squeal with delight as they throw these into the creek and watch them twirl! 

I dye fibers to spin with the hope of achieving that same childlike bliss. There is such a wonder in watching one’s fingers transform lovely fluff into silky yarn with a little twist. Whether the yarn is used for knitting, crochet, or weaving; both the process and the end result are delightfully satisfying."

And, she had offered my readers a coupon code for 10% off anything at Samara Fibers on Etsy through the month of June! Just put MCCRENSHAW into the coupon box when checking out. And, if you're thinking of buying anything, don't forget that a purchase means you get FIVE extra entries!

ENTER TO WIN!

One winner will receive the Merino Batts in "Sunny Days Sumac" pictured above.Open to the US.

Please leave one comment for each entry. If it says “+2 entries”, leave TWO comments.

Mandatory Entry:
Go to Samara Fibers and have a look around. Comment with one product that you would like to have most. **Leave you email address in your comment so I can contact you if you win.

Extra Entries:
For each extra entry, leave a separate comment. (If it says +2, leave two comments, etc.)

• +1 entries - Heart Samara Fibers on Etsy
• +5 entries - Make a purchase from Samara Fibers. Just let me know you did so and the First name, Last initial you used to order.
• +1 entries - Follow me on GFC - right sidebar
• +1 entries - Like me on Facebook - or right sidebar
• +1 entries - Follow me on Twitter
• +3 entries - Subscribe (& confirm) to my emails - right sidebar under Networked Blogs
• +3 entries – Share this giveaway on Twitter, Facebook, your blog, etc. Just leave me a direct link in the comments. ONE TIME ONLY!

This giveaway will end on May 26, 2011, at 11:59 PM EDT. Winner will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. Winner will be chosen by the Random.org widget I have embedded at the bottom of this page. GOOD LUCK!

*I have NOT been compensated for this review or giveaway. I won an item from this business on another blog giveaway and liked it so much that I wanted to get the word out to my readers about this business.