Monday 11 August 2014

Back to felting

 It has been absolutely ages since I made any felt.  I was feeling so guilty because jewellery making and creating with polymer clay had totally absorbed any creative time I had. People kept asking whether I had made any felt and every time I answered in the negative, the guilt crept up on me again.  However, when I finally got round to making some felt, last week, I realised how much I had missed it. So, the piece above is in its pre-felted and fluffy glory and is made from wool from my sister's sheep with Lincoln Longwool (the wiggly white wool) on the top as decoration.  It was the first time I had used Lincoln Longwool, and it was lovely! Just in case you wondered what the sheep look like, here's a photo from the Lincoln Longwool website .
How they can actually see where they are going is a bit of a mystery, but they do have lovely fleeces.
So, what does the finished felted piece look like?  Like this...
All the wiggles stayed in the wool, which I was pleased about, because one of the joys of felt making is that the wool does decide how it is going to turn out, despite the maker's best efforts to persuade it otherwise, so you can never be totally sure how it will look once felted. This piece is going to be cut up and made into something for one of the blog swaps I am signed up to, but I will share the finished article with you once the item has arrived with my swap partner.  I am going to start felt making again more regularly - I really enjoy it.

I have signed up to another blog swap too with Blueberry Heart, one that I really enjoy and this will be my third time for this particular swap.  There's still time to join in if you would like to, just click on the link...

10 comments:

  1. LOVE your felt - and those stunning sheep. I imagine that wool gets very heavy (particularly if wet). It must be a relief for them to be shorn.

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    1. Thanks, EC. I was really pleased with the pattern on the felt made by the Lincoln Longwool, I'm sure the sheep are hugely relieved to be without their fleeces during the summer. I am thinking of buying some more of their wool - it does felt well.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  2. I know that feeling well. I do so many crafts that I feel guilt about the ones I haven't done in a while. Bit daft when I think about it... those sheep are so cool!

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    1. Thanks, Wendy. I have decided to limit myself to the crafts I really enjoy (although that includes quite a few!), such as jewellery, polymer clay, felt and sewing. If I have time to do anything else, it'll be gardening, baking and reading. I'll be lucky if I can fit those in...
      The sheep are great, aren't they?
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  3. Oh Ellie this is amazing-how lovely to make this from your sister's sheep! It sounds like you and I are very similar-so many crafts, so little time! It does feel good to get back to one of your favourites though. Really looking forward to seeing what you make with the felt. The sheep are so cute but must have felt better after a good haircut! xx

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    1. Thanks, Alison. It is great to be able to use local wool and I agree, it is great to get back to a favourite craft. I always feel a bit sorry for sheep before they are sheared, although wool does seem to adapt to temperatures, so it would be nice to think they don't get too hot.
      Enjoy your revisited craft!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  4. I love the look of the wiggly wool!! xx

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  5. Good for you Ellie! Those sheep are so funny :-)...
    Those wiggles look so nice! I would love to have a sister with sheep too, but she lives in a flat ;-)... Love from Mirjam.

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    1. Thanks, Mirjam. I really do need to get back to felt making so this is a start. Unfortunately, my sister doesn't have the sheep any more - they had a good life though - but I still have quite a bit of the wool left, so can continue making the natural coloured felt. I enjoyed using the Lincoln Longwool, which was very silky. I think I may need to buy some more...
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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