A new departure...

The above piece is an experiment using circles of already felted wool applied to the top surface of a separate piece then the whole thing is felted together. The natural colours come from the wool from my sister's sheep - (Texel cross Black Welsh) - and they do give some lovely shades. The wool takes a lot longer to card as I have to remove any bits of grasses and twigs as I go along. It also takes about 45 mins to felt, whereas Merino only takes 20 mins or so. It does feels wonderful when it is felted. I like the way that the felt decides how it will look in the end; the circles have moved slightly during the felting process, but this just proves it is hand crafted. I am very pleased with the end result and I think I shall make lots more of these - they would also work well using the Merino too.
The inspiration for this piece came from large circular straw and hay bales I saw last summer, but, of course, circles are everywhere.

Repeating pattern 2

This is the next stage to my repeating pattern where I repeated it four times to create a more complex image. I really like the shapes within the pattern and the way it has become more abstract. It has a feel of Art Nouveau with the flowing lines.

I have decided that I need to make at least one felt piece a week, which shouldn't be too onerous, and if I can make more, that's a bonus. I was making four pieces a day last summer so I can do it when I put my mind to it. I may try another craft fair this Spring/Summer, so need to make some more stock. I am also thinking about an exhibition in the future - maybe in a year or so, and at the moment, I don't have enough to fill one wall, let alone a whole gallery space!

Repeating pattern

Above is a completely new repeating pattern that I created using a segment from a photo I took of some grasses and with a little added Photoshop magic! It is something I learnt to do on my art course and once I'd created the patterns, I translated them into textiles. I really enjoyed creating a brand new pattern and the finished result is always interesting. It makes me look at objects in a different way. The above was a practise to make sure that I hadn't forgotten how to do it.
The original photo is one I would like to use for a new felt piece...

Finished!

Here is the stone wall piece finally completed! Although this is the fourth stone wall I have made, each one is different - this originality is one of the reasons I enjoy working with felt so much.

The embroidery really does bring the individual stones into focus. I hope the customer is pleased with this piece, which she is going to frame herself.

Visit to Hodsock

Above are some of the photos I took at Hodsock Priory (www.snowdrops.co.uk) last Monday. The weather was awful to start with, sleet, snow and hail, then torrential rain! However, once we ventured out, the rain cleared away and we had a reasonable afternoon. Due to the really cold winter, the snowdrops weren't as far on as in previous years, and the hellebores had only just started growing, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the trip. The woodland walk is always very peaceful and there is a bonfire to warm up by which is welcome. Well worth a visit, and open until the end of February.

Snowdrops are one of my favourite flowers as they are beautiful, simple and seem so delicate yet can withstand the worst weather of the year. Their appearance is a reminder that Spring is not too far away.

Stone Wall Felt and Tulips

I am in the process of hand embroidering the stone wall felt and it is amazing how the addition of the stitching really brings the individual stones 'to life'. It is time consuming, but worth it!

I was given these beautiful tulips as a gift the other day and I just love the combination of colours! They are so bright and cheerful and a reminder of the colours of Spring.

Another Treat!

I have just been treated to the above book (thanks to my lovely husband!) which was recommended in an embroidery magazine I happened to be looking at. Apparently, it looks at textiles, costume, fashion and social history including portraits and letters. It has rave reviews on Amazon as well so I am really looking forward to receiving it!
On a completely different note, next week sees the beginning of the garden visiting season for me as I am visiting Hodsock Priory (near Blyth in Notts)(http://www.snowdrops.co.uk/) to look at the snowdrops for which they are famous. I have been there many times, but there is always something new to look at and it is a great day out. Hopefully, photos to follow...

A Treat!

Recently, I treated myself to some Shetland wool in the gorgeous natural colours seen above, from 'World of Wool'. (http://www.worldofwool.co.uk) While browsing, I also bought the shades of blue merino with silk fibres added into the blend. No, I haven't decide what I shall use it for yet, but no doubt inspiration will come at some point.

I haven't used Shetland wool before, so it will be interesting to compare felting times with the Black Welsh cross Texel wool from my sister's sheep. Now, what shall I use this wool for...?

Another commission

The stone wall felt has proved to be the most popular, with the number of commissions at three so far. Of course, it is the one that takes the most time to make because the blending of colours to create the individual stones is a time consuming process in itself. However, it is very enjoyable and quite therapeutic to do. The above photo shows the piece finished, prior to felting, with the 'stones' laid on to the top layer of wool. I like the 'fluffy' appearance, which is lost once the felting process is complete. Some of the blends I created are around the edge of the work and the original piece is above it, to give me a guide. It felted well and I am now ready to begin the hand embroidery to delineate each stone. A few hours in front of the television should see that done!

Getting organised!

Having received this hobby box from Mum at Christmas, I have finally got all my embroidery threads, art silks and ribbons sorted and easily accessible. Before this, they were shoved in a box, in a bit of a mess. Now I can find what I need with no problems! Aren't Mums great?

Poplars at Sunset

I tokk this photo as I was intrigued by the colour contrast of the dark grey (and snow laden) clouds with the brilliant orange of the setting sun on the trees. I saw this over the Christmas week and it really grabbed my attention. Whether I shall use it in a felt landscape, I don't know, but it will be added to my stock of photos. (Or 'primary source material' to give it the proper name!)

Dramatic Sunset - framed

I haven't made any new landscape inspired felt pieces for a while (this is my job for the new year!) but I do have this piece framed, so thought I would add the photo of it to my blog. Again, the choice of frame and mounting board took us quite some time, but the end result does justify all the indecision!
Incidentally, my mum-in-law really liked the framed stone wall felt we gave her for Christmas. This year, I am also going to make a four piece picture to hang above our fireplace, using the natural coloured wools from my sister's sheep. This should complement the colours in the room and add a focal point to a rather bare wall. Watch this space...

Framed Stone Wall

Above is a photo of the stone wall felt which I have had framed and am going to give to my mother in law for Christmas. I had initially thought it should be in a pale frame with a light coloured mount, but when I tried that at the framers, it looked awful! So, I went to the other extreme and chose a dark frame and mount which I feel highlights the colours much more effectively. It is in a box frame, which though more expensive, holds the glass away from the surface of the felt. Let's hope she likes it!

Lincoln Christmas Market 2009

Above are some photos I took at the Christmas market last weekend. We went on the last day, assuming that if we timed it right, it wouldn't be so busy. Lots of other people had the same idea, so it was much busier than we thought! I particularly liked the lighting effects on the Bishop's Palace wall. We didn't buy a lot, just a few new decorations.

Orders finished

I have finished the orders for embroidered hearts and hearts in shade of red and purple which I was given at the Craft fair. I hope that they are what the customers wanted and that they are happy with the finished pieces. I had bought an air soluble pen to assist with the initials but unfortunately, it was like a ball point pen and did not work on the felt at all. In the end, I had to draw the initials on greaseproof paper and sew through the paper, tearing it away carefully once finished. There must be an easier way! Unfortunately, my sewing machine (clever though it is) can't do the complicated embroidery required for initials - I would probably need a top of the range one, costing around £1,000! Perhaps if I ever win the lottery...

I was happy with the finished items and I have completed them well before Christmas.

Best Final Major Project Award

Yet again, life has got in the way and I haven't added anything new for a week! In an ideal world, I would add something every day but that just doesn't seem to be working at the moment. Still, having finally got round to it, I am putting a photo of the award I collected on Thursday night for my Final Major Project.

It is a rather decorative award and I am very proud of it.

(One of the cats has just climbed up the chair beside me and is purring loudly and willing me to get her some food, so I'd better go and do that.)

International Felt Day

I have just been looking at the website for the First International Day of Felt and some of the work that was made is amazing! (http://www.feltunited.com/) The picture above shows work by a Swedish maker, Maria Holmein Nord. I also like the huge banner pieces made by a maker in Argentina. The theme this year was 'red, orange, yellow'.

I never fail to be amazed at the versatility of felt and the creativity of the makers. It does take a while to download the images from the website as there are lots of them, but it is worth it. I didn't manage to take part this year but maybe next year. The theme will be 'yellow, green, blue' so that gives lots of scope.

Gorgeous colours

Here are the felt squares I have made over the last two days, ready to be transformed into three 'trios of felt hearts'. I really enjoyed blending the colours and experimenting. I'll take some more photos when I've finished the pieces.

Commissions

Another view of the Feltabulous stall, showing the decorations on the little Christmas tree. I am working on some commissions at the moment and have been making merino felt squares in different shades of reds and pinks. Today I am going to make squares in blues and greens. I shall then turn them into the little hearts, two sets personalised with initials. I do enjoy working with Merino wool because it felts so quickly and easily. I always blend the colours using my hand carders to give a combination of colours to the pieces.

After completing the commissions, I would like to concentrate on some of my landscape ideas, using the roadside verge photos and sky photos I took recently. It should be fun!

Craft Fair!

Above are photos of the stall I had on Friday at the Craft Fair. It was very successful and people were genuinely interested in my felt work, especially the natural coloured items. The Merino pieces attracted people to the stall and they did like the little hearts in particular. I had lots of really positive feedback so I know I am on the right lines. I was really encouraged!
The Craft Fair on Saturday was also helpful although the weather was not conducive for people coming out. Again, I had loads of really positive comments about my felt and I did manage to sell some pieces.

I enjoyed talking to people about my felt and it was a really successful foray into the world of craft fairs!