Union Jack 'Wrap Tie' Bag- Part 2 of 2

Making a long, twisted cord using thin lengths of roving...

 

...then attaching it to the bag flap.

 

Mid-way through felting (the project is still inside-out)...

 

...and, here, after turning the project 'right-side' out.

 

The finished bag (side one)...

 

...and side two...

 

...and shown here with the others in the series (side one)...

 

...and side two.

 

I don't know whether this finished project 'reads' as a 60's inspired bag or not...

...but it was fun to create...

...and I was happy that the strips of silk felted in so easily.

I'm also not sure whether the 'cloud' of blue tussah silk (behind the flower)...

...actually adds to the project or not...

...since it reminds me a little of a space nebula! ;)

Next time: the final wrap bag in this series...

...and (I have to admit) my favorite!

Union Jack 'Wrap-Tie' Bag- Part 1 of 2

Laying out a flower using thin sections of merino roving...

 

...and adding a cloud of dyed blue tussah silk for background shimmer.

 

Covering the flower with a layer of blue roving...

 

...then flipping to side two...

...and adding strips of dyed silk to the surface of the resist.

 

Bright red merino roving goes on next...



...and then a bit more blue.

 

Finishing up the 'flap side' of the resist in glorious red.

 

Wetting out the project, prior to adding the cord.

 

I was going for a 60's, Twiggy, Flower Power kind of bag with this one...

...so I dug through my stash for bright red and blue roving and silk.

Working 'inside-out' as usual...

...I placed embellishments on the foam resist and covered them with layers of roving.

Next time: the finished bag.

2013 Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival

At the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival this year...

 ...I saw a line-up of the 'usual sheep suspects'...

 

...and some truly extravagant horns!

 

Julia Hilbrandt was on hand...

...with a selection of her beautiful industrial felt bags.

 

Wouldn't a (shorn) fleece from this one make a wonderful felted rug?

 

Master dyer Christa Casebeer was at the festival, too...

...wearing one of her vibrant fiber creations.

 

 Anthropomorphizing the sheep is always a fun thing to do...

..."I think your bangs need a little trim, darling!"

 

Just as I was leaving for the day...

...I happily made the acquaintance of a woman who is surely a kindred spirit, Norah Walsh...

 

...who was wearing the best hat I had seen at the festival, hands down!

 

Next time: a 'wrap tie' bag with a British twist!

Fabu Baltimore Restaurant and my Sheep and Wool Festival 'Indulgences'!!

The Papermoon Diner's bold exterior gives you an idea...

 

...of the riot of color which will greet you...



...once you're inside! 

 

Collections of Pez dispensers, Barbie dolls and ninja turtle figurines...

 

...peer out at you from every available surface...

 

...and life-sized naked mannequins wear glued-on toys for 'modesty'! :)

 

*******************************************************************
But...

...the main reason for my trip to Baltimore...

...was to attend the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival...

...and to buy these lovely goodies!!

 

I purchased pencil roving, solid and variegated wool roving...

...(one, blended with angora bunny fur!)...

...a soft-as-butter carded merino batt, dyed mawata silk hankies...

...Hog Island roving from my friend, Jay's farm...

...and these wonderful buttons.

 

I spent last weekend in Baltimore, my old 'stomping ground'...

...where I was happily able to revisit places that I love and discover new favorites, as well!

A new addition to my 'happy' list is the Papermoon Diner...

...a wonderfully eclectic restaurant with super yummy food!

I also enjoyed my first trip to Hampden...

...an assertively quirky neighborhood with one-of-a-kind shops and 'tacky chic' decor.

Next time: cute animal photos...

...and some wonderful fiber crafts, too!

Green 'Wrap Tie' Bag- Part 3 of 3

Adding a final layer of roving to the 'non design' side...



...and wetting out the project.

 

Mid-way through felting.

 

The finished bag (back side)...

 

...and front.

 

A close-up of the design...

 

...and of the braided cord.

 

With blue button fastener...

...and shown with her orange 'sister'! :)

 

I finished this envelope as I did my orange one...

...by hand-stitching the bit of extra felt down on the 'non flap' side...

...to provide additional support for the button closure.

Next time: we'll take a break from bags...

...and I'll share photos from this year's Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival!

Green 'Wrap Tie' Bag- Part 2 of 3

The braided cord, prior to felting.

(I used a plastic container filled with water as a 'third hand' during braiding.)

 

An additional layer of roving on side one...

 

...a flip to side two...

 

...and an additional layer of roving on this side, as well.

 

With both of my recent 'wrap tie' bags...

 

...I worked with an open resist...

 

...and shaped the flap of the bag by hand during the layout.

 

Opening up the dry end of the partially felted cord...

...and attaching it to the body of the bag.

 

Working with open resists is rather a new technique for me...

...and I'm finding that I like it very much.

Rather than cutting the partially felted piece in order to remove the resist...

...and then having to seal the cut edges...

...these edges form on their own with very little effort on my part!

Next time: the finished bag.