Sunday, April 12, 2015

Table Topper for a 'Green-Loving' Friend

Laying out a layer of superfine merino roving...


                              ...and covering it with variegated, mixed-wool roving.



                                           After flipping the project to side two...



                                          ...adding an additional layer of merino.



                                                     Wetting the project out...

                                 ...and folding in the edges for a neat appearance.



                           Adding narrow lengths of variegated silk-and-wool roving...



                                      ...and felting them in, for a decorative accent.



                                                          The finished project...



                                                                   ...drying.



                                            The front side of the table topper...



                                                            ...and the back.



                                            Because of their silk component...



                               ...the variegated embellishments really catch the light...



                                          ...and depending on where you look...



                                               ...a different color is revealed!




                                             I will be taking a short blog break...

                                ...so please look for posts to begin again, mid-May. 

Friday, April 10, 2015

"Spring Cleaning" Compost Bin and Lid- Part 3 of 3

The finished compost bin...


                                         ...is a compilation of many other projects!



                                   There's a piece of nuno felt from years gone by...



                                              ...a partially felted pair of mittens...



                                             ...a failed scarf, an unfinished bag...


                                                  ...small 'technique' samplers...



                                          ...and even bits of felt made by friends...



                                                     ...thanks, again, Fiona! :)



                                               The finished compost bin in situ...



                                           ...next to its equally colorful 'cousin'! :)



Wednesday, April 8, 2015

"Spring Cleaning" Compost Bin and Lid- Part 2 of 3

Fulling the project.


                                                        The completed lid.



                                                The finished felt was very thin...


                        ...and even though I intended to cover a wire frame with it...

                               ...I decided to 'beef it up' with a thick felt insert.



                                       From leftover fiber and finished felt scraps...



                                              ...I created a thick, round pile.



                                                 Using a combination of felting...



                                                    ...and hand-stitching...



                                       ...I prepared a 'pad' for the original felt lid.



                              Threading the bubble wrap 'channel' with a drawstring...

                         ...I cinched the felt tightly around the wire frame and felt pad...



                                  ...and added a wooden handle for ease in opening.



                                           Next time: the finished compost bin...

                                 ...stitched together from re-purposed, finished felt.

Monday, April 6, 2015

"Spring Cleaning" Compost Bin and Lid- Part 1 of ?

Laying out variegated roving...


                                                     ...in a circular shape...



                                                          ...and wetting it out.



                                          Adding a thin layer of wool from a batt...



                                   ...and a layer of variegated green wool roving...



                                                     ...in a circular fashion...



                                          ...to cover the entire project surface.



                                                    Wetting out the piece...



                                 ...and tucking in the edges for a neat appearance.



                                      Applying a very thin ribbon of bubble wrap...

                                                   ...along the project edge...



                                     ...and a decorative orange spiral in the center.



                                 Cutting short sections of wool and silk-blend roving...



                                           ...and placing them, perpendicularly...

                                        ...across the narrow bubble wrap resist.



                              Next time: the compost bin lid continues to take shape.

Saturday, April 4, 2015

"Bricks and Mortar" Pillow- Part 3 of 3

The felt side of the project (turned right-side out)...


                                                     ...and the leather side.



                           Inserting a pillow form into the felt and leather envelope...

                                  ...punching stitching holes into the leather side...



                          ...and sewing the opening closed with nylon beading thread.



                                          The finished pillow, ready for gift-giving.



                                              The 'bricks and mortar' theme...



                                      ...harkens back to another project of mine.



                                        Both pieces were made as wedding gifts...

                                      ...because I like the implied symbolism.



                                               I believe that a strong marriage...


     
                         
                                         ...requires both fixed and fluid elements...



                     ...and allows for the beautiful inevitability of change and growth.



                             Best wishes on your joyous new adventure, Chris and Jay!