Angel Vessel For A Holiday Swap- Part 3 of 3

The finished, dried vessel...

 

...in lovely orange...

 

...with a bright green bottom and interior.

 

An angel brooch makes it a bit more 'holiday-ready'...

...and it's removable if a more simple look is desired.

 

This coppery brooch originally held a rather pitiful-looking gemstone...

 

...but my friend, Kathy, offered her 'beading expertise'...

...and we replaced it with some pearlized 'donut beads', instead!

 

This project was made for a holiday swap...

...in my new friend Jasmin's favorite colors.

I was happy to find a seasonal brooch in brass...

...that could be used (as shown) to adorn the project...

...or taken off and worn as a decorative pin on a blouse or vest!

This vessel is large enough to hold dinner rolls or mail...

...or could be used as a 'catch-all' for make-up or hair clips on a dresser.

Angel Vessel For A Holiday Swap- Part 2 of 3

Fanning out the dry bits of the handles...

...and attaching them with a bit of 'soap glue'.

 

Folding the handles over prior to felting.



The green bottom of the vessel.

 

After partially felting the piece...

...I snipped a hole in the felt to remove the resist.

 

Fulling the finished vessel.

 

The opening was trimmed to the edge of the pre-felt 'frame' prior to final felting.

 

Drying, stuffed with cloth placemats.

 

The handles are fully integrated into the surface of the bag.

 

Because I wanted the handles to come from the outside of the vessel this time...

...I did not work inside-out like I usually do...

...and no thin plastic was required.

I first made a small hole in the top of the vessel to remove the resist...

...then enlarged it later and 'healed' the cut edges with soapy fingers...

...prior to the final felting.

Next time: the 'angel' part of the project!

Angel Vessel For A Holiday Swap- Part 1 of 3

Making pre-felt pieces from orange and green wool roving.

 

After they're dry...

 

...they're cut into shape using paper templates.

 

Laying out the green pre-felt rectangle...

 

...and covering it with green wool roving for the bottom of the vessel.

 

After flipping the resist to side two...

 

...adding the orange pre-felt 'border' to the resist surface...

...and covering it with more orange roving to make the upper portion of the vessel.

 

Making short handles with dry, 'drumstick' ends.

 

Using the same irregularly shaped resist that I used for my recent grey vessel...

...I laid out wool in my swap partner's favorite colors.

Next time: the handles are attached.

Holiday Swap Presents- Received!

An embellished canvas tote and handmade card...

 

...from my new friend, Jasmin...

 

...who decorated this capacious and functional bag...



...with leaves in my favorite color!! :)

 

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From my friend, Zed...

...I received this wonderful nuno felt covered organizer. 

 

Look at the cunning way she blanket-stitched around the snap!



There are many delightful textures and fibers to admire... 

 

...plus, she included a terrific handmade holiday card, too!



Santa can take a little breather this year...

...since I've already been gifted with such lovely things!

Participating in holiday swaps with other artists is always so much fun...

...and if you're lucky, you acquire some nice new friends, as well!

"Snowperson" Bag Swap Gift- Part 2 of 2

The finished bag.

 

Drawstring cord made with grosgrain ribbon and leather.

 

A 'regal' profile. ;)

 

A view from the front.

 

The carded Border Leicester locks...

...give the bag a delightfully shimmery and bumpy texture...

 

...just like a 'real' snowball!

 

The drawstring can be tightened...

 

...or loosened for easy access to the bag's contents.

 

The idea behind using batts made from carded locks...

...was to create a textural felt that would mimic the rough surface of a snowman.

Working with such unexpectedly filthy locks, however...

...made me worry that the finished bag would have the 'dirty slush' look of a real snowman, as well...

...and that's a bit too much verisimilitude for my taste!!

Happily, as I continued to felt the project (using extra soap)...

...the bag became as white as...erm...the driven snow. :)

For the bag closure, I fashioned a 'bolo tie' sort of cincture...

...from grosgrain ribbon and small pieces of leather.

"Snowperson" Bag Swap Gift- Part 1 of 2

Laying out wool roving eyes and a carrot nose...

 

...then adding more bits of coal black for a smile.

 

From washed Border Leicester locks...

 

...I made several fluffy batts on my drum carder...

...and laid them over the 'face' side of the resist.



Looking through the resist from side two...

...allows me to check my design placement.

 

Covering all but the top portion of the resist with batts...

...(allowing for a more free-form top edge)...

...and adding a cloth strip for a 'drawstring channel reinforcement'.

 

The partially felted bag...

 

...now with its carrot nose in proper alignment. :)

 

I signed up to participate in a holiday swap this year...

...and, not knowing for certain 'which major holiday' the recipient observed...

...I decided to make a felt 'snowperson' bag as my gift.

Using raw Border Leicester locks...

...(which were not quite as 'washed' as advertised)...

...I carded up some shiny, fluffy batts.

Making a 'face' with black and orange wool roving...

...I proceeded to make an open-topped bag...

...with a drawstring channel for its closure.

Next time: the finished bag...

...with leather-trimmed ribbon cincture.