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.

Sudden Trip To Husum...Is Anyone Free For Coffee?

My partner's mother (who lives in Husum, Germany) is gravely ill...



...so he and I will be flying there on Tuesday to be with her.

I know that there are only so many hours per day...

...that the nursing home will allow us to visit with her...

 

...and I also understand that my loving and dutiful partner...

...will need some time alone with his mother, as well.


 

So...if you live close-by and wouldn't mind traveling to Husum...

...and could 'squeeze' me into an already jam-packed holiday schedule...

...(I know it's a lot to ask!)...

...I would love to meet you for coffee or a drink next week!

Or, if you have any suggestions about fiber-related things to do or see in Husum...

...please contact me at woollove-fiberart(at)hotmail(dot)com.

Thanks, friends!! XXO-

(Images of Husum taken from Wikipedia...thanks!)

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!! :)

 

*********************************************************************

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.

It's A Baby Boom! Wet-Felted Play Mats- Part 5 of 5

My three completed baby gifts.

 

A close-up of one of the cones...

...telescoped down.

 

Mat one with the cones flattened...

 

...and popped up for play.

 

Mat two with the cones down...

 

...and up...

...doesn't the purple one look like an elephant's trunk?

 

Mat three with its single cone down...

 

...and up.

 

As you can see...

...each of the play mats has convertible 'appendages'...

...for a baby to manipulate or hold onto.

The tubes can be pushed through to the back...

...or craftily 'peered through' for fun.

Since the cones were dried in the collapsed position...

...they easily fold back down when you want them flat again.