Monday, September 7, 2015

"Caps For Sale" Hat- Part 1 of ?

One of my all-time-favorite children's books...

...Caps For Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina...


                   ...was the inspiration for my "Mad Hatter's Parade" hat at Fling this year!



It took months of planning...


                                                 ...and many weeks of work!



                                   Starting with a small, foam underlayment resist...



                                            ...I covered it with wool from a batt...



                                      ...containing lovely, multi-colored cotton dots.


                                         Using a small round dish as a template...



                                      ...I cut a circle from the partially felted wool...



                                                      ...removed the resist...

                                           ...and continued on with my felting.



                                     'Rounding off' the opening of the finished cap...



                                      ...and then tucking it into position, for drying.



                                                 With wool from a yellow batt...



                                            ...(again with colored coton dots)...



                                               ...I fashioned an identical cap...



                                                    ...using the same resist.



                                                   The yellow cap, drying...



                                                     ...and the finished pair.



                                   As you might expect from the book illustration...

                                ...this project required the creation of lots of caps!

                                                 Next time: I switch colors. :)

Saturday, September 5, 2015

The 'Vonda Project'- Part 6 (It All Comes Together!)

The best meetings always start with delicious food! :)


                         Some of my finished felt was trimmed into flower shapes...

                                               ...and then assembled into kits.


            
                    Each kit contained 2-3 pieces of felt, contrasting beads, pin backs...

                 ...and needles threaded with the proper shade of embroidery floss.



                                The titular 'Vonda' of this project (and my best friend)...

                    ...is coordinator of a Geriatric Wellness program at a local hospital.

                  (She's the link between me and my felt, and this wonderful community!)



                                                Some of our volunteer 'sewists'.


I'm shown here with the Life Director of the facility (also a 'Heather').

It is she who turned my flat felt into all of these amazing kits!


People shared their sewing expertise...


                                                          ...and supplies...



                                             ...and happily helped one another.



                                     It was a day filled with laughter and fellowship!



                               I was especially moved by the beauty and strength...



                                            ...of these eager and helpful hands.



                               The finished brooches will be sold at a holiday craft sale...

                                          ...in support of an area women's shelter.



(Here they are in a bit more detail.)

                                                


                                                      Aren't they wonderful?!?



I may not get to each of the monthly crafting sprees...

...but I will try to get photos of each completed project.

After all, there's still a lot of finished felt left to use...

...and Heather (the Life Director) is just full of ideas!! :)

Thursday, September 3, 2015

The 'Vonda Project'- Part 5

Laying out wool from a handmade batt.
     

                                      Wetting it out and doubling it (for thickness).



                                                     Mid-way through felting.



                                                             The finished felt.



                                         With wool from another colorful art batt...



                            ...(a gift from a wonderful friend. Thanks, again, Fiona!)



                                                  ...I lay out my project...

                             ..and cover it on one side with a layer of white roving.



                                              Mid-way through felting (front)...



                                                                ...and back.



                                                               During fulling.





                                                      The finished flat felt.

                                             (Isn't it vibrant and exciting?!?)



                       A group shot of some of my finished 'Vonda Project' pieces.



                                      Next time: the 'Vonda Project' is explained...

        ...and you'll (finally) see what becomes of some of these flat felt pieces! :)

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

The 'Vonda Project'- Part 4

Using colored roving and dyed tussah silk...
    
                                                
                                                       ...to make an art batt.



                                                      (The batt's back side...




                                                               ...and front!)



                                      Laying out the wool (in a double thickness)...



                                                       ...and wetting it out.



                                       Folding in the edges for a neat appearance.



                                                    Mid-way through felting.





                                                            The finished felt.