Surface Design Sampler Using 'Difficult' Colors- Part 2 of 2

                                              Multi-colored felt striations and open bridgework.

                                                           Raised pre-felt 'sentries'...

                                                          ...with a venus fly trap pocket!

                                                                Silk and wool posies...

                                                             ...with beaded centers...

                                                          ...and a little disco shimmer! ;)

                                                       This four-layer bridging section...

                                                      ...was constructed on a dare! }:-)

                                  The pre-felt 'scalloped edge' is one of my favorite Fiona techniques...

                                          ...and I'm sure that it will find lots of future application!

                                       Overall, I'm sure you'll agree that this project is 'a bit much'...

                                      ...but once in a while, like here, the insanity actually works...                                         

                                      ...and I'm mad for the crazy wool yarn ends on this shibori bit!

                                 This is actually my second sampler from Fiona's surface design class...

                                              ...but it is, by far, the odder of the two...

                                         ...so I thought that I would get it out of the way first!

                                         Next time: a surface design sampler in 'my' colors! :)

Surface Design Sampler Using 'Difficult' Colors- Part 1 of 2

                                            I covered one layer of mixed soft and coarse wool roving...

                                    ...with a layer of merino wool in colors that do not appeal to me at all.

                                                    Don't blame Fiona for this insanity...
                                     

                                           ...it was a challenge that I engineered for myself! ;)

                                  I then attempted to cram in as many surface design elements...

                                               ...in as many other colors...as I possibly could!                                                         

                                                               Mid-way through felting.

Blocked and drying (with rubber bands still holding some of the elements in place).

                                                        Oh, I do like a good challenge...

                                                 ...or as a certain good friend of mine says...

                          "Why do you always have to make things so difficult for yourself?"

                                                       All psychotherapy aside (grin)...

                                      ...I really just wanted to start out with lots of ugly colors...

                                       ...and see whether I could coax anything good from them! :)

                                                    Next time: lots of details...in close-up!

                                           (Do keep that airsickness bag at the ready!) Grin

Fiona Duthie's Purse Class- Felter's Rendezvous 2014

The women in my class didn't shy away from hard work.

On the contrary, most of them made enormous bags!

                                                        As in our surface design class...                                       

                                          ...each student was given the techniques and tips...

                                                         ...that would enable her to realize...

                                                             ...the purse of her dreams!

                                                      I love how each bag is so different!

                                                        The student's choice of shape, color...

                                                                          ...and design...

                                                 ...resulting in something unique and special!

                                           We had several very new feltmakers in our class...

                                   ...yet under Fiona's expert tutelage, their finished projects shone!
 

                                                    I really love these geometric pre-felts...

                                                     ...an elegant design for a very special bag!

                 
                                                  Next time: the first of my own 'Fiona' projects...

                                                  ...a cacophonic surface design piece...

                                            ...deliberately made with colors that I 'resist'.

Pre- and Post-Felter's Rendezvous With Friends!

Here's Cathy with one of her newest 'babies'...

                              ...and this sweet Mama is quietly getting ready to add to the tally!

                                     

                                Tylar and Marsha couldn't resist these adorable newborn twins.                                

                                              Cathy's farmhouse is a lovely and peaceful place...

                                                            ...filled with color and art...

                                         ...and containing warren-like passages to hidden rooms...

                             ...where she keeps shelves-full of wonderful fiber reference books!!

                                                                           (drool)

                                     

                                   The view of the mountains from her front door looks like a postcard...

                               ...and who wouldn't love spending time with these curious creatures?!?

                                 Of course, we do have a couple of stories that can't be shared in this blog...

                                            ...but 'what happens in Boulder stays in Boulder'. ;)

                                      

                                            One of the things I like best about being a feltmaker...

                                                     ...is being friends with other fiber people.

                                          Several of us spent a few days before- and after- the Rendezvous...

                                            ...hanging out, making felt, eating, drinking and laughing. Pure bliss!

                                                        Next time: Fiona's bag class!

Fiona Duthie's Surface Design Class-Felter's Rendezvous 2014

   
                                             For the surface design class at Felter's Rendezvous...

                                                     ...our studio was spacious and well-lit...

                                                 ...with loads of yummy supplies on hand.

                                           The absolute highlight of the workshop for me, though...

                                ...was finally getting to meet my long-time blog friend, Fiona!! :)

                                               

                                              Her expert teaching style and friendly personality...                                 

                                  ...enabled each student to fully express herself in shape and color.

                                               Using a combination of exciting techniques...

                                    ...we fashioned felt 'samplers' during this intensive 2-day workshop.

                                      The finished work can now be installed as wall hangings...

                                      ...used as table runners...or even sewn into purses (my fav!). :)

                                                    

                                                   It was exciting to see all of the finished pieces...

                                      ...as each student's own unique project was revealed...

                               ...created with different kinds of wool roving, cotton and silk fabrics...

                                 ...non-textile inclusions (like beads and mirrors)...and lots of love!

                                             Felter's Rendezvous was an absolute joy for me...

                                      ...and much of the credit goes to my instructor, Fiona Duthie.

                                    If she's not headed to your neighborhood anytime soon...

                              ...consider signing up for one of her online surface design classes, here.

                           The weekly modules contain gorgeous photos and wonderful, clear directions...

                                        ...and the projects are quite inventive and fun to try!

                         In the online course, she answers questions and comments on all posted work...

                                    ...a sure way to take your feltmaking in wonderful new directions!!

                                                      Next time: Fun with felting friends in Boulder!