'Dotty' Red Hat- Part 1 of 2

Adding layers of a wool batt...

...(with multicolored cotton dots)...

...to the surface of a bubble wrap resist...

                                                       ...then flipping it to side two.

                                    Carefully wrapping the overlapped wool around the resist...

                                            ...then covering this side with layers of batt, as well.

                                                    Adding circular 'puffs' of wool roving...

                                            ...and outlining them with pencil roving for definition.

                                         Mid-way through felting (the exterior surface of the hat)...

                                                          ...and the interior surface.

                                   (See how the colored fibers 'migrate' through the layers of wool?)

       
                                                           Next time: the finished hat.

Pennsylvania Farm Show 2014- Part 3 of 3

Look at the lovely locks on these beauties!

                                            I wanted to grab a pair of shears and get to work! :)

                                      This wild-haired little fellow was just desperate to be noticed.

                                     His insistent voice and antic movements drew a lot of attention...

                                                    ...but made him hard to photograph! :)

                                                   This proud rooster looked just like his cartoon namesake...

                                       

                                  ...and the feathers on this one resembled the petals of a white peony!

                                      

                                               Check out this 'perfectly accessorized outfit'...

                                                    ...down to his matching 'shoes'! Grin.

                                        
                 
                                             The geometric pattern of this sweet hen's feathers...

                                                     ...would be lovely to replicate in felt.
                                   
                                       

               

                                                              My favorite bird of all?

                                                This dandy with his glossy burgundy body.

   

                                                 I couldn't believe the color of his tail feathers!

                                                     (They're a gorgeous, deep, sage green!)

   

                                                   Next time: I return to the world of felt! :)

Pennsylvania Farm Show 2014- Part 2 of 3

As a feltmaker, my love of sheep comes naturally...

...but I've never bothered to form an opinion about goats one way or the other.

                                 After seeing so many of them at the farm show, recently, however...

                                                  ...I have to admit that I'm rather smitten!! :)

                                                                    Unlike my cat...

                                              ...who is undeniably sweet and wonderful...

                                     

                                                ...goats seem to smile when they look at you!

                                                                      I just love that!! :)

             
                                       There were (of course!) some sweet sheep at the fair, too...

                                                         ...with all manner of fleeces!
       

                       
                                       Check out the wool 'go-go boots' left on this coated sheep...

                                                          ...and look at this precious face!

                                      

                                                        Next time: mostly roosters...

                                                           ...with their insane 'hairdo's'! :)

Pennsylvania Farm Show 2014- Part 1 of 3

The Pennsylvania Farm Show was held last week in Harrisburg...

 

...and it was my first time there.

 

It featured a horse-pulling competition...

 

...and animal judging.

 

Of course, I had my own favorites.

(Check out the color coordinated rope on this one!)

 

There were long-haired hippie alpacas...

 

...and groomed-for-success sheep. :)

 

There was even a 'dancing cows' butter sculpture housed in a special cold room...

...that had been carved from 1000 pounds of fresh butter!



Next time: more sheep...

...and some super cute goats! :)

Polka Dot Wine Tote- Part 2 of 2

Mid-way through felting.

 

Cutting slits for the handles...

 

...and continuing to felt the piece.

 

The finished tote in use.

 

'Dot side'...

 

...and 'name side'.

 

Flattened for storage.

 

Certainly, no one else will mistake this tote for theirs! :)

 

Next time: animal photos!

Polka Dot Wine Tote- Part 1 of 2

Creating a new resist for this wine tote...

...with a slightly narrower profile and center opening.

                                               Covering the resist with a layer of wool batt...

                             ...then flipping it over, and smoothly wrapping the fiber around the edges.

                                                      Adding additional layers of wool batt...

                            ...and folding down the top edges on each side for a nice, even look.

                                          'Dotting' the layers of roving with colored pre-felt circles.

                                                Wetting out the piece with warm, soapy water.

                                      

                                    Adding pencil roving names and additional polka dots to side two.

                                                                 Mid-way through felting.

                                                           Next time: the finished tote.