Silk, Wool and Dyed Blue Locks Bag- Part 1

Dyed blue locks and multicolored silk and wool roving.

 

Laying out roving for the bag flap and handle.

 

Applying the dyed locks 'tail'.

 

The bag front, prior to felting.

 

This bag is yet another 'variation on a theme'...

...but this time, I used cleaned, dyed locks and a blended wool and silk roving.

I employed my familiar peanut-shaped resist...

...making the bag body white and the flap and handle blue, brown and green.

I found that I actually prefer raw locks for laying out...

...since it seemed to me that the cleaning and dyeing (for this batch of commercial locks, anyway)...

...had partially felted them and made the locks a bit harder to use.

The other challenge was the fact that the flap and handle roving was a wool and silk blend...

...and that meant that it felted differently than the all wool roving of the bag body.

Next time...the finished bag with its pleasingly egg-shaped body...

...getting ideas for Easter, anyone??!?! Giggle.

Birthday Giveaway Winners!

Winner number one:

 

Winner number two:

 

Since one of my 'little girls' was home from college this week (and up late!)...

...I had her do the honors and run the random number generator to pick my winners.

Congratulations to Deb and Rosie!!

I will be contacting you both soon, in order to get your mailing addresses.

Handspun 'Art Yarn' Scarf- Part 2

The finished project.

 

Close-up...note the wonderful texture of the handspun yarn.

 

Version #1...as scarf.

 

Version #2...as table runner.

 

With this project, I pushed myself out of my 'usual' color range (har)...

...and went for something multi-colored and festive!

I really enjoyed using handspun yarn in this piece...

...since I've always loved it, but, alas, I cannot knit or crochet.

I hope that this scarf (or table runner?)...

...will coordinate with many different coat colors or decorating schemes.

If you would like a chance to win one of the giveaway scarves, and didn't yet enter...

...please leave a comment here by midnight EST on Friday, March 11th.

Please let me know if you'd prefer the onion skin scarf or the art yarn scarf...

...and make sure that I have a way to contact you if you are one of the winners!

Handspun 'Art Yarn' Scarf- Part 1

Beginning the layout.

 

Adding strips of colored roving and handspun yarn.

 

With all of the layers on, just prior to felting.

 

Close up of lattice.

 

I received a skein of wonderful handspun art yarn from my friend, Linda...

...and have been saving it for a special project!!

I decided to make a scarf with a woven appearance...

...both to showcase the yarn's texture, and to insure that it felted in properly.

I added strips of colored roving and yarn...

...so that there was a weaving-like overlap.

During felting, I tucked in the fiber ends...

...but left the yarn extended, to act as a fringe.

I have a close friend who thinks that this scarf makes a nice table runner...

...and in tomorrow's post, I'll show you both 'versions' of the finished scarf.

If you'd like a chance to win either this scarf or the onion skin one...

...please leave a comment on this post or on Thursday's post...

...and let me know if you'd prefer one over the other.

At midnight EST on Friday, March 11th, I will close the contest...

...and I'll announce the winner on my birthday, Saturday, March 12th.

The first randomly picked name will get their first choice of scarf...

...and the second winner will receive the remaining one.

Please make sure that I have a way to reach you if you are one of the winners...

...either through a blog link, or a posted e-mail address.

(Use (at) and (dot) to foil the spammers!)

Onion Skin Dyed Scarf- Part 2

Fulling the scarf.

 

Preparing the onion skin dye bath.

 

The finished scarf.

 

Giveaway scarf #1.

 

Once I had felted the scarf for some time...

...I fulled it by throwing it on the table for a bit.

Meanwhile, I simmered onion skins in water to make a dye bath...

...and when the scarf was ready, I removed the skins from the dye bath,

...added a little white vinegar, and let the dye do its magic!

The skins gave the white scarf a pale, peachy-orange hue...

...and it made me happy to get extra use out of something on its way to the compost pile.

Tomorrow, I'll give you your first glimpse of the second giveaway scarf...

...and at that time I'll begin recording the names of those who wish to leave a comment and enter the giveaway drawing. :)

Onion Skin Dyed Scarf- Part 1

Laying out white wool roving.

 

Adding circles of brightly colored wool.

 

A lengthwise white strip tops it all off.

 

Partially felted scarf...checking to make sure that the holes stay open.

 

Yet another middle-aged birthday is heading my way this coming Saturday...

...and today I'm planning my second annual birthday giveaway!

This year, I have two (very different) scarves to give away...

...and today, I'll show you scarf number one.

I had the idea of making a Dawn-style scarf...

...but letting it be a little more undulating...less rectangular.

I laid out figure eights, crosses and squiggles of white roving...

...then added circles of orangey-red roving on top.

I anchored the whole shebang with a length of white roving...

...and began felting.

Next time I'll show you the gorgeous orange dye pot and the finished scarf...

...and I'll tell you how and when to enter the drawing for one of my two scarves!

Poppy Flower/Raw Fleece Purse- Part 2

This photo looks a bit like an alien life form to me! Grin.

 

The purse back with its Icelandic fleece tail.

 

The finished purse in all of its wildness!

 

Notice how I stretched the purse strap out while felting it to make it longer?

 

I had a lot of fun making this outrageous purse...

...feeling like I could 'take more liberties', since I was felting for another felter!

A beard of Icelandic fleece surrounds what became the bag closure flap...

...and the other flap was turned into an inside pocket with a sewn-in fabric lining.

I found a veined black/grey button for the closure...

...and a terrific 'just the right shade of green' snakeskin print fabric for the pocket (sorry-not shown).

The best part is that Nicola was really happy to receive it...

...and I could breathe a sigh of relief!! Giggle.