Raw Locks Bedroom Rug- Part 1

Laying out raw wool in concentric circles...
...with the tips that were outermost on the sheep facing down.



Covering the locks with orange wool/silk roving.



Filling the center with white wool roving.



Topping the layout with a layer of cheesecloth.



As I think you may already know...

...I've been having a bit of a love affair with raw locks, lately!!

I wanted to make a piece using wool from my dwindling stash...

...of Black Romney, Jacob Hoggett and Icelandic fleeces.

I thought a new bedroom rug would be a nice project...

...fun to make (not too large) and super cozy on my toesies! :)

I laid out raw locks in circles...

...making each ring from a different breed of fleece.

Black Romney wool looks the most grey and tan...

...Jacob Hoggett locks show up as 'poufs' of black, brown and white...

...and the black and white Icelandic wool is 'doing the wild thing' and sticking out everywhere!!

I covered the surface of the locks with a layer of blended silk and wool roving in my favorite color (plus white for the middle)...

...and wrapped the whole shebang with a layer of cheesecloth.

Next time...

...how the project looked during felting...

...and the finished rug!

Yarn Bombing The Rocky Balboa Statue

The Rocky Statue...dressed in a pink sweater!



Yarnbomber Jessie Hemmons admonishes visitors to "Go see the art"!!



I just had to share this local fiber arts news with all of you today!

On April 2nd, an area yarnbomber took the time to remind people that the Rocky statue...

...might not be the most visit worthy attraction here in Philadelphia.

Why not?

Because the world class Philadelphia Museum of Art is located directly behind it!

How do I love this?

Let me count the ways!!

(Images Courtesy of Conrad Benner of Streetsdept.com)

Striped 'Art Yarn' Scarf- Part 2

After rolling in bubble wrap...look at all of the cool (temporary) indentations!



The white backside of the scarf.



The finished scarf...front and back.



Stripey goodness!



Because I don't knit or crochet, but LOVE yarn...

...I enjoy devising felt projects that utilize handspun yarn!

I made this scarf quite wide...

...so that it can be worn open as a shawl or folded in half, lengthwise.

I like that it will coordinate with many different coats...

...and with the 'extended Winter' we've been having this year...

...I've been wearing it quite a lot! :)

Striped 'Art Yarn' Scarf- Part 1

Laying out merino roving in stripes.



Adding art yarn.



Angelina sparkles!



Sandwiching the yarn with a thin layer of white roving.



I wanted to make a wide, thin scarf for myself several weeks ago...

...and decided that it would be fun to make it in lots of bright colors!

I used thin layers of merino roving for the bands of color...

...then added pieces of art yarn, lengthwise, to make a fringe at each end.

For a little sparkle, I added blobs of Angelina fibers...

...then covered the surface with a second thin layer of roving (white this time).

Because I wanted the scarf to be thin and supple, but strong...

...I laid out the white wool perpendicular to the colored layer and sandwiched the yarn between them.

Next time...

...photos of the finished scarf!

Machine-Pleated Pre-Felt Purse- Part 2

I think that the flap looks a little like a ginko leaf here, prior to trimming.



"Look, Ma...No stitches!"
After the bag was partially felted, I removed the large basting stitches that held the pieced pre-felt sections together.



The area of the purse bottom that required hand stitching.



The finished bag with double handle.



Because I put the pre-felt layer down on the resist first...

...and didn't adequately 'rough up' the back of it...

...there was a section of pre-felt which didn't completely felt to the other roving.

To fix the piece that was 'flapping' a little...

...I merely did a bit of hand sewing.

I doubled up the strap this time, to shorten it...

...and to anchor it...I tucked a section of strap under the flap which had become the inner pocket...

...and stitched it down, thereby holding it in place.

I was pleased to find a vintage button from my stash which matched so well...

...and all-in-all, it was a fun experiment.

(One I'll show you more of in a future post!)

Machine-Pleated Pre-Felt Purse- Part 1

Pre-felt piece after machine stitching.



Cutting (and piecing) the front and back panels.



The 'peanut shaped' resist with stitched panel and wool roving.



The wrapped resist.





Some time ago...

...I made a flower pillow with stitched pre-felt petals.

Since then, I've been wanting to try another project using this technique...

...and here it is!

I needed a 'thank-you' gift for a friend...

...and she absolutely loves the combination of purple and green!

In order to prepare the pre-felt panels...

...I combined several different colors of green roving that I had on hand.

When the panels were dry...

...I stitched lines of raised pleats along the length of the pre-felt.

I cut pieces of the panels to match the shape of the bag bottom...

...piecing, when necessary, with large handstitches...

...so that they could be easily pulled out after felting.

I put the pre-felt 'pleat side down' on the resist...

...and wrapped the resist with several layers of purple wool roving.

Next time, I'll show you the finished bag...

...and tell you about the little bit of 'stitching surgery' that I performed on it! :)

Swap Gifts...All Orange, All The Time!! :)

Beautiful beaded flower, trivet, sachet, handspun yarn and cosmetic case from my friend, Kelly.

 

Close up of her beading and handmade cloth button.

 

Fabu journal, purse fob, brooch and special honey from my friend, Tracy.
(There were two additional Perthshire 'food gifts', as well, but my daughters and I ate them up before I could snap a photo!)

 

I especially love the striated red and orange bead!

 

As you may know from reading some of my other posts...

...I think felt and fiber artists are just the best people, ever!

Recently, I was lucky enough to arrange individual swaps...

...with two extremely lovely and talented feltmakers.

My friend Kelly is the author of "Felting Sunshine"...

...and a fellow orange lover!!

Tracy is a Scottish feltmaker...

...who writes the blog "narkeymarkey".

As you can see...

...they indulged me by making all of my gifts in my favorite color!!

Thank you both from the bottom of my heart...

...I will think of you with happiness each time I use one of my wonderful presents!