a life of felt

I came across this site for Susan Mills this morning whilst browsing around the internet. The mixed media work she produces using felt and items like bone, is really inspiring and very different from anything I’ve seen before. Definitely worth a visit.

As promised here are some more of the items I’ve felted this Christmas.

It’s a shame that the photos don’t show the twinkle on the felt but the tree, the wreath and the mantel cover all have angelina fibres in the felt. I started the tree on a resist using pre-felts and then finished it by rubbing. I lifted the leaves regularly to stop them sticking to each other. For the wreath I covered a polystyrene ring with fibre then glued the prefelt flower and leaves on. It was quick, easy and effective.

The candle decoration is fibre wrapped around twigs from the garden which have then been glued together and are actually more stable than they might look. (thank goodness for hot glue guns)  The mantel cover has been edged in blanket stitched gold thread. I think it’ll look lovely when I get the lights up and some greenery on the mantelpiece.

Christine has been kind enough to share some pictures of her Christmas offerings. Aren’t they lovely? I really fancy the brown cushion with the flower and seed heads and the red dolphin one is very nice too, although I’ve nowhere to put that one!  Keep them coming.

Two shopping weeks left and I’m glad to say I’ve made a good start on buying presents for friends and family. Wrapping the presents and decorating the tree are two of my favourite parts of Christmas. My daughter is learning to play the piano and has been practising carols (every day!) so we can have a sing along on Christmas Day. This weekend I’m joining friends (thank you Kate) for a fun day making wreaths and other Christmas greenery with which to decorate the house. There are orange slices drying in the oven – mmm, lovely smell.

I’ve also been busy adding to my shops both here and at Folksy. The bag below is on Folksy and the notebook cover is here on my own site. Do check out my other items for sale.

The notebook is titled ‘Limestone and Lace’ – named by my husband. I may ask him to name all my items he does it so well.

One item I’d still like to buy is a notebook for my daughter. Preferrably textured, anything soft is always a big draw for her. So if anyone knows where I can find one do please let me know. And no, she doesn’t like pink. Acceptable colours are purple, blue, green and orange, or so I’m told.

I’ve been really busy with workshops this last couple of weeks so this is my first chance to show some of the felted items I’ve made for Christmas. Firstly, I had a go at a Christmas stocking in a more traditional shape but a contemporary colour.

I laid out a plain purple merino on the bottom layer and then used up all my ratty bits of lerftover purples (after carding) for the top layer. The snowflakes were added by machine stitching and it was finished off with a couple of homemade buttons in fimo. Rather nice I thought but then fancied something rather more elegant.

Again, I’ve used merino but with sparkle attained by adding angelina fibres to give it twinkle. I love the shape of this stocking and have already sold one, with more on sale at folksy. The top, heel and toe are free machine embroidered and I’ve added 5 recycled shirt buttons to each side. Now I’m thinking I need to create one in red but I might even have another new shape for that. As soon as I have more photos I’ll show you the rest of my Christmas felt.

You just have to take a look at this site . Robin Andrea is a self taught wildlife and animal artist and she makes the most amazing needlefelted animals. The siamese cat, owl and chipmunk have to be seen to be believed. Anyone who has ever wondered what the appeal of needlefelting is should take a look. It certainly gives you something to aspire to. Either because you want to make it or own it.