Preparation is key and it’s really not worth rushing this stage. So lots of  measurements, quick sketches, a look at images on the internet, thinking through the processes and various stages, then it’s time to start gathering equipment and supplies.

Lots of bubble wrap, bits of lace and a quick sample of how I might make it look very full through gathering.

Lots and lots of fibres, both tops and locks plus some yarns. I’m hoping to make an impression on my stash!

I’ll be laying out at 160cm x 78cm so it’s going to need two tables to work on or I’ll be crawling round the floor again. There’ll be more to see next time but do feel free to speculate in the interim.

Here it is. Jacob wool tops with added Tussah silk fibres.

I can show you now because it won’t spoil anyone’s birthday surprise anymore.

The edges are hand stitched in plain running stitch with embroidery thread and each flag  has an appliqued heart. They’re machine stitched to the tape. I didn’t do running stitch along the top and I’m now wondering if I should have – opinions?

There are 12 flags on each set, flags are 12cm wide by 18cm long. I made sufficient felt for five sets but only three are completed as I ran out of tape. And yes, the yellow really is that vivid!!

About eighteen months ago Hubby made a bench for the garden, it was very sturdy and looked really good. After the ravages of last winter we noticed that despite his best attempts with the varnish, the weather had found it’s way to the wood and we had some black spots and discolouration appearing on the bench.

Hubby was understandingly upset about this, I on the other hand am delighted as it makes the most wonderful background. Just look how it makes this brooch sing.

I’ve picked things up shuffled them around, re-arranged piles and yes I can say progress is definitely being made, with the exception that nothing has actually been put away yet!  With no workshops to distract me I find this a good time to take a close look at things and decide what to do in the long term rather than just putting them in a cupboard.

There’s been a couple of samples hanging around for months. The first is a piece of felt onto which I stencilled blue hearts in fabric paint and the other was an experiment with a skeleton leaf and a fine layer of Blue Faced Leicester fibres. I really don’t need these to illustrate any points in workshops so decided to make them into cards. First stop my inspiration box.

Obviously this needs tidying up too but it’s where I store my hand made papers, patterns and general inspiration from cards and photos to magazine cuttings. I always enjoy a browse through here and always think I should browse more often if I had the time. I found some lovely blue papers for my little felt hearts.

One has tissue paper pasted onto card and lightly painted, the other has painted card onto which I impressed bubble wrap which made a lovely pattern.

Little bits of scrap felt combined with a little time = a little bit of happiness. I’m pleased with these cards and now they really have been tidied away, going into the card drawer for some of those birthdays coming up in the next two months.

It’s a while since I made a brooch in this style but it was a special request. The back two layers are Merino and the top layer is hand dyed Blue Faced Leicester.

Just like a firework in bright red Merino with gold, pink and orange silk fibres. Orange seed beads exploding from the centre outwards.

I just LOVE this fabulous ruffled heart shaped wreath. Do I really have to let it go, I do wonder if I could say I didn’t have time to finish it and keep it for myself. But perhaps, it would be better just to make another one.

Perhaps a red or pink one next for Valentines day.

I so enjoyed making these that I went on and made more using handmade soaps with essential oils.

Below are a few needlecases.

I’ve always put sparkly thread on the seams of hearts before but decided upon red this year. They’ve found a little spot in my heart.

Food on the brain!

These birds are so much fun. I love them and had to keep some for myself.

I only made one reindeer which I’ve kept for myself but I then had the thought that there was something of a llama about the body shape, now that’s all I can see!

I’ve been playing around with them to see what else I could create. Many of the ‘creations’ have
been scrapped but I’m loving these dinky brooches.

They’d look good on hair slides too.

There are 12 black sacks of fleece available on a first come first served basis. So stake your claim now. Here’s a little more information.

Lots of lanolin. A little more straw in with some of it then we’d like but it’s been near the stables and some hay was dropped on it. Otherwise not too bad in the main.

I pulled some fibres out from various sections and the staple length is 3″.

It had 2 washes and 2 rinses, a quick spin in the machine and out to dry. It’s cleaned up quite well and was easy to card on hand carders.

I needed to add a little more soap for felting and it’s not a bad felter but it won’t be a favourite with me because it’s still a little stretchy and to felt it any further I would lose all detail. I do like solid well felted wool so this isn’t the one for me but would be suitable for softer projects like pictures. I have no idea how well it would spin but for the staple length, it’s quite a soft wool.

If you’d like to take a bag of unwashed raw fleece just drop me an email or give me a call. All I ask in return is that you tell me what you do with the fleece and how well or otherwise, it suited your purpose. I’d like to pass this on to Tim so he has more of an idea if it has a commercial value. If it turns out that it’s great for spinning or felting and you’d like more next year I’d be happy to put you in touch with the breeder.