I’ve been very slow at showing these felt pictures but they really are too good to hide. It was a small class last week and I didn’t get a photo of all the felts but the two landscapes by Margaret and Judith are inspiring.

Take a look at what’s been produced at other workshops. I can’t wait to see what the slipper lot make tomorrow!

I enjoyed carding the fibres so much yesterday that I was inspired to use some of them for pictures. The boat picture is made entirely of carded fibres and I’m quite pleased with the result. In the centre is the vibrant, orange, pink and red fibres to which I’ve added some orange circles. It’s my intention to embroider onto this a little.

At the end is the fibres which to me looked so like a picture that I have indeed turned it into an abstract piece. I thnk I’ll probably stitch into this one too. Next week I hope to show you a 3D piece I’m working on which will also be made from carded fibres. So much you can do with leftover fibre!

Sometimes you end up with some fibres which have begun to felt and are difficult to pull for laying out. These and ends of colours I put into my bit bag. I use the bit bag when I’m looking for tiny amounts of a specific colour and for making felt beads. When I make the felt beads from these leftovers I cut the fibres into one inch lengths and mix in my hand. This is easy to do when the fibres are so short and allows you to use them up easily.

My favourite way of using them up has to be the carding of the fibres. If you can’t pull the fibres to put them on the carder split the top down it’s length a couple of times and you’ll find it much easier. Just look at the images below for what can be achieved by taking the time to card.

I really love the mix of orange, pink and red, so vibrant!  The final image is all the leftover bits carded to produce fibres that almost look like a painting. Carding allows you to create unique colours. If you store these they will eventually begin to felt again so I usually make them into pre-felts (part made felt, stop felting whilst still soft) which can be stored for a long time and mean you always have something lovely in your stash. All those bits you might have thrown away have a new life and you get 100% usage from your fibres. Good financial sense and great looking pre-felts!

I’ve just had a look at the Adelaide Walker website and there are some good deals during January. Although the Vat has gone back up prices have been held on all fibres for the whole of the month. In addition they now have have Wensleydale curls on offer and also have a Cashmere / Tussah Silk blend in stock. Definitely worth buying now, if you have the cash.