What's In a Name?

Will I need to change the name of this blog?

I have been experimenting with wet felting, with a goal of making creations that are combinations of wet felting, needle felting, and, perhaps embroidery and beading.  The top photo is a wet-felted fabric background, upon which I am going to needle felt.  Wet-felted fabrics are firmer than needle-felted ones, and might be more suitable for botanical compositions (not sure).  Wet felting uses water, soap, agitation and pressure to make fabric...

...or objects, like these future beads for a necklace.

Will post as soon as the backing is dry and needle felted!
Till then..... have fun with all things fiber!

Next class!

I need students for my "fast and furious" needle felting weekend intensive class, May 18 and 19 (shorter afternoon session on Sunday).  Please pass this along to any crafty friends! We have a blast!  Register at:  http://www.lewisginter.org/events/event_detail.php?event_id=1118

Needle Felting at Ginter Garden

In February, I did needle-felting demonstrations at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.  The photo to the left is me with a crowd of interested folks, and, to the right, with a special friend I made (see the blue flower she is holding?  We felted it together!).

My next demo will be at the Powhatan Festival of Fiber on April 27, from 9:30 to 1:30.  For more info, go to: http://www.powhatansfestivaloffiber.com/

Registration for my next needle-felting class in May will open in early April, at:  http://www.lewisginter.org/adult-education/adult-educationhappeningnow.php#Art

Keep needlin'

Needle-Felting with Botanical Subjects

I just finished teaching another session of "Needle Felting with Botanical Subjects" in the Art in the Garden program at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens http://www.lewisginter.org/adult-education/adult-educationhappeningnow.php#Art  and what a fabulous class it was, with wonderful students!  Below are some samples of their amazing work!  I will be posting some more photos of their projects in process at the class and will ask them to send me pictures to post of their final works.

In the class, we discussed tools of the trade and how to use them, felting methods and techniques, suitable wools for needle felting and some ideas about subject, composition and dimensionality.  The next confirmed class is in November, but I am working on some other options. In addition, I will be demonstrating needle felting at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden this weekend, Feb 23 and 24, from 11AM to 3PM, so come on out!  The orchid show is in the conservatory, and there will be a "petal pounding" activity for children too!  My students and I will also be demonstrating needle felting on April 27, 10 to 3 at the Powhatan Festival of Fiber, http://www.powhatansfestivaloffiber.com/

Keep active!  Keep needlin'!

Virginia Fiber

If you live in Virginia, and are free April 27, 2013, check out the Powhatan Festival of Fiber!  Information is  at:

http://www.powhatansfestivaloffiber.com/

And if you don't, look for regional fiber festivals near where you live!  They are springing up everywhere!

Knitted shawl with felted trim

The Shawl

Yours truly

I purchased this boucle yarn at the Fall Fiber Festival in Montepelier, VA a few years ago and knitted it into a shawl (at the festival, the yard looked more pink and less orange).  It is a pretty bright color!  I could not decide how to finish off the edges. The simple pattern called for tassels, but that doesn't work with loopy boucle and it did not want to add more orange or make it any longer.  So, I opted for needle felted "bobble" trims in a variety of shapes and colors.  I have made this shawl again in blue and will post that result when ready (and I am knitting it in purple too- boy is it cozy warm!)

Close-up of trim-this seems closer to the color of the boucle.

Coming soon: a report on the work of the fabulous students in my needle felting class at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden!  

Till then, I'll be needlin' around!

Results of My Needle Felting Class!

My students and I had a great time at Ginter Gardens these last two Saturdays for my needle-felting class, Introduction to Needle Felting for the Botanical Artist.  My students were all quick studies and produced some lovely work, including some three-dimensional creatures (not exactly botanical, but fun!).  They seemed  pleased at how quickly they were able to master basic techniques and tools of the trade!
The class should be scheduled again in February, 2013 for two, non-consecutive Saturdays, 2/2 and 2/16.  These classes will focus on botanical works, producing a small work and a larger one of "wool art!"  Come join us!  Check the Ginter adult class schedule at http://www.lewisginter.org/  for the new schedule after the holidays.
Keep needlin'!