Dabbling On Sunday: Paper and Wool

First of all, please excuse the crud name and address masking job that I did. I have much to learn about PSE and no time to sit down and make it work! I am doing an envelope exchange with some very experienced calligraphers. Only 5 to exchange and this is the first. I wanted to add a lace effect on the front and back of my handmade envelope. I carefully cut out the forms from a lovely piece of Nepalese paper to effect the lace and I made the envelope itself from Bazzill earth tones paper. This is, perhaps obviously, the front.

The back with my return address also crudely erased - or is blotted, quite literally!, out.

I also got around to finishing a small felted bag. It has a cotton lining & a cotton batting. This was just a scrap from another project but it wanted to be a small bag. I still have to a 'handle' although I expect it will be a simple looped holder and then I will add beaded zipper pull.

The inside. I find it easiest to apply the zippers primarily by hand after I tack them in with the machine. I like a bolder splash of color that I can add to a brightly colored zipper!

A Great New Book About Felting

I love seeing new books come out about one of my favorite subjects! In this case felting! There seem to be quite a few excellent books for beginners but relatively fewer books that include some more unusual ways to work with the felting process. Sheila Smith's first book "Felt To Stitch" is one of my favorite books geared to 'modern' felting techniques. Her new book 'Embellish,Stitch,Felt' is another winner I think. The book offers some excellent beginner information but Ms. Smith also always manages to appeal to more seasoned felters as well.You can get a good idea about this book just by looking at the Table of Contents.



Sheila offers an excellent description of the differnt types of felting needles that are available and clearly explains the use for each type of needle. I think that many of us who use a felting machine may not realize that there ARE other needles out there. Thankfully, I took a class with Pat Spark that was my introduction to the art of felting and she presented all of the needle choices. If you ever get a chance to take a class from Pat - don't miss the opportunity! Now, I can cut the top off of the needles I want to use and replace needles as I need them in my felting machine. Sheila Smith also offers some excellent design and color selection options and the book does an excellent job of teaching about all of the many differnt fabrics that you can try to felt with. If you like felt than I don't believe that you wouls be disappointed in purcahsing this book - from Amazon or from your wonderful indepent book seller.

Another Finished Embroidered Felt Bag

The Front

The Back

Opened Up - Showing shaping and vintage kimono silk lining

The front again showing more of the handle

This will be my last post until I get back from my jaunt. I really will miss writing and I will miss my computer a lot! I just don't want to risk any rushed stress with the TSA over my computer. I love it too much to be cavalier with it...and the TSA just has too many rules that could cause delays or problems. I hope you will still want to read what I have to report from Festival iin Houston when I start writing again!!

This is another blue/purple themed bag that I just finished. I got two bags from one large piece of the wool felt fabric that I made. I'll be making some in my favored rusts and yellows soon - though I have started a fuchsia and a "wild" one that I'll finish first I guess. I have so many ideas now - and just not enough time . I have discovered that I really like using the vintage kimono silk for the linings - it makes them even more special texturally.

I hope that you have have a wonderful week filled with blessings and delights. "See" you soon.

Renegade Bag Takes On A Life Of It's Own

This little bag took on a life of it's own - and told me where it wanted to go. My original idea had been a quick, simple utilitarian piece to hold a pen or two, but as I began stitching it just keep calling for more & more embroidery. I went as I "was told to" and ,before long, the piece was no longer just a utilitarian piece but one of my favorite little bags -done completely by hand. The lining is from a piece of beautiful, obviously hand dyed, kimono silk. It had just the right green with circles in pale purple/lavender. I used both regular sashiko thread & standard embroidery thread with a light sprinkle of beads & an edge of deep purple Perendale wool. The only two things I have yet to decide is the closure and the handle: do I want either one of those things at all and, if I do, how can I fashion them to complement the bag as a whole? The handle is easier than the closure. I guess I'll just have to wait for this little renegade bag to "speak up" again!

Making Felted Wool Beads

A few people have asked me about how to make felted beads. I use wool roving for mine - and I have to admit to a a passion for Merino. I suppose that it is possible to use old felted sweaters to make these - but I think it would be far more laborious and, possibly, not as effective. Some of you know that one of my least favorite introductions to a technique is "fast, fun & fabulous" but, dare I say it, these beads truly are just that.

You simply need some luscious wool roving. I have several favorite places to get these supplies -outback fibers, try or designs & pacific wool & fiber. Then you need very hot water (from the tap), a bowl of ice water, rubber gloves (I always loose these pretty quickly though) and some good fatty soap. I use Eucalan Wool wash (I love the scent) or an olive oil soap- but actually even dish soap does just about as well I think.

Gently take some fibers of wool - I like to mix colors . You really don't need much fiber depending on the size of the bead you want to make. This is the amount I general use for a smallish bead.

Gently wet the fiber with hot water.
Add a bit of soap. You DO NOT need much soap. Too much will make the wool too slippery to work with. If this happens - just rinse some of the soap ff with hot water.

By now I have lost the rubber gloves. I just can't get good traction on the fiber with gloves on...it's never works for me! Work the wool into a ball by rubbing with circular motions in the palms of your hands . When it has begun to form a ball - throw it in the ice water for a second or two - then back to the hot water with a tad of soap. Just keep working the fiber, and alternating between the hot & ice waters until you have formed a nice tight felted bead. If it seems that the fibers are not felting - just keep on working it - they will. Each bead will take from 3-5 minutes to get a nice rounded shape. Be patient.

Before you know it you will have a supply of felted wool beads of varying sizes... think of the possibilities! I like to make small beads and dangle them from the bottom edge of small quilts. What will you do with yours??

Acquired Treasures

Last week's trip to mainland resulted in a few fun purchases. I tried hard to restrain myself Some great wool felt pieces, perle cottons in a few colors that screamed to be taken home, some rattail to try braiding, some beautiful hand dyed thread called "Wildflowers" thread by Caron (they have coordinating ribbons too), and,of course, some yarn !