The left arm has fallen off

Seriously, my left arm has become worthless. I've got a blown bursa at the elbow, torn rotator cuff, and a shoulder that is screaming "STOP FELTING".
I am going to be taking a few days off to let everything cool down. The pain is getting to me and when I am in pain, the creative juices go dry. I know I should learn to use my legs for the rolling, but I've always found it awkward. I may try laminates or make some dads and do for embellishments over the next few days, but I've got to lay off the hat making. 200 hats was a lofty goal but I have to live in reality. Right now, reality really hurts.

And then came Monday

Had high hopes of getting several hats done today, but it is not to be. The pink one was made today, but that's all for now. I am sure that I'll not make the goal of 200 hats. There will be great joy if I get to 100!

It's all about the Mannequins!

Just when you think that you might be making an interesting hat, or making good felt, you soon learn that it is about the mannequins! I get so many folks emailing or writing about how good the mannequins look. So without further adieu, let's give it up for the mannequins and share the details on them.
#1 I purchased them on Ebay
#2 The heads are movable so they can be positioned and pack up easily. Great for photos and booth display.
#3 I use the cheap wigs that can be found easily these day, post Halloween. I cut the hair and style it for my uses if necessary.
#4 I am looking for used natural hair wigs, so if you know of any, I'd be happy to learn about them.
Ok, let's hear it for the mannequins!
Off to make hats so I can show off my mannequins . (who knew it was about the mannequins?????)

I see a full moon rising

I did not make these hats today, they are the works of the past two days. There are no dishes done, (still hoping the beloved husband will volunteer to do them) no laundry done, (we still have clean clothes, so what's the rush) and most of the leaves are still all over the yard (where are the leaf fairies to take care of them???) and still I feel a sense of accomplishment in getting these hats done and the garbage taken out, orders shipped and even had coffee with my dear friend, Dawn Edwards. (www.feltsoright.com) It's been a good day and a stunning orange moon is rising. Life is good! Nearly any day I get to make felt, is a very good day.
I hope yours was wonderful too!
Peace to you,
Suzanne

Five Felt Hats

Here are the labors of the past two days. I am very tired, but I am liking the hats very much. What do you think?
The details:
The blue hat is made of merino with silk fibers on the surface. The burnt orange hat is made of hand dyed merino and has silk fibers on the brim, with silk fabrics in black and white on the surface fora very shadowy effect. The white hat is merino. The pink/red hat is made from merino with prefelts cut into squares and placed on the surface for design. Lastly, the multi-colored hat hat metallic fabric on the brim, with silk and metallic fabric on the surface

Shalom,
Suzanne

Hats and then some

I'm heading off to bed so I'll not write much, but these are the labors of my hands the last few days. Blew the bursa on my left elbow so this has been a somewhat painful process. I'll try to write more about these tomorrow.
Shalom and Peace,
Suzanne

It was a dark and stormy night...

It is a dark and stormy night, the house is closed down for the night and I should be fast asleep, but I cannot go to sleep because I keep thinking about the e-mail note that I got from Martha asking where I am. It's really her way of saying "blog, Suzanne, blog". So before I head off to bed, I'll write a bit here.

I went to the New York Sheep and Wool festival and froze my clothe covered, multi-layered butt off for three whole days and had car trouble all the way there and back. What should have been a 12 hour trip turned into an 18 hour drive. I've never been so glad to be back in my little town, in the company of my good husband and wonderful family. I had a good show there, sold lots of hats, but I sure am glad to be home. The magic of the color tour that I so enjoy on the trip out there was really missed because of the car trouble. Perhaps next year...

I have been making stuff and I'll try to show the photos tonight or tomorrow. Long story short...two years ago I told Susan McFarland that I wanted to join two pieces of silk together with wool between them for a fun experiment and color play, as I would like to make the silk two different colors, one white, one black and the wool between in multi-colored to see how the colors played off of each other. At New York's Sheep and Wool I had the chance to see Connie Delameter, a fine fellow felter, who had just done something similar. We immediately talked about it, and seeing her wonderful results pushed me to do mine. I used an olive green silk scarf and a rich red silk scarf with black pre-felts in between the silks, laid out in random fashion. Oh YUMMY! I know that I'll be doing a lot more of these. They are really lovely, luxurious, sensual, feminine, with a wonderful drape and hand, plus, they are warm!... and did I mention that they are obviously reversible. Connie and I think it is best that we don't live too close to each other...we'd be in felting heaven, bouncing ideas off of each other all the time. She is a meticulous artisan. I do wish we lived closer. Connie, thanks for the shove to get mine done. I love it!

Ok, now I am off to bed. (Martha, thanks for the reminder to blog. Sometimes I do need it!)

Shalom,
Suzanne

Slicing Felt-Felt Slasher

Ok, I have to admit I am loving the feel of cutting felt. I am using a rotary cutter and having a ball! (I know that this is not the norm, but that's never stopped me before.)

I am however going to stop and say I am sorry about using myself for a model..there is simply no one else around here right now except my beloved husband and he will not put this felt on! My eyes show my fatigue and I am sorry to share those tired eyes with you.

I made vertical cuts first and then let them become the fringe on the wrap. Then I made one horizontal cut so that I could use those "fringe parts" for a tie on the wrap. I found that the horizontal cut was too much, half a cut would have sufficed for the ties. Letting it drape with my arms through the openings serves it better than without.

Off to eat something wonderful and planning on getting to bed early this evening.
Blessings to each of you

Suzanne--the felt slasher!

Felt United Event and beyond

There is the photo of Barb Marr and me together after our day together, teaching and exposing folks to the wonder that is felt
We had some folks who were knitters only and have fallen in love with felt. YEAH! I think that eventually, we'll be teaching some classes on the joy of feltmaking!

I am making hats, but not nearly at the pace I need to be. I've got to get some cleaning done and lots of paper work needs to be completed before I can get back at it. Cleaning can be a great way to let the mind wonder and the thoughts play among themselves. So tomorrow, the brain gets to play while the house and paperwork get done. ....I wonder what the top of my desk looks like?

What are you making today? I hope it is filled with joy!
Suzanne
Please visit:-++++++
http://www.marrhaven.com/feltunited.html

for more on Felt United!

Creating order today, not felt

This is just an experimental piece and I am not entirely sure it's "finished' in my minds eye. It was made in white, then dyed and over-dyed and then the cuts were made afterward. I like the color-play and the cuts.... Just wish my mannequin was wearing underwear...or something!

"Sheesh -- am feeling underwhelmed by myself. ' is about to become my mantra!

Moving kind of slow today, but did get this one done. At 5.00 pm today I am pouring a glass of wine and relaxing! 200 hats! How am I going to get this done!

This hat is merino wool with hand dyed silk gauze over lay. The camera never seems to capture this color nor the purples.

Anyway, Good Sabbath and Shalom,
Suzanne

Hat-a-thon

I'm posting this one now, but hope to have more to follow yet today. Thanks for checking on my progress.
...
the purple hat is merino silk 50/50 with metallic fabric, mohair locks and silk on the surface. The burnt rust colored hat is merino with silk fiber and a metallic mohair yarn on the surface.
I think not bad for having spent half of the day on the road, taking family to airport, visiting the one in the hospital, and trying to fill several orders. I didn't get as much accomplished as I'd hoped, but I am satisfied with the results of the day.

"Yes Scarlett, tomorrow is another day"

Felt Scarf to go with that Felt Hat?

Actually I made this scarf some time ago, was unhappy with it, then pulled it out today to give it some play time. The fringe-y stuff looks much better "in real" than in photo. Photo does not allow for the fun of the movement the fringe allows. The scarf was rather scarf like, straight, simple, with lots of color play. I decided to place the cuts in it and see what would happen. Again, a happy experiment. I have several others that I am thinking I might do the same thing to, only in different patters.

This is an ultra fine felt with tussah silk on the surface. I had hand painted it prior to application. I'm enjoying the color and texture play on this piece.

Are you making felt today?

Shalom,
Suzanne

How am I doing?

These are the hats so far.

Each of these are made on my quest for 200 hats by December 3rd. I am working as hard as I can and allowing my mind and hands to play as much as possible. The red/pink hat is all merino with some metallic inlay, the turquoise is merino tencel, the two beige are made of blue faced and silk while the last is full merino wool. I am working hard. Can you tell?
Shalom,
Suzanne

#4 and the counting continues

Merino wool, black velvet, white silk, gold metallic fabric were used to make this hat. Just showing the hat, not time to write.
Shalom,
Suzanne