Lichen, Woods, Workshops Coming

Usually I walk a mile in the morning at one of several stores around town until the warm weather arrives here in Plainwell, Michigan. It was dark and raining this morning and I got a late start. I like walking very early before the stores get busy. When I arrived at my destination, they were already busy so I decided to go to the woods to "just look". What an excellent choice for the day! There was beautiful, spectacular lichen. I took some photos via my phone and most of them are up on my facebook page. I am struck by the subtle colors and incredible shapes lichen take on. The smell of the woods in the early spring is lovely too, very earthy, sweet, sometimes musky...and with the soft rain and overcast shies. It was a lovely time there. I love rainy days. ( You might want to click on this photo to see the detail. It is lovely to see the moss on the lichen!)

Over the past few days I've been trying to finalize three workshops I've been asked to teach in Cedar Grove, Wisconsin at Bahr Creek Llama Farm and Studio. I think we have done it. Bahr Creek Llama Studio is having sheering days on their very large herd of llama. They have a huge turn out for this annual event.
So here is the line up:
#1
Felt Bird Pods-Wednesday, May 25th, 9:30AM-2:30PM, cost 55.00 + 20.00 material fees.

#2
Nuno Felt-Thursday, May 26th, 9:30AM-2:30PM, cost 55.00 + 25.00 material fees.

#3
Sculptured Wool Felt Hat -Friday, May 27th, 9:30AM-2:30PM, cost 55.00 + 20.00 material fees.

For more information on these workshops, please contact Brigitte at Bahr Creek. She told me that the classes always fill very fast so if you are interested, I'll encourage you to act with haste.

WWW.bahrcreek.com

www.bahrcreekllamasfiber.blogspot.com

If the classes are over filled, I will stay one more day to teach.

The scarves below are the ones that I've dyed for the nuno felting workshop at Bahr Creek. The colors turned out so softly lovely. I am thinking I'll have a hard time letting go of these scarves.

I am also counting down the days until I get to go spend an extended time with Jone, the amazing, and Pam, the incredible. Looks like we're going to manage a felting get away. YES!!!!!


Well, off to go felting for the rest of the day.

Joy in the day and Shalom,
Suzanne

I hate it when I am the only model I can find!

I wanted to show you the final results of the nuno/laminate felt wrap. It was dyed in shades of blue, gray, green and soft plumb. the wool that was added was olive, navy and plumb-purples. I adore this wrap, and really wish I had done it in colors that were more suited to me. (I rarely wear blue.) I imagine it will look quite lovely on a blond. This wrap rates pretty high on the "flutter factor" and I love that about it.
I have to admit that the photos are not very good, lighting is bad, my husband is not thrilled at doing this for me (but he won't model it either!) and I am the model....need I say more!
Woke up this morning to 60 degrees and raining. Not bad for November 22, in Michigan. Love rainy days, the coffee tastes better, the day moves slower, wool felts faster and I have time to breathe!
Shalom and happy felting all day long!
Suzanne

Learning to expect the unexpected....well, trying

I've put too much pressure on myself to get too much done this week. How do I know? Nothing got done and I've a headache today and tons of guilt about not getting anything done!

It started Sunday with no water pressure in certain parts of the house...the really important pasts of the house, like bathroom area and kitchen. Our small city of Plainwell does the fire hydrant flushing and when that happens, all kinds of iron and lime and other stuff gets released into the water system. For the past several years, it's cost us dearly in plumber fees. It will lodge in our pipes and literally bring our water pressure to a trickle. Not good for showering, not good for a houseful of people for our Sabbath celebration and not good for felting. Yesterday it was all fixed....until next time.

Monday, sculptured hat. It was made from some roving that I'd picked up from and indie-dyer who was experimenting with some new dyes. Well, I know her dye works are wonderful, so I think it is the dyes that gave her trouble. Anyway, the thing is, as I was rolling the hat in cotton fabric, something I do often when I am finishing a felt, the dye began to bleed out onto the cotton fabric. It took my breath away with the muted colors and textures that unexpectedly happened. I quickly snapped a photo of it for myself, and have decided to share it with you.

This entry really has very little to do with felting, but with the unexpected beauty that God offers up each and every day, no matter what we did or didn't accomplish.

BTW, the hat that I made had to be over dyed and I'll share that within the next few days.
Shalom,
Suzanne

Plainwell's Art Hop

For many years there have been local art hops, but this will be the first in Plainwell. It is this Friday night from 5-9pm with local business's opening their doors to artists to share their space. How gracious of them! If you live near the area, and the weather is permitting, it would be great to see you there. There will be three felt artist showing their goods. One is my friend, Dawn Edwards and myself. I will be presenting Ms. Allison's works as well. I am so proud of her artful eye.

This is the vessel that I made several days ago, now with the arrangement in it for the Art Hop Sale.

The green eye glass case has many eyes on it, one of the beaded. It it has a cord to hang around the neck, for those of us, (like me) who have a tendency to lose our cheaters or spare glasses. This was made of all merino and merino silk, with the merino silk on the inside so not to damage the glasses. I've wanted to get to some bags, but time is slipping away too fast, each day, faster and faster. Though this is relatively small, it took a good many hours to get it done. This is one of those things one makes for pure fiber play, not to sell. It might be a very nice gift too.

Shalom,
Suzanne