Joyce and Gillian and me

About 7 weeks ago I got a phone call from dear friends, Tom and Joyce, asking me to stop by as soon as I could. I went immediately and learned that Joyce had stage 4, fully metastasized lung cancer that had spread to her brain, bone, bowel and liver.  They wanted me to be her nurse for the duration. I did and that is why the entries here have been few and far between.  Joyce's struggle ended April 13.  Helping Tom cope with this incredible loss is time consuming, heartbreaking, fatiguing and rewarding. I will miss Joyce very much for a very long time.

In the past week I was able to  put all of the finishing touches on the (purple) Gillian Hunt Hat, which is being shipped to Scotland today. This was an artist exchange between me and Gillian. The prints she sent me as so wonderfully beautiful. I've got to get them framed and hung. They are splendid and I think I may have gotten the better end of the deal. Gillian's work is outstanding!

I also made the White on White on White on White Hat...white 15.5 micron merino with white bombyx silk roving, white silk neps, white wool neps and white 5mm habotai silk. This 15.5 micron wool from Ashland Bay is also most like working in wet paper the minute it gets wet. It begs to felt. The habotai silk nearly disappeared into the wool. Now I am anxious to make a wrap using the fine micron merino.

There is much to do in the days ahead. I've been asked to write about felting for the Michigan Fiber Festival's e-magazine and I've got to work on that, classes are just around the corner at the Kalamazoo Nature Center and I need to prepare for them. Orders to ship, thoughts that need to be put down on paper and drawn out, dyeing silk fabrics, batts to get made for spinners, laundry, cleaning, life stuffs, all needs to be done.  Much of my life has been on hold these past few weeks with Joyce...now on to getting back on track.

Felt Happy!
Shalom,
Suzanne

Upcoming classes and pretty little things

A bit back, I was asked to be part of The Rose Gazebo art shop on Mackinaw Island. I think she is going to have about 50+ artist there, including my dear friend, Dawn Edwards of Felt So Right. (see side bar for her website) Jodie, the gal who is opening the shop, has asked me to supply her with many things...most of which I'll be lucky to get done! We talked a good deal about price points and how she needed to have some of the smaller items that walk out of the door easily. I decided to dye up a bunch of merino silk in some wonderful water colors (she is opening the shop on an island after all) and made up 50 felted soaps for her. I hope these soaps will grow feet and will walk out the door for her. She also wants 30 pin cushions, 30 bags and 30 nuno wraps! ...all by the end of the month, YIKES! I am confident that I'll be working into the wee hours of the morning trying to accomplish all that she wants for her shop, plus get ready for the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival at the end of the month.

The teaching schedule is filling fast this year. I am so pleased to be introducing or furthering felting for so many. I will be teaching at Barb Marr's in Allegan, MI this next weekend for a group coming up from Chicago, have 5 women for a class in July at my home, Michigan Fiber Festival, two classes at the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival, and will likely hold another class in October.

I've also been asked to teach at our local library, children and adults next month. It is always great fun to be with the children. They are not programed to think a certain way, thus they listen to their hearts and beauty is created. They are my favorites to show how to felt, then stand back and let them discover what their hands can do. Children are amazing! If you are interested in taking a class from me, please feel free to contact me. I do teach privately if that is what you need.

We are anticipating a very large group here for dinner tomorrow at our Sabbath Group. I think there may be 20 people. I better get "the studio" turned back into a dining room as soon as I can.

Have a blessed weekend and remember to rest. It refreshes your soul.
Shalom
Suzanne