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

Violet Frost

I've had this fiber around for some time and finally made a hat with it. It turned out great. The dark color is merino in a very dark violet, while the surface of the hat is merino tencel. The combination is yummy, IMO.

This is #3 in my quest to get 200 hats done by the first of December. I know I'll not make it, but I am giving it my all. I think I have about 30 hats done as of right now, but do have several shows ahead of me. I wonder if at the end of all of this I'll be sick of hats? I cannot imagine it though. I also wonder if anyone expects me to clean the house while I am on the quest of 200 hats? Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!

#2 of today...and counting

This is the second hat I've made today. Was going for three, but doubt if I'll make it. Might get a third layout completed, but will felt it in the morning.
This was an experimental hat, and for the most part, it works for me. Now, I'll think about the other colors I'll do this in.
Hmmmmm, something wonderful to dream about!

Hat as a Madder

Ok, now, I'm not really sure how bright this decision was, but I've signed up for a 10 day show in December. That means 10 whole days and enough product to keep the booth filled during the entire time. Don' t expect much blogging, I'll be "Hat a Madder" and I mean it just the way it is spelled out. Was this a crazy move or what?
I'll try to post them as I get them made.
Blessings to all,
Suzanne

Learning, Learning, Always Learning

I made this hat with high hopes in mind. The first layer is angora, second layer is merino, third layer angora. The results were less than stellar. The shirking went fine until it reach a certain point when it would simply shrink no further...even after 20 minutes in a hot dryer! YIKES! That's something I never do! (ok, never say never!) It will soon be gifted to a dear friend who has a large head. While the colors are not 'her colors" I am sure that a tour in the dye pot will make it hers alone.
I enjoy felting with angora, but this trip around the felting table was a "bumpy bunny" ride.
Lessons learned

FELT UNITED event October 3, 2009

Fellow Felters everywhere!

My dear friend, Barb Marr, is hosting a very special event on October 3rd, 2009 to go along with Felt United and the UN's International year of Natural Fibers.

Hope you can join us, the information is listed below. Michigan Felters, I hope you'll make a special effort to make it there. Should be a great day!

Marr Haven information is on my side bar if you'd like to join us for the day. Please do let Barb know as soon as possible.

Shalom,

Suzanne

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"Marr Haven Wool Farm of Allegan, MI will host a FELT UNITED event October 3, 2009 from noon until 4 :00 pm.

A large tent will be placed in front of the farm shop for felt makers to exhibit (and sell if you have a Michigan sales tax license). Suzanne Higgs of Hooked On Felt will demonstrate simple felt making for the public and will have several of her stunning felt hats available.

We are inviting all felt makers in our area to participate by making a felt item in the Felt United color theme of red, orange and yellow. A combination of the 3 colors or one of the 3 colors may be used according to the Felt United guidelines with no more than 3% added colors. Photos will be submitted to Felt United for their online exhibit as well as in a multimedia presentation. More information regarding the felt pieces are on the Felt United website.

Please contact me as soon as possible if you are interested in participating so I can include you in the news releases which I would like to send out by next Monday Sept. 7."

Barb

Where is Molly Ringwald when I need her?

I really feel like I need Molly Ringwald to model this hat for me. She does look "Pretty in Pink"
I'm off to bed, more later.
Shalom,
Suzanne

Wrap your hat around this!

Ok, am I like the luckiest hat maker? My friend Judy picked this up for me. It is an electric hat stretcher, it warms and stretches the hat in a slow lovely way. I've used it so re-shape some of my hats. I shape my hats on my own head, which is very small. This is going to be a great blessing to me! I love it and am so honored to have it in my studio.

Red Mushroom, Walks in the Woods

Yesterday I went to the woods with my husband and as we were walking we came across these stunningly beautiful mushrooms. This morning I returned, in the rain, and shot some photos of them. I've never seen them before and hope that maybe someone else has. I've looked on the net for some information and think they might be edible, but am unsure. The color took my breath away. There were probably about 30 of these lovely shroom, some larger than a man's hand. The color made my mouth water. Does anyone have any ideas about what this might be?

I've canceled my trip to Finger Lakes Fiber Festival in New York for Sept. There is too much going on for me to feel free to leave. I love that area, but I may have to wait until next year to go. I am still on to teach at the Wisc. Sheep and Wool Festival in September. It will be so good to see friends there and meet up with other felters. What amazing talents are there. Susan McFarland, Mary Wallace and Ruth Gross knock my socks off with their amazing talents. Can hardly wait to see what they've done next.

Well, lots to do today so I'm off for now.
Good felting to all of you!
Suzanne

Longing for Vision

There was a time when I could make felt all the day long. Those days are long gone and I grieve them deep in my heart. Finding creative juice is difficult. I believe that I am part of God's creativity so when it leaves or feels distant, I have to ponder deeper questions; like have I moved away from my Creator. Certainly, He has not left me, so it must be me...or there is too much other junk in my life to block creativity. Soon some "junk" will be gone from my life and perhaps I can return to a simpler time...and make felts. I love making felt. I am more and more convinced that it is what I am supposed to do. There is great peace in that knowledge.

He is my Vision.

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art. Thou my best thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light. 2. Be Thou my Wisdom, Thou my true Word; I ever with Thee, Thou with me, Lord; Thou my great Father, I thy true son; Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

3. Be Thou my battle-shield, sword for my fight, Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight. Thou my soul's shelter, Thou my high tower. Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power. 4. Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise, Thou mine inheritance, now and always: Thou and Thou only, first in my heart, High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

5. High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heav'ns Son!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O ruler of all.

Shalom to each of you and Great Creativity!
Suzanne