My New Favorite Cup + Tea + Veracious Cold

Dear Jone gave this wonderful little cup to me this past week, along with a terrible cold. The cup is my new favorite, which is unusual for me. I am usually a big mug kind of gal, but this little cup just fits my hand perfectly, I love the detail and the shape; perfect for a strong cup of tea. And since Jone shared her cold with me, I am drinking a lot of tea with honey in it. Tastes so good when I can taste it.

My booth buddy Christee raises organic sheep, feed, pasture, hay, all organic, all wonderful! She is breeding for a long silky staple length and she is so achieving that goal! The fleeces that are shown here are from her flock. They are a cross breed-Teeswater-Coopworth in the raw.

I've used Christee's fleece for my bags, some for spinning, love to dye the stuff!!!!! and have used it most frequently for the birdpods. It felts tightly, lock structure is long and strong and soft. It remains a course wool, naturally, but it does have a wonderful hand to it. I am hoping to send some off to a friend today, and then perhaps begin a bit of fiber play myself today if I find the energy. (I hate colds!)

Christee has about 10 white fleeces left. If you are interested in purchasing any of them, please let me know. They weigh about8.5 pounds and the cost is 10.00/pound raw. Working with this wool is pure delight!










Okay, just writing this little bit has exhausted me. Going back to bed now. I really want to play in the wool today, not schlep around on the sofa. Oh well....tomorrow is another day Scarlet.
Successful felting!
Shalom,
Suzanne

Briefly, Bouquet

Been teaching a lot of private classes lately and working on the wedding bouquet. This is the bouquet, so far. I am planning on pulling the centers of the flowers together with pearl beaded stitches, three per flower. I've got to make three tulips yet and then begin the work on the greenery.
I was thinking of trying to put it all together myself, but have decided that I will take all of the elements to a professional florist to help me with the final product. Making all of the spiky sprites is tearing at my shoulder a bit, so I've had to slow it down...pacing myself...something I'm not really all that good at.

What are you all working on? I'd love to know.

Happy Felting!
Shalom,
Suzanne

The Round Rectangle

Elis Vermeulen had asked a question of the the feltmakers list and on FaceBook: what we were doing this year? I did not answer on the lists, but I will here. I had already decided that I want to focus on two basic shapes this year. One is the circle, orb, round, the other is rectangle. Much of what I do is already in these two shapes, but I want to push myself to explore more, deeper, find meaning new to me, in them. I used to do a lot of vessel work early on and in re-exploring "the round" I think I will be doing a few more of them in the future....though not all vessels are round, right? I love it when a friend challenges me to push farther, look deeper. Thank you Elis, I am looking forward to the year of the round/rectangle.

While at Art Hop I had a gallery owner ask for some of my work in her place. Honored, yes, of course. But then again, I am faced with the percentages given to the owner. When I price my things I take into account many things to come up with a price. When it is given over to a gallery, the losses become significant for me. It's great to have the exposure, no doubt, but the losses are hefty. Since I will still be on the road this year going to art and fiber shows, I think it will be okay to have a few galleries carrying my things, but it will definitely not be something I seek to expand in the future. I think that the ones that are already carrying my work is enough for now. I have trouble keeping up for them as it is.

One thing I've wanted to post and keep forgetting to do is this:
CREATIVE FELT GATHERING info

Time	Monday, September 19 at 9:00am - September 24 at 6:00pm
Location	Dainava - Manchester, Michigan
Created By	Creative Felt Gathering
More Info	September 19 - 24, 2011 Chad Alice Hagen - resist dyeing Elis Vermeulen - raw wool and prefelt projects Jone Rakoski - glass fusing Pam MacGregor - fused glass and loop and toggle cuff $450.00 - earlybird price $500.00 - March 1, 2011 $10.00 per night for 9/18/2011 or 9/24/2011 payment by check or Visa/Mastercard after August 31 2011 - no refund after July 31, 2011 - 75% refund after June 30, 2011 - 90% refund Catering by Marilynn $100.00. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner for 5 days. Simple and healthy comfort foods. Catering is optional. July 31, 2011 is the deadline for ordering. Sheets are provided limited blankets and pillows available. Dormatory style sleeping arrangements. 4 to a room, 90 beds, but since we limited the Gathering to 30 you can spead out. Contact: Jone Rakoski - spectralglass@hotmail.com phone - 517-456-6066

It is an incredible event, priced so reasonably.
********************************************************
I am trying to get my camera to download some photos of the bouquet that I am making for my friend Holly, but it won't work. I'll mess around with it later and see if I can show some photos of the work in progress. Until next time, Happy Felting!
Shalom,
Suzanne

Silence and then not so much....

I've not had the time to post lately...life is usually pretty busy here, but then it goes on steroids and gets CRAZY, out of control, heavier than one thinks one can handle. Such is life here right now, and an end of it may be in sight soon. The operative word is "may". Since I've not had time to post, I've had even less time to make felt. Here is the latest work...time is a gift. (I want more presents!)

For felting news....It's kind of cool! A friend of mine is getting married and has asked me to make her bouquet out of felt flowers. How cool is that! I am so excited and honored to do this for her...and I get to work with two of my favorite colors, white and purple! I used to do floral design on the side, so this is going to be great fun for me. She is knitting her wedding dress (can you imagine!) out of lace weight kid mohair, she'll carry felt flowers, and I think I am going to try to incorporate nuno ribbons coming from the bouquet as well. Anyone got ideas that they want to share with me?

Gotta run for now. Plainwell is having the ART HOP tonight and I need to hit the shower and get ready for a fun, fun night. Pop over if you can, many wonderful artist there!

Kisses and Peace to you all,
Suzanne
Oh, the second photos is of a wall hanging: "Birth: To Spill Forth"
It is made of merino wool silk fabric, silk fibers, Mohair and Teeswater locks, cheese cloth and beads.

Can you come to the Winter Retreat in Ashville, NC ?

http://friendsandfiberworks.com/
Lisa Mackey is holding a Winter Retreat in Ashville, NC the 14th, 15th and 16th of this month in Ashville, NC. The details are on the link that I've posted. Will you be able to come? Would you like to? There are some great teachers there, Chad Alice Hagen to start with. We will be in a mall! How neat is that? I think it should be a very interesting venue.

Jone Rakoski and I will be traveling together to be at the show. We've already made plans to have dinner with Chad. I am looking forward to that, just wish some of her genius would rub off on me. I wonder if she'll mind if I sit really close to her so our shoulders are touching? (You're right , that would be inappropriate. I'll try to behave myself!) Anyway, if you are in the area, or looking for a fiber road trip, please think about coming to this event. I think it is going to be wonderful! For spinners, I'll have my "Bling Batts" Jone will have wonderfully dyed prefelts, her incredible felts, and I'll be bring a few hats. ( I only have a few and didn't know about this show until two weeks ago..Yikes, no time to get much done!)

These are three of the nuno felts that I'll have at the show. I put the photo up on Facebook and got a bunch of questions off and on the thread. I've been asked about the type of silk I am using and how I get the intense crinkle effect. For the purpose of brevity, I am going to re-post here what I wrote there. Hope you don't mind.

Here it is:

These three were done on silk gauze. I roll them a lot, maybe more than most. I roll in each direction, on both sides 500 times, by actual count. Then I may roll again another 200 hundred times if I want it a bit tighter. It also gets "slapped" on the table top about 200 times. Then I will toss it in the dryer on AIR ONLY until I get the texture that I'm looking for. I also do this with the habotai silk, except the initial rolling gets bumped to 1000 times each way on both sides. Added note, I use cold water through the entire process.

Well, I've got lots to get done before we leave and am starting to get excited about the trip. What's not too exciting, is that we are to get 17 inches of snow over the next few days, right when I'm packing the trailer! Snow is so beautiful...shoveling it is not.

I'm wishing you all wonderful felty moments.
Shalom,
Suzanne

Final Post...

Final post for 2010.









Happy 2011 to each of you. May it be filled with promise, creativity, enough triumph and tragedy to keep you humble and aware of the blessings that surround you each day. May you have wonderful sunrises to greet you and spectacular sunsets to sleep you, may your arms be filled with often with the people you love, and your heart overflowing with joy often, the kind of joy that brings tears to your eyes. This is my wish for each of you, and I wish it also for myself.
God bless you,
Shalom,
Suzanne

Little Girl with a Ball

We're settling into the cold weather here in southwest Michigan. We keep our heat at 60 degrees (15.5 Celsius), wear warm wool sweaters, turtleneck shirts, and several layers under that, oh yea, and long underwear or leggings. I think it is so funny that 60 degrees in the winter is cold, but in the early Spring, we'd open the windows to let in the fresh air and warmth. We also "spot heat" where we are with our Eden Pure infrared heating unit. Works out pretty well.

It's been a busy time with family and most likely will be until the years end . I've not had much time to make felt, but did make this small bag for my sister who has a birthday late December. I still have to get the handles on it, write her a note and send it off to her.

And speaking of birthdays, I had another one this year. I am delighted to have made it thus far. This is an ancient photo of me when I was a year old. Love the dress...it has Disney characters on it. How fun is that?












QUESTION, BIG QUESTION:
Several of my friends and I are planning on bringing the delightful and very talented feltmaker, Andrea Graham ( see my sidebar) to the greater northern Ohio/southern Michigan area in the near future. We will need to have 12 students to bring her in. Are you interested in attending? Do you want to tentatively sign up? Do let me know.

I'll be back as soon as I make some felt!

I wish you all deep Peace and Joy in this Christmas, because:
Luke 2: 8-14
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. ¹⁰ Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
¹⁴ “ Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Shalom,
Suzanne

Monoliths, Cappuccino, and Four Dreaded Women

It's a quiet Saturday morning, gray skies, bits of clutter that needs attending to, a hot cup of cappuccino at my ready, and am compelled to blog a bit.

This week Sharon Costello, of Black Sheep Designs, announced the Felter's Fling line up on her website. So many talented felters will be there, teaching, sharing, making memories. I'd like to go. Will have to see about that. Here is the link.
http://www.blacksheepdesigns.com/fling2011.html

I think you'll be impressed with the line up she has provided this year.

So while I 'm reading through the list of folks who will be at Felter's Fling, I come upon the YURT Guy link and begin anew, my search on line for monolithic or dome or yurt living units. I love them. My ideal living space has become the dome. For those of you who read this blog often, you know of my passion for monolithic structures. There is something in the simplicity, the womb or earth shape, the safety, the unusual, to be sure, that attracts me to the shape; finding them rather comforting. However, there are some things that make them look rather stark as well, and that I find less attractive. However, while looking on line for monolithic homes, I found the one that combined so many features that I like, mixing the traditional with the unusual--creating beauty and balance. If you are interested, here is the link:
http://www.monolithic.com/stories/feature-home-emerson
I could so live there!

The Four Dreaded Women are pins that have been ordered and they will be on the way today. They are time consuming to make. I've enjoyed making them, but am unsure if it is something I want to add to my product line. Maybe they will be what I do on those days when my arms have fallen off and I can finger felt only.

Cappuccino is gone, time for me to get moving. Blessing surround you....look!
Shalom,
Suzanne

Tunic/Overdress Concept Piece

I've been working on some simple pieces, on a slightly larger scale than I am accustom to. My work space is limited. This is one of the projects that I've finally brought to fruition. It is a simple tunic / over dress, one I would wear over a turtle neck sweater and leggings and some jazzed boots. It is not sewn all the way down the garment, just from natural arm hole to the waist, the rest of it is rather free flowing. While not my colors, I hope it will find it's rightful owner.
I hope I'll have more "concept pieces" to share with you in the weeks to come.

For now, I am feeling very flu like and am thinking I might head back to bed.
Shalom,
Suzanne

TA-DA, Jami's Bag is done!

Okay, these are the final photos of the bag for my niece. The leather straps were custom made for the bag. I think they are the "saving grace" on the bag. Tomorrow, it gets sent to Jami. I hope she likes it.
There, one less thing that "has to be done". Yeah, I love it when that list gets smaller.

I'd like to have you go take a peek at another blog I've come to enjoy more and more. Her work is feminine, delicate and lovely. Let me know what you think, okay?
http://bolichoniespi.blogspot.com/
What are your favorite blogs and why?
Shalom,
Suzanne

Flops +

Success and failure and frustration and re-inventing .... the way things are, right now.

I had put a nice, long, hard felt handle on the bag for Jami. I had sanded the bag with an electric sander, then rolled it for about 4 hours and was getting pretty tired. I threw it in the dryer on "air only" to let it flop about a bit while I took a break. When I opened the dryer door, one side of the handle had pulled away for the bag. I had this awful sinking feeling, wanted to cry and hoped secretly that the felt fairies would show up and make it all better. They didn't. I was stuck trying to re-think the bag and salvage it from nearly being thrown away. I finally decided to cut handles, and have now taken the bag to a friend/seamstress who is going to add leather straps to it. This is being done so that Jami has the option to carry by hand or throw over her shoulder. (Can a woman ever have too many options?) These are not my final photos of the bag, just showing my progress, if you want to call it that. This bag is 6 layers thick. I think I'll not do that again. I do love how the silk and wool play together on the surface.

The other item shown here is a wrap cloak that I've been working on. This is my second one and I wanted to add a collar to it. The collar is a stolen piece from a different " failed piece", cut and sewn into place on the cape. It turned out so nicely. I am well pleased with the results on the cape...and so thankful I didn't have to model it.

Looks like a very busy week ahead of me. Dear Jone ( pronounced Yona, long o) will be leaving for Finland on Tuesday,(so going to miss her!) taking care of some family needs, doctor appointments, dental appointments, yada-yada-yada...that kind of week awaits me. I'll pop in here when I have something to share.

If I forget to tell you how much I appreciate you all stopping by, let me do it now. Just knowing that you stop by helps me feel less isolated. Thanks you so much. You are THE BEST!

Shalom,
Suzanne

The Start of Jami's Bag

Happy Thanksgiving! So much to be thankful for! Could we ever count the blessings we receive daily? I could not.

Tuesday, I thought I'd get started on the rather large bag my niece has requested. I cut the pattern/resist. Got the wool, the silk fabrics, the do-dads I was going to add, started the handle and then promptly felt overwhelming, crushing fatigue. Took a 4 hour nap! What's up with that?

After the a fore mentioned nap, I did get the handle finished. The lay out completed on Wednesday. It is 6 layers of fine merino wool with silk fabric and tussah silk and little wool blebs of turquoise. I must confess I have no clear vision of what this bag will look like when it is completed. I'm flying by the seat of my pants and hoping for the best. (so what's new about that?) I'll work on it a bit today as time allows.

We (Jim and I) are having a very low-key Thanksgiving dinner this evening. I'll be working at the Plainwell Community Center serving dinner to our community if they need me. Love doing that. It is just the coolest thing to see folks from all different walks and stages of life, sitting together, enjoying the foods, and each others company. On any other day, their paths might never cross, but on this day, they are neighbors sharing in a moment. It is amazing to see and to be a part of the celebration.

May your day be over-flowing with things that remind you of the gifts that surround you.
Shalom,
Suzanne

The all day Wrap...

My slow, rainy day Monday was indeed slooooooooow! Seems like it took all day to get anything done! I started this nuno on silk gauze early in the morning and didn't get it finished until about 9:30 PM. Talk about putzy! I'd start, then stop to do something else, then come back and leave it again. Truly, my ADD ruled the day.

The colors that I dyed the gauze are gray, blue, crimson and plum. The merino wool colors are hot orange, cinnamon and purple. The close up shows the colors far better than the "live shots", because again, we are dealing with bad lighting. The lay out was very random (... see ADD gone wild!) leaving many open areas to form puckers and bubbles. I love that more and more in the nuno/laminate felts. I wish I had asked Jim to get a couple of shots of the "wool side" of the wrap. Maybe I can ask him later...maybe.

Next on the list of felts to make is a large bag for my beloved niece, Jami. She is a teacher and wants a large felt bag for carrying her "homework" home with her. She's asked for it in brown. Not a color I usually work in, so there will be some creative challenges for me. I hope I'm up to it.

My Mom sent this little video my way. She knows I love watching the humming birds. I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did. What a rare treat for this young man!
http://www.wimp.com/babyhummingbird/
Well worth it if you take the chance to watch, really wonderful.

What are you making these days? Are you having fun? What is your favorite thing about felt? I am asking because I really want to know.

I am thinking about doing a give-away for my blog readers. If I do, what would you like me to put up for a FREE GIVE AWAY?

Gotta go.
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

Random layout, delightful surprise!

This post will be brief and to the point today. I simply have too much on my plate, as usual.

The past few weeks I've been playing a lot with nuno felts, dyeing the silks and playing with the lay out. On the piece I am going to show, I did a random layout, and am thrilled with the final results. The photos explain it, so I can be brief today.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Wish I could chat longer, but I really can't right now. I'll be back soon.
Shalom, and Good Sabbath to all!