Wet Felted Journal from Heather

On Monday I received a wonderful wet felted journal in the mail from my phenomenal felter friend Heather!  We made a trade of wool but in different forms.  I really liked the most recent journal she made and shared on her blog using yarn as a wrap.  When I commented on what a great idea it was to use yarn, she suggested a trade.  Well of course I jumped on that, because Heather makes beautiful felt, and my momma didn't raise no fool!  In trade, I sent her a box full of my hand spun yarn.  I sure hope she likes what I sent as much as I like this journal.  She asked what color I would like and I told her any neutral color would be fine.  Oh boy did she deliver! The colors and textures are just what I love.  Here are some shots of her beautiful work!! 

Outside Cover (front and back)

 

Blue Lattice Shawl

I mentioned in my last post that I was getting ready to start a shawl based on the lattice idea.  This one I created using BFL fiber.  This fiber is in my experience does not wet felt as easily as Merino fiber, but if you like a wool that has a nice texture, then this one might be one for you to try- you will need to spend a bit more time ensuring that your overlapping areas are completely felted.

It is next to skin soft, not as soft as Merino, but I feel is much harder wearing than Merino.  I dyed this batch of wool top using various shades of blue.  Sometimes I feel like a mad scientist when I start choosing dye colors.  A little of this, a little of that.....FUN!

The final shawl is about 5 foot long and about 2 1/2  foot wide.  I added some more long locks as a fringe at the end and in the middle, they will fall along the back when the shawl is worn.  I love, love, love the texture the BFL added, all I need to add are the hot fix crystals which should be here by tomorrow!

Tomorrow, a post about a beautiful journal cover gifted from a wonderful friend!

Wet Felted Lattice Scarf with Long Locks

Yesterday was a fun day of wet felting and dyeing fibers!  I spent the early morning testing out my fall colorways.  I have decided on 4 different colorways that I will use to dye a variety of fibers.  I will be adding them into the shop in about 2 weeks.  This is the first time I have tried using consistent colorways and I am excited about it.  Also, investing in some larger fiber processing equipment was a great idea and will open many new avenues for me.  To think that I will be able to make my own top using fleeces that I have purchased makes me happy!

So anywho...after all of the dyeing, I was able to layout a scarf that I have been wanting to try out.  I fell in love with Chad Alice Hagen's lattice scarves and have been kicking around some ideas in my head.....I have some embellishment to add, but I am waiting for some of the supplies to come in the mail.  I used some of my stash of long locks for the ends of the scarf.  I had been trying to decide if I would spin them or felt them.  I am glad that I decided to felt them, and now have many more ideas for these long locks!  I have decided I really like the openness of this scarf and feel it is much more practical for Florida weather in the winter where we are pretty mild, although this will be worn when I head to Asheville this Fall!

As soon as I finished this one, I sketched out a large wrap using the same technique.  I have finished pulling the fibers (shades of blues) and will work on it today.  Stay tuned!

Meet the Alpacas and Goats!

I decided to give the animals their own pages.  I have started with the goats and alpacas.  Off to mow the pastures!  Enjoy!


The Alpacas

The Goats

Roosters in da house!?

Today is an animal post, yes, I do have some felting to show off, but that will be next.  When we decided to get chickens, I said I only wanted girls.  So I mail ordered some Ameraucana gals.  Well I got gals, and some boys.  I really was not too sure at first and then remarked to a friend that it sounded like my girls were cock a doodle doing...She said "You have Roosters!", I was still in denial saying "No, I think my girls are confused!"  

Well, my girls are not confused, I have myself 2 roosters!


I really do not want to get rid of any...they are my babies!  So far we have had no fights and Fifi, who is now known as "Frank", seems to be the head rooster.  Poulette, now known as Paul, has decided not to challenge his standing.  So, as long as peace reigns  in the "Chicken Kingdom", they both shall stay.