Felting Class

On March 14 I taught my first felting class. I decided that my goals were verrrrry ambitous! I wanted to complete a journal cover in 4 hours and alloted 2 hours with explaining the felting process, making a pattern and laying out the wool and 2 hours in the felting process. Well, the whole class ran 2 and 1/2 hours longer than I planned. Not the end of the world!! Everyone did finish their project which was my ultimate goal and it all ended up well. I think my students (4 total) were pleased and the projects did turn out very nice. The covers were very colorful and so varied in their appearances. Here are some photos:

Midwest Felting Symposium

Today I received an e-mail that the class schedule is up and running on the Midwest Felting Symposium website! www.midwestfeltingsymposium.com I looked through it and I really don't see how I'm going to be in several classes at once. I am just going to have to decide on a couple of classes. Its so exciting to be able to learn from so many teachers and then I know that each of my fellow students will be full of ideas too.

If You Are in NYC -- Felt Exhibit at the Cooper-Hewitt museum!!

March 6 through Sept 7 at the Cooper-Hewitt museum. Fashioning Felt. A celebration of the material with jewelry, rugs, vessels, upholstery and apparel. Wish I could go. Here's the blog about the exhibit. http://blog.cooperhewitt.org/2009/02/27/fashioning-felt/?utm_source=Link&utm_medium=Web%2Bsite&utm_campaign=Global%2BBottom%2BLinks&commented=0#txpCommentInputForm

If you go take picture for me!

Beginning Felting Class!!!

I am teaching a beginning wet felting class on March 14, 2009. I am thrilled! I've wanted to teach a class to willing students for awhile now and its finally happening! The class will be held at The Dome Center in Roscoe, IL, from 8:30 to 12:30. The project is a book or journal cover and my goal is to help everybody complete their cover within that time frame. I am having fun gathering together all the wool and embellishments required for the class as well as all the felting tools needed.

Alpaca Wool

I'm always interested in new sources of wool for felting and last year I picked up some alpaca roving which is very light weight and very warm. So, I was very pleased when I found an advertisement for suri alpaca on Craig's List here in Rockford. Sue Reilly in Rockton (just north of here) raises her own alpaca herd. She started with just a couple of animals and has multiplied them and now has 5 or so. She processed their wool and has some very nice spun alpaca in both natural browns (dark and medium) as well as cream and this beautiful steel blue that I just couldn't resist. I bought a couple of skeins (very reasonable price) and am looking forward to knitting it up into something. Maybe I'll see if I have enough for a shrug. I also bought 21 ounces of roving - white with silk noil in it. While I was there Sue was so gracious and stood by while I felted a small piece to see how it was. It will felt nicely, so soft and it will drape really beautifully. Can't wait to make a wrap with it. Maybe over some handdyed or painted silk. If you want some great alpaca wool e-mail Sue at dreamingtreealpacas@msn.com.

Creating a Garment

Last week I took 2 and one-half days out of my schedule to create a garment. I had never made one and thought I would try. I created what I thought was a decent pattern and then began placing wool in a pleasing pattern on both side of the garment. Just as I learned last year at the Midwest Felting Symposium I enclosed the pattern in the wool. In this way the edges remain nice and straight as the wool is felted. I think it turned out pretty well for a first try. I would make some changes for the next one and have marked these changes in my paper journal for future reference. Today I wore my vest over a black turtleneck sweater and black pants. The orange colors are very festive and in this cold Illinois winter brought a bit of sunshine into my day. It is very warm.

Fiber Fairs I want to Attend

I love going to fiber fairs here in the midwest. One of the benefits is visiting with all the vendors. I also like to look at all the different wools and colors and then imagine what can be created. Here are some fiber fairs that I want to attend for 2009:

April 18 -- Stephenson County Fiber Art Fair, Cedarville, Illinois. 9 am to 5 pm

July 17 to 19 -- Midwest Fiber and Folk Art Festival, Crystal Lake, Illinois. Fri and Sat 10 to 6, Sun 10 to 4.

Sept. 11 to 13 -- Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival