before / after (felted cushion)

I wanted to make Katie, my daughter, a chair pad (or meditation cushion, heehee) for her apartment bedroom desk chair.

I had THIS hand-painted wool roving in my wool stash long enough. Perfect!!

I cut a circular ‘resist’ from bubble wrap to place in the center (between the front and back) of the cushion. Here you can observe the initial layering of the wool roving.

Someone mentioned it looks a bit like ‘Cousin Itt’ from The Addams Family (a 1960’s television series).

For the reverse/back side, I used a natural colored gray wool. Here you can see the ‘chair pad’ is already felted… but, I wasn’t particularly happy with the results.

 

Never fear!!! Remember, there are NO felt failures!!

 

I cut it apart and now I have TWO 15-inch diameter circular cushions/felted mats to work with.

Rather than re-sew the hand-felted pieces back together, I opted to use recycled gray wool (which I felted/fulled in the washing machine) for the back. I was quite concerned that my little sewing machine would bog-down trying to sew the REALLY REALLY THICK (dense) hand-felted pieces!!! YIKES!!!  😦

But… it all worked out in the end. I also purchased a piece of foam cushion from Jo-Ann Fabric Store for the ‘stuffing’.

And, viola!!

Katie’s new cushion (a belated Valentine gift); Dennis and kitty approved!!

Happy fiber’n!!

wooly wednesday: cat house

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Doilies?

I have a collection of doilies, some that are crocheted by my mother (who will be 90-years-old on Feb 9th) and others (some mass-produced) that I have accumulated over time. I was ‘inspired’ to DO something with them. I often sharing quickie projects that are easily accomplished by beginners, both children and adults.

This little cutie (found on pinterest) has always tickled my fancy! It is a lovely ‘project’ on its own merit. They are very sweet simply hanging in a window or gathered together in a sheepy garland!

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But, since I have an overflow of farm-raised wool fleece at my fingertips, I came up with the idea of sandwiching (is that a word?) a crocheted doily between layers of wool and then wet felting them together. The wool and crochet lace/yarn provides another interesting facet and layer of texture. And you know I’m all about texture!!

I think I’m most fond of the black-faced sheep.

Naturally, you may embellish to your heart’s content… whatever little trinkets you have on hand in your stash/junk drawer. Buttons, ribbon, found jewelry bits, rusted hearts, beads, notions and so on and on. You may use felt for the face and legs detail, or needle felt a 3-D head for some sheep?

This time, I actually used a little clay to sculpt a head and hand-painted them with a little art paint. I stitched a vintage button to the ‘body’ and then glued the clay head to the button. But, you decide… they are your creations!

What a sweet gift for someone special on St. Valentine’s Day?? I love ewe sheep (with needle felted heart danglers)!?

Perhaps, a flock of colorful/hand dyed wool and locks would make a fun decoration for the sheepy-themed Easter tree?? Better get busy now!!

Happy fiber’n!

wooly wednesday: sheep love

do-over: a merry little sheep

I can hardly believe it’s been F O U R years since I wrote this post… Recycled Wooly Wreath (see post for how-to mini wreath details).

This mini wreath was a cute speedy-quick project made with little snips of recycled/felted wool (sweaters even better) strung on a piece of wire. Simply cute for decorating cupboard knobs and/or adorning a gift?

Most recently, I’ve been busy creating a few ‘new’ sheepy ornies! HAHAHA What a surprise, right? 

I slightly modified this little wreath project to create a cute little sheep ornament and/or a sheepy pin/brooch for another sheep and fiber enthusiast?!!

How-To // You’ll need:

1. Recycled/felted wool (‘ugly’ sweaters perhaps?)
2. Wire (not too heavy gauge)
3. Pipe cleaners, wool roving, buttons, foam or ‘other’ to create a little sheep head/face… let your creative juices flow!
4. Hot glue
5. Pin back or metallic string for hanging

To begin, cut approximately 1-inch little squares (( any color will do )) from your recycled wool. I used about twenty pieces or so… the more wool, the larger your ‘sheep’. You may also add a contrasting colored wool for legs/feet if desired. No two sheep need to be alike!!

 

When you believe your sheep is about the right size, bind the wire tightly – DO NOT LEAVE A HOLE IN THE MIDDLE LIKE A WREATH – and give the wire a tug and twist. Ta da… you have created a little fuzzy sheep body!!

Now comes the FUN part where you give your little sheep personality!! I used a simple black pipe cleaner to bend into the shape of a head ( like the shape of a capital ‘Y’ ). The top of the ‘Y’ become the ears and the bottom of the ‘Y’ is the face/head. Next, wrap/cover the pipe cleaner with black/white wool roving… a few pokes with a felting needle keeps everything nice, dense and tucked into place. You may add more details… eyes, nose, or not. Use a dab of hot glue to attach the head to the body (of wool).

Add a pin back [for a brooch] or a string for a sweet sheepy ornie.

Merry sheep!!

wooly wednesday: vessel

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wooly wednesday: catch all

 

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faux lambskin pelt

Today, I had my hands in the washtub again… playing with wool. I made a few more wet felted wooly ‘pelts’, like this one.

I used my Shetland wool and ‘raw’ Lincoln staples from my friend Chris’s flock. I love the added texture and luster of the Lincoln! Makes a nice chair pad or decorative table dressing?

Not to worry, a sheep friendly project! No animals were harmed by this project [heehee].

graphic felt

I played a little yesterday [it was raining].

I wanted to experiment w/a graphic design on wool. I wasn’t sure how ‘distorted’ it would become as a result of wet felting? Wet felting has a mind of its own sometimes.

I was not unhappy with the results. This ‘piece’ was somewhat of a departure from my usual sheepy projects! [wink]

 

wooly wednesday: child feltwear

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