before / after (felted cushion)

Posted on February 19, 2015 by Sheepy Hollow Farm

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

Posted on February 18, 2015 by Sheepy Hollow Farm

image via

wooly wednesday: cushions

Posted on February 11, 2015 by Sheepy Hollow Farm

image via

Doilies?

Posted on February 6, 2015 by Sheepy Hollow Farm

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)!?