Fantabulous! Fiber Arts: 2012

2012/12/16

Wow! Russia!

As bloggers know, we get to see the stats on what is being looked at on our blog and who is doing the looking. I have been watching Russia turn dark green on my map and creep ever upwards in the listings of 'most looks' by country. Today Russia had twice as many page views as the U.S., was top in page views for the week and the month, and is up to 3rd for all viewings ever! Just below the U.S. and Canada!
Thanks for all the views and interest. Can someone from Russian leave a comment letting me know how the word has spread, and why? Very, very curious!

2012/12/10

Living With Loki

You will find a new tab on my blog as of today. My husband has oh-so-badly wanted a Mastiff. Must be a guy thing...anyway, we now have his heart's desire-and I have lost MY heart to this breed, and this dog in particular. He is a gem! We are working our way through the getting to know you stages. He is three years old and a perfect (and handsome!) gentleman. So, say Hi! to Loki and enjoy his adventures!

2012/11/07

Issaquah Quilt Show

I took many, many pix at the Issaquah Quilt Show...and one day you and I may get to see them. Right now they are sitting like so many mini van Goghs on my cell phone. You see, I am only partially computer literate. I thought I could take pictures with my phone, go home and plug it into a UBS port and share the incredible art work this group produced. Ancient dinosaur that I am it was a disappointment to find I have to be on the "connected to the internet" plan and email them to myself or someone. And this ancient dinosaur refuses to spring for the extra bucks that privilege requires! A good reminder to remember to take my camera always and every where. Meanwhile, keep checking BPQ's website for the 2012 Show Pix here- http://www.bpquilters.org/quiltshow/quiltshowpastwinners.html

I have been prepping and prepping for this show. The main theme has been kits. Many, many kits! There is my 'Grandma's Rainy Day' kit, which would be pretty much the norm on the West side of Washington State...

Of course there is a dye kit!

Then there is the-

and you KNOW I had to have a wooly kit! And a needle felting kit.

And today I found a way to package that spontaneous urge that over came me the last time I was ordering online...

So, all kitted and packed up. My poor Subaru is riding low...may it be riding much higher and lighter on my return! Wish me luck!

2012/11/03

I'm checking to see if your store is up and open today.
D D

2012/10/25

Felted Pumpkin Tutorial

You start with your felting needle and 'stabbing foam'.

Gather your pumpkin colored wool.

Needle felt the orange wool into a soft orange ball. I gather the sides up to the top and poke until they stay put, sort of like a drawstring purse.

Next you start defining the pumpkin's 'bumps'. I turn the pumpkin on its side, once I have determined what is top and bottom, and needle felt top to bottom-bottom to top a few time to define the 'grooves'. Do that until you have segmented the pumpkin bumps until it looks like a peeled orange. Then start 'tapping' the bulges, from top to bottom, until they are as firm as you would like them. The flatter they get, the more you will also have to redo the indentations to keep the 'hill and valley' happening for the pumpkin shape. Repeat, repeat, repeat, until you have the entire pumpkin as fluffy or firm as you wish.

View from the top of finished pumpkin.

View from the side.

Take some wool fluff for the stem, I am using natural and tan wool here. If you prefer green, go for it!

I pluck and pull the two colors to blend them. Then fold in half and twist.

Needle felt the stem, rolling it over now and then as you felt, so you get a roundish stem shape. I grasp the fluff on one end to keep my fingers safe from the needle and then use that un-needled fluff to attach the stem to the pumpkin.

Apply the stem like a little hat onto the top of the pumpkin.

With the needle, start poking the stem fluff down into the pumpkin body until it is well attached and the stem sits at an angle you approve of. (if you want the stem to curve realistically, just needle more on one side and that will 'pull' the stem into an arc)

And there you go! Fine, finished, furry pumpkins that are fun to make and cute to gift, not to mention a necessary Halloween and Thanksgiving decoration. Just add a few leaves, maybe a sheep or turkey, ghost or scarecrow. Oh, you could needle felt a mini crow to sit upon the pumpkin, or...
Have Fun!

2012/10/24

Promises, promises...

I promised my last two customers Sunday afternoon that I would come home and put a needle felted pumpkin tutorial on my blog. I keep my promises, so tomorrow is officially, "How to build a pumpkin with wool and needle". Stay tuned! :?}

2012/10/17

Summer Treelaine

Everyone loves Summer, our favorite time of the year. Blond and beautiful, this Summer has her tan on, her beach accessories ready, her yellow polka dot bikini donned, and her belly button jewel shined and sparkling!

2012/10/16

Take a break...

Even quilters need a break now and then, even woolly quilters. So, to celebrate 6 years married to Rick meant a trip to Victoria, BC. Gorgeous!

The back yard of the B&B and the sun porch, everyone's favorite!

The harbor just behind the BnB.

A nearby home, so charming!

A curious old house with Captain and Stork on the roof?

We loved this music teacher's fence!

It was a wonderful trip.

2012/10/04

Meet Sirena of the Sea

Sirena is, obviously, a mermaid...a needle felted mermaid.

Her pet star fish, Punkin, joined her for the photo shoot.

The gentleman I bought the gorgeous rock from last weekend at the farmer's market rattled off the rock's pedigree, but I will have to research it to know what it is! My brain didn't retain the scientific genre.

2012/10/01

Crystal Treelaine

Crystal is the oldest of the Treelaine sisters. She is all about sparkle; ear bobs, necklace, snowflake, and even her skirt has hints of Angelina fibers that glint and glimmer.