Neil the sloth

I last posted the makings of Neil back in May. 

He is now completed and is with his new owner, who is delighted with him.

It was the largest and most difficult thing I have made so far. But I am pleased with how he turned out.

Lisa xx

One for me

I have been so lucky this year to have had a regular supply of orders coming through. Some have given me the ability to learn new techniques. Others to use wool I havent used before, while others have been a challenge to my skill. I have enjoyed them all. My favourites being the Alice in wonderland characters. 

Now I have almost completed my last order to date I suddenly got all excited and realised for the first time this year, I could make something I wanted to make! 

I had a look at my inspiring board on Pinterest and decided I would make a troll.

Not sure what he was going to look like ( there's so many different looking trolls) but I would just see what happened. 

I sat wool and needle in hand, sat on a steamer chair, on the decking, in the garden, in the sun, could life be any better? And started stabbing.

3 hours and burn't arms later this is how far I have got.

Loads more to do but I think im going to like him.

What do you think?

Lisa xx

Needle felted cocker spaniel.

A while ago I was asked to make a cocker spaniel to look like their own cocker called Chocolate.

Of course I jumped at the chance, another challenge. 

I had in my head a traditional cocker spaniel like this

So when I asked for some photos I was a bit surprised to see these.

I did get quite a few photos but I knew I was going to have my work cut out with this felt!

I had never done a long haired dog before and had no idea which wool to use.

Some of my lovely friends on a needle felting forum on face book helped me out and even sent me some from the USA!

I started with a wired frame and covered it with with core wool.

Then I covered with a base brown wool.

I decided to use these two pictures of him and due to the different lighting I choose and average of the colouring.

This is how he turned out. 

The new owner was delighted! Im so glad a did it, at one point I wondered if I would ever manage it

What do you think!

Lisa xx

A week off

A week off work this week was meant to be spent felting my orders and gardening.
The truth, I have spent the majority of the time doing things for others, not that I mind but sometimes you just need a little 'me' time.
Today I managed it! Three hours of bliss, my own music, no interuptions, no can you justs or would you minds.
I planted Petunias and tidied the garden ready for a hopefully good summer. Then it was time to felt. Its so relaxing I nearly fell asleep. I was working on ' Neil' I didnt get as much done to him as I had planned to this week but every little helps.

The Scottish Bagpiper

Last year I was asked to make a Scottish bagpiper for my friend's husband's birthday. 

He is in a bagpiping band and she wanted to surprise him with an image of himself in felt. 

It was by far my biggest challenge to date but i was up for it.

She sent me a few photos off him to go off and here was the result.

A fellow band member approached me a few months ago and asked if I would make on of him too. 

He sent me these photos

And he said there was no rush! Thank goodness...

I finished him yesterday and sent him these photos last night. 

He was thrilled to bits and collecting him tonight. 

More slothing tonight now...

Lisa xx

Neil

Well he is changing everyday...

I think I am happier with the shape of his face now so a little more detail can be added.

Its strange how things look so different in a photo to real life and I like to use photos to see how things are coming along.

The thing with felting is one, just one stab of the needle can make such a change so I do try not to judge it at this stage. Very hard but lets see what a few more stabs will do.

Bye bye Alice and friends

In January when i was asked to make these Alice in wonderland characters, I had no idea how much pleasure making them would give me.

With each one needing different techniques, some of them that were new to me, some that weren't, each piece involved moving up and down my learning curve.

I got to the point with two of the characters, I very nearly contacted my client to admit defeat. I just couldn't get them 'right' in my eyes. 

Putting them down and walking away for a day or so did the trick though and after ripping off a faces a few times, I can say that i am very proud of all of them.

Today it was time to give them a final check then wrap them up ready to go to their new home in Austrialia. 

I can't thank you my client enough for giving me this opportunity to make these. I have enjoyed them so much, I really dont want to let them go. 

All checked, ready for wrapping.

Lisa x

Womens Institute bunny

Last year i had the pleasure of being invited to a local Womens Instiute to show tell them all about needle felting and to show them how to make a christmas bauble.

36 lovely ladies came and made me very welcome and we spent two hours felting away creating the their own decorations. 

Later I got some really good feedback from them and recently was asked to go again to show them something a bit more challenging. This session was only meant to last for an hour and a half but they enjoyed it so much it lasted for three hours! And during that time we drink tea, ate cake and felted furiously!  

I got some lovely feedback again and today one of the ladies who didnt have time to stay and finish her bunny off. Send me this lovely photo to show me she had completed it and how happy she was with the demonstration I gave. 

Here is her bunny

And here is the one i made for them to recreate.

I think she did a really good job, dont you. 

I will post some more photos of the other bunnies soon

Lisa x

Sweeper dog!

Its not a very well known character from Alice in wonderland but it was certainly the strangest felt i have ever made!

What do you think? 

Lisa x