...as indeed I was when I planned to do some felting over the summer holidays. I completely forgot to get my supplies in before every felting supplier in Melbourne ALSO went on holidays!The lovely Wendy at Lara Downs was also on holidays, but opened up her shop "by appointment" for me (and I was happy to see that it quickly filled with other customers who saw the OPEN sign!).
(The Lara Downs shop"Precious Purl" is above Calico House in Brunswick St Fitzroy, for you local gals).
The wee girl and I oohed and ahhed over colours and textures, and wondered at the possibilities of all we could make. Wendy was extremely helpful, knowledgable and passionate about felting. It was an absolute pleasure to shop with her assistance.
We settled on a bag of mixed bright coloured wool tops (wee girl's choice), a bag of lovely earthy coloured wool tops (my choice) and a mixture of coloured pre-felts.... some olive oil soap and a felting needle.... we felt very kitted-up and ready for action! 
Armed with my book, that night I worked my way through a few basic processes - wet felting, dry felting, making balls and making string.... and the next day I introduced the wee girl to it all.
She LOVES felting!!
...or - more precisely - she loves making felt BALLS and STRING.
The dear girl has plans for me to make the rest of the bear for her "to sew up on the sewing machine" (she can dream).I had planned to eventually make wonderfully arty textile fashion accessories for myself - envisaging a bit of scarf action... a touch of nuno-felting... perhaps a purse? But at this rate anything I'll make will consist mostly of pre-made (by a pre-schooler) felt string and balls...
I'll wear it proudly.
18 comments:
Your assistant is a very clever little girl, talented and she also manages to manipulate you beautiully.
I haven't introduced the girls to felting yet, maybe that's something new to learn this year so I can teach them.
(oh wow I just noticed my blog in your sidebar! *blush*)
Great colours Nikki. I've never tried felting, but it's on my 'to do' list - I've been struggling along with crochet (not very well!) so I think I'll stick to one thing at a time! Love the star :)
Felting is on the list of things I must try one day (it's a very long list). I might save it for when the boys are older, I'm guessing they might be interested in making balls and string too.
oh I do love felt, how lovely that you are able to play felt with your daughter :)
ps I would be delighted to help if you need tips with making a scarf :)
What beautiful felting! Love the colours and shapes - great work -I must check out that book!
Hi,
Just recently discovered your blog and love it of course. Last week I went to a class to break in my 'virgin' overlocker. Oh my, what a whole new world I have discovered. I am very much a beginner at this sewing thing and I am loving it. I used felt recently to put a batman shape on the back of my son's batman cape. He was very happy with it.
Looking forward to future posts.
Sonia.
www.lightshadeofgreen.blogspot.com
Ooooh Nikki you may have inspired me to add yet ANOTHER craft addiction to my list! And the whole family can do it! I'm looking foward tos seeing what you've both made in real life. Gorgeous colours.
Nikki, Your felting looks great. I have done felting onto tissue silk for a scarf before - great fun but man it was a killer on the arms - all that rolling!
I love the star!
I think I'll be visiting Lara Downs in the not too distant future!!
Aww, that post made me all warm and fuzzy. We are such pushovers, aren't we, when it comes to our girls. Hey, you could pay a fortune that that kind of jewellry, maybe she needs an online store....
Beautiful colours, nothing like sitting down to start a project & remember you forgot to get the ingredients!! Happy felting, love Posie
Beautiful!
I need to try this with my helper ;)
Thanks Nikki, lovely to meet you and the "wee girl" in her gorgeous Tulip dress. Your felting looks great. We run classes and demonstrations at Precious Purl if you need a little help along the way. Welcome to the wonderful world of Felting!
Isn't it great when Mum and daughter can craft together!
The handspinners and weavers guild of Victoria is in Shakespeare Street Carlton North. It would be a good place to get felting supplies. I think they might also be cheaper although they don't have prefelts.
Your girl's got an eye for design alright!
What a lovely shop! I love shops where the products are displayed nicely. I have done some needle felting but have not tried wet felting yet. I recently bought a book "Felting Frenzy" that has a whole chapter on wet felting and another on "dry" felting projects. Must say I was amazed at the things you can make with wet felting! On Flickr there are crafters that make the most stunning bags! If your little girl made those stuff herself, she is extremely talented! She is so lucky to have you to introduce her to all these crafts. I am dying to see your wet felting projects!
Oh too much choice Nikki, cant wait to see what more u make....its something I really want to do this year once i move and get some more space
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