|
Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Jan 2, 2016 15:30:01 GMT
On the first day of the new year, I spent a lot of time reminiscing about fiber goodness in 2015. I looked back at my two artist residencies, wet-felting, my Saori weaving lessons, my dyeing with natural plants and Bengala dyes, and my hand-embroidery. I even tried my hand at making my own clothes again--inspired by Alabama Chanin.
But here it is, 2016. I am setting my own inner challenge to create fibery goodness every day in the New Year. Saying it doesn’t make it so, but I will try my best, because working with natural fibers makes me feel good!
So I hope you join me. Maybe not every day, but why not? By telling about your fiber, you inspire others. I may go ahead and make a replica of the Lendbreen tunic, or the Danish girl’s dress. Why not?
|
|
|
Post by MTRuth on Jan 2, 2016 16:14:05 GMT
Here is one of the Christmas presents I made for my sister. It's a beading bowl. The design idea came from Teri. She really likes it so thanks Teri! I agree about how difficult is is to do something fiber related every day. I do try and most days I do something creative. So yes, let's try harder for 2016!
|
|
|
Post by halay on Jan 2, 2016 16:56:43 GMT
Making plans for 2016, I think I am going to concetrate more on felting gaments and experimenting with dyeing with natural dyes. This is a lovely beading bowl, Ruth. I made one for myself (Teri, thanks for giving idea) and find it very useful: I keep needles and pins on the edge and the beads are not running all over the place any more.
|
|
|
Post by Frances on Jan 2, 2016 18:15:27 GMT
1/1/2016 - Straightened up my work area. 1/2/2016 Reworking a scarf I made - the locks did not felt in well, so adding a tiny bit of roving over the locks and reworking. Also, looking at this scarf I made using some sparkly pink stuff I purchased at Flying Fibers - It felted in fairly well but feels odd like maybe plastic. Wondering if it will shed - will probably give it to my 16 year old granddaughter. I could try felting it some more to try and reduce the shedding of the sparkle stuff.
|
|
|
Post by sundownalpacas on Jan 2, 2016 20:06:37 GMT
I have to say that I do work with fiber everyday. I do not mean this post as bragging, so please do not take it that way. But I raise alpacas and have lots of their fiber to work with. So I am always working on several projects and stages of projects everyday. I could be skirting and washing fiber, to carding, dyeing, and spinning yarns. I also knit, weave and recently started Saori weaving. Of course I like to felt also. I usually use the shorter fibers for felting, that I would not use in the yarns. I have a very large wholesale order for 1000 dryer balls that I make with the shorter fibers or what we call seconds and thirds. So I will be doing a lot of wet felting next week. Probably will be sick of dryer balls by the time I am done with it. I find nowadays if I take a day off from fiber projects, I find myself a little down. I love to touch the fiber and the whole creative process. It is like I need it to be happy. Plus I am fortunate to be able to take care of my alpacas and stroke their fiber daily that they are growing for my next year's batch of fiber for projects. Liz
|
|
|
Post by Frances on Jan 2, 2016 20:10:38 GMT
Liz - you have a wonderful lifestyle - living with what you work with and makes you happy.
|
|
|
Post by Pandagirl on Jan 2, 2016 20:30:21 GMT
While I haven't done any felting, since my surgery, I'm hoping after the holidays to get right back into it. It does get a little more challenging each year to find new projects to try, but I've got my list started and am looking forward to getting started.
|
|
|
Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Jan 2, 2016 22:46:31 GMT
Just wondering, Liz, who are you taking Saori weaving with? I trained with Chiaki O’Brien in Minneapolis. Love it! So relaxing.
|
|
|
Post by Teri Berry on Jan 2, 2016 22:57:50 GMT
Great beading bowl Ruth! I'm glad your sister liked it, they are surprisingly useful! Looking at the collection of beads in yours, I'm wondering if the next iteration should have dividers across the bowl too?
I like the pink sparkle in your scarf Frances, it reminds me of angelina fibres, they do shed a little (especially if you have used a lot) but I would not wet felt your scarf again, I think you would risk it becoming stiff and it probably won't help with the shedding. If you have an embellisher machine or something like a clover felting tool, I would be tempted to try that instead...
Wow, 1000 dryer balls, I don't think I could even contemplate making that many Liz, I'm easily bored and think 20 would be about my limit!
I'm not making a great deal of felt this week (just 2 bags) but I have been building a new fibery website - does that count?
|
|
|
Post by MTRuth on Jan 2, 2016 23:04:04 GMT
Yes, anything related to fiber counts
|
|
|
Post by elizabeth on Jan 2, 2016 23:10:27 GMT
Picking up cat hair, Ruth? :-)
|
|
|
Post by Shepherdess on Jan 3, 2016 1:28:20 GMT
Well if cat hair or petting cats counts I probably get my and several other peoples daily doses every day. I am finding it hard to find time to do felting these days. There always seems to be something else that needs to be done more. I don't know when I became the responsible one. It's not right at all.
1000 dryer balls. that is a lot of work.
|
|
|
Post by sundownalpacas on Jan 3, 2016 3:15:28 GMT
Wow, 1000 dryer balls, I don't think I could even contemplate making that many Liz, I'm easily bored and think 20 would be about my limit! I agree, but this is a potential outlet for all alpaca farmers to sell those types of fibers. I have already hired someone to train to help create them. I also get very bored with very repetitive fiber work. Liz
|
|
|
Post by Pandagirl on Jan 3, 2016 6:41:48 GMT
I'm with Teri, 60 booties was definitely my limit for any one thing, :-)
|
|
|
Post by lyn on Jan 3, 2016 9:27:34 GMT
I get tired with repetitive stuff too.
I'm not in the same league as Liz - 1,000 dryer balls!! The most of one thing I ever made in one go was a batch of 40 felted soaps to sell.
There is a downside though. Wanting to do something a little different every time means that there's a lot of thinking time before the making time.
|
|