Spring at Last!

I'm finally coming out of hibernation.

I think Spring is at last here in the North of England.

I know this because I've sat outside in the garden with a cup of tea...twice...YEAY! 

Yes... I did have my furry boots on and a woolly scarf but it wasn't wet and it wasn't windy...RESULT!

Yes... I can still see snow on the hill tops but if I squint it disappears.

I'm soooo ready for some blue skies, sunshine, green shoots and flowers. 

Definitely flowers! 

I'm craving flowers. 

The only flowers I can see are woolly and made by me... but needs must.

Till next time

Fi x

Dangling Field Mouse, Wool Painting

 I've got a bit of a 'thing' for field mice at the moment. This is my latest finished piece of felted artwork.

 This little chap is dangling precariously...

above the poppies.

I'll be exhibiting at Art in the Pen in Carlisle on 28th and 29th June. This is the first at Carlise although it is in it's ninth year at Skipton, which is in August (I'll be there too). 

There is a preview evening on Friday 27th by invitation only, so if you would like to attend the preview evening, email me at fiona@marmaladerose.co.uk and I'll  be happy to post you an invitation. Otherwise please feel free to come along on Saturday and Sunday; there'll be over 100 selected artists who'll transform sheep and cow pens into mini galleries to sell their original works of art.

Till next time

love Fi x

Hare 3 Completed

Wiggly, wiggly whiskers!

Well he's done! Here he is having all the soap rinsed out in the kitchen sink. I always think this part of the process is quite magical. It's when you can see all those wisps of fluff have become a piece of fabric, strong enough to be swished in the sink and squeezed out. What a transformation!

He's now residing in the gallery as his predecessor sold within 5 days.

Fingers crossed he hops off soon.

Till next time.

love Fi x

Flowers in Felt

Just popped in, probably for the last time until after Yarndale to say a huge

THANK YOU for all of your support and well wishes. I'm quite nervous as this is my first big craft exhibition/fair but I'm exited too.

I'd also like to say thank you to my lovely family for putting up with felt in the kitchen, yarn in the sitting room, boxes in the hallway, and baskets on the landing. Especially my Wonderful Man who has the title of 'Head of Logistics' as without him I'd be going nowhere!

And lastly all my yummy friends here in the Dales who share my love of textiles, especially all the ladies of  the Knitting Baskets knit and natter evenings and Chapel Gallery's weekly textile tea party.

Thank you.

and Anne Smithies,

I'll see you setting up on Friday at Yarndale!

WOOHOO!

Nearly forgot...the picture! A few of my felt flower brooches ready for the weekend.

love Fi x

Felted Handbags and...

New cards! Hoorah!

Gosh! I daren't count how many sleeps left to Yarndale but I'm sure there aren't enough. Today I have been doing the extremely frustrating stuff, mainly printing tickets and labels. The frustrating part is the printer part. Why can't manufacturers make a printer that works. One that doesn't spit out sheets of blank paper in the middle of your print run or get jammed every other time, not to mention drinking ink like water! Calm...calm, take a deep breath. I'm fine now honest.

 Well Joey and Gilbert have been stitched up. 

  Lined and zippered.

And will be joining this little chorus line at the weekend.

Did I mention it's Yarndale this weekend?

And for those who've asked, I'll be on stand 127 against a wall towards the workshop theatre.

Who's a pretty boy then?

 Introducing Joey.

 Inquisitive little chap, giving us the eye.

 He's is my latest piece of wet felt for Yarndale and probably my last as time is getting tight now and I still have soooo much to do. Hopefully he and Gilbert will become handbags and greeting cards, I'm awaiting a second order as you lovely people have already purchased a quarter of my greeting card stock for Yarndale. 

Why a budgie?

I have no idea! 

That's just where my head is at at the moment. 

I'm eating, sleeping and dreaming Yarndale and there doesn't seem to be much room for anything else. I'm hoping I've solved my draping, hanging and setting up problems in my allotted animal pen. I never dreamed it would cause such a headache, I wonder if all the other exhibitors are struggling too. Mind you they probably have something a little larger than an ordinary saloon car to squish all their display stuff in. Never mind, I like a challenge. Let's hope it all works out as there is NO plan B!

I must just say thank you to everyone who's emailed me with ideas and suggestions but a very big thank you must go to my Dad for making me a folding frame to hang my work on and some wooden crates. 

I'm sorry I forgot your grass seed!

love Fi x

Jack Russell Terrier in Wool.

 I thought you might like to meet my little woolly friend...

 This is a first for me, NO embroidery or embellishment!

 Nope, not a single thread!

 Just plain old felting.

Maybe it's true what they say..."Less is more!"

Love Fi x

Mr Fox getting closer!

 Mr Fox!

 Peering down at us through the flower border. He can smell us.

LOL!

As usual, wet felted wool, machine embroidered and finished with a little hand embroidery.

Mr Fox will be accompanying me to Yarndale next month before being released for sale.

Love Fi x

Thank you all for your lovely comments about my Field Mouse felt on the previous post. I feel like I'm climbing a creative mountain and each one of your comments is a gentle hand helping me upwards.

x