Felting in the Rocky Mountains

view from my classroom

I've just arrived home from a very beautiful trip. As mentioned before, Texas was fantastic- such a great group of creative people.  I had a few days before the beginning of the Felters Rendezvous and I had some writing to complete, so I created a little writer's retreat for myself in lovely Estes Park, Colorado. I had four days of felting, writing, good coffee, beautiful views, and silence. It was delightful! The sunshine, snow, mountain vistas and crisp but not cold temperatures were invigorating. 

Chapter 5 of the book complete, I headed further into the mountains to Rocky Mountain National Park and the Felters Rendezvous. After four days of silence I chatted (far too long and late) with felting friends, Heather and Tylar, as well as new friends, Cathy and Marsha. It was lovely to be with them all, and a highlight of my week to finally meet Heather in person!
 

before the classes, set up and ready....what a great space!

My first class was in felt bags. It was a full house and a very creative and exploratory group. In construction we had a variety of shapes, inner pockets, inner divisions, and outer pockets, and delved into some surface design play. There was a range of experience from beginner to master, and everyone challenged themselves to stretch their boundaries. That's a great thing in a class. No restraint was exercised and everyone made beautiful work.

Gorgeous and elaborate bags...it was such a fun class! For Dayle, in the top picture, this was her second felt project ever! Bags make such a perfect canvas for exploration of resists and surface design forms.

In days 3 and 4 we moved on to Surface Design.  Another full room, with some students continuing after the bag making, and some new faces to join our group.

 

A few of the extraordinary surfaces created on Day 3.  Over the two days, each student made two large felt tapestries, created as samplers to hold the multitude of techniques.

This whole event was extremely well co-ordinated by Deb Tewell of The Felting Source. Thank you Deb, for all your assistance, and the time and effort that goes into creating such an event! Next years dates and teachers are all set- It promises to be wonderful...and always a beautiful and inspiring location!

And now here I am...back again in my little studio on this little island.... gearing up for Surface Design Online-Spring and creating a new body of work for my exhibition this summer.  Life does not get better than this, and I thank you all for being a part of it!

Warm wishes, 
Fiona

New Purses

I really love this new dye pattern....I'm seeing it on one whole collection...purses, scarves, jackets...I so want to make the jacket!  I'll be selling these all summer at the studio, and this winter at the shows....

 These are all made with Blue Faced Leicester rovings...all in white then dyed after....Beautiful leather straps added. It was a challenge to figure out the best way to sew in the zippers, other than by hand. Each clutch has a little pocket inside for cell phones or individual necessities....Just the right size. I want one....

  Here they are shown in my display for the Salt Spring Market....the first weekend was last week...and it is happening again tomorrow...but I've already decided not to go...and will spend some time with my friend, Amy Melious, being inspired by her loveliness...and then take the boisterous boys to the beach and enjoy the promised sunny day instead....That feels right! I received some fabulous news today, that I can't quite share...but allows me to feel justified in taking a day partially off for pure pleasure! I'll be making up some working time in the early mornings and evenings....

  And one more bag...again made with the BFL....

 I'll be starting on the four fibres bags tonight...

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Warm wishes,

Fiona