This new piece is almost finished, with just some dark brown stitching to add for emphasis here and there.
Leafy “Cape” Collar of Merino and Silk
Tag: felted scarf
Nature Inspired Scarf
While watching nature documentaries with my son I saw this tree the bobcat is climbing up with his catch. I felt my heart flip when I saw the magnificent combination of colors. I got a screen shot of the tree on my computer and used it as a model for the scarf. Also, notice the bobcat’s amazing camouflage against this tree!
Below, you can see the layout of the fibers before felting:
This is the image that grabbed my artistic eye. I love the color and texture or tree bark and this tree bark is stunning!
And here, below, you can see images of the finished scarf in different positions. I made a couple slits on one end to allow the other end of the scarf to be pulled through. Or, for a more traditional look, a button looking pin can be used as a brooch.
Scarf I made using colors from a bobcat climbing a tree trunk
Below is a close up of the finished scarf.
This will be heading to the art store in The Art Center in Corvallis soon. This scarf is made with “against the skin” soft merino wool, silk, and baby alpaca; the flip side is lined with super soft baby yak, silk, and merino wool in creamy white with slight hints of color showing through. This art scarf will be priced at $100.
Below you can see how the “dread lock” fringe is created. First cuts are made on the edge of the scarf to the desired length, then each flat strip of fringe is rolled between the hands to create the rounded dread lock look.
Pine Barrens “Sandy Trail” Inspired scarf
Coyote Tracks or Children of the Earth Foundation is having an auction to help support the scholarship program they offer some children. I decided to offer a scarf that is inspired by the sandy paths we walk through the pine and oak trees there. There’s always debris along the edges which is usually great for making tinder bundles, when the leafy debris is dry. Whatever you do, don’t sit in the sand, unless you want chiggers! I always end up with plenty of chigger bites by the end of my stay there. I can’t resist sitting in the sand.
This scarf is reversible with one side featuring more gold and yellow silk details and the other side featuring more dark browns along the edges. There are no chiggers in this scarf. This scarf has not actually been to the pine barrens (yet) but I think it might make a good camouflage scarf for the sandy trails there!
The scarf is made of fine merino wool (next to the skin soft) and silk fiber.
The auction is being held online through the Children of the Earth Foundation (COTEF) from November 18 through December 3.
Click HERE to see the Children of the Earth Foundation website.
Pine Barrens "Sandy Trail" Inspired scarf
Coyote Tracks or Children of the Earth Foundation is having an auction to help support the scholarship program they offer some children. I decided to offer a scarf that is inspired by the sandy paths we walk through the pine and oak trees there. There’s always debris along the edges which is usually great for making tinder bundles, when the leafy debris is dry. Whatever you do, don’t sit in the sand, unless you want chiggers! I always end up with plenty of chigger bites by the end of my stay there. I can’t resist sitting in the sand.
This scarf is reversible with one side featuring more gold and yellow silk details and the other side featuring more dark browns along the edges. There are no chiggers in this scarf. This scarf has not actually been to the pine barrens (yet) but I think it might make a good camouflage scarf for the sandy trails there!
The scarf is made of fine merino wool (next to the skin soft) and silk fiber.
The auction is being held online through the Children of the Earth Foundation (COTEF) from November 18 through December 3.
Click HERE to see the Children of the Earth Foundation website.
Another wonderful workshop!
Yesterday we had our workshop at Alpacas at Marquam Hill Ranch store and it was SOOOO fun!!!
Laura and Jennifer both made felting projects and we had a ladies day of visiting and creating and eating yummy snacks, including some amazing gluten free, dairy free, chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies Jennifer made!
Laura chose plum and bitter chocolate colors as the background for her scarf and added lovely dyed fibers from her own Suri alpaca and from some Wensleydale fleece locks she had. The reverse side had a combination of brown tones with white silk fiber running through, over a deep plum background. Gorgeous combination!
Jennifer created a wall hanging of nutmeg and browns, lichen greens, rust, and whites; then on the other half of her project, she used the same colors to create felted fabric to top some throw pillows for her home.
Everyone expressed how much fun they had and I was delighted to share something I enjoy so much!
If you are interested in attending a workshop either at the ranch store or in my home, you can email me at micheleballantynedesigns@gmail.com — or call me at 407-766-2588, and we will set up a workshop.
New Scarf: Valentines Confection Finished!
Here is the finished scarf I laid out at Alpacas at Marquam Hill Ranch the Saturday before Valentine’s Day. I love how it turned out! The baby soft alpaca embellishing the soft merino wool creates a kitten soft feel to the skin!
This scarf is different on each side, as seen below, which makes it reversible.
Super fun to make! The white alpaca softens the bright colors. Works with many different brooches.
New flyer for the workshop at the ranch
Jennifer, the owner of the Alpaca Ranch, suggested a flyer with more color; and my daughter Melanie suggested more photos of workshops on the flyer, so I came up with this. I like this flyer better with the white background because the lettering is easier to read. The flyer may not be as “pretty”, but it works.
Jennifer suggested I work on felting a scarf on Feb. 11th, while I am at her store at the ranch during her pre Valentines sale. She had already invited me to sell my scarves there on that day. She thought I might like to use my time to make a scarf while also demonstrating to customers what we will be doing at the workshop. I love the idea! If anyone wants to stop by to see the store and get in on some Valentine sales, and see my felting process at the same time, come on over to the ranch!
My Etsy Store Has Scarves Again!
Now that Christmas if over, I took a little time to get the photos of my latest scarf creations up on Etsy! Yay!
I am loving making the reversible scarves. Check out the extra photos of these beauties and you will see what I mean.
I already have photos for two more new scarves coming onto Etsy soon.
Also, vintage brooches will soon be added to the buying options! I just collected some beauties for the Etsy shop. I hope you will check out my Etsy Store, like it, and share. I intend to keep it stocked from now on!!!
Fun and Productive Workshop Yesterday
On Dec. 8, we had a workshop with Eileen and MaryJo. MaryJo chose red merino and silk 50/50 blend, which, when dry, will be super soft and have gorgeous texture. I wish I could have taken a photo when the red wrap was dry, but that usually takes overnight, and my workshops don’t last that long! Unless we did a sleepover . . . Hmm, that would be fun too!
Eileen created a long narrow scarf for herself, using the woodland colors merino and silk blend along with mocha and cyan merino wool accents. You can see the gorgeous colors and shine even when wet, but again, I wish I could show photos of this scarf when dry, the fibers fluff up into beautiful textures and brighter colors!
The workshop lasted less time that I expected. We didn’t get started on time due to the weather and being not sure if the workshop would even be held, but they made it to my house at about noon or so, and we worked until a little after four. They were fast putting their fibers down in the shape they chose, and the fiber felted easily. They left before dark, which was good considering the weather was still icy.
My sister Cheryl jumped in an hour or so after class started, and created something as well. She was so funny because she has felted before and she just went to town doing her own thing.
I had been working on a pattern for a certain look I wanted to achieve in a future wrap/scarf I want to make, and when I finished the pattern late last night, I saw that she used the shape of my pattern without even seeing it! Ha ha! As she worked, she appeared to be just throwing her fibers on willy nilly, but in the end everyone could see she knew exactly what she was doing. You can see by the outcome . . . Beautiful.
I was able to take a photo of her project today, with the shawl she created all dry and arranged on the mannequin. The colors and textures pop more when dry than when wet so the finished product is easier to appreciate.
I’m having a difficult time posting the photo of her scarf so I will post it later, below.
For upcoming workshops please click HERE.
