Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hi dilu (Diane?) ...sadly, I have no idea if it will felt, because my needles still aren't here.        I thought for sure they'd be here by Saturday...never order from Joanns...

That said, I don't know why it wouldn't felt. It's a bit like dreadlocks if you've ever felt them...(I know, that's a stretch...but I used to hang with all sorts of alternative crowds...lol) 

I used the hot water because I thought it would help open up the fiber...it may not be necessary.  I'm do a mini experiment with that today. 

If my needles get here today, I'll get right on it and let you know if it works.

Also, I used a piece that was pretty nappy to start with.  I'll do just straight roving and add the water, and dye, and scan that for you ...  I hadn't even thought of that. 

I love to experiment.  Last night, I used oil pastel crayons on an inexpensive piece of synthetic fur, the result was so fabulous....it was white and looked like it had been tipped pink...

ok, so off to do some more dying then...have a great day!   

Robin

Donna, I spent all day yesterday making tiny little bears, just to see if my stitches were still up to par.  I think I may just hand sew him.  That's a really good point about the machine... but I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to throw it out the window...

I had my Grandmothers ancient Singer for years, and loved it...then sprang for a new Brother and gave hers to my sister in law.  this thing gives me nothing but misery for anything but the most basic projects... 

I'd love to show you pics of both the quilt and the lamb...but my camera is in Boston with my DH for a couple of weeks...so as soon as he's back, I'll show you.  Ok?

   Have a great day!

That was on a scanner, by the way, so it's squished.  My camera is in Boston with my DH...sorry about that.

Hi Guys...I've had a harder time trying to upload to my site than doing the dying... ugh...I finally just did photobucket...

anyway...Ok

This is done with Jacquard dyes...which...and a big DUH here...says right on the label, for silk and wool.  I soaked the wool in boiling water, let it drain slightly, then put it in a baggy with about 5 drops of the apricot dye.  (I have a lot of the colors if any one wants me to try something specific)  I didn't want anything neon, so I used the water and very little dye.  I'm thinking of trying some blue next...

hope this helps someone.      I have the before...which is kind of a stone color...and the darker is obviously after...

Hi again...I'm still not so patiently awaiting my felting supplies...

I thought I would have a go at dying some of the white wool I have here now...has anyone tried silk dye?  Since felted pieces wouldn't be apt to be washed, I thought it might work...I did  a search on it, and no one seems to have tried it and talked about it...so I thought I would ask.

If not, maybe I'll try it and let you know how it goes...if anyone's interested...

  Robin

Thank you Donna and Eileen so much!  I played with it some yesterday, tracing around it and doing some sketches...it seems very basic, two sides, a gusset on the head and an underbody...I'm going to run out and get some cheap fabric today then I'll try both the measuring method and the draping method and see what I come up with.  I did order some mohair yesterday that seems to match him perfectly, so I'm excited about that. 

One more question if anyone has time...he's not very big, probably no more than 10" across and 8" high (he's upstairs and I'm too lazy to run up and get him to give you an exact number      )  but do you recommend that I hand sew or machine sew?  My machine drives me crazy...it seems to have a mind of it's own with thin fabrics...with the tension changing as the bobbin runs out...I've never sewn any kind of thick material on it...maybe I should pick up some fur today too?  hmmmm...

By the way, Eileen, was your raccoon named Aroma, or did you have some kind of exotic perfume???   

I had forgotten all about my box of things in the attic...it also had a very old printed quilt with those cute animals from the 50's printed on it...along with a bevy of books...it was really very inspiring!  I'm thinking of doing some storybook animals from it...

ok, sorry, I tend to babble...thank you again, I appreciate it more than you'll know!   
Robin

Hi everyone, I'm very new, and talked a bit over on the felting board...but never ventured out...but this was just too exciting for me to let go...

I just found my ancient little lamb that I would never part with as a child.  He's very fragile, almost fuzzless, and just as adorable as I remember him. 

I'd like to make a pattern of him to recreate, but I have no idea how to go about it without taking him apart. 

I'm not very good at sewing, and I hate my machine, but I know I could figure it out enough for one piece. 

Could anyone direct me to a site or to some information that could help me?  I would appreciate it more than you know!

Happy day to you all!

Robin 

You all are so sweet...thank you for the welcome...

I've already brushed a whole gallon size baggy of dog hair...and I actually found a bunch of wool I didn't even realize I had, from my "I'm going to make those teeeny tiny polymer dolls" days...I realized pretty quickly I'm not the teeeeny tiny polymer doll type...but I had lots of pretty hair! :redface:

Kim-Bee!  I thought I was the only one in the world that referred to those tiny dogs running around under the beds and floating around on the tile as tumbleweeds...it's nice to see a kindred spirit!   

I hadn't even thought of dryer lint...LOL...How cool!  I made paper out of the stuff a few times...but I like the felting idea much better...   

Did I say I'm kind of an art junky?  sigh...  I love the adventure of it all!

Thank you all again for the wonderful welcome...My order is still "being processed" at joanns...I knew they were slow when I ordered...but it's driving me crazy!

Have a great day everyone!   

Hi Erin and Heather, thanks so much for the welcome!

Now I'm really excited!   I'm kind of an addicted creative type as it is...I just keep trying new things, one always seems to lead into the next...

I absolutely promise to post pictures...when I finally get going.  I ordered from Joann fabrics, Sunday, then found tons of other sources, but its a start.  I actually thought I could just go out to our local hobby stores and find everything I needed...

Why doens't anyone carry this type of thing?

Ok, I'm reading through the archives...then I will sit down with my dogs and start brushing...LOL I don't think I've ever been so happy that shedding season is almost upon us! 

:dance:  I'm really pathetically excited...

Hi everyone!  You really have no idea how happy I am to find this site...it's full of so much information!  YAY!

Ok, I just ordered my "starter kit" as well as a ton of roving to begin learning felting...I'm not sure the kit comes with any directions, but maybe that's for the better...I'm the kind of person that likes to experiment a bit to find my pace...if that makes sense...I'm so excited!  I fell in love with the pieces I've seen lately, and just have to learn...

anyway, I have one, probably silly question, but it's something I'd love to do...

I have a big and floppy long haired dog, who has the most beautiful gray, white and black dappled coat.  I find enough hair to make blankets, and up until now, have just thrown away...but I'd like to incorporate it into my felting.  Is this possible, or just something you don't do?

I hope I can find a way to fit into your wonderful little group here, you all seem so amazingly creative and talented, I'm in awe!

Have a great day!
Robin