Cloverleaf Farms

Ad in Summer SpinOff

The SpinOff Summer issue, to be released 5/22/14, will introduce Sara Lamb's new book on spinning silk.  I didn't know about it, but Cloverleaf Farms is listed as a resource in her book as one of the suppliers that she used in developing the pieces in the book.  Spin Off will have an ad to promote the book, and I will have an ad for Cloverleaf Farms silks.

Of course the information to do this came, while I was up north visiting my sister and just back from the Boston Marathon to see my nephew run again  - and get to finish this time.  I was so impressed with Boston and support they had for the marathon.  It was very uplifting.

I was then staying with my sister until the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival.  

So there I was, spinning silk (luckily I had a selection being loaded for MD) and then wandering through my sister's house looking for potential props and places to photograph.  All in about two days time total.  Being silk fiber, it is always hard to photograph because of the sheen,  but it was done with some help from photoshop.

Here is the ad!

 

Felter's Fling

Back from a long trip north - 2,800 miles worth.  Went to the Fling, visited relatives and finally back home.  At the fling I took a rug class from Karoliina (www.liinalommi.com).  She is as nice as her rugs are gorgeous. I love her bold use of color.  

My rug from class.

It went much better than I had feared.

 

I started my second one today.  I need to do it again to make sure I can remember the steps!

Felted Wedding Dress off to Convergence

I have two felting projects off to convergence (without me though :(  ).  Both were started as challenges for me to see if I could do it.

 

Sarah modeling the Felted Wedding Dress

 

 

 

 

The bodice is a nuno felted piece with small areas of cheescloth to make it look more airy.

The underskirt is a gridded nuno felt on a silk chiffon background.

The bodice and skirt are joined together at the waistline and supported by a corset underneath.

 

The overskirt is silk organza with three dimensional flowers that are beaded in place.  

 

The cap is a small headpiece made from shaped millinary buckram.  It is covered with a small piece of felt with some decorative silk fibers and beads.

 

I was pleased with the overall effect of this garment.  I have had it in my mind for two years but couldn't translate it into felt.  Finally!!!

Home From Maryland

Finally unloaded and back in NC.  It was a good festival.  Not too hot, no rain and good crowds.  My sister Karen was there to help keep me in line and organized, I couldn't do it without her.  This year we sold some felt related items and they were well accepted.  While I always run into people from NY (where we used to live) this year I ran into people from NC, and from Felter's Fling.  I also had some returning Felters!  It was so cool to hear from previous customers who are now avid felters and to hear what they are up to.  I told my sister we may not have the most customers of anyone, but we have the nicest (and I think get more hugs than anyone).  I appreciate it more than I can say.

I bought some garments to sell and received positive feedback.  Two women bought this piece together to share - a first for me, and I am thrilled two people can enjoy it!

Convergence Entries

I made "A Felter's Quilt"  using felt pieces, beading and hand stitching.  It is something I had in my head for a while.  It got rejected, but I am glad it gave me an excuse to do the piece.  I was happy with it.

 

The background was hand dyed and felted.  All of the little squares were felted and hand stitched on.

 

The 'borders' on the quilt were embellished with french knots and lazy daisy stitches.  

 

Beads were added in various locations

 

Convergence Entries

I can't believe ACC in Baltimore is now less than a month away!  And convergence entries are less than a month away!  Awk ... collision course ahead.  thanks to an independent study at HCC last semester I got a great start on my Convergence entries, but now it is finish up time.  I am working on a contempory felted wedding dress with a skirt overlay of organza with some beading and 3D organza flowers.  I have finally started sewing everything together.  It is coming.  The bodice, skirt and corset are done.  I made a little tulle gathered skirt to go over the lightweight felt skirt and underneath the organza over skirt.  The hat is started!  I'll post pics soon.  

I have made a yardage piece that is felted (18" X 3 yards) so that is done.  I am working on a small expressions piece that has a felt background with small felt patchwork pieces and embellished with beads and embroidery to resemble a felter's impression of a quilt.  

So I need to fit the remaining work in as I work on my felting for ACC,  In the end, I got accepted to both wholesale and retail ....  awful big jump!

As I finish my convergence pieces I will start to post pictures.

I attended one of HCCs Small Business Seminars - Splash without Cash - lots of suggestions.  The funniest to me was a tattoo of your logo - that goes with you anywheres!

Back from Rhinebeck

For the first time in years - the festival time was free of rain and freezing weather!  Of course it rained during set up and take down, but Karen and I set up around the roof leaks and did ok.  One of the things I really like about this festival is that it is usually weather for people to wear their handmade creations.  At Maryland it is usually way to warm.  All day long people walk by in their finest, it is so cool.  All I bought though was the new 500 Felt objects book and a few knitting patterns (I am not sure why, I never seem to get to them)

This weekend is the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fest - close by.  I am going to teach a few short classes and help booth sit for friends.  It is also the Southern Highland Guild Craft show so lots to see.  Autumn is so beautiful here.  

Have to go do some felting!

More Good News!

I also just got accepted at Paradise City Arts Festival in MA. for late spring - so Sherry I may visit after all.  I also met with a gallery owner today - she called me - so that is also exciting.  Now I better get busy!

Two recent pieces:

Hand Dyed,

Wet felt front edge and Nuno felted body of vest.

French knots on front band to secure and add texture.

 

Of course it didn't start out looking like this!  The neck edge was originally a scarf, but as the scarf and the nuno felt fabric sat together in a pile, I needed to put them together!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mostly wet felted garment.  Collar is nuno felted.  All hand dyed, with hand dyed silk accents.  The back has similar accents.

 

This too has changed form the original.  It was initially longer, but after sitting on my mannequin for several days, it was was not the right proportions - so it was shortened - much better!  Also with slimming darker sides!

 

 

 

Got to get to work.  Rhinebeck is coming up soon.  I have some more dyeing to do.  I hope it warms back up by then!

Hemlock Fiber Fest

Finally home again.  Went to Western NY to the Hemlock Fiber Fest.  I taught a dyeing class on Friday and set up for the festival.  I taught a nuno felting class on Tuesday and Wednesday - and they did great.

Wool and silk at Hemlock!  Lovely weather!  Perfect for sweaters and wool.

ACC Show

I am so excited! I got juried into the ACC wholesale show in Baltimore. I am wait listed for the retail show. I never expected that! Now I have to get ready!