Good-bye for now...

As much as I like the idea of having a blog for the studio, it just isn't reality at the moment. So, I will be sharing studio news on my farm blog.

We hope to see you there!

Quiet in the studio

I have been very busy in the barn with lambs, we currently have 46 with just a few more expected.  The studio has been very quiet and a few projects have been put on the back burner.  Luckily, I am back to felting and it feels good!

The current projects are awards for the Portugese Podengo Pequeno National Specialty.  What is a Podengo?  Good question! 

The Portuguese Podengo is an ancient multi-sensory hound (sight and scent) breed of dog from Portugal.  There are three sizes - small (Pequeno), medium (Médio), and large (Grande).  Each size with two hair coats (smooth and wire) and its own unique temperament.  All three sizes love to hunt in their native country.

I didn't know what one was until 6 months ago and I have learned a lot about them since!  A few of my bags were given as awards at their Specialty show at the beginning of the year.

 I finished the Best of Breed award today.  They requested a smooth and wire haired Podengo coursing a rabbit in the Portugal countryside :)  It took a lot of thinking and visioning on how I would accomplish this.  I finally came up with a plan and I am pleasantly surprised with the outcome.    

and the winners are...

Congratulations to Alison!

Here is her entry...

All of the entries were awesome!  Thank you for participating in my little felting challenge.

I have updated the original post to include all of the entrant's information - check out their blogs!

The winner from the comments is - Marci.

Felting Challenge entries - entrants information now included.

Thank you all for entering the Felting Challenge!!! What a crafty, inspired, creative, talented group of people. We have 11 entries for judging. The creators will remain anonymous at this time.

Please leave a comment voting for the number that corresponds with your favorite entry.

***** Special giveaway *****

In addition to the winner receiving a prize, I will also be randomly choosing a lucky person from all of you that leave a comment. So, come on all of you lurkers - VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!

Judging will close on Friday the 12th at noon.

Once the judging has closed, I will be announcing who all the entries belong to and share their wonderful blogs.

1.  Alison - http://www.artisanry.blogspot.com/

2.  Cait - www.shinystuff.us/blog/

3.  Claire - http://www.chooksiniowa.blogspot.com/

4.  Cristen - http://www.caprikodcroft.blogspot.com/

5.  Kathy - http://www.cedarpond.blogspot.com/

6.  Kelly - http://www.dreamweaveralpacas.blogspot.com/

7.   Loralynn - http://www.loralynnsart.blogspot.com/

8.  Mary - http://www.shadowmountainjacobs.com/

9.  Michelle - http://www.boulderneigh.blogspot.com/

10.  Robin - http://www.broider-baroness.blogspot.com/

11.  Sharon - http://www.dandelionmom.wordpress.com/

and this entry is from Patty - http://www.mylifeunderthebus.typepad.com/

She was too late for the challenge, but I wanted to share her very cute sheep!

Let me know what one is your favorite!

Slight delay...

A few people have had camera/computer problems, so there will be a little delay in posting the entries.  They will be posted by tomorrow morning and judging will close on Friday the 12th.

In the meantime, enjoy some pictures of our new lambs...

'Flora' is one of our first lilac colored lambs.  They are so angelic!

See you tomorrow!

Felting Challenge deadline...

is fast approaching!!!

The deadline to have your picture to me is February 5th at noon. 

I have seen a few entries and can't wait to see the rest :)

Our new fiber producers!

Lambing has started here on the farm and we are having so much fun with the new babies! 

I love the first lambs of the season because I have time to thoroughly enjoy them.  In a few weeks we will have around 50 lambs and the chores will become very time consuming - but for now we can just cuddle and snuggle with them!

 
Lots of precious moments!

For more photos of our lambs you can visit the farm blog.

My Felt Smackdown entry

I know I am going to be blown out of the water by the other entrant's projects, but I had so much fun learning how to make these little dolls!

Thanks Patty for hosting the 'Felt Smack Down' inspired by Salley Mavor's book Felt Wee Folk.  This book is a real treasure and there are many techniques that I would like to learn this year.  My first project was very simple and I am truly amazed at the details on her small dolls - some are 1 1/2" tall with very intricate embroidery.  Truly amazing!!!    

Inspired by my son who wants it to snow so bad he can't stand it :)

My son was so excited to finally get to play with him and now wants a whole family!

A bag for me???

I recently received my 40th custom dog bag order!!!  I started making them in August and have had a steady stream of orders coming in.  I love making each one and really appreciate the e-mails I have received saying 'you captured my dog perfectly'!  I have met some wonderful people and felted a lot of really cool dogs! 

but, I didn't have a bag of my own...

none of my dogs had been captured in felt...

I had plans to meet my friend, Kristine, up in Portland and go to the big dog show yesterday, so on Tuesday I made the decision to take some time and make a bag for myself.  The big choice, what dog?  In the end, Paisley won.

Who could resist that face?

My special girl :)

A bit of inspiration...

If you have entered the Felting Challenge - your kits are on their way!

Here is a little inspiration...

A Border Collie and sheep mobile.

I put a yarn swirl on the back of the border collie.  The little balls are felted around the yarn.

Have a great weekend!

Room for 10 more entries!!!

If you are still thinking about entering the Felting Challenge - do it fast!  I have decided to limit the challenge to 20 entries - that means I have room for 10 more entries.

Enjoy your Tuesday!

A winner and a felting challenge!

Mary was the lucky winner of the giveaway - I will be sending your fabric glue shortly!

Now for the Felting Challenge!!!  I don't believe you should ever stop learning new crafts, so I have entered a felting challenge over at - My life under the bus - The premise of the challenge is to make something based on the Felt Wee Folk book by Salley Mavor.  It does include felting, but I am not familiar with making the adorable fairies and dolls.  I have an idea in my head and I hope it translates well!  I will post pictures once the challenge is finished.

This inspired me to do a Felting Challenge of my own.  No previous felting experience needed - I will even provide the materials!!!  I have been tossing around the idea of a felting kit in my head and I have decided on the little felted sheep. 

They are so fun to make and easy for beginners.

Here is how it works:

1.  I have opened this up to 20 entries, so you must be become a follower on this blog or have commented leave a comment on my Farm blog if you would like to participate.  If you have always wanted to try needle felting - here is your opportunity!

2.  Leave a comment saying that you would like to participate.  I will contact you and find out where to send your felting kit. 
 

 

Here is what you will get!  A piece of felting foam, 2 felting needles, 2 colors of Jacob wool, 2 beads for eyes, yarn, and instructions. All you need is a little bit of glue.

3.  Send me a picture of your completed item - everyone will be starting with the same project, but they will be judged on creativity.  You can photograph your sheep with a prop or at a fun location, add an accessory, turn it into something else - a hanging ornament, a mobile, etc., let your imagination go wild!!!

4.  The contest will end February 5th at noon - please have your picture to me by then.

5.  I will post the pictures on both of my blogs on the 6th and they will be judged by the people :)  I will close judging on Sunday, the 10th at noon and announce the winner.

6.  The winner will recieve one of my Fabric and Felt totes with colorful wool inside!

Good Luck!

Fab Glue

Fab stands for fabric and fabulous!

I found this little gem at the fabric store while I was shopping for fabric for Christmas gifts.

The uses include - basting seams and matching plaids, positioning ribbons, trims, and appliques, basting hems and zippers, and tack down seam allowances to keep them from moving or flipping over when sewing.

AWESOME!!!

No more ironing and pinning hems :)

I started making bags that are a combination of felt and fabric and the beautiful thing about felt is that you don't have to hem the edges! It's not that ironing and pinning is difficult, it just doesn't excite me!

You use it just like a regular glue stick - rub on area...

and fold hem over. I was amazed at how well it worked!

You can sew right through it and it washes out.

Here is the finished project.

If you want your very own stick of this fabulous glue, then leave a comment and I will put you in a drawing for one. Drawing to close noon on January 8th!