I bet you thought I'd disappeared...

...sorry that it's been so long since I last posted here or visited any blogs: it's been a hectic few weeks!

Today's post is all about birds: although I'm no ornithologist, I must admit that I have a bit of a thing for our feathered friends. I'm not good at recognising their feathers, calls or habits, but I just love lying in bed at this time of the year and listening to their joyful singing. Our pear tree is thick with blossom at the moment, and the birds seem to enjoy feasting on the fragrant petals (I wonder if they taste like pears?). The tree attracts birds of all shapes and sizes - do you remember this photo I took last year?

Adorable, aren't they? They are the inspiration behind my latest felted picture - it's made from a wet felted background onto which I needle felted the birds. I hope you like it!

I've also been working on some woolly little bird 'sculptures' - rather a pompous word for such humble creations, but I'm sure you know what I mean. Here's a peek of the first hatchlings...

I'm planning on making a whole rainbow of these little creatures - they are fun to make and have been a  good way to pass the time whilst Mr T has been watching the snooker!

Hope you've all enjoyed the Bank Holiday. We had fun, but who stole the sun?

Liz x

Ahh, more lovely colour!

I've been busy, busy, busy, doing lovely things - leaving little time for my blog, sorry! More of that another day...for now, I thought you may like to see something I made yesterday. It's not really a 'thing', more of an exploration into texture and colour. A bit of a sampler, I suppose!

It was great fun to create, and sort of evolved with no particular plan in mind. I started with arranging layers of un-dyed wool graduating from white to chocolate brown - 'oh, very restrained colours!' commented Mr T when he wandered into the kitchen.

But such restraint didn't last long - the neutrals were destined for the back of this piece...just look what happened next! I couldn't resist adding a bit of colour, and then a bit more, until a woolly rainbow emerged,

 I added many fine layers of wool, silk and other bits and bobs,

 And finally some little dots - do you remember the more muted version that I made for my sister?

 Now it's all finished and dry, I'm not really sure what to do with it - but it was fun to make. My next project will include these gorgeous buttons that I bought from Jude Allman - they're gorgeous, aren't they? 

 The glaze reminds me of the bowl that was made by my grandpa - a very precious bowl!

Liz xx

A Felt Bowl inspired by Spring-time

We have an ancient pear tree in the garden that produces hundreds of white blossoms every April. Last week I was admiring the little buds that were on the brink of bursting into bloom, and for the first time noticed their beauty - although the flowers are snowy white, the buds are a deep rose-red, surrounded by a protective case of fresh and zingy green. You can see them in the background of these photos - it was too windy too photograph them in situ!

Their shape instantly reminded me of my felted pod bowls, and there it was - inspiration for my latest creation! Isn't it amazing where creative ideas can spring from when you least expect it...

 I used 3 shades of pink and 5 shades of green, plus silk to add texture; I was a little disappointed that the contrasting colours were not really noticeable once the felting process was complete. They do add some depth of colour that wouldn't be achievable with only one shade, though. And the colours are just the same as the buds which prompted the bowl's creation :)

After our week of unseasonably warm and sunny weather I've heard that we are now due snow later in the week - I just hope all those little seedlings that are emerging from the soil will survive!

Liz x

Happy Mothers Day

Glorious blue skies and daffodils everywhere - what a lovely start to Mothers Day! We're off in a bit to join mum, dad and the rest of the family for Sunday lunch.

Here's the card I made for mum, taking more than a pinch of inspiration from one of my favourite clothing and textile designers, Gudrun Sjoden.

Have a great day - whether you are a mother or not!

Liz x

Easter Bunnies

Do you remember the little grey bunny that I made earlier this year? Since then I've made quite a few of these little creatures: they satisfy my after-work craft cravings, and since they don't take too long to make, they also satisfy my urge to get things finished!

They are available in my my Folksy shop - the next little group will hop over to Etsy in time for Easter.

The lovely spring weather has been working its wonders on my garden, just look at all this flowery, colourful loveliness!

I've also done a little bit of wet felting - nothing on a grand scale, just some little eggs. Here's a glimpse of the blue batch.

I'm off into the garden to make the most of the sun before it sets and the chill sets in - it's amazing how suddenly it gets cold at this time of year, isn't it!

Liz x

Little Wool Nest

Needle felting, such a great way to relax after work! This is what I made last night,

The only problem...watching TV whilst using a sharp, barbed needle is not the best combination of pass-times! If you are feeling like an early Easter treat, the nest is available here.

Liz x

Thinking Ahead

This morning we've been to buy seeds, pots and new gardening gloves. In a minute I'm off to spring clean the greenhouse ready for the new growing season. I'll be dreaming of a few months' time, when hopefully there'll be crops of flowers, salad, fruit and vegetables to eat and enjoy.

Sadly, we lost one of our hens last month - to a fox, we think. Our remaining old hen seems a but lonely, so we'll also be looking out for a new playmate for her soon!

Liz x