I'm happy to join Kat and fellow Unravelers for Unraveled Wednesday but without any knitting today and no unraveling.
Instead, I've got my first stab (insert needle felting laugh here) at needle felting. I'm new to this and it's slow going but it's also slightly addictive. First, I had to trace the pattern onto a layer of felt, and then I just started needling. I'm not very good at felting thin lines yet, so I hope to improve at that skill and I think it will look better overall when I can outline many of the areas in black like the picture suggests they should be. I've just started to experiment with the fine, medium, and coarse needles I ordered, and I also ordered this lovely wooden holder for the felting needle so my hand doesn't get too cramped. These accoutrements have improved things a lot, and I'm hoping this will be reflected in an improvement in my felting skills. This will take me a while but I am enjoying myself. It's (almost) magical!
My reading was composed of two and three-star books this week. I finished We Spread (this was just a weird two stars for me), Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies (two and a half stars for this self-help memoir), three stars for The Book of Goose (good, but I felt emotionally detached from this book), and three stars for Wrong Place Wrong Time (it dragged in too many places but I liked how it talked about memory and motherhood). These links go to the books' listings in Goodreads; if you want to read my reviews for more specifics you can click on the books under "Bonny's bookshelf: read" in the right-hand sidebar.
What are you making and reading this week?
You are off to a good start with your little stabby adventure! :) Somewhere I have a kit for some felted pumpkins... every once in a while I contemplate trying to make them. But that stabby business... I think the flat felt "painting" seems much more interesting! (and I just listened to a podcast where she does a needle felted plein air "painting"!)
ReplyDeleteI liked Li's writing... but yes, Fabienne was a curious girl!
What FUN, Bonny! I think you've got a most excellent start there. And I agree -- needle felting is super addictive. I found it to be a very beginner-friendly craft -- and also really good for "stabbing" through frustration. I'll bet you'll have that outlining thing down before you know it! Nicely done. XO
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty impressed with what you've done so far, and I'm sure as you get more experience, you'll be able to handle those trickier parts with no problem. Like Kym, I've found needle-felting to be a good way to work out some frustration -- something I expect will be useful as election day gets closer and closer!
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool! It's fun to branch out into other crafts, either for a single project or for a whole new obsession!
ReplyDeleteI think your needle felting looks wonderful. I'm knitting on socks (surprise!) and reading Walter Cronkite's autobiography (A Reporter's Life).
ReplyDeleteI've never tried needle felting, but seeing your project makes me want to give it try!
ReplyDeleteMy sister and I took a short vacation during the past week and although I brought knitting and books along, I didn't get much done. We spent most of our time eating, drinking, shopping, and enjoying Lake Michigan and some beautiful fall weather.
I can see needle felting taking over my making time, but I've also started a new sweater so I will have to focus on something a little bit to get it completed; it will most likely be the sweater. I saw your IG photos and it looked like a marvelous vacation at a beautiful spot. I'm glad you and your sister enjoyed it so much!
DeleteI am sure I would have multiple injuries if I tried needle felting! I have often thought of it, but remembered what a klutz I can be at times. This looks very good, Bonny! I will look forward to following your new addiction. I just finished State of Wonder and Billy Summers, both 4 star books for me. I enjoyed both of them, then thought about how ratings worked. Perhaps if you have read many "bad" books, the ratings are higher when you read a "good" book? Just started Tru Biz. Making a lot of swear words since I just replaced my oven, and now my frig has gone south. GRRRRRR
ReplyDeletewow! That looks like a lot of fun and I love the design and colors :)
ReplyDeleteThat needle felting looks great and I think you've got mad skillz!
ReplyDeleteThat looks so cool! I can't wait to watch it fill in. I've only done little 5x5 maybe little needle felting projects and would stab myself so many times that I haven't picked it up again.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Suzanne! I haven't stabbed myself yet, but there is still a lot more to go!
DeleteThe needle felting project looks very nice to me. Every now and again, it is nice to try a different craft. And the right tools make a difference. Enjoy the journey.
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