Wednesday, April 11, 2012

WOYWW

She's finished!!  My copycat goosie...... with tips and advice and even the wool !! from my friend Gretel... a world class felter, artist and now... published author of a children's book... Mrs. Mouse's Cupcakes... for which she felted all the characters and even the cupcakes for the photos in the book!
If you live in the UK... ... you could even get in on one of her in person felting workshops!!  And, I'll be green with envy!

If you want to see progression photos from the balls of wool stage to this..... ... just backtrack a few posts... cover your eyes at the bloody one.... hehehe........ ...it happens..... occasionally, if not often ...
Gretel's goose in the background photo ...mine in front.  Think I will name her Gracie.
She is seven inches tall at the top most part of her neck/head area.  How tall is yours Gretel? .






































My little guys were impressed by her sheer height..oh, and also her feet.......















Tuffy was hoping she didn't decide to get up and go anywhere........



















From Ruggles' perspective .... view of the situation.... and little Buttercup just looks on in awe of the long, lean model on the runway....

Here is how a needle felt begins....  a bag of wool... and there are many types along with a huge array of colours (or you can dye your own ... I've even used Kool-Aid to do that) .... from various breeds of sheep....
Here is the wool Gretel sent me back when I began my project.  She declared that the stuff I was using was never going to work.  hahah....thanks Gretel... for taking pity on me.  I love it.  It's like having a second sister...





























You also need some barbed needles to stab, gather and shape the wool into various parts before assembly.  A pen holder like this one is a good idea instead of trying to hold the tiny ends of a needle...just too hard on hands and wrist.  This particular one will hold up to 3 needles... you can also use only two for the smaller pieces or even go down to just one for tiny things or for the finishing ...
















This 'copycat' mentality is what got me started on needle felting in the first place several years ago.  Could I make a little bear as cute as Norm was making? the first ones I'd seen .. .. and that I just had to buy on e-bay?... because after the first two I bought  .. the third one got into a bidding war and I paid waaay too much for him.  When he arrived in the mail, I carried him around for a day just looking at him... totally in awe... he was so cute and so tiny ... well, ...that was it.  I was hooked before I even found some wool and needles and tried to make one for myself.  Hahaha... and the first was pretty funny ... looked more like a monkey than a bear..but I finally got him to look sort of okay and was pretty thrilled that I had made my very own little guy.  However, I have to say.....I still want to own at least one of Gretel's creations... yep...I do.

For the WOYWW we are supposed to keep our posting short...but, eh..... just wanted to also tell you about my doll making start.  Almost the same thing.  For months I had wondered if perhaps I could make a doll.  One just like "youknowwho"....  and.....  had to give it a try.  Turned out I could.  I did.  She worked out beyond my wildest dreams for a first....and from an online course actually.  How I loved the little personal challenge of the attempt.   I don't think I have much imagination of my own really ...but, I love to try making some of the things I see others doing.

Here's my first doll .... Echlin... from a Sherry Goshen pattern.  Wow... back in '07 already  .... hmmm...time sure flies....



















The painting of the faces was the most intriguing part to me.  I'd never tried anything like it in my life.  But, there were about 18 pages of pics and instructions... you just follow along and all of a sudden...a face appears... absolutely amazing to me!  We also made the little chair.  It was supposed to be made by cutting and cleaning a big dirty old gourd.... I just couldn't bring myself to use one.  Instead I just made a paper clay shape over a shallow bowl and went from there. ... lined it with silk and made some flowers from paperclay as well... and voila.  My first doll!  Pretty darn thrilling to me.

If you want to check out blogs of others participating in WOYWW....go to Julia's blog and see our list of bloggers...wow...it gets longer each week....




25 comments:

Gretel said...

Before I tell you how great your version of Snowdrop is, that doll is something else! Aren't you clever? Even with instructions, she's pretty perfect. And on to Snowdrop - I've watched you persevere with this, even though you bled and hurt and the results are so worth it, well done! I am proud of you. :) If you can get hold of a copy of Mollie Makes (they do sell in in Canada, though I think it takes a while to get over and I don't know where) - my article has step-by-step photos and the doglet is only about 2 inches tall, so you can do one in an afternoon. Hooray for Snowdrop 2!

trisha too said...

Your goosie is amazing! I've needle felted, but never anything so large as that, and your dolls are enchanting.

Guess I'm a non-bear buddy . . .

Happy woyww!
#48
:)trisha

Twiglet said...

You never know what you can do until you try!! Gracie is perfect I think. I am sure your little bears will soon get used to her and she will be settled in and one of the family in next to no time. x Jo

...the yorkshire fox... said...

...a delightful posting...your little animals are adorable, loVe the little bear and the goose is very impressive...i've never done felting but the results are loVely...great your friend has had her work published...thanks for sharing...mel :)

Lunch Lady Jan said...

I love your goosey - she's beautiful and her feet are perfect. I speak as someone with size 8 here!! Be loud and proud, goosey - you'd look daft with mincey little toes!
Hugs, LLJ #3 xx

fairy thoughts said...

lovely felting. I have done a bit but never 3d pieces like the goosey, she is fab so are your dolls I thi nk I have popped by before and they are really progressing
janet #19

Shoshi said...

Wow - worth waiting for! The goose is amazing. Needle felt is definitely something I'd like to try - one day!!

Thanks for your lovely comment on my blog. Glad you like my new background!

Happy WOYWW,
Shoshi #18

Miriam said...

Lovely work - thanks for sharing.

#148

She Who Doodles said...

thanks for sharing. i never could figure out how it was done. i missed woyww for several weeks didn't realize we were suppose to keep our post short, mine was pretty long also. sometimes we just can't say it all in a short brief post.

VonnyK said...

Gracie is so gorgeous. I used to have real geese and Gracie captures them beautifully. Your dolls are amazing.
Have a great week.
Von #41

505whimsygirl said...

Oh wow - love your felting projects. The goose is very sweet looking, unlike the goose that chases people downtown.

Happy WOYWW
Hugs,
Kay
36 (you've visited - thank you!!!)

Lisa Richards said...

Love your goosie and your wonderful little elf...fairy? Such a beautiful face! You are very talented and you can make dolls just as well as...WHOMEVER! lol!
Have a great WOYWW and thanks for visiting my blog!
Lisa

MrsC.x said...

LOVE the goose!!!

tfs Happy WOYWW Mrs.C.xx (of the very tidy desk this week) #86

Neesie said...

Gracie is so cute. You are so talented. I've never seen anything like it before.
Thanks for popping over to visit me.
Have fun with WOYWW :D

Catherine said...

Your little goose is so cute! Good job! Love her!
xo Catherine

Mary Ann Tate said...

I knew you could do it:) Gracie is gorgeous.

I don't know why you don't make more dolls because you are very talented. All of the dolls you have made are wonderful. You should really toot your own horn more often.

Morti said...

Oh - I said it before and I'll say it again... awesome...amazing...wonderful...

I could go on. And now I know the feeling of I just have to have....

Me wants your dollies!

Do you ever make to sell? I have a little girl about to be a bridesmaid for me...

Thanks for stopping by.

Morti #4

MaggieC (Silvercrafter) said...

Gracie is so beautiful and elegant. You must be very proud of her. Thank you for your visit and your kind comment. Have a good week. xx Maggie #2

Norma Soulet (AZArtist) said...

Hi Vee,
First of all thank you for telling me where to find the recipe for the Strawberry Scones. :)
Love how the goose turned out! Just beautiful! The doll is lovely too.
Hugs

Neet said...

I love how the little bears are looking at Gracie, Gracie who has the perfect name as she is a very graceful young lady.
Thanks for sharing your talent with us.
Hugs, Neet #10

SuziesImaginarium said...

The goose is amazing!! I love it....so clever indeed! Still making my way through some of the WOYWW's ...see you next week #47

Eliza said...

I am just awed by your tallent I could never do anything like that, amazing. Thanks for sharing.

Eliza #80

Sherry said...

Thanks for sharing your story with us. Your Gracie Goosie looks fabulous - you did a fantastic job. Your first doll is amazing too. I've so far only had a little go at needlefelting and did enjoy it - I must have another go now!

Thanks for visiting my desk this week :)

Sherry no. 73 x

CraftygasheadZo said...

Super creations! Take care, it's Sunday, but I'm still working my way through the list! Zo xx 75

Lavinia said...

Your work is stunning! I love your creations. What a skill you have, really beautiful work!Rufus is so cute!Feel better after some time & got my six cards made eventually! :) Have a great week!
Lavinia
x