fish, fish oh lucky fish!

The last ..for the moment of my felting frenzy.
Lucky fish. A touch of shimmer in their scales and away they swim...

hearts

Here is another group of brooches for Christmas selling.

felted brooches

Hi there, I have been playing again and having fun with my felting machine. I have even tidied my studio...very productive day LOL! These little brooches are made on the embellisher and then free machined - just LOVE how easy that machine is to use and how in combination with my sewing machine one can create some neat things. I know there is a whole world of ideas out there just waiting to be explored in this process......so I had better get to it.
Thanks all who have left comments on my blog...the threads of life that unite us! -Linda.

shoe fun

Okay, I said I have been playing with painting shoes - got some leather textile medium from Di at www.fabricaddictions.com and some yummy pigment powders so I had to have a little fun. Now remember these are OLD shoes and I am experimenting with them. Saying that, however, I must say it was fun and I will do more after I have worn these shoes a few times to see how it lasts. A couple I have used gel medium over - not sure yet if that is a good idea or not.! ! pair I did one shoe with gel med. and 1 without - so I have a test case......myth busters look out!!!!!

This next pic shows how i have gone back over with the needle felting machine on the reverse and pulled some texture back to the right side. Starting to get the look I want - lots of texture and interest!

Finally finding a minute to post LOL! Where does the year go?
I have another class running with Classheaven http://ClassHeaven.com. The Owl and the pussycat - needle felting fun. I think it is really useful to have other crafts to compliment my dollmaking...and yours!! It is much nicer to be able to place something you have also made into the arms of the doll......well, that is what I like to do. What do you think?

Another step completed! I really love drawing the face and seeing the spirit come alive - it encourages me to get the rest done.

Finally got around to posting some new pics. This is the doll I am working on at the moment using 2 recycled lampshades. So far I have sculpted a head and shoulders in paperclay and made a torso which has then been attached to the 1st wire lampshade base. The other 2 shots are the next step with fabric layered over the sculpt and a rough face drawn to give me a guide to the final look.
Next is to cover the work with an underglaze, more sanding and then the final paint.
So, what do you think? She is an elongated head shape and I have a whimsical costume planned for her with some layered textile techniques. She will also have a light bulb under her skirt so I intend on making the light shine through!

A couple of more shots of Sporty Sam going for a run on the grass in his little paperclay boots!

Felting Machine.
What fun these machines are! For any textile/tactile junkie these machines offer a whole new world of possibilities. I have been playing with these brooches. A combination of needle felting and free machining with a little hand stitch to finish off. For someone who loves results within a reasonable time frame.....this has to be one answer! I think they will make great presents - and light to post!

Here is a sneak peek of my doll Sporty Sam who will be appearing in a doll magazine shortly. He's a cheeky little boy who has knobbly knees, baggy shorts and his shoe lace undone. He is a simple pattern with paper-clay boots and ball and could be adapted to wear whatever sporting code you might follow.

You can view some of my dolls and textile works at www.picturetrail.com/linda38 to give you a little insight into my world and until I get this one sorted out!!!!!

Welcome

Well, I have set up this blog - so that is a start! I can see I am going to need to do a little more research as to what I should be doing with it!!!!
I am a passionate textile artist that is happily working from my home studio - gathering up ispiration form the natural world around me and trying to create my own interpretation of what I see in a textile form.