Bumpy start to January!

Dorothy Dinsmore got us off to a bumpy start in January, by adding bumps to our felt, using marbles, glass pebbles or buttons! She had a great range of samples to inspire and illustrate the technique!

Dorothy's amazing samples, in which she had used various aids to make a range of shapes.

The turnout was terrific so much so we had to change the layout of the room, however we Felt it was taking us back to our school days, so we have a better plan for next month!

A very handsome visitor who popped in to see us and ended up joining in!

Work in progress, the plaiting bands are still in place!

This is the technique where the beads are enclosed between lays of wool, which gives great texture.

January was an extended felt in , which meant that people could apply to stay for the afternoon session, During the afternoon Dorothy gave her gentle instruction on how to use this technique on a scarf!

Here are some photos of the afternoon session and comments from the evaluation sheets!

"Enjoyed the workshop, plenty of samples and ideas to inspire members"

"Teacher supportive while also suggesting areas to improve"

"Excellent value for money"

"Excellent course standard and teacher support"

"love to learn new techniques, enjoyed everything"

"Have attended several workshops and each one gets better!"

"More advanced classes please"

We have some very exciting workshops coming up in March and April! Firstly our very own Gail Cooke will be taking a workshop using native wool to make a bag. This workshop is being sponsored by Feltmakers North and will be for members only! Applications forms will be available from Ann soon, keep an eye on the workshop felt in page.

On 14th and 15th of April we are having the lovely Jeannette Sendler from Scotland, she is taking two one day workshops, so at least if you cannot manage two days you could apply for one of the workshops! We have been successful in our request for funding from The Lisburn Arts Advisory Committee, which is a tremendous help as it enables us to offer workshops at a reasonable price!

I will keep you posted about application forms and prices as soon as I can! So keep checking the blog!

Finally we look forward to seeing you all in February, when Elaine will making felt flowers with us in the morning then there is free felting in the afternoon when you can use the room to felt, there will be no tutor just fun felting! this is free for members and £3 for non members! Dont forget to bring along any felt items that you have made recently for the show and tell!

See you on the 15th February at 10.15 am

fiona harvey. 

Many Thanks to Gail for the photos of the afternoon session! 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

I have added to the workshop/felt in page all the dates for 2014, so you can pop them in your diary! There are some exciting workshops and felt ins planned although not all are confirmed yet, however as soon as they are I will let you know!

For January extended Felt in, Dorothy will be teaching us how to add bumps to our felt, in the morning. Then in the afternoon the lucky people who have applied for a place and been successful, will put this new knowledge in to practice and make a scarf, with bumps! 

If you are attending either the felt in or coming for the day you will need to bring, some flower pebbles, or marbles or flat buttons, we will provide elastic bands to secure these. Also bring your usual felting kit and for those in the afternoon session bring extra wool to make the scarf. 

We are looking forward to seeing you and having more fun felting together!

Thanks to Dan Corbett for the photo above of a former workshop.

Felt in Saturday 18th January Hillsborough Village Centre, starting at 10.15 am!

Fiona Harvey

Christmas Party

Our Felt in got off to a really good start with a lovely complimentary lunch, which included lots of yummy Christmas goodies!

Dorothy kept the day feeling very relaxing and stress free, she showed us how to make a broach using a piece of felt we had made earlier and a piece of Zip!

Dorothy had lots of samples to inspire us.

Dorothy's demonstration piece.

Denise had tacked her zip piece in place and then proceeded to needle felt the design.

Lesley was enjoying herself so much she didn't see the time go in and couldn't believe it was time for home at the end of the session!

Vicki finishing of the edge of her broach.

Some of the finished and nearly finished broaches, as usual a great variety of colours and patterns.

A very pretty broach made by Mandy!

So that is another calendar year over but we will be back in January with a Felt in on using marbles or beads to create bumps in felt. If you would like to stay for the extended felt in apply to Ann our workshop secretary, names will be pulled from a hat if workshop is over subscribed! (see felt in /workshop section of blog) To come to the extended felt in you have to apply, you cannot stay on after the felt in! 

In January there will be an update of our programme for the coming year, with some exciting workshops near Easter and lots of fun with felt at our monthly Felt ins! 

So all that remains for me to say is Happy Christmas to everyone and I hope you all have a healthy and happy New Year!

Fiona Harvey

Christmas Felt in

I kept this photograph especially for this post, isnt it brilliant?! This is Sarah's Santa that she made last month with Cherri, this is her first attempt at needle felting!!!
 I just thought I would remind you that our meeting this month is on Saturday 14th December starting at 1pm with a light lunch and then felting a broach with Dorothy in the afternoon! If you are able to join us make sure you email me to let me know so as we cater for the right amount of people!
email feltmakersnorth@gmail.com
See you Saturday 14th!
Fiona Harvey

Christmas Baubles

Our Christmas felt in was taken by Cherri Conlon, who got everyone in the mood for Christmas. She showed us a great range of felted tree decorations, giving us a some good tips along the way!

Some of the girls listening intently before starting to needle felt their decorations! The atmosphere was very relaxed and all the girls really enjoyed Cherri's gentle manner of teaching!

Donna being careful with her felting needles.

Fiona added some sparkle to her bauble. Despite the risk of injury we were very lucky and no one pricked their fingers!

Cherri's Snowman

As usual a great range of different permutations from the girls of Feltmakers North!

We were also lucky to be treated to seeing some of the pieces made at Catherine O Leary's workshop

Elaine's fabulous piece! 

Deirdre's amazing family tree wrap!

A Detail from another gorgeous wrap, made with Catherine O Leary at Feltmakers North residential week end!

Next month we have a change of DATE and TIME we are having our felt in on Saturday

 14th December starting at 1pm with a light lunch Please email and let us know if you are attending so we can cater for everyone attending! After lunch Dorothy Dinsmore will be taking the felt in and we will be making a beautiful broach, check out workshop/felt in section to know what to bring!

Three fabulous days with Catherine O'Leary

I think this lovely photo of Deirdre sums up everyone's opinion of our time with Catherine!

Catherine brought with her a great selection of samples giving us all so much information and ideas we could not wait to get started!

Dorothy making her nuno prefelt, which later on would be cut up and added to her garment.

After the hard decision had been made as to what to make, we set about cutting the needle felt.

                       Lots of discussions and thought went into the planning of our pieces.

Throughout the three days Catherine gave us lots of advice and tips on how to learn this new technique and also how to improve our felting skills! Catherine is a great tutor and so generous with her knowledge.

                                 One of Catherine's examples of stain glass felting.

                                                      The other side.

So many very different designs made the workshop a tremendous learning curve as we got ideas from each other as well, as Catherine!

The view from the hall was inspiring!

Denise getting her garment fitted at the end of the day!

The group photo, members of Feltmakers North tired but happy with their achievements I hope to include more individual photos on my next post, as the standard of the work was fabulous. So to all the girls that attended please bring your garments to next felt in, so I can get good photos of them.

Next month Cherri Conlon will be taking the felt in and we will be needle felting Christmas decorations, so remember your needles. the sales table will have polystyrene shapes to buy, just bring your usual felting kit and some wool tops and of course needle felting needles! After the morning session you can stay on for free felting to members and a there is a small fee for non members, remember your lunch! Check out the felt in/workshop section for all the details of up and coming events!