September starts a new felting year

Saturday saw the start of another felting year. Our Chairperson, Gail opened the Felt-in welcoming back old familiar faces & some new faces too. In addition, Gail thanked members for their hard work & contributions to a very successful exhibition as part of August Craft Month and advised that the Guild has been invited to exhibit at the Loft in Portaferry. Further details will follow but another fabulous opportunity to display our work & raise our profile. Get your thinking caps on and rollers at the ready to create some exciting new pieces for the Loft. 

It was a busy morning with membership forms & fees being submitted to Ann & Mandy. For those of you who have not yet submitted your form please either forward to Anne or bring along to next felt in. Remember that one of the benefits of membership is priority booking for workshops & permits attendance at the afternoon felt-ins.

Gail launched the Programme of events for 2017/18. This is on the blog site under the heading 'Diary of Events'. This is one of our most exciting programmes to date with morning felt-ins led by our own skilled members together with workshops with renowned felters such as Gabi McGrath, Gabriella Kovacs, Wendy Bailye and our very own 'Doyenne', Dorothy Dinsmore. Early booking will be necessary to secure your place. Furthermore, there are three afternoon free felt-in sessions where you will be able to bring along your own projects to work on. Please remember these are not formal teaching sessions but are opportunities to begin/finish projects in a relaxed setting with long tables. Remember to bring your lunch along. 


SHOW & TELL

Some great work was produced over the summer at both the workshops & at home.

Karen with her beautiful vessel crafted at Gail's workshop. The simple spiral design is very effective.

Norma had a challenging day at Ann's scarf workshop but persevered at home to create a unique wool & silk scarf.

Olwyn's autumnal colours of her wool & silk scarf also from Ann's workshop. & doesn't her jumper go so well!

Now everything gets a bit fishy........

Puffer fish workshop. So cute.

What did one puffer fish say to another puffer fish?
I'm feeling rather bloated right now!
or
What do you call a puffer fish with no eyes?
A puffer fsh!
(I know terrible, lol)

Sharon's autumnal coloured grid scarf.

Cup warmer - a very useful means of using up leftover felt.

& Finally, a very industrious Deirdre - handbag, scarf & another fish!

Gail reminded all of the availability of wool, a selection of silks & some sundries at the sales table.  There were some of last year's wooltops reduced in price and a wonderful selection of autumnal colours for this season. Unfortunately our usual sales person, Jane Fox, was away. Helen substituted for what proved to be a very busy morning for the table & Helen is thankful that Jane will be here next time!

Then we came to the morning's felt-in led by Jayne Burgess, 'Fabric in Felt'. Jayne gave a clear and concise talk of how to incorporate fabrics inc. silk, muslin & cotton into the felting process.  After a discussion regarding the suitability/unsuitability of various fabrics Jayne showed some samples of beautiful felted projects demonstrating endless possibilitie using this technique. She had kindly brought along some sample fabrics for members to practise with. After laying down the wooltops & silks it was onto some very gentle patting to massaging then rubbing, rolling & of course throwing to rid yourself of any angst! Below are a selection of photographs of the morning and the resulting felted pieces. Remember that all felt-in sessions allow feltees to learn or practice a new skill that you can then take home to incorporate into your very own project.

Thank you to Jayne for beginning our year with a great session.


And finally a big thanks to the ladies who kindly organised the teas & coffees. Always a welcoming start to the morning & an opportunity to catch up with old friends & welcome nubies. 

What a fab day to start the year & hope you are all looking forward to our October felt-in on the 21st.