Scarves and Leaves.........

Hi dear friends!
Here are some images of a class I taught a couple of weekends ago. Some ladies had never felted before yet we managed to produce 12 sensational scarves. It was just too cold to model them as they were still damp at the end of the day.
Only of the loveliest parts was that there were 4 sets of Mums and daughters! How groovy is that!

As I ponder on the nature of teaching and the reasons that students arrive to be taught, I often wonder what has brought them to me. For the most part, it is to learn the ancient art of felting and yet time and time again there are students who really are just as happy spending time with a friend, a mother, a daughter a cousin and just want to have a fab day together.

The bonus is in learning a new skill at the same time.

One student who arrived with 4 friends on the weekend said " You know, this is better than just meeting for lunch" . Surely this is what life is all about? Spending time with those you love and I know it is sounds really cliche, but creating a day that is a lovely memory too.

Then of course there are students who arrive to do something "girly" as they live in a household of men, those that need time away from heavy home duties and simply to get away form the phone and all the nagging things that make up the routine of our lives.

Classes are often given as a gift from a family member and many is the time I have been truly humbled teaching those with cancer or other handicap.

So if you are stuck for an idea for a get together with your friend or friends, consider trying a new art form and find a tutor - with any luck it may just be felting!

Here are all those leaves from a little while back. All stitched into place - DMC and Anchor

perle threads in size 3 and 5.

I had a lovelyt time stitching them and mucking around with the shades.

It is so cold here at the moment! I just have to get into bed!

Cheers for now and good night!

Love

Elizabeth

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Righto - this is what I have been doing!

Dear friends,
Here is a sampling of photos of what I have been up to this 6 weeks! I can only say it was absolutely wonderful and very full on. Last week I was spoilt rotten with a box of truffles from Haighs - I have yet to demolish them they are so beautifully wrapped. I also received a couple of cards and just wanted to share them with you.

Here is one of the handmade cards I received.

On the inside cover a Grade 5's opinion of felt making! How absolutely groovy! Of course I was a bit teary as I often am over such treasures.

Here are her thoughts on the whole felt experience. Sorry it is a little hard to see properly - please enlarge.

Grade 2 little flower fairies. The heads and feet are created with papier mache balls.

Grade 5 wall dolls. I so wanted to bring them all home!

Stitching and face drawing were also covered. With lots of practise on achieving expression and creating a character.

Buttons were added for extra dimension and interest.

Grade 3 stuffed birds - we had such variety from swans to peacocks to parrots and more!

They now adorn the art room.

Grade 6 worked with creating form through floral themes and these were mounted onto mixed media boards.

The variety in all year levels has just been astounding and I am so thrilled with the results.

I learn so much every year - not only with methodolgy in teaching children but also what can actually be achieved given a bit a of guidance and exciting colours to work with.

When I started teaching as an artist in residence about 9 years ago, little did I realize how much it would enrich my life.

Just before I go a little update on Nell. Here she is in the lounge room happy on yet another chair she is now calling her own. She has been regularly getting into trouble and I have a feeling, bossing the other neighbourhood cats around. They no longer pass through our back garden!

Literally one minute earlier she was happy posing, but soon got sick of it.

If you have reached the end of this long post then thankyou!

Hoping everyone has something lovely planned for the weekend ahead.

Love

Elizabeth

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Things are afoot.........

Dear Friends
I haven't dropped off the end off the earth! But I have been busy teaching children again which means wool and projects for nearly 500 junior children!

Here is a little peek at my work. Which seems to be dragging its' feet over the last few weeks.

These leaves are carefully dyed and chosen for this next piece and only await me to get my act together to start stitching them!

Sorry this is a short post

I will write more fully soon. I just have to sleep!...........................

Goodnight for now!

Lots of love

Elizabeth

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