Looky Looky Looky!

Look what I got! Yeah!!!! Beth over at Felting in Fibrespace sent me this absolutely fabulous little sewing kit for the Functional Felt Swap!!! Obviously, Beth did her homework and knew that I am trying to re-kick start my sewing habit. And what inspiration she’s given me. There’s an octopus pin cushion, a fish holder for a cloth tape measure and a needle case with a fish on one side and a crab button on the other. You can see WAY better pictures of the items on Beth’s post by clicking here. She included the tape measure and a couple needles and pins so it’s all ready to go. She even wrapped it all up very prettily with great attention to details - fancy star tape on the bubble wrap (which promptly decorated twigs in the yard, transforming them into magic wands) and a lovely box with a fish scene added to the inside lid! How fun is that?

I realize I’m using entirely too many exclamation points here but I really am that excited. She did a great job and I will really enjoy using them. My only worry is that I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to do battle with my son for the octopus pincushion.

I hope you all realize that Seth did the needles in the eye bit, not me.

Please take some time and check out Beth’s Fibrespace website. There you’ll find links to her etsy shops for both handmade items as well as felting supplies. I only wish I was even remotely near North Yorkshire so I could take one of her classes. That would be dreamy.

Thank you so much Beth!!! Now I’m all set to get started on my toadstool swap project!

Felted Bag

Ta dah! Here it is. I finally finished my Functional Felt Swap item. It’s boxed up and ready to go. As you can see it’s a bag. I knitted it from a pattern in One Skein by Leigh Radford. Although most patterns in the book call for only one skein of yarn, this one called for one skein plus left over yarn in your stash. As my wool stash is practically non-existent I went out and bought some yummy Malabrigo worsted weight merino wool for it. Little did I realize I would need a total of three skeins. The pattern also calls for stripes for the top half but I decided on a more subtle mottled look. Besides, changing yarn every few rows tends to drive me wiggy. For the most part the pattern was easy to follow. The only exception was sewing the gussets. I really didn’t get the directions and needed to put a call in to my sis to figure it out. Thanks Ellie! The bag is a nice size for either a large purse or a small book bag. Would even make a lovely bag to tote around a knitting project. The top edge rolled during the felting process. I liked the effect so much I left it to dry that way and found that it gives a nice firm edge. I wish I had gotten a picture of the sides for you but I’m not willing to pull the tape off the box. They fold in so that the bag can expand by about 4 inches deep.

As I can never leave well enough alone and I had a bit of leftover yarn I decided to make a coordinating key chain. I really wanted to make a matching coin purse but I didn’t have THAT much left over. The key chain is a knitted i-cord and I attached the hardware prior to felting. On the inside of the bag I added a d-ring (pre-felting as well) for attaching the key chain. I like to add as much hardware prior to felting as possible because I believe it gives it more strength and a seamless appearance.

I love it so much I want to make a second one for myself. (Although Leigh’s Circle Tote is looking awfully tempting.) But first, I really must use up all this yarn I succumbed to at the last sale at my LYS. I tried to hide the 2nd bag from the husband but he got home too early.

I really hope my swap partner likes her new bag and isn’t too miffed at it being late. Sometimes life just gets in the way. We don’t always hit our deadlines and that’s ok. If you’re part of the swap and haven’t sent your item out yet just drop us a line to let us know how it’s going a functionalfeltswap {at} gmail {dot} com. Obviously, I will understand. Jen wrote a great post on things to keep in mind as we try to wrap up this swap, please take a moment to check it out if you haven’t already. And keep posting those pictures to the flickr group. We just love seeing everyone’s work.

Functional Felt Swap Deadline

Check out all this wonderful stuff coming out of the Functional Felt Swap. I’m so impressed with the variety and quality of the items being produced. To think I’m a co-host! It blows me away. Not only are these creative items coming out of 13 US states, but 7 countries! I’m amazed. See who made each of these items and check out more pics by clicking here. For those participating in the swap that haven’t posted a picture of their item please do so. It is incredibly fun to see it all. Don’t have and don’t want a flickr account? You could also email us any shots and we could post for you.

As for my item? I’m a bad, bad hostess. I’ve finished knitting my item and just need to throw it in the wash in the morning. At first I was thinking one day late, no biggy. But now I’ve realize that it may not dry in one day. I certainly don’t want to mail something that will mold in it’s postal box by the time it gets to the recipient. I hope they don’t mind that it’s a teeny bit late. I promise it’ll be worth it. I went overboard. (no surprise) We did get a camera today (an Olympus Stylus 1030 SW) so I can take some picks once we have some daylight tomorrow. Fingers crossed that something doesn’t go horribly awry in the washing machine.

A Fortune and a Winner!

Tonight we had Chinese delivered. Eleanor couldn’t get enough of the pork fried rice and Seth really enjoyed the “chicken nuggets” (aka sweet and sour chicken). Although he thought I was absolutely disgusting for eating the cream cheese wantons. Every time I took a bite I got a big “ewwww” from him. Humorous to say the least. The best part? My fortune. I don’t know about you but most fortune cookies I get do not have actual fortunes in them. Usually they are more along the lines of a wise saying. It irritates me. Tonight, however, I got a great fortune:

“A dark haired woman will soon be giving you a gift.”

I kid you not! Do you think it’s my swap partner? It’s very exciting.

Things are really starting to heat up with the Functional Felt Swap. If you haven’t seen some of the great items being created you really should take a peek at the photo pool on flickr. I’m happy to report that 70% of the participants have commented or posted about their progress. Some haven’t started but are thinking hard and others have completed and mailed their swap items already! I haven’t made much progress since my posting last week as we’ve had family in town and my little sweetness turned one but I’m happy with were I’m at. Speaking of last week’s post and progress reports, drum roll please……….. The winner of the update giveaway is none other than Debbie! Check out Debbie’s great felt covered nature journal for the swap:

Debbie will receive my felted i-cord bracelet. I hope she likes it!

Swap Update & A Giveaway!

I got a bit antsy waiting to start my swap project before the partners were handed out so I started what I thought was a little something to keep me occupied.  In my normal fashion I neglected to read the directions all the way through before hand and by the time I realized I would need to knit three six foot i-cords I was already too into the project. The above headband is the result. You can see another shot here. I had to run it through the washer 6 TIMES to get it to full how I wanted it. By the time all was said and done I had left over felted i-cords. What to do? Well a Functional Felt Swap giveaway, of course! Here’s what I came up with:

A lovely (in my opinion), light as air bracelet. This giveaway is open to all Functional Felt Swap participants. (Sorry to my other wonderful readers - but don’t fear I have another giveaway planned for the nearish future.) In order to qualify for this giveaway all you need to do is comment about your progress to date on this post, Jen’s update post,  or upload a shot to our flickr group by end of day Monday, May 19th. It could even be simply about the materials you plan to use. If you take a look at the flickr group it’ll be pretty obvious that some go getters are already entered into this giveaway. But don’t let that stop you from commenting. We want to hear what you think of the swap so far. As for me, here’s my progress. I should have put a quarter in there for scale. If I had it would have been about the size of you mouse pointer.

Swap!

Functional Felt Swap partner emails have been sent out!!! See Jen’s post for more info and news on the giveaway winner!

One Day Left!

Wednesday, April 16th is the last day to sign up for the Functional Felt Swap.

Get in while the get n’s good!

For those of you that have already signed up you should have received an acknowledgment email by now. Please let us know if not.

Felt Inspirations

My mother was given a bunch of yarn not that long ago. Many were single skeins and some were missing labels. She thought some trial run felting would be fun and these oven mitts are a taste of the result. She’s an excellent knitter and they took her no time at all. It was lucky too that they knit up quickly as one of the three did not felt. This shot is of one that did felt and one that didn’t, kind of a before and after effect. The best part of it was the laugh we all got at seeing the giant mittens. Lesson learned? You must know that the yarn is at least 90% wool/animal fiber. Also, it simply cannot be washable wool. She did end up with a pretty cool oven mitt though, didn’t she? Add a pot holder and I think it would make a nice set for the swap. She’s currently deciding whether or not to join the swap. I think she should, but I’m biased.

Are you deciding whether or not to join the Functional Felt Swap too? Maybe you need some inspiration. Try these on for size:

Books – browse your local bookstore or library to get those creative juices flowing. The online world is great but there’s something about crisp pages and large format photography. Here’s a few I’ve been perusing lately:

• Warm Fuzzies by Betz White – upcycle used sweaters into tote bags, scarves, book covers, craft aprons or blankets. Ellena (a FF swapper) has apparently already discovered Betz as evidence by her great hats. Don’t be deceived by the cupcakes, there are plenty of more functional items in her book that would be appropriate for our “functional” requirement.
• Felt Forward by Maggie Pace – knit and felted items like a bobble & Icord bracelet, wonderful boots and a hoop purse that loosely reminds me of Martha’s stone purse.
• Simply Felt by Docherty & Emerson - Just the lovely free form wet felted vases on the cover would make me happy.
• How about a collection of little sewn travel items from Felt Accessories by Taylor Hagerty? Luggage tags, passport holder & journal cover?
• I also can’t wait to take a look at Shibori Knitted Felt.

Flickr - Check out other swap members pics or take a peek at some of these flickr groups. There are plenty of others, just try a search.

Blogs & Websites - too many to mention. Here’s a couple but once you start looking you may not be able to stop. (we’ve all been there)

• Pick Up Sticks
• Craftzine (specifically I’ve been wanting to do something like this but I can’t find the tutorial I found once before)
  
• Knitty
• Gleason’s

Etsy - do a search on etsy to see what others have done or find materials for your project. In particular check out Eileen’s roving and hand dyed yarn, another fellow FF swapper.

Sewing pattern books/sites - if your thinking of upcycling an old sweater or using felt fabric try perusing sewing pattern books at your at your local craft or sewing store or even online. I saw this one beautifully recreated from old sweaters in Knitting Never Felt Better.

• Amy Butler
• Betsy Ross
• Favorite Things
• Butterick/McCalls/Vogue
• Simplicity
• Deb’s Recycled Sewing Patterns

Magazines - pick up a knitting or felting magazine such as Interweave Felt.

Any other suggestions out there? Have a project on your blog you want us to look at? Leave a comment.

Side note - If you’re already signed up for the swap you should have received a confirmation email of some nature. If you did not, please check your junk mail folder!

Functional Felt Swap and Getting to Know You

I’m happy to report that sign up for the Functional Felt Swap is going very well. We already have people signed up in 3 different countries and 7 US states. I really love the international nature of the web. It seriously blows me away. I’m sure it will be no surprise to my son but for someone who remembers life before email it’s miraculous. I suppose that’s how I’m going to date myself, along with the fact that I had a Commodore 64 in Jr High.

One of the best parts of this nifty online world is making new friends. Part of participating in a swap is also about making new friends. Putting yourself out there allows you to find other like-minded individuals even if they’re half way around the world. Maybe some day you’ll meet them in person, maybe not. The point is that you inspire each other. To be creative, to be outgoing, to be curious. As such, and even though we don’t require the info I highly recommend including your blog, etsy shop, flickr id and such with your sign up information. It will help your swap partner get to know you and what you might like. Even better and even if you don’t sign up for the swap make sure to leave a comment that either links to your URL or includes the data in your comment. Help us get to know you better.

Functional Felt Swap!

Jen at painted fish studio and I are proud to announce a Functional Felt Swap!

Join us in making a felted but still functional item to swap. How do you arrive at a felted item? Try one of these methods:

1. Knit and then felt (aka full)
2. Wet felt using wool roving
3. Sew from wool felt yardage
4. Upcycle a thrift store sweater

The most important part is that the end result must be functional and made of a felted material. In other words, you should be able to wear it, put stuff in it or use it in some other manner. You should not end up with an item that simply sits on a shelf. I don’t know about you but I’ve got enough of those.

Here’s the schedule:

• Sign up by April 16th
• Receive your partner’s name by April 23rd
• Complete and mail item by May 28th

To sign up send an email to functionalfeltswap{at}gmail{dot}com with the following info:

1. Your name
2. Your email address
3. Your mailing address
4. Your favorite color(s)
5. If you prefer to receive an item for an adult or a child

Please note that this is an international swap. As such you may be paired with someone over seas and will need to foot the shipping cost. You will be paired with someone who is not paired with you. In other words, the person you are making an item for will be making an item for someone completely different. And lastly, make sure to check your junk mail!!! Better yet, add functionalfeltswap{at}gmail{dot}com to your email address list right now. If you have not received your swap partner’s information by April 24th check your junk mail first! Then email us.

Here are some important links:

flickr group - for participants to upload in progress and completed items

painted fish studio - for updates and status checks

Three Sneaky Bugs - for updates and status checks

How exciting!!!! Spread the word and feel free to grab this badge and use it!

Disclaimer/fine print/nitty gritty:

Although we are organizing this swap please understand that we are not responsible for the quality or timeliness of your swap partner. This is just for fun and the risk is part of that fun. If you do not receive your package by June 28th email us at functionalfeltswap{at}gmail{dot}com and we will attempt ONE time to contact your swap partner. Participants that fail to follow through with their end of the swap by July 28th will not be able to participate in future swaps put on by painted fish studio or three sneaky bugs.

I really can’t express how excited I am about this. I hope you choose to participate in the fun and I look forward to making many new friends.