August 5, 2011

Ugly Duckling turns into a Swan...

I bought a Janome Xpression felting machine in 2005 and have never really used it.  Well,  I took it out of the box once when I first bought it.  I didn't really make anything, but managed to break one of the five needles!  I decided it was time to get this baby out of the closet and play.

I took a piece of white felt about 5" x 5" square.  I've got tons a silk scraps.  I thought I'd start felting a base using some of these.  Not liking it.

 

After adding a couple different shades of gold silk, I still wasn't particularly happy with it.  Looked through my stash of wool roving and pulled out some red, white and blue.  Starting to think maybe this was a mistake!


Felted in some black perl cotton floss - too thin to work well.  Tried to hide it with some white roving.


Thicker black knitting yarn worked better - It's starting to look like a keeper.


Rough cut ultra suede heart; stitched down with zig zag stitch.  Trimmed the piece down to 3" x 3" square - ahh, that's better.


Painted top and sides of canvas 3" x 3" frame with black gesso


Stapled rattail to back of frame


Addition of seed beads; final trim and adhered to frame using soft gel matte medium.  Now I'm happy and relieved since this is a gift for a dear friend's birthday and I wanted to make something special for her.


Go to Pink Saturday for more inspiration!

41 comments:

Reena said...

That was so fun watching the development of your beautiful piece!

ann @ studiohyde said...

Well done Pat....at first I didn't think you were getting anywhere and then all of a sudden it looked complete...very good with the framing too that set it off well. Your friend should be well pleased.

Anonymous said...

wow, thats beautiful!!

Lynne said...

I think your framing makes this piece really special - great idea.

Kia said...

Really beautiful, Pat! :)
Happy Friday and weekend ahead.

SHELAGH FOLGATE said...

A lovely first effort & a super gift for your friend
Shelagh
http://shelaghfolgate.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Happy Pink Saturday
A lot of work but so worth it for the end result.
Cool, unique and beautiful.
Wishes
Lynne

Gabriela Delworth - Instructional Designer said...

HPS!

Wow! Love your piece!


Gabriela

Robin said...

Oh she did.....she turned out quite lovely. Your friend should be very pleased.

Have a pinkishly beautiful weekend.

Unknown said...

This is fabulous! What a transformation in work here ... love it.
Happy PS weekend ~
TTFN ~
Marydon

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Happy Pink Saturday Pat Sweetie...
Oh what a beautiful piece of art you have created. I loved seeing the steps along the way.

That picture of LOVE is the best. I especially love the addition of the little seed beads. Made your heart POP. So colorful. Makes my heart "HAPPY" that you shared.

Have a gorgeous PINK Saturday. Country hugs sweetie, Sherry

poppilinnstudios said...

Oh what fun! I've never done any felting. Your piece looks great!
-Lynn

Jil~Say It With Roses said...

I am glad you stuck with it as it turned out great!
HPS!
Jil

Sharon said...

This is great - glad you kept playing around with it!! Beautiful! Happy Pink Saturday!

Anonymous said...

Pat! So neat -your hanging is...felting is fun!

HPS!

love, kelee @ www.designgivesback.com

Anonymous said...

Pat! So neat -your hanging is...felting is fun!

HPS!

love, kelee @ www.designgivesback.com

Linda M. said...

WOW! It turned out fantastic. Happy Pink Saturday. Linda

Unknown said...

Wow Pat, it turned out so beautiful. I've never done any felting .Thanks for showing your progress. It just goes to show, things always work out in the end.
Great work.
Kyles :D

Ann said...

Felted pieces are really beautiful, I've seen them done by hand but I've never heard of a machine like this. Your piece is lovely and I know your friend will love it.
Ann

Tina´s PicStory said...

You are creating such beautiful stuff! wow! Thanks for stopping by. I also like this men´s and ladies sign :)) Have a nice weekend! LG Tina

The French Hutch said...

I love that you took us through each step of your b'day project. The little piece of felt transformed into the swan, and a birthday gift your friend will treasure. How lovely, who wouldn't love to receive such a treasure.
I love the texture and frame you gave the photo of Cinque Terre. Your very creative and I love your creations..Have a great weekend...........

~Emily
The French Hutch

Ann said...

On your American Girl store question: they just built a new store here in Kansas City. We've gone several times. Last weekend my grands got their dolls ears pierced and hair done.
Ann

Monica said...

Hi Pat,
I'm so curious about felting, I've never tried it. You did a wonderful job for sure!
Thanks you for your adorable comment about my rosary- I have visited Niagara Falls too and have very sweet memories of that place. One funny note- you got a rosary, I got a warm sweatshirt (and a plush moose)!!!!;) It was incredibly cold for us in October!! You've inspired me to share some of my pics on my blog...
Happy PS,
Monica.

Jeanne said...

Hi Pat, from ho hum to a humdinger. Beautiful and inspiring. Never give up, just keep trying is what I feel about this sweet creation.
Hugs, Jeanne

Michelle said...

Hi Pat, your new piece of art is delightful! I have given a shout out for you on my blog today, even though I am posting late. Happy PS.

Gypsea Nurse said...

Hi Pat~
never have tried it, but you make it seem so easy, and somehow I know that would not be the case!
Have a great weekend...
Cat

Anonymous said...

How could she not love it when it was made from the heart? HPS :)

♥ Miss Tea said...

oooh so envious that u got janome felting machine! but i do love the result that u make for ur friend's bday! what a cute heart!

Thanks for dropping by and have a great weekend! :)

Susan

mypinkprettiesaboutme said...

Pat You said you wanted to do something special for your friend. Congrats you did!

HPS

LL

Micupoftea said...

Turned out great...I always told my cake dec. students that if they make a 'mistake' just pretend they did it on purpose and it usually ends up looking fab in the end!
Happy Saturday~

Denise said...

Hi Pat,

What a pretty and unique gift you've made for your friend's birthday! Thanks for sharing the process and the final product. I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures of Highlands; I've heard Brevard is beautiful, too, but I've never been :) I noticed in your profile that you live in Naples, FL. I was there over 25 years ago for a college friend's wedding.

Thank you for visiting my blog and for taking time to leave a comment. Happy Pink Saturday!

Denise at Forest Manor

alicesg said...

Nice artwork. Happy Pink Saturday. Thanks for dropping by my blog. Have a nice weekend.

Anette said...

Awesome, I love it :)

The 4-feet Wonder said...

You really did some nice work there. :) like it.

Thanks for stopping by and appreciating my work. :)

joco said...

Hiya Pat,
Glad somebody stopped by my first pink saturday venture :-)

This felting piece is lovely. Nice to see the steps you took. Can't help feeling a little sorry for the sweet pieces of silk that got buried there though. Silk fibres are more like hair rather than wool, and don't have the sticky-out bits to intertangle that wool has. So I don't hink it will ever felt.You may have other experience.

Daniella said...

That is fabulous!! I love watching the process!!
xxDaniella

Annesphamily said...

That blasted blogger stole me away form you! I know I was following you and I disappeared! Here I am to say what a beautiful piece of art you created! I love it! Thanks for sharing! Anne

Jennifer said...

I was wondering how you made the one for Emily ... love it!

MulticoloredPieces said...

Thanks for showing the step-by-step development of this piece. I've been resisting taking on new techniques--but you make it hard! So tempting...
best, nadia

libbyquilter said...

i have really been wanting an embellisher and seeing this wonderful little project come along from first to last has totally gotten me green with envy~!!~

any advice on which machine might be the best choice?

:-)
libbyQ

joco said...

Felting machine???
What happened to stomping on the project in the bath :-)?
That's half the fun.