Needle Felting Owl Factory

xo nikki

From Clay to Diz's

1. First mould them out of clay ... 

2. Fire in the kiln.

3. Paint them with underglaze ... 

4. Paint them with clear glaze over the underglaze ... 

5. Fire again

and Voila!

Finished pieces :)

xo nikki

Anastasia

Between Theatre rehearsals and planting the garden, I finally got her finished :)

I'd like to introduce you to ... 

Anastasia

xo nikki

Clay, Wool and Earth on May Long Weekend ... and Snails!

Although there was some roasting of hot dogs on Monday over the bonfire, there was no camping that took place for us on the traditional first camping weekend of the season ... 

Instead, there were other surprises in store ... 

Clay with my little man :)

My crab apple in bloom ... which smells divine!

Getting in some BFL spinning on my wheel

** Surprise visit from Ky!!! :D **

Ky's chunky delicious Merino 2-ply!

  

The new planter box that the Mr. made for me from recycled materials we foraged from the yard that is now ready for my herb garden!

And the wee snails that kept me company in the garden ... 

  

I got absolutely nothing done that was on my May Long to-do list but had the most wonderful weekend imaginable!

xo nikki

The finished Charlie hat!

So awesome! Love it Ky!

Best model ever too!

Thanks for sharing the photos!

xo nikki

2-Ply on a Drop Spindle!

Nik and I learned to ply yarn on a drop spindle today on coffee break (and lunch break) using some very high-tech equipment ;)

The pots are actually spaced apart on the floor to help keep the yarns from tangling together, as you see them doing in the above pictures - an idea from the amazing Maggie Casey - who is even smarter and inverts them to run the yarns up through the drain holes (once on the bottom, now on the top) which provides a dual purpose as it also keeps the yarn contained underneath, rather than running amok all over the floor. 

She is a clever lady that Maggie Casey!

Nikki's lovely super soft, thick and thin 2-ply above and my more traditional spun 2-ply on my Lotus Drop Spindle. Both are spun from Nickelbee Art's gorgeous "Iris Wine" colourway!

It was super fun and I can't wait to do some more tonight!

Happy Plying!

xo nikki

Fair Dinkum Deal!

This is the 2-ply Alpaca yarn that I finished spinning for a friend in exchange for getting to keep some of this lovely rich, warm, chestnut fleece :)

Fair dinkum deal I'd say!

xo nikki