Great Horned Owl

I was challenged to create a needle felted Great Horned Owl by my nature loving brother.

It took me a few redos but I ended up with this guy.  He seems right at home in that bush.

Making two things the same are always a challenge for me. The eyes and feet were redone a few times.  So much to learn!  Owls are magnificent creatures!

Painting With Wool

3D sculptures have been my main focus in needle felting. My interest in creating a flat felted picture increased as I perused Pinterest.   Who came up with that addictive site? I have a love-hate relationship there. Love looking at it... hate the time consumed by getting lost in wonderful inspirations!
I used this pin photo as my inspiration. I love the sandhill cranes.

I didn't have any wool flat felt to use as a base so I purchased a few "felt" pieces from Hobby Lobby. They are very thin so I folded it in half. I have mostly wool roving in my stash. It was easy to use on the background.

Work in process!

After getting most of the picture felted I decided I didn't like the background.  I had to work with it but I was able to pull enough of it up to change the background to what I wanted. I felted over most of the yellow. It covers well and I did let some show through.

This took me about 6 hours to finish. I'm working on the next inspiration! How did we survive without smart phones?

Here is my finished piece in an 8 x 10 mat.

Needle Felted Flamingo

I have made a flamingo for a Florida friend. Wool and Florida dont seem to go together but I think he turned to be very cute!

 Here he is a few days ago before eyes and leg details.

 Finding a way to make him stand up was a challenge.  I used a metal napkin ring for some weight.

I needle felted around it and anchored him in the water. 

Here is a close up of his eyes.  They are black headpin beads.

Mixing Hobbies

I have primarily worked with polymer clay the past 10 😳years. Painting and drawing have been my peaceful place since I was a teen.  I started needle felting about 5 years ago. This works for me because I get bored with one medium and move to the next.

Needle felting has become my obsession this year because Fall and Christmas decorations are so beautiful in needle felting.

I have made and collected Santas for many years.  I enjoy making needle felted Santas but the eyes are a  bit of a challenge. This year I decided to mix my hobbies together. I made polymer clay eyes for my Santas and gnomes.

I purchased glass eyes and have needle felted eyes which looked okay.

The one on the left has glass eyes and the one on the right has needle felted eyes.

I have to say though the clay eyes are so realistic!

Have a joyful holiday and a Merry Christmas to those who celebrate!

Pumpkins of Many Colors

I was at the grocery store yesterday and saw gray pumpkins. Fits right in with today's decor.  Hard to believe they can do that. Well if they can, so can I!

I also made turquoise and blue ones!

Fun stuff for "Fall"!

Seaside Villages

Working on miniatures for upcoming fall shows has been fun. I love the rich fall colors  and textures.

However, I needed a break from that so I created some Seaside Villages.  Fall at the beach is my favorite time to be there. We live in Delaware and can get to the ocean in a short drive.

These miniature villages aren't what we have here... more like something found in the summer romance novels across the pond.

I also am working on sailboats.

I wouldn't mind a camping weekend at the beach.  Relaxing by the water and smelling the sea air...

Fall, My Favorite Season!

It's been a little cooler the past few days. My grandson collected acorns, seeds and some colored leaves yesterday.

It will get warm again but I'm in the groove for the next season.  We had a good hot summer here in Delaware.  Time to move on....

I've been doing lots of fun things and they are finally coming together.
Needle felting, hand dying old linens and having fun with polymer clay!

Playing with surface treatments on polymer. Pan pastels, Krackle, silver leaf and gilders paste.

I used aluminum foil armatures under the clay.   My happy place is in my art room working on something...
Not sure what these are... but it was fun making them.

Gearing up fall and holiday shows! Time passes so quickly!