Home Again....

Welcome to Olds, Alberta...May 29th! WT frig?? I ended up wearing the contents of my suitcase at all times!

My roomies and students, Pat and Amanda...

and another one, Nona...

This is Reeta...Midday on day one, she reurned to class from break with a purple streak in her hair. She's a wild one!

The results of my talented students! We had lots of fun. Thanks for having me, Ladies!!:o)

And here they are!

I arrived home on the little puddle jumper plane this afternoon aware that I had traded the Alberta cold for heat and humidity as I peeled of a layer or two. I have a meeting tomorrow and some errands and head to Toronto on Wednesday. Next week I will be in Saskatchewan and I will be watching the weather for what to pack! More later....

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Off to Alberta

Well, in searching for images of Olds, Alberta (near Calgary) I found images of vast wheat fields, bison pooping, tractors, and lots of snow. I have opted for the above image of the college where I will be teaching at a conference as it is a tad more cosmopolitan!

I am currently packing and trying very hard to fit everything in my carry on. My desire to pack some of my own food is creating some challenges. I have decided to err on the side of caution and am assuming my little cans of tuna may be deemed to be in the "liquids" category and I have crammed them in the itty bitty, appropriately (albeit unreasonably) sized ziplock with the broken zipper due to my attempts to fit one more item on several occasions.

I was actually born in Calgary and wish I had some time to tool around and see if my old home and school are still standing and try to connect with some family and old friends. I see they expect snow tomorrow, so I will be anxious to leave (just kidding) But, I will need to get home for a trip to Toronto for an AGM and then back to Saskatchewan.

In any case, I have bought a good book for the long flight (don't know where that will go yet- hardcover, of course )and I will be an obedient passenger. I look forward to making some outrageous needle felted figures with 20 eager students in Alberta. No room for the cowbay hat, ladies, but I'll bring a carrot for the bison (do they like carrots?)

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Ouch.

I knew it was coming, but I just had to get another bag done (and as it ends up, I don't like this one, of course) I am a total "hands-on" felter. I try to rub with plastic bags on my hands. Gloves are completely out of the question (yuck! who would wear gloves to felt?) But I need to, and want to, feel the felt and the wool change under my hands.

I know it doesn't look so bad and that I am a big baby :o), but they bleed at the slightest rubbing. Soooo, this means no rubbing today and with a trip to Calgary to teach at weekend I may not get another bag done before I go. I will lay one out ready to go, just in case things heal quickly and I can make the time!

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Another New Bag

and the pod bag makes 3...

Layout above

The grey is some Gotland I had here from Holland. It is quite course and a bit hairy. The prefelts are some hand-dyed thick merino prefelt and the green and yellow fibre is C-1/Pellsull. I did shave the design on the finished bag to reduce some of the hairyness and the grey dulling my design. I think I will make the next bag from Finnwool. My hands need a bit of a break. No blood so far today as I rubbed a fair bit over the screen with bags on my hands. Maybe the next one will be finn with some merino and fabrics on the surface. I have a simple design for the resist ready to go!

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

New Little Bag

Layout and completed little bag of C-1/Pelsull. I am laying out another right now with a base of Gotland. I'll keep you posted...

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Wools

(above: 2 bags made with C-1/Pelsull)

Hi All,

I have had several questions (here and on Facebook) about what type of wool I use for bags. I am currently using the C-1/Pelsull blend from New England Felting Supply. There are colours on their website, but I believe they have had additional colours blended, so it is best to call or email and ask. I am waiting now for my wholesale order from them and if you want to buy a larger volume, I would ask if this option is available to you.

I have mentioned before my utter love for Finn wool, but it is not consistantly available and the C-1/Pelsull is more affordable. What I love to do as well is mix in a layer of faster felting fibres, like the Finn (ahhh) or merino. It speeds up the process and gives the piece some great pebbled texture. The C-1/Pelsull is slower to start (than finer wools such as merino), but once things start to happen, it goes quickly. I like to use a bit warmer water than I normally would with finer wools and a good hit of dish soap makes a difference with this courser wool, I find. It is also great on it's own. I use it, or it in combination for everything from wall pieces, rugs, home decor, vessels, bags...anything you may need a sturdy, tight felt. Hope this is helpful. I must disclose that Chris, the owner of NEFS (and author of Uniquely Felt) is a close friend, but I receive no financial benefit for my endorsement! She carries a ton of different wools, so my "three cheers" for C-1/Pelsull has nothing to do with that. I just really want people to choose the correct wool for their project!

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Today

Detail...

Simple "bucket" bag

Today I had a meeting at the University to discuss my upcoming Artist and Educator in Residence. I will be busier than I had originally thought, but I am looking forward to it. I will be teaching a workshop every day and some days twice a day. I have a great space with big windows. My days have space blocked off for "me" time, but I anticipate I will spend my days preparing for workshops and cleaning up. I got home today and finished felting a little bag I had laid out yesterday. I did not feel like felting ropes, so this was my solution. Once I have a few more, they will go to the OCC Guild Shop in Toronto. Time to clean up and think about the rest of my busy day.

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com