Flowers growing everywhere...

I have posted my big blue flower brooch on etsy. This is there large one made out of Rowan Big Wool Tuft and then felted. I had trouble getting a good shot of it though.
Whilst I was there I retook some photos of my purple flower brooch hopefully in a better light. It is difficult to get good natural light here at the moment with the rain clouds constantly overhead.

The photo

I forgot to add the photo for the purple flower so here it is.

More Flowers

I really enjoyed making the little red flower brooch so I have made another one only this time I used cream doubleknit cotton and purple embroidery thread. I knitted the two together.
I think that I can do the pattern now without thinking!!
I went to a flea market last Sunday and bought some knitting wool so I have plans for my flowers in different sizes.

Little Red Flower

I knitted a large flower for a brooch, using Rowan Big Wool Tuft. I really enjoyed it. I then felted it using very hot water, soap, and a good battering in my bathroom.

So much did I enjoy it that I wanted to make another flower. However, this time I'll try smaller, thought I. I ended up using red embroidery cotton as a yarn and darning needles to knit with. It turned out rather well. You can see it in etsy at the link above and also on my flickr page. But I have posted a photo here as well.

In the middle is an antique 19th century glass button. On the back is sewn a silver plated brooch back.

I am really quite happy with it.

Serendipity

I have changed my working hours so that I am no longer working 37.5 hours a week. Instead I am now working 30 hours in 3 days. So although it means long days at least I will be at home more.

So now I can get creative - designing and making.

Last night I was sewing a card wallett and realised that I had made it too small. SO suddenly I thought - 'a cuff'. I tried it and yes it would work. I think it turned out quite well.

Needle Felting.

I had heard of needle felting but did not know how it was different to normal felting.
I found this great tutorial http://allbuttonedup.wordpress.com/2006/12/02/needle-felting-a-tutorial/#comment-8604. Check it out.
I did my first bit of felting today. On Monday we went to Winchester and I went to a great craft shop there - Creative Crafts. The staff were lovely and one fantastic girl told me how to felt.
I bought some merino tops (wool that is not spun). I laid it down into three layers. Poured hot water and soap onto it and basically bashed it one the floor several times. Rinsed it and yes! it stayed together. Admittedly it is not the best felt ever but I can improve it. I had great fun and it is a good way to get all you frustrations out of your system.
Needle felt is different in that it does not use water. A special type of needle does all the work.

Purple Knight and Green Moss

I have put two things for sale in my Etsy shop.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5289522

I made the little Green Moss card wallett as I felt the need to make something and it was fun to make and quite simple.

Yesterday evening I knitted the Purple Knight purse. I made up the pattern by myself and I think it is quite effective. I love knitting again and will make some more but I am waiting for some yarn to come from ebay.

I am also waiting for some fabric that I bought from fellow etsyers. Due to the strikes it still has not arrived. I hope that it does as I am worried it might get lost in the post.