Hi Sandie, I forgot to say I have a Janome embellisher. I like it and as long as
I go slowly so far I have had no needle trouble.
  Nice to hear from you Wendy. Life seems a little difficult to say the least. 
Felt scabards now there 's a thought. The spinners group I belong to will be
going out to the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse to spin  for the celebrations of
lighthouse week and the theme is Pirates! Pirate  hat   will be felted and now a
scabard! Thanks Wendy. No Bats yet Sandie I'm still working it out!. Meg;-)).

Hello,

I have only recently subscribed to the list, and am really enjoying reading
everyone's posts.

I love felting but still consider myself a newbie. I suppose you never stop
learning!

I took a 6 week felting course in Edinburgh when I was on a 2 year working
holiday in the UK. That was about oh, 7 years ago now. I wish I could remember
the teacher's name, I think she was from the Ukraine. I remember she showed us
photos of this terrific 'installation' she'd done of enormous pieces of white
cobwebbed-felt that she'd wrapped around tree trunks and hung from their
branches - out in the wilds of Scotland. It was a statement!

After settling down here in Melbourne, I finally had some time and energy to
devote to felting. I made a few cushion covers and wall hangings. This winter I
made my slippers which are still going strong.  I'm currently working on a piece
which I intend to staple to a canvas.  It's from a photo that I've stylised -
kind of like pop art, Andy Warhol style. I hope it turns out...it could go
either way :-)

I'm finding that this group is giving me lots of inspiration. In fact, I think
I'll sign off now. I'll get away from the computer (a joy, since I sit at one 5
days a week) and head off down to the craft room.

Cheers
Felicity

Hello Sandie & everyone out there,

It's great to see that some of those who've been busy doing other things
are still around in the back ground.

I'm Barb Mewburn, from Warragul in Victoria. I'm a 58 yo retired RN. (
fell & broke my back on the last day of the Canberra convergence, but
didn't know for 6 months & still have ongoing problems leaning over &
walking  ). BTW, thanks, Wendy, I still wear the scarf you made me !

Amazingly, Sandie and I  independantly came up with the idea on the same
day, with slightly different names for the group.  Sandie's was posted
first & as soon as I discovered it, I got in contact. Presto, we're
still around :-)) We finally met at Stitches and Crafts in Melbourne!
What an amazing group it has turned out to be. So much inspiration from
everyone.

I still keep on reading all the posts, occasionally do some wet or
needle felting, having many ideas, but pain in laying out has been a
painful issue for a number of years now. I don't have as much trouble
with rolling, as my table is set at 1m high! I tie all my pre-felts up
in pool blanket, leaving a long tail.

I find that I can push away from me with a step forward & pull back on
the 'tail' with a step backward. I change hands and front foot every 50
rolls or so. I don't tend to push hard on what I'm rolling any more,
it's too taxing. When fulling, I use the gently gently tactic, as well
as hot & cold shocks. The front loader on a rinse & spin or wool cycle
works as well.

I also found that it's much better for me to lay up pre-felts then
assemble them half felted, than to try to lay out the huge pieces that I
used to do.

It's also a problem needle felting for any great period in time.

I spin on a Roberta ( still a novice, but progressing nicely.) I've been
spinning & knitting alpaca of late. My little old Maltese sports a
red/orange/ handspun & knitted jumper in the cold weather.

I have a Pierrot embellisher, one of the early ones. the problem with
many embellishers is that they only have one central hole, which can
cause holes to develop if one is not careful ( too enthusiastic). I
would like to get a new plate made with individual holes.  I can't use
it for long periods, due to pain, but enjoy what I can. Another site to
buy cut needles of various sizes, as needles for all the embellishing
machines are very expensive is Denise Spanos' website  _www.
tryourdesigns.com/ _ Denise discusses many different types of
embellishing machine, giving free online tutorials and offers cut
needles as well as other stuff. I found it a very interesting site.

I also have a near new Bernina Aurora Sewing machine, which one needs a
license to drive! It hasn't had too much of a workout yet either.  I
still love free- hand machine embroidery, but can only do it for about
an hour at a time.

I need to get a new PC, as my older Mac won't work with my sewing
machine, my mobile phone or work very well with my cam corder ;( . As my
husband will be able to claim one for his business ( he doesn't use one,
getting me to give him relevant info & documents when nec. )Therefore,
I'll get to use it :).

My 7yo grandson & his 7yo cousin have inspired me to get back into
felting, as they wanted to make some things ( a cushion, belts &
scabbards for their swords).

It's taken quite a while to work my way through sorting out my work
room, paperwork & mending. Now all I have to do is sew the cubby for 2
of my smaller grandsons. First it was to have a circus theme, then a
pirate theme, now an space theme. That should be interesting. Oh & get
around to selling heaps of fabric that I had from when I used to teach
stretch sewing, a mobility scooter & electrified wheelchair. A new
camera is on the agenda first, though so that I can photograph it prior
to selling.

At least I should be able to make some felt rockets , planets, moons &
astronauts.  The 3 yo was enthusiastically showing me how we get around
on the moon taking BIG steps.

I've never had the courage to enter my work in competitions, as of late,
it has been far too sporadic, with other things to do & bubs to look
after. I hope to eventually, though.

toasty slippers & hats & scarves have been the most prevalent things
that I've made of late. I have made some needle felted portraits- 3
dimensional.

Having just come back from 2 weeks in Sunny Warm Queensland, I want to
make something bright & cheery, perhaps a wall hanging, maybe a jacket,
the drabness of clothing colours in Victorian Winter is depressing. I
had a fun time with a group of quilters in a caravan park in Townsville.

Warm regards to all of you.

Hello Sandie,
  For some reason  the  last digest was in my spam folder?!!! Any way I did catch
up because I usually delete without looking. Must be getting second sight! I
have at last finished the jacket. Did felt the collar again Julie!! It's o.k.
Have felted 5 scarves for a craft market that a friend is going to .I cannot
attend because I'm looking after a dog who has ,shall we say a "complex".LOL.
Forgot to take a picture. Ah well they may not sell! I will attempt to put the
photo of the jacket on the group site.
   I am Meg Firman  and I live in Augusta,  Flinders Bay, West Australia.  Where
the whale season is in full swing. Have been felting for about 11 years. Taught
by Sue Seaman who has been a felter for 30 years. She makes exquisite nuno felt
clothes and felted sculptures. I am a member of the Bunbury Felters and was
until recently a member of Felt West.
   Welcome to the new members   Meg.:-)

Hi,
I have been devouring the new magazine called Felt.  In it is a
picture of  Holly Nutley with her felt roller.  I have never seen one
of there, can someone please explain.

New to felting,
Kerry

Hi everyone

My name is Wendy Burgess. I am one of the early members of this list but haven't
posted for quite a while.

I have been felting for about 11 years on and off. I have recently emerged from
a break of about 18 months when I had to put all my wool in storage prior to
renovating my house to sell it, then renovating the new house, then moving
house. WHEW!

I finally set up my felting studio in May this year and have been running weekly
wet and needle felting classes during school term for parents from Steiner
schools around Sydney. I forced myself to enter work in this year's Beanie
Festival Market (not the competition), the Scarf Festival, the Australian Sheep
and Wool show competition and the Stitched Up Textile festival. I needed to get
back into the swing of felting again and there's nothing like a deadline to make
me do it! I was very happy and surprised to win the Felting section of the
Stitched Up festival this year. :-)

I enjoy all kinds of felting - wet felting, nuno felting, needle felting. I love
to stretch the boundaries of what felt can do and be!

I am planning on buying an embellisher soon so that I can needle felt pieces of
fabric. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Cheers
Wendy

Hi Jennifer

Thanks for sending your info, don't know why but some emails are ending up in my
spam folder and yours was one of them!:-(

I have your blog, bookmarked, great work!!

Better go off to hear daughter sing in a musical tonight!

Cheers

Sandie :-)

Dear friends,

I have posted a few pics today.  Thanks Sandie for pointing out the files with
info as I didn't realise they were there.

Looking forward to sharing more and getting to know more of you.

regards Narelle

--- In AussieFeltmakers@..., "Sandken" <gordon1963@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Narelle,
>
>
>
> Great to hear from you!! I don't know about you, but sometimes I just don't
> know what to write, but I do love reading everyone else's posts!
>
>
>
> What a beautiful area to live in. Sounds like you have your hands full with
> two littlies, I am amazed that you have been able to do anything, I know
> when our girls were that age, I got very little done for myself! :-)
>
>
>
> What a luxury - one day to yourself to create, enjoy! Looking forward to
> hearing about your creations.
>
>
>
> There are a few members on our list who belong to Vic Feltmakers; hopefully
> they will drop in later this week to say hi.
>
>
>
> Make sure you post some pics for us; it's always great to see what everyone
> else is doing.
>
>
>
> Don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions, I certainly don't have all
> the answers but between us there is usually someone who will know the
> answer.
>
>
>
> Trading days, take a look in the files section of our group and you will see
> a document call Trading Day Rules, they are simple but the basics of what
> trading days are about, an opportunity to trade, sell or giveaway, fibre,
> art or craft related items.
>
>
>
> Got to go still haven't fed everyone!
>
>
>
> Sandie :-)
>
> www.SandieO.com.au <http://www.sandieo.com.au/>
>
>
>
> "Anyone who thinks they are too small to make a difference hasn't spent the
> night with a flea in their bed!"
>

Hi Sandie and group members,

Thanks for the nudge to push myself to write a message to you all.  I am a new
member who has been eagerly reading everyone's messages for a few months now but
hadn't got around to writing to introduce myself.

My name is Narelle and I live near Emerald in Victoria - Puffing Billy Train
country for those of you who may have experienced this tourist attraction.

I have been a member of the Victorian Feltmakers Association for a few months
also and have to say it is truly fantastic going to meetings with so many women
hooked on the same craft. I am so inspired each time I leave the bi monthly
meetings. I just wish they were more frequent, although my husband may not
appreciate all the weekends babysitting.

I have a 2 and a half year old daughter and 4 and half year old son and needless
to say, they keep me so busy that I have up til now had little time to create. 
But I have great parents who have recently agreed to watch my kids one day a
week - so hooray, this time is now for felting and designing only - I'm in
heaven!

I have only been felting for a few years and have not produced very much over
that time.  But this year I am getting some pieces completed.  I  have had a go
at a wallhanging, a wrap, an apron/top.  I am currently making a winter pinafore
type dress for my daughter inspired by Dorothy the Dinosaur - lots of pastels
and roses.

My aim for over the next year is to skill myself up in different techniques.  I
love wet felting the most.  I recently did a two day workshop on Felt Hat Making
with Liz Evans - was great.  I am keen to start making some pieces to sell.  I
also have an interest in art therapy and felting with school children.

I'll upload a few pics to share over the next few days, would love your
feedback.  I would also like to know of anyone who may be a member of Vic
Feltmakers so I can introduce myself at meetings.

Big thanks to the moderators for keeping the group flowing.  I am really liking
the websites you are sending out Sandie etc.  I'm keen to know more about the
Friday market thing.

I'll try and make an effort now to be more active in the group and get to know
some of you in more detail.

regards Narelle

Hi, Jennifer McCormack here, answering roll call :)
I live on the Gold Coast and I offer felting workshops and felting supplies to
my local community. I run two playgroups, I am a celebrant, I'm getting into
parent education and I'm a very happy mum of two children (almost 5 and nearly 2
years of age), and wife to a wonderful man who is living a second childhood as a
scout leader.

My business is Lavendilly Fibre Arts and you can find me at

www.lavendillyfibrearts.com

At the moment I am trying to work on a few different felting projects, but time
and a busy/tired baby are getting the better of me, so I'm just chipping away at
them when I have the chance to. I'm pretty good at using my time efficiently
now, for example knitting gets done when the children are playing outside,
supervising the children in the bath is an excellent opportunity to needle felt,
and crotchet happens during the kids swimming lessons :)

You can see some of the things I have made, and am working on at my blog:

www.lavendillyhouse.blogspot.com

If you look up the label "creative expressions..." my projects will come up
here.

And while I am plugging my businesses, if you are in the SE QLD region and you
need a celebrant, you can find me at:

www.ceremonieswithspirit.com

cheers for now,
Jennifer

For those who dont know me:

Sandie - I live in an outer suburb of Sydney

I have been making felt for nearly 15 years now, and teaching feltmaking
particularly needlefelting for 8 years. i got into feltmaking when I attended a
course that I ran at the community college I worked at, I am also a spinner and
weaver.

My passion is needlefelting, I love creating sculptures and wearable art.

For the past 12 months I have been managing a public art company (part time)and
raising our two teenage daughters so my creating has taken a bit of a back seat,
unfortunately. :-(

At the moment I am moderator of the group while Krishna takes a well earned
break.

Lots more I could say but I am sure it will bore you to tears (or put me to
sleep!)

Sandie
Ravelry id  Feltfanatic
Facebook email Sandie@...
website (still under construction) www.SandieO.com.au

Hi all

Thought maybe it was time for us to touch base if possible and do a little roll
call.

I am sure you are all busy creating but if you have a spare moment please drop a
line, it gives our newer members a chance to get to know us.

For those who never quite know what to write maybe:

Name
Location (doesn't have to be specific if you dont want to give out that info)
Your felting interests and maybe another info you might like to share!

Sandie

Hi all

Please welcome new member Julie!

After a visit to the Craft Show she discovered feltmaking and needs to know
more!!LOL!!

Sandie