Workin' That Felt

I will be delivering some shawls next week to a new gallery, Horse Spirit Arts Gallery near Ellicott City. I've had to crank out a few as I had sold most of them over the holidays. 

I really do enjoy making these, but just had to get over the creative blockage I 

had about putting these together. I was into painting and decorating instead. 

But back in my basement studio I went, gathering my supplies…roving, silk hankies, locks, silk fabric, chiffon, mohair and glitz. I first dyed all the ingredients, dried them on the radiators, then laid them out. 

This one is called 'Walk in the Woods', a collage of the forest floor (not really but I like the textures of the forest floor!)

This is how it looked right after I laid it out. I know this looks more brown, but it really is the grey/black one below.

This one is perhaps my favorite one ever. I love how the colors and textures turned out. I don't really have a plan when I start these, they just transform.

I named this one 'Sit Down With Sangria'. Sangria is one of my color ways that was a mistake. I was dying Sedona but the water had a bit of purple in it so I added more purple and voila!, a new color way.

Before

'Crocus In the Spring'

'Carnival Parade'

My tables have worked so well for felting. I can lay out one shawl or two scarves and have all my supplies right at hand. 

Cleared and clean, ready for my next creative burst.

Office Makeover Reveal

While Forrest was recuperating in my living room, I had to stay busy, but be at home. Perfect solution….tear into the office that hadn't been touched for 24 years! Isn't this what everyone does on December 24th?!!! I put on loud music and got my groove on and painted away. Forrest would call me on the phone when he needed something like ice or food or encouragement. 

I didn't get many before pics but this one shows the very dated color scheme and the wood that I kept natural all these years. The lights had already been put in by my friend Gerardo, but they were just bare bulbs before. 

This is the same corner as above. All that darn trim was painted white and it took four (4!) coats of paint. ALL that trim, with the brush going over it again and again and again.

I got that chair a year ago on freecycle. I guess my painting furniture days aren't over as I painted the little dresser our favorite 'Betsy's Linen'. 

These shelf units were built when we enclosed what was our screened-in porch 24 years ago. They were scuffed up, almond colored and needed an update. I painted them all white with dark grey beadboard in the back.

The most fun was moving into the shelves. I gathered up my pretty things, collections, vases, pitchers, cameras, urns, photos and books….

….and arranged little vignettes on each shelf. 

Some were colorful

and some were monochromatic.

I love me some owls!

Number 3 is my favorite number.

I forgot I had this cute, perfectly sized table. I painted it the same deep grey that I patined the shelf backboards. I still want to add silver leaf on the legs to look like mercury glass 'socks' to tie in with the mercury glass theme. 

I changed up the cushions after finding these at my favorite store, Homegoods 

(besides Home Depot and Lowe's). And for the final touch, I had a new rug made. This room cannot have wall to wall carpet because it has an old terra cotta floor (because it was a porch) so I had one bound and it fits perfectly. I'm so happy this room is finished and I love sitting here with my computer, looking out over the fields. Now on to the rest of the house!