Dryer Balls

I love working with my hands and creating! Creating helps me clear my mind of the stresses in life. Sometimes I find that creating something somewhat mindless helps release my emotions while keeping my hands busy.

This weekend, I opened a box of yarn that I had spun and might not use to knit something. What to do with it all? Then the phone rang and I learned that a friends mother had just died. Even though we may know death is coming, when it actually happens and is final, there is no preparation.

My heart ached for her and reminded me of my own mother's passing less than a year ago. I still grieve, miss her and it all comes in waves. I needed something mindless to do that might also mend my heart and calm my emotions.

I opened the box of yarn and began to roll the skeins into balls. Each skein made a ball about the size of a baseball. Rolling yarn into balls is a totally mindless activity and just what I needed! In a very short time, I had over 20 balls of yarn. My emotions of grief and sadness turned to delight when I looked at the basket of colorful yarn balls in front of me! Now what?

I was inspired that my sadness and grief had turned to delight in the process of creating. Since I've been nearly obsessive about felting in these last weeks, I've decided to felt the balls of yarn.

Now, I have a collection of felted balls of yarn ~ great for dryer balls!

Instead of using dryer sheets that break down fiber & fabric over time, dryer balls made from yarn do the same thing while saving both clothing and money.

I continue to be inspired by ways to use what I have around the house to create functional and fun things, saving money, being eco-friendly and having fun all while I process life's events! Whenever I make something new, I remember my mother and know I am carrying on her memory, her legacy and all she taught me throughout my life. I like that and feel satisfied!

The World of Felt

I can hardly believe it's been over a year since I've posted anything! 2010 was a full year... my mother passed away in May after a courageous battle with cancer ~ I miss her tremendously; in June, my beloved Romeo also passed away and went where all dogs go to keep watch over us; and in July, my grandaughter, Sophie, was born. From December of 2009 until now, my time has been full with family events and much travel.

Well, I am back on board and am inspired! My mother's life and death has reconnected me with my love for texture and creating things whether it is with fabric or yarn! Each piece I make I feel her presence over my shoulder and I find myself smiling alot and remembering my childhood with her.

Now that the holidays are over and all my gift projects are finished I am planning next years gifts. My latest passion in the world of texture has been using my bags & bags of wool to explore and make felt!

Of course, some of my prompting to use wool has been a result of a moth infestation over the summer in some of the bags of wool that had been left unused. Now that the moth problem is solved, I've been focused on putting an enormous amount of wool to use. There are only so many hours in a day to devote to spinning ~ which I do dearly love!

I came across some felting books during a visit to one of my favorite yarn stores and returned home to give it a go. After my first piece, I was hooked. After the second piece, I find I am spending more and more thought time planning the next piece. My first few pieces have been wet felting. And now, I am exploring dry needle felting. I am hooked!

I can't believe I have never done felting before! It is so rewarding, creative and full of endless possibilities!

Even more importantly is the life metaphor that felt gives me with each piece. Life is so much like the process of felting. First, there is the raw wool... the texture of the wool excites me! It is like an empty canvas ~ full of potential. The felting process takes time and involves all my senses as well as the elements of fire, water & air with the wool being the earth element. Felting involves taking the wool after being cleaned and carded and laying in layers with fibers crossing in each layer, arranging colors & shapes with an underlying sheath for support and thickness. Then apply hot soapy water with pressure and slight agitation to loosen the fibers, letting them mingle over time. The finished product? Something that is somewhat planned and the rest a result of the creativity of the elements at play on the fibers.

The exciting and interesting part of the felting is pulling back the cloth wrapping to see what has emerged!

I'm focused on exploring and perfecting the process. I'm enjoying using the wet felting process to make sheets or canvases of felt. Then I use dry needle felting to add even more refined design and texture to the sheet. Next?

Well, my mind is running wild with ideas of things to make with the felt sheets. I'm thinking... warm booties for Sophie?

Stay tuned for what's created next.