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From felt to friendship by Chrissie Day and Nicola Brown | Make Your Own Book

When I started the design for this I had no idea the name La Tulipe had any meaning for Fabienne but it does ,but that is not my story to tell.

So from a set of colours and measurements the jacket was created ,the colours first,the style second ,and then the screen printing.I am so pleased  at the success of this piece from the competition.The next one will commence in August and the colours must be seascapes this year. 

Here is where I pin

Here is where I Tumblr 

Do not get me wrong I love my web site and my blogs but I do feel WordPress has to wake up quick and smell the roses for tumblr is so easy to do and so quick.

Will I tumblr more in 2012 than I blog who knows watch this space

Today we have storms coming, I can see it, and I can sense it, so can the animals,the logs are in the coal is in the shutters up although it is only lunchtime the wind is picking up and the double door battened down so lets watch it happen whilst I knit a while more to finish this cowl.

Today when I read Nicola’s post they were going to go in the store I had to head over there and get my favourite one ,these are lovely and will last a long long time so get them while they are there.

Last night I was out celebrating Nigel’s Mothers birthday 85 years young and we had great meal and a lovely evening with lots of laughter and my outfit was enhanced by the arrival yesterday of a stunning burnt orange silk and felt stole with huge matching flower clip –did I look ready for 2012 or what wearing this years colour.Lots of compliments and remember the maker of this stunning piece will be over the pond this spring and doing workshops at Clasheen so anyone got time and inclination get booking now and learn some beautiful felting from Dawn Edwards of Feltsoright.com who knows when she will be back this way.

I am still drawing and painting and enjoying myself here apart from heavy cold.Nigel and I are guests of the Dowager Duchess tonight and will be over at Belvoir Castle ,being out two nights in a row is very unusual for me.Have a good weekend and keep felting and crafting and looking forward .

I signed up for an art class and I am doing 2 this month the 1st is on faces and the 2nd on silly creates.

As I have small plan in mind to utilise this art in another way later today I got my paints out and tuned in to class and had fun for the morning,Carla is an excellent tutor and has online teaching down to a fine art–no pun intended.

This is the result of Day 1 class 1 work go look at her site

I am very proud of my mythical people with the funny noses.

Weather wise —raining today but very scold and very very windy still

have a nice day –do something for fun !!!

It is coming straight down the valley at about 50mph and I am the first thing it meets Thank goodness they knew how to build in those far off days.

T oday on my work table I have had some of the beautiful fibres from Rod and Karalina the colours all natural are so beautiful and am making anew eye case as I am always losing my glasses do not in reality think it will stop that but my eyes are much more likely to look for a beautiful piece of felt.

Today I have had about 6 emails from people looking for the new book on Blurb –sorry due to myself deciding to move to the North permanently after Christmas and Nicolas’s Mother being ill we are behind.But we are not panicking and rushing things we are simply re forming  and planning for a Spring  launch .

The whole world is in recession and it will not be improving this year I fear, so as Artists we have to find ways to sustain ourselves whilst this is happening.Look very carefully at pricing structures and also what you are paying for goods everyone has to lower their sights and the profit margin and that includes our own suppliers.Do not be afraid to ask for loyalty bonus if they cannot lower costs after all your business keeps them in business.

Look at your sales and decide what you would honestly pay for an item not what you hope to get or feel you are worth, in these times our own self esteem has to be high but our expectations realistic.I have brought down the cost of all my goods  to the galleries and shops but only leaving things for a1 month turn around or asking for payment (a tad lower) upfront .

I am also not making the jackets this year unless commissioned for one and paid 50% upfront which I feel is fair.With only 2 in my order book I fear a lean year in that area.

But we must keep developing and looking forward  I am going to use extra time I have to develop a new body of work ready for a gallery showing and also plan ago write a murder book all based around forensics (well Nigel has studied Forensics)and toxicology  or good old fashioned poisoning,all within the fibre related world.

Be prepared to email galleries outside your area and include imagery of your things  often sales can go very well in another part of the country as fresh ideas hit the shops.

When buying anything for yourself please look at your fellow artists wares first before looking elsewhere.

The hills now look so pretty I am going to try and get some images by opening the back doors a tad. I dare not go out too far I will be blown over.

Just managed to talk to Nicola on Skype thank goodness for technology.

here is what they said —a small excerpt.

The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 24,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 9 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Good grief –thanks for everyone who has stopped by see you in 2012

It has been fun

I thought I would share with my felting friends the other side of my working life when I am surrounded with wool and designing whether it is for magazines or for yarn companies,right now I am designing a range for BC Garn in Denmark.

You all know I teach felt and printing as well but did you know I teach knitting  uncomplicating techniques and looking at knitting from many years ago and looking at differing structures.

As well as teaching in Denmark and Scandinavia I teach all over the British Isles and in my own place and also on cruise ships.
The next cruise brings me to the shores of many of my felting friends and I will sail from Quebec to Fort Lauderdale in early October next year right after teaching felt at the CFG in Michigan.
Cruising and crafting is great fun actually if you know of anyone who crochets and knits and wants to join in drop me an email for details.
Well the Christmas crafters table is nearly empty bit by bit,the Estonian style twinned knitted gloves and the fair isle gauntlets and ooh the silk and alpaca scarflette is done and was lovely to make.My little knitted Robin kept me company most days, I have knit millions of these and he is my last one so will stay with me now.
the long long grey and violet striped ridged scarf is finished the design books are full samples are done and my kitchen is now calling me

Have a cool YULE.
Chrissie x

Wishing you a calm last few days preparation and do remember it is not meant to be stressful but joyous, enjoy the week .

The snow is due here soon and for that reason and because I love all seasons I turn my snow on too.

From Felt to Friendship