My entry for the NFEST (Needle Felt Etsy Street Team), which was 'Birds and Nests'. Starting from the rough sketch...
...it didn't turn out exactly like that; the wool did not like being felted so tinily. Each bird took about two hours to perfect. Or near as dammit.
But after about 12 hours (total) hard labour...
And finished off with a tag.
Thank you to everyone who left a supportive comment or e-mailed me, from the post below. I never cease to be amazed at how kind people can be, or actually how many of us are in the same leaky old boat.
What a wonderful piece of work! So perfect for spring.
ReplyDeleteHello Gretel. I've been reading your blog for a while and have to say I love your work. Your story of how you started and why, was very moving. It takes a lot of courage to be so candid.
ReplyDeleteThe birds nest and egg are fab :)
Kim x
Wonderful!! lovely!! your needle felting creations are fab G! I especially like this egg.
ReplyDeleteP.xx
Wow, it looks fantastic, I can see why you are getting hooked on needle felting when you can create such beautiful pieces of art with it.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! My 10 year old self( which i am told is my mental age) waits in anticipation to discover the creature that is contained within the rather large egg.
ReplyDeleteI have been reading your blog for a little while now and I love opening it up to discover all the wonders! Love the birds and egg! I really want to learn needle felting...but have a kazillion projects going right now myself!
ReplyDeleteI still can't believe you are a newbie at needlefelting - fabulous!
ReplyDeleteohhhh this is gorgeous! x
ReplyDeleteThese creations are stunning!
ReplyDeleteI will have to get one.
Thank you for your comment about the donkeys!
My chief aim in life now is to get my husband to move to the country so we can have
a donkey
a dog, ducks, chickens etc etc.These isn't any grass in the medina.....
Yes, Frances is lovely - and very stylish.
THIS IS JUST BEAUTIFUL!!!!sooo lovely, you are one talented lady!!!
ReplyDeleteThat egg is an egguisite shape. Sorry I don't know what came over me I never do puns because I don't find them funny. But it IS such a lovely holdable shape, I want to hold it! :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, that is such a beautiful piece of work!!! The little birds are adorable and I adore the egg!
ReplyDeleteSo clever :)
xxx
Oh my Gretel ... that is soooo wonderful...um, well like everything you do :)
ReplyDelete(())
I`ve always wondered what felting was. This is just the cutest!!
ReplyDeletetea
xo
Your needlefelting treasures are amazing - I love the wee birds and the blue-spotted egg.
ReplyDeleteI am really struck by the Bird Lady paintings that I've just seen. Lovely, lovely creations.
Stunning work as usual Gretel!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see you are working on another hanging bird:-)
Take care,
Alison x
Oh bloody wow :) This is great, what lovely soft colours and humourous birds :)
ReplyDeleteAmazingly good you are at this "new venture"... I reckon you've been doing it for years!! ;)
Hope you are jolly happy and busily well .. xx R
OMG ! This is absolutely wonderful !
ReplyDeleteEgg-cellent!
Where did you get your printed tags?
It amazes me how you can turn balls of fluff into something like this! Amazing!!
ReplyDeletefabulous egg gretel. it is so beauiful with its speckles and the two little birds. i hope you rewarded yourself with abit of rest after twelve hours of needlefelting. dx.
ReplyDeleteI've just found your blog and I just have to tell you that I love your work, it's beautiful, and I only wish I had any artistic talent!
ReplyDeleteFABULOUS!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a work of art Gretel.. I am in awe as I have had a needle felt kit sitting on the shelf for months now and have only got as far as reading the instructions.
Your egg nest is wonderful.. and inspiring!
Michelexx
An absolutely charming piece of sheer artistry! I am so blown away at the detail, the shape, and the charm of this piece. It really is a work of art.
ReplyDeleteCindy at Rosehaven Cottage
That is absolutely beautiful. HOpe you have a great Easter weekend, It;s good to hear we share the same taste in knitting books!
ReplyDeleteKimx
And this egg nest is a delight!
ReplyDeleteIn this case, that old question of which came first ... well, the answer is ... the Artist!
Happy Easter, PG
xo
I am so behind in reading your blog ... but have finally just finished previous posts and Gordon's interview ... and I am amazed and deeply moved by it all. You are a truly courageous woman and remarkable artist whose work is exceptional. I love the Bird Lady paintings and your felt toys are absolutely marvelous. It won't be long before you are even more famous. Life has the most interestng way of unfolding. Happy Easter, Gretel.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter, Gretel! Your latest creation doubles as a rather fabulous Easter egg. :)
ReplyDeleteHow hard is needle felting to pick up? You do have the talent to make it look easy, but that's merely the hallmark of much great art (as the phrase attributed to any number of writing folk puts it, "easy reading is curst hard writing").