Needle felted brooches & WOYWW

Hello dear reader, thanks for dropping by to read my regular update on my textile art work. I'm linking up with What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday today - click here to meet more creative folk like me who join in weekly.

So, I've no desk to show you this morning, it's just my lap as I'm stitching 'on the go' today.

These are a collection of brooches based on a special order I made for a customer earlier this month to match her wedding outfit. Here's what they'll look like when they're finished.

So regular readers will note I've been a little tardy with my 'regular' updates. I've been busy with lots of demo days, working with new stockists and galleries, not to mention squeezing in a holiday and my little boy's 2nd birthday festivities!

Here's a bit of a catch up from the last few weeks to bring you up to date with my activities...

I ran four demo days at Acton Scott Working Farm in South Shropshire. I had a fabulous room and met lots of lovely people, including some very creative six year olds keen to try their hand at felting some sheep pictures...

I've been busy developing a range of sheepy pendants to match my brooch and picture collection...

I've had a few commissions to complete. A little picture for a new baby called Alfie and a set of three sheep-inspired pictures...

My little boy and his bestie, Isabelle, turned two this week so I made them both special cards...

Finally, we have just returned from a fabulous holiday in Parga, Greece. Here's a glimpse of the fun we had...

That's all for this week folks, thanks for stopping by!

Happy crafting,

Max x

Needle felting inspiration from the countryside & WOYWW

Morning troops! Welcome to my weekly blog about my journey as a textile artist.

Let's begin by showing you my work desk...

This time last week I was rushing off to get cracking with some wet felted background pieces. Once these had dried I needle felted strands of wool, silk and chiffon using my embellishing machine to create the background greenery for my pictures.

As you can see, I've started to needle felt some flowers and today's job is to free-machine embroider on top and finish with beading and hand embroidery.

Ive also been out and about the Shire this week, peddling my wares and getting inspiration from the wonderful landscape. This time of year the Shropshire countryside is incredibly diverse - from the lush greens I use in my needle-felted sheepy landscapes to softer shades of heather and corn yellow. On my way up to drop more pictures at The Bog Visitor Centre the other day I noticed these lovely soft hay meadow shades and thought I'd have a dabble at incorporating them into my work...

Here's the result...

In amongst all my needle felting I've still made time to enjoy the simple pleasures in life - such as seeing my little man don his swimsuit and frolic about in Shrewsbury's brand new splash park!

Well I've got another busy Wednesday ahead of me today finishing off pieces to sell at Quatt Open Village on Saturday. Thanks for stopping by my blog and do pop across to check out other WOYWWers sharing their desks on What's on your Workdesk Wednesday.

Happy crafting

Max x

More felted sheep, meet the artist & WOYWW

Hello folks! Welcome to my weekly blog giving you a snapshot from my workdesk.

So here it is...

Most of what you can see is work in progress. My stockists all need more pictures so I've been furiously felting this week - sheep being the order of the day once again.

I'm also preparing for an exciting new development next week. On Monday I'll be holding a 'meet the maker' session at Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre. The centre, in Craven Arms, currently stocks my work and has many visitors each day. Hopefully being able to see how I create the artwork on display will give added interest to the visitors.

Pop back next week to find out how it went!

Finally, eagle-eyed readers may have noticed a little addition to my workdesk. Last week I had a lovely surprise in the post from Diana Velvet Moth, a fellow artist and WOYWWer who I admire a lot. Diana has a real gift for colour, composition and combining media. I'm really chuffed to have a piece of her work to marvel at!

Well that's all for this week, I've lots of little felted sheep to bring to life while a certain toddler naps!

Happy crafting

Max x

WOYWW - Thank you!

Morning all, welcome to my regular Wednesday post.

I've been a busy bee this week, not just with sewing but also with building up my social media presence. More about that in a moment.

Here's my desk this morning...

A few more dumflings waiting to be beaded and mounted. Thanks for all your suggestions received last week for the ideal collective noun for dumflings. I do particularly like a 'snuggle' of dumflings!

Also on my desk is my latest hand embroidered card.

I will probably make a few more of these 'thank you' cards to send and sell but my main reason for making it was to say a big 'thank you' for all my new Twitter followers and Facebook likers/sharers! I know this includes some of you, dear readers - probably via Twiglet and Wipso who kindly liked and shared my Facebook page. I'm thrilled to say I've already taken some orders on the back of my Facebook page so I'll be busy making up these orders in time for Christmas!

Anyone interested in finding me on social media I am @tillyteadance on Twitter and my Facebook page is https://m.facebook.com/Tillyteadance or click here

My other little shares for today are a couple of photos I took of Shrewsbury this week, just before the wild and windy weather blew virtually all the leaves from the trees.

We're really lucky to have chosen to live in this town - these photos are taken from a bridge near my home which I cross every time I walk into town. Currently a family of swans and several goosanders spend much of their time under the bridge waiting for the town folk to feed them - something Benjamin enjoys to watch.

That's all for today, I've got lots of jobs to squeeze in today as the Husband and I will be spending our evening at a wine tasting event at Tanners, our local wine merchant! Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to swinging by lots of other WOYWWers desks later today.

Happy crafting x