Felting and summer holidays

The school are having a series of craft workshops this weekend and I suddenly find myself running a felting morning on Saturday. It seems that the lady booked for the job had to cancel at the last minute and although I thought I'd kept my crafting skills quiet, someone out there knew about them. The poor organiser was in a bit of a panic and I found myself saying Yes.

It might have been an easy option had I not got rid of a lot of my supplies before we moved. So this week found me trying to gather raw materials. Luckily, there is a woman in the area that dyes her own wool. This is what I bought from her:

It's all acid dyed - aren't the colours lovely? I found some bog standard plain colours locally and what with some of my plant dyed stuff I think we'll be fine:

More of an issue is what to make with the people that are coming. There are six, six year olds; two Mums and possibly a sixteen year old. I think I might make a flat piece with the little girls and then turn it into a purse like this one that Amber made years ago:

The Mums want to make a bag (in three hours?) but I might persuade them to make a camera case like this gorgeous one that I got in a swap from Marieke in Holland aeons ago:

Isn't it gorgeous? It's always admired whenever I take it out. I think the wool is actually my own plant dyed stuff. If they don't fancy a camera case then maybe a tea cosy:

This one is old and dirty now but I think they'll get the idea.

I'm slightly wary about having a range of ages and abilities but some of the Mums are staying with their little ones so I do have some extra pair of hands. Wish me good luck though please. I haven't felted for years and have never run a workshop on it.

You might have heard about the sudden heatwave we've having down in the Southeast. Thankfully, it's a lot cooler today but it's been boiling for most of the week. Amber's been trying to find some outdoor pools to visit but none of them open for another week or two. As luck would have it there isn't one flat bit of lawn to put our paddling pool on either. So we've just been melting away trying to keep out of the hot conservatory which is just off the hot kitchen with the hot Aga in it.

The hot weather reminds me that we haven't booked our summer holiday yet. For the last ten years we've gone away with my sister and her family but this year they announced that they were broke (I don't think we've done anything to upset them!). I've come up with all sorts of ideas - beach on our own; France; Germany, taking the train through Europe but every idea has been poo-pooed. It seems that nothing is going to match up to our perfect holiday last year where we toured around northern America staying with new friends. I can't count how many times I've heard "Can't we go back to America?".

Tom and I finally managed to sit down last night to talk about it. I don't think he was anticipating having another expensive holiday this summer but he too did have to admit that last year was our best holiday ever.

So dare I put it into print - we're going to America folks. Yipeeeeeeeee. Oh my gosh I am so excited and I can't wait to tell the children when they get home. If you're reading around 3.30pm English time I'm sure you'll hear shouts and cheering from the children.

Now I need to get practical about this. A while back Jodi my friend in PA said we could come back and stay any time so that's the first leg of our trip sorted (Jodi, I'll call you later to beg/confirm). After that we're open to suggestions and ideas folks. Tom wants to spend some time by the water so any ideas would be appreciated. New York is a must as it rained when we were there last year. Are The Berkshires near by - and worth visiting? Any suggestions greatly appreciated ladies.

Oh, I'm so excited. Must go and look up flights (even though I should be getting ready for tomorrow).

Comments

[Stephanie]

So funny that your family is so excited to come to the US, while we here in the US would give our right arm to come vacation in Europe! The grass is always greener, isn't it?!

[sarah]

Sounds like your class will be fun. The younger kids could also do felted geodes if you're desperate! We put sparkly fiber in the center of the ball and then slice open.

We would absolutely love to see you again. If you are interested in Vermont, you are very very welcome (and this time we'd make sure we didn't have to be somewhere). If not, we'd love to come see you wherever you are visiting. I still think you would enjoy Portsmouth, NH and York, ME...the water is cold though! There's beach, outlet shopping, old homes and a cool museum, fun arcade kitchy stuff, great restaurants.

[simone]

Good luck with your felting class although I am sure you don't need it. How exciting to be off to the USA again. I am looking forward to all the posts about it when you get back!

[Wylie]

So not only are we near NYC, but also on the water, too! So you can have the best of both worlds!!!! We can't wait!

Love to all,
Wylie

[Barabara]

Oh you lucky things! I'm afraid we're rather a long way from the USA (Scotland) so can't help you there but I look forward to reading all about it.

Good luck with the felting class. I'm sure you'll be great. I have 7 year olds at Brownies and they are so excited about just about anything you do with them so your 6's will be a breeze. Everyone I know here would like to do felting so I guess you're on to a winner even with the mums. I've offered to help out with my daughter's class next academic year - 11 year olds - and now I think I'll spend all summer worrying about what craft they like to learn!

[miep]

ooh! but I just know you won't come anywhere near enough to let me show you Minnesota. *pout* *smile* the big Waldorf conference is here at the end of June, so perhaps the school would like to send you as good will ambassadors? ;)

[Kristy]

Wow lucky you! You do realise that it will be expensive holidays every year from now though don't you? The kids won't let you have it any other way!

[stella bella]

ooohh lovely wool! i hope everything goes well with the workshop! i heard there is some fantastic theatre producions on in usa soon.. not sure. cya :-D

[georgiap]

YAY!!!1 You are of course welcome to come and stay with us again...maybe more than one night this time! The kids would be so excited. Please Please Please say you will. We are a good base to get into the city from...only 50 minutes by train....I will await your email...

[melody]

I hope we get to meet you this time!!! When you come can you teach me how to make one of those camera cases?

[Narsingh Khalsa]

we need to swap friends so that we can visit each others land.

I am dying to spend more time in England...I have been to Airport about half a dozen times, but never left the airport.....

We need to email each other

[Caren]

I love your felt work! Good luck on the workshop... I'm just a beginning felter, and would love to attend something like that!

[Cynthia]

I wish I could take your class, I'd love to make a camera case like that!

[Rada]

When are you taking holiday? I think the Great Smokey Mountains are calling you. There are all kinds of rivers and lakes in Tennessee and North Carolina. Western N.C. is close to us. Alas, we have no young children, but we can help you find some fun. Please give me a holler if you want to come down South this trip!
I am excited for you too. I so enjoyed your blog report on your last trip.
Your wools are brilliant in color. it will be fun for the girls to make anything at all with those choices.

[Marie]

How wonderful that you are getting back into your crafting and making new friends. I knew it wouldn't be long! Hooray on your holiday as well!! I just know you will have a marvelous time and then come back and share it with us all as well! You take the best holidays and I so enjoy taking them with you via your lovely photos and narratives!

[shelle]

Simmy- You are so lucky! Have fun planning this year's trip.

I'm a lurking crafter in the Philly area. If you're looking for a place to stay for a night or two during any of the following weeks this summer, let me know. We'd be happy to host you.
Heather
June 17-22
July 1-6
July 29-Aug 3
Aug 12-17
Aug 26-31

[bex]

Oh! I wanna join the class!
The camera case is gorgeous, are those poppies?
You lucky ducks off to the USA!...Xxx