The last two weeks have been the most delicious, intense, creative times. My cousins/kindred spirits have been visiting from New Zealand. Family that I have only met a handful of times, often with a decade in between visits, but who travel with me always and close by! While Erica was creating at the Global Mural Conference in Chemainus, I had the delight of spending more time with my young cousin, Isla, visiting our favourite island spots, and making some felt for her to bring back to loved ones at home.
Isla with her finished Starfish Bag. Plus some of our other makings/inspirations in the background. The studio/classroom was transformed this week…the display units came off the walls to open up mural spaces….the big table and surrounding floor was full of felting and the small tables were in full use for painting/drawing/writing and the making of shimmery mermaids….
A bag for Tarn in NZ with one of Isla’s Starfish felt charms. Felted in white Finnish, then immersion dyed…..The charm ring is felted directly into the bag, as are the handle rings. I love the colours and potential for adding changeable tokens by using the rings.
Happy, happy felting….and chatting, and laughing and tears…..big ideas imagined, and resolve well planted. A stillpoint of a visit in which we grounded ourselves, gathered our momentums and energies and now propel forward….with hopes of connecting our spaces across oceans before too long.
Warm wishes,
Fiona
Schööön! What a stunning idea this starfish-bag…!
Erica is amazingly talented, and passionate and brilliant! Her and her partner are doing incredible work, all over the world- heading to Germany next month for a mural for the Book Fair.
Wow ! just visited Erica's site : they are GOOOOOOOD !!!! ánd fun !
Ha Fiona, you sure had the most wonderful of times with each other: that sparkles from the picture !!! That starfish bag is a wonderful idea ! Something great to take home to down under ….
(Mmmmmm lóvely vest too 😉 !!!)
Thank Els! It was wonderful…both of our families are very small and quite isolated, and it is very special when we get together! xo Fiona
Fiona–What wonderful projects!! The blue purse is especially adorable,
and what fun…having Isla there to create with you! XO-
Oh, Heather! It was so nice to have them both here…..It feels like we are sisters…but each time we also get to know one another a little better….And Isla had the best time- mostly with her big boy cousins. (BTW-that refers to a childrens book about a small island in Scotland which both myself and Erica love- the Katie Morag books….one is about the time her big boy cousins come to visit her small island…a little reversal, but a fun coonection!) xo-Fiona
It is stunning, just love it 🙂
Thank you!
Beautiful! Those mini star fish look like they could be Christmas ornaments… I'd be into that! Very "West Coast"!
Thanks, Natalie! The little stars are a great childrens project!
NO comments so far?! Can't believe this… while those bags are SO great! I LOVE the little seastar bag and those bright colors of the yellow bag… And I like your work, Fiona, which you always share with us in "Living Crafts". I am a Swiss Reader who orders every issue from Germany and devours it with excitement and a lot of joy…
Have a good time felting and creating!
Bora from Switzerland
Thanks so much Bora! For your comments, for visiting! It is quite humbling (and an honour) to know that some of my projects have been seen in other parts of the world!
Warm wishes, Fiona