KIDS ARE SO TALENTED

Once again I'm working with the kids After School Enrichment Program and this season it's 3 different schools, and grade levels.  Grades range from 1st through 5th grade.  We began with the basic felt ball and later developed different projects depending on the level of the class, and what the students wanted to achieve.   Most of the girls wanted felt bookmarks, key chains, earrings, soap but as they saw the possibilities they asked to make other things not on my original list including a snowman (3 felt balls); felt head or even head with torso.  If one child saw another making a different project it also sparked their interest.  Overall this session has been very exciting, challenging and motivational in terms of new projects.   The older kids are able to get one project complete and sometimes start a second within an hour.   Amazing!

Yesterday we started with a plan to make pumpkins, but by the time the hour was over we had pumpkins, jack-o-lanterns and other objects we had not planned.  Take for example the 2 eyed penguin or the pumpkin with a 3D lower lip.

I also have 2 boys this session, so they started out making the same projects with the felt balls and evolved into making larger balls,  and other felt projects.  My favorite was the colorful felt scorpion or the marbled ball which the boy gave to the school's Principal.  
We're also experimenting with ornaments for different occasions.

I did not take a lot of pictures as I'm working alone and don't have the time.  Let me share what I have.

Above is the jack-o-lantern I made to share with the students,

Mr. Penguin

Happy pumpkin with hair

Felted bookmark with beads

felted key chains, bookmarks, pencils

work-in-progress ornaments/felted soaps

My assistant at one school

Felted pencil with afro

Lincoln Center 2015

Yes, it's been some time since I wrote my last post but if you're on facebook you know what I've been up to.  I did the Lincoln Center event again this year and instead of one weekend I decided to do both (Oct 3/4th, 10/11th).  The first weekend started out with rain and cold weather so the turnout was not as expected , but by Sunday things were a lot better.  The sun came out and the people with it.  By the 2nd weekend, the weather was even better, and there was lots of excitement and fun at my booth.   Again, the popular items ranged from felted soaps, nuno felt scarves, and my new collection of Cloth Art Dolls.   The dolls were a hit and sold out, so I'm planning to come out with the 2nd Edition the first quarter of next year.  Between now and then I also have some orders to do which I previously committed to.

Instead of going into lots of details, let me share a couple of video's from the photos taken by friends and family, and compliments from  T. Sterling Design Group.

Please take a trip with me on a Colourful Journey!  If you have an issue opening here is a link to part 1:
(https://youtu.be/_35xQVrVyWg)

Link for part 2-
Lincoln Center 2015 part2

Thanks again to a fabulous crew of family and friends who make this all possible.  Special thanks to my husband Richard, brother-in-law and siblings who encourage me as I move on this journey.

best Josie

ANOTHER DAY AT THE MET MUSEUM - CHINA: Through The Looking Glass

If you have not seen this exhibit please get to the MET Museum (www.metmuseum.org/china-through-the-looking-glass) as quickly as possible.  All I can say is beautiful, jaw dropping fashion!

The exhibit looks at how China has inspired Western fashion designers, which is very interesting as well as breathtaking.  I found myself dreaming of having at least 5 of those silk embroidered gowns in my closet.  As I walked through the galleries with friends and family we were all in awe at the workmanship of these pieces.  , and tried to imagine the hours of work that went into some of the fashion pieces.

What I enjoyed second to the fashion was the Chinese films playing in the background of all the galleries.

I read an article in Fashionista (www.fashionista.com/china-through-the-looking-glass)
which said the attendance is coming close to the "Alexander McQueen" exhibit from 2011, which was the most attended of all time at the Costume Institute.  It is a large exhibit including 140 garments.  We walked from the 1st floor galleries, downstairs, then back up to the 2nd floor.  It seemed endless, but so wonderful.

 While I could not photograph everything I did manage to take a few photos, even with the dark background in all rooms.

2 of my favorite dresses/gowns above!

THE HAT THAT FITS

ABOUT THE HAT!
Not sure about you, but I have always had issues finding just the right size hat (yes right size/not right hat).   I should have known when I looked back at pictures of myself as a baby this would be a challenge throughout  life (Mom holding me).  While I am not a perfect hat size, my head is a little bigger than the standard.  Of course, my friends laugh when I say this, but it's true.

Over the years, I have tried on numerous hats and sometimes they fit but 9 times out of 10 they don't.   

  As I walk through department stores I glance at the hat racks sometimes trying one on, but most times not.  Why?  They never fit.    

In recent years, I started to knit and my first project was a knitted hat.  I then proceeded to knit more hats for myself, hubby and friends, etc.  What fun this was, but yet the real challenge was to make a woven hat that fit.

 Last summer I took my favorite woven hat, analyzed the construction then copied it onto newspaper.  I then proceeded with some modifications to suit what I wanted, then cut up an old pair of jeans plus new print from my fabric stash.  A few hours later I had a new, reversible hat.   Pleased with the results I proceeded to make a few more for some friends.

Hat on left is my original

Fast forward to June 2015.  Last month
 I took Dawn Edward's "Fantastic Felt Hat"  workshop at the NEFS (New England Felt Supply).   The class was fabulous taught by a wonderful instructor with a bubbly, fun personality.   We worked with hat patterns provided by Dawn adding our own twist in the form of fiber/color.   At the end of both days I had finished one hat completely, and come close to finishing a 2nd one except I needed to order another accessory to finish out the brim.  I will definitely make more of these as it gives me a bigger palette to play with color.

 After I returned home I tried another hat.  I'm comfortable now with this new artform, so now it's take to play around with new shapes and my signature bright colors. 
No more complaints about hats that don't fit.

Josie