re defining the artist within

When I was in high school, I used to paint. I really was not that great.For me the art room was a great place to hang out, I had a great teacher, we got along well and he would encourage me to paint what was important to me, and try and express how it influenced me. At the time I was a angsty teenager obsessed with music and my painting and drawings reflected that.
When I left school, I really didn't pursue my art, I felt like it had served it purpose for me,art had counselled and healed me through high school and it was time to move on. Throughout my adult life, I would buy sketch books here and there, but I have never really picked up a brush again.
In my mind I had to re establish my relationship with art as a form of expression.
I have discovered different medium to express my creativity whether that is creating clothing,poetry or crafting using fibre as a art medium.

Over the summer we went camping with some really good friends, they are our camping companions, going bush without them, feels very strange.
A place we went to for a day trip has etched itself into my memory.
It's beauty consumed me, I was in my element.

This week I had a child and husband free night, that's a rare thing!
I had so many grand plans, I was going to go to the gym, maybe a movie, go to yoga, eat whatever I wanted, enjoy a quiet gin. So many plans, so little time.
Well in the end I actually did none of them,instead I came home and crafted. I knew I had to commit a couple of hours, fibre craft requires time and patience.
The piece took me a long time, I needle felted areas of it.
I made peace with my inner artist and finally got that majestic place out of my mind.

                                                                         My supplies

                                                              For the love of wild county

how to make a felted winter girl

 Recently I went over to  friends house and I saw this lovely lantern girl. She was made out of pure felt and a tiny copper lantern. My friend showed me how to do the girl and I think it can be a base for any kind of girl or boy you would like to create. Here are instructions to make your own.
 Material:     8- 10 pipe cleaners
                    wool tops
                    silk tops
                    felting needles




The first thing you need to do is get yourself four pipe cleaner, make yourself a round head shape and with the remaining pipe cleaners, twist it tightly to secure it.Then create arms, the best way to get them even is to make a crease in the center and twist the ends to make hands, twist it onto the bottom of the head, this will create your head, arms and torso. Then combine two pipe cleaners to make a round base, the size you make this is your choice.

Then you you add two pipe cleaners, you hook them to the bottom of your circle, shape this however you like, depending on the style you want. My skirt was quiet rounded up the top.Then with some fleece, needle felt it to get a nice round head shape, place it through the center.

Once you have done the head, needle felt the arms. Needle felt some fleece to fill the center of the skirt. Choose your desired colors for your doll, get two pieces of fleece, place them on each shoulder of the doll and wrap around, add  some silk tops for hair, needle felt a hat or wrap,add more fleece to your skirt and needle felt away. You can embellish whichever way you like.

Enjoy your doll!