Daylight savings

have started last night. It was a very sleepless night, I was listening to my Baroque channel on Pandora  since about 2 am and finally got now up to have a fresh coffee.
Lot of things have happened the last time. First Alex was almost to be taken off the waiting list for hip replacement surgery and then suddenly they rang to tell that his operation will be on 9th of October. Now we are in a rush to prepare everything and he has to be very careful not to catch any infection otherwise they will send him home again.
I am also working for the Art Trail of course and in the middle of all the news came that my oldest daughter is moving to Australia with her family end of the year. She had such a good job offer that she couldn't say no. Well I am sad to see them go, but life carries on.
Between rain and storms we had also some really lovely days. We went with the dog to Roland's Wood in Kerikeri, where dogs can run free. It is so lovely there right now with lots of flowers, a true memory of European spring:

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I made 2 felted flower paintings

The first one is on a dark background and the second one is on white. That makes it more blurry, a little bit impressionist style. I think I leave that one how it is but will stitch on the other one, just to see what difference it makes.

And I made more flower brooches

The red poppies have in the meantime nice poppy centers and for the others I have not decided yet, what to do.
So better get started now and sew the pins on.

Springtime

and it is still raining, but we had a great day on Monday, a true spring day!
Another 6 weeks and the new Saturday market here in Kerikeri starts. I have handed in my registration today and I am looking forward to meet many people there.
The new Filzfun magazine has arrived too with lots of inspiration. It is always great to see all the wonderful work people have done. I love the inspiration!
I have finished the 3 fairies I was working on.

Yesterday I prepared parts for some more felted Pauas. That is always a bit tricky, because it is not so easy to get it attached to the shell. I felt the rope for hanging first and also the bottom bits, but leave one end unfelted.

the shell is already a piece of art

the outer layer is already wearing off here, it would look great polished!

The longer rope is for hanging and the 3 smaller ones will be decoration for the bottom

Then I wrap the unfelted wool around the shell and add gradually some more, adding water and soap and gently rub it, until it starts to felt.

It is a very slow process, because it needs to be handled very gently and soft, it tends to slip on the shell. Every time when I tried to rush, it did not turn out perfect, so it is worth to be patient. And they get better with practice.

And here are 2 examples what to do with them

outdoor 

indoor