Friday, December 9, 2011

It's a Big Felt Universe Out There!

Tis true!  It *is* a big felt universe! Everywhere you look these days there is felt.  And of course, we all know that there are lots of different types of felt.  And I'll bet you've heard of and/or worked with several types, but did you know that not all felts are created equal?  I've said those words a bazillion times and the truth of that statement hit home for me once again today, but in a slightly different way.

Let's talk about wool felt (ha!  no surprise that I'd want to talk about wool felt, is it?!).  I just added a brand new listing in my shop for a big fluffy pile of felty wool felt ***and*** Jeanette Lim's book "Big Little Felt Universe".


After browsing through the book, ooh'ing and ahh'ing over the adorable projects (at least 70 of them - all in one book!!), I decided to take a gander at the fine print.  The author states 'Not all felt is created equally.' Sweet!  I thought I'd found someone of like mind.  However, sadly enough, the author goes on to express her opinion that 100% wool felt is 'too thick' for the projects featured in her book. WHAT??? Clearly, dear author, you have not tried my luscious pure wool felt.  That comment truly does make me sad as I can completely assure you, dear readers, that my felt is the *perfect* felt for the cute projects featured in this book : )

My point is that not even 100% wool felts are created equal.  "SERIOUSLY?" you may ask...  Yes, seriously.  How could that be?  Wool is wool, right?  Well, it's actually kind of simple.  There are hundreds of different breeds of sheep.  Each one producing a wool fiber.  But different sheep produce fiber specific to that sheep.  Sure, it's still all 100% wool, since, after all, that's what a sheep's fiber is.... but some fiber can be thick, or thin, or long, or short, or thick, or stiff, or curly or straight.  And then you have to factor in exactly how that fiber is processed into felt.  And of course there's the dyes that color the fiber that are to be considered.  It all makes a huge difference in the end product. 

Perhaps the author of Big Little Felt Universe used a 100% wool felt from Nepal.  Holy smokes, now there's some thick, stiff felt!  Totally not the best choice for the projects in the book.  Or maybe she used a 100% wool felt that was hand-felted.  Most likely, that would be too thick because as wonderful as us humans are, we generally can't process fiber to the extent that a machine can.  Perhaps she used a 100% wool felt that was something other than merino and initially created and processed for an application other than crafting.  And in that instance, the felt may have been processed harshly and dyed with environmentally un-friendly dyes.  That type of wool felt wouldn't be the best choice for her projects either. 

It just makes me a little sad when I read something that's just tossed out to the masses as if it were fact - something that is a misinformed generalization.  Yes, it's true.  All felts are not created equal.  Even when they are 100% wool.  Because there are several other important aspects to consider, as mentioned above. 

If you're looking for a pure wool felt for hand stitching, you won't find anything better than my pure merino wool felt.  This felt was specifically created for handcrafts exactly like those pictured in the book.  It's created from one of the finest wool fibers available.  Because it's completely natural wool, the fibers felt together with very little energy (and that's environmentally friendly!).  This felt is fine, strong, color-saturated, color-fast, fade-resistant and toxin-free.   Not only is my felt the perfect thickness for hand or machine stitching, it cuts like a knife thru warm buttah, holds stitches beautifully,  and can be hand-washed and air-dried.

So there ya have it.  Felty sets the record straight : )  I feel so much better now.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Givin' It Away....over at TheLongThread

Ellen Luckett Baker of TheLongThread posted a give-away today - it's my merino wool felt 'Apple' color story.  And you don't even have to do anything fancy to win!  Just post on Ellen's blog, TheLongThread, by midnight on Saturday (December 10). 

 In case you're not familiar with TheLongThread, it's a pretty fantastic blog.  Full of great ideas, sources and crafty fabulousness.  Ellen is one busy lady who is accomplished in so many things it makes my head spin!  One of the things I admire most about her is this statement in her profile:  "I have increasingly begun to appreciate the value of handmade items in our mass-produced world."  Uh huh.  I totally get that : )

So... if you'd like to experience some truly exquisite, pure merino wool felt, visit TheLongThread and leave a comment for a chance to win this lovely five sheet set.  Or, come visit FeltOnTheFly and check out all of my Color Stories.

IT'S NOT TOO LATE.... to get a wool felt kit for Christmas.  Whether you'd like to stitch something up to give as a gift, or if you'd like to give the gift of a kit, there's still time!

You know the saying about giving a man a fish and you feed him for a day, but teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime?  Well, that sentiment holds true as well for crafting.  Here's Felty's take on it:

"Give someone a handmade item and you've given them a lovely gift.  Teach someone to stitch or craft and you feed their creative soul for a lifetime".  

 Felty Bookmark Kit

Eight die-cut bookmarks, hole reinforcements, coordinating buttons in various sizes/shapes, buckles and extra felt!  A wonderful gift for someone who likes to craft, or someone learning to stitch.

Monday, November 28, 2011

'Tis the Season... Wherever You Go

"Wherever you go, whenever you can....Leave a gift."



I came across that sweet little sentiment a long time ago and I've never forgotten it.  Days get busy and I don't always find the time to be extra thoughtful, but considering the season, it's only natural to be in gift-giving mode.  Here in Michigan, winter is now here.  We've already had snow flurries and the air is clear and chilly; the night sky filled with stars...

Stars have been a special symbol for me since my son was born (nearly eighteen years ago!!) and in the spirit of giving, I'm offering a set of five die cut wool felt stars with every order in my Etsy shop.  Just mention 'Felty Twinkles' in 'Notes to Seller' upon check-out and a little gift of stars will be yours.


The stars measure 1 3/4" from tip to tip.  I know you'll think of a bazillion ways to use them...scatter them on your table, attach to ribbon for a garland, adorn a tree, use as a little gift tag, stitch onto a project...stitch two together and lightly stuff...tuck one in a loved one's pocket for luck....and of course, you could always use them to wish upon...

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Wool Felt Peter Pan Collar Tutorial

Well, hello you dusty little blog, you!  *swipes at cobwebs*

And so we meet again...at long last.  It's not that I don't think of you.  In fact, truth be told, you haunt me.  What?  So why don't I post more often you ask?  Well, there are a hundred perfectly good reasons.

K.  Now that we've got that all settled....

Hey!  This was soooo cool!  Thanks to Etsy's new little Shop Stats toy, I noticed recently that I had lots of views on a particular listing in my shop.  So I scrolled around in the Stats and noticed in Top Traffic Sources a blog I'd never seen before:  "Honestly....WTF".  Really.  I didn't make that up.   Here's their link:  http://honestlywtf.com/diy/diy-peter-pan-collar/

Upon further investigation I discovered the ladies at Honestly...WTF put together a tutorial to make a cute Peter Pan collar and linked to my shop for felt supplies.  Who knew that a Peter Pan Collar could be so cute the second time around??  Well, when a fashion powerhouse like Louis Vuitton decides that, yes indeedy, Peter Pan Collars are most definitely fashion-forward, trendy and worthy of runway status, you can bet your bellbottomed bippy that those collars are indeed the latest 'must have' accessory.

The tutorial was put together for an article for Lucky Magazine.  Man oh man, these chicks are *connected* and I'm so happy they linked to my humble little shop....



So scoot on over to Honestly...WTF, (http://honestlywtf.com/diy/diy-peter-pan-collar/) download the template and get started on your super-simple-Louis-Vuitton-Wanna-Be-Wool-Felt-Peter-Pan-Collar.  Hey....now that I'm thinkin about it, why the heck didn't Louis come to me for felt??? Hmmmm???  Louis?  Are you listening?  My felt is the feltiest wool felt, truly environmentally friendly, soft to the touch, gloriously gorgeous and a joy to behold. I realize you made yours out of who-knows-what, but next time Louis, how about thinkin outside the boring old linen or cotton box and come try FeltOnTheFly 100% pure merino wool felt.  Just sayin'.

And for the rest of you, imagine this sweet collar made in any of the 96 colors in my shop.  Personally, I'm thinkin' Camel... Maybe this would be the perfect gift for the girlfriend who has everything.... your grandma.... or, why not, even for a pampered pooch.  And for sure, anyone who carries a Louis Vuitton bag.... or reads Lucky Magazine...

; )

Friday, March 18, 2011

Wool Felt...Really!?


Wool felt...is that what you're looking for? Make sure that wool felt is what you're getting!

When I read a label, for example, on the front of a juice bottle and that label proclaims 'JUICE!', I expect...well, juice! Fruit juice! All juice. And nuttin' but juice! But is it ever really just juice? Closer inspection of the label on the back of the bottle will tell the sad tale...the contents are often a lot more than just juice. In fact, the amount of actual JUICE is minimal.

The same thing is true for WOOL FELT. That's a term that's tossed about willy-nilly and it drives me a bit bonkers. It happens far too often that a felt product is labeled WOOL FELT when, actually, it contains only a small amount of wool. Now I ask you...if the amount of fiber in a felt product is primarily something other than wool, does that felt product deserve to be called 'wool felt'? I think not...


The term 'wool felt' seems to me like it should be reserved for a product that is MOSTLY wool. As opposed to being mostly something else other than wool. I'm OK with the term 'wool blend'. At least you would know right up front that it's not pure wool felt.



So when shopping for wool felt, watch the fine print. Make sure you're getting pure, 100% wool felt and not a blend containing very little actual wool fiber. Or, better yet, just come visit Felt On The Fly at Etsy and know that you are at the premier source of pure, 100% wool felt - and nuttin but!


Oh, and did I mention the abundance of 96 gorgeous colors of wool felt (yeah, the really awesome 100% kind) available in my shop?!?!?

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Vintage Treasure!


Oh my gosh, how sweet is this! What a great find. A vintage Vogart embroidery kit including two cotton hand towels with a stamped flower ballerina image on each, embroidery floss and instructions - all in an un-opened package!


This kit is from the 50's, and obviously from that 49 cent price tag, you know it's got to be old! Even though the set had never been opened, that didn't stop me. I can't wait to start stitching this sweet design! And while it might be a shame to not use the floss that came with the kit, I think I'll be dipping into my own stash for some better color choices. I've got quite a collection of vintage floss, so it's all good : )




I went a little crazy over on Ebay and found even more fabulous vintage stamped linens for embroidery. Can't wait for Laura, my awesome mail lady, to bring my treasures to me!!

Friday, January 21, 2011

Felt On The Fly and PaperTrey Ink Match Up!

I've updated my list of PaperTrey Ink paper colors and my matching/coordinating wool felt colors. Yay!

This list includes the new 'Blueberry Sky' which perfectly matches my Wedgwood Blue felt. Another new PaperTrey Ink color is 'Fine Linen'. That's a tricky one! I don't have a match for it, but depending on how you're using it, there are lots of possible contrasting colors you could add. Need some help? Let me know!

I don't like to match up my felt with the paper colors until I get an actual paper swatch in my hot little hands. I haven't yet had the pleasure of seeing 'Pine Feather' in person, although I suspect I have the perfect match. Be the first to contact me to make arrangements to send me a 4" square of Pine Feather, and I'll send you - at no charge whatsoever - a 6" x 8" sheet of my matching wool felt. What a deal!

Here's the list arranged in alphabetical order according to PaperTrey Ink's color names:

PaperTrey Ink Colors - Felt On The Fly Colors:

Aqua Mist - Bermuda Blue

Berry Sorbet - Coral Pink

Blueberry Sky - Wedgwood Blue

Dark Chocolate - Dark Brown

Enchanted Evening - Blue

Harvest Gold - Butter Yellow

Hawaiian Shores - Bermuda Blue

Hibiscus Burst - Hot Pink

Lavender Moon - Soft Plum

Lemon Tart - Light Yellow

Melon Berry - Coral

New Leaf - Fern Green

Ocean Tides - Green Patina

Orange Zest - Melon

Plum Pudding - Lilac

Pure Poppy - Red

Raspberry Fizz - Lavender Pink

Ripe Avocado - Avocado

Scarlet Jewel - Merlot

Simply Chartreuse - Spring Green

Smokey Shadow - Slate Grey

Spring Rain - Light Blue

Spring Moss - Yellow-Green

Stamper's Select White - White

Summer Sunrise - Marigold

Sweet Blush - Light Pink

Terracotta Tile - Orange-Red

True Black - Black

Vintage Cream - Ecru

Please note: My wool felt color, Bermuda Blue, appears twice on the list above. It looks beautiful with both Aqua Mist and Hawiian Shores papers.


Coming soon to my Etsy shop - A listing of all the above colors in 6" x 8" sheets. That's right! One big beautiful bundle which, by the way, is the *perfect* size for die-cutting machines!

With the above list, you can also choose your favorite felt colors and purchase just the ones you want. Please contact me through e-mail (feltonthefly@comcast.net) or through Etsy and let me know what you need! Easy peasy.