In mid of packed vacation 豐盛的旅程

Haven't been able to blog for the last 10 days since Internet is not available. Just wanted to update some images with iPad while I'm now in Lisbon in mid of vacation yet full packed with what I learnt from Nicola Brown in Dominio Vale do Mondego in the highland of Portugal. I made rug with raw wool, handbags, picture, nuno felt scarf and flower rings. I learnt the new skills of wool felt and delighted to have made the bags I am quite pleased. I must say that this is a wonderful residential workshop with brilliant artist, fabulous food, picturesque environment and all nice participants from Spain, USA, Holland, Portugal, myself from Hong Kong and the felt artist from Ireland. Such an international workshop! What's more is I was thrilled to meet my blog friend Heather from the States. Below are pictures of how we enjoyed the workshop and the scenery. Similar workshop will be held next year. Sorry for not able to title each image since not familiar using iPad. Will put on links when I'm on desktop.  (I'm now home after 20 days away and able to have this updated).  Am now in Lisbon exploring the labyrinthine streets and heading to England the day after. Will have another blog of my Lisbon and England "adventure".雖然是假期的一半然已很充實豐盛，我在葡萄牙的羊毛氈工作坊學到新的技巧，難忘又難得的是在風景如畫的山城每日三餐豐富的地中海及荷蘭美食，也很高興這是一個國際性的文化與工兿交流。此刻在里斯本逗留三天，逛逛迂迴曲折的街道及後飛去英國繼續我的行程...... 謝謝你分享我的假期美事。

Show off of our pieces

Pretty environment and good weather

Every meal was fabulous and very nice setting

The "flappy " bag I learnt - love it so much

Wild flowers under the oliver trees.  

A eco walk in the village with Eelco's intruction of the envirnment

Eco dye sesson with the local leaves and rust irons

Wine and dine in good ambience

In the process of making with the cat.

Who know this rug was all hand made by me? This is an exceptional 8-day residential wool felt in the central of Portugal. Similar one will be organised in June next year.

For info please send to info@dominiovaledomondego.com

I'm not lonely我享受此刻

Now in Guarda, Portugal. Before starting the wool workshop I grasped the morning to see around the historic town of Guarda. To my surprise I found my favourite poppies on the slope. Excited to capture some pictures. Today is my day. Thanks for friends sending me birthday wishes. I am not lonely. Enjoy being alone at this moment in the beautiful Portugal highland. Will be seeing some old faces new friends. A week full of fun I am sure.

Snapshots of the town Guarda

Captured the spirit of a cat 點點心思貓兒袋

 Eco print tote bag of stitches captured the spirit of a wonderful cat – Oscar

原先用棉布包著葉子與鐵罐做出的印染效果不大明顯, 我用繡花線點繡出圖案, 縫製了這個袋 - 姑且表達 「貓貓情義的點點心意」.

 1. I made a cotton fabric with eco print of rose leaves wrapped around a can but outcome is not perfect.  2. Prints are light.  3. I’ve to play around some stitches to make it a nice piece. 4. Then sewed the bag. 

 

 My ex-colleague L’s Chinchilla cat Oscar looks like my Mogi.  I told L that if she can save some hair I can make something for him but L thought it weird to make something of cat's hair!  I printed Oscar's image from FB and made a decoupage cat stuffed with cotton.    Thought it looks good to go with the bag. 

 "Mogi, it's not yours"

 My cat Mogi is the same breed as Oscar who's now about 3 or 4 years old.  They look like brothers.  Oscar has a special story.    My ex-colleague L works in animal hospital.  When Oscar was about  2 years old,  he was accidentally fell from the flat to the ground and fractured his leg.   His original owner brought him to the vet but finally abandoned him after the operation.   L dopted him.  This boy is now pampered and jumps up and down with 3-legs.  He’s bright and smart!  He's also a great donor.  His blood saved others recently.   He’s a hero !

 See how relaxed Oscar is !  He finds himself safe in a loved family. Our love to cats is life time commitment.   

 Smart guy with subtle look.

 Tonight I’m heading to Portugal.  L has Portuguese origin that’s why I thought of her when I planned my trip to Portugal.  I’ll have a week of residential wool felt workshop in central Portugal and stay a couple of days in Lisbon then to England.  Thanks L for the tourist info of Lisbon. This bag is over to you when I'm back.  Hope you like it. 

I'm very impatient and eager to unwrap bundles of eco prints.  These two will last for almost 20 days after my return.  Hope to see the bold prints then.
Linking with KatherinesCorner

Wool felt boy and girl I made 我塑我做的一對

Last post was a wool felt girl. To have a pair, I made the boy.   

Now that a family with a sheep and a Schnauzer.
針氈的公仔不是我的強項也不是我的興趣,  配合濕氈做出來的效果是我的新嘗試, 都幾可愛罷.
 

Hubby said the boy looks boorish.  Haha.... he's a kind heart.  He's soft and tender !粗獷的牛王頭也有細心的一面.......

It's made with wet felt and needle felt.  Used with a bamboo blind to roll the arms and legs with thin wire enclosed.  Wet felted the shirt, the vest and the trousers.  Head and hair are needle felted.頭部與頭髮是針氈做, 手腳衣服都是濕氈法.

"Go go go..... let's go to the bush."

"Ah, the sheep is following us!"

"Can you hear the echo of waves?"

"This bay is tranquil."
"Yes, quite."

A moody Sunday morning I walked to the pier....... 

Lots of sampans and boats.

Up to the hill ....

Caught my sight are the Delonix Regia (Flame of the Forest).  Love the flare like flowers. This cheered me up. 

 

Blooming and withered.

Needle felt is not my favour, not to mention figurine making. My first trial to do the pair. They're not match but still good.  If one day I have to give them away they're always a pair.

"Oh, I'm falling  噢 !我掉下了."

"I hold you tight, we're always together.有我扶你一把"

Linking with HappyHoursProject

Linking with CreativePrincess

Wool felt doll enhanced with eyes 羊毛小妮子

Just made this wool felt doll.  This is another trial with the skills got from YouTube for the wool felt ropes to make hands and legs.  

最近看到 YouTube 製作 羊毛繩條子技巧, 靈機一觸, 何不一試自己加點創意, 做一 個羊毛小娃, 把羊毛包著幼鐵絲使手足可「屈曲」, 可坐可企, 更有姿態 !!??

I asked  bloggers's should I add the eyes or just leave it. Most said go for it. Thank you bloggers.
See the comparison photo above.

Here's how it's made.

1. Laid the wool on a bamboo blind with a thin wire over it.  Rolled and rubbed to make the ropes.

2. Wet felt the wool sheet for the coat.

3. Stuffed the body and head then connected the limbs.

4. Cut the arm holes to dress up.

5. Stitched with beads for eyes.

I made the ropes with wire inside so that the arms and legs are "movable".  The YouTube of rope demo (click to view) is GREAT.

Limbs  coated with wire are wonderful  ......

She can stand up firm.

Relaxing poses with crossed legs.

 Riding with flowers.

Without eyes we don't know her expression.

With the two dots enhance the beauty. She sees the world of hope and black & white !

Linking with HappyHourProject

Linking with Creative Princess

Linking with Fincraftguild