Last summer on a whim I decided to wet felt an extra, large extra thick piece felt to make coasters from. I find wet felting fun, but after a while the novelty wears off. Unfortunately my interest didn’t last anywhere near long enough and, with better things to do, I gave up and dried it.
I kidded promised myself I’d finish it another day, but each time I looked at it I knew:
- It would take a lot of time to felt up properly.
- I really didn’t want to make boring round coasters.
After a while it vanished from my eye-line and I forgot about it until I was taking stock of my UFOs. However, I couldn’t bring myself to list a manky bit of half-felt, probably destined to become compost, as a UFO.
But having unearthed the piece, it started nagging again. So in a flash of ‘brilliance’, the reckless part of me chucked it in the washing machine. ‘Kill or cure,’ I thought, ‘either way, that’ll shut it up!’
By the time the piece emerged, it had certainly been felted, but it also looked like something you wouldn’t want to be left alone in the dark with.
What the heck was I going to do with it now?
Just as I was resigning myself to turning it into compost, I had an idea. I drew a couple of templates, took out my scissors, felting needles and some black felt, and made…
A sheep coaster – if you’re wondering – or a small sheep Frisbee, or a big sheep badge (if you attach a pin), or a flat sheep pin cushion , or a small sheep wall ornament (if you add a hook).
Needle felting flatten the bumps out brilliantly without losing texture. (A mug sits on it perfectly.) In fact, I love the texture. It reminds me of popcorn and I keep thinking it looks rather like a delicious sheep biscuit* – but that might be because I’m dieting.
I’ve now made a small flock and, apart from the one on my desk, they’re in the shop.
*Health Warning: 100% wool. DO NOT EAT
Wonderful save of a UFO. I like wet felting, but I rarely do it because, unlike knitting and crochet and even needle felting, it requires preparation and clearing up and dedicated time set aside. However, I do have a plant to do some soon, if for no other reason than to use up some of my felting supplies.
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You’re right, it is a wee bit messy and like you, i do like crafts that you can pick up and put down easily. Look forward to seeing what you make when you do have the time.
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Mmmhmmm sheep biscuits…
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I know 😉
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Adorable coasters! And I like your mugs as well.
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Thank you!
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They are brilliant!
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Thank you 🙂
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Oh my and so cute!
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Thank you 🙂
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Love them 🙂
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Thank you 🙂 xx
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I do love a happy accident – and these are fun!!
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very cute 🙂
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Thank you!
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Aw nothing to feel sheepish about. 😉 x
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Ha ha! xx
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lol these look awsome. 🙂 Very Shaun the seep-esque
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Thank you. Perhaps they’re related 🙂
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They are adorable. And look very tasty too, just like biscuits. 🙂
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Thanks. I’m definitely feeling the urge to eat one – but I suspect I’d be disappointed 😉
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I absolutely adore them. Talk about triumph from an abandoned UFO!
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Thank you! 🙂
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Aww these look fab! Definitely a UFO success!
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Thank you! 🙂
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What an absolutely brilliant idea Bekki! I love your coasters… 🙂 🙂
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Thank you 🙂
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What fun and definitely a happy accident! These are simply adorable 🙂
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Thank you 🙂
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