Avondale Weekend

A few women from Feltmakers Ireland arranged a long weekend away in Avondale. It's in the beautiful Wicklow Mountains. Chilly and misty for most of the 4 days,
but we weren't necessarily there for the mountain air.


We were there to make felt. Nothing organized, just make whatever comes to mind. Some had things planned. I didn't. Mostly because of the hectic schedule we've had at home. I did want to do something in Nuno felt, maybe a jacket for DD. I think I brought nearly everything I had. Poor Sheila. It's a good thing there is plenty of room in the boot of her car. Nearly stuffed it full!






















This is what I came home with. We did flowers for the Bloom Festival in May and June, Nuno buttons or beads, booties for a friends baby boy and mostly samples. I did so many samples, I decided to not to even start the jacket.






I got to thinking about all the bits of fibre that the ladies were discarding or not using after their projects were made. I began to gather them up in a shoe box that was by the drum carder. It's amazing how much gets stuck to the floor and carder. Enough for 2 bats of lovely mixed fibre. If you've never seen Pluckyfluff, head on over to see her amazing mixed bats.























So pleased was I with the junk bats, I made some mixed bats of merino, silk and ribbon cuts for the jacket for DD. I have pink and lavender silk fabric that I can use with it.


























We did manage to get at least 1 walk in each day. You can only felt so long before you need a break. This was a really cool Eucalyptus tree. I love the smooth bark and the way it has twisted over time. There was a whole grove of them near the beginning of the hiking trail. The smell of the pods as they were crushed under our feet, reminded me of the street in Southern California where my Grandmother lived. The streets were lined with them. As high as you could see.









The damp forest was a perfect place for the trees to be covered in moss. It's like shag carpet. Vintage 60's - 70's plush.

We had a great weekend and the ladies made amazing things. The best part was just being able to hang out for hours and days on end. Great time!