MORE...MORE WOOL...

Just visited fluffy friends from Gaspereau Valley Fibres Sheep Farm 

Bringing home 3000+g of lambs wool back to the studio ♥

Here the Sock Monkey is wondering, 

 "How many more Sock Monkey friends will there be?!"

PEOPLE'S CHOICE

Ta-da!!! 

New color combo for the NPJ02 "Braid n Felt" Fashion Jewelry created according to

People's Choice TOP 3 Results...

1) Purple/Blue/Black

5) Turquoise/Lime/Violet

9) Yellow/Purple/Eggplant

Inspired by :

These DIY kits will be perfect for Mother's Day gifts?

 Get them at Saltscapes Expo Apr.27 (10am-2pm)!

FELTasticFashion 

will be part of the Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce (AVCC) booth

En Français!

Bilingual English-French Felting DIY Kits in stock now!

We are glad to share the good news to the "francophone".

All 15 designs for 3D Wool Charm Needle Felting DIY Kit 

are now available in both English & French step-by-step instructions!

Check your local retailer shops in New Brunswick & Quebec/Ontario 

 & FELTasticFashion ETSY online shop now!

CHRISTMAS IN THE AIR

Totally feeling Christmas is approaching !!

We had a wonderful mom+daughter (+cousin) girls trip to Halifax

 to enjoy French bakery, craft show & Christmas parade!

We started off at The Hydrostone Market (circa 1918)

with yummy treats at Julien's Bakery;

then found a beautiful steel dummy display at Lady Luck Boutique & Hydrostone Gallery

just perfect to hang all my wool charms;

after visited Bogside Gallery a few doors away to have a preview of many great art works;

and of course dropped by LK Yarns too!

Some history about Hydrostone click here

Later we spend a good walk from The Loop Craft Cafe 

after dropping off additional FELTasticFun DIY kits (SOCK MONKEY!!!), 

then Halifax Waterfront, Seaport, & later arrived Pier 23 

to check out many amazing artworks done by NSDCC members.

My 3.5YR princess was so excited to see a painter in action as well as many other DEMO!

The Christmas Parade was 1.5-hr long

but thanks to Canada Post taking letters to Santa!

Colorful Fall leaves are all over the ground.
It's a special season to celebrate Harvest & Thanksgiving!

FIVE CONTINENTS

It is so cool to check the blog statistics every time I log on !

Just the past week between Aug. 17 & 23, 2012,

there were blog visitors/wool lovers from 5 different major continents:

Asia, Australia, Europe, North America & South America.

Thank you all so much dropping by !

I am looking forward to see someone from Africa or even Antarctica too ! 

I love how WOOL can bring all nations together !

Now...let's count down to the PEACE FELT 2012 event...

WE LOVE WOOL - WRAPPED IN MERINO

Only 6 days left to be part of The Woolmark Company's latest campaign, 
"Wrapped in Merino"
which is attempting to set a new RecordSetter World Record 
for the World's Longest Social Scarf.

Over 13,000 fashion lovers have already taken part in the record attempt! 
FELTasticFashion, as one of the key bloggers in last campaign, 
Find Fashion by Feelings, 
& at the Top 11 overall fashion look, 
I would love all my readers to get Wrapped in Merino too!

Wanna make history together by setting a new world record?
"Simply add your photo and design a loop."

Your scarf will connect with wool lovers from around the globe
 to increase the total length of the scarf.
The Woolmark team will submit the scarf to officials
 at RecordSetter for inclusion in list of world records (July 22, 2012)!

Remember to share your visual scarf with their friends through Facebook, Pinterest & Twitter.

Participants automatically enter the draw to win one of eight fashion prize packs, 

including Net-A-Porter prizes (UK£150 voucher weekly) and soft Merino wool scarves.
[Terms & Conditions]

Microsite - https://www.wrappedinmerino.com/
Facebook App - https://www.facebook.com/WeLoveWool/app_352587178130186
Facebook ‘We Love Wool’ page - https://www.facebook.com/WeLoveWool
Twitter - https://twitter.com/welovewool
YouTube promo clip - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0MOfW5TFeM&feature=youtu.be
YouTube channel - http://www.youtube.com/user/WoolmarkOnline
Facebook brand page - http://www.facebook.com/Woolmark
Merino website - http://www.merino.com/

Merino wool is a unique fibre, 

loved by fashion and apparel designers for its quality and versatility.

By using the felting technique in the FELTasticFashion project, 
I have created many different kinds of accessories & decorations!


Besides having my neck wrapped in Merino fashion necklaces,
my wine glasses are wrapped in Merino FELTasticWine glass gloves;
my BAG & CAR REAR MIRROR are wrapped in Merino FELTasticCharm too.




Have you felt my love for Merino Wool & Felting yet?

VFF GIVEAWAY

A few weeks ago, Valley Family Fun organized 

a special giveaway for a customized felted owl necklace.

This morning, I just send this special little owl away.

I have so much fun to FELT IT.

 I'm sure the little girl who's going to receive this will  

LOVE IT & TREASURE IT.

FEATURED LISTING

Featured Business Listing 


on The Grapevine Wolfville Community Paper 


Issue No. 3.64 (Nov. 17 - Dec. 1, 2011)

RANK TOP11 WORLDWIDE

Finally, the more-than-two-month long Fashion By Feelings competition came to the end.

I'm very pleased to rank TOP 11 worldwide out of 1138 Looks.

Although I didn't get to win a trip to Australia to discover the origin of Merino wool, 

it has been a wonderful experience to share my love of wool & my signature wool felted creation!

The priceless reward for me is the 70 comments that 163 voters left on the board

plus all the LOVES from supporters like you!

THANK YOU very much indeed from my bottom of my heart!

I LOVE WOOL BECAUSE...

Sharing my LOVE for wool to 31,259 fans (& counting) 

from the Facebook "We Love Wool" Page today

to celebrate the FINAL day of voting for the "Fashion By Feelings" contest!

Currently ranking: TOP 10 overall worldwide !!!! 

Have you voted yet? Go DO IT now!!!

AMAZING DEBUT

Over the September 24 & 25, 2011 weekend is FELTasticFashion's debut to the Nova Scotians
 

at Muir Murray Winery Estate's 2nd Annual Iron Chef Competition event

Amazing experience to meet so many people & promote WOOL creations!

Many people were attracted by my signature "Wool Felt Heart-shaped Bib Necklace" 
even before I made any introduction! I am really pleased to hear so many great compliments!

In addition, the "Wool Fashion Comeback" article (short version) is NOW up 
on the current Sept. 22 - Oct. 6, 2011 issue of The Grapevine community paper. 
A long version of the article with more details about wool & felting technique
is posted on my blog earlier on 2011/09/03.

 

With all of these appearances, just after 3 days, the ranking of the Wool Look with the "Wool Felt Heart-shaped Bib Necklace" has jumped from TOP 17 to TOP 12 out of 1000+ looks worldwide!

  It's been such an amazing experience throughout! 
Thank you all of you & keep share the link & vote!

Search FELTasticFashion at www.fashionbyfeelings.com
Direct link: http://www.fashionbyfeelings.com/?source=EComm#/look/416

WOOL FASHION COMEBACK

Article by Cecilia Ho
Edited by Laura Churchill Duke

"It's such a statement piece and so original! I love the pop of colours!" says Michelle Cillan in reference to Cecilia Ho's felted wool fashion designs.

Think About Wool. What comes to mind? Shrinkage? Itchy? Hand wash only? Probably not fashion pieces. However, thanks to research and improved production methods, wool is better than ever! Wool is not only a natural, durable, endlessly renewable and totally biodegradable material, it is also naturally stain resistant, wrinkle resistant, anti-microbial (body odor resistant), anti-static, fire retardant, self-extinguishing, excellent insulation, quick drying and some are even naturally water resistant! Wool fabrics also have a good UPF rating for both dry and wet situations and will protect against the sun's harmful rays! Merino wool is often used for athletic garments, as it breathes and wicks better than most synthetic fabrics. Mountain hikers, cyclists and even surfers wear them throughout both summer and winter! That is because wool is a natural temperature regulator. Wool draws moisture away from the skin and evaporates moisture, regulating body temperature in all conditions. Moreover, wool has a natural structure which allows it to absorb and release humidity. Research also shows that the itchiness of wool is related to tiny barbs on the fibre’s surface. Nowadays, wool processors have developed better wool treatments that help smooth out the barbs making wool much softer and more versatile.

Many countries are starting to make a big deal about wool too. In the UK, The Campaign for Wool, was initiated in 2008 by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. He has launched a Wool Week every year to promote the wool-related industries. This year, a major exhibition of Wool, titled Wool Modern, takes place in London between September 8 and 29, which focuses on the modern, innovative and avant garde use of wool throughout creative industries. The exhibition is set to break traditional perceptions of the wool fibre and create a new platform for wool in the 21st century. Even the top international fashion designers have shown the world in their Fall/Winter 2011 and Resort 2012 fashion shows that wool is IN and is very fashionable. Besides the typical use of wool for clothes, scarves and mittens, wool can be combined with different materials and techniques. Cecilia Ho of Port Williams does just this.

FELTasticFashion is an artistic project started in November 2010 by Cecilia Ho who believed that wool and fashion could be mixed together. Ho comes from good artistic genes: her father is a home decorator and carpenter, while her mother is a fashion designer and dress maker. Growing up in this environment has given her a passion to design, a desire to be a trend setter and the ability to make one-of-a-kind products that are not only beautiful but functional.

Ho had always wanted to work on a specific handicraft project, and it wasn't until reading a craft book last summer, that she stumbled upon the art of felting wool. Since then, Ho made her own label, FELTasticFashion, and has been experimenting with new ideas and making unique felted creations. "Felt It. Love It. Treasure It." is Ho's mantra. This can easily be seen in each of her creations that is lovingly handmade.

Everything Ho makes is from scratch with the best natural wool which comes locally from Gaspereau Valley Fibres. Ho uses the needle and wet felting process, beginning with raw sheep's wool, either dyed or natural coloured. Needle felting is done by needling the raw wool firmly with the felting needle. The needle is made of steel and has rough, notched edges that allow a person to punch repeatedly through the wool to intertwine its fibres. "A typical felt creation takes an hour or more to poke a felting needle in and out of a ball of wool thousands of times," says Ho. The wet felting method involves dampening the raw wool with hot soapy water, then rubbing or shaking it a lot. Wet felting also adds strength and smoothness to a large piece of work. Ho begins her creative work during the felting process.

With the felting technique and her fashion sense, Ho can handcraft anything from fashion pieces such as necklaces for adults and kids, bracelet and hair accessories to woolen cakes. "I love French pastry," says Ho, "so I created a felted cakes collection - something that can be kept forever." On the functional side, some of the woolen cakes are multi-use pincushions, jewelry boxes, CD keepsake, etc. Ho has done 3D sculptures and custom requests for customers from the US and Hong Kong via ETSY. "I love to design and create. I am totally thrilled when people I don't even know make nice comments about my creations."

News about the versatility of wool is spreading. In fact, the Australian Tourism Board wants to bring worldwide wool lovers together. So, the organization, We Love Wool, a campaign run by The Woolmark Company under the Australian Wool Innovation Limited, is hosing a Find "Fashion by Feelings" contest where participants around the world can enter photos of woolen piece that they made/wore, all in attempt to create a buzz around wool in hopes that people realize just how fashionable wool can be. Ho has entered her unique handmade "wool felt heart-shaped bib necklace" into the contest and has already received over 100 votes worldwide, ranking her Top 17 overall out of over 600 entries. (As of Sept. 27, 2011 ranking Top 11 out of 1000+ looks!) To help Ho win the grand prize trip to Australia - the birthplace of Merino wool, go online to www.FashionByFeelings.com to cast your vote. Go to the "top look" button or search "FELTasticFashion" on the top right side of the screen, and look for Ho's creation, as seen in the accompanying photo. Vote before the contest ends on Sept. 28, 2011 (AT). In addition, voter will get a chance to win a A$400 fashion pack from EMU Australia!

Interested in seeing and feeling the wool necklaces? Want to know how the felted cakes work as pincushion and jewelry/CD storage keepsake? Need some custom felting ideas? Meet Cecilia at two upcoming 2011 craft shows: Horton High School's 16th Annual Craft and Food Fair booth #140 (gym) on October 15 Saturday (9am-4pm) and another Christmas Craft show in November (TBA). Visit www.FELTasticFashion.com Up-to-date news is available from FELTasticFashion.blogspot.com and Facebook.

Direct link to vote: http://www.fashionbyfeelings.com/?source=EComm#/look/416

Or search FELTasticFashion at www.FashionByFeelings.com 

A BIG THANK YOU

THANK YOU especially to my first 100 voters worldwide!

It's YOU who make me stay at the TOP 17 out of  600+ Looks so far!

Your sweet comments are very much appreciated!

They are my motivation to design & handcraft more & more special felted creations!

THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN!

Only 1 month left before the contest closes on Sept. 29, 2011! 

Please continue to share the words & get me to the TOP & make the impossible possible!

 

 

Click here to VOTE

 From now until Sept. 29, 2011, please vote for ME at the AWI Woolmark Find "Fashion By Feelings" contest to win a trip to visit the origin of Merino Wool - Australia! 

Weekly prize draws are offered to voters like YOU by EMU Australia! 

Please support & share this link to your friends & anyone who loves WOOL like we do! 
Every LOVE counts! 

International voters please fill in postal code with 000000 in order to submit a valid vote. 
Thanks for your support!

http://www.fashionbyfeelings.com/?source=fb&look=416#/look/416

Felt It. Love It. Treasure It.

ETSY SHOP GRAND OPENING

FELTasticFashion Etsy shop is now LIVE to shoppers !

Seven of my favorite cakes are up for sale or for custom order.
 
I will continue to create more yummy cakes & please come back often!


***


On top, www.FELTasticFashion.com is almost ready!

However, I wish I have more times or extra hands.
Prior to build my website, I have to 'bake' more cakes & create more accessories
for FELTasticFashion's very first craft show in October 2011.


In the meantime, please stay with me at FELTasticFashion.blogspot.com