Saturday, August 8, 2009

Wooly boots











Raising sheep is so wonderful to me. I love the way they never fail to say *good morning* or *hello* to me whenever I go for my pasture walk. They serve me well with their wonderful wool .... so many things I do with it and want to do it. I love, love farm life .
Today I want to show you something that I made and plan to use this coming Winter. It is a pair of wool boots. It is so incredible warm and comfortable I don't know how to explain. It does not itch at all, just very very comfy.
I first made a flat felt by layering the wool... first layer was horizontal , the second vertical then I repeated several times to achieve a thick , layer.... I think I did this 8 times. Sorry , this is not a tutorial as I hardly remember to get my camera when I am working.
You can look at you tube for videos that says * wet felting* or search on line... is not not hard to find.
Okay, after I wet felt I end up with a relatively thick wool sheet. I am missing pictures for the next step...sigh... I made a pattern by stepping on a piece of paper and draw the bottom of my foot and the side of my foot/leg. Well that second one is hard to explain , but here You will find some instructions , I think, and also this is where I bought my sole. I highly recommend this artist , this soles are perfect and so easy to finish the boots.
Once I had the boots on shape ( they were bigger at this stage) , I added lots of soaps and hot water. Felting begins here . I squished and rubbed as much as I could then I rinsed with cold water . I repeated the same thing over and over until the wool felted and shrunk. It is a *feeling* type of thing but is not difficult at all.






Final rinse. I wasn't sure if the wool was going to be next to the skin so I left my boots a little larger . I thought perhaps I would wear some socks . It turned up that I don't need socks at all ... the boots are very comfortable .







The boots were placed on my clothes line to dry. it is important to *shape* like your feet , then remove the boots very carefully so the shape will maintain during the drying process.
I was thrilled when my soles arrived. The artist made then from rubber and leather . I loved it!*grin*'
She included an instruction and everything I needed to finished this pair.

I can not wait until a cold day that I can wear it . I think I will make a second pair... my children already asked me about it!!
I will leave you with a picture from my porch. It is so very lovely here . I love to sit here and watch the animals , while I draw or sip on a cup of tea.... It is one of mine and Mark favorite place to be.

























12 comments:

b.b.flockling * Rose said...

You never cease to amaze me...

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Oh Tita! These are wonderful! Me as well, you never cease to amaze me with your skill to take anything, and shape something from it and into it! Your love for the animals and their gifts to you is evident in all that you do. I love the felt that is a result of your work; there is a "Fiber shop" in my neighborhood where the woman makes jewelry out of wool and into felt. Watching and reading how you did this is a hidden and specialized art that us "city folk" are unaware of! God bless you my dear friend! Anita

Woolytales Miniatures said...

Dearest Rosa and Anita, thank you both for your lovely comments.It is easier than you think to make these boots... not much of skill at all... I just don't knwo how to explain it ....smiles~

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Bonjour ma chèrie! You make it look easy, but I am sure for a city woman like me, I would most definitely need to practice at this! Besides, I have a glumsiness with goats!!!! :) Anita

Jdee said...

How wonderful Patricia! You are so smart and creative! I LOVE your new boots! and those goats are just precious!
xoxo

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Ma chère amie,
Thank you for visiting my blog and seeing my theatre...yes, like you the theatre holds much magic and fond memories for me that I just had to make my own! The play shall begin soon! Anita

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Bonsoir ma cherie!
I am so glad to see that you visited the blog today, in spite of the fact that you worked sooooo hard on your pottery! 10 hours! You are most definitely a hard and dedicated artist. I love it! I hope that my blurb on your work is O.K.....I will give another reminder for my next post. I can't wait to do my Angel Award on you....I will dedicate the entire post to you!!!! I suspect that while I am writing this at 12:15am, you are tucked into bed, sleeping and dreaming of lovely creations! A demain ma chère amie, Anita

Woolytales Miniatures said...

Anita you are so special. Not many poeple that I know are like you. Thank you so much. Yes, grin, I was sound sleep butis very early and I am up and working now. I can't wait to saturday to come to your *play*, mon amour.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Bonjour ma chèrie! I look forward to your presence at my play! It is short and sweet, but fun! A bienôt, Anita

The Dutchess said...

Dearest..I heard from Anita there is some difficulty leaving comments on my blog...I now you are visiting..we all love to see you stroll through our garden..Hug from all of us..Greetings from a mouse a bear and a frog;)

North River Valley Akitas Puppies for Sale said...

I adore your hand made wool boots! Very creative and cozy! I will have to try that once we get our sheep!
Beautiful blog and family.
love, Tomi

Woolytales Miniatures said...

Hi Tomi, Nice to *see* you here.
You will love to raise the sheep and to care for them. The wool is a special gift that they give to you. I knwo you will make azing things with it. The boots are easier than it looks and water felting is a lot of fun. I remenber years ago, i tried to explain Angi how to water felt.. I wonder if she ever tried... your family is very artistic so I know you will all be making beautiful thngs!Love~

 
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