This is the amazing John Michael Kohler Art Center where I did my artist-in-residence DIY workshops. I was busy-busy as the turn out was FABULOUS! It was so inspiring to be around such a diverse group of people excited to MAKE stuff! As mentioned previously, my workshop was MYOB, Make Your Own Bag. We had all kinds of materials on hand: T-shirts, neck ties, jeans, plastic bags, candy wrappers...you name it. I provided inspirational examples and the staff and I were available for sewing and "design" assistance...and the participants did the rest! Check out my JMKAC flickr set to see some of the results. Oh, and while you're there, check out the bathroom photos! This is Kohler of Kohler sinks, tubs and toilets, you know. Their bathrooms are famous!As an extra bonus for me, 2 of my dear friends made the trip up from Madison to meet me! My buddy Natasha helped out all day during the open-studio assisting with the plastic bag fusing. Thanks Natasha, I couldn't have done it without you!
Here's my lake. Ok, it's not MY lake, it's lake Michigan. I was so close (just a few blocks away) I had to go by and visit it every day I was in town. When my all-day workshop was over and I was exhausted, we went down and walked barefoot on the beach. Ahh, that was therapeutic. Dang, if that water isn't cold though, WOO!As wonderful as the trip was, I am happy to be back home with my family, I missed them so much! I'll need a day or so to find my footing and then I will be back with some more FUN stuff! I want to show you some great bag ideas from the week, especially one involving old neckties, you're going to love it!
8 comments:
You are Very Welcome it was very nice to see you!!!!!
That was so fun to see! I'm originally from Sheboygan (now in Minneapolis) and I miss Lake Michigan!
-Karin
Hi. I live in Frederick, MD and recently read an old article about you in Country Living. It was so cool to read about someone who lives nearby so I had to look you up. Frederick County Parks and Rec is having a felting class at Rose Hill Manor on Nov. 11 and I was thinking that it would be so cool if you came. :D
All I can say is I want that bathroom.
It looks like you had a great time and what a facility. Love the bags and the fun ladies!
Hello Betz -
It looks like you had a great time!
Inspired by your blog and the purchase of your book I went on a little thrift for sweaters - and I'm HOOKED! Oh my. I came home with about 20 of them (could have easily doubled that amount) and spent my entire Saturday (into the wee hours of Sunday) felting and de-constructing them.
Note to self - there is a REASON that you recommend washing them in a zippered pillow case or a mesh bag. I may NEVER be able to completely vacuum up all the fuzz. I left a trail! :)
It was sooooooooo much fun. I've made a couple pillows and a business card holder, and I have all sorts of ideas for more projects. Of course I'll need LOTS more sweaters!! I've mapped out all the thrift stores in about an 80 radius around my house... LOL.
Thanks for sharing your warm fuzzies with us!
Andrea
Sounds like you had a nice time! I know what you mean about walking by the lake....it recharges your battery!
Ooooohhhh mannnn - you are from Sheboygan? My Sheboygan??? Wow - Well, I didn't actually grow up in Sheboygan, but that was the "big city" for me because I grew up in Cedar Grove, the little Dutch town to the south! And yes, I klompen (wooden shoe) danced on main street for like twelve years!
Fortunately, I now live in Michigan, on the other side of Lake Michigan, and actually this side is a fair bit nicer - I enjoy more sunsets than I ever did sunrises! And the water is warmer!
I have just been catching up on your blog - wow I hope I can remember all the things I wanted to comment about - ooh - one of the first things is I looked at your tutorial for sewing the felted wool together. Just had a question - if I don't want to add that pokey kind of felting stuff to the seams, how do you recommend to just plain sewing the seams together when sewing the felted sweaters? I bought a ton of sweaters when I first read of this, and then here they are ready to go, and now I can't remember what I all wanted to sew! So I will keep watching!
Another thing - I always have a lot of empty pill bottles every month (the orange ones from Walgreens) and I feel SO BAD about using so much plastic for that. But I can't think of anything to do with them???!!! And Walgreens won't let me bring in my own bottles to be refilled even for myself - it is such a huge waste! Any ideas?
Well, I love your blog, love your work, and am so proud of you for being on Martha!!! And proud you are from Sheboygan county! (I was born in Memorial Hospital there if it counts for anything!)
So hugs to you from Michigan - Diane (Vruwink) Carlson
Hi Littlealma,
Thanks for your comment. Here ya go:
1)No, I'm not from Sheboygan, but lived in WI for 9 years.
2)No need to needlefelt the seams, just zigzag together as shown. Just a different look.
3)Check out my book Warm Fuzzies if you need more sweater project ideas!
4) Pill bottles: recycle them if you can!
Betz :)
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