It's time for the Pinterest Winter Edition hosted by Bower Power and Young House Love
I finally made myself a felted ball wreath! This has been on my to do list for years.
Inspirations from here. LOVE LOVE LOVE the original.
I can't even begin to tell you how ridiculously long this took me because I continually underestimated the number of balls I would need to finish. I never want to wet felt another thing in my life... I think there is around 350 balls on this 16" wreath... And the first round of 100 balls that I made were way too small so all of those had to be redone... I'm balled out.
But isn't it GORGEOUS in my entry?! (whatever I love it! lol) After my 3rd batch of balls proved to be insufficient I was really hoping Uber would tell me he hated it (he had said when I showed him my pinspiration picture that he wasn't a fan) so I was ready to scrap it and use the balls elsewhere. Unfortunately -fortunately?!- he decided that he actually really liked it.... so one more day of felting and I finally was able to complete it... I absolutely have to say that this wasn't a process I enjoyed I just wasn't willing to shell out the cash for this many premade balls.
To make these I tightly rolled the felt and spent a few seconds needle felting it into the ball shape to make sure everything would stay in place. Then I wet felted using hot water and soap. Generally I worked with each ball twice and when I was done I ran them through the dryer on high heat for two hours.
I thought making them would be fun to include Micah in. He did get a kick out of it. However the ball making part was lost on him. He liked squishing the balls and putting too many balls in the water... and playing with soap and generally making a massive mess.
It was highly entertaining for the both of us. Then I set him up with a hairdryer and let him blow them around... because it made him very happy! When he was bored I threw them all in the dryer.
If you are looking for a fun kid project this was definitely enjoyable- just don't expect results!
Totally worth it! (now that it's done!)
Oh my. I appreciate your dedication. I want one but your post made me realize I do not have the patience. But it's so stinking pretty....
ReplyDeleteIt is really cool! I admire your determination!
ReplyDeleteI love the look! I wanted to make one myself...until I looked into the instructions :P Good for you for sticking to it!
ReplyDeleteawesome wreath! this one has been on my to-do list for several years too, but i may have to wait until i can find premade felt balls. looks like your little guy had fun "helping". :)
ReplyDeleteLove it! You know I'm gonna have to try it right? Looks so pretty in your entry!
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing! I've done some needle felting, but I've only made animals so far. I haven't heard to wet felting at all, so now I'll have to go google it. I'm not sure I'd have the patience for this project either, but I sure admire the end result!
ReplyDeleteThat wreath is awesome! I want to make one so bad. But did your hands not itch really bad from forming them? Maybe I just have an allergy. I guess i'll just have to buy them ready made. Great job! I love it.
ReplyDeleteI kind of felt that way about my pom pom wreath but yours was much more involved and tedious. But sooooo gorgeous!!!! I Really really like this.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I love the earthiness of felted wool. I also love that your little man is right in there helping and discovering his own creative talents. Good job MOM!
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