As 2024 slips into memories, and the hopes of a better new year abound, I reflected on what I was working on last year so I may make plans for this one.  A few of my plans for early 2024 were rearranged, with an unexpected hospital trip followed by lots of rehab. So I was left with an army of chickadee armatures, and a rearranged workshop I still should sit down and tell you about.

1) Chickadee armature in progress

During Glenn’s time in the hospital, I worked on Moose project bags. They wound up being a great distraction and carried all the fibre I needed in the bag too!

2) Glenn’s and my moose bags

Next was the tapestry project of the back of the parliament buildings. I had square 16, which also travelled well to the continuing doctors’ visits.

3.1) Under drawing underway for the back of parliamentary library square #16

3.2) My finished square, ready to be assembled with the other squares.

I also created a chickadee picture with a limited pallet. This is a very well-fed winter chickadee!

4) 2-D Winter Chickadee I made while Glenn did rehab.

Next was off to one of the 2 local gaming conventions, this time at a curling club downtown. I worked on another 3-D chickadee and then moved on to a 3-D moose head.

5.1-5.2) Chickadee on felting mat wings poisoned to be attached.  Finished Chickadee with Bat on a stick supervising library work at the guild studio.

5.3) starting to finalise the moose head noose shape.

I had come to the conclusion that I wanted to know more of the new Guild members but was having a terrible time with remembering names. So I started a series of Name tags in the hope of inspiring others to consider making their own too. I started with a train themed one for Glenn, which he could use at the guild or while he was gaming. I even wove a kumihimo lanyard for him.

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6.1-6.3) Glenn’s Name tag, adding a kumihimo lanyard, Trying it out at a guild social.

I was inspired by a photo of one of our guild members Summer holidays, so promptly felted her! I started on a name tag base but the size got away from me and it was a bit big for a name tag!

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7.1-7.3) Vicarious Vacation enjoyment!  It was a much better picture than a name tag.

About this time, Ann mentioned she had misplaced the name tag she had made for herself.  So I made her a new one, not mentioning I was making it for her, I kept asking her design questions. She even donated a bit of her handspun so I could add a name.

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8.1-8.3) Ann’s New name tag. She did find her old one as soon as I made this.

Ann asked me to join her in a project for the exhibition at the guild sale. She needed a dragon hand. With some consultation, I think I made a hand she was pleased with.

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9.1-9.2) The requested Dragon hand. Dragons obviously like sheep!

The second exhibition was at the Textile Museum in Almonte. I had been asked if the Mer’s might be available to participate. So I got busy finishing all but Miss Mer, who is still hiding somewhere in the house. She is going to be so disappointed she missed all the fun. Mrs. Mer got her red spots and hair. Shark Boy finally got his mohawk, and Mr. Mer got his pike spots! Miss Manta and Sharkette were both already complete. I hope they didn’t cause too much havoc at the Museum!

10.1) the Mer’s at the Textile Museum in Almonte

10.2) Mr Mer trying to get someone to play tennis with him, and Mrs Mer still admiring her hair.

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10.3-10.7) Most of the Mers and pets

I returned to the Moose bag theme, but this time I was working on the background and not the moose ground as it were.

11) Moose landscape in progress

My last project started in 2024 was my card exchange with Leonor, a Solstice Raven. I hope it has found a good spot in her felt collection. It must have used its wings to help move the package since it escaped just before the postal strike, and was particularly quick crossing the ocean! I really was planning for a smaller picture but kept getting distracted by creating the background!

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12.1-12.2) Solstice raven in progress and completed

Looking back on 2024, I have created a mix of both 2-ishD and 3-D projects. I can see I am avoiding getting wet. I am still having trouble keeping picture felting flat!!

For 2025 I hope to continue with name tags, another moose themed bag and find and finish Miss Mer….. I know you are good a hiding but I will find you!!!! I hope that maybe I can take my own vacation photos and felt them too.

Unfortunately, it’s my turn for Doctors’ appointments in January. Hopefully, they will not be too bad or as long as Glenn’s. Maybe I can do some felting as I recover! Better order more Wool!!!