The Balloon Tree

the-balloon-tree-by-kelly-of-happy-whimsical-hearts

Coming together in a circle of women to create and share is a special thing.

Two weekends ago, that is what I did.

felt-tapestry-rice-pad

We sat circling the most luscious collection of wool. The colours, textures and scent enticed us.

And there I discovered the – so very addictive – art of needlefelting tapestries.

the-balloon-tree-creation

We were guided by lovely Waldorf artisan Mary Hirsch-Jones.

Mary has been touring this wonderful country of ours, teaching groups of women how to make weighted Waldorf dolls, create felt tapestries and more!

mary-needle-felting

Mary supplied us with a hessian rice pack to work on, which was a lovely change to the usual foam.

She poured delightful wool into the center of our circle, enticing us with the colours and textures. So much beautiful fibre to choose from!

felt-tapestry-workshop

With me, was my somewhat battered copy of the storybook, The Balloon Tree by Phoebe Gilman.

A story my mother read to me as a child, and which I now read to my children.

balloon-tree

The Balloon Tree is a story of hope and overcoming adversary.

Moon balloon, moon balloon, tickle the tree

Four balloons, more balloons, blossom for me

the-balloon-tree-felt-tapestry

As I chose fibre and started laying it and felting it into place, I held the story and illustrations in my mind. Slowly building the tree up out of the tapestry.

Before the beautiful balloons bloomed out, a riot of rainbow colour.

needle-felting

I will be felting more pictures I am sure. What a special day and a special craft to learn

Blessings, Kelly

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6 Comments

  • Reply Zena October 19, 2016 at 11:41 pm

    I gasped in the beauty of your balloon tree felted tapestry. Marvelous to see your favourite childhood story come to ‘life’.

    • Reply Kelly October 24, 2016 at 4:16 pm

      What a super lovely thing to say Zena. I still feel like pinching myself that *I* made it 🙂 such fun!

  • Reply Making a Waldorf weighted doll ~ Happy Whimsical Hearts October 24, 2016 at 10:02 am

    […] can read about Mary’s felt tapestry course here and more of my handmade projects […]

  • Reply A Spring Story Apron ~ Happy Whimsical Hearts November 14, 2016 at 7:31 pm

    […] can see my first felt tapestry here and my other handmade creations […]

  • Reply Anna November 20, 2016 at 5:59 am

    Wow! That is stunning! Working with wool is so tactile and sensuous, I love it too and the effects are so harmonious and beautiful. Well done. I love it! Hope you have it hung up somewhere special. I bet your children were enchanted by it. Clever mummy!

  • Reply Vists from the tooth fairy ~ Happy Whimsical Hearts February 20, 2017 at 9:20 am

    […] can see my other felted piece here and I will soon share a felted story apron too (here is a sneak […]

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