needle felted nest
I just told someone that I run a blog, which is a bit of an overstatement since I haven’t been in here in a year. Too busy being retired. Too depressed over the state of the nation. But there’s a lot going on now, and I thought I might share.
Took a Janet Rogers week-long watercolor class at Cheap Joes last week and had a ball. Ran into some old friends and just learned a lot in a very peaceful, comfortable setting up on that cool mountaintop. I’m on a waiting list for another class in October by the illustrator Brenda Swensen. Got my fingers cross on this one.
A recent trip to Black Mountain put me in search mode for Freeman Beard who has a show at Seven Sisters on the main street. He lives in Durham but teaches locally and often. I managed to get on his mailing list so I am hopeful for a few lessons from him.
But in addition to redecorating my bedroom (paint, wallpaper, new furniture and curtains), I am severely into needle felting. It’s like sculpting with wool instead of clay or paper mache (which I also do now) by using a needle to shape things like animals, masks; just about anything, I’ve made a rabbit and a bird’s nest, and I’m working on an owl and some tiny birds.
If you’re looking for something different, needle felting is a challenge and very fun. This fall I’m headed to a Georgia alpaca farm for a needle felting class of a sleeping chipmunk. Looking forward to that, and hopefully this will kick my butt into posting more. “hopefully.”
whimseytopia 
Hi Patsye, Are you still needle felting? Would love to see some of your creations! Come on back and give us a peek at what you’ve been up to!
Welcome back! Sounds like you have been making great time of your retirement. You continue enjoying life and drop us a post when you can 😉
I am happy to hear you are having fun and enjoying retirement.
I’m convinced we could be great friends. It seems our passions are so similar. You caused me to fall down a rabbit hole today. I was delighted to spend more time than I should have studying the works of the artists you mentioned. I had several “a-ha” moment which I’m always grateful for. I’m dying to try needle felting but can’t pull my self away from painting (watercolor) at the moment. I’m entering 4 paintings in a show next week…for the first time ever. I’m terribly excited and nervous all at the same time. I too am loving every moment of retirement. It has been a real adventure finding myself.
Hi Patsye..it was fun to read what you have been up to! I too have not blogged much this year. Busy and harried year. Just renewed my subscription for my blog, so I guess I plan to blog again too…even if only a little. Hope we will see some of those watercolors you are doing! You are a marvelous artist….no matter what medium you use! Hugs!
Talk about a busy lady! So glad to “hear” from you Patsye! Sounds like you are loving this retirement thing…