I can't tell you how much time I've spent trying to find the exact color of wool batt in Merino to add spot color to faces, etc. I wanted something very soft so it would look real. I finally gave up and realized I had to dye my own to get exactly what I wanted.

So, I went to the store and bought some Kool Aid, no sugar added, in a cherry red color. I put a half teaspoon into the water and added the white merino wool. When the water turned clear I rinsed the wool and, much to my surprise, had a vey bright red color. My dolls would look like they had a night out on the town if I used that color. Back to the drawing board.

Now clearly a half teaspoon was way too much, so for the next attempt I slowly dropped in a few grains of the Kool Aid. The water quickly turned a very light shade of pink and looked just about right. Dropped in the next batch of white Merino. After the water turned clear, I removed the wool and guess what! The exact shade I'm looking for. So the moral to that story is to go very slowly with the Kool Aid because, while you can add more, you can't take any out.

Does anyone have a life once they get bit by the felting bug? I often go to bed at night planning what color to use the next day or what type of clothes to make for my doll. Or if I should make a doll or an animal. I love baby animals so I usually head in that direction.

Well, I'm off to put some Jammies on a cute little red head.

Did you ever take an online class and just feel something is missing? I take them from time to time to see if there are any new techniques out there. After the last one I've decided not to take another one.

Not only was the information I signed up for missing in the class but the person who wrote the class was very testy if you asked a question. All sweetness and light before you pay. So, I've been cured.

Now, having said that, I do have an exception. Birgitte Krag Hansen! She has a class online that actually tells you all you need to know and then some. Price is very reasonable also. Not for beginners though. You do need to have some experience. Considering English is a second language for her it is well written and informative.

This little kitty is about to take a swat at his friend. (I'm making the friend today.) I made this practice piece to try out a new way to attach the legs which did work out very well. The limbs are poseable on this sculpture.

He has a very soft finish, done with a short fiber Merino wool. I've been experimenting with different finishes to see which get the best results. I love using the Merino wool because it does not leave the "dreaded fuzzies" on the surface. I don't like the look of loose fiber poking out of the finish. No matter how well you work the surface there always seems to be one or two fibers standing straight up.

So, today I need to add whiskers to this little fellow and make him a friend.

My mill end roving arrived yesterday. I was pleasantly surprised. All clean wool roving ready to use. Now, what to do with it. It does felt well so, as promised, here is the link to a really good bargain: http://www.thesheepshedstudio.com/Roving.html

I'm using some of the white for a kitten and it does seem to felt well. At $7.50 a pound it was worth a try. Shipping is a killer though. $11 which is almost as much as the cost of the wool. They use USPS to ship. Still a good bargain.