A chilly Southern California Tuesday morning, November 17, 2015.

Today we dry felted (needle-felted) Christmas trees! As you can see from photos (click here to see last year’s project), this was a wildly popular craft last year. Christine Newell has specially hand-dyed a great selection of gorgeous Wensleydale and other curly sheep and soft and shiney suri alpaca wool for making these trees.

We started by rolling some washed raw fleece into large conical shapes. Christine has previously washed this beautiful dark brown fleece in cold water cycles three times, in her top-loading home washing machine, to get rid of the lanolin and VM.  These dark brown fleece would be used as the hidden core of our Christmas tree. Some of us lamented that such beautiful fibers should not be hidden inside the tree!

We formed the cores of the trees by rolling and shaping the fibers with our hands. Subsequently, we tied that up with twine.

Some of us would add a layer of white wool batting (Christine, is that white layer necessary?) to our core. Next, we focused on getting an overall pleasing tree shape that can stand stably. I.e., the structure should not topple.

We added a base layer of color, then carefully embellished the tree with foliage from the bottom row working our ways upward.

The pre-school class walked by on their way to their nature walk. Little ones would call out to their mothers behind the vine fence in the craft group. It was heart-warming!

Gisela who lived surrounded by the fir trees in Lake Tahoe for many years, made realistic looking trees.

Gisela holding her grand-daughter who just came out from Parent-Toddler class over the fence from craft group.

I made a tiny finger puppet tree gnome. He went home with Corinna.

Shameless plug: I also sell finger puppet gnomes on Castle of Costa Mesa Etsy shop here. On Black Friday November 27, 2015, I will be selling my finger puppet gnomes at $10 each at Piecemakers Country Store 12pm-5pm. I will also be selling my other handwork (no shipping charges if you purchase from me directly) Thankgiving weekend Friday and Sunday.

I love how intriguing Corinna’s tree looks with the swiggly textures of luscious alpaca wool locks.

Upon request, I made a face for Isa’s Tree Spirit.

Later on, Isa texted me this photo – she has made more.

Someone who chose to remain nameless, made these ADORABLE felt teddy bears with bow ties for our Winter Festival Elves Workshop! Aren’t they too cute? Be sure to complete your Winter Festival kit on time and return them to the Company of Angels basket.

Thank you Sonia for making these special candle holders for the children for Elves Workshop.

Our Winter Festival will be on Saturday, December 5, 2015 1-5:30pm. Free to attend.

Take a look at our Winter Festival Elves workshop from a previous year.

WSOC Winter Festival 2013

Gisela brought in her ornate handmade leather medicine bags. She made this one as a surprise Christmas present for her 6 year old grandson. WOW!

Corinna made more than one tree. Her second one was needle-felted with off-white Wensleydale sheep’s wool lock, giving a snowy and vintage look to the tree.

Thank you Christine for yet another hearty and fun craft group morning!

– Jzin

Jzin’s Upcoming Classes on Thanksgiving Weekend 2015