​Hello all !
Just wanted to share an idea for a felting kit which you can make yourself . I asked Richard if he could come up with a template for a straight forward design which would look effective when finished  , and not take too long to make .
​This is  the first one. It's the typical view which we always seem to see when out on the fells . A Herdwick sheep , (or often several) either peering over the crest of  a hill , or over the bracken looking to see what you're up to  ! It should suit anyone  who just wants to try needle felting . If however, you have some experience , then the basic template can be used  & you can add your own creative touches, it  is approximately A4 size . I hope to have some of these available at the workshops too . Check  on the website  over the next week or two .

With regard to emails .Over the last couple of years at the workshops , many people have added themselves to the mailing list ,  and I've sent out the occasional heads up , but this year I'm just going to suggest that everyone checks the website on this page for any updates . There 's been a few problems with the emailing lists  , some people have not received the messages,  or for some reason they fail to send  and I receive strange error messages  . I may also use  facebook to let you know if there's any updates here too.
See you soon !
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 Hello everyone !
I hope you all  enjoyed  Christmas & New Year , January is already  past  , and  there are  now  early signs of Spring  here in the North West . Primroses  growing in some hedgerows , the crocus and daffodils seem to have beaten the snowdrops this year, and the buds are starting to open on some of the hedges  sprouting new leaf growth .
​We spent December and January taking a little bit of a break . We spent time with family over Christmas and enjoyed some time with our little Grandson  who was just recovering from a cold . He did benefit from some good sea air on the beach at St Bees , and also enjoyed a trip to the marine aquarium at Maryport a few miles from us .
As far as the felting goes , we've been preparing for the first few workshops of the year , the first of which is in March . Details for the 2020 workshops are here
The Hedgehog kits which so many people requested  last year have proved to be very popular,  as well as in the UK , quite a few have gone over the Atlantic  to the USA , along with a number of our felting pads which people  seems to like too . I always  use  the pads myself . I wanted something which was hard wearing and a nice size , and I also wanted something which had a white side , or a side I could use for white wool , meaning that the darker wool would not contaminate the work  because of using the same surface . 
Richard , has  completed couple of his cushions too ,  including a highland cattle design which he's never done before . 

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Something else which was much sought after were the Metal needle holders which take up to 6 needles . Those who've been to the workshops will have used them and seen just how  well they work ,  the extra weight  adds momentum  giving the needles more  impact adding to the efficiency , it also means they are easier to use . Of course a lot of people wanted one for themselves . We were, temporarily , able to get a very limited supply of them specially made  last year , but they quickly sold out,  and I've been  asked if we can get any more ?
Well I'm excited to say , that we have now approached a local engineering business with the tooling to manufacture some for us . They will be very similar to the previous ones but we've  asked them to make a couple of small alterations to the ergonomics , which we think  will make them look and feel  even better ! Can't wait to see the finished product and give them a try ! Of course I will put photos  on the website when we get them .
I am now working on an new idea which will add a little more variety  to the workshops . I didn't have the time to do this  last year . Again I will keep you posted 
Looking forward to the rest of the year and  meeting everyone at the workshops , both new and familiar faces alike  .