Felting fun :)

[cypher]

I recently got the needle felting bug after falling in love with the amazing creations by Lucy at The whispering wild (http://www.thewhisperingwild.co.uk/), it will be a long time before I can even aspire to anything like that but decided I'd have a go & as my first proper attempt is a Chinese ham I thought I'd share it here :)
I can't quite get the colour right, might do a dom spot next, it would be an awful lot easier but otherwise I'm quite pleased & have grown attached to my new ham already lol!

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[SKB_Hamsters]

Wow! Your needle felt Chinese hamster looks amazing!

[souffle]

aww that is just adorable - I love it :)

[Coco61]

Super cute, cypher. Easy to take care of too! Any name??

[cypher]

Thanks SKB, souffle & Coco :)
Very easy to take care of & no taming issues Coco ;) I have been thinking of names but haven't come up with anything yet!

[dreamtree1234]

Oh, WOW!!! That felty Chineses ham is just precious and absolutely perfect in every way. I totally understand why you grew so attached to that one so quickly - I love it!!! Lol, no problem with taming! :) I love all the attention to details, especially the expressive eyes, lovely stripe on its back, and ooh-so-cute sweet tail. I wonder what your darlings would thing of it, lol. You sure are extremely talented in so many artistic mediums. I so wish that I could create something that marvelous and realistic looking. I look forward to seeing more of your felties; I'm sure they will be lovely just like this one. I also would love to know what you decide to name it, too. :)

[Goldie Flower]

Your Chinese ham looks amazing! It's so cute and I'm glad to hear there's been no troubles with taming ;) Can't wait to see more, so adorable! I love it's little paws :D

[BorisPasha]

I was going to ask if you had a name but Coco beat me to it :mad: I love the way he/she sits so still for the photographs too :mad:

You're very talented cypher :D I'll look forward to seeing feltie Zeki ;)

[astrid]

This felt hammy is very cute!

[cypher]

Thank you all so much :)
I still haven't quite decided on a name yet...
I haven't introduced her to the boys . but it will be fun to see what they think :)
I'm looking forward to making a Zeki soon & a little Russian too, I think that may be a bit harder as they have less definition to their shape & it might just end up looking like a blob lol! we shall see!
I'm just doing a sleeping ham in her nest at the moment, have to wait for some polystyrene balls (things you never thought you'd order from amazon!!) to shape the nest around before I can finish that one.
I had a go at my first armature so I can make a standing one & showed it to Zeki yesterday while I tried to check the proportions but he wasn't impressed & was more interested in food & emptying his sand bath :)
That one's on hold at the moment & just looks a bit like a skeleton with pink bed socks so far ;)

[BorisPasha]

Oh yes, I'm sure the boys will be very curious when they meet her :D

I'm sure if the Russian looks like a blob it will be a very cute blob :mad:

[cypher]

I'm sure if the Russian looks like a blob it will be a very cute blob :mad:
lol! thank you for the vote of confidence BP ;)

I'm still putting a few finishing touches to my sleepy girl in her nest but she's almost done so I'll post a couple of photos now.
I think the nest took me longer than the ham! I just couldn't get it any way that I liked for a while but I'm reasonably happy with it now.

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[BorisPasha]

It's lovely cypher :D

[dreamtree1234]

Wow, it is truly darling, Cypher! I love it; the adorable ham looks all nice and cozy slumbering in the lovely nest. AMAZING!!! :)

[SKB_Hamsters]

Adorable! She looks very comfy in her nest to!

[Thin Lizzy]

WOW Cypher, more of your hidden talents and you excel. Your felt.ham is so beautiful.

[cypher]

Thank you BP, dreamtree, SKB & Lizzy :)

[Ruth Edwards]

That's so clever, you have a real knack for detail

[astrid]

The sleepy hammy is so cute, so beautifully done! :)

[cypher]

Thanks Ruth & astrid :)
I do enjoy the details the most Ruth, each time I finish one I can see how I could have done it better so I think I might be making quite a few more now!
I showed Zeki his hopefully to be look a like yesterday & he just bit it's nose so I don't think he was too impressed! ;)

[velma]

You've done a brilliant job, cypher. Really good. I think she's adorable.

[cypher]

Thanks velma, I remember you posting some really cute needle felting a while ago too :)

[Drago]

These are absolutely brilliant! I saw the ones you made on Instagram, absolutely amazing. I imagine it must be tedious? Excellent work either way :)

[cypher]

Thanks Drago :)
It's not tedious at all actually, they begin to take shape really quickly (not always the right shape but still!) so it's very satisfying & gets a bit addictive ;)

[BorisPasha]

I showed Zeki his hopefully to be look a like yesterday & he just bit it's nose so I don't think he was too impressed! ;)

I laughed when I read this :mad: Maybe Zeki didn't think it was handsome enough, or perhaps he thought it was more handsome than him and was jealous ;) I actually showed Sparky my little feltie hamsters and he tried to bite Max's back and when I wrestled it from him he ran over and tried to bite Jaska's ear :rolleyes: Funny he would pick on the shy hamster and Max who only had 3 legs :mad:

Anyway I'm derailing your thread. I hope you will show us feltie Zeki soon, if Zeki approves of course ;)

[Merle]

Your needle felt projects look truly amazing! They're so tiny and cute :3

I've been felting for a while myself and after seeing your little hams I think I'm going to make one too!

This is one of mine :)

[cypher]

Aww! Merle that is so cute, love it :)

BP Sparky's cheeky antics with your feltie hams made me laugh too :D Zeki wasn't impressed I don't think, may feltie is no where near as handsome as he is lol!
I keep meaning to post some more but keep forgetting, I'll sort some photos out soon!

[cypher]

I found it a bit hard to get decent photos of my feltie Zeki & little Russian (no one in particular, a bit of a generic hybrid really!) but here they are anyway :)

I did get a chance to hold "Zeki" up against the real thing before he tried to eat it again & it's nowhere near long enough & certainly not handsome enough but not bad for a first try I guess ;)

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First attempt at a little Russian.

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And another little sleepy chinesey, I love doing these :)

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[cypher]

A few other animals, I've been felting quite a lot lol!

Mum & baby mice!

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Squirrel.

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And finally a mountain hare (still looks a bit like a rabbit I think! ;)) I'm putting a few final touches on this one but it's almost done now.

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[SKB_Hamsters]

Wow! They all look incredible and very lifelike! At first glance I thought the first photo of Zeki's feltie was Zeki so you have done a very good job at getting it to look like your handsome Zeki - it was cute hearing how he bit his feltie on the nose obviously showing him who's boss!. Your Russian looks adorable as well as your sleeping Chinese and mice.
I really love the adorable red Squirrel and the mountain hare!

[Thin Lizzy]

Blimey you've been busy. So impressive and gorgeous!

[cypher]

Thanks SKB & Lizzy :)

[Drago]

These are very cute, and so real looking! You're quite skilled, I must say :) How long have you been doing this?

[cypher]

Thanks Drago :) I haven't been doing it long, about a month I guess but I'm really enjoying it & learning fairly quickly, still lots more to learn though!

[Drago]

Thanks Drago :) I haven't been doing it long, about a month I guess but I'm really enjoying it & learning fairly quickly, still lots more to learn though!

Only a month? You're already amazing! Keep up the good work :)

[BorisPasha]

I could defintely recognise Zeki's feltie :D I think it's great! The little Russian, mice, squirrel, sleepy Chinesey and hare are fantastic too. You've done an incredible job considering you've only been doing it for a month. You've got a real talent for it :D

[cypher]

Thanks BP :)

[SunnyOy]

WOW, this is so amazing, so impressive, and so vivid!!!

[cypher]

Thank you SunnyOy :)

[cypher]

Another feltie to share :)
I think this is what they call a labour of love :) A little tribute to my girl who loved her veg & tofu more than anything!
Not sure if I'm going to do a bit more to it or not yet but it's more or less finished now.

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You have to use a bit of imagination with the blueberry, I don't have the right colour wool but couldn't not do one ;)

[souffle]

wow that one is an amazing tribute <3

[Coco61]

Oh cypher, that is a unique and touching tribute to your special girl. Made me quite teary.

[SKB_Hamsters]

Beautiful feltie of Zen enjoying her veg and tofu. This is such a wonderful tribute to you amazing and gorgeous girl. I'm sure she would approve!

[cypher]

Thanks guys :)
I'd been wanting to make something special for her since I started doing this but it took me a while to get an idea of what, I am pleased with it & it's nice to have something to make me smile & remind me of happy times :)

[dreamtree1234]

I'm just catching up on your latest felting masterpieces. You are EXTREMELY talented and so very artistic, Cypher. Wow, only doing it for a month and creating such spectacular, detailed pieces that evoke so much emotions is a true testament of your craftmanship and magical, artistic touch. I love all of them so very much especially the Zeki, sleeping Chineseys, red squirrel, mountain hare, and of course the amazing and touching tribute to your gorgeous, beloved Zen. Zen enjoying her yummy veggies definitely made me cry; what a perfect way to remember her beautiful life and all the happiness the two of your shared. Thank you for sharing your very special projects with us; I am enjoying seeing them so very much. :)

[cypher]

Thank you for such kind words dreamtree :) I'm glad you enjoyed seeing them.

[Jeanbird7]

Very nice....

[cypher]

Thank you :)

[Thin Lizzy]

What an amazing and gorgeous tribute to Zen, it brought a tear to my eyes, you really are so talented.

[dreamtree1234]

Have you had an opportunity to do any more of these amazing felting projects lately? You really are extremely talented and gifted in so many different artistic mediums, and I always am in awe with your creations. :)

[cypher]

Thanks for asking dreamtree, I haven't done any for quite a while now, hope I haven't forgotten how! I think it's going to be more of a winter thing really, when it hasn't been too hot to do anything at all (& I don't think hot sweaty hands & super sharp needles would be a good combination!) I've been busy keeping my bees happy in the garden over the summer :)
I certainly want to do more so I'll post some photos when the cold dark days are here & I'm back in felting mode :)

Thank you Lizzy, sorry I missed your post before now. I'm so glad I made that tribute to Zen, I still miss her so much & I've found it really comforting to have by me.

[dreamtree1234]

Yes, I totally agree that it is probably best to wait for the cooler months as I certainly don't want you to injure yourself with a sharp needle. Your visiting bees are sure lucky to have you caring for them; you are not only the dwarf whisperer, but you are also the bee whisperer, too. Have fun with the bees and your hamily, and I will looking forward to seeing your gorgeous felting creations whenever you return to felting mode again, lol. :) Zen's felting tribute was really amazing and truly touching; I'm glad that it gives you a sense of comfort being near it. Zen was such a special heart-ham and we all love and miss her so. Hugs to you, Cypher.

[flowerfairy]

Incredible. I love the squirrel and zen with her veggies (rip).

Quite wonderful. Almost looking forward to winter now so that we can see some more of your creations!

[Thin Lizzy]

I so feel your love for Zen, she really was so special and I know I got very attached to her. It's hard not to get attached to other people's hams.

[cypher]

Thank you dreamtree, ff & Lizzy :)

[cypher]

I haven't done any felting for ages now, somehow just didn't get in the mood but after doing the little heart for Zyl I got thinking about it again & have a little one on the go, hopefully I can do my boy justice....

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While I'm working on that I found some meece I haven't posted (still have some whiskers to finish!) so here they are having fun with Zeki's train :)

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[cypher]

Another labour of love complete, a little tribute to Zyl with a mini muffin as he loved them so & another little heart for him.
I was thinking about giving him wings but thought it might spoil him so I just made him some little white feathers instead.

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Sorry if it's a bit photo spam! I couldn't choose which ones to post.

[souffle]

Just stunning - a wonderful tribute x

[cypher]

Thank you souffle.

[mikatelyn]

Wow, these are incredible!

[cypher]

Thank you mikatelyn.

[Cotton]

Cypher, these are beautiful. Fantastic!

[Coco61]

Wow cypher, skilful and loving tribute to little Zyl and he will always be with you.

[mangoandmimi]

Such a nice tribute it is beautiful :)

[cypher]

Thank you Cotton, Coco & mangoandmimi.
It is nice to have something like this to keep, I'm finding him very comforting to have around :)

[pinkpixie]

A very beautiful and thoughtful tribute.

[SKB_Hamsters]

That is an incredible felt Zylvan- and a wonderful heartfelt tribute to him! Love that he has his favourite muffin too!

[dreamtree1234]

Absolute perfection! A truly spectacular and heartfelt tribute to your beloved, precious Zyl! It made me cry. I love that you create such beautiful, little felt babies in memory of those that have now gone to the bridge, and Zyl's was so sweet, too. I'm sure that Zyl is looking down at his amazing, loving mum and is giddy that you have a special heart and mini-muffin for his look-a-like, too. This is such an amazing tribute to such an unforgettable heart-ham. I love all of the pics capturing him so sweetly, especially the one with him at the bridge with his feathers, muffin, and heart and the one with you offering him his scrumptious mini-muffin. Of course, I love the three cute mice on the adorable train as well. You are so talented and always capture what is in your loving heart, Cypher; perfect in every way! Hugs to you and blown kisses to your sweet Zyl at the Rainbow Bridge. I sure miss him.

[cypher]

Thank you Pinkpixie, SKB & dreamtree, glad you like him & his mini muffin :)

[Thin Lizzy]

WOW cypher! Your amazing, beautiful tribute to Zylvan left me speechless. You have a wonderful talent and I felt that bond and love.

[cypher]

Thank you Lizzy, I think it's a lot easier to do when it's done with love!

[Pebbles82]

I have just caught up with this - they really are amazing! You are very clever - I am cack-handed at sewing! I can knit thought. I know what you mean about doing it with love - my baking can be hit and miss unless it's a birthday cake done with love :-)

[cypher]

Thanks Serendipity, I'm not much use at sewing either & I certainly can't knit!

[cypher]

A few more felties to share :)

I finally had a go at making a little tribute to Zeki, I got some things wrong & it doesn't do my beautiful boy justice really but I do like it all the same & my heart is in it so I guess that's what counts!
He always loved to throw his sand everywhere so I had fun glueing & sealing sand lol! Made him some of his favourite seeds too :)

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A little mouse sleeping in the woods.

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[cypher]

And finally a little woodland shrew.

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[Isleofhamsters]

Amazing! He looks a bit like a Syrian/ Chinese hamster but you are doing great!

[Coco61]

That is just lovely cypher. Maybe the Zeki details are not all correct but only you can spot those. To me he is there in spirit brought to life by your skill and love. Love the extra details of the wood, sand and seeds. The snoozing mouse and the shrew are cute too. You must have quite a group display by now.

[Ruth Edwards]

these are just lovely Cypher, you are a true artist.

[Ashy]

Wow! Love all your creations they are just too cute! :)

[cypher]

Thank you all for the lovely comments :)

Cocoa I think you're right, I get a bit over critical when I'm making them but a few days after finishing I can see his spirit & character there more & more :)
I do have quite a collection now, getting a bit cluttered lol! I think some of my older non tribute ones might have to find a new home soon!