And then convincing my publisher that 'Fluff' wasn't just to be associated with belly buttons or trophy girlfriends, and was a viable and really very 'serious' word, was quite the feat too!
Another name for Wooltops - and of course part of my 'Fluff-a-torium' shop name, - once I had the name for my new book "Easy Stuff to Make with Fluff" there was no getting away from it. They weren't convinced. But in the end they had a moment of fluffy reflection, agreed/saw the soft light, and here it is!:-)
Wooltops (or "Fluff")is normally just associated with Wet Felting, Needle Felting or Spinning Yarn. But not any more :-)
In my new book I set out to show everyone lots of other possibilities for using wooltops. The aim with this new book was to make crafting with wooltops and yarns accessible for everyone, regardless of their age, ability, or creative flair. Crafting with Fluff is great fun! My previous book "Felting Fabulous Flowers" was quite an advanced book - for serious felters! So I wanted to write something a little bit more straightforward.
There are lots of projects for everyone that are graded in difficulty and on how easy they are to complete.
There are main chapters on:
- Decorating & General Crafty Stuff with Fluff
- Soaping Rubbing & Stabbing Fluff into Stuff (aka felting)
- Weaving Fluff in and out of Stuff
- Spinning Stuff with Fluff
- Knitting & Crocheting Stuff with Fluff
Upcycled Threaded Plastic Baskets - made using hand spun wooltops and yarns.
One of the projects in "Easy Stuff to Make with Fluff"
From simple up-cycling projects using wooltops and also projects for children to do that are easy and fast, right through to more intricate projects that take a little bit longer.
Needle Felted Vintage Teacup Pincushion & Toadstool.
From "Easy Stuff to Make with Fluff"
If you've seen Giant / Extreme Knitting or Crochet using Wooltops or Roving (there's been a lot online recently) and have dreamt about having a go, there are also projects showing you what to do!
By knitting on giant knitting needles or crocheting with a giant crochet hook, with lengths of wooltops, you can make some great accessories for your home...
The Extreme Knitting "Cushty Cushion" from "Easy Stuff to Make with Fluff"
The "I Fluffy Heart You" Wall Hanging" from "Easy Stuff to Make with Fluff"
Here's some of the yarn I was spinning whilst writing the book - I explain how to use that thing in the left photo called a drop spindle and how to use up leftover bits of wooltops. In fact there's a lot of projects suitable for busting your yarn and wooltops 'stash'!
And obviously my dog Betty Bou was very helpful whilst I was writing "Easy Stuff to Make with Fluff". She lent a hand whenever she could. Here she is in my lounge at home, keeping a watchful eye, and even helping in the baking hot sunshine! :-) And then she managed to get in on the act in the actual book too. Yes - she's in it! Wearing a felted dog necklace project of course! Called "Precious Pooch Pendant".
The book is so jam packed with fluffy projects that we ran out of space for many pictures of the "Jaw Dropper Shopper" Felted Bag whilst being made. So I've included a couple of pics here of what it looked like before it was wet felted. The finished bag picture is in the book.
If you think there's a chance that you might really like fluff - "Easy Stuff to Make with Fluff" is a great place to start. With over 25 fluff-tacular projects, there really is something for everyone. And even if you'd felted before, or had a dabble, there are still lots of projects for you too!
I LOVE a deadline. Not because I love deadlines - but because deadlines MAKE me finish things. I had been messing about with ideas for this book for simply ages. Since 2015 in fact. So knowing that I had to finish things by August 2016 was really good! And of course I was still working on things the night before. That's just the way I roll! But then I always like to over achieve as well. That's so annoying - and so ridiculous! I ended up making too many projects for the book and then some got the chop.
Here's one that didn't quite make the final cut - poor thing...
Cute. But superfluous to fluffy requirements. I have however, been writing with my fluffy pens quite a lot! :-) Maybe I'll do it as a blog post project instead!?
Before I sign off - here are some more pics of when we were shooting the book, and behind the scenes in the wonderful places we shot in...
We shot some of the photography in this amazing apartment in London. The light was great and there were lots of fabulous props and interesting pieces of furniture.
Behind those doors was the most beautiful bathroom. You can see one of the projects hanging on the door handle as we set up the shot.
On the left here we are shooting the Giant Crochet Plant Pot called "Potted & Knotted" and on the right hand side, the door curtain called "Hang the Stash".
Then some of the shots were done here in The Gilliangladrag Fluff-a-torium studio. As you can see, Rachel had to set the camera up on the studio table to shoot the Weaving Tutorial step by step shots. It was literally the hottest day of the year and I'd rolled down my dress so that my white t-shirt would reflect the light! Oh - and yes, - I think we were in hysterics about something rude. Ooh la la!
Signed copies of "Easy Stuff to Make with Fluff" are now available from our website for just £8.99 (RRP £9.99) - and we ship worldwide! I really hope you like it! x
