As Winter makes it’s grand entrance in just a few days, the boys and I were trying to think of a few new additions to add to our winter table and walls. I had been wanting to try Julia’s beautiful woolen tree cones, but I didn’t have any type of wire structure that would support it. I did, however, have some of the florist cones that are of similar shape, so we decided to give them a try. I thought that just wrapping the wool around would work fine, but it really didn’t hold. So, out came the felting needles. Taking small bites of wool at a time, the boys would lay them on the cone, and I used the needle to help them adhere. We were careful to not puncture the cone too much, to keep the wispy look that only wool can bring.
These turned out just the way that we wanted them to, and now we have a soft, wintry addition to our table. I dyed the wool using natural dyes to represent the three colors of winter that we find in nature; grey, blue and white. When you look to the mountains here in Colorado, the winter sky is always a mixture of grey clouds, with blue sneaking through, and the stark white of the snow below.
Jacob asked me if we could also make a wreath for King Winter’s return, so using the same type of florist wreath foam, we needle felted the wreath in those same colors. Jacob begged to use the needle to make a star for the center, and with some reluctance, and a LOT of hovering, I agreed. I have to say that I was impressed with his care and patience, since this was not a quick project. This wreath will hang just above our nature table, and it will be a reminder, not only of Winter’s arrival, but of my child’s growth and independence.
The wreath was made by laying pieces of wool over each other and needle felting until we got the look we wanted. It was simple, and a lot of fun to play in wool all day.
{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }
The wreath and cones are both just gorgeous! The colors couldn't be more perfect for winter.
LOVE this, a beautiful nature table!
OH Heather!!!! They are the most perfect shade of blue….my absolute favorites.
And that wreath. Gorgeous. That is funny about your hesitation with the felting tool and the boys….I just wrote you an email on my hesitation in trying out felting for just that reason.
Really, what a stunning display.
They're gorgeous!
Those are absolutely beautiful! The colors are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing.
I've been looking at these trees in your "inspiration" links for about a week now. I have so much blue and white roving…now to find some cone-like-objects….
I love those trees!
I love that grey color! They turned out great!
I am inspired!
So lovely! Smooth like the fresh snow … I can even smell it 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Such a great idea, it too was wondering how to re-create the tree without a wire structure:)
Thanks for the inspiration today Heather!!
So beautiful! I love it! Thanks! And thanks for the reminder that we will eventually get to a place at our house where my boys can help with projects like this one, probably even before I know it!
Jacob was spot on with star – it's beautiful!
that color is stunning! beautiful work!
I LOVE that color! Very cool!!
Beautiful, I love the colorway you chose. Such lovelies!
beautiful and i love why you chose the colors you did.
nicola
http://whichname.blogspot.com
Heather,
I just want to gobble these up these are so adorable!!! Kudos..love the wool blended colors.
Donna A
Love it!! I was wondering how the foam would hold up due to felting needle action. It looks like it was a great fit. The colors are wonderful and it is so lovely that you can always remember your sons growth in independence with that little star.
:)Lisa
How purdy! I need to learn about needle felting now. Love the wreath especially. Happy Winter!
The color of the wool is just beautiful! I love how your decorations came out!
Heather — Your trees are absolutely gorgeous. The blending of the colors is stunning. I am so inspired now.
So beautiful, and amazing that you dyed the roving too. I have been noticing the prettiest softest blue colors in the sky lately!
These are beautiful and so serene. I love the roving on the wreath. I just love the colors. Thanks for sharing this.
Oh, I love the wintery, yet not Christmassy colours! Very serene, I love it!
Thank you! We are having fun getting ready for winter to come
Thank you. I really wanted something wintry, that we could keep up all season. i love Christmas, but we had enough red and green for now 🙂
The skies have been amazing, haven't they! I love the winter skies here, so soft.
The foam held up really pretty well. You have a little bit of residue that pops up, but it actually has a soft glitter look, and it blends in just fine.
Thank you! He was so proud of it.
Yeah, I usually take down all the Christmas stuff the day after Christmas. Come New Year, our house is all clean and free from everything green/red. But these ornaments… I would let them "hang around" until the first leaves sprout… Very nice…
Oh thanks for sharing this! I love the soft colours and I love how wintery they seem, especially as we are in the middle of summer here in New Zealand. I'm going to try these next year
Beautiful! I also love those pinecone candles…so neat!
Ooh lovely! I have wanted to make a wool wreath for a while but am not sure I have the patience for it. Maybe a small one!
I love the shades of blue! Gorgeous!
You have such a gift. I love coming here for inspiration.
these are awesomely delicious!