AFF:Part Two:Enchanted Felt Cottage

On day two of ArtFiberFest, I took Charlotte Lyons adorable Enchanted Felt Cottage workshop. My cottage (shown above and below) continues to be a work in progress. It is so enjoyable to sit in the evenings at home and continue the embellishing process. Somewhere during the construction of my cottage I decided to decorate it with a House of Love theme, featuring 3 generations of wedding photos.

I used some vintage buttons and a scrap piece of embroidery in the gable. I chose the color scheme for the cottage based on the colors used at my daughter's wedding last fall.

The little aqua posies were leftovers from the favor boxes we decorated for my daughter's wedding. Next to the little cottage door (with the wonky stitched window panes) is a photo of my DH and I at our wedding. 

On the right side of the cottage, I sewed a metal jewelry piece embossed with a quote from Ghandi that says, "Where there is love there is life." 

I added a photo of my daughter and her husband from their wedding, some vintage button flowers, a piece of old lace embroidery and tiny aqua seed beads. Fortunately this was a hand-stitching class, which gave and my little Janome machine a much needed rest.

On the left side of the cottage, I did some "landscaping" with some felt & ultra suede trees trimmed with beads and a little garden of aqua beaded flowers. A mother-of-pearl window finishes this wall up.

An antique brass charm frame holds a well-known phrase from traditional wedding vows.

On the back of the cottage, I used some tiny frames to feature wedding pictures from my parents (on the right) and my in-laws (on the left). More vintage lace and Battenburg trim, and an aqua button top off the wall. 

"I do, I do" is typed out and mounted on a scrap of vintage paper. I used a single pearl in the center of the button to represent the pearls brides wear with their wedding gowns.

Here my classmates are busy stitching away - from left to right there is Tracie, Cindy, Pam, Charlotte.  Charlotte's class was very relaxing and restful and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to all her stories while we worked. She was so willing to lend a helpful hand and encouragement throughout the day. 

Here's Cindy, Juanita, Nicky, and Tammy busy at work constructing their cottages. I couldn't believe how quickly this class flew by!  I'll share the class I took with Ruth Rae in the next post. Until then. . . . . .

Happy Fourth of July!