A Creative Retreat Nestled in the Rockies
Felter’s Rendesvous
From sea level to 8100 feet, I’m transported into the raw, crisp air of the Rockies. From my absolutely darling cabin nestled above Estes Park Colorado, I’m watching the sun dance across snowy peaks and pine forests.
I get to call this my home for a week and am so excited to teach Nuno Felting workshops at the YMCA of the Rockies (the name is impressive and this Y is the largest most impressive one I’ve ever seen!)
The workshops start tomorrow so today I’m cooking up a storm – making salads and hearty dishes I can munch on all week. I’m also trying to move slowly and breathe. Apparently there is 45% less oxygen up here than what I’m used to and boy howdy I feel it!
What a perfect excuse to practice Mindfulness – slow deep breathing, taking in the beauty that surrounds me and drinking lots of cold, clear water straight from the mountains.
We began, of course, with Color!
As soon as I walked into the Felter’s Marketplace, a silk dyer pulled me over to see how beautiful my color wheel book looked with all of her silks!
and so of course, I used her silks in my Color Class to demonstrate color family, undertones, earthy colors and saturation:
From Color to Nuno Felt
The next two days were spent creating fabulous Nuno Felt jackets using wet-felting and a resist so that the entire piece was created at one time - no seams, no sewing! Here are some of the examples I brought to inspire the group:
The students went above and beyond in their gorgeous designs! Here are some of the gals modelling their nuno felt jackets:
What a beautiful retreat
I had such a wonderful time at The Felter’s Rendezvous – high up in the Rockies, surrounded by snow covered peaks, herds of deer and elk, and creative, colorful women!
Here are some memorable moments:
Eating lunch outside in the sunshine then 2 hours later being treated to a howling snow storm
Stella singing and playing pan flute
Watching students pull colors together from Outback’s Color Palette then use new colors for their Dread Neck necklaces and Purses
Finding a Now and Zen alarm clock nestled into my jackets
Hiking up into the hills
Carolyn’s flared sleeves
All of the glorious purple jackets
Watching the sunrise from my cabin
All the lovely women who shuttled me to and from
Pat’s rendition of ‘America the Beautiful’
Finding out Amelia and my ancestors came from the same area of the Ukraine
Hand painted silks from Naomi that echo the colors of my books
Listen to one of the women who sang to the hills each day
Read more about Nuno Felt
