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• make it Get Creative Quarterly Autumn 2011 45emake it •eonto the heart shape. You may chooseto decorate the felt heart by sewingseed beads into the centre of the rosewith the needle and thread. Use asmall amount of green roving to formleaves and needle in position. Finish bysewing the brooch back onto the backof the heart.Pink HeartSteps 1 & 2 As above, usingpink wool.Heart-feltbroochesRed Heart with roseMaterialsFelting needleClover needle felting mat or foam blockWool rovings – red, pink & greenThread, needle & scissorsSeed beadsBrooch backStep 1 Pick up a little of the redwool roving and tease out some fibresand lay them on the foam block in acrisscross fashion. This will make thefinished shape stronger. Pick up thefelting needle and push the needle intothe fibres in a straight up and downaction (if you twist the felting needle asyou push it into the fibres it will snapas the hardened steel is brittle). Pickup the matted fibres and move themon the foam after every few stabs withthe needle or the fibres will becomeimbedded in the foam.Step 2 Put the felting needle down,pick up the fibres in your hands andstart to form the heart shape. Firmup the heart by needling the wooluntil it is compact and has formed anattractive shape.Step 3 Pick up a little of the pinkmerino roving and twist it into a loosethread (or use a wool thread that isloosely twisted). Lay a swirl of thisdown to form the rose and needleStep 3 Pick up a little of the redroving and twist it into a loose thread(or use a wool thread that is looselytwisted). Lay a swirl of this down toform the heart outline and needleonto the heart shape. Finish bysewing the brooch back onto theback of the heart.Hints and TipsSafety: Felting needles are sharpand, because they are made ofhardened steel, brittle. Be carefulwhen using and handling them.Always work away from yourselfand insert the needle into the woolfibres in a straight up and downaction. If you twist the felting needleas you push it in, it will snap.Always use a foam block or feltingmat under your work when needlefelting. Remember to lift your workevery so often so that it doesn’t felton to the foam block.Always store felting needles in adry place, out of reach of childrenand pets.Dispose of broken needles in thesame way as other sharps.