Yeah, Michael really dropped the ball. Laura's collection was better than I was expecting--more variety with her look than I was led to believe. Uli's was fine I guess. Michael's? Some stuff kind of was pretty. I dunno. It was just a very disappointing experience. Don't know if I'll bother with next season. They're getting too close to jumping the shark. I hope Laura goes on to greater things or at least gets her stuff out there. Given an infinite amount of free time I'd like to go through the season and tally up the number of times people were criticized for making something that didn't look like "them" and the number of times they were criticized for making something that looked "predictable." But then I guess when you sign up for a "reality" show you're pretty much asking to be jerked around.

Gerald, /Henrik, cedars for hedges or mountain trees (sugi), Techny - or Wares (wareana) maples for landscape, Tatarica, Ginnalian, Douglas Rhodo's/azalea's, Scandinavian strain Zone 1, blues, reds, oranges, yellows, there is of course PJM lilac shades. Pine, nigra & sylvestris-French Blue recommended, Mountain pine- P. uncinata, Mugo of course, Jack pine, Lodgepole and crosses (monticola) 5 needle's - albicaulis or flexilis. Spruce if one learns how to cut them... Birch, youngii, --birch is not often used, though birch can replace the weeping maple in thought and texture, next to the dwarf, Trosts dwarf, extremely cut-leaf. Crabapples abound in many colors, white to magenta Pears, apricots, plums, --trilobas = Rose Tree of China Fernleaf caragana -Sutherland, Mountain Ash, 7 varieties 3 shapes Japanese tree lilac & cultivars Aspen replaces Katsura Celtis occidentalis, Sumac, Cork Tree (amurense), etc. etc. were I /Henrik I would ask which landscape, - where,.. appeals and use a 3 level planting so that different 'sense's' of tree come out as 'cloud' or as 'green mountain chasms with cherries blooming', as long as his upper canopies gently arc with the insides adding the drama he seeks... edzard

Oh, he is ADORABLE! So cute! I think you did a wonderful job, especially if it's the first time! Just last week I caught Martha Stewart making needle felted acorns. I think it's at her website if you want more ideas! Oh, I found this one, too. They're Chicks! Good for Easter/Spring crafts! http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=bf2d5eab14091110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default I know some ladies on the Prim boards that I frequent do needle felting. There might be more stuff there if you're interested! Here is a link that might be useful: Needle Felted acorn crafts

I'm having a hellacious time trying to reply to you. I've put in a post with photos, and it just won't post! Check your messages and see if there is something there! I'll try one more time without the two pics I put in the post - Yay, Ida! You're right - it's stabbing wool into shapes with barbed needles. The needles come in various sizes; I use a 36 (fairly fine) for most of my 'stuff', but they come in many sizes. I'd suggest that you watch a few videos. Here is a link to some - Needle felting for beginners Because I have crafted for most of my life, I didn't watch any, and just dove right in. I did buy a book AFTER I started called Painting With Wool by Dani Ives, 16 projects to needle felt. I 'reserved' a copy before it was published, and paid $24.99. You can get it now on Amazon here for $11.15! Dani Ives book The only thing I've made from the book are some of these 'Bunny Brooches' for friends. I like to do animals more than anything else, and there is also a Panda in a hoop in the book, shown below my bunny brooch. A good way to start, if you are still interested after watching a few videos, would be to buy a kit. There are some on Etsy HERE I recommend a kit, as it will have the needles, the felting pad, and the wool colors that you'll need.