Many thanks to Nancy in San Francisco who suggested using either dissolvable interfacing or cellulose paste as a stiffener for felt. It is great to be able to pose a question on this blog and get an answer almost immediately from the other side of the world!
Speaking of the other side of the world, would anyone be interested in signing up to a craft swap if I organised it, exchanging something simple and hand made possibly with a festive theme? I thought that we might get a group of us together and make an item or two for a swap buddy (think I am becomming obsessed with swapping) and possibly include a recepie, obviously the idea would be to receive something nice in exchange! Please reply to this post if you think that it would be a good idea and I will put a challenge together if at least 10 people want to swap.
Continuing the handmade theme, check this out, I have just signed the pledge. 
On the felt side of things I have been doing a few experimental pieces incorporating either cords or tails and will post a couple of images here tomorrow or on Tuesday. I really need to knuckle down to the felting as Alan and I will be going away for a couple of days soon and I need to complete my work for ‘Breaking Out’. It is still not sure if my work will be in the exhibition yet and I must say that I am a little worried in case I do not make something that the curator is happy with. Anyway, I am delighted to have got so far in the process but have to admit that I will be really disappointed if my work is not included.
Sylvia, my swap buddy from ‘Bag Lady Swaps’ has now received my package and thankfully seems to be happy with the colours and bag, this is despite my dreadful sewing. Click here to view the images that she has posted to the group forum.
Nicola Brown Fine Art Textiles 
Nicola, Please do count me in the swap (given if it is not limited to felting (never done it, but would like to at a certain stage). And again I ADORE my bag (I’m a blue cloour mad woman) and you made it spot on! Thanks again
I’d be interested in the swap too. I love the way your inspiration translated into the finished bag….
Carmen from Spain and Martina from Germany (both resident in Ireland and great artists/crafts people) will also be joining us in the swap so looks like we are well on our way to the minimum target of 10 within the first day!!
Nicola, I can not find the sending date of the Autumn Swap, was there any agreed date? Oh, I’ve contacted my partner already!
Syl
Hi Syl,
Have extended the swap date to October 21st.
If you are having a swap, I would be happy to join in. A felted postcard that we could mail to each other would be fun but anything that you organize and come up with is fine with me. I am joining Felting Ireland…Because of you, I found it…I wanted to thank you…Anyway, I hope that I can attend one of their workshops. I heard that Sheila Smith was at one of them….I would have killed to have met her. Anyway i am game for a swap.
Micki
In Ireland