Carla Burke

Is it a green bean 'frencher'? Or a salt grinder?

Awesome! How would you pack them, to ship?

Are they perennial in this climate? (I'm also in the 6b MO Ozarks, but a ways from you, I think)
And how do you use the fruits?
Did they flower a lot?

Congratulations, y'all!!

Woodstove damper lever?

Michael Cox wrote:Thank Carla, that is really helpful.

Any idea how i would judge how much raw wool I might need? I'm thinking of a single bed size. I like the idea of potentially making up layers and then fastening them together. You mention 3, 1" thick layers - roughly what finished thickness might this give?

Much will depend on how tightly you felt it, but each 3 layer bit will end up maybe 1/4 - 1/2" thick. By a single, are you talking about a twin-size? That would require the least, by far. The type of wool might make a little bit of difference (different breeds make for different levels of loft, ticks, size of fleece, coarseness, etc), but it's hard to tell exactly how much. But, I'll be teaching a small (about 7 people?) community felting project, planned for September, in which we will be making a pair of slippers for each person. They should be about 1/4 - 1/2" thick, and we will be using a single Shetland fleece, which we will first skirt, clean, and card. If I were to take a guess on an extrapolation, based on that (which is truly about the best I'll be able to do, at this point), I'd guess your 3 fleeces might get you roughly about a 1" thick twin size (38x75") pad. Just remember it feels like a barely educated guess, on my part, lol.

How much you'll need will depend on how big you want/ need it to be, and how thick you want it. A felted mattress should be a great summer project. I've not attempted anything so large as that, but I've done enough wet felting to know how I personally would begin - and summer is when I'd begin. But, you'll need to at least clean it, because, well... raw wool is rather aromatic, and likely full of bugs and debris. Then, card the fiber into bats (essentially sheets of fluffy fiber, small enough to handle, with the fibers all running the same direction), to prevent it from being lumpy.

I would find a flat sheet for the size bed I'd want, and spread it out flat, on the ground, in the shade (so you're cooler, and the water doesn't evaporate too quickly). I'd then lay the bats out in at least three 1" light, fluffy layers. In each layer, the fiber should all be running the same direction, but the next layer should run perpendicular to the one before it. So, if the fibers in your first layer run north/ south, the next layer should run east/ west, and so on. The next thing would be to spray it down with hot, soapy water, and gently walk around on it, barefoot, until the fibers mat together enough to hold onto one another. Depending on the size of the mattress, this could take a few hours, just to ensure it all clings, well. Then, I'd rinse all the soapy water from it, walk on it a bit more, to try to squeeze as much water out as possible, and drag it (still on the sheet) into the sun to dry.

If you're going to make it very thick, it might be best to make several of these, then tie-quilt them together (basically just tieing a heavy thread through what will temporarily be the blankets, about every 10") for easier management, until you have it the thickness you want. Other advantages to doing this in several blankets is that it will dry faster, than all in one large go, plus, if you change your mind, you'll still have some nice warm blankets to use &/or gift!

Burra Maluca wrote:I love it because the plates drip straight into the sink - no need to dry them, or have a clear bit of draining board organised, or move even one step to put them away.

Final designs are a way off for the new place as there's still so much work to do.

Exactly my thought, about the rack. I'm ALL about reducing work! If it can be done beautifully, all the better. Can't wait to see pics of how it all comes together, for you! :D

I wonder if you could fit it with a removable wooden rack, over one side, hanging above, or even part of one side? Maybe bamboo, teak, or olivewood? Something like this, maybe - but with the rides/slats closer together? https://www.etsy.com/listing/989821283/wall-mounted-organizer-wooden-wall?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=wall+mounted+wood+drying+rack&ref=sc_gallery-1-2&plkey=4707eec1f9bf700b7ca42eacc3daee396e8398e6%3A989821283&frs=1&col=1