MONICA ASHLEY DESIGNS

Monica's Fall Workshop Schedule

2011-09-30T12:39:00.000-07:00

Oct. 11 Free Demo Bodega Coop Bodega, CA

Oct. 21 Needle Felting Animal Cast Away Yarn
Santa Rosa, CA 5:30-7:30 $35.
www.castawayyarn.com

Oct. 25 Free Demo Bodega Coop Bodega, CA

Nov. 2 Felted Nativity Workshop Santa Rosa, CA
6:45-8:45 $35.-$45. kits available

Nov. 9 Felted Nativity Workshop " " " " "

Nov. 16 Felted Nativity Workshop " " " " "

Nov. 30 Felted Nativity Workshop " " " " "

Nov. 11 Animal Cast Away Yarn
Santa Rosa, CA 5:30-7:30 $35.

www.castawayyarn.com

Dec. 7 & Dec. 10 Waldorf Doll Workshop
Santa Rosa, CA $85 or $98 long hair
All materials included
12/7 6pm-9pm and 12/10 12pm-3pm

Deposit required to reserve your space.

Call Monica with inquiries or
monicadanashley@yahoo.com monicaashleydesign.com

BODEGA BAY ARTISANS CO OP

2011-05-03T13:40:00.000-07:00

COME VISIT ME THIS SATURDAY AT THE BODEGA BAY ARTISIANS COOPERATIVE AND MAKE A GIFT FOR MOM!
I WILL BE TEACHING A FREE WORKSHOP ON HOW TO MAKE A FELTED FLOWER PIN OR HAIR CLIP.

SEE YOU THERE!

May 7 Free Felting Demonstration for Mothers Day at the Artisans Coop in Bodega

2011-04-14T11:32:00.000-07:00

Monica Ashley Invites Families to Add Wool Felting to Seasonal Celebrations

By Sono-Ma Holly April 12, 2011

Is there anything that says Spring more perfectly than a soft brown bunny hiding in the tender green cabbage leaves?

Monica Ashley, local crafting instructor, invites your children to learn to make their own Spring creation during the “Children’s Easter Bunny Workshop with Basket and Eggs“ this Saturday at Cast Away Yarn Shop. The class is offered on Saturday, April 16, 2011, 10:30 am – 1:00 pm. The cost is just $30, which includes supplies.
This fun needle felting classes is designed for children 8 to 12. Learn how to make a fun Easter Bunny with little eggs, just in time for Easter!” says teacher, Monica.

Location: 111 4th Street, Railroad Square, Santa Rosa, CA 95401

More Information: 707-546-YARN (9276)

Monica offers needle felting classes for more advanced students as well. This popular Peter Rabbit is just one example of the wonderful, whimsical details you can achieve with wisps of wool under Monica’s wing.

Monica plans a free felting workshop on Mother’s Day weekend, and invites families to come out and visit her at the Bodega Artisan’s Coop on Saturday May 7, 2011. (The co-op is located at 17135-A Bodega Highway, Bodega, California 94922. Call for more information at: 707-876-9830.)

Travel out the scenic Bodega Highway and find a tiny gem in the valley that lies on the edge of the Sonoma Coast: the quaint hamlet of Bodega. Forever famous for serving as Alfred Hitchcock’s the Birds’ film set, Bodega is home to a handful of charming antique stores. Bodega also has its very own Artisan’s Cooperative where a hand painted sandwhich board calls out “Meet Today’s Artist”.

Venture into a clapboard cottage and awe over the unique works of more than 40 local artisans, including our beloved Monica Ashley.
Stay for a bit to do some felting with Monica, and you’ll go home with a lovely Mother’s Day Flower:

Monica invites you discover the amazing locally produced wool roving and yarns offered at the cooperative, while she guides you in learning how to create with wool.

Monica hopes you’ll linger on to hear about her summer camps for children or to shop from the fabulous collection of goods offered at the Artisan Coop. From stunning wool caps to Monica’s hand made dolls crafted from wool , there is much to discover and just in time for Mother’s Day! monicaashleydesigns.com

See you there!

April Workshops and Spring Camp

2011-04-07T13:10:00.000-07:00

Spring

April 18-21   Childrens Art Camp
8:30-2:00
Monica's studio
$145. per session or $45. drop in welcome   children ages 7-10 welcome
I will be hosting a craft camp during Spring break. Each day the children will bake, make crafts and sew or felt. We will create a natural bird house and egg decorating will be on Thursday.

Monica's Workshops at Cast Away Yarn Shop in Santa Rosa   call 546-yarn to register

April 16 Saturday
Easter bunny and basket with eggs
Children's felting workshop
10:30-1:00
$30. includes materials

May 5 Thursday
Needle and wet felted mural
Adult felting workshop
5:00-8:00
$35. includes materials

May 21 Saturday
Needle felting
Animal sculpting needle felting
adult
2:00-5:00
$35. includes materials

ART SUMMER CAMP INFORMATION @monicaashleydesigns.com
June 27- August 4

ZIGZAG SWEATER BLANKET

2011-01-08T19:20:00.000-08:00

This blanket was created from a collection of recycled sweaters. I had great fun with this project, along with my handwork group friends at Emerson Waldorf School. We used about 32 different sweater pieces of wool, cashmere and angora. We also preserved some of the pockets, cuffs and fringe from the original sweaters, to create a fun and whimsical blanket.

This imaginative blanket project was found in one of my favorite books, Alter knits, by Leigh Radford.

Enjoy,

Monica Ashley

"Sweet treats for February"

2011-01-05T16:28:00.000-08:00

I am always so inspired by the idea of Valentines Day!

Ruby red cashmere sweaters, cozy lavender wool sweaters or dark brown to resemble dark chocolate....

During a recent trip to Lake Tahoe, I made a trip to my favorite thrift shop, 3 trips in all and found many, many, new cashmere sweaters.

So far 16 new wool cupcakes and some truffles in the works.

During these chilly winter nights, I can't think of a better way to stay warm, than to be surrounded by cashmere, wool merino or lambs wool.

I love creating and hope you are inspired to do what you love.

Monica

2010-12-21T16:36:00.000-08:00

Welcoming Solstice: Monica Ashley Designs Brightens Dark Days with Spirit and Light

By Sono-Ma: Holly | Published: December 21, 2010

A full moon, a lunar eclipse, and the solstice combine December 20 and 21st for a magical marking of the shortest day of 2010. My family plans a day by the fire, a warm dinner of “solstice soup” (aka chicken fricassee), and some time spent with friends in the moonlight – if the rain lets up for a few moments.

Whatever takes place, I am welcoming the season of drawing in and hibernating. I am wrapping up old projects, organizing, and otherwise clearing the path for resting. I’ve got a picture in my mind of long evenings of handwork by the fire.

To set the stage for welcoming solstice, we’ll need to do some physical transforming and acknowledgment of the changes to come. What better way to do this than to set a nature table?

During last year’s Winter Solstice, Sono-Ma featured Monica Ashley’s nature table (above) with its icy and crystalline colors of pale blue and amethyst. However, this year’s chain of rainy days has us thinking of wet and marshy winter images. This evening we were surprised to see a field of huge mushrooms growing (uninvited) along Fulton Road.

However, there is no need to let the gloomy weather make for gloom and doom spirits. We can make our own light, and revel in the delight of finding the mystical in the darkness. Monica says, “Cap the mushrooms in red, throw in a few elves, sprinkle all with the rare moonlight we’ll soon experience, and suddenly we have a fitting scene to express the newly arriving Winter.”

You, too, can create such a felt-scape with Monica at her upcoming wet felting mural class in January, 8th at 1:00 pm. This four hour class is just $50 (including materials). Create your own warmth, fire, and forest lore with wool and weave your own interpretation of Winter.

Your kids may also enjoy spending the upcoming long and rainy days slated for Winter Break in Monica’s magical studio. With classes tailored to engage 8-11 year old children in all things creative, your children are sure to bring home bright smiles and tales of spirited fun.

This December, I will be offering two special days of winter craft making in my downtown Sebastopol Studio.

Tuesday the 21st and Thursday the 23rd of December. The days will begin at 9 in the morning until 2 in the afternoon. The children will have baking time and gift making each day.

The children will make gingerbread cookies or assorted cookies and decorate a gingerbread house to take home.

On Tuesday, we will create gifts made from recycled materials: Recycled sweater, hot water bottles or similar gifts, felted ornaments or small animals for a nature table or small child.

On Thursday, we will create gifts made from nature: pine cone ornaments, Snowmen or Santas made with pine cones and wool roving, lavender sachets and beeswax decorated candles.

Each day a snack will be included along 5 hours of care and materials.

Ages: 8-11

Location: Monica Ashley Design’s Studio Sebastopol, California

Registration: Call or email Monica Ashley 707. 236.2829 or monicadanashley@yahoo.com.

Nativity Workshop November 2, 2011

2010-10-14T11:41:00.000-07:00

Felting Workshop, Class begins Wednesday,
November 2, 9, 16 and 30.

Evening session begins at 6:45-8:45

Register now: 707 236-2829

By the end of the month you will have a complete Nativity.

Kits are available as well.

Workshop fee sliding scale $35-$45 each session

Call Monica at 236 2829 to register. Classes held in Santa Rosa
www.monicaashleydesigns.com or monicadanashley@yahoo.com

Down By the Sea

2010-08-04T13:41:00.000-07:00

This week was full of felting, sewing, and beading. We made whales from recycled cashmere and wool. They were so cute and very cozy. We had 11 of the most beautiful mermaids join us this week, they had sea shells, glitter and very long hair. Glitter, glitter everywhere, yes there were plenty of sparkles on the boxes and shell picture frames too. Everyone made felted purses or pouches, which we filled with treasures at our end of the week treasure hunt.

Moon and Stars

2010-08-04T13:21:00.000-07:00

Moon and Stars was all about glass. We fired up the kiln and made many glass designs. Some made bracelets or landscapes with frit glass. We did a lot of beading and made jewelry. My favorite day was when we made key lime pies for everyone. Yum. Everyone took home a 4th of July popper for full of great prizes.

Fairies, Gnomes and Elves

2010-08-04T11:16:00.000-07:00

Flower Fairies everywhere... This week was full of fairies we spent many hours making tulle skirts. We needle felted fairies too. There was a lot of beading jewerly making too. Some necklaces, earrings and special gifts for friends. We had many fairy games and a fairy tea party at the end of the week.

Birds Butterflies and Frogs

2010-08-04T11:03:00.001-07:00

Decorating Birdhouses can certainly be fun. We had all different colors, even some polka dots. I'm sure the birds will love visiting these beautiful houses.

We gathered flowers on our nature walk and made flower presses for them. So many wonderful smells! We needle felted a lot this week too. We sang every possible frog song and made delicious treats all week.

Honey Bees and Bears

2010-08-04T10:16:00.000-07:00

This week was full of honey and delicious treats. Each day the children learned about making a teddy bear. Throughout the week they cut out the pattern, sewed the body parts, placed the eyes, nose and mouths and stuffed them to the brim. We also took a walk to our local honey shop and made beeswax candles. They learned to needle felt bees and made mobiles. Our week finished with a delicious tea party with our new bears. Each bear was given a name and a birth certificate.

Shaggy Dog Felting Workshop April 29 5:30-8pm

2010-04-25T21:27:00.000-07:00

Join me this Thursday to felt an animal of your choice. Call Cast Away in down town Santa Rosa at 576-yarn

$30. includes all materials.

Peter Cottontail hopping down the bunny trail...

2010-04-03T22:58:00.000-07:00

This Thursday 6:00-8:00 Little Lamb Felting Workshop

2010-03-16T16:24:00.000-07:00

Made from alpaca, mohair and cottswold roving. Join me for this felting workshop at Cast Yarn yarn shop in Santa Rosa $25. incl. materials call 546-yarn.

Little Lamb Workshop Thurs, March 18 at Cast Away Yarn Shop 6pm-8pm

2010-03-01T13:10:00.000-08:00

Made from alpaca, mohair and cottswold roving. Join me for this felting workshop at Cast Yarn yarn shop in Santa Rosa $25. incl. materials call 546-yarn.

Spring Felting Workshop Saturday, March 13 1-3 at Cast Away Yarn Shop

2010-03-01T11:19:00.000-08:00

$15.00 all materials included.

Beginners Felting Workshop call 546-yarn to register today. Children 8 and up to adults.

Happy Easter

2010-02-15T20:25:00.000-08:00

Peter Rabbit coming in March

2010-02-09T06:53:00.000-08:00

Fortune Cookies hand made from wool sweaters, with a personal message inside.

2010-01-31T15:31:00.000-08:00

Sea Horse at "The Sea Ranch"

2010-01-26T09:15:00.000-08:00

Sea Horse Needle Felting Project

This weekend I will be joining 8 women for a getaway in Sea Ranch, Ca. Here is a little sample of what I plan to share with the ladies. Sea Ranch is located on the coast, just 2 hours from the Golden Gate.

CHILDREN'S KNITTING BEGINNERS AND BEYOND

Feb. 18, Feb. 25 and March 4 1:00p.m.-2:30p.m.

Cost $12 per lesson needles #10 $5.

Ages 8 and up.

Children will learn how to cast on/off, garter, stockinette stitch,

purling and ribbing. Handwork assigned each week.

Call for more information, registration and directions.

707 236-2829 or monicadanashley@yahoo.com

Wet felted children's slippers

2010-01-22T14:53:00.000-08:00

Peter Rabbit coming in March

2010-01-19T00:46:00.000-08:00

THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT
by Beatrix Potter

Once upon a time there were four little Rabbits, and their names were-- Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter.

They lived with their Mother in a sand-bank, underneath the root of a very big fir-tree.

"Now, my dears," said old Mrs. Rabbit one morning, "you may go into the fields or down the lane, but don't go into Mr. McGregor's garden: your Father had an accident there; he was put in a pie by Mrs. McGregor."

"Now run along, and don't get into mischief. I am going out."

Then old Mrs. Rabbit took a basket and her umbrella, and went through the wood to the baker's. She bought a loaf of brown bread and five currant buns.

Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail, who were good little bunnies, went down the lane to gather blackberries;

But Peter, who was very naughty, ran straight away to Mr. McGregor's garden, and squeezed under the gate!

First he ate some lettuces and some French beans; and then he ate some radishes;

And then, feeling rather sick, he went to look for some parsley.

But round the end of a cucumber frame, whom should he meet but Mr. McGregor!

Mr. McGregor was on his hands and knees planting out young cabbages, but he jumped up and ran after Peter, waving a rake and calling out, "Stop thief."

Peter was most dreadfully frightened; he rushed all over the garden, for he had forgotten the way back to the gate.

He lost one of his shoes among the cabbages, and the other shoe amongst the potatoes.

After losing them, he ran on four legs and went faster, so that I think he might have got away altogether if he had not unfortunately run into a gooseberry net, and got caught by the large buttons on his jacket. It was a blue jacket with brass buttons, quite new.

Peter gave himself up for lost, and shed big tears; but his sobs were overheard by some friendly sparrows, who flew to him in great excitement, and implored him to exert himself.

Mr. McGregor came up with a sieve, which he intended to pop upon the top of Peter; but Peter wriggled out just in time, leaving his jacket behind him.

And rushed into the tool shed, and jumped into a can. It would have been a beautiful thing to hide in, if it had not had so much water in it.

Mr. McGregor was quite sure that Peter was somewhere in the tool shed, perhaps hidden underneath a flower-pot. He began to turn them over carefully, looking under each.

Presently Peter sneezed-- "Kertyschoo!" Mr. McGregor was after him in no time,

And tried to put his foot upon Peter, who jumped out of a window, upsetting three plants. The window was too small for Mr. McGregor, and he was tired of running after Peter. He went back to his work.

Peter sat down to rest; he was out of breath and trembling with fright, and he had not the least idea which way to go. Also he was very damp with sitting in that can.

After a time he began to wander about, going lippity--lippity--not very fast, and looking all around.

He found a door in a wall; but it was locked, and there was no room for a fat little rabbit to squeeze underneath.

An old mouse was running in and out over the stone doorstep, carrying peas and beans to her family in the wood. Peter asked her the way to the gate, but she had such a large pea in her mouth that she could not answer. She only shook her head at him. Peter began to cry.

Then he tried to find his way straight across the garden, but he became more and more puzzled. Presently, he came to a pond where Mr. McGregor filled his water-cans. A white cat was staring at some goldfish; she sat very, very still, but now and then the tip of her tail twitched as if it were alive. Peter thought it best to go away without speaking to her; he has heard about cats from his cousin, little Benjamin Bunny.

He went back towards the tool shed, but suddenly, quite close to him, he heard the noise of a hoe--scr-r-ritch, scratch, scratch, scritch. Peter scuttered underneath the bushes. But presently, as nothing happened, he came out, and climbed upon a wheelbarrow, and peeped over. The first thing he saw was Mr. McGregor hoeing onions. His back was turned towards Peter, and beyond him was the gate!

Peter got down very quietly off the wheelbarrow, and started running as fast as he could go, along a straight walk behind some black-currant bushes.

Mr. McGregor caught sight of him at the corner, but Peter did not care. He slipped underneath the gate, and was safe at last in the wood outside the garden.

Mr. McGregor hung up the little jacket and the shoes for a scare-crow to frighten the blackbirds.

Peter never stopped running or looked behind him till he got home to the big fir-tree.

He was so tired that he flopped down upon the nice soft sand on the floor of the rabbit-hole, and shut his eyes. His mother was busy cooking; she wondered what he had done with his clothes. It was the second little jacket and pair of shoes that Peter had lost in a fortnight!

I am sorry to say that Peter was not very well during the evening.

His mother put him to bed, and made some camomile tea; and she gave a dose of it to Peter!

"One table-spoonful to be taken at bed-time."

But Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail had bread and milk and blackberries for supper.

THE END

Felting Animals Thursday January 28 9am-12pm

2010-01-06T11:12:00.000-08:00

Three little kittens they lost their mittens, and they began to cry,
"Oh mother dear, we sadly fear that we have lost our mittens."
"What! Lost your mittens, you naughty kittens!
Then you shall have no pie."
"Meeow, meeow, meeow, now we shall have no pie."
The three little kittens they found their mittens,
And they began to cry,
"Oh mother dear, see here, see here
For we have found our mittens."
"Put on your mittens, you silly kittens
And you shall have some pie"
"Meeow, meeow, meeow,
Now let us have some pie."
The three little kittens put on their mittens
And soon ate up the pie,
"Oh mother dear, we greatly fear
That we have soiled our mittens."
"What! soiled you mittens, you naughty kittens!"
Then they began to cry, "Meeow, meeow, meeow"
Then they began to sigh.
The three little kittens they washed their mittens
And hung them out to dry,
"Oh mother dear, do you not hear
That we have washed our mittens."
"What! washed your mittens, you are good kittens."
But I smell a rat close by,
"Meeow, meeow, meeow" we smell a rat close by...

2010-01-03T11:29:00.000-08:00

2010-01-03T11:25:00.000-08:00

December

2009-12-28T13:09:00.000-08:00

Wow! What a great month! December was a month of pure joy for me.

There were so many wooly sheep made this month and shepherds felted, to tend their flock. The kings workshops were my favorite. So many regal kings in their jewel tone crowns. Oh and let's not forget the St. Nicholas's made in their bright red, wooly coats.

The wet felting slipper workshops certainly were fun... I hope they kept everyone nice and cozy on Christmas morning.

My two doll making workshops seemed quite lively this month. These dollies take on personalities all their own. It is always so wonderful to a share a full day with friends, doll making. It is so rewarding for me to share this art that, I love so much.

Moving to Santa Rosa is proving to be a great location. My in home classes have been well attended. Best of all Cast Away yarn shop is just a few miles away, when I need more roving.

I look forward to sharing more with you in the New Year. I will be posting my new schedule for January this week.

Blessings and Happy Felting!

Monica