Journal
Felt Alive Caricatures
Kay’s posts from Felt Alive — tutorials, dolls, student projects, and the story of the color-coded needles.
2018-04-22
This is Spinal Tap – Felt Alive Needle Felted Dolls
England’s Loudest Band I’m so happy to introduce the members of Spinal Tap – Felt Alive needle felted dolls based on characters from the cult classic movie, This is Spinal Tap, a hysterical mockumentary about England’s loudest fictional band. Meet (l-r) Harry Shearer as Derek Sma
2018-03-07
Li’l Dr. John
Needle Felted New Orleans Blues Legend by Kay Petal This guy was a commission from a fan of Dr. John. I grew up listening to his music and it was a fun and challenging project to bring to life in wool. Update: Sad news ‘Dr. John’ Malcolm John Rebennack Jr. (November 20, 1941 – Ju
2017-08-27
Dial ‘M’ for Man in the Moon
My (slightly greenish) tribute to Alfred Hitchcock …in the moon.
2017-08-27
PSY – Korean Pop Singer
Felt Alive Gangnam Style This guy’s Gangnam Style dance moves are sweeping the nation.
2017-08-27
Li’l Mick Jagger
Do you realize how much wool it took to get those lips right? Li’l Mick Jagger caricature doll was a fun challenge to needle felt!
2016-11-27
Li’l Whoopi II
When a producer from The View called inquiring about my original Li’l Whoopi doll (that I had previously made on commission.) They were working on an upcoming segment and needed a small Whoopi. Since the original was not available, I found myself saying “sure, no problem, I can w
2015-08-21
The Dude Abides at Felt Alive
The Dude Doll. That’s right, I needle felted Jeff Bridges as The Dude from the motion picture The Big Lebowski. The process of needle felting The Dude from The Big Lebowski was an absolute blast! I had to rewatch the movie multiple times to really nail down the character. I got t
2015-08-11
Li’l Coneheads
Needle Felted Wool Dolls by Kay Petal This just might be the most fun I’ve had needle felting caricature dolls to date. I’d like you to meet Li’l Beldar and his wife, Li’l Prymaat, They come from Felt Alive. As a kid in the 70s, I laughed ’til I cried watching Dan Aykroyd and Jan
2012-08-16
The Pond: Needle Felted Caricature Dolls
Big Pond, Li’l Pond Earlier this year I was contacted by UK folk singer, Kathryn Williams, about making dolls for the CD cover of her latest project called The Pond – a collaboration with Simon Edwards and Ginny Clee. I’ve always wanted to see my dolls on a CD and this project wa
2011-11-08
The Late, Great Freddie Mercury – in needle felted wool.
Serendipity: While taking a Sunday drive we spotted a person in a furry costume with a sign that said Farm Open. We followed the sign to a Suri Alpaca Farm and decided to stop in to see if I could find some hair for the doll I’m working on – Freddie Mercury, the late, great… Cont
2011-07-14
Making Whoopi! A Needle Felted Doll
A fan of Whoopi Goldberg commissioned me to create this little needle felted caricature doll.
2011-07-01
Li’l Bob Dylan – Needle Felted Wool Doll
I just finished this cool cat – he was a custom commission and my second version of Dylan.
2011-03-26
New Li’l Willie Nelson Doll – Needle Felted in Wool
Li’l Willie Nelson c. 2011 I’m happy to introduce my needle felted li’l Willie Nelson Doll. I made him on a custom order for a HUGE Willie Nelson fan. He is about 12″ tall and stands on his own. He is solid felted wool (no armature) and he flexes and bends nearly like he’s alive.
2010-10-26
The Who
John ‘Rabbit’ Bundrick – legendary keyboardist for The Who As a longtime fan of The Who, this project was such a thrill for me – and would you believe that I didn’t know Rab owned a red and black western shirt until I saw these photos? Uncanny, is what I say! The story I heard… C
2010-06-27
Li’l Lyle Lovett – needle felted wool art doll
Lyle Lovett has such an interesting face so I thought he would be the perfect subject for a recent workshop where I taught advanced needle felting techniques for working from photographs. It was the first time I’ve shared my techniques for bringing wool to life as an actual liken
2010-06-01
The Li’l Boss – Needle Felted Springsteen Doll
Yes, I made a needle felted caricature of Bruce Springsteen. Li’l Bono was happy to share the stage with The Li’l Boss! Li’l Bruce Springsteen is 100% needle felted
2010-04-14
Li’l Bono – A Needle Felted Wool Doll
He’s just too cool. He stands about 12″ tall and is solid needle felted wool with the exception of his glasses. I cut those out of a plastic water bottle which worked perfect.
2010-03-09
Li’l Ellen DeGeneres
Today I am so happy because I get to unveil a new Felt Alive Li’l Celebrity. Ladies & Gentleman…….Li’l Ellen DeGeneres!!! And it seems the rest of the Felt Alive stars were pretty excited about her arrival on the scene. Li’l Spock likes these guys but disco dancing remains illogi
2009-12-27
You’re Felted!
I needle felted Donald Trump Here he is in-progress. Did I ever mention that needle felting is a crazy, cool craft? They all have a whole lot of fun together!
2009-07-30
Li’l Spock – Needle Felted Vulcan
Li’l Spock came to life in needle felted wool. Illogical
2009-07-06
Will Ferrell – ELF!
Will Ferrell might just be the goofiest character I’ve needle felted. My husband requested a Will Ferrell caricature, my nephew suggested the Elf costume – I think it all worked out although I must admit, this li’l dude sort of gives me the creeps. He looks like he is up to no go
2009-07-01
I Pity the Fool! Mr. T – needle felted
Li’l Mr. T my latest needle felted wool caricature doll. Besides his bling, he is solid sculpted wool. I captured my Li’l T is the outfit that BA wore in the opening sequence of The “A” Team.
2009-06-30
Li’l Travolta Sightseeing in Alaska
I had to make a Li’l Travolta Saturday Night Fever style! Boy does that take me back. I have to find a place with a disco ball for his official photo shoot but in the meantime we took him out sightseeing here in Alaska. When we stopped in at McHugh Creek along Turnagain Arm he… C
2009-06-03
The Man in Black needle felted wool
I must say, I’m pretty smitten with my Li’l Cash – he looked like Sean Connery for so long while I was working on him. Li’l Sean was NOT who this guy was supposed to be (not a bad idea, though.) So, like I usually do at that one special moment where my character comes to… Continu
2009-03-13
Li’l Elvis in needle felted wool
The wool practically sculpted itself – Li’l Elvis really wanted to come to life. This creation was a lot of fun – right down to the Elvis snarl.
2009-03-13
Lil Marylin Monroe in needle felted wool
She looks tragic to me – I find it strange that most of my characters have a spark of joyfulness to me, but not so with Li’l Marilyn. This one was a real challenge -She turned out very balanced and stands all by herself on her little red shoes. Elvis and Einstein better watch out
2009-02-26
Li’l Bob Dylan in needle felted wool
I am really happy to introduce my newest li’l Felt Alive celebrity – Li’l Bob Dylan! I just love how the wool can take on the look of a rugged face and a steely-eyed expression. And curly sheep’s locks seemed like the perfect choice for Dylan hair.
2009-01-30
Li’l Elton John Doll in Needle Felted Wool
My Li’l Elton John doll was SO FUN to bring to life in needle felted wool. Even his li’l glasses are made of wool – I didn’t even have to use wire. My proudest accomplishment is the lenses – they are wool, they are felted and you can see his eyes through them. I just… Continue re
2009-01-05
My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
My Little Willie Nelson! Willie is about 12″ tall and is 100% Needle Felted Wool. His hair is a blend of Alpaca and Icelandic Wool. Like all my characters, I start with a basic body structure using what I call “core wool” which is basically wool batting that has not been dyed. Th
2009-01-03
Willie Nelson Doll In Progress -a needle felted caricature doll
Well, I started a new needle felted creation and decided to share a glimpse of my little Willie Nelson doll in progress. When starting a caricature I have to take charge of the wool in ways that I don’t have to do when just developing a character out of my imagination. I start ou
2009-01-01
Conan O’Brien – Needle Felted Wool
Conan O’Brien came to life in needle felted wool.
2008-12-22
ladies and gentlemen…The Beatles
That’s a lot of fingers to needle felt onto their hands. I form the wool over popsicle sticks to get them into shape. Have I ever mentioned how fun it is to Felt Alive ?