The IFA online shop is now open again after our little stock take and to celebrate we have cut the price of back issues of Felt Matters, our quarterly journal. The current issue is still £12 but older issues are available for as little as £4 including postage and packing.

If you are missing an issue or you were featured and want another copy now is the time to buy - visit our online shop.

The feltmakers in Ireland have their own organisation Feltmakers Ireland founded in May 2003 in response to a growing interest in feltmaking. Feltmakers Ireland has received enthuastic support from a very energetic membership. Visit their lively website at www.feltmakersireland.com.

The IFA was very pleased to be the guests at Feltrosa earlier this year where the exhibition The Climate Is Changing was launched.

Coordinamento Tessitori, in collaboration with International Feltmakers Association, Filz Netz Werk and Fondazione Museo del Tessuto has organised this travelling exhibition of felt textile art on the impact of human actions on the environment. The exhibition is the result of collaboration between the three European organizations that are dedicated to the promotion of the art of felt, in order to create opportunities and opportunities for interaction and cultural exchange. The exhibition will tour Europe in the coming two years.

There are two videos available on YouTube showing the opening location for this important exhibition:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4sGoPeD3yI
• http:///www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmSeyTld-uw

For more information about this exhibition, particularly if you are interested in hosting it, please contact the IFA This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Chris Lines, coordinator for Region 2 (which covers her home on the Isle of Wight) was involved in some yurt making. She was interviewed for the Isle of Wight's news blog. Read about it and listen to her podcast interview on the Ventnor Blog.

For members who do not have a username & password.

We will soon be generating a username/password combination for members who do not yet have access the members only area of the IFA website. These members will receive an email in the next few days. By logging on, members are able to...

• view additional information for IFA members only,
• view information about their local region region,
• participate in online discussions and
• renew membership.

Simply log on using the "Members Login" form just below the main menu and additional menu items will appear. For further information, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

4th March - Update:

All usernames/passwords have now been sent by email. If you have not received yours, please check your spam before contacting the webmaster.

You can now join the IFA online and get instant access to all areas of the website.

• Complete the online application form and then pay with your credit card through our payment processors, PayPal (so you can use your Paypal account if you wish). Get instant access to membership benefits.
  
• Existing members will also be able to renew online in the month before their membership expires. Never miss a copy of Felt Matters again!

Region 13 News    6th  January 2010          
NEXT  MEETING  -  Sunday 17th January 2010 Dunblane Centre 10am - 4pm  Help with the final mounting of the Standards or work on your own project. All welcome! Tea and coffee provided - buy lunch next door at M&S!

Exhibitions
Scottish Standards
24 Standards created by members and friends of the Scottish Feltmakers.  The Standards are a celebration of Scotland’s History and Culture and the Year of the Homecoming.  These standards, telling the Story of Scotland from Neolithic times,  were made in small groups around the country, involving as many people as possible, using local wools and materials whenever possible.   This co-operative venture evolved as a result of many group sessions and discussions, and the sharing of expertise over a two year period.
Venues
S.E.C.C. Glasgow Creative Stitches Exhibition       -                  2nd -7th March 2010
Helensburgh Library, W. Dumbarton                       -                         April        2010
Scottish Parliament Edinburgh, Members’ Gallery    -               15th - 18th June  2010
Birnham Arts Centre, Dunkeld Perthshire                 -                          January   2011
Edinburgh International Festival - proposal - awaiting confirmation.
To view the panels and update venues click on this  http:www.feltheadtotoe.co.uk/scottish_ heritage_standards.htm

Workshop News - COBWEB  FELT  CLASS  -  Tutor Jenny Mackay  -  Sunday, 28th February - Cost £20    Dunblane Centre 1-am - 4pm   For more information and to book please contact Ann Ross, Bridgford Firpark Terrace, Cambusbarron.Stirling. FK7 9ND Cheques made payable to Feltmakers Region 13

S.E.C.C. Glasgow "Creative Stitches Exhibition"  4th - 7thMarch  2010    We have been allocated a stand and also as you will read above the Exhibition Area has been reserved for our "Scottish Standards". We will need to staff these areas  so please get in touch if you would like to be involved in this great event, even for a half- day- FREE entry to the show of course. Either e mail me,  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 01786479516

"" Felt Summer Schools in Scotland"   Tutor Jeanette Sendler, Newburgh, Fife KY14 6DP
Course 1 "Twenties Flair and Fashion"  -  19th July  -  23rd July      -  Cost £250
Course 2 "Felting the Garden"   -   26th July  - 30th July                  -  Cost £250
Workshop open 9am - midnight  -  for all you nightowls!!

For more information look up This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone Jeanette on 01738624213

The back numbers for the journals 92 to 95 inclusive are available to buy on the web now. They are all £6 plus postage and include the Anniversary Issue in March commemorating 25 years of the International Feltmakers Association.
Journal number 96 is now on the web for £10 plus postage. Anyone being a little late renewing their membership this year but who still wants to keep a complete set of journals should go to the shop and buy this one whilst stocks last!

In Scotland, 2009 is the Year of 'The Homecoming'. The IFA Conference and AGM being held in Scotland will see the unveilling of 12 standards that are a celebration of Scottish heritage from the distant past to the present. Each banner represents a significant aspect of Scotland such as milestones in its rich culture, history, industry, folklore, or characteristics of land and fauna.

The photograph shows eight feltmakers at the start of the banner making project in Dunblane on Sunday, 11th January. The project has involved many members of Region 13 (Scotland) working individually and in small groups throughout its scattered community of felters and friends.

The text in the new web layout (January 2009 onwards) is smaller than before. If you have trouble reading the text you can increase the size. Recent web browsers support the adjustment of the text with the following keys: