Nuno Felting & More

Today I have been trying something new with Nuno Felting. Now before I go on, I must credit the idea to Annie Huntley (whom I do not know) the designer of a pattern using this technique that I bought from the Stitches & Craft Show last year. The pattern was actually for a small jacket, but I thought it would get more wear as a scarf!

The other scarves I have made, I laid the tops and other bits on the silk scarf from scratch, however this technique, one does a little felting first then makes the shapes. Not sure how much I can divulge, since the pattern is copyright, but I did find that I needed to do a little needle felting as well to ensure it matted together. I also added some stranded silk for some cool squiggly bits!

I love the result and can't wait to try some more of this technique with other shapes and patterns!

 

I also managed to knit up some wristlets with my Pantry dyed yarn. Dyed with Onions, Purple Carrots, Tumeric & Rusty Iron Pot. Not normally colours I would but together but I love them, and that is what counts!

I also tried my hand at a little Art Yarn in the form of Bee-hive or Coils, not perfect, but I reckon by the end I had the technique down pat, just need to practice making better Thick and Thin yarn me thinks.

I suppose I had better do some housework now!

My Hand Spinning Quest

In my quest to nail the art of hand spinning, I managed to spin yarn fine & consistent enough to go on my bulky knitting machine. I am very happy with the result and ready to try something new!

 Yarn from IxCHeL Yarns & Fibres. Personally I ...think it was the exceptional tops she made with beautiful fibres, including, Valais Blacknose, Teeswater, Cashmere, Angora & and sparkly Gold.

 Here is her page

https://www.facebook.com/pages/IxCHeL-Yarns-Fibres.

Jean Paul Gaultier at the NGV

Braved the heat and went off to see the Jean Paul Gaultier​ exhibition at NGV today..... note to oneself, do not leave it to the last few days and miss out on the all important Exhibition Book...... Grrrr.

Anyway, luckily one can take a few happy snaps on the phone and share to social media, so here you go!

Highlight were the projected images on the faces of come of the mannequins making them lifelike.... although sometimes it was so mesmerizing I almost forgot to look at the garment! 
 

Stop the press!!! Just found the book on EBay so all is not lost.

Christmas at the Johnston Collection!

I finally feel like I can breath now after a hectic couple of months commission knitting. I did however get a change to have a day out with an old school friend Helen! Anyway we went to see 'Christmas as the Johnston Collection', and what a... treat!!!

I had never heard of it before and what a wonderful little gem Melbourne has in its' residential streets. Link below to check out!

Anyway, each year the little museum invites various Artisans and craftspeople to decorate the rooms with pieces inspired by antiques in the collection. This year it was the Geelong Artisan Group, which is made up of; Porcelain Painters, Handweavers & Spinners, Patchworkers and Quilters, Lacemakers, The Bead Society, Embroiderers, and last by not least 'The Trolly Dolly Cloth Doll Club'!

For me the highlight was the bead work, if was exquisite!! Sorry no photos as that was the rule! So if you are in Melbourne before the the 25th of February 2015, there is still time to see if, just remember to book tickets!

https://www.facebook.com/TheJohnstonCollection

 

What I can photograph is the 2 books I picked up at the gift shop afterwards!

 

Blocking with KnitPro!

Busy knitting for a living at the moment, however I did get a chance to test out these little beauties from KnitPro!

They work really well, so easy to use... and well worth it, so no more blocking with pins for me!

http://www.knitpro.eu/Materialwise-size-Details.asp?id=130&Language=English

A productive weekend of Crafting!

So before I open up the boxes I just received full of yarn to knit up for work, I thought I would post a photo of 2 of the things I managed to do over the weekend.

1. Dyed up some old cream yarn to finally have a play with the botanical dyeing skills that I learnt back in September. Onion Skins for Orange, Turmeric for Yellow, Purple Carrots for the Mauve. I also played a little with Alder Cones, but this was not so successful for my first go, so ended up mixing it up a bit with a little Turmeric on some and Purple Carrots on the other. Happy with my first solo go, and eager to do some serious dyeing now.

2. Finished my Yarn Swift that I made at 'Ladies in the Shed' it was made from very cheap pine that was used for packing, so little bit of up cycling for the day. Now I do not have to bother my family! (Whom are all boys, well men now really, and not at all interested in textiley, yarny, crafty stuff)

 

Christmas!

I have been pretty busy, as with everyone else, in the lead up to Christmas. So I thought I would post a quick link to another site I am on.

http://www.redbubble.com/people/betha

I love to take photos, and I love to paint, but no expect on either. However, here are a little combination of both Textiles and Photography that I made for Christmas cards one year..... So that being said.... I hope that this Christmas & New Year brings JOY, HAPPINESS & most of all HOPE for more PEACE and LOVE in 2015 for all!