Overdue Lines

There's been a bit of a break in my Diploma studies.  I had no workshops in January, but now I'm busy gathering stuff together for the February one, which will be multi-media collage.
At the end of last year I had a five day Creative Development course on 3D line.  I had such a great time that week making endless samples of three dimensional lines from anything that came to hand that I've been loathe to share the results with anyone in case they don't 'get it'.  Our tutor was fantastic and there was absolutely no pressure to produce any finished work, it was just a wonderful opportunity to play.  I can't tell you what a joy that was!
These are just a few of the ideas I spent time experimenting with.

String & tubular ribbon.

Recycled packaging and wire.

           

Raffia bundles wrapped with linen twine.

Careful placement of stitch gives lines on calico.

Florist's Midelino sticks are very bendy.

A line of silk cocoon dots.

Perle threads on string.

Wires wrapped in painted calico.

There are others combining fancy knitting and wood or metal grids and plastic, but I don't want to bore you!

Friday Felt

Felt Vessels

These I made a while ago.  I've brought them out again because the colours were based on flowers I have in the garden right now - snowdrops and crocuses.
I went through a felt phase some years ago and still have all the gear, but it is such a physical process and I'm basically such a lazy crafter that I very rarely feel moved to do anything other than cover a few pebbles these days.
Making felt really needs to be done standing up and calls for lots of energetic pummeling and whilst I do enjoy the scent of the olive oil soap I find I'd really rather be sitting in a comfy chair and stitching.

Wordless Wednesday

romieux in alpine house

Weaving Calico Strips

In my most recent 'turning out' session I came across a couple of these.  An idea that I had been playing with years ago and just not followed through.  With the addition of a bit more calico and at the expense of a few hours of my time, I now have these.

Cushion

Small bag

In other news, I've just taken a commission to knit a dress and coat outfit for a three year old girl.  The first time I've agreed to knit anything for anyone outside my family in years!

Revisiting Lace.

Over the past few weeks I've been trying to extend my working space, this has meant sorting through stuff that I haven't used in ages.  One of the more interesting things I rediscovered was my old lace pillow and a stash of bobbins.  I used to spend hours engrossed in lace making, I even took proper lessons at one point.  I'm not sure I'd want to set out on a table-mat or a hankie edging now, but I found I can still enjoy rustling up a few bookmarks.
Lace making is not a difficult process, it is very logical and quite therapeutic.  As with knitting, there are a limited number of stitches, but endless combinations.  A fully 'dressed' lace pillow can appear daunting, but no matter how many bobbins your pattern calls for you only ever move one pair at a time.

In other news, my little book for children seems to be selling quite well. 
If you'd like a copy and missed the details of how to download it, you'll find them HERE

Wordless Wednesday

Kindle version from Amazon

PDF format from Publisher

ebook format from Publisher

ibook soon to be available from Apple store

Autumn Colours

It's a very long time since I did any work with silk fibres, so I am pleased with the colours and texture that I managed to achieve on this bowl.  Leaves are staying on shrubs and trees so late this year that I still have these colours in my garden at the moment, but probably not for much longer.