Spring Green

It doesn't feel as if Spring is coming but it is now getting lighter in the evenings, 5pm last night. I am still thinking about Christmas but the theme for our Spinners, Weavers etc. Guild gift exchange is Spring so I found some lovely large green agate ovals and some frosted quartz. I used the weave technique and hope the whoever gets it will like it.

Red, red, red

While I was using up beads I took a look in my red pot and realised that I had the perfect beads to finish up my small rose quartz beads. I like the headpin charm technique so will use that again.

Stretchy braclets

Headpins again but this time used between beads to light them up. I have now used up the last of the lovely agate that Joan brought me. Roll on the next visit to Northumberland. 

Pearl Pendant

I used headpins on these beads then put them all on a piece of elastic and tied round one end of a toggle clasp. Here it is on a memory wire choker but you could wear on a chain etc.
I enjoyed making it so much that I made another. Favourite colours as always!

Seasons Greetings

I used this photo to make my festive cards this year. It was taken just before dark in Norfolk and the foreground was so dark that the cow parsley stands out. Everyone said it was too dark to take a photo but what the heck it is always worth having a go. 

Purple Pearls

I tried a new technique with this necklace. The pendant on the front is made from nine pearls which you put on individual headpins and cut the excess as you want a short pin. You then put them on a piece of elastic and knot the elastic tight around a jump ring which pulls them into a circle. Dab a bit of nail varnish on the knot and you are read to start threading. The small 5mm beads in between the pearl are tourmaline.

Chrysocolla - what a mouthful!

Chrysocolla are the blue/green larger beads in this necklace. I mixed them with amazonite nugets and round jade beads and a jade heart pendant.

Going Neutral

I loved all the pinky/grey jewellery I saw in Belgium and wanted to make something. This druzy agate and the pink pearls seem to take on the colours of what you are wearing. Not sure who will get this as it is a bit pale for me but I have now ordered some dark purple druzy so watch this space.

More long necklaces

I love the banded colours of the agate and made a couple of long necklaces. The purple is for me and the blue was a Christmas present for Deirdre. It was too long for her but 10 minutes work and hey presto it was perfect. 

Winter Workspace

I have created a new space to work for the winter. I can see the birds feeding and enjoy the sun on a fine day. 

Fish Ahoy!

I came across this pattern for a traditional gansey. I expect it should be knitted in navy blue but I am sure that Paddy will prefer this colour. He needs to grow a bit before it fits.

Must be 105 by now

I have knitted this little cardie over 100 times, I just love doing it. Very few babies get the larger size so Sam is a lucky fellow as he has already had the 6 month size in red. Hope he likes it.

Too many bobbles

I have been making this bag for Helen for what seems like weeks now. It is finally finished and there was a great sigh of relief. The bobbles were a pain.  Because they were so far apart I had to cut the yarn and then sew both ends in. I will felt it when I am feeling brave.

What a difference a frame makes

My very talented framer has been busy and we decided to frame this painting in black. I didn't want a gloss finish so he bought some blackboard paint. Only four more to go now!

Weave technique

I tried a new technique today and it worked well to show off the large green and black quartz bead. I think I will make some more as I have lots of the large beads and they are all different. It is the perfect excuse to order some more shiny black beads to match them.

Blue this time

I used the last agate pendant and most of the lovely beads that Joan got for me to make another long necklace. I know who will be getting this one for Christmas.

Autumn Blaze

Just finished a pair of socks for Kevin and they are just like the colours of the last leaves on the trees. A gorgeous day to enjoy them today. Now have to do a pair for Dad, a pair for Colin, a pair for John and a pair for Paul so that will keep me going for a while!

Flowers for Nanny

Clare made a flower arrangement for her Nan with very little help from her Mum and I. I think it is gorgeous, just like her.

Quick Learners

I had two new pupils today and they learned very quickly and made a necklace and earing set.

Clare has a real eye for design and here is what she made. I think she did a brilliant job!

Cunnamore Dreaming

A couple of years ago we spent a memorable weekend in Cunnamore thanks to the kindness of a great friend. It is now a very special place for us. I took a photo while I was there and it is only now that I have enough confidence to attempt to paint it. I used no brushes in this painting and created the texture using a coarse texture gel. I am reasonably happy with the end result but I am going to paint it again on a rectangular canvas, use a darker blue and try to get more of a silver effect in the sea. Watch this Space!     

Blue Moon

I used the lovely beads that Joan brought me and combined them with some large blue agate pendants and I think the end result is stunning. Using a jump ring at the bottom of the necklace makes the beads swing freely. It is probably the largest and most gem heavy piece I have made and it is destined for a very special sister.

New earing design

I tried out a new design for earings today. They were fiddly to make as you need to get the wires to a length where the beads will swing freely and then do the same for the other one! It was worth the effort though.

Silversmith!

I have tried a new craft. I was booked to do a textile course at IARD in North Wales but it was cancelled. I was offered the chance to work with silver instead. It was a great day and the tutor Angela Evans was so professional and patient. We learnt lots of different processes and I am very pleased with my finished pendant. When I got it home I made a chain using some pearls, some flourite and Japanese silver seed beads.

You can find out more about the courses they do at http://iard.co.uk/

Tynemouth Treasure

Joan brought me some gorgeous beads from Tynemouth market. I know who will be getting a necklace made with the blue ones.

Making Waves

I really enjoyed knitting this little cardie as the frilly edge reminded me of the sea. It looks complicated but just took a little time.

Evening Light 2

More fun with texture this week. I didn't use modelling paste this time but did use the black lava gel and a larger fan brush for the sky.

Evening Light

The light is a bit more pink in West Cork but you get the idea. I was experimenting with acyrilic gels. In this painting I used moddelling paste which you mix with the acrylic to make it firmer and easier to use with a knife. I also used black lava gel for the dark patches in the sky and to give a slight sparkle to the sea.   

Black and White Treasure

Pat asked me to make her a B+W necklace and earings but of course I was short of a few beads! The only thing to do was to order some and they have now arrived. I know that I didn't need the coloured chips but they were pretty and will come in useful. Watch this space! 

Mellow fruithfullness

The blackberries are all gathered and I have set the blackberry vodka to brew. I just have to remember to shake it every two days now for two months. I can then strain it and eat the blackberries and the mellow brew will be ready for drinking on my birthday.

Texture, texture, texture

It is great to be back with my art group. This term we are going to be "messing" We had to put blobs of paint about a third of the way down the canvas with a palette knife. Then using a 1" brush and white emulsion paint we dragged the blobs and just went with the flow. The top of mine turned out very dark but when I flipped it over I thought it looked like the sea so just added more white for the sky. Then a bit of texture and hey presto a painting in under an hour! I am going to have fun this term.  

Variation on a theme

I liked the colours that Pat choose for her necklace so I made one using flourite, amethyst beads and pearls. I think it worked out well. 

While I had the beads out I made the same design using rose quartz and red frosted quartz. I wore this with a purple top and the red quartz looked very purple.   

Beading tutorial

Pat and I had a fun day beading. I think she was very pleased with the necklace she made. I love the flourite chunks!

I made two necklaces in black, white and grey one for Melanie and one for me to wear with my new cape.

Kerry Roots

The jumper for Sam is finished. It is knitted in wool from Scandinavia in honour of his grandfathers Viking roots. It was knitted in Kerry -  in Dingle, in Killarney, and finished in Sneem with a tiny dash of West Cork added for good measure. The Kerry connection is to remember his grandmothers Carmody/Murphy roots. And finally I took a photo of it in Boolananave near Sneem as that is where my great grandmother Ellen Clifford is from.

I hope he enjoys wearing it.

Beading together

I had a great day in a gorgeous weaving studio making jewellery with my friends.  Here is a photo of them hard at work and one of the jewellery we created. I made a lariat necklace using lapis, pearls, blue crystal beads and seed beads. It looks more delicate than the previous one because I used smaller (4/6mm) beads and 40 seed beads between each set of beads. I am pleased with the results.

Kerry Roots

I am making this jumper for Samuel Brown whose great grandfather came from Kerry. I started it on Dingle (in the rain), carried on in Killarney (in the rain) and will finish it in Sneem very soon. I couldn't resist knitting some West Cork sunshine into it so here is my work in progress on a lovely sunny day on Long Strand.   

All wrapped up

I made a VERY long lariat necklace that can hopefully be worn in lots of ways. It was a chance to use some of my new amathest beads (thanks Joan) amd some of the pearls I bought recently with lots of seed beads to make the more expensive beads go further. I now have a commission for one in blue so the lapis lazuli will come in handy.  

Thank you Mum

After all the grief and tears over the last weeks Mum has made us ROAR with laughter.

Last year she asked me to get her wool and a pattern for an aran waistcoat. I resisted as I knew that it would be too complicated and I would have to knit it. I finally gave in and bought the "cherry red" wool and sure enough a few weeks later it came to me to knit. How I hated that jumper! I must have ripped it dozens of times as I kept going wrong. I was going to leave some of the tiny mistakes but I knew full well that she would spot them. It finally got finished and she was very pleased with it. So pleased that she entered it into the local show as HER work where it won first prize. The first we knew was when they came to the door last night with the prize money. Breda managed to keep a straight face but how we roared with laughter after they had gone. The money is going to be spent on a "cherry red" rose bush for the garden and I am sure it will give us lots of smiles.
Thanks for being the greatest Mum

Summer Sky

I fell in love with the colour of this wool in a shop in Spain. The hem of this pattern is really sweet. Hope Lizzie likes wearing it.

New treasure

What will I make with these gorgeous beads? Pearls, amazonite, amathest chunks and fire agate. 

Old Shale Scarf

I found 4 balls of Sirdar bamboo in a sale bin so decided to do a stripy scarf. I used an old favourite pattern. the only trouble is that I know it too well and don't concentrate so I spend a lot of time ripping it out.