Crossing the Borders

I crossed three borders to get from West Cork to Northumberland. There were no borders or barriers at the Border Textile Group meeting though. I was welcomed with open arms as their first International visitor!

 

It was a great afternoon and I learned how to make paper using mulberry silk and wildflowers. I bought a kit and have ordered some mulberry silk from Oliver Twist Fibres on etsy. I found some wild sea asters on the beach at Bamburgh and Joan has given me some of Aunt Florrie's lace so I can't wait to have a go myself. The process looks easier (if a little messier) than wet felting and you are left with a much finer product.

 

 I took a few photos on the day, my favourite piece was the snowdrops.

 

 

 

 

Crazy Wool

I bought some new solvable fabric and have been wanting to have a go at crazy wool for ages. August was the perfect time as I had banned myself from stitching. I had plenty of odds and ends in my stash. I used quite a few silky yarns and added some strips of sari silk too as the experimental one I did a while ago was a bit scratchy.

You need two pieces of the fabric the same size. This is coated in glue so the whole lot will stay in place while you sew. You can buy a spray glue too. It makes your sewing maching a bit sticky so be prepared for a clean up afterwards.

Lay out your yarn on a strip of the fabric. I kept mine fairly dense but you can use less for a more open fabric. Put another piece of fabric on top and stitch the whole lot together in different directions. Wash away the fabric following the instructions and carefully lay it out to dry making sure it is not folded. I found it needed to be washed and rinsed three times as the glue makes it sticky. I might even have to wash it a couple more times. I am now trying to decide what to do with the ends. Will I leave them hanging, cut them off or sew them in? 

 

I do like the finished scarf and of course it is my colours! I have plenty of purple yarns and might make a purple scarf. I would make some felt in purple tones which I can cut into leaf shapes,  and perhaps embroider and add beads. That will have to be a project for next August as it is back to the stitching now!

 

 

 

New School Year

I used to love this time of the school year. There was an excitement about going back and sorting your new pencils and books.

 

I have bought new boxes to hold my treads for stitching. They are lunch boxes with a photo of two of my completed works. They are perfect for holding my notions.

 

The other thing about this time of the year is that the nights start to draw in. The only thing to do is light the fairy lights. Here is my new set.

 

 

 

Amethyst Days

I spotted this knitting pattern and had to try it. I would not normally make a baby garment in an aran wool but just loved the shape. I used Drops Big Merino wool and it is wonderful for stitch definition.

 

The waistcoat is knitted from the top down and EVERY row is different while you are increasing. I ripped it out three times. The most annoying bit was finding that I had changed the direction of one of the cables about 6 inches back. AARGH!!

 

It was worth it though because I love he finished version. I bought 4 balls of wool but only used 3 so I will buy some more and make another one.

 

 

Inspiration Strikes

I know what they say about waiting for inspiration but I really like it when you are minding your own business and you see something you love. I have been meaning to stop in Bandon for ages to take a look at the garden that Pat created. I noticed the verbena was out so thought I would stop. What treasure! An idea for a stitching, some butterflies to keep me company and lots of tiny seedlings that I can harvest next Spring and give a good home to.

 

A fine result!

 

 

No Stitching

We are a few days into August now and the temptation to stitch has not hit me yet. I am back to the crochet and to knitting too. I am waiting for the urge to try something new to strike but so far I am content with getting my head round a new cable pattern and trying to remember how I did this Circle of Friends granny square.

 

 

 

 

Hedgerow Heaven

The knots are finished! This piece began with a skirt from a charity shop given to me by Di. The inspiration came from all the wonderful June hedgerows we saw in Devon. I bought the frame in Matalan so the size was dictated by that. This is the first piece that I have signed my name to so I feel that I am moving forward. Breda has chosen this for her birthday present. I am thrilled that she wants it but I don't want to let it go yet!

 

 BUT.........I have been looking at the montbretia everywhere in the hedges so I think that might be my next piece. I need to find some orange fabric in the charity shop or otherwise I will be going after Mary's clothes with the scissors.

 

I am having a forced month off from stitching. I need to get some knitting done and finish the crochet throw. I hope too I will find some space to try something new. A bit of crazy wool maybe????