And an even longer time . . .

I still have not done any weaving this year, but I did get a warp on the loom for Cross Country samples. It's still waiting.

Once my long involved PWN exhibition piece was done I decided to do another in a fraction of the time. I used fabric I had woven some time ago and had a dressmaker put it together for me. My contribution was in the form of beading and hand embroidery stitching all around the edge. Photos will come in due course. 

Because I had offcuts from the second Cloak I used them to finish off my overdue Cross Country "own choice" samples. I had already done the required topic for the year so it was good to finish up the whole project and get it away only a couple of weeks late.  I still have the warp on the loom and when I get to weave it off I will be streets ahead for next year.

For years I have promised myself I would one day learn lacemaking and this year the "one day" has arrived. I realise it will take up weaving time but it's probably time I slowed down with that anyway. I will still weave but maybe at a slower pace until I get to grips with this new craft.  I will probably never be a great lacemaker but I want to learn enough to know that I can do it and maybe make a few bookmarks. What I have made so far is a snake!

My first attempt at lacemaking

It's been a LONG time !

I have today put the last stitch into my cloak for the PWN Exhibition in June. It has to be delivered to the annual Seminar in March.  I began winding the warps in January 2015 so it has been a year in the making, not counting the "thinking time" and planning before that.  I will not do this again - working on something piecemeal, over a long time. If I ever make another exhibition piece I will decide what I am going to make and make it - finish! Now I need to return my living room to something like normal and less like a workshop. I also look forward to getting back to my loom, though there are a few things to catch up on before that happens. I don't know when I last had such a long break from the loom.

I will not publish any photos of the cloak until the exhibition opens. Instead I will put here a couple of photos, not of weaving but the result of a burst of creativity I just felt I had to do. . . and it was such fun!

This bird bath was triggered off by finding the gorgeous blue plate in an op shop for $10. A few jars and a piece of PVC pipe to secure in into the garden were all that was needed. I love it - but I've never seen a bird on it yet. Maybe it will be a bird feeder in the winter.

Model No. 2 is made from several microwave plates and jars from the re-cycle centre with a glass platter and a torso of bath salts. This one sits on a large paving tile - also from "wastebusters."  Each item is extremely heavy, including the "handle" which reads "Don't worry, be happy." So far it has not blown over in a nor'wester.
I have to tell myself "that is enough!"  I don't really want the whole garden full of weird sculptures - but it's very tempting.
 

My entries in Handworks 2015

It's some time since I wove this tablecloth but it is its first outing

My only sale - a large soft throw

Another throw, this one in blues

My favourite at the moment. Alpaca and silk lace weave with beaded fringe.

Another lacy wrap. No beads on this one. The items on top are not mine.

Wrap number three, very light, soft and shiny.

 

 

Busy, Busy Spring Time

Not busy at the loom but weaving still seems to be involved in everything I do.  A most pleasant task was to be present in Birgite's garden on 9 & 10 October when it was part of a Garden Tour for St Andrew's Church.  I set up a small display of accumulated scarves to complement Birgite's loom which she was setting up in the foyer of her lovely home. So people had a bonus to check out as well as being able to wander around her extensive garden and riverside walk.

This swing/seat was SO tempting!

No sooner was the Garden Tour over than the Nelson/Marlborough/Buller Area Exhibition was upon us. It was held in Marlborough this year.  I'll post some photos from it next time.

Exhibition Cloak - Work in Progress

A lull in other weaving projects seemed like a good time to bring out another warp for my cloak project. This time a darker blue than before and a bit more heavy handed on the copper. This piece will make the two panels for the centre back of the cloak.

 A narrow panel so threading was quick

 I needed at least 6 shuttles so had to fossick for them. 

Used a mix of throw shuttles and sticks.

 Quite pleased with the "shreds and patches" effect which gives the cloak its title

 Pressing and trimming took a while. 

I like to leave trimming the ends off until last to make sure they are secure

 My show and tell for July

Lucet cords will be used to lace the panels together

Not my best work!

I tried really hard to help someone out by reproducing their family tartan. It needed seven colours and I only managed to find them by sourcing bits and pieces including some from a friend.  It looked pretty good when I took it from the loom but a wash reminded me of the pitfalls of differential shrinkage.  My perfect selvedges waved and wriggled and the fabric just didn't want to sit flat for more than half a minute after it was pressed. Afterwards my sister reminded me that years ago when I had made tartan scarves for our family that I had said, "Never again!"  Now she tells me!  In fact I would do it again if I could be sure that all the yarns were the same to start with.

This is my 1996 model, still going strong.

An Exciting Commission

They may look like "just scarves" but these are special. Normally I make scarves one at a time and go to great lengths to make them all a little bit different. This time I had a commission for TEN scarves, all made to the same specifications though in five different colours.

They are now finished and are winging their way to Qatar!  I still find it hard to believe but my bank balance is the proof of this puddling.  I was a little bit afraid I might get bored by the end but that didn't happen, mainly because of the softest, lightest fibre I have ever worked with I think. It is so luxurious. What is it?  Believe it or not, it is MINK.

A ferret by any other name . . .

I try not to think too much about the ferret likeness!  Apart from that cringe factor, the whole exercise has been a challenge, fun, and very satisfying.