Bunting

I made this length of bunting as a Christmas decoration, and will probably add Christmas motifs to some of the pennants. It is currently for sale, as I have plenty of wool to do another for myself.

The length below is made up of more vibrant colours.

2014 Art Exhibition - AYTON

These are my entries for this year's art exhibition in the village where I live - one pastel, two oils, and three collages. I guess I got most fun from doing the collages, and my favourite would be the sunflowers. Maybe because it's a change from my usual irises and poppies!

The theme this year for the smaller room in the village hall is "Remembrance" and I'm amazed at the creativity of members, who have submitted such a variety of work for this theme. The main room, as ever, has a wide range of subjects and media. 

I'm delighted to have sold two of the above - it's rewarding to think someone else is prepared to put your work on their walls!

Soft Pots

It's been a great day today, at Ebberston Workshop, learning how to make these "soft pots". You need ... one leg from a pair of tights, compost and a plant ...

the decoration is achieved with sisal, organza, wool (but only man-made, nothing natural so no pure wool, no silk) and blingy bits like sequins ... I've no idea how someone came up with such a creative idea, but it works. Chrissy, at the workshop, runs classes if anyone is interested:

  www.the-workshop.info

I'm now on the search for the materials, so I can do some more at home!

Patriotic BUNTING

This bunting is deal for any celebration, but particularly topical this summer for the World Cup football and the Le Grand Depart cycling.

The knitted 15mm braid is approx. 374cm long; there are 17 pennants; each one is approx. 15cm along the horizontal, and 18cm deep.

I’ve used new chunky wool, in red, white, blue and cream colours.

I’m currently knitting a second length of bunting in pinks/ purples/ pastel shades – and I also have wool to do another one in vibrant assorted colours. I guess you could add detachable letters to them for a particular event e.g. “congratulations” or to advertise a shop/stall e.g. “wool-n-art” …. Or I could knit greens, reds, whites etc for “Happy Christmas”. 

LATEST NEWS:  I'm delighted to say this bunting now adorns a beach hut in Jersey! What a fantastic final resting place!

SHAUN THE SHEEP

SHAUN THE SHEEP - NEW, HAND-KNIT SOFT TOY

This soft toy is from Alan Dart’s pattern PBN E2240. It was fun to knit, but a challenge to sew up!

He's stuffed with Habico non-allergenic, washable, polyester filling, which has BS numbers for fire safety and cleanliness, plus European Standard EN71

It has been knitted in a combination of 100% DK cream wool for the body, and all the black wool, plus the cream sweater, is 100% acrylic wool

He’s about 21cm tall.

I also have the Alan Dart Gromit pattern, so that’s my next project, and then I may try Shaun again in chunky wool, now I’ve mastered the sewing up!

Sunflowers - collage

I was given a gold rimmed frame, and what else could I chose to go in it other than glorious sunflowers!
 

Felted Owl Vase

There was another great felting day last Saturday, and thanks to Jenny's help, I made this OWL VASE. Well, not strictly a vase, as it has no base. We had 2 colours of dry wool, but I'd already needle-felted the owl from scraps of browns at home, onto a pre-felt. I'll try to describe how it was made ...


... I “wet felted” a vase shape, without the top and base, using 2 different shades of orange/brown. Before the final layer of dry wool, I hid the owl under a plastic resist. I also made “branches” – added at the end by needle-felting and a minimum of stitching. I wanted to achieve the effect of the owl sitting in a hole in a tree trunk!

I learnt a lot - and want to make another where I will tweak the method - I'd have a different coloured background behind the owl, and maybe a larger opening to represent the hole he is sitting in. I'd also have 2 layers of dry felt over the owl resist, so I could make more of a feature of the branches.

Whitby Harbour and Filey Seafront - prints

Whilst getting my collage pictures framed, I also got these prints mounted and framed together - and they are heading for the FOR SALE page. I did the originals last year.

The overall frame size is 43cm x 52.5cm, and it's a dark green mount, and light wood frame.

Poppies and Irises - collage

As a change from using oil paint for flower pictures, I've just finished two pictures in collage. I painted the backgrounds with cream acrylic paint, and the rest is created from torn and cut paper, taken  from magazines. They each have a single mount, in matching light wood frames, overall size 38cm x 50.5cm. My third collage picture is almost finished - sunflowers - watch this space.

 It's hard to take photos of the finished pictures as I get reflections in the glass!

Hooded Scarf

I enjoyed knitting this - it’s a fairly straightforward pattern, (Pattern from

Whimsical Little Knits 2 Ysolda Teague) with extra interest from knitting just a long scarf. The wool is a merino blend - 100% pure new wool - and the scarf will be very warm - it fits snugly!

Needle-felt card kit

NEEDLE-FELT KIT FOR GREETINGS CARD – IDEAL GIFT OR TO TRY YOURSELF

Having enjoyed creating cards myself, using needle-felting, I thought if I put together a kit, others could have a go without the initial expense of buying a range of wool and cards. Once you’re hooked, then it’s no problem buying in bulk!

Alternatively, I thought it may make an unusual present for a “crafty” friend.

I’ve done two initial kits – this one presents everything in a hessian bag, and includes a piece of foam; the other listing has more cards and wool, but assumes you can find yourself a piece of foam to “stab” into, and don’t need a fancy bag. I’ve done an instruction sheet too.