my creative space

With special christmas markets coming up and my love of birds 'tis only right that I am making some bird brooches.


And I am sneaking in some crochet despite the weather-here's a flowery little detail...

This yarn for the flower detail is from the delicious fauve fibres bundle which I added to my stash. It's the top ball in this picture but is going fast! So happy using these lovely yarns!

I'm off to see what you've all been doing :o)
xKate

finding the right home...

I made this little doll a couple years ago and she faithfully came along to nearly every market I attended since. Last Sunday at the latest Northey street Village life market she was picked up, looked over and not put back down. She finally was matched to the right person...and what a sweet feeling it is to see something you've made go to someone who cherishes it.

I am completely cherishing my latest purchases too. In fact I was practically having a photographic love affair with these little babies today!
I always seem to bring home wool and feel a bit excessive and worry about having materials that are totally surplus to my needs, but in this instance of spontaneous shopping I have no regrets at all. Not-ta one!
These precious Fauve fibres have found the right place with me.
I don't really know what I'll make yet, but boy, it has to be sooooo special!

This green toned one is 10 ply and is amazing to touch...it's from a bluefaced Leicester Aran, which I was told is the 'poor mans cashmere'...I don't know much at all about the various sheep's and wools but, wow, I agree because it feels perfectly luxurious.

This amazing skein has silk spun through the wool too-I love looking at all those tiny flecks of light and dark, so rich and luscious....

The gorgeous smaller orange toned one is delightfully fine and is going to be perfect for making some new flowers. When I bought these yarns they presented to me were in this beautifully screen printed bag...sigh. Maybe I need to coin a new term for this-its not really retail therapy, maybe 'market therapy' ? Any other suggestions and importantly any ideas for projects with my new yarns!?
xkate
for more creative space outs go here

my creative space

To display work at markets is always a bit tricky, yes? To find a way to show my smaller multiple pieces (such as nest brooches) without taking up too much of the available space is a puzzle...I have been working away with glues, varnishes, old sheet music and a broken old small wooden and cardboard suitcase this week.


Once its finished I will post it up but I thought I'd share my progress...I am a big fan of white paint glazing and even the incomplete state of it is pleasing me!

I have also been digging through all my pretty tiny remnants of yarns-little pieces lovely Sam Allan made,organic and hand dyed and oh so soft...I don't have many left at all now, juts enough for small flowers like these


The centre is a bead made with crochet cotton, remnants from biddy bags donated to me. The inner blue piece is from Sam and the outer piece is a yarn dyed myself, which turned out (well how to put this delicately...err...I can't!) very blood like, accidentally mind you!


And this one is made from a bunch of mixed yarns picked up at a garage sale and the beautiful button has come from someones old stash...with buttons all mixed together I've no idea anymore who gave me each one.

Each yarn though has a story I remember, maybe in part because I linger over each one sooo much when I first receive or buy them??


And finally meet Mr Koala here-I call him stumpy. I don't have enough yarn left for his legs and arms-I have a funny idea though which may or not work, therefore may or may not be followed up on here...


xKate
creative spaces here...

my creative space

Excuse me if I ramble...I am typing this with a lump in my throat, having a tears of joy kind of moment. Unexpected kindness and generosity do it to me every time!
This morning first thing I was taking some rubbish out to the bins when I spied a couple of parcels on my doorstop...I had ordered some fabric from Kylie and Cloud of Voodoo Rabbit for a plushy workshop I am teaching next Friday. And here it is-fabulous prints.

So while I was surprised and excited it had arrived so soon(the day after I ordered it!You girls rock!), I really didn't think much more of it.
My sons carried the parcels in for me and as I opened up one, I let one of my sons open the other one.
(Which I thought must be containing the buttons or something-early morning fog brain thinking..) But this tea box was not at all what I was expecting so I paused and watched as he slid open the lid to reveal these...


the penny dropped, as I saw the note and understood this had nothing to do with my order, from an entirely different source.

It's a gift- from her own collection...hand woven....given to her by her mum...over thirty years old...dear Kirsten, thank you, thank you so very much!!
I am happy, heart warmed and so inspired by these treasures, so now I am off to think, dream and try create something, hopefully reflecting the grace and warmth of your sweet nature,
X Kate

Yarn bombing fun!

I really enjoy listening to local abc radio so it was especially fun to be invited into the abc radio studio to yarn bomb it to promote close knit!
The lovely Anne O'Keefe, is the reporter for abc local radio 612, featured on Spencer Howsons' breakfast show...

She pre recorded an interview with me for the early morning show.

These snaps were taken as Sam, Getano and I decorated.

It was really easy to wrap my scarves and brooches all over the equipment and not so easy to hold back...so we didn't!

While Sam was in getting interviewed I kept adding more and more; placing things all over the walls, mike stands, monitor stands, chairs, etc, etc.

This lovely monitor stand flower was my favourite detail.

Happiness is a crochet covered studio!

my creative space...

This weeks been fantastically busy and creatively diverse too...I don't know where to start!

I gave my first workshop for a project called 'Close Knit' which is a Brisbane Festival yarn bombing and community involvement project of amazing proportions...to find out how to get involved head here...
I am working alongside a wonderful group of women, from Brisbane's African community and we are creating some special BIG pieces.
Another 5 workshops to go, I can hardly wait.

Been making some simple stews;
Nothing fancy; a big handful of cherry tomatoes, a can of lentils mixed in a small saucepan with some slow fried onion, garlic, and diced carrot...I added a dollop of butter at the end-yum!

Onion skin stew anyone? Actually, this is another pot...with left over onion skin + locally gathered gum tree bark, steeping and boiling....

..to naturally dye some second hand wool.
I put the yarn in without putting it into skeins...the liquid soaked right through, carrying the pigment right through.
Why do instructions always include making up skeins for dyeing rather than dyeing balls?

It turned out this gorgeous caramel colour.

I have also pulled out my sewing machine again after I scored some more vintage fabrics.
I am making up new handbags, earmarked for Bleeding Heart gallery store.

I haven't done much sewing lately, I like it but compared to my yarn work it's so complex!
I make my handbags double sided, with a different print on each side, so they can be turned either way out...
I need to take a lot of care when stitching the binding, because it holds it together and has to look pretty both sides...check out this lovely piece of fabric though...

I had to show it in a bit more detail, love the colour of the flower, the stylised leaf and the gentle dot patterns.

I will be making and bringing more bags along to the Tricycle Pop Up shop too...

Tricycle is the combined brainchild of Bec, Chrissy and I,
celebrating/sharing our love of all things upcycled and crafty...
above is Becs' beautiful poster...she is so talented!!
For more creative spaces head to kootoyoo
ciao Kate

my creative space

This time of year I get out of bed slowly, feeling un willing to wake, as a consequence all our meals get pushed later, lunches become bigger, dinners smaller.
I feel more introspective and less talkative...walk more, talk less, notice more beautiful things , but feel no need to take photographs, I eat less and drink more tea.


My joints get achy in winter too, my thumbs been sore (too much crochet can be a bad thing) so this week to give myself a break I tried some collage, using scanned images from my vintage books.
It's tricky stuff!! I am very inspired by LiKim(see my last post), her detailed collages must take so long to make, my above 'first go' took ages and it's just 2 pictures!

I did a little more yarn dyeing again this week too as its another easy activity.
I applied the dye onto them outside so I didn't have to worry about stains and spills-this is especially relevant when kids or messy adults (like me) are the painters.

Winding the skeins back into balls again in front of the heater was so peaceful, enjoyable passing the soft pretty coloured yarn through my fingers, so cozy.

I have been wanting to make ginger beer for yonks, my mum always made it when I was growing up and I found a recipe on the stellar Meet me at Mikes blog.

This not impressive looking little splash of liquid at the bottom of the jar is day one of the process of making the ginger plant to make the brew! Wish me luck?!
xKate

off you go...http://www.kootoyoo.com/

my creative space

Regular readers might remember my up coming workshop induced knitting panic?
I was asked to work on a upcoming festival program teaching knitting-being a crochet/sewer this was a big exciting freaky challenge. So for a month or so I have been diligently and clumsily knitting most nights.

However in the first planning meeting I found out I can teach any kind of yarn work...I am glad for time of knitting though and found it much easier than remembered (maybe I just break rules with more confidence now??)

But anyway, since finding out the sticks have been "cast off"(pun! ark!)

here's my week long love affair with crochet...cue slow music and mood lighting...

custom dyed scarves drying over my curtain rod...

a mixed wool scarf stretched out on the hot pavers to dry...

such glorious weather for yarn dyeing this week...

Trip (short for Tripitaka) sneaks in everywhere so I may as well let him sneak into my blog...

Crochet scarf resting on a knitting book...irony? This book is amazing(the natural knitter)

large hat is made with Te Awa eco range and the small with woolganics.

Top of shot is another Te Awa eco yarn in a lovely pink colour and other shot is some hand dyed red yarn (lets call it "twilight red" ;o) it turned out much darker than planned...)


if interested in natural knitting the New Zealand Te Awa eco range is wonderful-
humanely farmed sheep, low or zero chemical residue in the wool then dyed with no heavy metal dyes...
also within Australia you can use woolganics organic yarns, which are incredibly soft and cozy.
happy creating everyone...
as always head along to...http://www.kootoyoo.com/ for more creative spaces
xkate

cold and flu craft!

Lots of fellow bloggers are sick or their kids are sick. My kids are home (yet again) with another cold...

the main points for healing are-
lots of good fluids-clear broths, water, diluted juices. Spending some time in the sun.
Rest.
How to rest? Make yourself ignore the mess(it will keep) and find a project that requires you to sit...
while caring for my little ones I have been tackling some recycling projects.
I bought a 2nd hand lilac mohair cardigan. It had beautiful vintage buttons which I cut off. I have been un ravelling it apart and winding it into balls or as the knitters say 'frogging it '(rip it,rip, it, rip it)
This will make about 4 balls of yarn, so for $6 I got some beautiful yarn and buttons.
To find out how to do this yourself see this link
;http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-recycle-an-old-sweater-or-a-botched-one-i/

This is my cold relieving honey tea recipe-

2 tablespoons honey,
cup water,
juice of 2 lemons,
half teaspoon fresh ginger and some fresh mint...
in a small saucepan heat up water with honey to dissolve, remove from heat then add the juice, ginger, and mint and steep for a while. Strain for kids and serve up still warm.


Another good way to rest is to browse online...Jackie French's various websites make great reading.
She is a green gardening guru- her sites and books abound with recipes, insights into gardening and so much more besides.
She writes wonderful fiction stories as well and has written for earth garden magazine for years...aww, she even helps rehabilitate injured wombats back into the wild! I have to admit to being a big fan of her work....

Here's a couple of her recipes, word for word and taken from her website-
Last Resort Cold Cure
I have no evidence at all that this works - though taking three raw cloves of garlic (with food) while the cold or flu lasts may lessen its duration. Maybe it's chief advantage is that it's so horrible that you feel you HAVE to get well - just so you don't have to take this stuff.
3 cloves raw garlic, chopped
juice of 1 lemon
pinch of powdered cinnamon
6 drops Tabasco sauce
half a teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 cup hot water
Mix all ingredients. sip slowly (there is no way you can gulp this down.) Now go to bed. You'll need it. Be prepared for severe indigestion and long and painful burps.

Chicken Soup
Chicken soup may just- possibly- help the inflammation in colds and flu. Even if it doesn't, it makes you feel cherished- and the warm fluid does no harm either.
Ingredients:
4 cups chicken stock (Bought or home made)
juice of 1 lemon
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon olive oil
Saute the garlic and onion in the oil till soft. Add stock; cook for ten minutes; add the lemon juice and serve.
Go here for more....
http://www.jackiefrench.com/
xkate

my creative space

Images in King George Square Brisbane, taken during the 'Saviors of the lost arts' craft market on Tuesday.
What an amazing week to be a crafter in Brisbane...(find out more in my last post below)

Behind the scenes of a mums' craft stall apart from the endless crochet there can be; crying babies, phone calls made to try and organise emergency care of sick children....and countless cups of coffee/tea. At the end of it all upon reflection the best part of attending markets is you! All you lovely gracious people who stop in and tell me you love my work and have been waiting for the chance to meet me, to buy my things and to talk craft. It's so very gratifying.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
xkate
p.s link away to creative land via the amazing kootoyoo's Kirsty at http://www.kootoyoo.com/

p.p.s-how to handle someone ripping of your ideas? Have discovered a whole 'suitcase' worth of idea and product thievery going on and need some guidance about approaching this upsetting situation??

my creative space

Good morning all! So nice to be here again.

Here's some things on my mind and in my hands.
Big scarves whilst lovely and restful to make are not always stimulating creatively.

I am enjoying the unexpected and free path the crochet nests are taking me onto...

Linen, glass beads, old metals, roughened woods, vintage buttons....

wrapping linen thread around the key worked well, really securely attached.

I need to find some more old keys.

And wrapping felt around this twig was the right thing for this one.

They just looked so lost without something to be placed on.

For more creative spaces go to
www.kootoyoo.com

xKate