A Whole Lotta Flowers

Amazing what can be done in Photoshop. I like all of them.

A gift from a friend.

Thanks Mitty. Whenever she visits I get flowers from her garden

Granny squares

I think I’ve wired the basic granny square.

These are actually quite large granny squares. Each of these has used the whole skein of wool. I will have to purchase more because I need them large enough for cushion covers.

I crocheted these with Lincraft Prism - A variegated yarn in gorgeous colours.Composition: 70% Wool, 30% Soybean. Grams: 50gm. Needle Size: 6.00-6.50mm. Meterage per Ball: Approx. 65 Metres. Tension (10 x 10cm) 16 stiches x 20 rows and it costs AU $6.99.

Truly, when is enough ENOUGH?

I have discovered a new interest. As if I didn’t have enough. As it is I am all over the place trying to do everything. But I love them all and don’t want to give anything up. So, jack of all trades and master of none is maybe what I have to settle for.

Yes, my new obsession is sea glass. It is "treasure from trash." Sea glass started out as bottles, broken buoy lights, anything made of glass which has been polished and frosted by the sea. HERE is a site that gives the lowdown on sea glass.

The beauty of this interest is:

1. I get outside into the sea air
2. Exercise
3. Murray comes with me if he is available
4. Flynn, the dog, also comes and has a wonderful time in the water
5. I come home with treasures
6. And it is so good for the soul to be at the beach in all kinds of weather

So far I have discovered that this coast has a plethora of clear and brown sea glass. It is a thrill to find green and I can’t wait to find some other colours – blues and pinks would be good.

You may well ask what I am going to do with such treasures. I have a few ideas but right now I just like finding and looking at them.

These aren't my discoveries, but an example of other colours.

One possibility of sea glass potential. Visit HERE if you want to check out more examples.

Unravelling crochet

I have had the urge to learn how to crochet for more than a year now. To start with, I searched in vain for someone to teach me how. Then I lined my Auntie Pat from Geelong up. However, it’s a two hour drive and so far, haven’t been able to organise the trip. So then I started teaching myself. To start with I had no idea and it was very frustrating trying to learn from books. I had more success watching videos of How To on Youtube.

I’m slowly getting there and still have a long way to go, especially with knowing how to read patterns.

But I now have this type of granny square wired. Now I want to make a rug from granny squares. Isn’t it weird how you change over time? As a teenager and young adult my paternal grandmother was a prolific crocheter and often supplied us with items she had crocheted, including rugs. I never really took to them and they went under appreciated. But now I am wanting to make them myself.

Adventures and weaving

The weather is glorious. We took grandson no. 2 exploring at Two Mile Bay this morning. I will definitely have sore leg muscles tomorrow – big climb down a cliff and up again.

No, not this actual cliff, but one equally as high but a tad more climber friendly.

We found this weird and wonderful creature – a crab of some sorts, among other treasures.

When we came home I completed some weaving. For a TAFE project I am including some honeycomb weaving so before I start on the final piece I thought I would experiment at home with some honeycomb weaving to familiarise myself with it’s properties and potential.

It was easy to weave – not at all complicated.

Just can’t help myself

This is what I bought at the Stitches and Craft Show here in Melbourne. It was almost a month ago but it is difficult showcasing a personal weakness. Took a while to decide whether to admit to it or not. At least I stuck to a theme.

I have had my eye on Noro yarns for a long time now. This was the first time I had seen them in real life.

Have never heard of ‘JOY’ before. Couldn’t resist the colourway. It is a merino wool produced in Italy and I can find very little about it on the net.

So with all these beautiful colours I had to have some plain yarn to balance things out.

And this is the total of my purchases in one basket.

They are so luscious. Now what to do with it other than stare at it.

Stand By Me

Stand By Me from David Johnson on Vimeo.

Every Tuesday morning…

I go to South West TAFE, to the Sherwood Campus, on the outskirts of Warrnambool, for weaving classes. It is approximately a forty-five minute drive from home. Last year I spent all day Wednesdays there studying Experimental Textiles, Colour Theory, and Design Elements and Principles. This year I can only afford, time wise, to do a morning.

There is only Rocky, Georgie and I doing a minor study in Weaving, although there are a few others just beginning with an Introduction to Weaving, which we did last year.

We have started out by doing double weaving, also called double cloth, samplers. I always wondered how this worked and now I know. Put simply, two cloths are being woven at the same time; one on top and one on the bottom.

I am unable to show you the layer underneath, which is shades of green, until the cloth is removed from the loom.

With double cloth, you are able to weave the two cloths separately, join one side to make a cloth double the size, or join both sides to create a tube.

Here is Georgie working on hers. I am always lagging behind Rocky and Georgie because I generally spend the afternoon with my grandchildren who live in Warrnambool, and they stay on weaving into the afternoon.

Yarn has arrived

Delivery was so quick. And overall I am happy with purchases.

However, there is always an element of risk when purchasing sight unseen. You can never be certain of colour or quality, unless you are familiar with the brand.

I thought I was ordering this colour, because I adored the rich browns and emerald greens.

 

This is what I received.

The quality is beautiful and the colours lovely, but nothing like the image on ebay. Certainly no emerald greens or rich browns. Every bit of yarn is a shade of green.

Love the silk/cashmere. Can’t go terribly wrong with the colour of cream/white. Well, you can but I didn’t this time around.

The Filatura di Crosa also arrived today, it’s colour actually being a deeper and richer colour than the photograph on ebay. It is 100% wool and good quality but I should never buy wool. I find it impossible to wear against my skin and this lot is no exception. It feels scratchy and itchy to me.

So, I think I’ve been cured of shopping on ebay for the time being.

Still miss you Jill…

Thought you may have called in for a coffee today while we were busy weaving at TAFE. Rocky and Georgie are so far ahead of me…they stay for the afternoon but I can’t resist the call of the grandchildren, and generally leave at lunch time.

I’ve continued my spending spree on ebay and I feel a bit guilty but I’m sure it will be worth it.

Purchase no.1. described by seller as - ‘This is 2 ply Silk Cashmere in Natural from Hand Maiden - two stunning fibres blended into one yarn, simply a delight. This is the undyed version of Silk Cashmere. Material: 55% Silk, 45% Cashmere Yardage: 300m Weight: 50g Needle Size: 2.5mm Gauge: 28sts to 10 cm.’

I’m hoping to dye and weave with this. What? I don’t know yet. Oh, and I bought 2 lots.

Purchase no. 2. described by seller as - ‘This is Lady Godiva in Forest from Hand Maiden - this amazingly soft and luxurious yarn is perfect for a special gift, for yourself or for a loved one. Material: 50% Silk, 50% Wool Yardage: 250m Weight: 100g Needle Size: 4mm Gauge: 20sts to 10 cm.’

Probably should have bought 2 but only bought one. Was attempting to practice some self discipline.

Hi there Jill – we miss you.

We need your expertise. Come and have coffee with us again.

Look at what I have just bought from ebay.

FILATURA DI CROSA - 127 PRINT, 5 X 50GRAM, 100% WOOL, SUPERB QUALITY - MADE IN ITALY.

For a total cost of $21.50, therefore $4.30c per ball of yarn. I think that’s a bargain. Now, will I just sit and stare at it or will I actually do something with it? – weaving, knitting, crochet? I’ve lined my Auntie Pat up for a day to teach me how to crochet. Just need to find a day to go to Geelong – that’s the tricky part.

I’m hoping that I will get back into bloggin’ again soon, once I get more organised with the work associated with teaching and catching up with doing five years worth of tax returns. Here is an understatement – Murray is not happy regarding THE TAX – his patience has run out.

Who Gives A Fig!

Another idea…hopefully I can follow it through. This fig is part of our first fruit from our still small fig tree. We picked about ten and they were luscious…this being the absolutely first time I have ever eaten fresh figs. Anyway, I had to photograph one of them and then I had to do a photoshop number on it.

Very pleased with the resulting image. Actually, after looking at it some more, I'm not so sure I do like it - I don't think the grey background sits well with the luscious looking figs. Might have to tweak it some more.

Next I am going to draw and paint it. Then I am going to depict it using textiles. That's the plan...

This was the original image.

Where did January go?

As far as bloggin’ goes, I will pretend that the month of January didn’t happen.

Now, for February. I am back at school after having a wondrous 2008 not having to work. This year I am attempting to impart some visual art knowledge to Years 2, 5, 8, 9 and 10. I am working part time – 2 1/2 days per week, which gives me some time for creating.

Yesterday, I created some sauces:

Left to right – MAYONNAISE, GREAT (THAI) SALAD DRESSING AND DILL AND MUSTARD CREAM.

All three keep for weeks in the refrigerator. The Great Salad dressing is freakin’ amazing on a tossed salad – truly transforms it, and the cream is soooo nice with fish. The mayonnaise – well, homemade mayonnaise with eggs from the chooks, is always heaps better than the bought stuff.

GREAT SALAD DRESSING

80gm unsalted roasted peanuts or 1/3 cup peanut butter

½ cup lemon juice

3 tablespoons vinegar

4 cloves garlic

3 tablespoons chopped coriander, including root

3 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon fish sauce

1 dessertspoon sambal oelek

3 tablespoons water or more...

Blend all ingredients in a food processor or blender, using water to achieve the consistency you prefer. Add more water if you like a thinner dressing.

DILL AND MUSTARD CREAM

Anchovy fillet, drained and chopped 1

Garlic clove, crushed 1

Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon

White wine vinegar 2 tablespoons

Egg yolk 1

Olive oil 1 cup, I now use rice bran oil due to having to lower my cholesterol levels.

Cream ¼ cup

Lemon juice 2 tablespoons

Fresh dill, chopped ¼ cup

Water 1 tablespoon, approximately

Blend or process anchovy, garlic, mustard, vinegar and egg yolk until smooth. Add oil in a thin stream while motor is operating, process until thick. Add cream, process until just combined. Transfer mixture to bowl, stir in juice and dill and enough water to give desired consistency.