BarBQ Tool Holder Complete

BarBQ Tool Holder Complete

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The last time I showed you the BarBQ tool holder, I was working on the quilting lines. It was my first time using the walking foot on my new to me Bernina machine.

Bernina sewing machine with walking foot stitching the straight quilting lines on BarBQ tool holder.

I hope you can see this as the silver part that you measure your width of quilting lines is hard to see in the photo. It’s to the left of the foot. All you have to do is keep that silver piece in line with the prior row of stitching and then you will have even spacing between your quilting lines. It worked just fine. But it seemed to take forever. This is one of the reasons that I never care for straight sewing, seams or sewing clothing. I much prefer free motion stitching as it keeps my mind engaged. When I do straight stitching like this, my mind tends to wander which isn’t a good thing when machine sewing. But I managed to get the entire piece quilted without any huge errors.

Opened BarBQ tool roll with fork, tongs and spatula in pockets.

Next up, I figured out how wide the pockets needed to be. I folded up the bottom edge and stitched along the quilting lines to make the pocket seams. I was a bit worried about the thickness but the sewing machine tackled it with no problems.

Rolled and tied closed BarBQ roll.

So here’s my finished BarBQ tool roll all tied up and ready to go in the camper. As Ann B. pointed out in my last post, this qualifies for the 1st Quarter Challenge. Better late than never!

 

A rare view inside Ashford Wheels and Looms, New Zealand

A rare view inside Ashford Wheels and Looms, New Zealand

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As textile folk, many of you are familiar with the New Zealand company Ashford Wheels and Looms. In fact some may own an Ashford product as they also sell hand carders, drum carders and many other tools and accessories.

They sell all around the world.

Me, I am the proud owner of a set of their hand carders and a drum carder, they are invaluable tools when it comes to my felt making.

Here’s a question:  what have Lego and Ashford Wheels and Looms got in common?  I will tell you at the end of the post.

Back to my story.  You probably have experienced one of those rare moments in life where the planets aligned – a real ‘right place right time’ moment.  This happened to me earlier this year.  Last February, we did a once in a lifetime trip to New Zealand.  At this stage I can’t tell you how many time zones we traversed but, travelling from Ireland, but were a long time in the air and we covered over 18,000km.  I loved every minute of the trip and we factored in time to spend at the Ashford store in Ashburton on the South Island.  So for anyone who has or is thinking about purchasing anything from the store, here’s some photos and a story that might fill in the blanks on your lovely pieces.

I was so excited when our hire car pulled into the car park.  I jumped out and started talking to the first person I met.  By sheer stroke of luck I was talking to the company’s owner Richard Ashford.  My second bit of luck was that he and his lovely wife Elizabeth were about to lead a factory tour for an American group.  He introduced me to the group (which I thought was very courteous of him) and off we all headed into the factory.  The couple’s charisma and energy shone through during the tour.  They were both about to retire from the family business making way for a new generation of Ashford’s to take over the business which has been on the go for over 90 years.  I wish them both a happy and healthy retirement and I want to thank them both for making the morning I spent in their company so warm and memorable.

So if you are the proud owner of one of the 900,000 Ashford products which have been made so far in Ashburton, give us a shout and let us know what treasured item you own.  If you are thinking of buying, the slide shows may well whet your appetite.  Enjoy this rare view inside the factory.

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Stockists are all over the globe.

My next stop was a wander around the store.  Think kid in a sweet shop in this regard.  The only issues that held me back were the fact that there’s only so much that would fit into the suitcase and the realisation that I can buy from one of many stockists in Europe – happy days! Here’s a sneak peak of the interior of the shop:

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I hope you enjoyed these special holiday photos. Please feel free to reach out and tell us what Ashford pieces you own (or what is on your wish list)

Answer:  both are highly successful companies who started out making wooden toys.

An adult fox, side view, in a green field
The Fox

The Fox

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You may recall that in a recent post I told you about the outsize flea I had been asked to make for the play “Flea the Pandemic”.  About a month ago the director of that play asked me to make a prop for one of the three one act plays he had written which SNADS have just performed under his direction.  He asked for a dead fox!

In fact the play called for a vixen which had been killed by hounds and he wanted it to be as gory as possible.

Once again I asked Mr Google for some assistance with basic reference images – of live foxes.  From these I determined the colours of fur fabric which I would need to use.

composite picture of a fox from all directions.
Reference photo – All round a Fox.

Having spoken to our wardrobe mistress and acquired some bits from our stash, I realised that I was going to have to get some paint as we didn’t have much in the way of correct colours.  I was able to obtain some “match pots” of acrylic decorating paint in tan, and dark greyish-brown together with a “fresh blood” red and a “drying blood” red.  I collected together other items which I usually find helpful in making props – some of my non-woven cotton cleaning cloths, empty milk bottles and other plastic vessels and a couple of plastic tubes of different diameters.

collection of materials for making fox carcase.
Collecting the materials and reference photos.

Mr Google next helped me with the size of a vixen carcase (though from whose website I cannot now remember) and the shape of a fox’s skull.

table of measurements and outline of fox to reference size of model.
Reference information re size of “carcase”.
fox scull side view
skull

The basic skull shape I made from some pieces from an opaque white milk bottle and masking tape.

Image of skull, white plastic milk bottle and partly constructed skull "armature"
Part made skull “armature”

I made an approximate size body using one of the non-woven cloths, which I stuffed with some recycled polyester stuffing and I covered that with fur fabric, but leaving the “belly” open.  I covered the skull with fur fabric using PVA glue and some strong thread, and stitched it to the body.  I added two back legs in fur fabric, one full length front leg and, as I was then running out of the fabric, a short one leaving the paw end open and painted red, inserting some more of the opaque white plastic cut into “shards” to represent a bloody shattered bone.

inner body of model fox
Basic body shape

I was lucky with the tail, as amongst the bits in the fur fabric stash there was a piece which was stitched  into a vague tail shape and it was darker and fluffier than the rest of the fur fabric I had found.  So I stuffed it and added a white tip to it.  I stitched that onto the fox’s rear end.

Long piece of dark red/brown long fur fabric and small piece of white fur fabric.
Tail Fabrics

I added some ears to the head, using scraps of the fur fabric stiffened with PVA and paint.  I didn’t bother adding teeth to the open mouth as the head was likely to be less visible to the audience.  I painted a black nose and black eye sockets.

I then had to brush over the rest of the light tan coloured head and body with a darker tan, which I had mixed from the new paint and some in my paint box, using the dry brush method, to represent something more fox-like.

Next came the gory bits.  I fashioned some organ shapes from the plastic bottles, and some entrails from some of the tubing and a couple of the milk bottle handles.

plastic tubing and pieces of plastic vessels painted to look like entrails and organs
Painted plastic organs and entrails

I noticed that a couple of the non-woven cloths which had been through the washing machine several times were beginning to break down.  Stretching them pulled the centre into holes which began to look a lot like caul fat.  So I cut some sections out and wrapped the “organs”.  This would make them more realistic although the full effect would be unlikely to be seen by the audience.

Then I got busy with the “blood”!   The paint covered the “organs” and the “entrails” quite well, although I later found that it would flake off the milk bottle handles and would need touching up. I also treated the open belly, the short front leg and the mouth with lots more “blood”.

The fox was to be fixed to a black board, which would hopefully blend into the black flooring that was to cover the shiny wood floor of the stage.  Once this had been delivered to me by the Producer, I stuck the body to the board with more PVA (what would we do without it?) and then arranged and stuck down the organs and entrails.

But something was wrong, it didn’t look right.  Then I realised that there wasn’t enough blood.  If the fox had been torn apart by hounds there would be blood everywhere.  So I got the paints out again and spread a good deal of it over the board and added lots more to the body.

model dead fox with entrails showing and one front leg short and showing bone. Blood everywhere.
Dead Fox

I have now seen the play and at the end the poor fox was accorded a solo spot on the stage.

The End.

The Mississippi Valley Textile Museum is located in the former Rosamond Woolen Co. in Almonte, ON. Constructed in 1867
2024, Set up for 75th Anaversery exhibition at the ALmonteTextile Museum

2024, Set up for 75th Anaversery exhibition at the ALmonteTextile Museum

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Was it last week, that I showed you the Mer’s and their pets, wanting to go off to the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum? Friday I had a quick medical procedure with a different anaesthetic (that worked better for after-affects!) and then the car needed a trip to her Doctor on Monday, for new back brakes but the timing was great since I was not really feeling up to driving. By Thursday, both the car and I were feeling much better. I also found out that the showpieces were going to Almonte that afternoon and volunteered to go up and take pictures to document the guild show set-up and then the Vernissage on Saturday.  (as you probably have found out, it is easier to have someone else document the work and not have to stop and take pictures while you work!)

The Mississippi Valley Textile Museum is located in the former Rosamond Woolen Co. in Almonte, ON. Constructed in 1867. stone building with large wooden front door with Textile Museum in stained glass on the transum window1.1) The museum, which was the old mill office and attached stone building

the other old stone mill building has been turned into expensive condos1.2) the other old stone mill building has been turned into expensive condos.

I have told you about the wonderful textile Museum, (3 Rosamond St E, Almonte, ON K0A 1A0). It is open Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 4pm, in case you are dropping by.  Almonte was a Mill town, the Mississippi River runs through it with useful drops in height, which makes it perfect for the proliferation of mills. This was a textile complex, (there is an old flower mill on another part of the river). In the picture above, you can see the Old mill building on the Left.  It has been turned into expensive condos, with either a fabulous view of the river or the parking lot and the old mill office, which is now the museum.

Our original exhibition organizer had a sudden change in workload, now expected to do 3 people’s work, for the pay of 1 and had to back out of his Guild work. Liane took over late in the process and quickly pulled together a small team to help with the remaining prep work and the installation. Unfortunately, one of her installation team had a major family health problem and was unavailable.   So I went from Photographer to part of the installation team, and photographer. I hope you will find I still took enough photos to document the show!

There were 3 components to the show, the history section was the 75th-anniversary slide show I had made for our anniversary party (921 jpegs) running in a loop.  Work from guild members and some of our members who were pushing the boundaries in their fibre arts. There are examples of Weaving, Spinning, Felting and Basketry, all of which needed to be transported to the museum, and then grouped together for display.

the sign for our exhibition “Remembering/Reimagining: Celebrating 75 Years of the Ottawa Valley Weavers' and Spinners' Guild”1.3) the sign for our exhibition “Remembering/Reimagining: Celebrating 75 Years of the Ottawa Valley Weavers’ and Spinners’ Guild”

 

On Thursday afternoon, set up day 1;

Pieces were brought to the museum and unpacked. At that point, Liane organised what was going were and we started to hang the show. We had an amazing assistant from the Museum helping pull display equipment and assisting us. I have a background in picture framing and installation and have also helped with art shows at University, so this was not totally new to me.  Unfortunately, Lug and Hall are not my best abilities, so I switched back to Photo documentation while the work came in.

the back hall where the work was coming in, before being moved to the exhibition space.2.1) the back hall where the work was coming in, before being moved to the exhibition space.

Kieran carries in a well wrapped piece to the display space.2.2) Kieran carries in a well wrapped piece to the display space.

Liane unwrapping pieces and making notes2.3) Liane unwrapping pieces and making notes

the Guild Tapestry project has arrived!2.4) the Guild Tapestry project has arrived!

this is not really a “Vanna White” moment, it is to document the packaging of each piece.2.5) this is not really a “Vanna White” moment, it is to document the packaging of each piece.

To make sure everything got back into the correct packaging, I tried to get a shot of each item, as it was unpacked.

The next was organizing the exhibition into groupings for the panels. As things emerged from their packing Liane told us where they were going. Thus the show started to take shape. We kept sending our fabulous museum worker, Maybe (whose name I misheard and kept referring to as Mavie, Sorry!!!) off to find plinths, easels, hanging bars……

While the others were grouping pieces and draping display manikins, I got to work with a needle and some fishing line and prepared the Mers for their big day.

grouping pieces to hang together2.6) grouping pieces to hang together.

Ann’s Helmet is having trouble staying on its stand. After years of going out to Demos, the hole in the foam heads’ “neck” has increased in size and now self-decapitates at unexpected moments. I asked Ann for repair suggestions and she calmly said to “just add a nail or two”. We added 2 nails to the base and no more headless stump problems!!! You will see the fixed version in a few pictures.  The Styrofoam head also was losing some of its grey finish so I added 2 pairs of black knee-high nylons over it and it fixed the uneven colour perfectly.

Maybe and Lane take a moments brake (I brought chocolate cookies and rice crackers)2.7) Maybe and Liane take a moment’s break (I brought chocolate cookies and rice crackers)

While the others were grouping pieces and draping display manikins, I got to work with a needle and some fishing line and prepared the Mers for their big day.

the Mer's are ready to go for a swim around the museum.2.8) the Mer’s are ready to go for a swim around the museum.

While Mr Mer is perfectly capable of holding his quatrefoil, (triad with one more sharp part added) but it might be better if he didn’t go hunting Museum visitors so I switched to his tennis ball and racket. Maybe he can get Mrs. Mer to play with him.

oh no the museum will be closing shortly, so we will be back tomorrow to continue working.2.91) oh no the museum will be closing shortly, so we will be back tomorrow to continue working.

Oh no, the museum will be closing shortly and we will have to continue on day 2.

End of Day 1 and time to head back to Ottawa, I hope the traffic will be better! Let’s enjoy the fall colour before we head home.

Fall colours by the Museum2.92) Fall colours by the Museum

When I got home on Thursday night I did a quick bit of layout to give Liane signage for the Group Guild tapestry project, which I showed you in an earlier blog post(https://feltingandfiberstudio.com/2024/07/04/ovwsg-75th-anniversary-party-and-tapestry-project/). I got all the info to fit on a legal size page! It’s interesting to see what we each started with as an image and then how we interpreted it.

the list of artists, there image, square number and the technique they used.3.1) the list of artists, their image, square number and the technique they used.

the Guild Tapestry project. Liane has added the cool brass plack3.2) the Guild Tapestry project. Liane has added the cool brass plaque

 

Friday, Day 2,

ok, I know it’s the Thanksgiving long weekend but this is the second day of horrible traffic and really bad driving, is there a problem with the moon I don’t know about?  Yesterday a little odd lady in a small car crept onto the highway and got up to the frightening fast speed of 60 kilometers per hour in a 100 zone. Today it was cars weaving and random unsignaled lane changes and sudden decelerations for no apparent reason.  (Alright, I’ve ranted and feel better, let’s get back to the show!)

This is the back door to the Mill office/ Museum, it has a ramp which is easier than the front steps, if you have a walker.4.1) This is the back door to the Mill office/ Museum, it has a ramp which is easier than the front steps if you have a walker.

Maybe and I started work on hanging things including the Mer’s. I switched out Mr. Mer’s Quodradent (it could impale someone) for his tennis racket and a tiny dry-felted tennis ball.

getting this panel of scarves hung required more ladder work and the big level.  4.2) getting this panel of scarves hung required more ladder work and the big level.

The Mer family and pets are having fun swimming around above the show.4.3) The Mer family and pets are having fun swimming around above the show.

We added more blankets to the coverlet stand and slowly worked our way around the space putting things up. while Maybe was called away I tried to use the short ladder to hang one of the panels. I heard about that as a bad idea later that evening while I tried to fall asleep. (Sorry, no shot of me up the ladder!) I do have good ladder shots of both Maybe and Liane though.

Hanging on a long woven tapestry of Iceland required the much taller ladder 4.4) Hanging on a long woven tapestry of Iceland required a much taller ladder

hanging the elephant weaving4.5) Liane hanging the elephant weaving

Elephants  copper  and parliament with the edge of one of the coverlets on the right. There are cookies4.6) Elephants, copper and parliament with the edge of one of the coverlets on the right. There are cookies

Oh no the Museum is closing, but we can stay a bit longer!4.7) Oh no the Museum is closing, but we can stay a bit longer!

just a bit more to do but its looking good!4.8) just a bit more to do but it’s looking good!

OH no is already time to leave? No, today there is work going on downstairs on the other exhibition, so we will be locked in but can stay until about 6 pm. We had most of the exhibition placed. A couple more to put up then signage and the slide show but that will be for tomorrow before the Vernissage starts!

 

Saturday, Day 3!

More slow traffic today, you would think it’s a long weekend, oh yes it is a long weekend! The big day is finally here, the last pieces must go up, so let’s get back to work (then we can party!!) Liane and Maybe have been busy and have more up by the time we got through the oddly heavy traffic!

almost ready, that blanket needs a bit of straitening but this end of the exhibit is looking good!5.1)almost ready, that blanket needs a bit of straitening but this end of the exhibit is looking good!

the nuno felted shawl just got straitened we have to get the ladder away and put that pile of packing stuff away for latter. 5.2) the nuno felted shawl just got straitened we have to get the ladder away and put that pile of packing stuff away for later.

Maybe got the Slide show going5.3)Maybe got the Slide show going

There is still the signage to add to the wall but Liane will be focusing on that, while I try to do the documentary photography. Liane moved the packing material out and Glenn gave the space a final sweep and we were ready for people!!

getting ready to put up the signage for the pieces.5.4)  getting ready to put up the signage for the pieces.

We do not have a T-square or sharp exacto so all the info is going by the Exhibit sign and it will be a bit more interactive.

the signs are up and were just have to clear the table away5.5) the signs are up and we just have to clear the table away

Glenn gives the exhibit a quick sweep5.6) Glenn gives the exhibit a quick sweep

 The folding table is about to disappear and we will be ready for the show to start! You have seen the set-up.  So, please remember to get a glass of Red or white wine and a few nibblies and join me next week where I will give you a privet tour, and show you the pieces, particularly the felting. Then finally, I will show you a few shots of the Vinasage.

Have fun and keep Felting!

Shepherdess and Sheep

Shepherdess and Sheep

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I spent some time working on the flock of sheep. Maybe not the most elegant sheep transport and sounds a bit like a horror show when you say a bag of sheep and sheep parts but it’s a bit of a production line when working on a flock of them.

As you can see I was being supervised in my Dr Franinstien endeavours. In this picture, she is wearing her first shirt and coat. You can see the sleeves are too big around and I didn’t like the way the hood worked on this one.

 

Last time I had finished the clothing, or so I thought. I ended up doing the shirt 4 times to get it the way I wanted it. The third one would have worked but I cut the neck hole too big.

I did get them finished and she had a dress fitting. I added a blanket stitch to the neckline and a blue star to her dress. I think this kind of dress is called a pinafore. You can see some of her flock in the background.

I took her to the Almont Fiberfest that Jan told you about and she supervised while I got her sheep some wool. This is the opposite of the way sheep, wool and shepherdesses usually work.

And another unshearing.

Next post there will be hair, a new coat and more colourful sheep. And a picture of them on display at the museum.

Happy Thanksgiving to all our Canadian followers. I hope you had a great Turkey Day!

Green nuno felted background with appliqued flower and stitched blue flowers added.
Indian Paintbrush Continues

Indian Paintbrush Continues

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I have been slowly working on my Indian Paintbrush artwork. Since the last time I showed you, I have painted the stems and added some blue flowers in the background.

Full view of green nuno felted background with appliqued flower and stems painted darker yellow green.

Here it is after I painted the stems and leaves. I didn’t add any further color to the flowers themselves as I thought I might do. Once I was finished, I decided I should have left the bottom stems alone so they blended better into the background. I could add more paint on top but so far I have just left them as they are.

Green nuno felted background with appliqued flower and stems painted darker yellow green.

Here’s a closer view of the stems. Next up was to decide if I needed to add anything else. I decided to enhance the blue areas with some hand stitching. I found a hand dyed greyed down blue that was multi valued.

Green nuno felted background with appliqued flowers and stitched blue flowers added.

So I used fly stitch and the thread was a thin cotton slightly bigger than one strand of floss. It’s actually hard to see in this photo but you can click on the photo to enlarge it.

Green nuno felted background with appliqued flower and stitched blue flowers added.

Here’s a closer view of the blue stitching. So what’s next? I’m not sure. I have been looking at the piece now for several weeks hanging up in my studio. Does it need more? If so what? I still haven’t decided. What do you think?

Northern lights in Kalispell, MT 10/10/2024

On another note, I finally saw the Northern Lights here in Kalispell, Montana. I never realized that you need to look through the camera’s lense to actually see the lights very well. Paula took the photo above and I took the one below. Do you see the constellation?

Northern lights in Kalispell, MT 10/10/2024

The third corner. Autumn

The third corner. Autumn

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Autumn has arrived. Time for celebrating harvests, and gathering the fruits of the hedgerow. There are many  apples, plums, damsons, bullace,  greengages, and pear trees all laden with fruit, a little dexterity is needed to get a tasty snack, or to collect for pies, crumbles and jams. Many a blackberry has been collected and eaten, or frozen, made into jam, or used to make a tasty liqueur by soaking in vodka, or whiskey along with a little sugar, and left to mature in readiness for adding to a glass or two of bubbly at Christmas. Yum. Not the whiskey obviously! Not forgetting the profusion of hazelnuts, walnuts and glorious conkers, and sweet chestnuts that are such a treat to find.

 

Each year from early August, I go searching for some hop vines that may have escaped from cultivation, and moved into the hedgerow at some point. I am not sure if there is an actual wild hop though. From mid August to early September I am on the lookout for the tell tale leaf shape and colour, and lime green  shade of the hop flower, as the vine clambers over nearby trees and shrubs, and hoping that I can remember the spot that I collected them from the previous year.

 

So, for the third corner of my blanket I have decided to needle felt an impression of a small portion of the hop vine that I collected early September.

I love finding these vines. I use the dried hops along with some lavender to make little pillows to slip inside a larger pillow to encourage a restful sleep. I also hang a hop vine in my kitchen, such a lovely decorative addition, and I change it each year.

 

               

Hop growing is plentiful in Herefordshire where I live, and also in Kent, but alas they are not as widely grown as in years gone by – but I am hoping that I am mistaken in this belief. It is lovely driving along and spotting a field with the hops stretching up the tall poles and wires. I’m not sure where else in the UK they are grown other than already mentioned, but with so many craft beer makers in this country the growing of hops is unlikely to die out any time soon.

I have needle felted my hops and used some yarn to illustrate the vine. A photo shows the size of the vine I am using. I have removed all the leaves – as I usually do – but some are present for size.

 

                 

I have machine stitched over the ‘hops’ to secure, and also added stitching to the vine. The hop flowers are a lovely shade of green, with a touch of yellow when fresh, and gradually the colour fades as the flowers dry.

                 

I have stitched the leaves using my machine too, and I have left them bare, so to speak. I was planning on adding some colour to the leaves, but I think they look better without.

 

One frog and one toad, both hand knit, sat on a desk. One is wearing a turtleneck jumper and the other one dungarees and a shawl
When knitting is tiny

When knitting is tiny

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Does your crafting mojo wane and wax like the phases of the moon? Mine does. I have a fairly narrow set of interests but it’s up to the Gods of Craft when I work on one of them.

After my knitting took a back seat for a few weeks, I started feeling the need to get the needles and yarn out and create something cute and tiny. I didn’t feel ready to tackle a bit knitting project, my brain was asking for a quick reward. Enter a frog and a toad!

One frog and one toad, both hand knit, sat on a desk. One is wearing a turtleneck jumper and the other one dungarees and a shawl

If you are familiar with India Rose Crawford on Instagram, you’ll know her cute frogs poised in adorable miniature cosy scenes. If you’ve never heard of her, I highly encourage you to have a look, her attention to detail is fantastic.

I bought a knitting kit featuring India Rose’s frog pattern (jumper included) and when the time was right I begun working on it. My first attempt didn’t quite go to plan, as I mistakenly placed the eyes on his bottom… poor thing ended up looking much more like an axolotl than a frog.

 

Axolotl
A real axolotl. Photo by National Geographic

 

A knitted from resembling an axolotl
My “frog” with eyes on his bum, poor thing…

The knitting gods were mocking me but I persisted! A couple of days later I had a new cute amphibian with a wired armature.

An unfinished knitted frog with wires for arms. My hand is holding his torso.

Knitting an i-cord around wire isn’t easy, let me tell you. It’s fiddly work but the end result is super worth it. And yes, the background for the photo above is my pyjama bottoms – evening knitting works best in cosy loungewear.

A knitted frog next to a mini knitted jumper, still on the needles

The gods played tricks on me once again as I didn’t have enough yarn to finish the mini jumper, so I frogged it (if you’re not familiar, “frogging” refers to when you remove a project from the needles and undo the stitches, the resulting “rip-it” motion being similar to the word “ribbit.” Fitting for this post, no?) After adding some blue stripes this dapper gentleman was ready to stay cosy.

I seem to enjoy making things in pairs, as soon as I was done with the frog I decided it needed a friend and Toad was born. I even bought a tiny dungarees pattern for added whimsy. The front pocket was my own creation.

A hand holds a small knitted toad wearing knitted brown dungarees.

And there you have it, two quick dopamine-inducing knitting projects that eventually led me to a human-sized jumper a few days later. I’ll have to frog that project too, but that’s a subject for another day.

A hand knit frog is sat on the edge of a table with a standing knitted toad next to it.

And, finally, here is an image of what India Rose Crawford does with her knitted frogs. Amazing, isn’t it?

Photo by @indiarosecrawford on Instagram

Maybe I’ve inspired you to knit something tiny. If you do, let me know in the comments section. Thanks for reading.

Mer's in project bags on table
The Mer’s Preparing for the 75th Anniversary Exhibition Part 2

The Mer’s Preparing for the 75th Anniversary Exhibition Part 2

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In my last post, I showed you Mr. Mers’ new fishy northern pike spots (in silk!) and his son’s fancy new hair, eyes and jewellery. now let’s look at Mrs. Mer.

Mrs. Mer

I have been questing for the perfect Red for her Kohaku Butterfly Koi body.  Koi-red comes in a range of red-nesses from an orange-red to a deep intense red and in various intensities of those reds. I had found a small project bag of reds in various fibre types and preparations. I had picked up a very promising red with silk top and locks to match but it had too much pink in nature light, I had another set that had too much yellowness to the red, making for more of an orange colour. The locks I found to go with it were fabulous and if I do a mermaid that is part goldfish it would be perfect.

Mrs. Mer perused my offerings and we both agreed on the deep red bat from  Alpaca Tracks T(h)read Lightly and the lustrous long locks from Monica at Olive Sparrow. So dark red it is!

Alpaca tracks small bats of red wool Held by Mrs. Mer's Hand3.1 Alpaca tracks small bats of red wool

Odd I was sure I had a shot of Monika’s locks, let me look a bit more…oh I have a shot from the Olive Sparrow booth at the Almonte Fiberfest on Sept 7-8th.  The bat and locks go together perfectly!!

top row way to the left is right red Mer hair I was looking for. The are lots of different colours of  locks in 2 lengths.3.2 The top row way to the left is right red Mer hair I was looking for. The are lots of different colours of locks in 2 lengths.

Ok, I have the colour of fibres I was looking for! Next where to put the fiber. Great more fun research!! (really, I do enjoy the quest. research is fun!!!)

After a lot of previous browsing about koi and butterfly koi, I decided on Kohaku (the white fish with red spots) if you are curious you can check out a brief overview here.  https://nextdaykoi.com/koi-fish-facts/many-faces-kohaku/

After looking over the options of head and body patterns, and reading up on scale types,  we decided that Yondan or Godan would likely be best. If you count the red hair as a spot she would be a Godan pattern but if the hair is not counted as a spot she has the Yondan pattern. Since go is 5 in Japaneses, I bet you can guess how many spots a Yondan koi has! (4)

Head and scale diagram of Red and white Koi fish Body paterns for red and white koi fish3.3 this is a helpful chart showing Kohaku (red and white Koi)

I found the batt of “Canadian Wool” was an interesting springy, crimpy wool, not coarse but not as soft as merino or even corriedale. It is not a long staple and it needle felted wonderfully. I think it was the T38-333 I was using to add the red wool. (if you were curious about the needle used)

When I had started to block in the fishy parts of Mrs. Mer, Ann suggested it looked like the fish was eating her. I kept that in mind as I started to work on the spots making sure the red spot at her waist/hips were integrated with both her human and fish parts. Thinking of non-fishy parts I finally got around to adding her ears.

The long locks were the perfect colour and a lovely long wavy length. I found a small hair clip so she could wear her hair partly up.

Side vew of Mrs Mer admiring her new hair in a side vew3.4 Side view of Mrs Mer admiring her new hair in a side view.

Mrs. Mer Back view3.5 Mrs. Mer Back view

close up of Mrs. Mer admiring her new hair3.6 close up of Mrs. Mer admiring her new hair

I sent Ann a picture to get her suggestions.

Ann said, “Needs Eyebrows.”

Hummmm, ok, I can do that.

close up showing new eye brows and her new necklace (Red Agate, 2mm and shell)3.7 close up showing new eyebrows and her new necklace

I think both Mrs. Mer and Ann should like that! Did you notice her shell necklace? Those are very tiny stone beads (one strand of Red Agate, 2mm)

I got new project bags so Mr and Mrs Mer would not get over excited and mess up their hair! (I will have to consider a non-see-through project bag if I find them cuddling again!!!) I added Shark-boy and the Mer pets, Sharkette and Miss Manta, to another project bag. I printed out a copy of their entrance forms, for each of them, ready for pick up for the Almonte show.

Item #2  Ice Dragon

I had asked Glenn what else I should send, and he suggested either the Ice Dragon or chickadee I had made for him. I went with Ice Dragon since I would need the chickadee for a workshop in December.

Ice Dragon,  ¾ view, Wire armature and wool body and wings 4.1 Ice Dragon,  ¾ view

Ice Dragon,  Back View, wire armature and wool body and wings,4.2 Ice Dragon,  Back view

Ice Dragon, from the back ¾ view, Wire armature and wool body and wings 4.3 Ice Dragon, which I had made for Glenn ¾ view from the back

Item #3 Maureen’s Vacation

My third submission is Maureen’s Vacation which you saw earlier too. If you would like to get more information on this one look back to Summer 2024.

I chose it because it shows one of the guild members enjoying spinning outdoors. it seemed to make sense to include it in a show about the guild and its members!

Landscape of Maureen's vacation, woman sitting with spinning wheel infront of grasses, with rock with arches, trees and the ocian in the distance5 Landscape of Maureen’s vacation

I packed everything up, Glenn lugged it all out to the car, and off we went to the guild social on Monday. Ann got to check out the Mers and their new hair and spots!

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6.1-6.3 Ann Inspects the Mer’s at the studio

some of the items ready to go to the Almonte Textile Museum Bags and boxes on a table in the guild studio. in the back ground spinning and chatting are happening at a soical6.4 some of the items ready to go to the Almonte Textile Museum

There were quite a few pieces ready to go to the Almonte show, waiting on the table for pickup. The organizing team will get them after the social. I am sure we will let you know when the show is up and ready for viewing!

Now on to moose bags again! I have one more partly 3D moose bag underway and am starting a more 2D version of the picture too. I will keep you updated on these as they progress (I hope you are not getting bored with variations on a moose!!) (I am trying to inspire more Moose augmentation!!)

Until the next time we chat, Have fun and keep felting!

 

Some More Happy Felt Slipper Makers.

Some More Happy Felt Slipper Makers.

Comments 12 comments

A couple of Sundays ago  I had a Slipper Workshop. I had 4 ladies that had not felted before. There were no crazy toes in this group.

As usual, I was too busy talking to take all the pictures I should. So we start with everyone finishing the wool layout for their slippers.  I have them do both sides dry, and then put them together. 2 were doing a reg slipper and 2 the ear template. You can see them on the front 2 tables.

 

 

After they had everything together and wet they added some embellishments.

 

Then there was rubbing(no picture). I am definitely too busy talking during that, to help distract them so it doesn’t seem so long.  And then rolling, Usually by this time I have them all chatting.

Then it’s time to cut them open and see how they look.  The faces say these don’t look right, it’s never going to work, and they will never shrink enough to fit.   We change how they are folded

And then …..Oh no, not more rolling

once they have mostly shrunk it’s time to make them fit, just the way they want them to. Some like them a little big, some like them to fit like a glove. the glove people have to do some fulling on their own personal slipper blocks, better known as their feet.

I managed to make a short video of one of the ladies fulling her slippers on her feet. Not only that, I uploaded it to YouTube and managed to embed it here. Thank you Leonor for the help on that front. At least I think it was Leonor, I can’t find the email anymore. Edit: It turns out it was Terry that helped me, Sorry Terry. Thank you for the help.

And lastly, 2 ladies shared their finished slippers.

Everyone seemed to have a great time and be happy with their slippers, You can’t ask for better than that.