Completed some more tatting motifs for the 25 Tatting Motif Challenge. A couple of patterns are by Mary Konior. Motifs number 13-17 now complete....

Blossoms

Springtime is a wonderful time of year. There is a variety of blossoms blooming, magnolias are out and newborn animals are happily playing. Spring is also a sign that winter is over and warmer weather is approaching.

Magnolia

One of my all time favourite flowers is the Magnolia. Whilst it is around for very long, it is such an appealing flower from bud to the end of its life. It comes in a magnificant variety of pink, and today I found a white version (naturally I took lots of photos and will share these later).

I really like the way my Polaroid SLR captured this picture. The photograph has a "vintage" appearance, which naturally a result of the Polaroid.

Elachoke

I love this knitted necklace. Pattern and supplies thanks to http://www.dairing.com.au/. I must admit though, it was a real bugger to knit because it is knitted in very thick elastic. I like it because not only is it unusual but also versatile; the three "charms" can be repositioned and/or removed as necessary (I actually fell in love with this necklace with just a white charm).

Go Ask Alice

I saw this book recently in a book shop and just had to buy it. I remember reading it as a teenager "Go Ask Alice" and I must admit the book did not affect me so much the first time around; being a parent of teenager(s) obviously has a lot to do with my reaction the second time around.

At the end of the book I felt very drained and failed to see how one sentence affected me so much. However, analysing my feelings I was upset that this girl never experienced things in life she should have - a steady loving relationship, fun, laughter, marriage, and even children. This girl could have been my best friend or daughter because I got to know her so well and I think that is why I felt sad at the end.

I intended giving this book to my children to read, however I don't think they are ready for the harshness of the world. I think I will keep them wrapped up in cotton wool a little longer.....

Julie Goodwin

I cannot believe I just bought a - are you ready for it - COOKBOOK! I admit I am no great cook but fell in love with this book and think the author's recipes are simple yet divine. The book is a pleasure to read, with some lovely photos, and "scrapbooking" pages.

Julie won Australia's MasterChef and has gone on to publish her book of family recipes - again simple (which suits me down to the ground), but scrumptious. I first saw Julie on her TV show "Home Cooked" (I did not watch MasterChef because I am not a cook) and printed off some of her recipes from the website with good intention.

Thank you Julie for inspiring me to cook; I would love to do a Julie & Julia type blog where I attempt all your recipes (perhaps I could call it "Liz and Julie"). It's a start for me.

Now I'm off to ponder Asparagus with poached eggs and hollandaise (if only I had an appetite, but that's another saga)

ThreeSixFive Challenge - August

Here is my contribution to August's photography challenge. Blossom is out and it's such a glorious time of year for photography; we are almost past winter now.

Fancy Fishnets

Finished another Ravelry KAL - this time the pair of socks is called Fancy Fishnets, and the pattern is provided by Knitters Brewery http://www.knittersbrewing.com/. The socks are knitted in Opal.

Stumpy

I'd like to introduce you to STUMPY, my tatted bookmark (pattern is by the very talented Kersti Anear http://www.kersti.com/). I tatted this as part of a monthly forum challenge at http://www.tattingforums.com/forums/, and I am also cheating (a little) and calling it a "motif" so it also qualifies for part of the 25 tatting motif challenge (motif #12).

ThreeSixFive Challenge - July Pt 2

Here are the remaining July photos for the challenge. I have decided it is tough doing the challenge, producing one photo a day. I'm finding that I am now just taking photos for the sake of keeping on top of the challenge rather than being creative with photography. I will continue for as long as I can with this year's challenge but won't be doing the challenge next year.

Tea Cosies

I just completed two tea cosies from an absolutely wonderful book called "Really Wild Tea Cosies" by Loani Prior. Loani has two tea cosy books out but I fell in love with so many of the cosies from this book. Here is her blog http://wildforteacosies.blogspot.com/


Whilst I do use a teapot, the two cosies are going to my husband's work colleague..... What an excuse to make another tea cosy - this time for ME.


Here is Elfin -

..and I would like to introduce Pedro

Autumn Leaves

Something very different for me. A "messy" watercolour, titled Autumn Leaves. To add contrast I decided to attack the painting with indian ink and then splatter the ink over the finished painting.

Depth of Field

Today I played with depth of field and aperture levels on my DSLR. I am very pleased with this photo; the focus is quite sharp with narrow depth of field.

Motif #11 for 25 Motif Challenge

I completed motif number 11, a tatted maple leaf, with thanks to Tammy Rodgers for her pattern which is available here .

Tiger Eye Lace Scarf

Here is the finished Tiger Eye Lace Scarf (grafted). I am very pleased with how it turned out, particularly as it is my first attempt at grafting. Please see this post on the beginnings of the scarf http://artylady.blogspot.com/2010/07/true-blood-and-kals.html

Flower Triptych

Recently took a series of shots of flowers/seeds and picked the three I liked the best to do a triptych. Then I sent away for the photographs to be mounted on board and this is the end result. Whilst the photos are smallish IRL, I am very happy with the final result and will definitely be mounting further photos (albeit, on larger board). BTW, Thanks to Susannah T for all her help; you are not only generous but an inspiration.

Victorian Lace Guild

Thought I would share my Victorian Lace Guild AGM Bobbin I picked up on the weekend at our Guild Meeting. To jazz the bobbin up a little I dyed it in food dye with vinegar (to hold the dye). I quite like the rustic look and to complement it I spangled with red and pink glass beads.

ThreeSixFive Challenge - July Pt 1

Managed to keep up with my 365 challenge, but it isn't easy. I find taking one photograph a day is rather limiting to the creativity; sometimes I am even just shooting for the sake of a photo without really thinking about it, nor the composition.

Bella's Hat from Eclipse

I just finished knitting Bella's hat from ECLIPSE. We are hoping to see the movie tomorrow and one of my daughters will wear the hat to the movie. This is the second item I knitted from the TWILIGHT movies; the other is Alice's mittens as seen here http://artylady.blogspot.com/2010/01/creativity-2010.html

It is apparent I am just a die-hard vampire lover....... Guess it is attributed to all the vampire movies I saw as a kid at the drive-ins (remember them) with my parents.

True Blood and KAL's

I admit I am a TRUE BLOOD addict. Having watched the first two Seasons within as many weeks, I am waiting patiently for Season 3 to become available in Australia, and I also admit I have jumped on the Team Bill bandwagon.

In the meantime, I have to make do with my True Blood KALs on Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/. To date I have completed My Vampire Boyfriend socks http://artylady.blogspot.com/2010/06/my-vampire-boyfriend-socks.html and just commenced a new KAL on Tiger Eyes Lace Scarf http://tinyurl.com/35xp64y; I am knitting both ends at once with the aim to graft in the middle (obviously the finished scarf will be blocked).

ThreeSixFive Challenge - June Pt 2

Took bucket loads of photos of the glorious Sunraysia region over the last couple of days. Here is my final contribution for the month of June.

ThreeSixFive Challenge - June Pt 1

My contribution so far for the month of June. I'm going away for a couple of days so am really looking forward to taking some cameras with me and photographing different areas. I think I have well and truly photographed where I live and surrounding areas. Time for a change....

My Vampire Boyfriend Socks

I finally finished knitting My Vampire Boyfriend cable socks (KAL on Ravelry and pattern from Knitty http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall09/PATTvampireboyfriend.php). These are the first top down socks I have knitted, and first cable socks too, so they were quite challenging. The yarn is Colinette Jitterbug http://www.sarahdurrant.com/yarns1_jitterbug.htm which I just adore - surprisingly there is no nylon in the socks, but I am sure they are tough enough to last the distance. I enjoy knitting socks, particularly using the magic loop method, two on one needle; no single sock problems for me....

Piece de resistance

Ta da................ Here is my latest, and last, spinning wheel; my gorgeous Majacraft Little Gem, named "Gaia". She is everything I have ever wanted and more. How easy it is to use a double treadle, it is a breeze and oh so comfortable. I recommend that all spinners at least have one spin on a Majacraft to get a better understanding of what the fuss is all about; it took me a while, but I am now converted.

My spinning life is now complete.

Orchids

Yesterday we visited some dear friends who live near the beach. We had a lovely lunch with them, and I just couldn't help myself and had to take some photos of the gorgeous orchid table centrepiece; one is a Singapore orchid and the other a home-grown variety. It was an eventful day because my friends bestowed me a SLR, zoom lens, flash and a sturdy camera case. I really can't wait to have some time to play with my new acuiqistion.

Merino/Alpaca/Silk

I purchased some gorgeous merino/alpaca/silk blend from First Editions. It looked gorgeous in the packet, with the silk adding some stunning highlights, but unfortunately when it is spun and plied, it just looks like plain mud!

Pom Poms

I admit the one thing I am absolutely useless at is making Pompoms; I have never ever been able to make them and I have tried numerous times using the cardboard circles and also a newish plastic contraption which was also unsuccessful. What the hell am I doing wrong? They just fall apart or are not fluffy enough.

I did see a totally different Pompom maker on a website so I might buy that one and have a go.

I need over 20 Pompoms for a felted teacozy; at this rate it will be a plain, boring teacozy without the Pompoms.

ThreeSixFive Challenge May Pt2

ThreeSixFive Challenge May Pt1

Some photos I took this month for the 365 challenge. Some of the photos were taken with my old SLR too, which I'm glad to report still works fine.

My new Babe

OK, I admit it. I bought ANOTHER spinning wheel, this time a windwheel so how could I refuse. BTW, thanks to my friend Karen at http://woolznyarnz.blogspot.com/ who fixed the "teething problems" and got it going - Karen is excellent at servicing wheels (do have a look at her blog because she also sells the most amazing fleece/rovings).

Time to show her off (along with my others).
Ta da..... here is Venus

















...and Freya (Wee Peggy)










...and Eos (Traveller)

...and Minerva (Castella)

..and my trusty and rickety antique, Athena

Braided Necklace

I finished my first kumihimo braid and made it into a necklace with a flower and two butterflies (bought as a kit). I think I will try a more challenging braid next time;, in fact I have just the right pendants (two) waiting for a braid.

What a glorious sunny day today. I saw my first butterfly and naturally had to snap it. Amazingly the butterfly stayed put whilst I rushed inside to grab my camera. Just meant to be....

Braiding

Thanks to Britt's information at http://stitchety-grub.blogspot.com/ I purchased my marudai kit from http://www.dyeingforfabricandthreads.com/mini--marudai.html and was quite amazed how easy I found the first braid (perhaps because the kids and I made lots of scoobies when they were in vogue a couple of years ago). My tension isn't even yet, but there is plenty of time to work on it. This braid will become a necklace.

Art Yarn

Someone recently asked me about art yarn. Here is one I recently finished. I like doing art yarn, because there are no real rules as such. Basically I used merino roving and layered it with silk rods (broken up), noils, glitter/bling and anything else I could find. Then I just spun it and plied it with Madeira satin thread (which gave the yarn a sheen). Easy peasy.

Life Drawing

Last night a friend and I went to a Life Drawing session at Yarraville. Although very cold, it was a lot of creative fun and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The last time we both went to a life drawing was almost four years ago; hopefully it won't be this long next time! The lady who ran the session was very friendly and wanted everything just right for the artists and models. Details can be found at http://www.inkandlead.com.au/. The models were lovely and oh so patient, maintaining their poses for anywhere up to 15 minutes. No, they were not nudies but almost burlesque in costume. I experimented with graphite, pencil and colour. The person next to me was using ink and a brush and got some amazing results - I think I may try this next time.

Craft Show

I just picked up my items which were entered into the District CWA show. I didn't really know what to expect however I did quite well.

Firstly, our Branch won a number of Awards including a trophy for "Best Handcraft Entry", trophy for "Best Presentation", trophy for "Best Branch Craft Exhibition" and a first prize in "Branch Entry, Rural Australia". In this display is my lace tree (with a lovely reflection), a rural watercolour, and needle felted rabbit.

My individual Awards were :-

First for felted handbag-

Second for Any other Medium (crepe paper Dolphins) -

Second for ribbon Embroidery (roses) -
Second prize for Embroidery (lace fan) - No there was no lace section and apparently this was the closest category to lace - OH NO IT'S NOT!!!!

First for Watercolour (seagulls) -

DAY 5 (07/05/2010) - STOCKINGS