That Time of Year

It's that time of year again where I can humour my own fascination with the bright coulourful imagery of The Day Of The Dead. It is so fun and funky. It's all such a wonderful combination of bright colours, black, whimsy, flowers, skulls and I like the concept of honouring our descendants. Family is a big part of my life and respecting my elders was taught to me at an early age. Two things I am hoping to pass on to my own daughter.

I also love the fall in Eastern Ontario, the changing leaves on the trees add colour to even the grayest day. In general Autumn is my favourite season.

Learning the ways of wool

Oh the wonders of learning to spin. Here's me playing with a drop spindle which Susan was good enough to loan me so I could perhaps spin some of my rovings I dyed. Now to get some time to master the technique. This was all part of the demos we were conducting during Arts & Culture Week in Canada. This is a busy weekend for me as I am doing two demos both Saturday and Sunday.
Here's Munchkin trying the spinning wheel. I would have to take time and get her to focus on consistency of speed, otherwise she seemed to be picking it up quite well. Just what I need more incentive to desire a spinning wheel. Cause I have plenty of time to master a new handcraft. ;0)

Hamming it Up

Munchkin had a great time hamming it up for the camera when a friend(Paula) and I were trying to get some good shots of some clothes I created(altered). She kept refusing to keep that tongue in her mouth. But I really do have to admit most of the pictures were pretty cute tongue and all.

So here are a couple of pictures. The hat is something I adorned for her and she absolutely loves it. She wore it to the Montreal Jazz festival and it was very appropriate. The jacket is something I have for sale at the store.

Flowers Done + some sample necklaces

Got lots of flowers done for embellishment purposes. Its a great way to have some things prepared beforehand for restocking purposes.

I have also been busy trying out different designs and styles for an upcoming class I am teaching at CreativFestival Toronto in October. It is called Funky Fibre Accessories and is 1 1/2 hours long. No idea how many students there may be, or their experience. So I have been trying to come up with a variety of options this month. Then I shall make up class patterns for a couple of them at the end of September in preparation. The pink flower one is using a pattern I found on Ravelry for reference. I must check to see who the designer was again.

IN Production Mode

I have been stitching the sweater leftovers as I go along. This is a much better way to approach the situation as then I have a bag of flower makings. Instead of a bag of mess. A new approach for me which hopefully rubs off to all other things in my studio.

The reason behind the sweater leftovers is I have been working on a line of skirts created from reconstructed sweaters and tops. So far I have come up with three basic designs, two for sweaters and one for tee's or lightweight knits. Oh I am also making flowers if you didn't guess, which are being used for embellishment or are having new lives as hair accessories and brooches.

My goal is to get about a dozen done and then do some proper pictures.

Contest - Sublime Stitching

My design is finished and completely stitched now just to get it sent off to be judged. I ended up using pieces of four designs by Sublime plus some details added by me to tie it all together. I used some hand distressed fabric around the edges to frame it a bit but I haven't decided what to do with it as a finished item. It always frustrates me when I get a bit of gathering in the fabric where there is heavier stitching. I have tried numerous methods of stabilizer but in general whenever I use a lighter fabric as my base(which makes for easier stitching in general)there is always some puckering. And my obsessive gene rears its ugly head.

Contest

SO this is the beginning of a piece I am working on for the contest Sublime Stitching is holding. You must use a minimum 3 patterns put out by the company. I have used 4 plus added some of my own design to tie it all together. I think it may take a lot more hours to complete, but so far so good. Part of the decision making is going to be how to finish the edges once I am completed with the main picture.

I am also presently working on a panel for the shop using hand dyed cottons and embroidery. This way I have a little variety of pieces to work on. Also need to start a piece on the theme of Mad Hatter's Tea Party, for this one I need to decide what medium I want to work in. Keep debating about doing something more sculptural.