Sara's Texture Crafts... HQ Log
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‘Rhapsody’ designed by @miss_elle_bat, yarn dyed & knit by me :D (Taken with instagram)
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Ladybird spider (Eresus sandaliatus) © Ian Hughes (via Buglife | Join | Help us save the Ladybird spider)
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What i would give to be in this moment (or any even close to this) right now. I thought the longer we were...
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(via imgTumble)
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WANT
I’m going to do a variation of this for my classroom to go...
We started the weekend by visiting Buckfast Abbey. We needed some more soap and their’s last so long that I’m a definite long term customer now. We also got some honey and some quince jelly… Yum!
As we drive past Haytor on the way home (and I couldn’t shop for yarn at Spin a Yarn, Bovey Tracey two weeks in a row ;) ), we decided to stop and enjoy the sun. It was quiet busy with climbing club students and foreign exchange students, but we managed to find a small book out of the way to sit and enjoy the sun. It was blissful! Darrin enjoyed the view and wanted to pitch a tent for the night…
Today I managed some time for spinning. In the picture you can see one of my Merino batts, z-striped into a pre-drafted roving ready for my spindle. This is a test piece, for a project on blending I’m working through.
I also washed, blocked and dried two ‘just off the needles’ shawls. The Lala’s Simple Shawl and my improvised Ivy Shawlette, both of which I need to up date on my Ravelry project page (find me as SARASTEXTURECRAFT).
And finally I started a new project with some of my stash yarn (bought from Yarn Hollow). I’m going to post more about this as I go as I’m loving both the Watergarden Shrug pattern by Jane Thornley and the yarn.
I’ve had a fab weekend so far… I hope you are enjoying the wonderful sunshine we are having?
Don’t forget I’m at the Devon County Show (Westpoint, Exeter) from the 17-19 May in the West Country Crafts Marquee. I’d love to see you…
Helen, who is a potter by day and a Spinner by night showed us her latest obsession, natural dyeing. She showed us books (the Dyers Garden might be a future purchase), yarns (carefully labelled with plant and mordant information) and a stunning blanket she has knit up from samples of Madder and onion dyed wool yarn… Isn’t it wonderful?!
She also shared with us the carefully documented and photo framed dye samples made by a friend’s Grandmother. each tile had a dried sample of the plant and varying coloured swatches made using differing mordants and dye exhausts… Truly fascinating!
She is just starting out in her journey through natural dyeing, so it will be interesting to see how that progresses.
This is why I love group get-togethers… So much inspiration squeezed into one place just has to be infectious!
Have a fab weekend everyone… Sara xx
We had a look around the antiques centre and I found a beautiful bone double crochet hook for £3 and a longer pair of gauge 10 knitting needles (£2.50), which I needed for the shawl I’m working on. I wasn’t bothered that they were second hand, they were a good price and have lots of life left in them. The bone crochet hook is my favourite thing for the day… Can’t wait to try it out!
Later, at home I made myself some stitch markers. I’ve been eyeing up some for sale on Etsy for a while and as lovely as they are, I have a ton of beads in my stash… I really needed to make my own. I chose some pretty glass beads and used a larger solid ring that I can use on a multitude of knitting needles. Voila some pretty stitch markers!
For our pub lunch we ate at The Prospect, a pub we haven’t been in for about 16 years! The food was lovely. I definitely recommend stopping for a quick drink to watch the world go by.
If you are going down to the quay don’t forget to walk further along and visit the Quayside craft shops. There’s lots to see from glass, iron and woodwork, lots of jewellery and gift things. There are some smaller cafes and there is usually a busker or two playing music… Great for a sunny day. Most of the shops are local crafters and artists and they deserve our continued support.
Wishing you all a sunny weekend,
17th-19th May 2012 - http://devoncountyshow.co.uk/
I extremely pleased to announce I will be showng at the Devon County Show this year, in the West Country Crafts Marquee.
Demo: Needlefelt gardens and Spindle spinning
Stock: yarns, fibre, kits and gifts! Cash or cheques payments.
If you need to pick up an order, please let me know 3 days in advance with full payment. This will ensure I have enough time to process.
Remember the course I mentioned in my podcast (Dreaming in Fibre, Episode 8)? Well here’s a flyer with some more details for you…
I totally recommend it!
Bye for now,
Sara x
Www.sarastexturecrafts.com
The Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter has recently reopened its doors after a major refurbishment. Not having visited since 1995 when Darrin and I met at art college, we decided it was about time we explored the collections again.
Free entry and lots of activities for families meant lots of people, but fortunately the refurbishment is such that it didn’t feel tight for space. All the rooms had such a lovely light and airy feel and the exhibits were well thought through and some interactive.
Of course I found myself being drawn more to the textile pieces that were woven, beaded or embroidered more than most… But there’s so much to see I think I could be inspired by something different each time I go.
This is a Back-strap loom weaving that is part complete. It was made in Guatemala in the 1980s.
Isn’t it wonderfully vibrant?! It has made me think I should revisit for some more direct inspiration for my next weave… And weaving against a dark colour could be something to consider.
This is a Chaka Spinning Wheel (the original design of which was commissioned by Gandhi). I still haven’t quite mastered mine… Maybe I should have another go?
I also came across this loom reed from Japan (I think). You might not pick it up from the photo, but all along the face of the reed there are beautiful carved designs… I’d loved to have seen the original loom.
I got the feeling every now and again… While I was taking the occasional photo… That I was being watched…
Who is that man following me?!
To be honest I’m surprised I didn’t loose Darrin to some of the children’s activities… I usually do!
What have you been up to this weekend?
Bye for now,
Sara x
Www.sarastexturecrafts.com
