Thursday, March 14, 2019

Completed Objects Q1 19 (6)

Why do I make these posts completed objects posts?  First, if I don't, I end up wondering where all my time goes, and what I've accomplished.  Second, I've also recorded a lot of data about some of my projects that I've referred back to for details. Third, it gives me a sense of how my work is evolving (or not evolving).  And I like to organize my textile related travels in a way that makes them more accessible.

I'm going to close out Q1 early as I know I won't finish anything else this quarter. Since all of these have photos on other blog posts, I'll just do a quick list summary.

  • Handwoven twill scarf from hand dyed and hand spun, which was very well received by it's recipient. 
  • Fingerless mittens that match my ram tam.
  • A mosaic painting of a cypress tree that looks like a tree!
  • Fabric for the stitches class jacket.
  • The Frog Prince sculptural mosaic.
  • Oasis, a little poncho is cotton with a touch of silk/wool.
I'm going to document my priorities when I get back to work on my textiles.
  • Weave the doublewidth throw blanket from stash yarn that I've planned (weaving)
  • Buy backing fabric and make pillows for the den that out of the nearly dead kilim (sewing)
  • Finish the two little bags I've started (wine bag and little blue bag) (straps)
  • Make significant progress on the mosaic table. (Mosaic)
  • Work on the pub quilt (quilting)
  • Keep spinning 
  • Knit sleeves for my jacket (knitting)




Sunday, March 3, 2019

Prince of Frogs

Small 3D mosaic featuring a
very special frog
I started this piece last September at one of Wilma Wyss' workshops... I got stuck on how to finish the sides. It finally occurred to me that something shiny but dark is what I wanted, so here is the Prince of Frogs waiting patiently for his epoxy to dry. I ordered a tiny crown for him which should arrive later this week. What would I have done differently? I think I would have trimmed the green tiles around the round opening neater, and I think the frog would have looked better slightly elevated; if the epoxy fails I will certainly do that. Otherwise, it's a whimsical and engaging piece which will find a happy home in my yard. On the mosaic front, I also cut glass for the border on one of two tables I'm making for the deck; I should have time in the garage tomorrow to cut for the other table. Then I can start on the fun motifs!

Brand new baby goat 



On the fiber front, I did another spinning demo for first graders at Deer Hollow Farms. One of their goats had just birthed 4 kids... So here's a 5 hour old baby goat.  They were amazingly adorable. I'm spinning a wool tencel blend and not enjoying it. The tencel is clumpy and it drafts out oddly; looking forward to having that done.

I'm also working on:

        • a poncho in a color gradient yarn
        • a pair of socks from a very old skein of yarn
        • the pattern for a jacket make from the handwoven in my last post, with knitted sleeves, after which I will start working on the sleeves.
        • Yes, there's a lot of other projects languishing. . I do have a list and someday I'll get around to finishing things.
Marshmallows made from Scharfenberger
cocoa powder;  some of them (not pictured)
were dipped in Tcho chocolate.
I joined a Stash Busting group on Ravelry; it's a strict yarn diet but most of the group is trying to finish a number of projects without buying yarn. I know from my own experience and watching some friends that sometimes you just can't make your stash work for a project... but I'm looking for projects I can knit from what I have. The fabric I made for the jacket ate up a whole bunch of sock yarn! And I have an alpaca blanket planned after which I'll have used up a whole box of yarn and created two beautiful and useful items. 

On the cooking front, I made marshmallows again. I had some issues with the pattern, as in I didn't follow it very closely, but here are the chocolate marshmallows I made to take to a dinner party.

There's been a lot of other things going on involving getting ready for a kitchen remodel (starting this summer) and getting some yard projects out of the way; even with contractors doing most of the work, it takes a lot of time! 


Editing this afterwards to show the results of the frog's coronation: