Thursday 28 February 2013

Yet another glorious day!


I really can't believe the week we've had.
This is one of the wettest areas in Scotland after all!

Today I have suri Alpaca out drying in those
lovely sunny rays


Along with some fluffy locks


These are rather lovely Masham locks
that I am slowly separating after dying.

Can't say its too much of a pain with the
weather like this!


Monday 25 February 2013

Blowing in the wind...what a day!


Another glorious sunny day in Largs
so it had to be a dying day.


Nothing better than some lovely dyed silk hanging
on your washing line......
tomorrow it better be washing!




Sunday 24 February 2013

New toy and some history!

Many of you know that I studied textile design
at Glasgow school of Art.
While at G.S.A I was lucky enough to 
spend a stint at Huddersfield
working on their flat bed felting machines,
which stood me in great stead for on graduation
going to work at Tait and Style.

Tait and Style allowed me some amazing experience
and I am very gratetful to Ingrid Tait for that.
Ingrid seems to mostly work in Knitwear now....we all change and adapt.

While with them I worked with fashion designers
such as Paul Smith and Marite and Francois Girbaud.
So working with them was really my background for 
creating fabrics using a flat bed felting machine.

20+ years on
My new Toy......wow!

bought from Create and Craft on a
half price deal.
Its like a tiny version of that flat bed felting machine
I worked on many moons ago....


I used one of my standard needle felting packs

And had a good old play!


It really was fun!


These were done in about 20 mins.


I love the idea of creating
my own tartans!


And this was what was left after making these bits from my pack!
Lots more to play with!


Such fun......

Saturday 23 February 2013

A good days work....separating those lovely mohair locks


Once I have dyed a batch of lovely fluffy stuff
in this case Somerset Mohair
I like to separate out the individual locks.
This lot took approx 4hrs with a break for the Mentalist.
I am a bit of a CSI/Mentalist/Borgen etc fan!

Individual locks are fabulous to use in felt making,
hoping to have a play this afternoon with my new toy
so I may have something to share tomorrow.


Locks are still drying and there is some lovely fluffy 
mohair left into the bargain.
Good job done!


Friday 22 February 2013

Where is the sun hiding?


Today the sun is in hiding, so I have
had to resort to drying inside once again
as its soooooooo cold!

Some lovely Somerset Mohair
that I have been dying today -
just gorgeous fluff!


I do like the vintagey colours
but also had to have some 
real blue and a soft 
turquoise, lilac mix.





Then I need more yarns for my packs.
I love dying yarn!
Especially lovely thick and thin yarn....


Also some gorgeous mohair loop!


And yes Shirley the clean up afterwards is a task and a half.
Especially as we only have a small galley style kitchen to work in
it's a squash and a squeeze.....but at least it makes me clear up quickly afterwards!

Monday 18 February 2013

Sari ribbon drying in the sun...


Such a lovely sunny day in Largs
I managing to get my dying outside
to dry...a rare treat!


Some new colours of Sari ribbon
and some lovely over dyed  Gotland.
Gotland is a lovely curly wool 
that varies from a silver grey to black....
perfect for a touch of colour!


Tuesday 12 February 2013

Just soooooo excited!

I am Just so excited!
To find out last night that I have been accepted
to exhibit at this years
in cumbria.
So if its near at hand
I'd love to see you there!
You won't be disappointed if you love all things textiles
its amazing!


Didn't sleep much last night planning our stand 
and this year they are having a 
how fun!


Some more photo's as promised!


A lot of the animals were enjoying a wee sleep
in the sun.


The kids had such a great time


As did the adults!


Monday 11 February 2013

Edinburgh Zoo ....we're just visiting!


We had an absolutely fabulous day at
Edinburgh Zoo today.

It was cold but very sunny - just perfect!

Our first chance to meet the amazing pandas.
Back with more photo's tomorrow.


Friday 8 February 2013

Dying yarns and fabrics


This week I have been dying some yarn mixes
that are 100% wool so ideal for felt makers.
A lot of my lovely natural yarns come from Ashford fibres.




Also some lovely silk fabrics
the silk voil above is ideal for nuno felting
and silk dupion and raw silk which is great for
creative embroidery


Tuesday 5 February 2013

Oh so pretty brooches


Thought I'd share these lovely flower brooches today.
Made using a combination of hand spun yarn and hand dyed
yarns (silk, mohair, merino and cotton)
Little flowers knitted by Vicky
and constructed by me.


Saturday 2 February 2013

Lovely Locks


Had a lovely day dying locks....
wow what wonderful long locks this Wensleydale sheep had.
They took some cleaning but definitely worth it.


Yes Jack they are indeed your lovely Wensleydale locks!

Jack's fibre can be found on etsy and ebay