So what have I been doing?

Summer cleaning!!!!
I missed the spring clean as it was a busy time. For me the Christmas break is the only decent block of time I get to really effect some changes in the house. Something gets hold of me and the cleaning and de-cluttering begins. I get a ruthless glint in my eye and the expulsion of all deemed unnecessary is underway.

I did not quite need the truck pictured above but it felt good to bring some order to the chaos of the home. Sometimes with everyone working it never seems to be the right time to deal with things. I even did some gardening, though there is  a long way to go there! For me this is also a cleaning out and preparation for the mind. Having the chaos around was effecting my work. Does anyone else suffer from this?? I need to be able to go down to my studio knowing that the house is not in greater need of my time.

In other words it is a load off.

A little balance is restored if only for a while. Now back to work!

Europe here I come!!!

Just letting you know I have got enough groups to go ahead with the tour!!!!! I will post the details of where and when soon and give you some contacts if you would like to come. So far it looks like Ukraine, Germany, Netherlands, Uk and Ireland. Just need to plot the route and settle into the details. A big thanks to Elis and the wonder of facebook who helped get the info out there.
I am of course excruciatingly excited at the prospect and also not just a little daunted by the task ahead.

I subscribe to an online magazine called Handeye. It has wonderful articles on works done throughout the world. I just fell in love with this article and instantly bought the book so I could look even closer at these amazing sculptures. Some of you already know my passion for Andy Goldsworthy, well this guys work is similar in the way it becomes part of the environment and eventually returns to the earth from whence it came.

Deep sigh at the wonder that is peoples creativity.

Summer felt

Once again I have the dilemma of selling wool in the hot heat of summer, so I have branched into the jewelry. The silk is hand dyed and hand spun crocheted stuff and the earrings are stirling silver wire. Some of the crochet was done on my Tunisian crochet hook I bought at Bendigo. They were fun to make and quite a difference working so small. Hope you like!!

Mad Hatters Tea Party?

No they're not mad really, well no more than I am.
These are the hats from the last hat making workshop for the year.

Playing with hats

 Having a play with that front turn up idea.

On Hats and Snails

"Felt United" is an online gallery of felt artists from around the world. This is the second year it has run. I missed it last year because I was too flat chat but I made an effort to get it together this year.
Last year the theme was red, orange, yellow. This year it is blue, green, yellow. The gallery for this year is not yet up but I've decided to give you a sneek peek of my work anyway.

Don't you think all snails should have a winter jacket?
Many thanks to my human model. He brings the hat some dignity I think.

Fibre Fish

Been having some fun and playing with frivolity.
Trying out some ideas for cards.

What a Cracker!!

Check out this little number created by my student yesterday. It is still wet in the photo so the silk does not shine and of course the pins will go but I thought she did a marvelous job!

Road Trip

I recently had a small holiday combined with the opening of the Tamworth exhibition. I drove up by myself so it was a bit Thelma and Louise though I guess I was only Thelma, no convertible and I didn't drive off a cliff at the end.

Glenys Mann was the officiator at the opening and really brought some enthusiasm to the event and the world of textiles generally. I had a good lot of sales which is always a good start. Klimt and Vincent were some of the first to go as well as the eco prints. Some hats went too so here's hoping the rest of the exhibition sells just as well.

I visited some friends from up north and had to share some pics. This one of Kerry with Nickolas. I had such a lovely break with her. Thanks Kerry!

She has quite a menagerie going with miniature horses, the goats, dogs, and chickens.

Aren't those the cutest chicks?
We had a day of felting and some other friends I've met at other workshops came. I'm in deepest love with Doro's bag.

 

I adore Kerry's clothes line. This shows what a true fibre artist she is. 

 

I kinda get off on the amazing piece of machinery she has there too. Serious carding material. It is just fascinating to watch.

Masters at work

These two wraps are more impressions of the greats. 1 Klimt and the other Vincent.

Nuno workshop

Finally got a cord for my new phone so I can get the pics from the nuno workshop up online.
Another amazing group of women who produced quite diffferent work. Some had come to the dyeing workshop and were able to use what they had made in their piece. Some went with the all over fibre look and some with leaving the gaps. Good Fun!!!

Precious prints

I am including a couple of natural dyed wraps in the batch

Wraps with bling

These are a couple of the latest wraps I've been working on for an exhibition at the Weswal Gallery in Tamworth this month.
(Nothing like leaving it up to the wire to get it all done.)
Please note the bling Stirling Silver, hand forged by moi!!!!!

Spun Neckies

A  bunch of spun Neckwear . I kinda like the whole lot together!