Wednesday, July 14, 2010

my creative space...

This weeks been fantastically busy and creatively diverse too...I don't know where to start!

I gave my first workshop for a project called 'Close Knit' which is a Brisbane Festival yarn bombing and community involvement project of amazing proportions...to find out how to get involved head here...
I am working alongside a wonderful group of women, from Brisbane's African community and we are creating some special BIG pieces.
Another 5 workshops to go, I can hardly wait.

Been making some simple stews;
Nothing fancy; a big handful of cherry tomatoes, a can of lentils mixed in a small saucepan with some slow fried onion, garlic, and diced carrot...I added a dollop of butter at the end-yum!

Onion skin stew anyone? Actually, this is another pot...with left over onion skin + locally gathered gum tree bark, steeping and boiling....

..to naturally dye some second hand wool.
I put the yarn in without putting it into skeins...the liquid soaked right through, carrying the pigment right through.
Why do instructions always include making up skeins for dyeing rather than dyeing balls?

It turned out this gorgeous caramel colour.

I have also pulled out my sewing machine again after I scored some more vintage fabrics.
I am making up new handbags, earmarked for Bleeding Heart gallery store.

I haven't done much sewing lately, I like it but compared to my yarn work it's so complex!
I make my handbags double sided, with a different print on each side, so they can be turned either way out...
I need to take a lot of care when stitching the binding, because it holds it together and has to look pretty both sides...check out this lovely piece of fabric though...

I had to show it in a bit more detail, love the colour of the flower, the stylised leaf and the gentle dot patterns.

I will be making and bringing more bags along to the Tricycle Pop Up shop too...

Tricycle is the combined brainchild of Bec, Chrissy and I,
celebrating/sharing our love of all things upcycled and crafty...
above is Becs' beautiful poster...she is so talented!!
For more creative spaces head to kootoyoo
ciao Kate


16 comments:

Hannah said...

wow you HAVE been super creative this week!!! love the natural dyeing method

My Handmadehappiness said...

fantastic creative space x

Kylie said...

I love dyeing wool it's like magic, I get my wool dye from Morning Star Crafts it's all natural non toxic but I love the natural colours of natural dyeing. LOL Yeah, I know what you mean about the Goodies...and don't forget Kenny Everet hmmm, certainly a country of extreems and quirkiness.

helena / little mo said...

At first I thought you were going to share a recipe with onion skin! And I thought, far out! Then I had to smile when I realised you were dying wool! It came out gorgeous!! xoxo

Michelle said...

Wow - you have totally inspired me with your creativity this week! Love that bag fabric!

Good luck with your pop-up. The poster is great!

74 Lime Lane said...

wow, so much going on ~ very inspiring, the wool is gorgeous, love the process

Kirsty said...

Your onion caramel yarn is fabulous.

Steph said...

That dying is brilliant! And your bags look gorgeous! Yes binding can be a pain in the behind hey!! Hope you are having a lovely week :)

Crochet with Raymond said...

I love the dying! Its so cool to see the process... more please!!! :)

Christy said...

What a creative week - love the yarn dyeing and the bag fabric looks lovely... :)

Baa-Me Kniits said...

You are very creative this week! I love the onion and gum bark dye, what do you use to set the dye?? Have you checked the middle of the ball? Maybe it is a slightly different shade to the outside? I know I have been told to use a syringe and a needle to inject the dye to the centre of the ball?

Tracey@bountifully said...

you have been supper busy - the workshops sound great. Such neat little hand stitches... wow..

FishesMakeWishes said...

A very creative space! I love the fabric for the handbags too, it's so cute! Thanks for the lovely comment:)

Tweed Thoughts said...

I love the sound of your community projects! . . . and the natural wool dyeing method - fabulous results :) I do like the poster too!

MooBear Designs said...

I found you through the Bib fb page. We both play along with kootoyoo yet I haven't stumbled upon your wonderful blog. tricycle sounds like my cup of fair trade coffee!!

Look forward to following you along!!!

Chrissy Foreman C said...

Oh yummo ~ the fabric you've scored is fantastic!!