2 Working Days left....

It's Sunday night, and I have 2 working days left...so what do I do, start to make something new. You think I would learn!!

I was fixing up my signs from last year, they were just a breadboard and a cabinet door painted with blackboard paint. But this year there is more emphasis on a nice display of names and workshops times. The breadboard will do again for chalking up the workshop times, but I needed something different for my Stitchlily sign. I also wanted to make some kind of a banner for my Sit and Stitch area. So I decide to make them out of fabric, cutting out the letters and stitching them to a backround. Several hours later, I'm still not finished. They came out kind of small, so no one will even notice them...Oh, well, maybe I'll learn for next year, no more last minute fabric banners...


Here is the letters cut out ready for stitching, and also a sneaky peek at some of the workshop brooches and a kiwi cushion!!

These are a sneaky peak at the Alternative Yarn workshop - plarn and newspaper yarn, crocheted...

Last year I didn't make a penny and spent a fortune on all the equipment and stuff. This year if I cover my costs I'll be very happy....I had planned on making lots of knitted scarves to sell, but when it came round to it, I ended up having more fun playing around with patterns on the knitting machine. Now why haven't I don't this before? I was trying out Aran style patterns on very fine lace scarves, and also the 'snagged tights' look....I mean the Gothic Lace look...

6 Days to Electric Picnic....

Well, only 6 days left to Electric Picnic and 3 working days left for me...Am pretty much organised workshop-wise, but myself-wise am all over the place. I've been so engrossed in getting everything organised I haven't got any clean clothes!! I'm down to the dregs of the wardrobe.....It would be just like me to bring absolutely everything, and well, forget the change of clothes. The weather is bonkers at the moment, hot/cold/wet/dry, so I guess, I'll just wash and bring everything...

The map is up. Greencrafts is in a completely different area this year, right in front of the house, next to Global Green. Workshop hours are 12pm - 6pm, and the area is closed off at about 8.30pm...

As if getting ready for the Electric Picnic wasn't enough, I've put my foot in it by trying to promote 2 great days of fibre activities this Autumn.

Worldwide Spin in Public - 19th September 2009 (more info here)
www.wwsip.com

International Day of Felt - 3rd of October 2009 (more about it here)
www.feltunited.com

I've just written exhaustively about them on The Woolly Way blog so am all typed out for now, but please if you are a spinner or felter in Ireland, get something together, get in touch, and we'll see if we can organise a great day.

On both days, I'll be in The Crafty Alley Shop, in Killarney, Co. Kerry, from 2pm - 5pm with my fleece and spindle. Please come along and join in the fibre fun!!

If you can't wait until then to meet me (!!...or you want to come for the knitting)....come to The Crafty Knit and Stitchers group. A new weekly knitting and stitching sessions starting on Friday 11th Septermber in The Crafty Alley in Killarney from 10am - 12pm.
For fellow Ravellers theres a new group The Crafty Knit and Stitchers!

A big thanks to Cathy and Felicia from The Crafty Alley, I don't think they knew what they were letting themselves in for when they first hosted the WWKIP, they are awash with woolly types ever since!!

Little Rant on Travelling in Ireland....

Excuse me while I vent a little....

I go everywhere in my car, I don't particularly want to but with the state of Irish public transport, I don't really have a choice. As a treat, and instead of a painful 4/5 hour drive to Dublin (and some scary driving in Dublin...), I booked cheap flights with Ryan Air for myself and my sons (see previous post for our plan!!). The flights were not that much but the taxes were ridiculous, but what the hay. His first time on a plane.

I discovered 2 days before I'm due to fly (this Saturday), that Ryan Air have changed their child policies since I last looked. All children including babies, must have some form of travel document on internal flights. In other words a passport. This came into force in May 09, if you booked your flight before that your OK, if you didn't (and of course I didn't ), your not. My three year old needs a passport to fly to Dublin. To get him a passport in time, I need to do a 2 hour drive to Cork, pay €25 for a 5 year passport, (because he was 3 last week), pay €30 for the privilege of getting it over-the-counter, hang around Cork for a few hours, pick up said passport and drive home to catch a cheap flight to Dublin the following morning.

So, I try to cancel. I can't. You can't cancel a Ryan Air flight, you just don't turn up. I won't get a Ryan Air refund on the price of the flight, the handling etc, but I'm entitled to a refund of the exorbitant airport taxes I was charged. However, Ryan Air charge an administration fee for the privilege of applying for said tax refund and chances are I wont get any money back.

This is what I get for trying to be impulsive and book last minute to go up to Dublin and enjoy myself. I rang my mum, she said just get the train. So, I check Irish Rail: €72.00 for a four hour train journey, but at least the child goes free. And they wonder why we all have cars, and use our cars to go everywhere. Take away the politicians chauffeurs and their privileges, make them suffer like the rest of us. Imagine how fast the public transport would improve if they had to use it!

After all this, I don't know if it's worth if for the 36 hour trip to Dublin...I'm wrecked already just thinking about it!

The crazy things we make and do, when there isn't really the time to make and do it.....

As if I haven't got enough on my plate with the Electric Picnic looming. I have decided to take a trip to Dublin for about 30 hours. There are 4 very valid reasons:

1. my cousins wedding
2. a workshop on making patterns and alterations
3. an exhibition of Harry Clarke's illustrations for Hans Christian Anderson
4. my little man has never been on a plane before
   

Numbers 1 and 4:
My cousins wedding is a very informal affair, a party in a pub, so that's easy enough, and should be good fun. I don't meet up with the 'Eastern' relations that much, and I know my little man will love it. He's a sociable little fella and will love the attention from new relatives. Not to mention the fact he is going on a plane! Yes, I know it's not very Eco of me, but it only takes an hour and it's cheaper than the train...cheaper than the train--scandalous really...

Number 2:
Anyone who knows me, knows I am a terrible shopper. I hate shopping for clothes, hate most clothes, and usually come back in tears because it's all bloody awful, and nothing fits, and the one time I am willing to spend money, and I tried on everything, and, and, and... I have always wanted to make my own clothes. But have never been brave enough. It's funny, ask me to make anything else, and I'll do it, but clothes; they scare me...So, I've booked myself into a fantastic course with re-dress, design, pattern drafting, alterations and up-cycling... all in one day, and the day I'm in Dublin.

Number 3:
Well, what can you say...Harry Clarke...Fairy Tale illustrations...I don't know how I am going to squeeze a trip to the National Gallery into my 30 odd hours but I have to. Especially when the exhibition was supposed to be over, but was extended until September. I used to visit Harry Clarkes stained-glass windows in An Díseart, in Dingle all the time. Not to mention the fact I love, no, adore, fairy tales...Yes, it's the exhibition for me...

So that's the do, what's the make...?

My son is mad about cardboard boxes, well, aren't most kids. When the nappies arrive from ecobaby, they always come in a big brown cardboard box which is just asking to be made into something. First came the robot, which has lasted over a month, and although falling apart, has had lots of fun time. Second came the boat, which did OK, but not as well as the robot. Then last week, feeling guilty for fobbing the child off onto the TV while I tried to get some work done, I said what do you want. He replied 'an aeroplane'....I shouldn't have asked. He was very specific, it had to have 2 wings, a pointed nose and a propeller that went round and round....Well, here it is in all its taped glory!!

The Knitted Poem

I don't knit very often, if I do it is always for some charity or crazy textile project. Today's crazy textile project is The Poetry Society's The Knitted Poem!

"Over 700 knitters around the world are now knitting (and crocheting) the individual letters of an as-yet secret poem. Once the squares have been sewn together the assembled work could span some 40-feet. The final knitted poem will be revealed in all its glory in October 2009".

I said I was a beginner, and thank god I did, because with each row ripped back, I realised I'm crap at knitting. I won't go into the knittygrittys of all the things I did wrong, but mainly it's because I'm a day dreamer. My hands and eyes are going through the motion but the head is a million miles away, usually thinking about the next project. Knitting doesn't suit day dreamers like crochet does. Oh I know theres a few knitters out there willing to argue with me, but I'm talking extreme day-dreaming. Where you have done several rounds before you realised you did, and you have to count then (possibly/usually) rip back. It's a hell-of-a-lot easier with crochet. That's why I try to reserve crocheting to when I watch telly. In fact I'm now at the stage, I only watch telly so I can crochet! It zones me out just enough to crochet, but not enough to make mistakes. Well, I've only got Irish terrestrial, 4 crap channels, which is enough to drive someone to needles..

But I got it finished! The letter "I", its badly blocked, but it's finished, and going in the post today...They are still looking for blank squares but I just don't have the time at the moment. I also said I'd knit something for the Skye Bridge...

The Poem is being unveiled in October, can't wait to see what poem it is?

The Poetry Society

The Knitted Poem group (Ravelry)

Scottish Wildcat Asssociation

I am not a great browser online, I rarely get the time, and it's not often I write on this blog about anything other than textile/design related stuff. But occasionally things crop up. I came across this and thought, that's interesting...well, only if you like cats, nature, saving species from extinction, etc, etc, it is...and I do.

I don't live in Scotland, I have never seen a wild cat, but I am a big cat fan, and I love the Scottish accent, so here is my bit towards promoting a charity that is trying to save the Scottish Wild Cat. (Does it meow like Sean Connery?)

If you want more info, check out the website, if you want to donate, check here...

Here is the blurb about the cat:

Pound for pound the Scottish wildcat is one of the most impressive predators in the world; intelligent, fearless, resourceful, patient, agile and powerful they are genuine super predators and until as recently as the 1950s were believed to be man killers.

Surviving human persecution for five hundred more years than the British wolf and over a thousand more years than the British lynx or bear, they inspired and terrified the same Highland clans that defied the Roman and English empires. Today the wildcat continues to receive the respect of Highland farmers and gamekeepers, many of them happy to recount the tale of the wildcat mother killing herself to kill a golden eagle attacking her kittens, or stories from childhood of wildcats evading teams of watching keepers to snatch lambs from their father's fields.

Although wildcats look similar to domestic cats, these are no feral or farm cats run wild; they're Britain's only remaining large wild predator and have walked this land for millions of years before mankind arrived or domestic cats evolved. Every inch a cat in every sense of the word the Scottish wildcat epitomises the independent, mysterious and wild spirit of the Highlands like no other creature.

"They'll fight to the death for their freedom; they epitomise what it takes to be truly free I think."
Mike Tomkies

Here is the blurb about the charity

We are a new charitable organisation with the aim of conserving the unique Scottish wildcat. We hope to achieve this through an ongoing series of awareness campaigns about this charismatic feline, support of the official captive breeding-for-release program, in-the-field conservation work and through liaison and support of other organisations carrying out research and work conducive to the future of the wildcat in Scotland.

Our beautiful cat has never had a dedicated organisation to champion it's cause as one of the UK's most exciting wildlife species; only a disappointing fraction of the UK population outside of the Highlands are even aware of their existence. We aim to change that and involve people of all ages and interests in saving and protecting our last large land predator forever.

We are currently in the process of launching a series of conservation campaigns in association with some wonderful partners, sponsors and world leading experts; we're excited about the future now that the people of Scotland, the UK and the wider world finally have a voice and a direct say in the conservation of a species the world is far richer with than without.

Us, you and thousands more people, organisations and businesses all over the world; together we can save the Scottish wildcat!

Mushrooms

These 'shrooms are part of the display I am planning. I've made 4 and hope to make about 10 more.

Everything is on hold until after the Electric Picnic. I will write up the patterns for these, and the crocheted fruit, and for several other things as soon as I get some time back....




PS: heard a rumor that The Innocent Smoothie Big Knit might be taking place again this year...Better get the juices flowing on new hat ideas.....(mmm mushroom hat anyone?)

New words...in crochet

antimacassar - a small cloth placed over the backs or arms of chairs, or the head or cushions of a sofa, to prevent soiling of the permanent fabric.

Something else to crochet? Well, as usual someone else has done something mad already...check out Monster Crochets skeleton antimacassar

www.monstercrochet.blogspot.com

Electric Picnic...what else...

The official Greencrafts schedule is up on the Electric Picnic website...and I come across as a superwoman; a super-multi-tasking-fibre-woman.

Well, yea, if you look at the list, I am a super-multi-tasking-fibre-woman but I think the words these days are Polycraftual or Bi-stitchual, or ....anyone any other words?? (Don't say mad...please...I get enough of that already...). It's just a pity I can't make anything useful, or sell-able...

Anyway, here's the real blurb for workshops and demonstrations at the Electric Picnic...

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The Triple R Fibre Feis
Recession-busting, Re-cycled, Re-usable Textile Workshops

This year we’re all things green at the Electric Picnic. We propose to have three sections within our stand; workshops, education, and demonstration. On all things textile, and all things green.

------------------------------------------------------------

WE LOVE TO MAKE
workshops sessions

We will run a variety of recession-busting, re-usable, re-cycling textile workshops. We supply the materials and the technique: you supply the imagination.

Guerrilla Embroidery: Release Your Inner Hoarder:
You can use any materials you like from our Big Box of Bits. A hoard of beads, bits and bling the Vikings would be proud of…

Alternative yarn:
Have you got lots of old clothes, plastic bags, and newspapers around the house? Learn how to cut fabric into usable yarn, make newspaper yarn, and plarn (yarn from plastic bags).

Spindle/Spin: DIY Madness:
Learn to make your own spindle with sticks, of CDs, and anything else we can find. Then learn to spin on it!!

Time: 1am- 3pm
Booking: Workshops are run on a drop-in basis, a max of 5 participants at any one time.
Price: €2 per item made

--------------------------------------------------------------

WE LOVE THE ELECTRIC PICNIC
workshop session

Deep down we know the Electric Picnic love textiles as much as us. Why else would they use a patchwork blanket for the 2009 logo! We are going to be crocheting triangles, and sewing them together to be our Electric Picnic Blanket

Time: 3pm-6pm
Price: Free!

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WE LOVE TO TALK
demonstrations

Release Your Inner Granny
We will have a Sit and Stitch area, where you can chill and chat about all things fibre. A box of knitting needles, crochet hooks, yarn will be on hand for anyone that gets the urge.

UN International Year of Natural Fibres 2009
To help promote this worthy cause, we will have fact sheets to read, on various natural fibres, with samples to feel and touch. From the ones commonly know, such as linen and hemp, to maybe the ones you mightn't know of, e.g. coir, angora, abaca, etc. We will also have reading sheets on textile eco-labeling, e.g. organic, fair-trade.

Time: Open all day!
Price: Free!


It's just over 3 weeks and counting, and I still have a lot to prepare...

The Postman Cometh.....again (how many times is that?)

The Postman always rings the bell, just as I'm putting the young fella down for a nap. I ran downstairs but by the time I got down there, he'd gone. But he's a strange thoughtful postman, and instead of leaving the usual, we called, you weren't in, come down and collect...note, he always leaves the parcels somewhere. It used to be in the porch, once in the car, and now has taken to putting them in an open window. I heard the swish of it falling through the window, so I knew what it was...

This package is from DT Craft and Design in the UK. I had posted a notice on Ravelry that I was looking for fibre, thought it would save me time trawling through the net, and Debbie kindly answered me..

From her, I got some lovely baby camel/silk sliver, some silk noil, superfine kid mohair tops, and not on the list of fibres but interesting like the seaweed one, I got some soy tops and milk tops....

Debbie stocks a dangerous range of goodies. Especially for folk who like dabbling in spinning and dyeing. A great range of dyes, equipment, undyed yarn and fibre....

www.dtcrafts.co.uk

The Knitted Chair blog

I don't get a lot of time to browse online these days, I rarely get to read other blogs, look at websites. But today I spent a nice quiet hour nursing a self-inflicted sore head at the computer, (a spontaneous drinking session with friends, I'm not very good at drinking sessions any more...).

And I came across this interesting blog... The Knitted Chairs.

With free patterns on how to knit coverings for your plastic chairs. If I had only seen this a few weeks ago....instead of killing myself trying to make the surprise seating for the EP!

The Postman Cometh again...with more fibre goodies!

The Postman Cometh again.... and he thought it was my birthday. I wish I'd get this many parcels on my birthday! I thought all my fibre orders would come slowly, but no, four on the same day! I had to put them away until later, as I could imagine the child being worse than the cat in terms of messing up my lovely fibres....Oh was I excited....

The first package was from Monike from www.softfibre.etsy.com. Based in Scotland, she has a lovely range of unusual fibres. From her I received some cashmere noil, angora, camel and alpaca tops. She also sent me little samples of cashmere tops and chinchilla. (A chinchilla is a type of rodent. One species of it became extinct through hunting, the fur was so valuable. Wiki for more info. Here's a totally useless wiki fact related to chinchilla's: Colonel K in Dangermouse, was a chinchilla not a walrus!)



The 2nd package came from World of Wool in the UK. I got a few metres of felt, which was going cheap, banana tops, and Seacell tops. Abaca is on the list of fibres to get, but I couldn't find a sample anywhere. It is also called Manilla Hemp, but I don't think manilla envelopes are made from it any more...It is also used in cigarette papers, money, and tea-bags! So, I thought if I can't get some I can always bring a tea-bag as a sample piece. I have plenty of those! It is a relative of the banana plant, and I thought well, I'd love to get some banana, and it would do as a sample of something similar to Abaca...The excuses we use to buy ourselves nice things.... The Seacell tops was not on the list, but it seemed like an interesting fibre, so I thought I better check it out. It's "A luxurious silky fibre made from Seaweed".


Also in the pile of parcels were some leaflets, posters, and stickers from Fairtrade Ireland. They sent some interesting factsheets on fairtrade cotton, one of the big campaigns they are running. An estimated 100 million households are involved in cotton production in 70 countries around the world. Those numbers are incredible, when you think this campaign will affect literally millions of people. Just by giving them a fair wage. (You can read more about it here on www.fairtrade.net/cotton) It's all demand and supply....and being seen to be green. Jeez, even Penny's and Tesco's stock fairtrade clothes now, but it is still hard to find fibres/yarn and fabric which is fairtrade. The only one I know of at the moment with a range of fairtrade cotton yarn is Debbie Bliss.

So, a lot of the fibres are now in, I think I have only one parcel left to get. But the preparation continues...I am currently working on my surprise display items....