Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Bullions Golore!


Ode to Prudence


I have finally finished my first attempt at real Freeform Crochet. I must admit, I’m not very good at what is seen as your typical freeform, scrumbles and what not, I can admire this kind of crochet; I’m just not that good at doing it. I think it goes against my weaver senses (kinda like Spiderman and his spidey sense). I like order, patterns, sequence, symmetry, asymmetry, etc... (Even though I was scrumbling and freeforming the pieces I made for the Crocheted Coral Reef Project, they were still very orderly..)


But, well, between trying to organise a class on Freeform Crochet, and the Prudence Mapstone Workshop I’m going to, in October, I finally decided to try my hand at true freeform, Prudence style.


Over the past few years, I’ve managed to gather a good collection of freeform books, with various styles, techniques, and stitches. But it's Prudence Mapstones bullion and shell shapes that have become my firm favourites. And I was determined to learn it. I haven’t got her Bullions and Beyond Book, but I do have her 'Never Too Many Handbags' book, so a Bullion Bag, it was going to be...



Trying to do the Bullion stitch isn't easy, there's a bit of a knack, and definately some types of yarn work better. So, make lots of Bullions and stitch them together to make a bag!! Yes I know the colours are a bit bizarre, and completely 'not me', but I was trying to use up all the odds and ends left over from the coral. They made great coral!!






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Monday, June 21, 2010

Update on The Irish Crocheted Coral Reef

Well, the Hyperbolic Crocheted Coral Reef Exhibition is finally over. I don't know the statistics, but from what I have heard and read, it was incredibly successful. It was a great pleasure to work on and I got to meet some fantastic people because of it. It's been ages since I updated my blog, so I don't think I even mentioned going up to Dublin one last time, and getting to meet the wonderful Dainia Taminia, and the cherry on the top, Rockpoolcandy (aka Inga Hamilton)!

But just when you think it's all over, it's not... And the two bits of fantastic news I have for you, is that firstly, the Irish Toxic Reef was so amazing, incredible, etc, etc, that parts of it have been 'curated' by Margaret Wertheim, to travel over to the USA to be part of the International Exhibition in the Smithsonian Institute!! I think that's in October, but I'm not 100% sure. But sure, we all knew it was pretty amazing, I mean, we made it!

Also, the tireless promoter of Reefers in Ireland, Irene Lungaard, has managed to bag us the Tinahely Courthouse Arts Centre for September 2010. The Irish Crocheted Coral Reef will go on display in Wicklow. So, since our Toxic Reef is now off on holidays, we need a new toxic reef. Anyone who hasn't been hyperbolic'd out, or never got the chance to participate before, can now make some pieces. Although we really need lots of toxic/plastic coral, I'm sure more woolly coral will be accepted. Also, we are looking for other venues around Ireland, that would be interested in exhibiting the Irish Crocheted Coral Reef. Get in touch if you can think of any suitable venues.


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