Art Quilt

I am pleased to say that I finally finished this art quilt -

I had lots of fun making it, and trying new techniques.

I painted a piece of wet fabric (with regular fabric paint) and then sprinkled salt on it.

This was how it looked when it was dry (the salt pulls the paint around into interesting patterns).

I quilted leaves and swirls in the painted area, and a 1/2" grid on the border.

I filled in the grid with different fillers. I also added beads, and a quilted leaf attached to a piece of heavy copper wire, that I hammered for texture. This piece is about 13" x 17".

This past week I dyed some wool fibre. I recently discovered a new blog - Pat's Knitting and Quilting, Pat makes the most incredible things!  I was so inspired, and I have a few ideas I want to try. I just need to finish a sweater before I get started spinning (then knitting).

I am working on the neck band, and then just the button bands left to go.

It looks like winter is here to stay!

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!♥

Some Firsts!

I finished my first pair of socks that I made with my hand dyed, hand spun wool! When I first got my spinning wheel in March this was my dream (it's a simple life!).

These are toe-up socks, knit two at a time using the magic loop technique.
The wool started out as slightly felted merino/silk fibre that I had dyed. It was too hard to spin as is, so I carded it with some leftover bits of wool fibre and some nylon fibre, for added strength for socks.

These are the three bobbins before plying -

and the finished yarn -

For the heel I tried the "Toe-Up Gusseted Heel" from Maia Spins.

It worked really well. I also 'Knit 1, Slip 1' across the back of the heel, just because I like a tight heel on socks.

I have also been making jewelry, here are a few of the bracelets I have made recently -

These are wire work ones, I made the links and clasps.

The metal is coloured copper wire that I hammered - so fun!

This one is "Shaped Peyote" (from Craftsy Bead Stitching). I love beads and always wanted to try this technique. The class is wonderful, so well explained and easy to follow.

The beads are 11/0 and 15/0, round and cylinder.

a garden visitor

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!♥︎