Fruity Pebbles

A total US breakfast cereal. Sugar coated lumps of processed flour, dyed with technicolor foodstuffs. Yum! Tied into the Flinstone's, Fred and Barnie gobbled it down by the barrel full. Every kid (most) loved it's sugary goodness, so to speak.















Hand dyed boucle that I picked up last time we were in the US. Really pretty. Only took 100 grams to make a good size shawl. Stocking stitch with an increase on both side of the right side rows. Garter stitch on the outside 3 stitches. US size 15 needles. Picot edge to finish it off.















I could say it was a quick knit, but I've been working on it for several months. Pick it up, knit a couple rows, put it away for a few weeks, pick it up again. Felt making, that's my excuse!

Before and After

Summer 07' we were in the states on holiday. We picked up a lot of stuff along the way that are scarce or really expensive in Ireland. Joann Fabrics has an amazing sale table. Bolts of silk crepe for $4.00 a yard. So what do you do? Buy it all!! Came home with Teal, Aqua, Purple, Hot Pink and the lovely Beige. Feltmakers always need silk for Nuno felt.

Kidding on the Beige. It reminds me of my first real pantyhose that I got when I was in Jr. High School. I was a real grown up. Suntan pantyhose. Ok, Nobody has a suntan that colour. But, in the case of silk, you can dye it!




















Broke out the Food colouring. Cochineal, drop of Red and a bit of Blue. It's actually a deeper shade than the photo, but it's really pretty. I may overdye it again in blue. The Wensleydale roving or top felted in beautifully and really crinkles up. I didn't shrink in the length, so it about 2 yards long. Looking forward to a little cooler weather to wear it around my neck.

To Market, To Market

Not to my market (Etsy), but to Diane. She's teaching a drop Spinning class in October in Galway for the Knitters Retreat. 50 grams each of Blue Faced Leicester fibre. This is gorgeous to spin and silky to felt. Anyway, off it went yesterday to 16 lucky spinners. Have fun.

New Love

I find I'm really partial to certain colours. I can't remember ever liking pastels except when I lived in California and had a perpetual tan. Haven't had that for... Ok, more than I can remember.

Early in the summer, I found a pair of Plum sudo Burky type shoe. Very feminine with thin mauve elastic straps that cross over the top of the shoe. Cute!! High on the Squeal factor! Anyway, need something to wear with it. Got some fabric and made a jacket, shirt and skirt of a cool funky cotton/Lycra print. Again, not drawn to mauve, country pink, yuck!!

Yeah, well now I have a small wardrobe of mauve, dusty, faded type of colour mauve. Of course you need a hat for weddings, so I got out the white merino/silk fibre and the (what was I thinking 4 years ago) silk package of dusty mauves, grays, blues and made a hat.

Love the hat. Have worn it many times. Have had 2 woman offer to buy it off my head. Hate to see the hair underneath it! No, I really love my hat. And bracelet. And necklace. Oh well, you need accessories to go with shoes! Right?

They Grow So Fast

I had the best intentions. I even made them on time. I just thought we'd get together before he outgrew them. Didn't happen!! Schedules, new baby, family, distance. There was even an occasion where I could have, but something else was scheduled that day. Schedules, new baby, family.... They really are pretty. Varigated browns and rust with silk that I mixed over the top. Shame.
















Anyway, these are the Toddler Boots that were made to replace the Newborn Boots. They may be primary school boots, but at least he hasn't grown out of them yet. Yes, they have been passed to Sharon and son.
















They're felted from Blue Faced Leicester fibre that I dyed in several shades of blues, aqua and green. The little tie is a colour called Petrol and the blanket stitch was a multi coloured floss in drab greens and blues. Really works well with the boots.

Hope they keep him warm this winter.

Felt Bangles

Most of these are Nuno Felted. Can't get the colours right yet. Hopefully I'll be getting a new camera with high resolution that will help with that. Anyway, merino wool and silk plus some beads.





















Some are double wrap, some are triple wrap. I'll put some of them up on Etsy after this weekend.

Birthday Ring

Here's a little ring I made for my niece who just turned 17. Swarovski Crystals and seed beads strung on jewelry elastic. Have to say, it's harder than it looks to get a tight ring, but I really think it's pretty in the light.

Happy Birthday Lauren

Noro Hat II

A bit of Christmas Knitting. Yes, I'm at it again. All but 1 of the pressies are done and sent to the US for Christmas. Insane??? Maybe, but I plan ahead. I'm also nearly done with the immediate family as well.















It helps me enjoy the holidays when I'm not pressed.






This is another of the Noro Hats. Same pattern, but not the stripey yarn. I like the citrus greens, blues, aquas and purples. I'm pretty sure the recipient doesn't read the blog, so it may be safe.

I also love the pointy top. I didn't do it on the last one, but this one followed the pattern.

Resin

It all starts somewhere. I bought a ring off ETSY. (curse you etsy!!) From there, it went through the warping of my mind. "Hey, I could do that!" Heard that before.

Well, the Internet is a handy thing and since my parents were already coming to visit and this stuff is relatively small....

Here you go.















I used a product called EasyCast. I'm very happy with the results. I knew that paper making session would come in handy at some point!
















So these are the things in the new SHOP!















These are the rings I'm just made about. The purple on is Fab, but has a small bit of resin on the side, so I didn't put it in. Guess I'll have to wear it : )

I HAVE AN ETSY SHOP!!! finally...

Well, I went and finally put something into the shop front that I've have for months. YIKES!! No pressure to restock or anything. Here's the link.

Scotland - Day 5

Ok. This is it.

First stop. St. Mungo Church or Kirk.



















There is a museum of Religious Artifacts and Life which was very interesting. Several Belief Systems were included that I didn't know much about. I always find it helpful to have a bit of background on beliefs when talking to people. The last thing you want to do is offend someone.

I did that one time. Killed a spider in front of a Buddhist friend. He was horrified! Sorry. Didn't know.

I found it amusing that St. Mungo was a stanch Christian and the J.K. Rowling name the witch and widard hospital St. Mungo in her books. Funny. To me at least.















This was a cool miniature map of the Kirk and surrounding areas. Love the copper patina that has built up over the years.

The Museum of Transportation. Since my father collects Petroliana (Gas Station stuff), we decided it would be a good one to go into.














Loved this motorcycle with double side car. I'd use this! Me and the Kiddies snug inside. Room for groceries in the back. Roy driving through the pounding rain. That's what I meant by I'd use that!















This one is for my sister in light of her recent purchase.



















This is my ultimate car. I love the Citroen Dolly. I have to say, that if I could have any car in the world, it would be this. Don't ask me why, but I love it. It would have to be two tone though. If I could had any car in the world.


It faintly reminds me of my VW Bug that I had for 18 Years. First car after graduating for High School. I loved that car too.



















The ultimate Petroliana Collectible. Might have been Dad's favorite bit in the museum.



















Rows of trams. Really cool. Would have love to ride these instead of the Dublin Bus!

Scotland - Day 4

Nearly done.











Day 4 and 5 were spent on the Glasgow bus tour. Gorgeous weather both days.

This building is in the George Square in the centre of the city.

DD was in charge of the camera for the most part on the tour. She takes great pictures for the most part. Above my average.















Got a late morning start and did the complete tour first. We then went to the Botanical Gardens since it was such a nice day.
















































Museum















The Armadillo Performing Arts Centre.

Scotland - Day 2-3

Day 2 - we hired a car and drove up through the Highlands. The scenery was amazing. So weird! Most of the mountains were green, but no trees, just a mossy shrubs.

The weather changed as we drove. Rain, fog, sun, but all in all, the weather was on our side.















We went to Fort William to ride the old steam train on the Harry Potter route. Really a great trip and the train was cool. It took us out to Skye and back. About a 4 hour trip total.

After the train we drove up to Inverness along Lockness. Gorgeous windy drive canopied by trees with castle ruins along the way.















The next morning we drove back down to poke around in Lockness to see the illusive beast. No Joy there, but we did find cute little cafes and the staircase lock system that was transporting boats upstream. Really ingenious.















Lovely Angus Highland steer

Stopped by the Rare Breed Croft (farm).
I got a bit of Hebridean Sheep fleece. Black, not brown, black. The owner said she just composted it because there was no use for it. YIKES!! She said she would be more than happy to send me some : )




















Unicorn Elvis. I thought these were mythical creatures. Who knew??














Mr. Angus















Lockness itself.




















Mr. and Mrs. Baggy Pipes



















Lovely views on the way back to Glasgow. People were out in hoards walking and climbing the river and cliffs. Looked like fun.