Newest Passion

Four weeks ago I started a class on Wire Work. I have had so much fun!
Yesterday we learned how to bead and create Dragonflies. I wasn't really into it at first but ended up thoroughly enjoying the process of putting the beads together! Yum...colour!

Then we got into the Rock Wrapping. This is my favorite way to work with wire! No preplanned course to take. Just be one with the rock and wrap.

This first one is a landscape Jasper rock that I cut and polished about 20 years ago. The only rock I managed to ever cut and polish to date. The silver hanging bit was also done about 20 years ago while I was taking a jewellery course at George Brown College in Toronto. Both pieces have been waiting for the perfect moment to become something and last night was the time. I am so pleased with how it turned out!

This Chrysophase jumped into my hand while I was in my local spiritual shop. I was walking around with a piece of amethyst but was called by this rock so I threw down the amethyst and bought this piece.

It is wrapped in Copper. At first this wrap did did not seem to be coming together and then with a twist here and a swirl there it came to life. I think this will end up on a purse somehow.

Chryophase is supposed to help with a restful sleep and sharpen perception.

This class has renewed my love of jewellery making. I can't wait to do more.....when I am not knitting.

My Haliburton Creativity

After finishing the last post the computer hard drive decided it was time to leave this world. Finally, after a quick burial and replacement, I was able to download the few pictures that I took in my Haliburton class Knitting - Inspiration and Beyond with Fiona Ellis.

The Haliburton School of Art is affiliated with Fleming College in Haliburton Village. The campus itself is amazing. The class I took was not located at the main campus but during the Thursday evening walk about I got over to visit it. It is full of light and great studios for printing, jewellery and glass blowing and more.

I was at the high school and luckily the class was in the air conditioned portion of the school. My daughter was in a non-air conditioned portion and it was very warm.

The week was very full of inspiration and information. It was exactly what I was wanting. It covered creativity, surface design development, swatching and guidance in developing the surface design into a finished item.

One of the first things we did on Monday morning was head outside with our sketch pads to look at trees etc... From what we saw we were to choose something that inspired us and make a quick sketch for reference. Since I have been looking at trees and seeing cables for the past three (or so) years that is what I did. The original sketch is on the page in the middle of the below picture.


From that sketch I blocked out 1 area I wanted to develop and went from there. It grew into a graph which I swatched in the yellow yarn then in the white yarn as a sweater idea. With Fiona's help I was able to keep the process moving forward so that I actually ended the week with game plans for 3 garments in different weight yarns and with different mutations.

Fiona and student.
Fiona is wearing a beautiful silk shawl that she knit.

As I write about the week I am realizing that there doesn't seem to be much to impart. Believe me that my brain was near to exploding with info and development ideas at the end of the week. Writing my own patterns has always interested me and now I feel as if I will be able to move forward in that direction more easily.

Right now I have all my sketches and swatches put up around me in me store office. I just purchased some Debbie Bliss Donegal Aran Tweed in colour 04 to do the sweater swatch in once again.

Now the trick is to be able to be inspired while living life instead of the rarefied environment of the Haliburton School of Art.
Thank goodness Fiona also gave us tips on sparking creativity! I am going to need them!

Monday, Monday

I spent the first part of this Monday planning a few summer activities. I am going to be closing up the shop during the first 2 weeks of July. During the first week the family and I are going to visit Lou in Winnipeg for a few days. We decided to fly this time so the children are excited by that. Although Patrick has flown in a small plane they have never been on a big airplane before. During the second week I am going to take a course at the Haliburton School of Art. A week of knitting with Fiona Ellis! I am so pumped!! I absolutely love her books and I am sure I am going to love learning from her!

Last week I knit a scarf I call Orange Ade. I combined 3 yarns (Laine du Nord Mulbury Silk, Gedifra Angora Tweed (a discontinued yarn) and Ritratto collezione S. Charles Mohair) Cast on 20 sts, k1, p1 rib for about 35", cast off, make a 8" fringe. Quick and luxurious with the silk, angora and mohair.

Today I had a visit from my Mom, two of her sisters and a cousin. We had lunch and laughs at the store. Audry lives in British Columbia and Dorothy and Lorraine live in Saskatewan. Since they all live so far away I don't get to see them often. It was a nice visit.



When Jim was in Windsor the other week he stopped by his Grandmother's old house. It is now a rental property that still has one of her trunks in the attic because the house was built around it. There was no getting it out unless deconstruction was involved. This tree was planted back when the house was built and is now the oldest tree in Windsor (I think I am right). I see a Cable pattern growing out of this picture.


Yup. Most definitely I do.