GeminiDream

2011-11-21T11:12:00.000-05:00

Next Show:

2010-11-11T09:06:00.005-05:00

I will be at the upcoming Ottawa Holiday Shows :

Shenkman Arts Centre Baz'Art

Sunday December 5, 2010

1-5

(I will be there from 11:00 on)

and

2010-11-11T09:04:00.000-05:00

New Stuff!!

After far too much time spent moving and recovering from a broken arm (!), here are pictures of some new FOs:


Angora Sweater & Felted Bag

Felted Colourblock Tote

Chunky Cabled Sweater & Felted Tote

2009-07-01T20:47:00.006-04:00

One of my few shows this summer
(a little time out from moving hell...)
will be Urban Art in Minto Park on July 18 (2009)

urbanartinmintopark.blogspot.com

2008-10-17T08:28:00.010-04:00

Holiday Shopping at Sandy Hill's One & Only Show!
Lots of new designs for fall/winter
Focus on upcycled content
Sunday Nov. 23, 2008
Sandy Hill Community Centre, 250 Somerset St. E.
TIME: 10am - 4pm
http://sandyhillsoneandonly.blogspot.com/

Felted Drawstring Tote

Convertible Handle Purses

Striped Messenger Bag
(for more details, click on the Photos link to the right
to go to my Flickr page)

My first fall show will be SATURDAY NOVEMBER 15
at the Champlain Park Fieldhouse, 1pm to 5pm,
149 Carleton Avenue (at Clearview Avenue).
http://champlainparkxmasfair.blogspot.com/

2008-09-03T09:29:00.004-04:00

I'm delighted to have been invited to participate in Marche Mod'Ici in Gatineau, a showcase of artisans who work with upcycled and recycled materials.
It takes place at the Marche Notre Dame, 330 rue Notre-Dame in Gatineau
I'll be there with new Fall/Winter stuff on Saturday (10-6) and Sunday (10-5) September 13 & 14.
Hope to see you there, Pat!

2008-06-09T09:29:00.007-04:00

Come See Us at the
Main St. Farmers' Market
Saturday September 6
St. Paul's University, Ottawa

2008-04-22T11:35:00.017-04:00

Art in the Park 2008

Hi and thanks to everyone who came out on the weekend - we had a great time connecting with friends and meeting new people!
(to the lady who offered to let me have a look at her fabric - I'd love to hear from you...)

New Bags, Vintage Fabric, Sunny Day

Hard at Work

New Designs in 'Old' Fabric

2007-12-28T13:16:00.000-05:00

WOO HOO - I am now on Ravelry!!

Very exciting, a great start to the new year, and just as bad as Etsy for wasting time in front of the computer... :)

Best wishes to all for happy holidays, P.

2007-11-04T10:20:00.000-05:00

-Stuff I Made this Fall-

I am hooked on hats! More new things:

A series in red

A bit weird, but cute - with its own pigtail

A 'vase' and a felted cabled tote bag

2007-08-19T11:00:00.000-04:00

OHMIGOD! It's almost Fall!!
I can hear crickets at night, and geese every morning, so I guess that means our short Canadian summer is drawing to a close - although I never really put the duvet away this year...had a lovely vacation in N.B., met some great people and got some fab yarn. There are only a couple of summer UFOs hanging around and I am seriously thinking about woolly things again, which leads me into:

Frenchy's Slippers (thanks Theresa!)

My mom-in-law is one of the reigning queens of sock knitters (she made 30 pairs last year in her 'spare time'), and so I thought that I should at least try and figure out that mysterious heel turn. I had my eye on Fuzzyfeet on Knitty where you knit a giant pair of socks (big stitches, great for learning) and felt them, and presto! slippers. Frenchy's (used clothing stores all over the Maritimes) provided a lovely merino sweater which was ripped apart during a road trip, and the results are featured below:

Here are the giant sox - the ruler is 14" - the one on top was made second and features a much nicer heel and the toe graft done on the correct side!

Post-felting, you can see how nicely they've seized up and hidden all the ugly bits.
Here they are on the feet of the intended:

Confessions of a Felting Heretic (with apologies to A.M.)

As you've probably figured out if you've browsed this blog at all, I got really hooked on felting knitted stuff. Also, I never really make anything without changing it (this started sometime in high school when I almost flunked HomeEc for making a pattern 'wrong'). I have chatted with some people who seem to agonize over the whole technique, so here're a few of my 'unrules':

1. This whole thing is essentially an experiment and unless you're really obsessive (if so, you don't want to read the rest of this), you're never going to have/go out and buy the exact yarn that the pattern you're looking at calls for, so your object is never going to come out exactly like that picture. Look forward to serendipity.
2. Live dangerously, don't swatch - ok, so maybe knit a few rows to decide whether to use 6mm or 9mm needles, but mostly I want to be knitting the something and not spending time and yarn to produce bunches of things that look like tiny potholders. Just keep in mind that you are going to lose a lot more height than width. (The exception to this would be if you decide to knit, e.g., N.E.'s felted coat but I don't think that really fits into the experimental category).
3. I rarely turn on the washer just to felt stuff. Mostly I put the knitted thing in with a smallish regular wash that will take warm to hot water and a regular (agitating) cycle. I have used a lot of different soaps/detergents and brand doesn't seem to matter. I set the machine for the longest cycle and then stop it just before the rinse to check on felting progress. The first time I usually crank it around and set it for another long wash cycle.
4. Rinsing; just let the rinse cycle run - my rinse in always on cold, and this really helps the felting. I have rarely ended up with wrinkles or creases that won't stretch out.
5. Repeat 3. and 4. until your felting or your laundry is done.
6. Use one of those zippered pillowcases to keep all the fuzz out of the washer.

2007-06-29T08:39:00.000-04:00

Happy July 1 Weekend!

I'm busy working, and working on my Etsy shop; here're some pix of my latest 'creation' - fabulous Amy Butler fabric from Darrell Thomas here in Ottawa.

2007-05-14T08:17:00.000-04:00

Art in the Parks

Thanks to everyone who came to ArtsPark at the Parkdale Market and Art in the Park in the Glebe - if I ever get organized, I'm going to try and find the picture from the Citizen of a happy customer!

Fabric Sale - Ongoing

I hope to hold another instalment of my stash clearing sale and would be happy to accommodate any requests - Please email any questions.

For Sale are: yards and yards of brand new quilting cottons, home decorating and garment fabric (nice quality cotton and velvet knits included); also sewing and knitting books, knitting yarn and needles, sewing notions like buttons and trims; lastly some nice vintage fabric including clothing and quilt blocks (pictures posted below are just samples - there's scads more).

2007-04-29T19:03:00.000-04:00

ALMOST MAY...

Parkdale Market opening and Spring Art and Craft Show Sunday May 13 goes from 10-4 if you are in Ottawa, - I'll be there with some of my things for sale.

Stash Sale update - I wanted to post some pix that would give you an idea of the variety of stuff for sale. There are scrap bags for the quilters, buttons, lace, books and various other bits and pieces. Please feel free to contact me with any questions!

Vintage Quilt Blocks, Fabric, Linens and a small cat (cat not included)

Cotton Yardage - lots of Hoffman, RJR, tons more

2006-11-03T11:38:00.000-05:00

My Stuff at the Museum Shop

For the last month or so, I have been very busy working on a commission for the boutique at the Museum of Civilization here in the Ottawa area. I was very excited to see a collection of my work displayed for the first time commercially!

In conjunction with this, I am posting a free knitted purse pattern featuring Noro's beautiful Kureyon yarn, based on some of the small bags I've been making. Let me know if you've got any questions as this is the first time I've ever written out a pattern like this. My only request is that if you would like to use it in any commerical way including teaching, please get in touch with me first.

If you like these little bags, but are not a knitter, I'm always happy to do custom work as well.

Enjoy!

2006-11-03T11:25:00.000-05:00

One Skein of Noro Felted Purse – lots of options, 6”-8” X 6”-8” after felting

Stuff:
1 Skein of Noro Kureyon (100yd.)
Small amount of yarn(s) to co-ordinate with the Kureyon
7mm or 7.5mm needles (for base)
8mm 40 cm (16”) circular needle
6.5mm-8mm dpn for I-cord (optional)
Funky button (optional)
Tapestry needle or crochet hook for weaving in ends

Skill Level: Basic + an experimental nature; felting experience (if you need instructions, let me know)

How To:
This is a common purse method, starting with a rectangular knitted base from which you pick up stitches and then knit in the round. Because you are using a bit of extra yarn in addition to the Noro, you will end up with a nice-sized bag and you don’t have to worry about saving those last yards or having straps that come out too short.

With non-Noro CO 20-25 stitches (I use loop CO). I like to use a slightly smaller needle than the main bag and double the yarn for a more solid base.

Knit in garter st. at least 6 ridges (up to 10). It is easiest if your last ridge shows on the same side as the big loops from the cast-on.

With the circular needle, pick up stitches from the short side (however many ridges you knit), pm, then pick up from the CO edge the same number of stitches on the long top edge, pm, then pick up the other short side stitches, pm, and finally transfer the live stitches onto the circular needle and mark the beginning of your round.

Knit at least one round with your base yarn. If you have started with a small base, you can add a few stitches to the sides at this point. You can also add some stitches to the front and back to get a rounder shape. You might end up with something like: 10, 22, 10, 22.

If you want a taller bag, knit a few more rounds with a single strand, up to an inch or so – the Kureyon will be ‘featured’ in the middle of the bag.

At the beginning of a round, break base yarn and join Kureyon; continue with Kureyon until the skein is done – or you have reached the end of a round and don’t have much left. If you want to your bag to taper in at the top a bit, decrease a few stitches in the last few rows. You could have: 8, 20, 8, 20.

Rejoin base yarn (or a different colour), and knit a few rounds to match the bottom. BO purlwise – this makes a nice little ridge for the top. If you like joining your handles directly to the bag, leave a few live stitches in the middle of the sides (this is good for one strap) or on the fronts and backs within a few stitches of your side markers (for two straps).

Straps:
For straps, you can make 3, 4, or 5-stitch I-cord or garter stitch them with 5 or 6 stitches. If you use garter stitch, especially if you are only making one strap, you may want to double your yarn. Length can be whatever you like; I have found that 14"-16" make nice 'handles', but you need at least 20" or more for a shoulder bag style.

Finishing:
If you attach the straps before felting, they will blend nicely into the bag, especially if you are sewing them on. You can also make and felt a loop of crochet, braid or I-cord and sew it inside the top edge of the purse when you have finished felting, then sew a button on the purse front. I have found that since felting will twist the stitches a little, it’s better to attach a loop afterwards. You could also knit and attach a small flap in this manner.

2006-09-22T16:42:00.000-04:00

Happy Fall!

My newest felted bowls - I am particularly happy with all of the nubbly bits on the smaller one;
come and see this and lots more!

2006-09-22T16:25:00.000-04:00

What I did on my summer vacation - the very last part

Finally, here are some pictures from Elsie's farm - you can't see the huge vegetable gardens or the hummingbirds from here, but in the first picture we are examining a huge bed of zinnias (close-up follows).

2006-09-22T16:13:00.000-04:00

What I did on my summer vacation - Part II
While in Moncton, we visited London-Wul - a fabulous artisanal farm and workshop.
Here's a picture of the owner Heidi in her studio, and some shots of some of the goats she raises and makes mohair from.
Follow this link to her website: www.thewoolworks.com

2006-09-22T16:06:00.000-04:00

What I did on my summer vacation - Part I
We spent almost two weeks in New Brunswick with family, and did lots of touristy things, like going to Fundy Park and hiking around on the rock formations there
- they are so cool!

2006-08-06T18:43:00.000-04:00

I've been very busy working and trying to stay out of the heat, but have finally got a few new pictures to post. The bamboo-handled purse is knit from Noro yarn together with some of my hand-dyed recycled stuff - it's the purple and green way down in a previous post. The latest skirt and bag are made from a luscious vintage aubergine raw silk and trimmed with more funky vintage fabrics.

2006-08-06T18:24:00.000-04:00

Here are some pictures of "the girls", as my boyfriend calls them - the dolls are about 18", and started out based on Clare Garland's work, but as usual adding my own twists. All of their clothing is knitted or sewn from recycled materials, and of course, no girl could go anywhere without a handbag...

2006-06-04T19:21:00.000-04:00

June now - the show has come and gone with much rain :(
Some of the work I was dashing between the raindrops with is shown below - if you saw us at the show and are looking for something that isn't posted, feel free to drop an email.
Back to work now...

2006-06-04T19:16:00.000-04:00

I often make bags and skirts that go together - the big floral print is vintage fabric, can you tell? The red skirt is linen with an embroidered inset piece, and the bag is knitted from rescued yarn - another recent felted project.

2006-06-04T19:12:00.000-04:00

All that pink and green is so springy/summery...the denim pieces are made totally from old Levis, with some cotton and silk scraps for interest.

2006-05-23T10:12:00.000-04:00

This is the "I can't believe it's almost June" post - it's been cool and rainy in Ottawa, not very May-like. I'm working hard on my "spring/summer '06" line and you'll see some new pictures below. I will be at Art in the Park in the Glebe in Ottawa on June 3 and 4 so come and see me if you're in the neighbourhood. The quality of the following shots isn't all it could be, so I hope to update once the sun comes out...

2006-05-23T10:07:00.000-04:00

These bags are my favourites of the ones I've made lately. The green print one is vintage fabric trimmed with silk. The pink floral one is a lovely Japanese fabric and has trim made out of ribbon yarn. The knitted and felted bags are made out of rescued yarn that I dyed in the microwave!

2006-05-23T10:01:00.000-04:00

These pics are some of my newest 'recycled' bags - the patterned ones are vintage fabric called barkcloth - it was used a lot in the forties and fifties for drapes and cushions, and has a wonderful nubbly texture. The pink and green bags are textured silk - the little pink one is trimmed floral ribbon from Mokuba. All of this material is vintage or rescued except for the pink silk and bits for the straps!

2006-05-23T09:55:00.000-04:00

Here are some new pictures of my big knitting totes; the pink one has an old embroidered panel as the pocket, and the really big one with a diagonal pattern is made out of carpet! I included a collaged purse for scale, and just 'cause it looks nice.

2006-04-06T11:28:00.000-04:00

Finally, a couple of shots of my first attempt at dyeing yarn. The rainbow yarn started as a thrift shop scarf and got torn apart. The green and purple skeins were a discontinued light-blue yarn that I got on sale (see its latest incarnation as a wavy bowl in a previous post).

2006-04-06T10:51:00.000-04:00

Knitting Bag and Needle-case - I made these out of salvaged and vintage fabric - the pocket on the bag is a collage of silk ties, and the pocket pocket is from a shirt.

This is a collection of knitted and felted bags that I was taking to a show in the fall.

This was my kitty's favourite place, so I made her a nap quilt to go with the cushion.

2006-04-06T09:19:00.000-04:00

These are some bowls I've been knitting and felting - as you can see, I'm still at the experimental stage, but so far I'm happy with the results. If anyone knows how to make them stiffer, please let me know!

The purple and green bowl was my first one - it's made with two strands of yarn that I salvaged from a thrift shop scarf and dyed in the microwave.

The pink bag is more salvaged and dyed yarn - it's very thick and came out a couple of different shades - I used the darker stuff on the bottom and handles.

Here you can see my big tote bag - it's done mostly in bulky Lopi and has tabs and a facing knitted into the top to hold the straps (unfortunately the cats were napping someplace else so there isn't any scale reference).

This is a version of a knitting tote that I designed - it's nice and roomy and has lots of pockets - the patchwork on the front is actually a big magazine-sized pocket - it was made as a present for someone special.