Flora Fauniensis

Aaaah, finally. Judging at the Sheep and Wool Show has been completed and I can reveal our group entry called 'Flora Fauniensis'. Isn't she wonderful? She's the result of over 6 months of work, designing and making by the 3D5S group, with 13 participants.

She came together, on the Saturday before the delivery date on the Monday, and I must say that the effort put in by everyone was wonderful.

We earned a very respectable 2nd in our class, a great result, especially when you see the entries that received 3rd!!!

The quality of the entries for the whole show in all classes, are particularly good and I'm looking forward to seeing them properly displayed when I take the train to Bendigo on Friday. Should be a fun day.

Educating Teresa

Ok, I know some of you are interested in how I went with my Access Arts application....as you might guess from my lack of information, I didn't get it. (sigh!!) However, if you want a lesson in how you should treat people, then the people at the CAE Access Arts are a great example.

During the interview, they were very encouraging and expressed a liking for my work and how I would get alot of value from their course. However, there were 50 applications for 18 places, and, as it turned out, suggested that if I didn't make it to apply again, which I will.

Even more impressive was the phone call the next day to say that I hadn't made it into the course, but encouraged me to apply again and also suggested that I might take some painting courses. Not only had this not been mentioned in the interview, but I would have admitted that this is indeed a week point. Obviously, time and care had been taken in looking at the applications. I will take all their advice and am about to enrol in a local painting course for this term.

I've also included a photo of the marvellous yarns created by the participants in the Bendigo workshop. Aren't they wonderful! As I say, you learn as much as you teach when you give a workshop, this is certainly true.

Abandoning a project

It comes with some relief that you've run out of time and can't get something done, especially when it's not really a properly formed idea.

I wanted to put an entry into Craft Victoria's members' exhibition, but have run out of time. All I needed was a photo to sen, but this is a project which will now form part of the experimentation for the small sculpture award.

I have learnt alot about knitting paper and how fragile it is. When I spin next time I'm going to try and get slightly less twist and work with very evenly cut paper.

It is disappointing, however, the need to really concentrate on newspapers, totems and eyes is obvious.

Back and Competing

Having just handed in my two skeins, one fine and one bulky for the Australian Sheep and Wool Show, and, am not happy with the results, it prompts me to ask why enter the competition. Here are my reasons why we all should enter.

1. To support the Woolcraft committee who work hard to organise a fabulous display to show the quality and variety of work. Anything that promotes and showcases wool, spinning, knitting, weaving, crochet.........deserves supporting.

2. To spin the best that you can. It's not often that we worry about every part of the process in all its' detail. Washing, preparation, spinning, finishing and presenting.

3. To see if you can improve by learning by your mistakes.

So what did I learn?

1. Sample beforehand to ensure the correct amount of twist for the fibre and final yarn.

2. Practice spinning, as I don't regularly spin fine evenly and bulky evenly.

3. Pick the right fibre preparation.using the wool combs for the fine spinning was a perfect choice and made the long tedium of consistently spinning fine, much more of a pleasure. I do need to practice using them. (Back to the Sheep and Wool show for more demos from the makers)

4. When you swash your skeins, before rewinding, ensure you hang them correctly, not scrunge them up in the back seat because you have to drive all the way home.

Will I do it again next year???? See you at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show. (www.sheepshow.com)

Spinning fine

I'm holidaying down at the beach with youngest son, and busy trying to spin 50grams of fine wool for the Sheep and Wool Show. I'm not sure how this skein will turn out as time has prevented me from sampling.

The main problem for me is what to do with this skein. I'm timing myself and am currently at two and half hours for the second single. I still have most of that skein, double it and add the plying! I'm not likely to sell the skein and it seems a bit of a waste simply making a scarf.

I have been interested in trying another 'knit a trip' piece, but maybe this time it should be more of 'knit 2008' with symbols surrounding this year. For example, taking a train trip to Bendigo could inspire railway tracks. Sounds a bit kitch, but could be worked on.

I could combine it with the idea of a totem and think of a pole I could wrap it around. Perspex springs instantly to mind. Planning is also required, I probably would draw this one out before attempting more. I also need to consult the 'real' fine spinners and knitters that I knopw for advice on how far this skein will go.

Lots to think about. More spinning should help that.

Access Arts

Today I have my interview at the CAE for entry into their Access Arts course. This is a fine arts course which covers, amongst other things, sculpture. It's an intense 16 week course and is my first toe into the fine arts ocean.

I have to have a portfolio of my work which I've never done before. I have attended drawing classes both locally and during the Studio Textiles course, so I had plenty to choose from. However, it was fairly easy to choose few as many weren't finished or not that good.

I've printed off my resume and the cuttings and photos I have of my sculptural award winning piece. Very impressive?

I am very nervous as this is becoming more important as I look at my work. Most of my drawings and paintings are from 2002 or before then. The course covers alot of ground in a short time, but I'm hoping to keep up after the course is finished.

Wish me luck!

Working hard

I've been working hard on the group Sheep and Wool Show Entry. D-day is Saturday, when hopefully all the pieces start coming together. Pictures will eventually be forthcoming when this project is finally out of our hands. Secrecy is everything.

I have also to work on my own entries for the show. I've decided to enter a couple of spinning sections. To prepare the beautiful fleece I have, I've decided to use my mini wool combs, as the rovings they produce are just beautiful. Little clouds of fibre.

There's alot of waste in the preparation, but the spinning is a delight. I haven't tried them yet for mixing colours or fibres, but am keen to.

Anyway back to the floor! (Stitching fabric on the floor....don't ask!) Wish us luck!