10X10 challenge

Feeling a bit down with regards to making more for the market, I've decided to abandon work for the week and do a few things I really want to. The first is the 10x10 challenge that is set for 3D5S, the inspiration/design group I belong to. The challenge is to produce a 10x10cm piece which can be in any technique. I chose embroidery, but it could be yarn wraps, knitting, collage, drawing, crochet, anything.

I've put in my effort from last year, which was inspired by some amazing chooks at the Collingwood Children's farm. The yarn used for the embroidery was handspun from black & red top, and white glitz. I am very pleased with it.

This is the picture I'm using to produce this years. It's a bit obvious what I'm likely to do, but.....

What's next?

Yesterdays market wasn't very good...plenty of people...spending at other peoples stalls. I sold one scarf which didn't cover the cost of the stall. Just feel like I must keep going, but right now I don't know what to do. Plenty of lovely comments, no money.

I did manage to do another cuff. Maybe I should do a whole series and get a box at Incube8r?

Sculptures to market

When I finished the market last month I wanted to add sculptures to my stall. However, even up to yesterday morning I thought I wouldn't have any. Today, I've managed to fix Knitters' Block. Not quite what it was, but I like it.

I am disappointed in Paverpol. It's supposed to dry clear and it hasn't. The instructions are not clear. However, it has adhered to the wood and I'm going to varnish it. I'll put it on the stall as a 'Work in Progress'.

I am going to email Paverpol Australia and ask a few questions. I think it will work, I just need more information.

The 9x5 market is tomorrow. I hope it goes OK.

Timber and paper

Yesterday was spent buying timber for the Kimberley series. A very interesting day, now all I have to work out is how to get the spent sandpaper off and, of course, new stuff on. I am assured the sander is mine(?) but I can't remember how to get it off. Anyway, now know a little bit more about sources and resources.

I've been poring over the latest 'Selvedge', issue 21. I just love this magazine, always something startling. I've got a subscription now, as they had a great deal to celebrate their 21st issue. A significant reduction in cost.

Feeling a bit in need of a tidy up, I managed to convert my loom to an 8-shaft loom. Now the fun begins.

Another wrist warmer

I had a bit of play yesterday, using Bjork's own 'wrist warmer' as inspiration. Didn't quite reach her heights and wasn't quite what I was after, but a pleasing effect anyway.

I was using double crochet, and when I wanted a frill just did two in every one for a couple of rows. Having done this in such a way that I could still use the stitch, I went back and continued the base. Now I just have to do the other one!

I'm having my photo taken for the 'Banner' as a showcase artist for the 9x5 market. The Banner is the council produced newsletter that goes to every household. I hate having my photo taken, but it's in a good cause.

My beginner spinners are coming along nicely.

Making the sample real

After a couple of days in the slow lane, I've finally found the energy to finish making a small sample for Knitting the Kimberley. I've stretched it and painted it in the final colours, after mixing the terracotta(?) with the wrong red to get something that looked purple! It is, however, working well.

The next step, after it dries, is to Paverpol it to a piece of timber. I've found a timber yard nearby and hope to get there today.

I also started my classes for Certificate IV in Professional Web Development, reprising my life before children. Should be fun!

A new bag

Yesterday was quite a busy day. Both boys started their tennis season in the morning, 7.30am start, on a Saturday! Youngest won his singles, which after the last season was a good start, the team lost by a game. Oldest won and the team won. It was a good win and he was high as a kite! Having now reached sort of serious levels this was great. I went out for the day to arrive back to partner ringing to say he'd made a 100 at cricket on the day the club was celebrating their 80th season, so he spent the rest of the night celebrating!

My day was good, but less eventful. I went to Rose St. market to have a look around. It's interesting and quirky, great spot, just off Brunswick St. I'd like to share a market stall with friends here. Need to check out more. The website is http://www.rosestmarket.com.au/. Went there not expecting to buy anything, maybe a pair of earings, I'm really not much of a shopper. Ended up buying this great backpack. I love backpacks, leaves my hands free and saves my back. They're usually boring, this isn't.

Then went on to Experimental Spinning at the guild. We were looking at odd fibres. The ones we could find in the Craft outlet were: Carbon fibre, Ramie, Bamboo and Milk protein. I carded mine all together, though I didn't quite finish spinning, so that's for later. I hope to dye the resulting yarn to see what happens. They're interesting fibres, the grey is the Carbon fibre. Not very elastic, not sure what to do with them, so interesting textures.

Coffee afterwards, a good day.