A lovely package arrived in the mail today from a lovely friend. What a surprise. Perfect gifts for a person who loves birds and wool. I can’t wait to hook with that delicious ball of colour. And Deanne’s thank you card is delightful.
a day away
I was in this city for a day and a half. I’ll post later what I bought! Even though it was cold (people were still wearing warm hats and mitts) I walked everywhere I could. Maybe next time I will bike. Yesterday was the opening day for the Bixi in Toronto. Surely a pedal in the right direction!
I hope that the empty stand means that people are renting and riding!
a new handbag from a crystal palace
On Friday we went to the Picton Antique show in the Crystal Palace. I could not leave this charming handbag. (I made it as far as the car and then went back for it!) It has a long chain tucked inside to convert it to a shoulder bag. I hope it inspires me to make some great small bags myself. I certainly am buying enough thrift store leather!
Below are photos of the Crystal Palace. It has been lovingly restored, including the grand stand where citizens listened to Sir John A. Well-done Picton!
two new books from favourite blogs
I have always loved drawings of birds but it wasn’t until I read Jenna’s post on Tuesday that I discovered Charlie Harper. I had to order his book right away! It is a charming reprint by Todd Oldham of a 1972 book of Harper’s silk-screened images created for the Ford Times. You may recognize his cardinal and bluebird.
I also ordered a book I’ve been wanting for a while. I’ve followed Heidi Swanson’s incredible blog 101 Cookbooks for some time. Now I have her beautiful book, Super Natural Cooking as well. This may be my gift of choice for some up-coming occasions I have!
a new bag and an old friend
This is a new bag made with my screen-printed canvas and a recycled leather jacket. I have drawn four birds which I am using for various projects. This is the spiky bird, a bird with attitude.
The bag has a leather bottom and screen-printed turquoise lining.
And here is my rug Fireworks, begun last year in Jule-Marie Smith’s class at Green Mountain. I am back at it after many months and will soon be designing the border. The finished rug will be 53″x72″ and I am about 2/3 done the middle section. I think the border will be a long project!
new bag with silk ribbon
Last weekend at the workshop, I bought a skein of beautiful silk ribbon from Jennifer. It is fair trade and created by women’s cooperatives in India and Tibet using mill remnants. I have been using it as an accent in a new bag that I am making. I love the way it glows.
This bag is made of the smoothest teal leather with hooked panels front and back.
dyeing to whip
Good Friday tulips in my grandmother’s crystal vase–a tradition. In the background Bookhou’s wonderful alphabet.
I dyed the Briggs and Little two ply that I will use to whip Peruvian images–yes it is hooked. I used Prochem 1 tsp 818, 1/4 tsp 440 and 1/4 tsp 728, loosely laid the skein in a wide frying pan and simmered until the water was clear. Then I washed the skein on the gentle cycle and hung it to dry. Now to turn it into balls and begin to whip.
ottawa day two
We always make a visit to the Famous Five, those outstanding women who changed the Canadian political landscape at the start of the last century. And here are some women following in those footsteps. Bravo!
ottawa day one
A very cold and gray day in Ottawa. No tulips, but lots of other glories on the landscape.
a perfect rainy weekend
There was lots of laughter as we worked our way through the steps of creating a coin purse. Jennifer was full of patience and humour as she nudged all 14 of us along. Her goal is ‘the best outcome for everyone’, a goal she definitely achieved!!
Head-down industry for most of us! I’m no doubt waiting for another lesson on the ladder stitch!
Here are a few of the purses waiting until the glue dries. The variety of style and colour is inspiring.
At this stage Joan does not have her clasp on yet, but you can tell it will be a show-stopper!