Isn’t it adorable. It’s not quite as out of focus as you think, it had started to snow. But enough of the weather, here’s a few of those bags you were all waiting to see – I did say it was a bag workshop did I?

This lovely bag was made by Jeni and has a pocket on the inside. I changed the workshop slightly today and brought Blue Faced Leicester fibres for people to use in oatmeal and black. It’s a brilliant British fibre and well worth trying for yourself.

In order, we have loveliness from Lindsay, Angela and Elaine. All handles and catches are felted in, the flashes of colour are provided by Merino fibres and Elaine’s bag also has vegetable bags included. A nice bit of recycling.

The top bag is by Cera with an all over spot decoration and internal pocket. The bottom bag is by Pauline and has Merino fibres and Wensleydale curls.

Top bag by Pauline, her first ever piece of felt, pretty good it is too, lovely solid felt. Bottom left is by Karen another first time felter who did a great job, you’d never have guessed it was her first piece. Bottom right is understated gorgeousness by Sue and it has 2 internal pockets. We tried really hard to finish early but what is this, a lone felter?

Yes, I’m sorry to say Lesley was naughty and had to stay behind. No, not really, this is what you call dedication and perseverance when all around you have left.

It was worth the work though wasn’t it and when the Wensleydale curls dry they’ll look even fluffier, what a fab bag. Thank you ladies for a great day and I hope everyone got home okay. Do please send photos when they’re dry and you’ve added buttons.

]]> http://www.angelabarrow.co.uk/Blog/2012/02/first-workshop-of-the-year/feed/ 1 http://www.angelabarrow.co.uk/Blog/2012/02/and-another-one-2/ http://www.angelabarrow.co.uk/Blog/2012/02/and-another-one-2/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:12:31 +0000 angela http://www.angelabarrow.co.uk/Blog/?p=3374 One cushion just wasn’t enough so I made it a companion which is equally delightful.

Even this wasn’t enough so I went on to make another one for my work room. The chair in there is quite hard and after a while I tend to get a numb derriere

Pink, purple and blue on one side, pink, purple and orange on the other side.

I am really loving this side. the stitching is whip stitch again but in pink.

Preparation is key and it’s really not worth rushing this stage. So lots of  measurements, quick sketches, a look at images on the internet, thinking through the processes and various stages, then it’s time to start gathering equipment and supplies.

Lots of bubble wrap, bits of lace and a quick sample of how I might make it look very full through gathering.

Lots and lots of fibres, both tops and locks plus some yarns. I’m hoping to make an impression on my stash!

I’ll be laying out at 160cm x 78cm so it’s going to need two tables to work on or I’ll be crawling round the floor again. There’ll be more to see next time but do feel free to speculate in the interim.

The event will be held at Trawden in Lancashire from 10am -3pm and you can expect to see:

rare breed sheep

spinning demonstrations

weaving demonstrations

knit and natter – do drop by with your own projects

cafe

braiding demonstrations

wool and yarn for sale

If you’d like a table to sell your wares then please email Kate otherwise just pop this date in your diary and I hope to see you there. If you’d like fibres from Adelaide Walker you can of course pre-order and pick them up at Yarnival saving yourself some postage.

Some of the edges on thn early strips weren’t really very good and when I began to sew the strips together it became a little obvious. This meant you could see the white cushion pad, so I used an old sheet which recently ripped to create a new coloured inner.

The sheet was the better part of twenty years old so it certainly didn’t owe us anything. There’s some green in the wools so it was a happy coincidence.

It’s 20 square inches of happiness

To combine the strips I began by crocheting them together, it didn’t work for me so I used blanket stitch, that didn’t work and I eventually settled on a simple whip stitch.

Seams inside or seams outside? Seams outside was my decision as it gives extra texture. I chose a bright-ish orange to stitch the strips together just because I’ve a lot of that colour but it has worked well.

We all seem to prefer the first side I showed you with more obvious differences in the width of the strips. I’m so happy when I look at it that  I’ve started a smaller one to keep it company. There’ll still be left overs.

Here it is. Jacob wool tops with added Tussah silk fibres.

I can show you now because it won’t spoil anyone’s birthday surprise anymore.

This is a box of Shetland wool yarns which need using up. No good for baby blankets as it’s far too scratchy so I’ve commenced on a project for myself.

So far, I think it’s looking rather scrummy and will show you pics as soon as it’s finished. This time, Hubby likes the colours so much I think this one will definitely be staying. It’s not so much crochet he deoesn’t like I think as much as granny square crochet. This is all plain treble stitch. As the yarn is fine I’m working with two together and it’s producing fab colours (mostly!).

I’m still going to have rather a lot left so if you’ve any ideas for future projects, suggestions on a postcard please or you could just leave a comment.

I really liked the glass with texture and those with colour striations. I’ve used red, orange blue and turquoise, it’s not a great work of art but okay for a first piece and it is my own design. The good news as far as my husband is concerned is that I won’t be taking this up as a hobby, really great to have a go at it but somehow it’s just not for me. What’s next??

We grabbed our opportunity for stroll with our teenager with both hands, even ousting her from bed early so as to be sure not to mis the clear skies. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed the peaceful walk around Grimwith reservoir. As we were early we saw few people. There was a hard frost on the ground and we took great pleasure trying to break the ice on the puddles. The sharp cracks rent the still air and were joined by shrieks as C nearly fell over.

Don’t you just love patterns in frost? Friday was a sunny day too but I spent all day inside being creative. More of that tomorrow if I can get a good picture.

The edges are hand stitched in plain running stitch with embroidery thread and each flag  has an appliqued heart. They’re machine stitched to the tape. I didn’t do running stitch along the top and I’m now wondering if I should have – opinions?

There are 12 flags on each set, flags are 12cm wide by 18cm long. I made sufficient felt for five sets but only three are completed as I ran out of tape. And yes, the yellow really is that vivid!!