Year End ............

Hi Everyone

Once again we are at the end of the year and Christmas just a few days away.  Where has time gone???

This will be the final post for this year and I would like to take this opportunity to say a very big thank you to all of you who supported me throughout 2015.  I really do appreciate it!  I would also like to wish everyone and your families a safe and blessed Christmas and a fantastic 2016.  I hope you are all able to fulfil your dreams.

I am hoping to be able to arrange lots of workshops for next year and really need some input from you.  What would you like to do?  I am looking at various options such as quilling, pilates, crochet, embroidery and pewter as ideas for something which we have not done before.  There is also an artist who stays near us who is dying to come and give a talk/workshop.  He paints the most amazing wild life pictures.  What do you think? A good idea or a waste of time?  I would also suggest repeat workshops by Marieta (Sri Lankan Applique), Linda  and/or Marita  (Knitting), and Glynis  (Weaving).  Please don't be shy - send me an email (sharon.tgc@gmail.com) with your comments or suggestions.  It makes things easier if I know what you want!!

The 2016 Schedule of dates has also been added to the blog so diaries can be updated.  Note that the refreshment charge will increase slightly to R120 per person.

Once again, have a wonderful crafty festive season and enjoy the time with your families.  Max and I have invited the family to spend Day of Reconciliation with us and am really looking forward to that.

See you all next year!!

Creative Knitting

Hullo everyone from a scorching hot Skeerpoort.  I took our new puppies for their vaccinations this morning.  According to my car, at 9am when I arrived there, the temperature was already 33ºC.  We need some rain desperately!!

Meet Sandy and Buster - the lastest fur editions to our household!

I had an absolute blast at the last meeting learing how to weave.  Glynis definitely HAS to come and do more workshops for us next year.  It was fantastic.  We made i-Pad covers and this is a picture of my attempt !!  After I finished it off, I decided to cut the tassle shorter.

I have to admit to being quite proud of myself.  My own loom is on order and I am anticipating its arrival with great interest.

On to our next meeting which is also the last one for this year.  Can you believe it???  Originally, Linda from the Wilderness was going to give us a workshop again but unfortunately has had to cancel due to circumstances beyond her control.  Marita from Beyond Knitting has kindly agreed to fill her place.  We will be making the Petal Cowl which looks like this -

Awesome, don't you think?  The example was knitted in a yarn called Electric Carnation.  It is imported from the UK and then dyed by a lady who lives in Pretoria.  There are very long repeats of colour which gives the super effect shown on this garment.  The yarn is available from I Love Yarn in Brooklyn at a cost of R480 per 150g ball (600m).  1 ball is enough for this project.  Marita will have some available for purchase at the workshop.

Of course, one can use any soft yarn and it need not necessarily have to be variegated.  You will also need 3.75mm circular needle and lots of stitchmarkers.  If you are going to use your own yarn it will save time if you cast on 300 stitches before you come to the meeting.  Marita's workshop fee is R150 unless you are already a student in one of her classes in which case normal class costs apply.

Please let me know if you will be attending this last function of the year and also whether you want to do the workshop.

I have already set the dates for next year which I will add to the blog after our next meeting.  I am hoping to arrange more workshops and would love your input.  What would you like to see and do?  Provisionally, I am looking at weaving, quilling, art (painting) and pilates but I am sure you have ideas for many other interesting crafts.  Please send me your suggestions.

Weaving Workshop

Hi Everyone

Max and I are back from Shingwedzi in the Kruger park after a weekend of awesome Baroque music.  Thanks to Kim and Monty who have been organising this event for 21 years and also to Richard for the fantastic music.  The drive back on Sunday was hair raising and we were ahead of the Moria traffic!  Never mind, we got back safely and are putting our names down again for next year.

The last Crafty Ladies meeting was small but most enjoyable.  Thank again to the ladies who attended.  Our remaining two days will have workshops to stimulate and motivate us to get our hands busy.

Our next meeting will be on the 17th October and we will be doing a weaving workshop with Glynis who is coming all the way from Hoedspruit.  I have received details of the class from her and this is what we will be making - I can't wait.  Weaving is something I have wanted to try since forever.

The warp set up and ready to go!!!!!

This is the finished object which Glynis assures me is doable in a day.  In case you are wondering, it is a cover for an I-pad.  I like, I like!

The workshop costs R300 and Glynis will provide the looms.  There are 4 places left so contact me SOON.  She will also have cotton available to purchase but you are welcome to bring your own Vinnie's cotton if you have some in your stash.    The pouch in the picture took five 50g balls to weave. Four colours were used, and the principle colour which also formed the weft needed two balls of yarn.  Don't worry too much about the technical terms - Glynis will explain all.

Our final workshop will be Creative Knitting.  I will give you more details closer to the time.  Linda is unfortunately unable to fly up but Marita has very kindly agreed to help us out.  I have seen a picture of the project and it is going to be a lot of fun.

Remember to let me know if you will be joining us on 17th October and also if you would like to be included for the weaving.

Free day

Hi everyone

Just a very quick post today to remind you that our next meeting is going to be next Saturday the 19th September.

My arrangements regarding the workshops for the rest of this year seem to be falling apart at the seams!  Shirley has let me know that she will not be able to give us her talk on Pilates this month.  With a bit of luck we will fit her in later this year, otherwise I will try for early next year.  I think that it will be very intersting for most of us.  So, this time is another free day.

Glynis is still busy deciding what our weaving project will be in October and for those of you who like me would like to try your hand at this old and interesting craft, there is still space.  Just let me know so that I can reserve your place.

Unfortunately, Linda from the Wilderness has been ill and is not able to fly up in November for the Wild Knitting but don't worry, I have asked Marita to come and do a class for us instead.  When she returns from her visit to the West Coast to see the flowers (lucky girl) she will forward me details and I will let you have them.  I also have a lot of Linda's wool which I will have available for sale at all three days.

Remember to let me know if you will be here on Saturday next week and if you want to be part of the October and November classes.

Quiet day

Hullo everyone

Thanks to Sandra S I have just realised that I am again behind with my admin in terms of Crafty Ladies.  My apologies to all.

Our next meeting will be on Saturday (15th August).  I have not got any workshop planned so once again, we will all just sit and do our own thing.  If you like I can repeat the beads workshop from last month.

Chainette Necklace (without the pendant)

 

ZigZag Bracelet

The Chainette kit costs R250 and the ZigZag Bracelet R340.  I will have the kits available should any one be interested.

I have not been neglecting you totally however, and have some stuff in the pipeline for the rest of the year.

I am hoping that Shirley will be able to give us a little talk about Pilates and a more healthy eating lifestyle in September (19th September).  It would also be great fun if we all did a few of the simple excercies to get a taste.  What do you think?  Don't get too bogged down on the "healthy" part of the talk - it is simply of interest to hear these things and in any case, most of us know them already but just need someone to remind us.  I can assure you that there will be no pressure or insistence that you need to make changes.  It remains a personal choice.  And the excercises are not very strenuous.  In my book, that's a bonus!

In October (17th October) Glynis Brooke is coming to give us a weaving workshop.  We will learn several techniques and be able to take home a small sample such as a table runner.  As soon as I have more detail, I will let you know.  Be prepared, however, for limited space for this one.  I have already booked my place because I have wanted to learn this craft since forever!  Who is joining me?

In November, (21st November) Linda Tacke is again coming to do a Wild Knitting Workshop for us.  We will be doing her Fragmented Tunic

This is what Linda has to say about it:

"The topic of the workshop is the exploration of the effects of combining short-rows with increases. The tunic is knitted in 4 squares for each front and back in sections of different colours and shapes.
You will need 2 - 4 main colours, a total of 400g and 100g of an accent colour in sock weight or fingering yarn. Knitting needles 4-4.5mm depending on yarn and personal knitting tension.

and of course: paper/notebook, pen/cil, stitch markers, tape measure, and whatever else you need for knitting.

 

I will have several yarns for sale that are well suited for the "Fractured tunic". "

 

This is a really lovely garment and a lot of fun to knit so think about it and let me know if you wish to join us.  The cost is R400 for the class.

 

I am going to leave this post here and hope once again for a lot of response and lots of ladies attending on Saturday!!  (The refreshments cost remains at R110) 

 

 

Parchment Craft

Hullo to everyone

Our last meeting went off very well - as usual!  Thank you to the ladies who were here and of course a big welcome to Georgia who was there for the first time.  We hope to see you again soon.

Liana brought her beading necklace which she started sometime last year to finish and it looks stunning.  Well done Liana, it is really gorgeous.

Our next get together is on next Saturday - the 18th April.  No specific workshop planned so bring whatever unless you would like me to do a beading thing again.  Please just email me and let me know.  (My contact details are at the end of this post)

When we were in East London on our knitting tour, Maynette took us to the Da Gama factory shop where one can buy Shweshwe fabrics at a good price.  They also have a big variety of designs.  I decided to buy some of this fabric to make a table cloth and scatter cushions for our gezebo out at the swimming pool.  My friend, Ida, kindly offered to make them for me and thus far she has done the table cloth and the cushions for the backs of the dining chairs.  Thank you, Ida!

Charlie and Diesel also had to get into the picture!  Davey was missing again.

Now next month is exciting.  Corrie is going to come all the way from Benoni to give us a workshop on parchment craft.  I did mention it in my last post but I need to remind everyone because I have a little problem.  I am VERY keen to do this workshop but I need another seven participants otherwise Corrie will not do it.  Here are the details again:

"Parchment craft is also called paper lace.  Parchment paper is unique in that the paper can stretch (much like pewter) which results in an embossed effect (raised relief) on the front of the project.  This is done using ball embossing tools (like cake decorating tools).  Perforations are done with very thin needle tools which are then cut out with a special scissors.  These cut outs result in the lace look.  Different colour mediums with different techniques can also be used on the parchment (watercolour pencils, paints, kokis, pastels etc).  It is a very beautiful and delicate art which requires a lot of patience, but also a very addictive craft, although expensive, tools looked after will last for years to come.

You can go onto the internet and just type in parchment craft and you will get links to all sorts of sites which will give a good idea of what it looks like:"

 

This picture shows advanced tequniques and should whet a lot of appetites!!
 
The cost for the class is R550 and is payable in advance.  R300 for the starter kit and R250 for the class fee. 

Please, please, please ladies join me in this class.  It really is something very different.  Again, just send me an email. 

I am also looking at asking an artist to come and give us a workshop on a specific technique which I think would also be very interesting.  Again, I need to make it worth his while so please let me know if you would like me to follow up on this one.  And if so, is there a specific technique you would like.   Linda, from Wild Knitting, is keen to do another workshop in November and I would like to ask Marietha to do another Sri Lanka Applique class with us.  I am also thinking that we need to do one get together which is set aside for only PHD's.  I love this acronym, probably because I have no tertiary qualifications behind my name!  By the way, it stands for "projects half done".  The only criterion for this one would be that the project must be a started one which landed in the cupboard and has been there for at least 6 months.  How many of these do you have?  I am afraid to count!  What do you think of the idea?  Also in the pipeline is a pilates and health food day.  Don't worry, Shirley will not lecture you and everyone will be able to do the class even those who never excercise.

Come on ladies, interact with me so that I can arrange workshops which you would like to do.

That's it for now.
Happy crafting
Love
Sharon
Email:              sharon.tgc@gmail .com or ladiecrafter@gmail.com
Mobile:            +27 82 571 6883



Email:              sharon.tgc@gmail.com or ladiecrafter@gmail.com
Cell:                 +27 82 571 6883

Knitting Tour

Hi everyone

I have just returned from an AMAZING knitting tour with 10 other fantastic ladies to the Eastern Cape.  We travelled from Centurion on the 18th February to a guest farm called Groenvlei which is near Graaf Reinet.

A really difficult view to live with!!!

After enjoying Lynne's superb meal we all retired to the lounge to KNIT.  Eventually the long day's travelling caught up with us and we went to bed.  The next morning we were lucky to be able to watch the sheep shearing.  I had never experienced this before.

 
Waiting their turn ..........


The shearers who move from farm to farm to ply their trade shapening their shears.

 Shearers hard at work.

 This worker is sorting the wool.

 

And what they look like after their hair cuts!!!

After breakfast we visited Nieu Bethesda and had lunch at the craft brewery.

The next day we moved on to Oakhurst Guest Farm which is in Hoekwil, near George for 3 nights.  We had a wonderful (again) workshop with Linda from Linda's Treeknits at her home in the Winderness.  She taught us to do the windmill block and sold us lots of her hand-coloured yarns.

I am planning to made a blanket with a charcoal background and blades in different bright colours.  I think it should look good.  After that it was more relaxed knitting at home  until we moved on to Jeffreys Bay and then on to East London.  Here we spent 4 heavenly days and nights just knitting and visitng places where we could buy more yarn.  Specifically, we visited Judy at Karoo Moon who also makes the most delectable bread and butter pickles.  YUM.  Adele at South Seas Mohair also produces fantastic hand-coloured yarns.  Some of us also went to town at the Shweshwe factory shop in East London!!

 Sunrise from the balcony of Maynette's holiday home in East London.  Spectacular!!!

Sundowners on the boardwalk at East London.  Isn't this a view to die for?

On the way home, we stopped for a short visit in Clarens and eventually returned to Centurion late afternoon on Sunday.

Back to Crafty Ladies stuff  ..................

Our next meeting will be on Saturday, 14th March.  I have not booked any workshop so just bring whatever you feel like working on and come and enjoy the day with us.  As usual, please let me know if you will be coming for catering numbers.

On the 16th May, Corrie will be coming to give us a workshop on Parchment Craft.  This is what she has to say about it :-

"Parchment craft is also called paper lace.  Parchment paper is unique in that the paper can stretch (much like pewter) which results in an embossed effect (raised relief) on the front of the project.  This is done using ball embossing tools (like cake decorating tools).  Perforations are done with very thin needle tools which are then cut out with a special scissors.  These cut outs result in the lace look.  Different colour mediums with different techniques can also be used on the parchment (watercolour pencils, paints, kokis, pastels etc).  It is a very beautiful and delicate art which requires a lot of patience, but also a very addictive craft, although expensive, tools looked after will last for years to come.

You can go onto the internet and just type in parchment craft and you will get links to all sorts of sites which will give a good idea of what it looks like:"

 

This picture shows advanced tequniques and should whet a lot of appetites!!
 
The cost for the class is R550 and is payable in advance.  R300 for the starter kit and R250 for the class fee.  My name is already down and I can't wait to see who is going to join me.

Corrie also gives pewter classes.  Let me know if you would like to have her do a workshop for us. 

I am also working on other workshops for this year.  I think Linda's Wild Knitting is a must again as well as Marietha's Sri Lanka Applique.  What about a talk on healthy diet followed by a Pilates workshop??  Let me know what you all think.  The Club is not all about what I like.  Your opinions are very important.
  
That's it for now.  See you all on Saturday.

Trip to Etosha

Hi everyone

The year is already running away with me but the really good news is that I seem to have solved my connectivity problems - at least I hope so.  Max and I went away for 2 weeks on a trip to Etosha Pans in Namibia.  It was really awesome and I am going to write about that and a little less about crafting in this blog post.  Anyway, on our return, I had a huge mountain on emails to go through.  Max suggested that we move the computer out of my studio and put it on the gazebo which he built at the pool to see if that made any difference to the signal.  It did and I sat there the whole day doing what I needed to do.  It was such a pleasure.  The gazebo has no walls so the computer needs to be taken away when not in use so we then decided to try it in the office attached to my bead store.  Guess what - it is working!!!!

This is one of the views from the gazebo.  The 2 animals in the picture are blesbuck which visit from our neighbour from time to time!

In the meantime, at the end of last year I through a huge tantrum with Vodacom regarding the signal and they sent someone out to come and see what the problem was - again.  Bongani said that the signal is very unstable and that he would recommend that they install a booster for me.  Well, believe it or not they arrived on Friday to install the booster.  Now Bongani has to come and complete whatever it is that he has to do and according to the technicians who were here my problems should be a thing of the  past.  I sooooooo hope so.

Anyway, back to Etosha.  What an amazing experience.  Of course, if one flies there, it only takes a few hours but Max likes to drive and enjoy the scenery and experience the different places on the way.  So we spent the first night just outside the border into Botswana at a place called Springbokpan.

Our unit did not have a shower so we had to traipse to the building shown in the top picture.  I don't like to use communial ablution facilities but fortunately, we were the only guests there at the time.

The next morning we crossed the border at McCarthys Rest and proceeded to our camp site  for the night.  This part of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park which is administered by Botswana only has camping facilites so I compromised and agreed to one night.  You see, it is too far to travel from the border all the way to Nossob Camp in 1 day.

The ablution block at our camp site.  The buildings are open to the sky.  The one on the left houses the "long drop" toilet and the one on the left is the shower.  Remember, there is NOTHING here but nature so no running water.

Max getting the roof top tent ready for us.

This A-frame shelter provides a little relief from the sun.  The temperature was over 40 degrees C!  Beyond the shelter you can see the endless pan.

From this campsite, we travelled to the South African part of Kgalagadi for 2 nights before going out through the Namibian border post at Mata Mata.  I love the Kgalagadi even though one can travel for hours before spotting any game.  We were lucky to see a lion resting under a tree.  Again, the temperature was in the forties.

 

We spent that night at Kalahari Anib Lodge and took in an evening game drive.  We were included as part of a group of German tourists who spoke very little English and of course, Max and I do not speak any German.  The guide repeated everything in both languages and I was very impressed both with his fluency in the two languages as well as his knowledge.  I leant a lot.  Silly me, I left both my camera and cell phone in the safe in the room so no pictures to show you.  When we checked in we made a reservation to have dinner at the lodge.  I was asked if there were any dietary requirements and I told her that I cannot eat wheat, dairy or potatoes.  I was really impressed that the chef produced a starter and desert specially for me taking this into account.  The lodge is 25km from the nearest town (Mariental) and we arrived late in the afternoon.  Well done, you guys!

The next day we drove to another resort run by Namibia Wildlife Resorts called Gross Barmen which is 25km outside Okahanja.  This accommodation was the most expensive and we were not sure what to expect bearing in mind that the resort has been closed for some years.  It has now been renovated and reopened in December.  All I can say is :  WOW!

This is the hot swimming pool which is fed by a natural hot spring.

The ordinary swimming pool like an oasis in the desert!!

From there we moved on to our actual destination - Etosha.  We entered at the Galton Gate on the extreme western border of the Park and after dealing with the formalities drove to our home for the next 2 nights - Dolomite Camp.  This is a tented camp which is situated on top of a dolomite ridge.

The picture was taken from the approach road so the chalets are a bit small but if you look carefully you can see the roofs of some of the chalets.

These pictures were taken from our balcony.  Those are elephant drinking at the waterhole.

On our way to the camp we saw a group of elephants at another water pool.

From there we moved on to Halale Camp which is visited by a honey badger which has learnt how to tip over the bins and then scrounge in the contents.

Incredible!!!  My first view of this animal and it was in such close quarters!  He was totally unafraid. 

That morning on our way to Namotoni Camp we also saw a spotted hyena but he moved off into the bushes before I could get the camera out.  We also saw a group of banded mongoose with their babies.  How awesome!

They are very small and my zoom function is not great but you can see them in the middle of the picture.

In this picture you can see how the vast the pan is.  It stretches all the way from the end of the green to the horizon.  It seems to go on for ever and ever.

After Namotoni, we started our trek home.  The first night at a place called Okambara Elephant Lodge.  This is a hunting farm and they also take in injured wild animals and hand rear them till they are better.  If we had known, we would have booked for 2 nights so that we could do a game drive and watch them feeding etc.  Next time perhaps??  They put out the kitchen scraps every night for a group of porcupines.

I had never been this close to a porcupine before!

The dinner table.  Staff and guests together!

This mommy warthog and her pup came to visit in the chalet!

Our last night was at an overnight place in Botswana and again I was very pleasantly surprised.  They have recently built new accommodation and are still busy with what I think is a swimming pool.

That, I think, is enough about my travels.



Remember our first meeting for the year will be this Saturday (14th February).  There is no workshop so bring whatever you feel like to work on. 



Let me know if you are going to be there so I know how many to make lunch for.


Happy crafting and see you all soon!