Tablet Weaving Workshop

Hi to all of you out there!!

Well, spring has certainly sprung up here in the northern areas of our beautiful country.  The weather forecast on TV said it is going to get to 31degrees today.  Really!!!! What is summer going to be like?  We could also certainly do with a bit of rain to settle the dust and feed the veld for our animals.

Our next meeting will be next Saturday the 17th of September and I hope to see many of you again.  It has been way too long!  No workshop is planned so bring whatever you have a need to work on and come and peace out with me. 

Exciting news for our following meeting which will happen on the 15th of October.  Glynis is going to show us how to do tablet weaving.  This is a VERY old craft and one makes belts, straps for bags, headbands etc using between 10 and 24 cards (usually) which are punched with holes in the corners.

I think one can have an aweful lot of fun with this!  Glynis suggested a visit to this Facebook page  called "Tablet Weaving Sharing" and I have to tell you that there are some amazing things happening there.

Here is another image which I found on Google:

Glynis sent me the following to whet our appetites:

For the tablet weaving workshop, the ladies would need to buy their cards from me, and also cotton if they would like, but they are welcome to supply their own cotton too. I will also have kits available if anyone is interested. Cost of the kits R200, and the cards are R50 for ten. Mostly we use between ten and 24 cards depending on the pattern. I will supply basic notes and a few basic patterns. Depending on numbers I would have to ask some of the ladies to bring with them an old picture frame (empty) and a couple of bulldog clips, as I may not have sufficient frames.

The cost of the workshop is R300 per person, and I would like a minimum of six if possible, although I can accommodate more than six.

Soooooo .......let me know soon if you are interested so that I can let her know what to expect.  I'm in boots and all.  Let's make it a big one.

Let me know either way if you will be at the September or October meetings to facilitate catering.  Refreshments and lunch cost R120 per person.  I look forward to seeing you all there! 

 

Needle Felting Workshop

Hi all

Can you believe it - I just did a post and then closed the tab and wiped it all out!  So now I have to start again.  Oh well, there is no cure for stupidity!!

Things have been quiet on the Crafty Ladies front the last couple of months but I am sure that I will be seeing you all again soon.  In fact, our next meeting is on Saturday the 11th June.  I have made it on the second Saturday of the month because there is a public holiday just before the next Saturday.

Felicity attended a needle felting workshop recently and let me have all the details.  It looked like a lot of fun so I contacted Tracy who is keen to come and do a workshop for us.  I have arranged for her to do this at our next meeting on the 16th of July.  Here is just a taster - How cute are they??

 You can visit her Facebook page for more at

https://www.facebook.com/artzoo2014/ 

The workshop will cost R250 which includes use of the needles/felting cushion and the roving required to make the item.  We need to be between 4 - 6 participants so contact me soon!!!  

Max is thoroughly enjoying his retirement.  He is very busy doing things around the farm and seems to be happier than ever.  He has enormous plans and this all goes to show that there is life after retirement!  He has asked me to do his admin for the company of which he has retained control and all I can say is that it had better not interfere with my crafting time or there will be trouble!!!!

Remember to let me know if you will be here on both or either of the next 2 meetings.  (Refreshment cost is R120pp).

Wild Knitting

Hi Everyone

Our first meeting took place on the 20th February and I prevailed upon Brigette who was visiting from Cape Town to give us a workshop on bead embroidery.  All the particpants chose to make the earrings.

 Ena's work is always stunning - and she finished her project on the day.

 

 Petro also finished her project and promptly gave the earrings to Barbara.  I can't decided which I prefer, the brown or the blue.

Sandra only finished one earring and then decided to do some crochet work.  Also very beautiful I think.

Our next meeting will be on the 16th April and Linda from the Wilderness will be coming to give us a workshop again.  This time we will be making her starfish blanket and of course she will have some yarns for us to purchase.  I will confirm the cost soon but in the meantime if I could get an idea of interest, it would be easier for us to plan.  So please let me know soon.  This is a picture of the awesome blanket - I can't wait!!!

These following pictures show the intersting bind off technique.

Can't wait to get started.  Who's joining me?  Let me know soon please!!

Bead Embroidery Workshop

Hi everyone

We are fast approaching the date for our first meeting of 2016 and I am really pleased to be able to tell you that Brigette is going to give us a workshop on Bead embroidery.  This will happen on the 20th February during her visit to us to celebrate her birthday ...........

I had to take a quick break to rescue a chicken from our puppies!!  I have had my exercise for the day.

In bead embroidery, one stitches the beads onto a foundation fabric to form a design which is sometimes very intricate looking and is always very striking. 

Here are the details of the workshop as provided by Brigette.

Cocktail Ring 

Cost R85

Utilises a polymer clay flower bead and adjustable ring base with patterned suede. Fast and simple design.

Available in purple, red or blue

Bead embroidered earrings 

Cost R200

Utilises semi-precious stone beads and assorted sizes of imported Miyuki beads. Beading material, suede backing and nickle-free earring hooks are provided.

Available in 5 combinations

1) Moss agate with green and white beads

2) Moss agate with green and pink beads

3) Turquoise with blue and grey beads

4) Sandstone (picturestone) with blue and black beads 

5) Sandstone (picturestone) with purple and black beads

Class costs will be R200 per person plus a kit

For more of my work see my fb page (https://www.facebook.com/ethukaArtisanJewllery/?ref=bookmarks)

 

Here are some pictures of the designs:

 

 

 

I am definitely going to make the earrings.  Who is joining me? 

The meeting starts at around 10.00 and continues until the last lady leaves which is usually at about 16.00.  Liquid refreshments are on tap all day and a light lunch is served.  The cost is R120 per person.  As usual please email me (sharon.tgc@gmail.com) if you will be coming to facilitate catering.  I look forward to seeing you all again and hopefully there will be some new faces as well.

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.