Wow I really have been AWOL haven't I?!

The builders started on our loft in August and because of one problem or another they didn't leave until October. Then started the whole redecoration nonsense and because of all the new fire doors barely a room was spared. I finally finished painting on 17th December after weeks & weeks of emulsion. And I'm still not finished but that's a story for another day.

So on the 20th Oct I did a fantastic Willow Weaving Course at Thatcham Nature Reserve. It was run by Christine Brewster who has a studio in Englefield and runs lots of courses. Have a look at her website

www.stripeybasket.co.uk

or book a course at Thatcham this Spring

http://www.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=3791

First we started with the Willow

It had been soaked for a week in cold water to make it pliable.

First we twisted it round to make a circle

Then we put four twigs from top to bottom to give us a frame to weave into

Then we started to weave the sticks across

we had to keep pushing the willow down at the ends to keep them from bending up.

We kept working until the whole circle was full

Then we trimmed the edges to make a trivet or plant pot stand

After success with the trivet we were able to start the basket. For this we needed a board with holes in a circle to push the tall fat willow through. This was called Stakes & Strands. The stakes are fat willow roughly the same size then thinner willow to weave.We tied the willow at the top and at the bottom then pushed the card down nearer the bottom.

We placed the willow cage on our laps and started to weave. We were using two willows for this pattern, one starting on the stake behind the other. The pattern started in front of the stake so front, back, front and so on. The second willow did the same so they covered both sides of the stake.

We were pushing the willow down as we worked. It became really soothing and rhythmic and the whole room went very quiet but a contented quiet. You had to concentrate enough to block all other thoughts out and just concentrate but it was really meditative.

When we got to a height we were happy ..

..with we changed to another pattern called English Radding

This pattern required you to start the willows from the next Stake along so that you were building up the sides in a swirl.
So if I started on stake 1 I weaved as far as I could go then started the next willow on stake 2. When I got to the desired height of my basket I untied the top then cut the stakes to size

I then trimmed the willow that was left sticking out.
We turned the basket over to the base and removed the cardboard

To make the base we bent the willow across the top of 5 stakes and then under the 6th all the way around, trimming off the ends.

Ta Dah!!

I am really pleased with my basket. It now sits in my bathroom and holds toilet rolls!

There was still a few hours left so we were able to try 'free form' weaving. Christine has made many different free form designs including a full size bear. Look at her website to see her gallery. Stunning!

In all free form you start with a sphere

 Once the sphere was made you just wrapped the willow around and in and under until the shape started to form.

I used techniques I had learnt during the day and made.....

A ROBIN!!

How cool is that?!

I am really rather pleased with it, can you tell?

So these are all the things I learnt to make on a one day course

I will definitely do this again. I really enjoyed the steady rhythm of the weaving. Christine runs courses in all sorts of interesting weaving so do look at her website. She is a very gentle & patient teacher. 

Teaching the boy....

Well here we go, Noah has decided that he wants to knit so here he is knitting a square to make a flag. He seems to be enjoying it so far but we'll see how he goes

Where have I been??

Sorry for the lack of posts. Can't believe I have been missing since July!

I have been busy though and will post pictures very soon.

In my absence I have started a jumper but to be honest I am finding it a bit tedious. I guess I must just like quick projects so I see the results instantly. I haven't given it up but only work on it on mondays when I have to sit through the boys swimming lessons.

I have crochetted a beautiful flower headband from the fabulous website of Creative Yarn, have a look as she has loads of free patterns

http://creativeyarn.blogspot.co.uk/2008/05/headband-with-flower.html

Its very quick and you can make it in about half an hour

I have really enjoyed crocheting flowers as they are quick and fun. I am crocheting lots of flowers in different designs and colours with the intention of sewing them all together to make a bag, not sure how yet.

I have made another karate doll but this time a girl, complete with long blonde hair for a friends daughter who is competeing for England at the European Karate championships. Go Ellie!!

I have also had a go at beading and furniture restoration but more of that when I get the pictures up but the biggest thing is we are having our loft turned into a bedroom and our house is in total chaos, everything from the loft is in the bedrooms or was until we had holes in every bedroom, now every room in the house has stuff on top of stuff on top of stuff......its all a bit much and will be for at least another month. Then I get to decorate....every room in the whole house :o/

Can you see all the apples?

 

 Kids creating a pulley system

So I have been hiding out in the kitchen finding different recipes to use up all the cooking apples that are falling off the tree.

Apple & cinnamon jam, apple & strawberry jam, Apple & ginger chutney, apple cake....

Apple & cinnamon jam

apple & strawberry jam

My wares

Meanwhile the cat has packed herself away

and the puppy spends her days trying to get a huge ball in her mouth

the finished product

So here it is, the soap turned out of the moulds

Cornflower at the back then lavender then rose (left to right)

Bagged...

and labelled, although you can't see who to as that would spoil the surprise. I'm very happy with how they look and the boys like them to, just hope the teachers and TA's do. One down nine more to do so best get on with it.

I hope to try decoupage next but I am still trying to wrestle the comics off the boys so I may have to buy some more then hide them. I also have a small felting kit I want to try out. With the summer holidays fast approaching my 2 littlies have expressed an interest in learning to knit and crochet so I may try and teach them.....watch this space!

Soap... again

My soaps sat in their moulds neglected for a week or so when finally I decided to do something about it. I was looking for gifts for my children's teachers and teaching asst (10 in total) when I found myself looking at handmade soap. Then I thought, hang on....I have the whole kit and caboodle at home!

So I came home and turned out my soap

The results were a bit disappointing, I hadn't expected the petals to make such dirty marks 

The pink one was too pink and the petals had all fallen off. Not good. So I started again, this time using a silicone muffin mould and I decided to put the petals in the bottom of the moulds this time.

I used Lavender

Corn flower

And rose petals

After my last attempt I knew I couldn't keep the soap white as the petals leaked so I would have to use the colour sparingly. I used 3 drops of pink to make a really pale colour then added the rose fragrance.

I then filled the moulds half way so I could make sure the petals stayed at the bottom

So far so good. I used a spatula to push the petals to the bottom and let it set whilst I melted more base soap, adding colour and fragrance as before. I then topped the moulds up and left them to set over night.

As for presentation I bought some clear cellophane bags from lakeland and I have coloured string, ribbon and luggage tags as well as my lovely butterfly stamp, much to play with.

I'm just off to check them now so may post more pictures in a bit.

Making Soap

After a happy trip to Hobbycraft I came home with a soap kit

Comprising of Soap, botanicals for decoration, colouring, scent and moulds

I must admit I was a bit disappointed that to make soap you literally melt soap but I had the kit so thought I'd give it a go

So first you buy soap...

Then like maelting chocolate, you cut it into small blocks

Then melt it over hot water

until its liquid

Next you add a few drops of scent and a few drops of colour (I added a bit too much) then you pour it into the moulds

I made pink soap

The instructions said to leave it to cool for a little bit before adding the dried flowers

I did this but alot of the flowers didn't stick, so I tried again without the colouring

It's not so easy to pour though...

 and I did end up scraping some off the work surface but here is the finished product still in moulds

I'll definately make some more & I will play around with colours. Its a good thing to do with the children on a rainy weekend, although mine all got a bit bored after the first one. I will be making some for Christmas presents I think.

where have I been?

Hello hello, sorry its been a while. I have been very busy but couldn't tell you about it as it was all for my brothers wedding. But as the wedding was lst weekend I can show you what I have been up to. 

I have been making lots and lots of butterflys for table confetti

The cutter was easy to use and I only had to cut the body out to seperate it from the Ivory card

I made about 200 in the end

I also can finally show you the design the Bride chose for the name cards

Sorry, still haven't worked out how to turn these pictures.

I made over 70. The design was very simple and just involved me tying a bow but they worked really well and the colours matched the bridesmaids. Bride & Groom were very happy with them and my children insisted on bringing their name cards home.

I also made myself a little shrug to wear although I didn't end up wearing it. I shall however be wearing it to another wedding on the 16th

The pattern called for an Aran 10 ply and kidisilk. I used a rough cotton but when I knitted with the cotton and kidislik you couldn't see the silk yarn so I changed it to a irridescent 8 ply which really stood out

It was very easy to make as you basically knitted with both yarns together a ribbed scarf, crocheting along one edge

then when it was long enough you folded the ends over to meet at the back

I have a projects page on www.ravelry.com if you want to check the pattern or yarns, name of MrsWife

I have done a few other little things as well including finding a great Italian blogger and crocheter who publishes free patterns. This is her necklace

her website is well worth a visit

http://creativeyarn.blogspot.co.uk

Lastly I have been hanging out with my kids and dogs. We have been out in the sunshine and the rain enjoying the gorgeous countryside on our doorstep. Spring is a really gorgeous time and we have seen many nests and new life.

Recently we went to Basildon park with some friends and I managed to take a photo on my phone that I am very proud of 

I was able to enlarge it and I now have it framed in the hall for all to see

So I may have been quiet but I am still busy.

Next time I will be making soap after a fab trip to Hobbycraft. How I left with only 2 bags shows considerable self control. This was just the paper eisle

My kind of shop :o)

I did indulge my love of organisation though

and now everything has its place!!

However I must away and wash these grubby children (hence the need to make soap!)

See you soon

Sharon