COLLECTIBLE VINES

Here we are, after a long day of felting fun, having a well deserved gin and tonic while modeling our new VINES scarves.  We love wearing them as a single scarf to add color and pizazz but they are even more fun when worn in multiple strands!  Hence the title Collectible Vines.

A small selection of the colors we have on hand right now.

Spring Creations

We are having a wonderful time playing with new ways to use the leaf shapes. These are the finished versions of in progress shawls we posted in the last Blog.  Notice that the two outside ones have more subtle color gradations since they were dyed after being felted.  The middle one was made with our previously dyed wool/silk tops.  Perhaps they need to be called Flower Petal Shawls instead of Seed Pods?

beautifully transparent in the March sunlight.

a closer look at that gorgeous turquoise creation

New Shawl - Seed Pods?

This gives a glimpse of one new shawl design.  We are staying with the leaf shape but trying to find ways to make this easier on our bodies.  It certainly is much easier to draft undyed tops!  The dye work will be done after the shawl is felted.

One edge row being added  ( not a 'hedge row' in case you are francophone ... ;-) )

Another design decision - how big do those edge leaves have to be in order to be effective?
Check back to see this shawl in color!

Busy times

Just one of the many knitting projects Louise finished over the past weeks!

We have had lots going on during the weeks we have neglected our Blog!  And most of it has been very enjoyable.  Have a look at how we have been filling our time.  But never fear, we are getting back to felting now!

Louise traveled all the way to Baltimore by car to spend a few days with her sister and her family.  That was an adventure that involved tons of cooking!

Christmas Eve spread in Baltimore

Yummy leg of lamb, Baltimore

Annual Ball Hockey Game, PEI

Chocolate ginger cookies in process, PEI

Delicious octopus, PEI

 knitting projects of all shapes and sizes

Elaine had a wicked cold over the holiday so that slowed down the pace of life somewhat. But it did leave lots of opportunities for spinning and knitting so all was not so terrible.

Felted Wrap Vest for NSDCC Fashion Show

Long version, open front

Back view

Long version, closed

Matching gauntlets in the same wool/silk blend with upcycled silk embellishments felted into them.

Wouldn't these shoes (seen in BA of course!) be amazing with the vest?!

Louise has been wanting to create a piece of clothing in felt for a long time now.  She started on this wrap vest the day after we got back from Buenos Aires!  The excuse was that we needed a unique piece for the fashion show of the Halifax fair this coming weekend.  We have seen knit versions of a similar vest in various formats but this felt variation is even more versatile.  It can be worn upside down, right side up, and even switched to being inside out!  Every change gives it a new look.  We tried it on a variety of body types - in one version or another it suits everyone. 
Come see the ensemble being modeled this coming weekend at the NSDCC Christmas Fair November 16, 17 and 18.

SPRINGTIME IN BUENOS AIRES - explosion of color

We are still readjusting from our wonderful stay in Buenos Aires.  It is hard to believe that we had a whole two weeks in that huge and vibrant city.  (I was not sorry that our original 10 days were extended due to Hurricane Sandy's disruption of air travel.)  We were lucky enough to fly down with our friend Jody and stay at her home in a lovely tree filled neighborhood.  What a pleasure it was to arrive in the middle of springtime when at home we had been heading toward autumn.

Little corner fruit and vegetable vendor - a great place to pick up new Spanish vocabulary and  look at those mouthwatering colors!

Food is not the only item here that comes in delicious colors.  Spring shoes are wonderful!  Louise was depressed because we did not find one shop that carried women's sizes past 40.

We took a fascinating tour with GrafittiMundo.  Our guide gave us lots of insight into Buenos Aires history and the beginnings of wall art here. 

Of course we checked the yarn and textile district but we were totally enchanted to see crochet yarn bombing in many neighborhoods.

Buenos Aires is a captivating city!  I am sure that the exuberant colors we saw there will be influencing the felting we will be doing all winter long as we head toward 'snowtime' in PEI.  For now, we are very busy trying to catch up and finish all our preparations for the NSDCC's Christmas Show in Halifax this coming weekend. 

New felt scarf creations!

Cork seems to be enjoying this new scarf.  It was inspired by the big mermaid scarves we have been making. Perhaps he would look better in a red scarf?

We Love these new diagonal crinkle silk scarves!  We find they look great on every body and they can be tied in all kinds of ways.  Thanks to our French Knitting Group for acting as models!  (Notice that Cork allowed Louise to wear his new favorite scarf.)
We plan to have a full color range for sale at the Pier 23 Fair in Halifax in November.  Come see us!