The Crafter’s Way 228–Craft Days

Over the next couple of weeks there are plenty of crafty happenings available for you to indulge in. Grab your calendar and block out these.
The Embroiderers’ Guild Of Queensland is presenting their Biennial Needlework Exhibition at 149 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley from 2nd June through to 9^th June. Members will be exhibiting a variety of techniques across 12 categories. Be sure to travel the ‘stairway to heaven’ to enjoy a treasure trove of beautifully embroidered items from the Guild’s Heritage Collection.

The creative gals from BrisStyle are at it again. This time they are taking it to the streets in their Craft Caravan. Join in 2 fabulous Creative Networking Nights. Local Crafters and Craft Organizations will share their creative journey and ideas at 2 venues; May 16^th 6pm – 9pm at St Augustine’s Church Hall, Hamilton and again at May 17^th , 6pm – 9pm at the Sandgate Town Hall. Both of these events are free however bookings are essential. Please contact brisstyleevents@gmail.com If you can’t make either of those dates you catch the BrisStyle Craft Caravan at the Racecourse Rd Carnival, Sunday 3^rd June at Ascot.

The Redcliffe Cultural Centre is hosting an Art Exhibition by the talented members of ROPE. ROPE in a non- for profit organisation who support people in the local area who have various disabilities. This exhibition shows the talents of many people who access this amazing service.

Local printmaker and paper artist, Sandra Pearce is holding her solo exhibition “Conservation of the Species” at the Richard Randall Art Studio at Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens opening on the 19th of May. The exhibition will showcase prints, artist books, handmade botanical paper and fibre sculptures. Sandra specialises in the monoprinting and uses plants and found materials to create her colourful imagery. Ms Pearce says “The botanic gardens are an ideal location for my exhibition and have been the inspiration for my work. I am passionate about nature .The exhibition “Conservation of the Species” runs from Saturday 19 May to Wednesday 23 May, open daily from 10am – 4pm, at the Richard Randall Art Studio, Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens.
The Pine Rivers Art Gallery is again hosting their annual Art/ Craft Market Day on Saturday May 26^th. The Strathpine Community Centre will be filled with arts and crafts made by local and regional artisans and artists. This is a rare opportunity to interact and buy directly from the artists.
The Mountain Quilters are holding their Biennial Quilt Show at the Peachester Hall on May 26^th and 27^th. Along with magnificent Quilts you will be able to peruse the vendors’ tables and enjoy a delicious morning tea. Take the scenic drive there you won’t be disappointed.

Photos from the top; Sandra Pearce, BrisStyle, ROPE, Sandra Pearce. 

The Crafter’s Way 227 - Masked Art

For those of you who also read along with my blog, http://trishalandesigns.blogspot.com, will know I have been doing quite a bit of textile surface design using a masking technique. Masking is not just limited to textiles; it can be used to create effective individual pieces of art.

You will need: A pre- stretched canvas, acrylic paint in a couple of colours, tape, oil stick (available from art supply stores) and a toothbrush.

Step 1: Using the tape mask off your design. For the first picture I carefully measured the grid. The second canvas was deliberately more abstract. I used clear sticky tape. I prefer to use masking tape but as I had used it all up on my textiles I resorted to the sticky tape. It works fine it is a just a little harder to see for removal.

Step 2: Once you have the design grab your first colour of paint. If you are not confident choosing colours use 2 primary colours and mix a secondary colour. You can’t go wrong; the laws of colour theory dictate that they will work. I applied the colour in a pattern.

Step 3: Apply the 2^nd & 3^rd colours. Wait for the paint to dry thoroughly.

Step 4: Following the manufacturer’s instructions for the oil stick gently apply the oil stick to the tape. I didn’t apply evenly over every piece but you certainly can.

Step 5: Using a stiff toothbrush flick the oil stick off the tape and onto the acrylic painted surface. Take care you don’t get the oil stick on your fingers. You could end up with fingerprints the envy of any forensic scientist.

Step 6: Carefully remove the tape. When everything is dry, turn the canvas over. Gently tap in the corner pieces as per the manufacturer’s instructions and your unique artwork is ready to hang.

BrisStyle - Craft Roadshow

The creative gals from BrisStyle are at it again. This time they are taking it to the streets in their Craft Caravan.

Join in 2 fabulous Creative Networking Nights. Local Crafters and Craft Organizations will share their creative journey and ideas at 2 venues; May 16^th 6pm – 9pm at St Augustine’s Church Hall, Hamilton and again at May 17^th , 6pm – 9pm at the Sandgate Town Hall. Both of these events are free however bookings are essential. Please contact brisstyleevents@gmail.com

If you can’t make either of those dates you catch the BrisStyle Craft Caravan at the Racecourse Rd Carnival, Sunday 3^rd June at Ascot.

Ladder Braid

Before heading off to last week’s Embroiderers’ Guild fair I grabbed some threads to do a braiding demonstration. Initially I had no clear plan about which braid I would demo. Fiddles around with a few different structures before deciding on the ladder braid.

This braid is so simple to do and lends itself to some pretty smashing embellishment. The holes that are formed are perfect for threading through beads, ribbon etc.

I’m not sure what I will thread through but I know it won’t be this gold cord. Wrong.

The Crafter’s Way 226–Simple Knitting Ideas

 

This week I’m sharing some knitting ideas for your left over yarns. These simple patterns are also ideal for introducing a newcomer to the craft as they are completed quickly and introduce some key skill; casting on/off, decreasing and adding another yarn.

Idea 1: For this pendant I used a variegated 8 ply yarn for no other reason than I had it in my stash. Feel free to use whatever yarn you have on hand. Cast on 20 stitches. Knit 20 Rows or until piece measures 6cm. Knit a further 8 rows, this will form the casing for the cord to thread through. Cast off. Fold over 4 rows to wrong side and stitch down with coordinating thread. I used satin cord for the necklace.

Idea 2: Similar idea to the pendant above. Again I cast on 20 stitches. This time however only knit 12 rows before casting off. Turn the piece 45 degrees so the short side is top and bottom. Fold over one edge to form casing. Finish as before.

Idea 3: This idea introduces the concept of decreasing the number of stitches. Cast on 15 stitches. Knit 8 rows. *On the next row knit 14 stitches, cast off the last stitch. Next Row: knit 12 stitches, cast off last stitch. Next Row: knit every stitch. Repeat from * until you have 3 stitches remaining. Cast off. Form casing for cord as above.

Idea 4: I saved my favourite for last. With this pendant you will be changing yarns. I used 8 ply for the solid colour and an inexpensive novelty acrylic for the feature. Cast on 20 stitches. Knit 8 rows. Without casting off the solid colour on the next row add in the novelty yarn. I completed 4 rows using both yarns together. You may need to vary how many rows you do depending on your choice of novelty yarn. Continue knitting 15 rows. Cast off. Using a large eye needle secure the novelty yarn into the body of the piece. Form casing for cord as above.

Now don’t go out and buy yarns especially to make these, experiment with the bits and pieces you have left over from other knitting projects. You might surprise yourself with the results.