Random Bits Of Me

EVERYTHING IN GENERAL AND NOTHING IN PARTICULAR
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Friday, April 25, 2014

Beach Pebbles And Silk

Silk Fiber
 White Beach Pebbles
 Organic Shape
 Natural
 Unconventional Crochet
One Of A Kind

karen 

Thursday, April 24, 2014

The Spin Zone

I know I've mentioned before that spinning is my ZEN.
I feel at peace when I am sitting at my wheel.

My latest yarns.
Wool, silk, textiles and bits of novelty yarn.
Happy colors.

I want to say thank you to those of you who visit my blog regularly.
It's nice to have a place to share my creations and I love visiting your blogs too so I can see what you are up to. Your work inspires me every day!
Hugs
karen

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Fiber and Fleece

Yesterday I got to spend a glorious hour at a local yarn and fleece shop.
I've been spinning some art yarn lately, but want to try spinning locks.
Wool locks are the least expensive, so I purchased a pound to practice with.
 The angora locks pictured here are just beautiful, but not practical for me.
Maybe someday when I'm better at spinning, but for now I'll stick to something more affordable.
I purchased an ounce of these perfect angora curls just for looking at
This lovely angora was a bit more affordable, but doesn't have the curl I was looking for.
It is still a beautiful fiber and I can't wait to spin it.
If I were 30 years younger I would have my own fiber farm.
I live in the perfect place for it now, but the work required to operate a sheep farm is way more than I could deal with at this point in my life.
What would you do if you could go back in time to when you were younger?

karen

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Sari Silk Yarn Baskets

Sari silk yarn makes lovely plant baskets.



They really dress up the plants.

karen

Monday, April 14, 2014

Stinging Nettle Fiber

Who knew that this amazing organic fiber could be made from the Stinging Nettle plant.
 It's a bit difficult to crochet with as it's not as smooth as most other fibers and has no stretch to it, but it has a great rustic look and becomes softer the more it is handled. I am pairing it up with these lovely chunks of quartz to make a wearable earthy art piece.
 On my work table.
It's my current work in progress.

karen

Thursday, April 3, 2014

It Is What It Is

I've decided that I'm not really interested in the acceptable standards of spinning and other fiber arts.
I love what I'm doing and how it makes me feel, so I don't really care if it's right or wrong.
It just is and I love it.
 When I first started spinning I fought the spinning wheel in an effort to make "perfect yarn".
The more I spin, the less I fight it, and now have developed a flow that keeps me in a state of ZEN.
 This little basket or "hat for Jack", is a combo of spun wool and textile strips.
I managed to get a balanced twist, but the overall look is a bit uneven.
Jack hates the camera, so his photo is blurred since he was on his way out of the room as I took it.
 A quick peek at my finished scarf that I was knitting.
It's actually prettier in person.
The color combination and texture of the fiber is quite lovely.
I'm off to card some wool.
Have a great day!
karen

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

A ZEN Afternoon

I love the way the light looks at my desk in the late afternoon.
 And under my desk
and on my desk.
 Started knitting up some of my very own hand spun.
 Enjoying a ZEN moment.

karen


Crochet With Textiles

After making far too many of the plant hangers, I still wasn't ready to give up on crocheting with reclaimed textiles. This woven cotton with indigo print was nice to work with.
I used it to crochet this sort of freeform pod.
It reminded me of some bells that I have that came from Africa.
So, I added some small brass bells to crocheted textile chains and the pod became a bell.
 
 Another one of my no reason or purpose creations.

karen