Devorah Sperber

Virtual Environment 1, 1999-2000
Devorah Sperber
installation view at HEREArt, NYC 2001
20,000 spools of thread- each spool 1 1/4" H

How amazing! 20,000 spools of thread...make sure you check out the rest of her work. I'll post more soon. I'm so impressed.

Cute!!!

I just found these and how cute are they! I think I'd get them and just keep them on the shelf. They are from Mahar Drygoods

Quilt and Craft Show

This is a bit of a late post, but I went to the Craft and Quilt fair last week for a little poke around. Let me tell you, there was a lot of craft going on there! My goodness!

Above are two of my favorite quilts from the Best of Australia Quilts – a collection of last year’s Best of Show winners from guild exhibitions in each state around Australia. There were some amazing quilts on display, but photo's were a bit of a no-no so I've only got these. For all those of you in Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide & New Zealand the show will be with you soon.

Canberra 10-13 August Exhibition Park, Canberra
New Zealand 21-24 September Waikato Events Centre, Hamilton
Brisbane 18-22 October Brisbane Exhibition Centre, South Bank
Adelaide 2-5 November Royal Adelaide Showground

Looking for something to do this weekend?

Markets Online is a great guide to local craft and produce markets. The image above is from the Ceres Craft Market, held on Saturday from 8am - 2pm. You can also find info on the Shirt and Skirt Market held in St Kilda, St Andrews Market and many more. If you don't want to go out in the cold you could purchase online.

Ahn Wells, crochet cups.

Take a look at these clever crochet cups created by Ahn Wells especially for the window at Object Gallery. It's part of Seamless:Three Exhibitions of Contemporary Textiles, on until 27th August.

(A weekend in Sydney may be in order. Any room on the couch Justin?)

Ewe and Dye

Ewe and Dye is located in North Eastern Victoria and specialise in fantastic hand dyed wool and silk.They dye quilt batting in great bright colours too. You can also buy knitting kits, wool tops and dip dyed 100% wool, 8 ply hand knitting yarn. Check them out here and order online.

ke # 4

Here is my 4th experiment. This time I though I'd try a 'tog' stitch. For some reason I had the idea 'tog' had something to do with Scandinavian cable knits ... but I was completely wrong. It's simply means knit 2 or 3 stitches together. I tried it in the Ridge Stitch which is on the right hand side and I've attached the pattern below.
The elongated stitch is so easy and quick. I love it. I also made this little neck warmer with cute vintage buckle.


Ridge Stitch:
Horizontal ridges stand out in relief against stocking stitch.
Row lengths need to be multiples of 2 sts.
Row 1: knit
Row 2: *K2 tog all across the row*
Row 3: K into front and back of each stitch
Row 4: purl
(Repeat rows 1 -4 until desired length is reached)

Elongated Stitch:
I made a simple elongated stitch by wrapping the yarn around the needle 3 times, then dropping the extra loops on the next row. I used this technique for an entire row, however you can also use it to make lace patterns.

There is a great video on knittinghelp.com that shows you the exact way to do it. I promise it’s easy and a very fast way to knit!

sooishi

This polaroid is from a wonderful Swiss cuisine site called sooishi. The blog entry is called 'I love macarons!'. I have no idea what is written but the photos are absolutely fantastic. They'll make you smile.

Oh Magnolia

I love it when I notice the arrival of these amazing flowers on the bare branches of Magnolia trees. It means spring is edging closer.

The Tea Party Exhibitionism

Halcyon Day Brooch by Longina Phillips

The Tea Party Exhibitionism is coming up from the 5th - 20th of August at Gallery M. 1 Hotham St, South Melbourne.

Seventeen of Australia’s most brazen and independent accessory designers will be showing there wares with a mad hatters tea party theme. Curiouser and curiouser we become...

Where the Wild things are.

The Jewsish Museum of Australia has an exhibition opening today which will spark childhood memories of exciting adventures with wild beasts (I was always a little bit terrified but I'd never admit to it).

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak in his own words is on at the Loti Smorgon Gallery from 25 July until the 29 October.

It is an exhibition for people of all ages, a hands-on interaction with Sendak's stories and characters. Dress up like a "Wild Thing", dance in the wild forest, cook in the "Night Kitchen," read on Rosie's stoop, slide into a bowl of chicken soup, and create your own masterpieces while listening to classical music. The "voice" of the exhibition is Sendak himself and focuses on his lifework through the lens of his Jewish heritage.

Sunday's for the first month are free too. So get on down there and be reinspired all over again to conquer the jungle, be king and still be home in time for supper.

Want a reminder? You can listen to an extract here.

Oh my goodness! I want to stay here!

Top - Room 214. by Friendswithyou– U.S.A
Middle - Room 502. by Container – United Kingdom
Bottom - Room 509. by Birgit Amadori - Germany

Check out Hotel Fox in Copenhagen! If you want a completely unique room {and happen to be visiting Copenhagen}, this is the place to stay. Each room is custom-designed and serves as a canvas for each artist & designer. Room 214 (see above) is the Fertility Shrine room! Look out!

thomas demand: cut, paste & snap

Thomas Demand has a way of making artificial scenes appear incredibly real. His handcrafted reproductions of architectural spaces and natural environments are built in the image of other images made entirly of coloured paper and cardboard, which he then photpgraphs. Thomas has an exhibition on currently...in the UK, at the Serpentine Gallery, take a look how real the ivy looks upon first glance.

Thank you to Jo for this little tip. We wish we were there with you discovering.

Freeform Crochet

This is the work of Australian freeform crochet artist Prudence Mapstone. She gives a great tutorial on her site and also sells patterns. I like the idea of freeform, as you can't really make any mistakes. It's also a great way to use up any scrap yarn too.

Ken Done

Moss green coral head, 2006 Oil and acrylic on canvas (120 x 150 cm)

Good old Ken Done. We all had his doona covers in the 80's and I'd like to let you all know that I still love him. He's still going strong and I think it's time for a bit of revival. Look at these beautiful colours! Everyone head to his website now and have a look around. Seriously. You can buy online too.

Linda Florence - Textile Designer

How great is this! Interactive wallpaper! Textile designer Linda Florence has developed the best wallpaper ever. She also has a gorgeous website too. Click on the little + symbols and you can see what else she has been up to. I love everything!!

I know this is how I like to wrap my biscuits!

thank you for a lovely night

Pictured Vanessa Partridge, Eliza Davidson & Steffani Eagles

Thank you to Vanessa and Stef from 2Birds who presented their new range of stunning accessories to the Miss Woolly Compleators Circle last night.

If you were unable to make it or are yet to experience the incredible work of these two talented 'birds' be sure to take a look here. They have a number of irresistible pieces which are very flattering to the female form (tried and true the Obi Belt and the Little Bow Peep are a must for glamorising any wardrobe!!!), beautifully crafted leather bags, clutch purses and wallets, all lined with vintage fabric and finished with delightful detail. Every piece is unique and completely hand made, right here in St Kilda. They even custom make the pieces to suit the individual and they have a lovely range of belts for 'him'.

You too can organise your very own Bubbles and Birds Party at your place by contacting 2Birds here. What better way to support local talent than in yor own home with a glass of champagne. It's so easy. So gather up your friends and hatch your own party. I'm already making my Christmas list!


Thanks again Vanessa and Stef for coming to present your range. We look forward to watching 2Birds take flight in all directions. You can keep up to date by subscribing to 2Birds.

Thank you also to everyone who baked cakes and brought port. There wasn't a lot of crafting taking place but it was great to get everyone together.


This was the setting for our little gathering, we managed to fit everyone in withour knocking down the walls too.

Tiny Showcase

"The Ape and the Buffalo's Ghost" By Alec Thibodeau (6" x 6")
Sold out run of 100.

Want to become an art collector? The people at Tiny Showcase can help you. On this site you can find work from a myriad of artists including Jesse LeDoux who does the cover art for all the Shin's albums. And the best thing is... all these limited edition tiny artworks are for sale under $40 AUD!

slapstick pies and Elvis wigs

My friend Brett sent this link today and I think it's one of the best things I've seen in a long time. Fun free patterns from the Charitable Crafters a not for profit organisation that seek to inspire those who knit, sew, crochet, spin, weave, and quilt to make items for charitable donation. Take a look at their Fun & Funky page which has all sorts of hilarious patterns, my favourites being the Elvis wig and the Slapstick pie.

Look what I made!

These are the first buttons I have made with the use of my Aunty's vintage button machine. I'm off to make more... Who said needlepoint was for cushions!

ke#3

knitting experiment #3 was a success. It was a matter of counting stitches and remembering which row I was on, which proved challenging at times. I'm not yet a knitting natural, I find it impossible to knit and maintain a conversation at the same time. My granmother could knit at the movies...in the dark, now there's a crafty woman!



Here are the patterns if you want to give it a go.

Diamond Seed stitch:
Purl stitch tracing diamond on a stocking stitch base.
Row lengths need to be in multiple of 8 stitches.
Row 1: *P1, K7*
Row 2: *K1, P5, K1,P1*
Row 3: *K2, P1, K3, P1, K1*
Row 4: *P2, K1, P1, K1, P3*
Row 5: *K4, P1, K3*
Row 6: *P2, K1, P1, K1, P3*
Row 7: *K2, P1, K3, P1, K1*
Row 8: *K1, P5, K1,P1*
(Repeat rows 1 -8 until desired length is reached)


Simple Seed stitch:
A stocking stitch interspersed with purl stitches.
Row lengths need to be in multiple of 4 stitches.
Row 1: *K3, P1*
Row 2: pearl
Row 3: knit
Row 4: pearl
Row 5: K1,*P1, K3* P1, K2
Row 6: pearl
Row 7: knit
Row 8: pearl
(Repeat rows 1 -8 until desired length is reached)

View ke#1 & ke#2.

Ayumi Horie

This is the work of ceramic artist Ayumi Horie. She lives and works just outside of New York in the Hudson Valley. You can visit her shop and buy just about everything you may need to be the grooviest hostess on the block!

i think I'm turning japanese.......... i really think so

Eliza sent me the link to the Kitty Craft site and now I can't decide which fabrics to purchase (because I want them all!).
They sell Japanese, fabrics, magazines, tool kits and accessories. Take a look for yourself their range is just gorgeous....not to mention this cross stitch.

Kitty Craft are based in South Korea and ship to just about anywhere. They started out selling Japanese Craft books on ebay in 2002. Nice work Kitty Craft, between Amazon Japan and Kitty Craft, Eliza and I are now officially hooked.

Learn to star stitch

I was so impressed to learn this new crochet stitch I'm putting at the top of my craft projects list. If you do have a go please let us know and send a photo of your creation.

heading down the highway

TWMA Photograph by John Gollings, Melbourne

TWMA, Tarrawarra Museum of Art in Healesville, is the first privately funded, significant public arts museum to be set up under the Australian Government's philanthropic program announced in March 1999. TWMA operates as a not-for-profit institution. Displaying Australian art from the second half of the twentieth century to the present day.
It was the dream of Eva and Marc Besen to share their inexhaustible passion for Australian art with the people of Australia and beyond and the outcome is incredible. You'll be mesmerised as soon as you pull into the driveway and it just gets better from there.
A trip to TWMA wouldn't be complete without a stop off at Coldstream Hills Estate and the Healesville Hotel which is a fantastic pub with great accomodation (between the Dinning Room, Bistro and Produce Store at the Healesville Hotel any hunger will be satisfied...it's just working out what to eat first, there's no end of possibilities).
Be sure to try some of Cunliffe and Waters homemade jams, relishes, chutneys and marmalades from the Produce Store, they come highly recommended!

Yering Station is another great spot to stop off and enjoy a long lunch looking out over the changing landscape, watching the cows being called to feed. We spent a very hot summers day up there in January celebrating Sally's birthday. Thanks to our dedicated driver, the lovely Jen Jen, we were able to stop off for tastings at a number of the wineries..... to end off with a dip in the bay at midnight. What a day that was (Can you tell I'm longing for hot weather?).

colliding worlds

Colliding Worlds, First contact in the Western Desert, 1932-1984.,
is an exhibition starting at the Melbourne Museum today.
The Pintupi people of Central Australia were the last Indigenous people to make contact with Europeans–in some cases as recently as 1984. Colliding Worlds brings together photographs, artefacts, paintings and artworks to provide a fascinating insight into the Pintupi people.
It's on daily until the 10th September between 10am - 5pm.

good doggy

Look at this fantastic dog bed designed by Kim Bull and available at Design Within Reach.

It makes me want to go out and buy a soft coated wheaton terrier (...please can we have one?...I'll walk it. I promise.).

such a sweet sight

The artwork on Laura Normandin's website is an absolute treat. Laura has worked as the craft editor for Martha Stewart's Living magazine for the past 8 years. She also has a gorgeous store called Wren handmade. I can't stop looking at the artwork, so simple and beautiful.

any basket weavers in da' house?

Artisan Books are calling for exhibitors to participate in a Basketry Exhibition to be held between October 14th and November 4th. The exhibition is open to all.

Happy weaving!



For those beginners out there who would like to give basket weaving a try check out this basket weavers catalogue for free patterns. The above is a 'Springtime Tote basket'by Beth Hester. You can download this pattern here.

Papercuts

So I went down to the ReadyMadeMarket on Sunday thinking if I get there early it won't be too crowded... Oop's wrong there! The place was packed which was great for all the lovely stall holders. I saw heaps of great stuff to tell you all about. One being Papercuts who do cards, stationary and wrapping paper which is just the best. They stock all over Australia so hopefully you can get hold of some too. To check them out you'll have to head over to the site as I forgot to take the camera in my rush to get there. Have a special look for their 'counting card' that you can punch out the perforated numbers to customize it for your loved one.

knitting experiment # 2

My second knitting experiment wasn't quite as successful as the 'Moose & Moss Stitch'. It was the first time I had attempetd cable so using 3 needles baffled me a little bit.
No craft project is ever a complete failure......, I managed to turn this NQR Cable sample into a brooch.



I'll let you know once I've mastered cable but if you have any handy tips to make it simpler please let me know.

The Sartorialist

How fabulous and how nice would it be to have such a lovely purple dress. That and be in Paris with good hair at the same time...

In case you haven't encounted The Sartorialist on your web travels you'll soon become addicted. The Sartorialist at the moment is in Paris, but he can usually be found on the streets of New York City asking to take a photo of your outstanding outfit. This is the first site I look at in the morning to see who he has met on his travels. Soon you, like my friend Peter, will be doing the same I'm sure.

My Mum Knits

My Mum (another Crafty Lady) makes hats, mittens and booties for babies. She made this little ensamble recently for the impending birth of my partners new neice/nephew (due next week). She also makes lovely tea cosies and much appreciated hot water bottle covers. The mittens are especially useful as they stop the poor little things scratching their new little faces! If you would like Mum to knit you something for someone special, she's taking orders. Just drop me a message in the comments.

The Needleworks of Francesco Vezzoli

Francesco Vezzoli, The 120 Seats of Sodom, 2004. Courtesy Fondazione Prada, Milano. Photo Attilio Maranzano

Ages ago I found this book and I flipped through it in a hurry as I was being yanked out of the store by friends to go to dinner. Anyway, I forgot his name and couldn't find the book, so after much searching the internet I found him again and now I'm sharing it with you.

As well as making films, Francesco did this amazing installation of needlepoint covered seats in 2004 (see above). You can read more about him here and see more of the needlepoints in his book The Needleworks of Francesco Vezzoli.

Buttonmania

Just to let all you button fanatic's know just in case you didn't... Buttonmania will take care of all your button fantasies and then some! You can read more about this button institution here or head there yourself...

Buttonmania, level 2, 37 Swanston Street, Melbourne. Phone: (03) 9650 3627.

ReadyMadeMarket

Try not to forget that the ReadyMadeMarket is on this Sunday. It is being held as part of the Melbourne Design Festival (July 6-16) Lots and lots of lovely things to buy!! You can read more about it here. You should also head down to visit the Third Drawer Down stall. They're turning 3 this weekend, so you'll have to sing them your best rendition of Happy Birthday!

ReadyMadeMarket
10am – 5pm, Sunday 9 July 2006
Federation Square, Melbourne
Cover Car Park (Enter from Riverside Walk or Russell Street)
Entry is FREE

Sanna Annukka

This is the work of Sanna Annukka, the part English, part Finnish artist behind the cover art of the new Keane album Under The Iron Sea. I love her work and you can see more of it here and read more about her here. Just makes you want to pick up paints!

moose and moss stitch

I decided to challenge the idea that my entire knitting repertoire consists of knitting scarfs; long, short, striped, that's about as adventurous as it gets.
So over the weekend I undertook a few little projects to broaden my knitting knowledge and this is what I've come up with so far....a moose and moss stitch. I love the moss stitch, it's so delicate and something I foolishly thought was beyond me. The moose, well what can I say, I love him even more.

Here's the pattern if you would like to give it a go.

Below is another one of my previous projects, however this took longer than a weekend to complete and was the impetous for our Miss Woolly Completors Nights.