Blik

Want to spruce up you walls but don't want to make holes to hang pictures? Well you need to head here to check out what Blik has to offer... They even have a product so you can also make your own natty drinking glasses! Lovely.

Tirocchi

Whilst daydreaming about my perfect apartment I figured I should have the wardrobe to match.... and the textiles to enjoy.

Actually maybe If I just transport myself back to somewhere in the early 20th century...

A bit of Apartment Therapy

I think I've got myself an apartment therapy problem. I just can't stop perving in other peoples houses! It's just facinating... If you click here you'll see what I mean. For the less sticky beaked... check out the rest of this great site here. I'll just continue to pretend that I live in a loft in New York/Chicago/etc...

Yum, yum, yum!

Orange Brioches
Miss Woolly has a new favorite cooking website. This recipe is from Delicious Days.. I'm hungry already...

Busy busy....craving quiet time for projects.

Eliza and I have been busy getting our plans together for Miss Woolly's development (in amoungst house painting, backyard blitz's, brightly lit classrooms, visiting family and squeezing in a couple of hours of sleep) which has resulted in a lack of project posts..sorry! In the meantime if any of you have projects of your own you'd like to share please leave us a note in the guestbook.
If you're one of the 40 lucky people waiting on their buttons, we'll have them underway this week and in your hot little hands very soon (we've scheduled it into our timeline! How very organised indeed).


In the meantime check out the talents of all these local's who I came across during my days at Wilkins & Kent.
Ramona Raven who is currently studying texile design at RMIT and producing a range of gorgeous products under her own name. The bookmarks featured below are part of her product range, handmade from recycled vintage world atlas.

There's Alex Earl 'who always has something in the pipeline' and his amazing lights. You may have come across his rather large fish in the window of Craft Victoria in 2005 ....or if you've been down Brunswick Street past the window of W&K you would surely have been dazzled by their brilliance in the window.

(Gggrr, blogger photo upload is down so I can't insert the images for Jenny & Gracia & Louise...they'll have to come later. If you can't wait that long you can always go straight to the source...W&K, they're both pictured on pg. 1 of the Homewares section).
Jennifer Sharp and her incredible love and patience for producing vibrant and details tapestries depicting the Australian landscape. Jenny makes tapestries mounted on canvas, small framed tapestreis and beauiful brooches.

Another one of my favorites,Hammer & Daisy and their delightful handbound journals each one completely unique with fantastic fabrics sourced from all over the pace, pencil cases, zines, pinnies (which are featured in the window of Craft Victoria right now!)

Hopefully things will start to quieten down soon so we can produce some craft of our own. My fingers are itching...plus I need to finish esme's head as...little Emilia has arrived into the world and can't be sleeping with a headless bear at her age.

8th Spin Expo

The 8th AUTUMN/WINTER 07-08 SEASON of Spin Expo is on from 30th August to 1st September 2006. It's the only international creative offer for fibres, yarns, knitwear & knitted fabrics and it looks like a lot of fun. This year the counrty of honour is Italy and the Italian Trade Commission is gathering together a large number of spinners for the event in Shanghai. Australia are amoung the guest speakers with Jimmy Jackson giving a talk on Australian Wool Innovation.

Rhian Solomon's Big Knickers

Her Big Knickers work is made from knitted telephone wire, and cause unsightly marks on the wearer. Rhian Solomon won the 2006 Surface Bursary Scheme after graduating with 1st class honours from the Wood Metal Plastics and Ceramics BA course at Brighton University in 2005. Rhian is featured in DEPARTURE - NEW EXPLORATIONS IN PRINT. Five of the UK's hottest design talents Action Time Vision, Linda Florence, Rhian Solomon, Christopher Pearson and Simon Elvins Sep 15 - Oct 27, 2006 at the London Printworks.

Excel and Knitting?

Yes, I know. Apparently you can use your Windows Excel program to graph your own knitting patterns. How smart! You can find the how to at Crossed in Translation.

Pirate Dice Bag

By Purly as found on Live Journal.

I reakon this could be equally good for storing jewellery...

MATERIALS
Two balls Paton's Brilliant, one in gold(or silver) and one in black. Black is MC.
One set of 5 US size 2 DPNs.

BASE
Using a provisional cast on, CO 6 sts in MC.

Row 1: Knit all sts.
Row 2: slip 1st sts onto stitch holder, bar inc, k to 2 sts from end, bar inc, slip last sts onto stitch holder.
Row 3: bar inc, knit to 1 sts from end, bar inc.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until there are 12 sts on needle

Row 1: bar inc, k to 1 sts from end, bar inc
Row 2: slip 1st sts onto stitch holder, k to 1 sts from end, slip last sts onto stitch holder
Repeat rows 1 and 2 for a total of 6 rows.

Row 1: k all sts
Row 2: slip 1st sts onto stitch holder, k to 1 sts from end, slip last sts onto stitch holder
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until there are 6 sts on needle.

BODY
Move all sts off stitch holders onto 4 DPNs, dividing number of sts evenly.

Row 1: k all sts on all needles
Row 2: (k, bar inc, k to 2 sts from end, bar inc, k) on each needle
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until there are 16 sts on each needle.

Continue in st st for two rows. Then continue in st st in the round, but on one needle, using stranding, implement the following chart on one of the needles, with 1 st of padding on the edge of the needle on each side of the skull:

(MC 2, CC 2, MC 2, CC 2, MC 2, CC 2, MC 2) X2 rows
(MC 2, CC 10, MC 2) X2 rows
(CC 6,MC 2,CC 6) X2 rows
(CC 14) X2 rows
(CC 2,MC 4,CC 2,MC 4, CC 2) X2 rows
(CC 14) X2 rows
(MC 2,CC 10,MC 2) X2 rows

Continue in st st for two rows.

Row 1: (k, ssk, k to 3 sts from end, k2tog, k) on each needle
Row 2: k all sts on each needle
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until there are 10 sts on each needle.

K one row
*k4, bo 2, repeat from * to end of row
*inc, k2, inc, repeat from * to end of row
k1, p1 rib for 3 rows
K one row
BO all sts.

FINISHING
Weave in the ends. Knit a foot long 3 st wide icord and thread it through the holes, the tie should go at the absent hole at the beginning of the row. Once threaded, tie a granny knot through the very ends of the icord and darn the knots in place. Fill bag with coins, gold dice, dice carved from human bones, or perhaps little shrunken heads.

Gourmet Amigurumi

Not wanting to upset Esme the lovely headless bear...(who does have a head-in-progress being made, mind you). But make sure you check out Gourmet Amigurumi. Talk about crochet and then some! I'm quite taken aback by everything I've seen and that's not even the Flickr page...

Takuji Hamanaka

GERMINATION 1
water based woodblock 2004
20" x 16 1/2", edition 15

Lovely woodblock prints by Takuji Hamanaka. I'm very impressed as I find his use of colour so inspiring.

the best knitting site ever!

See Eunny Knit is the best knitting site I've come across. Her attention to detail, skill at knitting and creating patterns is second to none (in my opinion anyway). I went through the archives and came across numerous beautiful samples of her work but this one took my fancy where Eunny writes "It started when I was flipping through the incomparable Sheila McGregor's Traditional Scandinavian Knitting, and came across this historical sample in the section on Norwegian jumpers:"

The bottom image is a swatch Eunny made for the pattern. I love the detail.

Take a look at her site for yourself though because you're bound to be as impressed as I was. It's definitely on my favorites list.

How to set Miss Woolly as your homepage.

Thanks to all our avid readers out there who like to keep up to date on
Miss Woolly matters. To make things easier, if you'd like to set us as your home page, so we automatically pop up when you log on.... here's how:

Go to "Tools" at the top of your screen, then scroll down & select "Internet Options" at the bottom of the list, on the Internet Options page in the top section marked "Home Page" just type in our address http://misswoolly.blogspot.com/
hit "OK" and hey presto...there we are.

Hope ye all had a great weekend.

"O" Thank you

Thanks to Lena Corwin's >O< I came across the delights of these Gucco Prints by Juliana Pedemonte of Colorblok Inc.



Then somehow, in my whirlwind of searching, I came across Steven Harrignton's work and now I want to make my own Gucco Prints. I'm thinking Christmas cards & house warming invites?

Wendy & the Wabbit

These are a couple of photos from our Miss Woolly Compleators night at Kate's last night. For more shots take a look here. We had a few newies to welcome along Wendy, Liz, Barbara and Rhonda as well as our special guest from Brisbane, Jenny. As you can see Wendy's rabbit was a huge hit. I went to bed wide eyed and wired after consuming all the treats on offer. Thanks to Michelle & Kate for baking.

I'm not sure how this photo came to be but it probably had something to do with our photographer for the evening?


Thanks Kate, Matt, Matteo & Gabe for hosting. I hope the school sports went well Matteo!

Warning: This could be addictive!

Japanese Aglais is a Vintage Japanese Fabric Store on Ebay which is Melbourne based. I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself. You can buy them in 1m lengths from $10 - $37..... until they have run out.

Public Displays

For the keen Melbourne Knitter, here's another great knitting resource 'knitting in public -knitting in melbourne and all the stuff that goes with it.' They meet 2 – 5 pm every second Sunday of the month at Café Banter, 462 Lygon Street, East Brunswick. Sounds like a great way to stitch up a storm.

Lah-de-dah home maker.

mill & mia accessories

If you are feeling parcicularly lah-de-dah home maker get on down to the Hawksburn Village to satisfy your plush desires. Miss Woolly went for a stroll yesterday and quenched her visual senses on the sumptuous wares this strip has on offer. mill & mia have delightful quilts in their own custom printed fabrics along with gorgeous accessories (not just for kids) and some limited edition knitted dolls (unfortunately they're not featured of the site) which are to die for. Seriously.
There's Husk, Minimax for those 'Domestic Princess' moments, or if it's something a little more soft and fuzzy try ak traditions ..... there is Fiona Scanlan's big it just goes on.....then there's food but I'll let you discover that for yourself. Ahhhh, now I need a little lie-de-down.

Here's and idea...

Ever thought of printing your own fabrics? It's actually much easier than you thought. You can pick up lino, cutting tools and the fabric paints at your local art store. Then you're off! Just be careful not to cut yourself.

For some inspiration have a look at Galbraith & Paul.

e.g.etal

Emma Davies sculptures/vase

Miss Woolly went on a field trip into the city yesterday. We found a lovely way to spend the afternoon was at the e.g.etal Gallery on Flinders Lane. e.g.etal was established in 1998 and such a great place to look for contemporary jewelry if it takes your fancy. They also have a great website.

e.g.etal Gallery, basement 167
Flinders Lane, Melbourne, 3000
(03) 9639 5111

Hipperty Hop

Miss Woolly loves rabbits and these illustration by Toshiyuki Fukuda.

Lovely Linen

I've found another Zakka! This one is all about linen. I just wish they had a little button to translate it all into English!

A Big Thankyou!

A big thankyou to everyone who filled out our online survey. This has been really helpful to us and we will be sending out buttons to the first 40 asap. Thankyou all once again! xxx

Esme' the Headless Bear

Knitting Experiment # 5 turned into a very unstructured Crochet Experiment ..... resulting in this Headless Bear. I made the pattern up as I went along. Her name is Esme' and she is for little Emilia who is due any day now.

(I'll let you know how the head looks once I've worked out what to do).

Play me another one.

I love this record player by Simon Elvins. It's a fully working manual player. Almost sound to good to be true really.

While we are on the subject of Paper Craft I must mention this beautiful site by Peter Callesen. His work is incredible.

Cate Consandine

Cate Consandine
Cold cut, eye-stalk 2006
DVD still

Now showing at the newly renovated Heide Museum of Modern Art in the The Kerry Gardner & Andrew Myer Project Gallery is the work of artist Cate Consandine. Miss Woolly's friend Linda helped curate this exhibition. So if you see a lovely Scottish lass on your next visit to the museum, do say hello. It's a great way to spend the afternoon.

Heide Museum of Modern Art
7 Templestowe Road
Bulleen Victoria 3105
T 03 9850 1500
Tue–Fri 10.00am–5.00pm
Sat/Sun/Public Holidays
12.00noon–5.00pm

For the love of jumpers.

Do you have a jumper in your wardrobe that you just can't part with but never ever wear? Here's the perfect solution. View Ashley Martineau's online tutorial on how to dismantle a jumper and then make it into this easy shawl.
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Kris Coad

Have a look at the great work of ceramist Kris Coad. If you are looking to purchase some pieces, he stocks at Craft Victoria, 31 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 3000

More Tsumori...

As noted in previous posts here & here Miss Woolly really loves Tsumori Chisato's work. So here's some more. The wait is now on for the Autumn winter 06/07 collection!

Kirsten Hassenfeld

Just a little afternoon window furnishing inspiration...

Have a look at the most lovely work of Kirsten Hassenfeld here. Enjoy!

ABCDEFG...

This is my partially complete needlepoint sampler for the Royal Melbourne Show. I say partially as I'm not quite sure if I will add more embellishment in the cream colour or just quit whilst I'm ahead... Hmmm.

I'm having a lot of fun doing it but it is surprisingly slow to do. I'll keep you posted.

Florence is screening at MIFF today.

Unfolding Florence: The Many Lives of Florence Broadhurst is screening at the Melbourne Film Festival today and on the 13th. You can check out session times here.
If you're in Sydney get on down to hear the lovely John Radel, Cinematographer, introduce an advance screening at the Powerhouse Museum today(yaahooooo, go John).
For more details on Florence Broadhurst, take a look here.

Thank you Greta.

This gorgeous necklace arrived in the post for me from Montese, Italy, last week. It's was made by Greta's mum and only 3 exist, so I am very grateful. It's beautiful and I love the fact that it's blue. I'm looking forward to summer days and sundresses so I can wear it. Hopefully that's very soon.

Caro Great,
Come stai? Come'e' Londra? Da noi tutto va bene. Fa molto freddo, non come quando tu sei stata qui durante Natale.
Ringrazia moltissimo tua momma per la bella collarina

Baci e abbracci,
m x

(ps. thank you to Barbara for helping me with my Italian...I hope I got it right. There'll be big trouble if not!)

Our very own survey!

Miss Woolly is growing and we are looking for your help. Please do your very best at filling out our lovely survey and watch us expand. Click here to to go to our survey.
Thank you to all of those who have ....and do. We love you as much as Japanese fabric.

Jewish Style Rescue Remedy

Here is a fantastic winter, soul warming Chicken Soup recipe Kate sent through. I tried it out yesterday. It's pretty intense - so all you vegetarians out there.... you might like to skip this entry.


Jewish Legend has it that their Chicken Broth can cure all types of ills.

Real Chicken Soup
(the Jewish Rescue Remedy)
As taught to me by my girlfirend, and with her Mum's tips
Take lots of bony raw chicken.. Almost fill your soup saucepan, or largest pot, with wings (maybe 8?).. these are good, cheap and filled with gelatin, necks (4?) excellent, perhaps a carcass (1?) and legs or thighs ( 3 or 4 of each? All depending on the size of your saucepan.)

Note: If you definitely just want a broth with no meat then don't worry about the thighs or any meaty pieces as you will be throwing all this away. Lately I have been including them however, as I am preferring a little meat and vegetables in my final soup. I think it is more traditional to just serve the golden broth with a few noodles dancing around under the cracked pepper which is also delicious and simple.
Also note, that I like to use free range or the chemically free chickens.

Give the chicken one rinse of cold water and roughly drain. Add to the pot a couple of peeled large carrots, perhaps cut in half, a turnip or two, 2 onions cut in half and a generous handful of parsley. My girlfiend's Mother told me that adding several garlic cloves was a deviation so I guess that makes me one. A deviate that is!

Cover the lot with enough cold water.

This next step, if done properly, makes all the difference to your soup. Is it just going to be an ordinary brown soup or a perfect golden Chicken Soup that will impress your Mother in Law, especially if she's Jewish?

Bring to the boil, standing there, waiting and armed with a dessert spoon or if you have one, a small sieve and saucer. As the soup gets hotter and boils through all the meat and vegetables, you will find that a brown scum starts bubbling to the surface. As it accumulates at the edges of the saucepan, you need to scoop it out bit by bit. The more patient you are, the more golden the soup.. it should take under 10 minutes to ensure that the soup is clear.

Reduce heat to low and let the whole pot simmer for at least, a few hours.

Once you think you have cooked it enough.. instinct really.. remove from heat and let cool a little. I take the pot over near the sink as this step can be messy and leave you up to your armpits in chicken fat if you don't take care. Remove and thow away the bones and place each piece of meat and veg that you are keeping for serving, in a bowl. Cover these pieces and place in fridge. Thow away the onions and parsly.

Strain the broth, as finely as possible, into a large bowl or plastic storage container. Keep in fridge overnight.

In the morning you should find that your soup is a a big jelly, a wonderful authentic and healty stock. Scrape off most of the fat which will have formed on the top.

Chop up the meat, and the vegetables into cubes and place in a saucepan. Add the jelly broth, sometimes 1 stockcube.. I like the kosher Massel brand and more salt and pepper. (I find it needs a good amount of salt.) Also if you're only serving a few people I would suggest only putting half the soup out and freezing the other straight from the fridge. Bring to hot.

When serving you can add some noodles already cooked (fine soup ones in kohser section of supermarket,) to the bowl, before the soup. If you add to pot they will go soggy very quickly and ruin whats left over in the pot. Also look out for Niblets.. in same part of supermarket.. delicious crunchy crutons! Could also serve with chopped parsley. Mmmm..

Good luck and I hope this keeps you healthy and robust this winter x x x

Make a paper crane

Just to remind you all Sunday is the 61st Anniversery of the bombing of Hiroshima. Based on an old Japanese legend, which said that anyone who folds a thousand origami paper cranes would be granted a wish, young Sadako Sasaki wished an end to suffering, to bring peace and healing to the victims of the world went on a folding mission. You can read more about Sadako's mission here. Happy folding to you.

2birds in the spotlight

Page 18 in the Metro section of today's Age features a wonderful arcticle on Vanessa and Stef form, 2birds, who were the guest hosts at the last Miss Woolly Craft Night. You can check it out here but the real copy has pretty pictures.

Artisit Book Exhibition at Artisan

Another gorgeous Japanese Fabric site

These fabrics from mamekichi are 100% cotton, come in two sizes 37.5 cm × 98 cm and 36 cm× 90 cm and are between 840 and 1050 yen after tax. The rest is a mystery to me but I know I love them.