Nov
14
I’ve been neglecting more than this site, lately. I existed in a vague state of semi zombification, being just so tired all the time. However some things have changed lately, namely, I’ve ditched the med that made me so sluggish. I felt an improvement as soon as I dropped the dosage, actually. The next two weeks were spent in the throes of SNRI Discontinuation Syndrome, which were, well.. interesting, to say the least.
I’m better. For the past 4 days I’ve done more than I’ve done for the past 4 months. I’m drawing again, I finished knitting a pair of socks, I’m using the leftovers now to design and knit a doll sweater. I’ve skimmed LJ a little again. I’ve reconnected with some stuff that I used to like, I’m making a point to try to chat with people I sort of drifted away from in my mad zombie dash to finish my B.A., and well, basically pulling myself together again.
Yesterday morning I had the house to myself, so I took advantage of the situation and dyed some of the NZ Merino top I had! I dyed 1kg of it. I was inspired by rediscovering Malice Mizer!
And now, for a preview:
Things are afoot. Maybe even some sorting together of the gallery here and scanning and uploading of Things. I don’t know about you, but I’m so excited about having my brain back that I’ve been sleeping less than 6 hours a day just spending the awake time with sheer glee at actually being awake.
Posted in Fibres, Life awesome colour dyeing Fibres joy malice mizer merino vkei
Feb
09
I’ve been doing a lot more knitting/spinning/crochet than actual drawing the past month, probably because with the stress of the war in Gaza and my worrying, touching soft wool was a lot more comforting than trying to make sense of my emotions on paper.
I do have a 3rd page but I have to say I sort of hesitate to post it… Maybe I will anyway. Then work on a 4th. I think the 5th should be more generic, and sort of ease the thing towards a more journal-type comic, maybe? I feel a bit uneasy about the two pages I’ve posted as well, but I do hope it’s obvious that it was just my own very narrow and personal point of view and personal experience.
One thing I really want to get into lately, is yarn and fibre dyeing. It sort of merges fine art with the fibre-arts in a way, because it is all about colour. I love colour.
This is my first ever ever work. It’s probably a lot more saturated colour-wise than I intended, but when knit up it should be a lovely blend of aqua-teal-chartreuse with red and rust splotches. It was a lot of fun making it, and only made me thirsty for more. So I dyed some of the white wool roving I had, and I am now spinning it – of course I will post pictures when it’s spun and plied.
Spinning brings me to the next subject of my craftly endeavors – making drop spindles. I’ve bought fimo (that’s polymer clay) and now that I have a compass thing to make proper circles, I want to make some funky whorls.
Too many things to do.
(This post was interrupted by my net connection crapping out. Yay!)
Speaking of things to do, I’ve completed a commission for the lovely Derek.
Ok, I’m pretty sure there was a gazillion more things that I wanted to say, but I had a full day including class between the beginning of this post and now, so I’ll leave it for later.
Posted in Art, Fibres, Life Art colour commission Fibres yarn
Feb
08
I’m drawing again!
It took a while, but today I set aside as Art Day to work on assignements and a commission, as well as things to potentially sell in my Etsy store. So this is what I have come up with for now, combining 3 of my loves in life – watercolours, rats and fibre arts.
These will be scanned and prints will be available on redbubble, while I will put the originals up in my etsy store.
Posted in Art, Flickr, Life Fibres illustration rats watercolour
Jan
10
A cool woman brainstormed this thing: A lot of times, buying online is a bit like a shot in the dark, since you can’t actually touch or smell the things, or move the items to see them in a different light… So what do we do? How do independant artists and artisans get the words about their quality directly?
A sample box. PhatFibers is a monthly box full of random goodies and samples from artists and artisans who have donated little bits of things. You buy the box. You find what you like. Next time you want some more yarn/fiber/tea/stitch markers you know that suchnsuch person makes something that you really like.
There’s a blog, too.
Occasionally on this blog there are giveaways, and the requirements for the current giveaway is to write about the actual products from the StashUP yarn shop. Okay, I’m up to the challenge, especially since I’ve spotted two things which I really make me want to pet and feel and wish I weren’t totally broke so I could get them.
The first is Antique Denim Silk Noil Handpainted Fingering Weight Yarn 600 Yards
I’ve been having a lust for silk lately, which is probably why I latched on to this. Silk noil is the shorter fibres with some nubs and slub, and these make a very textured yarn, which is still soft and shiny since it is, after all, silk. Another love of mine is subtle colour changes, and desaturated colours. The skein as pictured really looks the colour a beloved pair of jeans turns after many wearings and washings. These days you can get your jeans pre-faded, but there’s still something special about wearing out a pair of jeans because they’re just too comfortable after the fabric has broken in. I’d make some lacy cleaves with that yarn, I would.
The second thing that caught my eye:
Alyosha Organic Merino Wool Yarn Handpainted Fingering Weight
Merino is sheep wool, soft, and 100% organic means that it hasn’t been treated to be ‘superwash’ (which means hand-wash only!). Fair enough, I still don’t have enough experience knitting and crocheting to prefer either way. What caught me here was the colourway. The contrast between the deep but not too saturated purples softened up with the lovely beiges, and light bluish grey (beige and light blue is another combo I love). 100% merino, I don’t know how it would hold up being socks, but I could certainly knit up a pair of armwarmers, or again, some light cleaves. I don’t know if there’s enough in that for a cardigan, but this could make a lovely crocheted border for one.
I wish I weren’t broke. On the other hand, maybe it’s better that I am and keep it in mind, because the stress of the current events make me want to do some retail therapy on etsy and uhr… I really can’t afford it. 
Posted in Fibres crochet Fibres giveaway knitting yarn
