Sunday, June 27, 2010

Spot project

So the yarn sitting on my desk possessed me and for the last couple of days I have been madly hooking away at what was supposed to be a one day project.  A prime example of me under-estimating how long a project might take.  But, hey, I'm still having fun and that is the main thing.

So my first cushion cover has begun.  Wibbly-wobbly stripes in the colours of the Sturt desert pea.

Theoretically the cover will fit a 42 x 42 cm cushion by the time I complete it.  I'm approximately two thirds of the way through creating the stripes.  Once I've finished those I plan to embark on a little crochet embroidery and emphasize those wiggly stripes with some more thin, embossed stripes in the same colours but contrasting to the colour they are embroidered on...so more stripies.


This exercise has certainly let me loose with crochet stitches.  It is based on a 'long wave' stitch pattern from the Harmony Guide to Basic Crochet Stitches, but I have taken the basics and bent them to my own means.  I'm really excited at the possibilities.  I'm finding the artist in me is looking at yarn in ways it never has before and my brain keeps coming up with designs.  A sequel to this one is already in my head, the only problem being the fact that I do not want to have too many projects running at once.  Down that road lies unfinished work.

I also consider this to be my first attempt at freeform crochet, despite it not being of the typical type, and freeform is exciting stuff....just take a gander at  Ren's Fibre Art!  I would love to explore in that direction.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

They are calling to me

I have these five balls of wool sitting on my art desk taunting me.  They are a lovely soft acrylic that caught my eye during my last stash acquisition.  Sturt's desert pea colours in lovely off average tones that I couldn't resist purchasing.  Now they are sitting there calling for me to make something of them despite the fact I currently have a crochet project already in progress.

I have a good idea of what I would like to do with them.  A cushion cover, Sturt's desert pea inspired of course.  Undulating wave stitch combined with some crochet embroidery for emphasis.  I'm all enthused.  The question is whether I can tackle two projects at once without losing track of either of them.  I think I need to learn to multitask my art and craft projects, so maybe I will.  Should I ignore inspiration when it lands in my lap?

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Fan mail

I've been poking around the Net recently drooling over people's crochet projects (crochet is my current obsession) and have come across several artists who I admire considerably.

At the top of the list is Loretta Grayson and her blog 'A Shoebox of Photographs'. I'm finding myself to be a silly fangirl over this blog at the moment. I'm a total fan of her latest artwork 'Trees and Fairy Lights', and I'm beyond adoration for her Rainbow African Flower Cushion.  The cushion, while not a piece that would match the decor of my house, I find just magical in the way she has chosen the colours and executed the pattern.  I can't say how much I adore this work.  Also the 'Trees and Fairy Lights' has inspired me to get back to my artwork and get in there and just produce.  I'm all motivated and excited.

I've also discovered freeform crochet and am interested in having a go at it myself sometime in the future.  I stumbled upon Renate Kirkpatrick and her wonderful use of colour and texture.  And the ever legendary Lucy of Attic24, whose blog is inspires me to simply create.

Anyway, must dash. parenthood calls.

Nutty

(who spends quite some time drooling these days)

Introduction

Hi,  I'm Gumnut, sometimes writer, sometimes, artist, alltimes nuts...welcome to my creative corner.

I'm fascinated by many things and interface with many different interests. They are facets of my personality and, depending on your interests, you might like to pick one to play with me.

Facets available include art, writing, crafts, genealogy, gardening, parenthood, photography, and a dash of sci-fi television. I've also been known to ponder life, gaze wonderingly at the world around me, and generally spout poetic as the mood takes me. 

On the personal side of things, I'm a married mum of two daughters, KJ and Izzy, who will no doubt make their presence known here sooner or later since they are such a big part of my life at the moment, being aged 2 years and 3 months respectively.  Also Hubby, ever my support, is always here between the lines, at the moment, tending my youngest so I can write this.

I'm South Australian, born, bred and baked, and have a great love for this beautiful country and I've been known to babble about her hidden secrets.

Welcome to my ramblings.

Nutty
(who now has a time limit for everything)