A Sturt Weaver

It´s amazing who you find weaving at Sturt. Mum dropped in and helped with some weaving.

--melly

Leaf Prints

I have been doing some clamped leaf prints lately. 

The first one is dyed with a pot of Eucalyptus Punctata.

 The next few pink ones are using Procion dyes.

 And I put some silk satin in too - the print wasn´t quite as good but still interesting.

Not sure what any of the leaves are, just some from the trees around Sturt.
--melly

Undulating Twills and Mock Piles

This week I revisited a couple of warps that have been sitting around waiting for me to figure out what to do with them.

This first is the undulating twill that I threaded up ages and ages ago here. I knew it needed something and I wasn´t quite happy with it. Today though, I feel like I got somewhere. First I out a highly mercerised cotton, fine rayon and fine metalic thread over it - perfect! Then I tried some finely cut gold painted paper - which I loved, but had to alter the structure a little. Next I tried some cut cellophane which I also really liked but red is the wrong colour for this warp so I will have a look around for maybe a yellow or orange?

 The next warp is the mock pile from this post. I dyed and ripped up some old blanket and put across it. Was very happy with it though am not quite sure what to do with it - floor rug or bag maybe? It´s quite stiff and I prefer it uncut - and I love the back too.

And I still keep forgetting to bring the draft home to post with it - will make that my mission for the week!
--melly

Beads!

A quick post - I found these amazing beads at Vinnies the other day. I´m guessing from shape, colour, size, shape and the threads and paper with them, that these are from around the 1930s - so excited! they´re beautiful - and I´m sure they´re going to be of use for Lacroix!

--melly

More Rugs

Ok Belly - I´ve started the physical work for the Sturt rugs. Mum did the dying while I hovered over, and this is just the start!

This last image is from the Palettes app for my iphone - I am absolutely loving it - so handy!

So what do you think?
--melly

Todays weaving

Well Melly I didn't realize I had the Macro lens on the camera, so will have to take some more later. 
So I  will load these anyway. the images with the black thread in it are some from a scarf I finish ages ago, it also was the end of a warp and is a bit small so I get to wear all the little bits! 

 Before washing - wool warp and wool silk and rayon weft

 Before washing 

 After washing 

 After washing

Sample scarf ( above 2 images) 

Bits and Pieces

Ok so it´s been a while since I made a post, and I do have lots to put up, but to start with here a a couple of recent things that I´ve been fiddling with..

Last night I found a huge mushroom and decided to try to make a spore print - and it worked! Quite beautiful up close..

 This is from a felting workshop I gave a couple of weeks ago and showed the girls an easy way of dying in a plastic bag. I finally washed it out yesterday..

 And this is some ripped up blanket that I want to do something with. Possibly with the wool above. And some rayon. And other stuff. I think I´ll spin the wool above.

So there we are - recent bits and pieces.
--mel

For Christian

Not the best photos but you get the idea.  Still lots more playing but am enjoying the process now. Thanks Melly you are a great friend in a crisis, keeping me calm and all you help thank you!