EKjourney Backup

Today was all about free form crochet.  The following pieces were part of a display in the art/judging floor of the pavilion.   Then, it was classtime.  It wasn't super organized but I did take notes and learn some tips about creating a free form piece.  I wasn't aware of a materials list and only brought one ball of yarn and my crochet hooks (we were supposed to bring a selection of yarns) so I was very limited in what I could do.  I will say, I have learned a great deal about crochet over the years.  I am not good at following a pattern but I know how to make all the stitches and some fancy stitches as well and I knew the terminology and explanations.  Truthfully, the class should have had a prerequisite of advanced crochet experience/knowledge.  I was happy to know enough to follow the instructor easily.  I guess my years of trial and error have paid off.  I am anxious to try something in this style.   This is an example of one o...

Yarn, yarn, glorious yarn This is so gorgeous, I bought some of the locks she was spinning just to give it a go! I definitely need to make my own art yarn.  Material cost is already so expensive (16-40 dollars for 4 ounces of wool, wool mix, silk) and to pay for the time that it takes to make beautiful hand spun yarn just isn't practical for me.  Art yarn is so stunning, that I could wear it just as is.   Baskets! Tents of spinners (and weavers), sitting out under the trees, in the sunshine, listening to music, chatting, and making beautiful things.  What a lovely sight. Cousins B loves EddieWin! Boys (the girls are playing tambourines and dancing to music LOL)

Saturday morning was my needle felting class.  We got a goodie bag with wool locks, beads and buttons, silk strips, lace, and embroidery thread plus some needles and a couple of background pieces to felt on.  I can liken the class to doodling with wool, embroidery, and embellishments.  It was really about being free, "loose", and creating pleasing organic shapes rather than a recognizable object.  Most of us didn't really get to the decorating stage because the felting takes up so much time.   Working away.. Admiring the goodies So beautiful close up. Here are some samples from class.  These are mostly just the layout, they need to be felted down more securely and embellished. This one is mine:  I need to sew on the buttons and I still have quite a bit that I would like to do before I would call it finished.  This is the instructors piece:

I scarcely had time to catch my breath before I was packing up and preparing for day one at the Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival.  This has become an Autumn highlight for me!  I take classes over the three day event and buy supplies for my own small hobby business (if you want to call it that LOL).  It is such a fun, great learning experience. I took a crochet sculpture class by an artist name Bonnie Meltzer. https://www.flickr.com/photos/neighborhoodnotes_pdx/sets/72157622466751319/with/4013840795/ It was fun to see some non-traditional ways to use crochet in art.  I tried new techniques and in the end, made a crochet bowl (a shape I am comfortable with since I make both bowls and hats) but with a different method.   Supply table One of Bonnie's entrances at the OFFF show: This is an example that she brought into class - crocheted wire around telephone cord.   We started off with a group project, crocheting around a core and then adding additional laye...