Artshare MeMe

ArtShare MeMe
I saw this on Deirdre's Sloppy Studio Studies blog, she saw it on Emmy Schoonbeek's blog (and she saw it on Arlee's... who saw it on Skybell's ...)So if you want to play along, read this and you wil get a piece of art from me , but you must follow the instructions.The first five people to respond to this in the comments section will receive a piece of artwork from me.BUT, in addition to the comments you have to post this same blurb to your blog too and continue sharing the art with people who respond to you.
What art will I send you? That will be a surprise but will be something I've made

Sideways cardigan and a mask

Here we have another view of the sideways cardigan. I've now done both armholes and they are correct:) Not sure on sleeves yet as this yarn is getting a little short sadly. Unless I do 2 different colour sleeves? That would be funky for sure. The other picture is a mask I've done, to represent the winter solstice eve. The longest night before the shortest day. I've freeform knitted some pieces in black. Then done the start of a crochet curly whirly in autumn shades to represent the end of the season. Added the shell for emotions(the sea). No eyes as such because the dark half of the year is a time for inward focus. It is always the darkest time emotionally for me and this is my view if you will of the dark half of the year. It does need somewhere on it a touch of gold or fire for the new light half of the year.However I don't have the right piece yet.
It does have knitting in it but also some of my other craft skills. The mask measures approx 9 inches long by approx 5 inch wide

WIP and finished items

A few pictures of stuff today. I've finished my doll Margaret Pye (Magpie) I'm pleased with how she turned out and its really got me back into dollmaking with a vengeance:) First picture is back view of her long waistocoat(vest), second one she has taken off the waistcoat and you see her funky sweater. Third shot the front view. You will notice Margaret's funky boots and leather look trousers. She is quite a character. For anyone interested in urban fantasy I'd highly recommend any of Charles de Lint's books but especially Someplace to be flying.
I really love her outfit with the dangly threads, you can imagine her picking them up on her travels. After all magpies adore sparkly bits and pieces:)
I've also some other pictures to upload and I'll do them in a separate posting as blogger isn't too keen on multiple pictures

pictures, Magpye plus others

Well the muse is back with a vengeance:) First picture is my part made Margaret Pye(Magpie) inspired totally by Charles de Lints book Someplace to be flying. She needs her boots painting once they dry and she needs a vest and jangley bracelets. But I like how she looks I love her top, very magpieish don't you think?
Then the muse wouldn't let me finish, she was here and determined to stay So we have secondly a hand dyed felt figure who had to have a face of clay. Her choice not mine as I am not very good at faces. However she likes it so thats all that matters:)) Like her funky boots? Final figure has more of abird or beaky face but it hasn't come out clearly with the camera. Probably as she hasn't been painted yet. She is wearing dashing chenille leggings as is her friend. Her clothes?? are also hand done felt.
Hope you like

A new Margaret Pie

I've started a new Margaret Pie (aka magpie) as per my take on her from the Charles de lint book Some place to be flying. Charles writes the most wonderful books on urban fantasy and I have them all:) I'm lucky enough to be on his Christmas list so each year I get a chapbook signed by him. If you haven't read any of his urban fantasy and you like that kind of reading do check him out His work has always inspired me to create , but I digress. I made my idea of Magpie several years ago now after first reading SPTBF. She was right for then but this is now. I've been having visions of her for sometime and she is clothed in a shawl of magpie colours with sequins. I think my SPs gift of beads fired me up more as some of them are ideal for a magpie don't you think? So she has her skeleton, she has some clothing and now I start the shawl. Progress pictures when it feels right. Magpie is one of my totems and its been a little while since I made a figure. I think the last one was gifted to my SP8. I find that after a month or so I have an urge, nay a NEED to create elemental figures. I'd thought that the knitting had taken away this need but apparently not.
Off to my pie shawl

WIP

Herewith 3 pictures for your viewing
First one is a shawl but rectangular for a change, using various yarns as you can see.This is a pick up when bored project. Second is the current sideways cardigan using argyll mohair and an unnamed mohair. I'm really liking this colour scheme. Perhaps that is because I don't often work in greens? Finally the scarf that should have been the sideways cardigan but isn't.
Will be a simple gift for someone this Yule. Speaking of Yule its time to think of gifts and who gets them. We have a list that we are working on and seems to be unanimous that its Lush, Marks and Spencer and artist (me)made for those that appreciate it. Grandsons are part sorted, the elder is very into fact books so he is getting Pick me up , put me down which is interactive almost. Also the Boys book how to be the best at everything. Should keep him busy:) Younger I think is getting football things and artist materials.
Then its Mr Mog to consider. He would love a set of wood carving tools and Lidl have some coming in week on Thursday so may have to acquire them for him. We have 2 celebrations at this time of year. Yule and a get together feast and fun then Christmas. This is one pagan who loves to celebrate at any excuse:) Yule I do love though, the midwinter celebrations in the darkest part of the year. A bonfire to celebrate the return of the light allbeit slowly. From Yule the days get longer and the nights shorter. For me Yule is is the start of the feastivities Lots of food , chocolate of course and the occasional tincture of wine through to New Year.
Yummy I'm thinking of the chocolate, must go and make a cup of Green and Blacks excuse me

knit one frog one

I started a sideways cardigan in shades of greens that I put together. Did oh around 7 inches, decided it didn't look right and was too thick so frogged it. Not easily because 3 yarns 2 of which are mohair = chaos. Anyways it frogged so I started again. Bigger needles, six inches didn't like it. However after the last debacle I decided that cast off it would make a scarf = one less Yule gift to find.
I then wound a skein of silkwoods yarn no name on it but very thin folks, shades of green mustard etc and useful. Not WOW factor as not bright enough for the moggie but useful mixed with the green mohair yarns. So one thin silkwood, 1 coned moss green(but light moss)mohair unknown name and 1 argyll Rossini greens/golds mohairs I've started again. Using 8mm needles and garter stitch, Couldn't see the silkwood so after 5 rows snipped that without, and this is the important thing, frogging. I'm now around 8 inches so have passed the hexing 6inches and I like it its a good mix of greens and it feels good. Lets see how far I get and No Jo, I won't be doing asymetrical armholes hopefully:)) Pictures tomorrow, Mr Mog has hidden the camera somewhere and its the communal log splitting day so I don't want to disturb him. 1 person from each household takes part in the chainsawing/splitting and barrowing around to each pile. Plenty of logs to keep the mog warm:)

Offered latest issue of Knitting magazine, Freeformations Jenny Dowde and yarn

looking to sell or swap the following
latest December issue of Knitting magazine As new purchased twice for some unknown reason:))
Freeformations Jenny Dowde As new isn't me
large bag of homespun and hand spun yarns in browns
looking for mountain colors mohair or other yarn of theirs,
hand painted yarns or??
the jennie dowde is heavy and that will have to be reflected in trade or costs I'd estimate its going to cost approx $15 to ship

Yes another post , finished hats and a warm stove

I didn't want to do this at the same time as my care package because that needed concentrating on and savouring all by itself:) Aren't I a lucky moggie? My beautiful SP9 package yesterday and my care package today. Can you hear the purrs??
I should tell you that I have another cause to purr and here in is the proof a fully operational absolutely warm woodburing(or multi fuel) stove:)) Yes my craft room is now warm and note the top of the stove I can have a kettle or stew bubbling away as I create. So if any of you pals come and stop over we can knit in comfort:)) Our landlord brought the pipe this morning and the asbestos rope, we told him we didn't want to wait for longer legs as that is going to take many more weeks to ship them from China. As you can see mr mog improvised perfectly with 2 half flagstones either side. In fact clever mr mog fitted it and as we speak I'm ensconced in front of it with no shawl, no jumper and I am toasty:))
The other 2 pics are 2 felted hats drying that I made last night while Mr Mog was at wood carving class. Both from Colinette 1zero and looking ok I think? I do desperately need a head stand to block on though. I'm off to see what ebay has or if anyone has suggestions for where to pick one up cheaply? I don't want polystyrene too fragile for pulling hats over I think.
So a big happy meow from this moggie:))

Care package extraordinaire:)

I signed up to Ms Knitingales care package swap a few weeks ago. I was duly assigned a partner and have sent off my goodies to her:) Today my parcel came for me and I was very fortunate to have Ms K for my partner:)) When you see the package that came I'm sure you will agree that I am extremely fortunate and a very very happy moggie(VBG)
Firstly see the picture at the back? That was the box the goodies arrived in. Definately a keeper don't you agree?
Then we have a zen cat calendar and card, 5 balls of moggie coloured mohair and a shawl pattern that will utilize said yarn:)
a lovely charm and 2 bars of scented soap which unfortunately MR Mog has cut off the pic of one. There is of course as I'm sure you've all noticed exceedingly large amounts of chocolate both in drink form and eating form. Guess what the moggie will be partaking of as she starts her shawl???
Oh and I nearly forgot as we now cats adore bells and playthings don't they? Well if you look on the pattern you will see atop it a bauble andsaid bauble jingles and will make an ideal door hanger. I do love bells and chimes on the inside of doors then you can hear when you have visitors arrive.
Ms K Thank you so much you spoilt me rotten and I hope you in turn get the same kindness from your sender
Thank you.

My first SP9 gift arrived:))

My first parcel in this round of SP9 arrived today:) Such gorgeous colours and smells as I opened the box. Everything wrapped in 2 of the mog's favourite colours which added to the experience.
My SP sent me a lovely tree card and we all know how much I love trees don't we? Also a postcard of her home area which was really interesting. I am getting to know her quite well even though I don't know who she is yet.
Then we have a glorious soap with celtic knotwork:)
Follow that with sweet smelling candle pack in apple maple.
Now add to the mix some beads in shades of blue that my SP sent for my dollmaking. Can't you see these on a moon goddess doll?
Finally and fabulously Lorna's laces in MY colours:))
Thank you SP, I love everything you sent me and I'll have such fun playing

drumming evening stops knitting

Well last night I had plans, plans for a start on another shawl(quelle surprise) and a hat in Colinette one zero. I had all the yarn ready for the hat and I had a couple of possibles ready for the shawl. Then what happened? We were invited to a drumming night and not even a full moon:) Not that we only drum at full moons but even so a moggie doesn't always foretell what the night will bring. Anyway the evening was a delight. One of the visitors is a brilliant musician so we didn't just have drums and percussion, we had flutes, whistles, various other instruments and it was wonderful. Such a great atmosphere and much positive energy around the room. The other plus side was I only had to go across the courtyard so didn't even get cold:)
The knitting has started now, the hat is coming on great guns, I'm doing it big so I can felt it 'twill be a Yule gift. The shawl I'm torn between the shades of blue/black or a gorgeous deep burgundy I've just picked up this am for a bargain £1.50 for 7 balls pure mohair:))

drumming evening stops knitting

Well last night I had plans, plans for a start on another shawl(quelle surprise) and a hat in Colinette one zero. I had all the yarn ready for the hat and I had a couple of possibles ready for the shawl. Then what happened? We were invited to a drumming night and not even a full moon:) Not that we only drum at full moons but even so a moggie doesn't always foretell what the night will bring. Anyway the evening was a delight. One of the visitors is a brilliant musician so we didn't just have drums and percussion, we had flutes, whistles, various other instruments and it was wonderful. Such a great atmosphere and much positive energy around the room. The other plus side was I only had to go across the courtyard so didn't even get cold:)
The knitting has started now, the hat is coming on great guns, I'm doing it big so I can felt it 'twill be a Yule gift. The shawl I'm torn between the shades of blue/black or a gorgeous deep burgundy I've just picked up this am for a bargain £1.50 for 7 balls pure mohair:))

Lost road through the woods,oak ash and thorn

Jo you are so right, when I was taking the photo I had a poem in mind and couldn't recall it. Have just been through my journal and here is the one I was thinking of by Rudyard Kipling, was that the same as you?

They shut the road through the woods
Seventy years ago.
Weather and rain have undone it again,
And now you would never know
There was once a road through the woods
Before they planted the trees.
It is underneath the coppice and heath,
And the thin anemones.
Only the keeper sees
That, where the ring-dove broods,
And the badgers roll at ease,
There was once a road through the woods.
Yet, if you enter the woods
Of a summer evening late,
When the night-air cools on the trout-ringed pools
Where the otter whistles his mate.
(They fear not men in the woods,
Because they see so few)
You will hear the beat of a horse's feet,
And the swish of a skirt in the dew,
Steadily cantering through
The misty solitudes,
As though they perfectly knew
The old lost road through the woods . . . .
But there is no road through the woods.

Also his oak, ash and thorn strikes chords with me:)

Of all the trees that grow so fair, old England to adorn,
Greater are none beneath the sun than Oak, and Ash, and Thorn:
Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn,good sirs,
All on a midsummer's morn,
Surely we sing of no little thing
In Oak, and Ash, and Thorn.
Oak of the clay lived many a day o'er ever Aeneas began,
Ash of the loam was a lady at home when Brut was an outlaw man,
And Thorn of the down saw new Troy town,from which was London born,
Witness hereby the ancient try of Oak, and Ash, and Thorn.
Yew that is old, in churchyard mould, he breedeth a mighty bow,
Alder for shoes do wise men choose,and Beech for cups also,
But when you have killed, and your bowl it is filled, and your shoes are clean outworn,
Back you must speed for all that you need to Oak, and Ash, and Thorn.
Elm, she hates mankind, and waits till every gust be laid,
To drop a limb on the head of him that anyway trusts her shade,
But whether a lad be sober or sad, or mellow with ale from the horn,
He'll take no wrong when he lyeth along 'neath Oak, and Ash, and Thorn.
Oh, do not tell the priest our plight, or he would call it a sin,
But we've been out in the woods all night, a-conjuring summer in,
And we bring you good news by word of mouth, good news for cattle and corn:
Now is the sun come up from the south, by Oak, and Ash, and Thorn.

oak tree watches over the Lord and Lady in the garden 

over the wall 

still leaves, despite last night's storm 

the road she winds 

underfoot 

old ice house 

another view of the lime trees 

Lime trees avenue 

Views and colours Sunday am

The pictures posted are all from today and most are just yards from our home:) Days like this don't half make you realise how lucky you are. And Marianne, you see in the shawl pictures that we still are using the hot air blower loaned us to keep warm. The stove is here awaiting fitting, we just have to wait for legs to arrive. Then the mog will be able to keep warm and to keep a kettle or pan of soup a bubbling on top of the woodburner. I used to love that about living on the narrowboat, the stove just fit a stewpot or kettle atop as this will:) The ice house is the original one for the castle and has a barrier across to keep the sheep out, sheep being nosy and liable to damage themselves as the ice house of course goes underground. Thats how they stored food prior to fridges and also how they kept the ice frozen

Green Goddess,Gaia finished:)

She is finished and I've named her Gaia the green goddess . I loved making this shawl and the colours don't quite show as they are. Almost but you don't get the sheen and you can't feel how soft the finished item is. Yarn details were 2 balls of green eyelash mohair from Jo of Celtic memory(thank you Jo) and 2 balls Colinette mohair in Cezanne I think. Needles 8mm. Pattern Nannie Effies favourite stocking stitch with first and last 4 stitches garter stitch then YO.Took 4 days just knitting at night for maybe 2 hours max per day. Not bad going I don't think. I'm thinking shades of blue mohair now and not sure whether to do throw or another shawl. Another post to come with views of the colours here today

48 things meme

Saw this on someone's blog so thought I'd give it a whirl and yes the mog is home:)
48 things
1. FIRST NAME? Amber
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? my favourite semi precious stone
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? an hour ago whilst telling afriend about my favourite uncles getting cancer again
.4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? yes it is mine
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? topside pastrami
. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? But certainly
.7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? Yes apart from this blog:) I haven't written much in it lately though.
.8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No way
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? malted wheaties but I much prefer porridge with syrup
.11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF yes
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Sometimes
.13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?Green and blacks chocolate
14. SHOE SIZE? UK 4 to 5 depending on fit
15. RED OR PINK? Definately red, but occasionally deep deep pinks. Pastels never.
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? inability to get rid of pain
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? my nannie effie and sooty my black cat
18. WHAT FOOD WILL GET YOU OUT OF BED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT? none but hot chocolate would
19. WHAT COLOUR TROUSERS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?tiedyed pants, patchwork top shades of blues socks and thick slippers
20. LAST THING YOU ATE? Ikea meatballs, hash browns and peas an hour ago
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? rain on the trees
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? amber, orange or red
23. FAVORITE SMELL? Bal a versailles
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Kia customer service person about their M&S offer
25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? eyes, after all they are the window of the soul
26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON YOU STOLE THIS FROM? Don't know who it was so many have posted it
27. FAVOURITE DRINK? Hot chocolate or red wine
28. FAVOURITE SPORT? None
29. EYE COLOUR? blue
30. HAT SIZE? Dunno
31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No
32. FAVORITE FOOD? Lasagne or sirloin strips in oil and lime with assorted herbs
33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy
35. SUMMER OR WINTER?Autumn
.36. HUGS OR KISSES? Both
37. FAVOURITE DESSERT? sticky date puddings or ginger puddings with creme fraiche
38. WHAT SIDE OF THE BED DO YOU SLEEP ON AND WHY? The right I can get out easier that side
.39. IF YOU DIDN'T MAKE THE DECISION TO GET MARRIED AND HAVE A FAMILY, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING TODAY? travelling the world by narrowboat and gipsy caravan
.40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? The Belgariad David Eddings, Wood wife Terri Windling and Onion Girl Charles de lint - do we see a theme??
41. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?Don't have one
.42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? Nothing
. 43. FAVORITE SOUNDS? Cat purrs, stormy nights, drumming Cds
.44. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Has to be Stones
45. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Egypt
46. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? You'd have to ask someone else. I think I'm a good listener
.47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Preston Lancashire at home
.48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Nobody - I stole it.

looking for Mountain Colors yarn to trade or purchase

Subject says it all:) The mohair shawl in my previous post was with some what I thought was hand dyed mohair. I now stand corrected(VBG) it was hand painted and it is the alpine colourway from Mountain colors yarn. I traded with someone ages ago for it and just now on my second ball found the label tucked inside. I am hooked on this yarn it is one of the best mohairs I've EVER used and even better than Colinette for me. Now you all know how much I adore Colinette yarns right?? This is nicer, feels gorgeous knitting it and will feel even better when worn I am sure. So I am after more. I've checked the website and they are wholesale only and no suppliers in UK at all that I can see.
I would there fore like to purchase or trade for some if anyone has any going spare? I can trade Colinette yarns, hand made elemental figures or??
The colours I specially love in the mohair are
Crazy woman,
firestorm
evergreen
huckleberry
larkspur
moondance
mountain twilight
moose creek
redtail hawk
thunderhead
wilderness
yellowstone
Get the idea I love this yarn??
So if you have any of these shades in mohair or have access to them I'm open to trades or purchasing if not too expensive? I can't see a price list at all

our pumpkin 

next shawl yarns from ebay 

yarn to trade 

Noro silk mountain bag 

Hand dyed mohair shawl to Nannie Effies pattern 

Finished objects, yarn p0rn and more:)

A selection of viewing goodies today and in no particular order because I've used Hello to upload them. Blogger does not like uploading pictures for some reason.
Any roads here I am again back from the wilds of Lancashire and only one more week to go:)
We didn't go down til Wednesday so we could spend Samhain in our own home. Great night with a fire outside and lots of good friends to share with. The tale BTW I was and am honoured that I had this experience and wasn't making light of it in any way I just thought it was ideal to share a little of the event with you on Samhain.
So the week was very exhausting and although we came home at almost midnight Thursday evening , last night especially I felt so tired and cold that I was in bed by 8-30pm. The pump that was just fitted isn't pushing enough heat around the house so all the pipes were cool, the fire was throwing very little heat out also. The mog loves the warmth and the cold makes me snarky and miserable. Pool Mr Mog caught the brunt of it sadly. I've made it up to him today though with lots of apologies and cuddles.
While away I started a simple mohair shawl in some hand dyed blues I've got. My Nannie Effie, who was my dad's mum, used to make this pattern when she just wanted something to while away the early evenings. Its a garter stitch border and YO then stocking stitch so simple but her shawls using this were lovely. She hand spun and hand dyed her yarns and I loved to see the finished objects. She called the shawls her courtesan clothes because I blush to disclose that my dear Effie was what she called a strumpet:)) Her shawls had a life of their own when Effie twirled them:) Even til the day she died in her late 70s she flirted with any male who came within her view. She had a great stock of bawdy songs and when she had a drink or two would entertain all who listened with" Roll me over in the clover "and others far more saucy. She had cancer twice in her life first time in her early 20s. Apparently she kept all the ward in stitches with her antics both times. She came through with a great outlook on life. Enjoy each day as much as you can and as long as it harmed no one in doing so, something I try to do. As witches say "An it harm none, do as you will". A great loss when she left us.
But I digress. The shawl you see before you and also a finished bag in Noro Silk garden(think I captioned it wrongly as silk mountain), this is to keep my crochet in.
Then we have a selection of blue mohair yarns I purchased on ebay to make a throw or shawl with. Sadly the seller omitted to mention that someone smoked so I will have to freeze these before use to get rid of the smell.. The last yarn is some I purchased and blush to say isn't me now I have it within my grasp. Its artyarns so if anyone wants to trade???
Last picture is our pumpkin, I meant to upload this Samhain but forgot. Mr Mog loves giving the pumpkin people glass eyes:)) as you can see. Well I'm off to read my favourite blogs and adopy an animal for my grandson on his favourite wildlife park. He was 10 yesterday and this was one of the things he so much wanted.