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