Lost and Found

My how time flies!   

We have been living in 2018 for more than three weeks and it has taken me this long 

to get here to wish you a 

H A P P Y   N E W   Y E A R   ! 

A Bowl of Cherries

Cherries are one of the joys of Christmas in Australia.

They are only in season for a few short weeks. 

Fun at the Beanies to Berets Exhibition and Sale (Part 2)

"The devil is in the details."

There's nothing like an exhibition to inspire creativity.  

At the Onkaparinga Arts Centre, the Beanies to Berets Exhibition and Sale 

gave plenty of design ideas for crocheted hats. 

The attention to detail in finishing can turn an average hat 

into something extraordinary.

From left to right: knitted and felted handspun wool with 'dreadies' by Alexis Morrison, red mohair jester hat by Sharyn Brady & white hat with polka dot veil and black flower by Kaye Oliver.

 

Let's look at the different finishing techniques on display at 'Beanies to Berets'. It is amazing how a simple embellishment can provide style and character to handmade creations.

New Baby, New Blanket

Another brand new gorgeous baby has joined the family circle.

With every new baby, must come a new crocheted blanket!

Fun at the Beanies to Berets Exhibition and Sale (Part 1)

There were so many amazing handmade hats at the Port Noarlunga Arts Centre's 'Beanies to Berets' Exhibition that I kept going back to have another look
(and touch and try on).   

It was a super place to find a piece of wearable art to call your very own.  There were beanies and berets to please everyone, from the most conservative to the artistic and crazy-coloured! 

"Joy"
Crocheted by Sharyn Brady


 

Etsy Adelaide Community Market

It was a happy Saturday because I visited a market:
the Etsy Adelaide Community Market at Tonsley.

  
 

Crochet at AVCon

Last weekend was the weekend for pop culture festivals.

San Diego, USA hosted the massive Comic-Con convention and, at the same time, Adelaide, Australia had its own annual AVCon festival.

Beanies to Berets Exhibition & Sale Now Open!

The Beanies to Berets Exhibition and Sale
is now open at the Onkaparinga Arts Centre,
Port Noarlunga, South Australia.

Some of the beanies and berets that will greet you on arrival.

Mayday! Mayday! RAH, rah, rah!

"Get Well" flowers

It was a Mayday call on a Monday May Day morning that brought about the ambulance ride, through peak hour traffic, to a major city hospital.

Photo-luminescent & Solar Yarns

This week I have come across a project that combines science, architecture and yarn in very exciting ways.

Last year, Maker Faire Adelaide sparked my imagination about combining modern technology with yarn and textiles; e.g. potential applications for conductive thread and sensor technology.

This year, the New York Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) PS1's Young Architects Program will present a project that takes these ideas to a whole new level and embodies many of the values and interests of Maker Faire participants; e.g. socially and environmentally responsive, use of recycled materials, robotics, digital design, 3D printer technology etc.

Art Exhibitions June‒August 2016

I've been lucky enough to visit three art exhibitions this year, two of them in one month alone!  While these do not include crochet specifically, the variety of work can serve to inspire creativity in all sorts of crafts.  If you ever feel like you are in a crochet design rut, I can highly recommend a visit to a gallery or exhibition to stimulate and rejuvenate your creative spirit.

The Ravellenic Games 2016

If you are a crocheter, knitter, spinner, weaver or other type of yarncrafter, you may have heard of Ravelry.  It's a free web site for crocheters and knitters, created and administered by crocheters and knitters.

Ravelry is a great place to find like-minded yarn crafters from all over the world but it is much, much more than a social network.  I highly recommend Ravelry as a powerful management tool and source of 'yarny' information, inspiration and fun too.

One day, during an Olympic year, some Ravelry members (fondly referred to as 'Ravellers') decided to establish their own (yarn)sporting event which became the "Ravellenic Games".

Out of the Crochet Comfort Zone

I am a believer that the most learning and personal growth happens when one is 'outside the comfort zone' and this year, I've been tempted to go there.

Flower Power Exhibition, Adelaide 2016

After much anticipation, I was lucky enough to see Prudence Mapstone's "Flower Power" exhibition for myself, in real life, when it came to Adelaide as part of the 'Stitches & Craft Show' in May 2016.





This post is full of photos of the amazing crochet and knitting work that makes "Flower Power" so awesome.  Greetings and thanks go out to Prudence, Stephen and Cat who kindly gave me permission to take as many photos as I like and to share them here.  Enjoy!

Mount Lofty Botanic Garden

The Mount Lofty Botanic Garden in the Adelaide Hills is a very popular destination for South Australians, especially in autumn when the foliage changes colour. Here are more photos from a recent visit …

Nature is a great inspiration.  May these photos evoke the creative spark within.

Tricot Tableware - a Special 'Tunisian' Crochet Project

Blissful crochet on the beach.

More beach weather this week:  34°C today with 37°C forecast across the working week. Why not continue the beach theme?  Especially after Kwokkie Doll donned her 'Bondi Bikini'!

Back in 2013, I designed a very personal and special tricot* project which had a few extra challenges and learning opportunities.

More Examples of Crochet Spider Stitch

Spider stitch features in this scarf.
(Made by Jodiebodie 2014.
Pattern: Diamond-Strike Scarf by Kristen Stolzfus)

Are you familiar with the phenomenon where you buy a new car and when you go driving, you suddenly start seeing lots of cars of the same model and make where previously you had never noticed them before?

I think that is what happened to me with spider stitches!

Spring Stories & Spider Stitches

A deadly redback spider.

Spring is not my favourite season.
Itches, asthma, too much sneezin'
Blowflies, spiders, creepy crawlies,
Coughs and colds and feeling poorly,

Lack of sleep from daylight savings,
Gives cause to senseless daytime ravings!
New growth, flowers, seeds and sprouts,
(until the bunny digs them out!)

Weeds and wildlife, changing weather,
Pure vexation altogether;
For a multitude of reasons
Spring is not my favourite season.

Here is a glimpse of my South Australian springtime with a few crochet inspirations too.

Sunshine Award

Last week, Raphaela of the blog, Hummingbird Redemption, nominated me for a Sunshine Award!

Thank you so much for your kindness, Raphaela!

It is an honour to be recognised by someone who is a beautiful ray of sunshine herself.  That is what this award is about: 
to add 'sunshine' to other bloggers by sharing blogs that bring joy and inspire with creativity, positive outlooks and the overcoming of adversity.

Love a Good Yarn at the Migration Museum

Love a Good Yarn:
knitting and crochet from Nanna to now

–a current exhibition at 

the Migration Museum of South Australia.

This historic building houses the main display
of the Love a Good Yarn Exhibition

Open until 31 August 2015, entry is free.  

Last week, I went with my friend Cheryl to have a look …