Mixed Media Paper Mache based Fabric Bowl is Finished

I did manage to figure out how to edge my fabric collage/paper mache bowl last week. It all started here. It took some doing but after a couple of false starts the orginal raw edges were softed by a padded one. Wire wrapped with batting sewn to the edge was the solution. I ended up using a combination of glue and thread to attaché it. I then used some heavier colored cotton thread (perle) to attach it further. The inside then got a final coat of red tissue for contrast and strength.



I definitely learned some process things along the way. My next one will incorporate a few of those ideas. In fact I think I may end up doing an outside skin and an inside skin. I will have to do a sample to see how well they fit together.



While I do like the wild and wonderful unsymmetrical shape of this I want to have more control. I want it to be less free form or less willfully freeform. But that initial trial phase things tend to take on a life of their own. Who knows I may end up wanting to get that back. (After further experimentation and a much more evenly shaped form I think I like the freeform much better.



Overall I do think it turned out well. It is not water safe (duh!) and it it can hold many different things from balls of yarn, potpourri or maybe some fruit.

Green Thumb

My challenge for the past several weeks has been to keep the garden going. Even with all the rain we had to keep going to get it set up and protected. The last bit that has gone up is the 7 foot deer fence around it all. OH did I mention all the rain. I hope the tomatoes don't get blight. I hope that the six inches of standing water on the right end gets sucked into the soil.



In that process we did manage to really discover where the foundation was for the barn that was on this property years before we came. All along the right hand corner is stone. We hit the edge of it when we rototilled the new area added on from last year. This does mean that now to get bigger means moving back not to the side. If I want to get bigger that is. I think I do. But that means reclaiming more field. Raised beds are the answer. I just have to make enough compost and soil amendments to make that feasible for the size we want.

The other protection was from the massive amount of slugs the rain has made comfy. Well that and the help of the black plastic construction clothe I laid done to keep the weeds down. It does work to keep weeds down but it also assists in the moist environments that help slugs live long and prosperous lives. We even have SNAILS!! I haven't seen a snail in eons. I have tiny little snails carrying their homes on their backs. Need more beer traps! Heineken apparently is the beer of choice. It makes them turn their little slug heads away from the plants and crawl as fast as they can to slurp down all that beery goodness. They die happy.

One the other hand the rain has made the beautiful fuscia Steve bought me very happy.


The hummingbirds also find it quite lovely. They don't seem to mind the rain at all dashing back and forth from the feeder to where ever their nest is. The hard rain does make the blossoms drop off. I find my back porch littered with these beautiful blossoms that are from another world.

What if I did this and this Stitched Bowl

The break from "having to create" and just doing something for me (see sock post) seems to have paid off. I went into my studio yesterday and just started to cut up and sew without any real plan. Just opening myself to the flow and to see what would happen, knowing full well that sometimes it just doesn't work out. This time, at this point, I think this is working out.

I started by cutting up some pieces of my "fabric paper" into blunt end wedges and stitching them together. I chose some of the fabric paper that by itself I was not that fond of. But as with all things layered and cut apart and tossed back together the fabric papers started to be more acceptable. At first it was just a fan shape that then became the basis of a bowl.



The only criteria I had is that I wanted not to alter the surface to much with paint. Embellishment could happen. But it must be embellishment that was stitched, or bradded or glued and stitched. Paint could happen but not as a major source of altering the surface. I did break one needed during this. But it was not a heavy weight leather needle. Sewing needles break which is why I keep a decent supply around. I have been known to break 3 needles in a row.


I finished adding the cut out leaves, brads and some buttons to the still flat piece. I stitched up the side so it was free standing. The next step was solving the "what do I do for a bottom?" I cut to circles out of stiffed fabric. One went on the outside and the other on the inside. The wedges at the bowls bottom had been folded inward by about 3/4 of an inch. Everything was glued. The inside of the bowl was covered with the same fabric and strips of tissue paper.



It was then left to dry before doing anything else. If it is dry enough today I will work some more on it. I do have a cool idea (I think) for an edge embellishment. Can't wait to get back to it.

Just for Me

I thought it was about time I did something just for me. After the spring rush of planting and getting the grounds presentable (still working on that) I wanted something that my tired fingers and mind could handle to do. Now some my think I am crazy because knitting socks started to frequent my dreams and called my name. It is true!

I haven't knit in years so why would I pick socks? Because it did truly feel like a project just for me. That the only one who would reap the benefits from time spent knitting would be me. I think I have been feeling a bit stretched and neglected so this is a way to nurture and take care of myself. What kind of socks am I "mothering" myself with?

I mastered the magic eight cast on stitch in only...drum roll please... two nights of peering at this video.



I found it much easier to turn the sound off for me. It really is quite magical as it says.


The socks made are from wool from my friend, Sama, who is a knitting fiend. The wool is a lovely soft alpaca and acrylic blend that she told me to double up on and I did. Here is where I am at right now. They are not perfect by any means. I had to refresh my memory on how to increase.



I was given a pattern but also pulled the pattern for the Lifestyle Socks no Swatch Needed. I am knitting on size 4 needles because I did double the yarn otherwise I would be on size 2 needles and get way to frustrated. Of course I am already planning my next pair, which may be knit on smaller needles. I will have to find a set of 40 inch size 3. I don't think I want to get smaller than that. These are perhaps a bit to thick. But I am not ripping them out because they will be the perfect weight for winter.

Knitting socks toeup magic+caston alpaca