At the market in Mareeba shopping for vegetables my eyes caught sight of the most beautiful cloth doll sitting in front of tiny quilted blankets at one of the stalls. I was immediately attracted to her and I could not help zoom in on her. She drew me close. Wow what an amazing creation I thought. Her face was just adorable not to mention her impressive hair style. I wish I could have one like that. Her dress was as gorgeous and her quilts to die for. The bright colour made me feel cheerful and in front of her was a pink crochet round piece like a doily with a green felted ball on it. Then a young tall and just as beautiful woman said to me that Megan made her and that she was the Princess on the Pea. The penny dropped. Of cause it is the Princess on the Pea! I know her from my child hood. … [Read more...] about My Meeting with Clover Charlotte
fabric
My Crocodile Wrap
Last time we went to Alice Springs was in winter time to take part in the Alice Springs Beanie Festival. Knowing it was going to be a cold experience I knew I needed some woollen clothing and definitely a beanie and some leg warmers. I intended to knit the leg warmers out of my hand spun wool and alpaca but as we all know time flies like blow flies. So departure date arrived and I still had no beanie or leg warmers. We left sunny warm Mareeba not caring much about the cold desert far away. We did not travel far and I was reminded about the frosty nights in Alice when I ogled at the weather forecast on the internet and saw that Alice was sitting on 0 degrees at day break. I knew that I had to get my act together. No good coming to Alice Springs blue legs and frost damaged knees and … [Read more...] about My Crocodile Wrap
Wonky Vessels
Keep A Record of Your Work
Natural Dyes
I got hooked on Natural Dyes in 1978. I still love it. I am impressed by nature and the way nature provides all we need. I used Pomegranate, brown onion skin and purple carrot for this recipe. Slice Pomegranate and soak in water overnight. Boil for 20 minutes together with brow onion skin. Cool the bath. Layer and wrap wet silk fabric, wool fabric and yarns, maybe a few doilies around a small poly pipe. Add the sliced purple carrot in between layers. Tie the fabric “parcel” to keep carrot in place. Add ½ tea spoon of alum to the dye bath. Bring water to 90 degrees C for 20 minutes. Leave “parcel” in pot to cool overnight. You can also add rusty bottle tops and nails to the dye pot or even wrap it in the fabric for interesting effect. Make sure you tie the fabric together so that the … [Read more...] about Natural Dyes