Knit.Spin.Weave

The Hintonburg Bike Parade

Knit, crochet, spin - for cycling! Have you ever wanted to yarn bomb a bike, like this? Or this? Here's your chance! Help the Hintonburg Cycling Champions decorate bikes of various shapes and sizes for a Wabi Sabi window display. The window goes up May 4th. 

It's all to promote the first-ever Hintonburg bike parade, on the morning of Saturday, May 28.

There are two chances to add your fun and funky fiber touches to the bikes:

Thursday, May 5 from 7 to 9 p.m.

Saturday, May 7 from 2 to 4 p.m..

Bring your yarn, needles, hooks and creativity! Give us a call at Wabi Sabi to save your place 613-725-4856

 

Cup of Tea Pincushion.

 

This charming pin-cushion is easy to make, using basic embroidery stitches. Made from wool felt, and nestled in a porcelain tea cup, it is a perfect Morther's Day gift. $25 per person, $30 for Mother and daughter.  May 4th 7-9pm  All materials; including tea cup are provided. 

Another stash buster

This is the Una purse. I named it for my good friend, Una who owns Le Hibou, a wonderful cafe in Wakefield. She's very funky. She used to have dreads which the felted wool reminds me of.  I used two strands of 220 Cascade as the base wool because it felts very well. Then I spent ages tying scarps of yarns, lace and old fabric to the base wool. There is nothing exact or measured about it. I knitted it in the round in a V-shape.When I was finished I put it through the washing mashine on hot and felted it.  Then I stuffed it to get the shape right. Lastly I sewed on the handles. I felted it because I wanted it to be long lasting

This another bag I knitted in the same fashion. I call it, Olive after my Gran. I didn't felt this so I worry about things falling out of it. I could line it but alas I love to knit but hate to sew.

Are you making anything with your stash? If so let me know. Or send me a photo and we'll post it on the blog.  info@wabi-sabi.ca  Show us your work. We're eager to hear from you. 

Who Loves You, Baby!

It's the 2011 and time to think about what or who you love.

At the moment, I'm crazy for Fiberarts Magazine  It's a great read. I love how diverse the articles are. I love the creative energy and hearing about the amazing things fiber artists are doing all over the world. In the latest issue I enjoyed reading about Australian fiber artist and natural dyer, India Flint. There is a raw elegance to her work that I've rarely seen before. But India is not just an accomplished natural dyer, she's a philospher of sorts. Indeed her clothing company is called The Prophet of Bloom. And every piece she creates has a distinct voice.

The other article I enjoyed was about Angela Ellsworth and her startling piece entitled "Seer Bonnets: A Continuing Offence". This work is based on her personal history as the descendent of an important member of the Mormon Church, and will be featured in this year's Sydney Biennale. At first glance Ellsworth's bonnets appear demure but take a closer look and everything changes.

And last but not least, there's Olga Von Moorende. I'm crazy about her. She's my 2011 muse. Her clothing are my new creative inspiration. Whenever I feel blocked this year, I'm just going to just picture her work. Now tell me who will be your muse this year? I want to know. 

Get your fiber Club On

Here's a great present suggestion for the knitter on your list. A membership to our fiber club. It works like this each month members get a pattern as well as the supplies needed to make it. The club was designed to introduce members to new and exciting fibers. Last year, knitters worked with a variety of fibers including: corn, silk and buffalo. They also learned about wet-felting and needle-felting. The club costs about $30.00 a month. It's a lot of fun. Imagine the fun of knowing that each month there's a secret knitting project waiting just for you.

The Prefelt Is Here

 

Yes, it’s true, it’s finally arrived. And, fibre fans say it’s fabulous. For those of you who’ve never worked with it check out our very own felt mistress extraordinaire's article in the current issue of Living Craft Magazine. As well as Fiona's work at her website, Wool Felt Design.

 

 

Out Of The Box Is In Our Window

Our latest window display is by Ottawa fibre artists Out of the Box. These talented ladies do everything but the expected. Their works uses a wide-range fiber mediums such as: quilting, silk-painting, wet-felting, tapestry, embroidery. The group consists of artists with an array of passions that include: painting, doll making, weaving. The work is dynamic  and fun. I like the way it breaks the rules.  For more information visit their website at Out of The Box.

Drop by Wabi Sabi  and check it out their work. 

 

Art Attack

One of the things I love most about fibre and wool is that you can make amazing sculpture with it. I make a lot of tea cozies based on famous women. 

Here is my Marie-Antonette. 

This is my Frida Kahlo.

Anyway recently a friend sent me images of work by Zoe Williams.

I love her work. Her 3-D pieces of animals are amazing. You can visit her portfolio, too.

Fluff Alert

Hey crafters,

We're looking for beautiful fibre-licious works of art, buttons, jewlery, toys, clothing, housewares, anything at all,to sell at our holiday sale in December. It's strictly consignment. We're in the process of ironing out the details. However, in the past a percentage of our sales have gone to support a local charity so we may do that again. If you're interested drop by the shop before the end of November for the details.

 

 

Join Margaret Ferraro at Wabi-Sab

Ferraro Art Workshops presents: 

Childrens' Art workshops with artist/instructor Margaret Ferraro.

Do you have a child who is keen to draw? Building a strong foundation of skills in a nurturing environment will give your child the skills to enjoy drawing anything and everything. Every class begins with warm-ups, then several exercises, each appealing to different areas of development such as: Visual analysis and construction, proportion, and composition, to name just a few. We manage to make this a fun and freeing experience, which allows children the freedom to express themselves fully and creatively. Class size is limited to 8-10 students. 

Class is from 10 am-3 pm., with one supervised hour for lunch. We'll have different projects every day.

Saturday December 18th

Draw Santa and other Christmas related material in the morning. Paint a Christmas scene in the afternoon.  

Sunday December 19th

Draw a reindeer and other related material in the morning. Papier mache sculptured ornaments in the afternoon. 

Wednesday December 22nd

Draw the Grinch and other related material in the morning. Paint a christmas scene in the afternoon.  

Thursday December 23rd

Draw Frosty or an elf and other related material in the morning. Papier mache sculpture ornaments in the afternoon.  

Margaret has been teaching specialized childrens' art classes for over ten years in her home/studio just west of Ottawa. 

For further information please contact Margaret Ferraro:

613 839-5241

margferraro@xplornet.ca