Ends & Picks » Random

Silk Fusion

Melissa — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 02:24:06 +0000

Back in April I took yet another class at the Textile Center, this time taught by Susan Stein on silk fusion (also known as silk paper, but silk fusion sounds cooler, doesn’t it?)

Silk fusion is created from silk roving and a textile medium and is limitless in possibilities. I enjoyed layering in ribbons, metallic threads and Angelina fibers for some extra sparkle!

My last bit of silk fusion was an experiment to see if I could intentionally create open spaces.

While I find the colors rather garish, the technique itself is rather interesting and definitely deserves some more tinkering with for future projects. Maybe a sun catcher or lamp shade to show more layering?

Happy May Day!

Melissa — Sun, 02 May 2010 01:18:15 +0000

Phew, it’s been awhile! I have been busy busy busy lately and there has been so much crafty goodness going on around here lately that I’m not even sure where to start. So….how about with something totally NOT crafty? Here’s a pic of the BEAUTIFUL tree in our front yard that decided to blossom this weekend, just in time for May Day. Gorgeous!

Coalescence

Melissa — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 05:12:30 +0000

As I’ve mentioned before, my Nana was a quite a crafty lady. And like most crafty people, she had a lot of crafty stuff. This pile was all we could fit in our car for the trip back from the holidays, but really is only the tip of the iceberg. (Cute kitty included for scale.)

Slowly, bit by bit, I’ve been unpacking quilts…

spools of thread…

buttons…

knitting needles…

…and so many happy memories!

2009

Melissa — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 05:17:01 +0000

What. A. Year.

The Canadian and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary.

I finally let go of my maiden name.

Spinning was added to my ever growing list of fiber-related hobbies.

My 20s left me and I turned 30. (I’m still coming to terms with that.)

I had blue hair for 2 months.

The Canadian made his first trip out of North America.

I held a snake for the first time.

Project 365 failed miserably.

The Madre and I had an awesome time at Sock Summit.

I crossed the Canadian-American border six times.

I taught myself how to crochet.

I attended a funeral for the first time.

I stood on the Great Wall of China.

All in all, three wet felting projects, one crochet basket, 4 pieces of jewelry and seventeen knitting projects were started and finished, including my first ever sweater.

2009 was a year full of happiness and sadness, beginnings and endings, firsts and lasts.

Here’s hoping for extra health and happiness in 2010!

White Christmas Wishes

Melissa — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 05:40:18 +0000

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Happy 4th!

Melissa — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 18:58:57 +0000

Happy Canada Day!

Melissa — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:18:36 +0000

Oh How Time Flies…

Melissa — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 03:40:44 +0000

Where have the last two months gone??? Well, here’s a quick peak at some of my favorite bits…

More to follow soon!

Now introducing…

Melissa — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 03:46:32 +0000

Two weeks ago, my friend Angie and I stumbled upon a website belonging to a fantastic French stuffed animal designer Gwenaël Malcorpi. Good thing Angie speaks French because we instantly fell in love and couldn’t find anywhere in the States (or that spoke English) that carried her line of stuffed animals. On Friday, finally our friends arrived!

Meet Angie’s new best friend Elvis, who is, as the website says, the King Cat of the Rooftops.

He’s quite the cool cat (despite the flowered underwear).

And now to introduce my new wolfish friend, Monsieur Loup!

He also can be a bit of an exhibitionist, but we’re working on that.

Although Gwenaël says that he’s the leader of a group of bad hooligans, Celeste has helped us keep him inline so far.

I love our new furry French friends!

The Buzz…

Melissa — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:39:02 +0000

My Buzz Bag from the Twist Collective finally arrived!

Of course I couldn’t resist having a little fun with fabric markers to add a little color. Love it!!