Look see

Some eyes on my nails, and some more on the print table at Harvest. Always looking.

Indigo

Iso and I had the morning at Harvest, doing some testing for an upcoming collaborative project with the ladies.

We did some opportunistic indigo dyeing, the project has nothing to do with indigo, but they'd had a workshop over the weekend so the vats were there for the dipping.

I have been intending to do some at home, but haven't yet had the time or inclination, so was good to get my hand in. I love that coppery sheen and witches brew of the natural indigo. I haven't done it since the plant craft cottage workshop at craft  years ago.

Maybe when I finish up at work I'll have time for all of these things – if the little one doesn't come early? I dreamt it did. Anyway, good day at Harvest. Thanks ladies! More on the actual projects soon.

In the pines.

From last weekend's trip to the pines. We were hunting Saffron Milkycaps and Slippery Jacks, but got distracted by the millions of other mushrooms to be found on the forest floor. It's a nice time in the pines, cool fragrant and fresh.

Adam's frying up the saffron goodness in the back of Major Laser.
Macedon is in the throws of Autumn prettiness too.

Workshop pictures

Some snaps from during the workshop last week. Lots of pretty bits and pieces, and lots of explosions. Note Lenny's clever use of a roll of harvest raindrop fabric above. My fingernails matched his coloured lightning, and Mia's nails too.




A test run of Vita's gorgeous train ride. Everybody was helpful, working in teams and taking an interest in each others productions.





Bits and pieces on my desk. Including a present! It's now home on the fridge. Thanks Lucia!
We made a huge mess, but a good mess. Thanks to everybody who was involved.





In case you didn't know it all ends with a BOOM!

Woodcutter

So, a little more from Harvest Workroom. I've cut a few wood stencils, predictable I know. I have printed some more wood and some seeds. I've also done a little animating, at least a few seconds worth. Bah!






I have also fallen for both the ink spatter in the sink and the smeary clean up rags. Hopeless I know, but there is so much good colour around.

Harvest

Autumn is a perfect time to be at Harvest. (Speaking of harvest, I am currently planning our Autumn chutney club meeting, quinces and figs are weighing down trees all across town). Riding my bike on a perfect crisp sunny autumn day is one of my favourite things. There are days though, like Wednesday where I arrived at work utterly drenched, and relieved Pen was there with a towel and a Harvest Smock for me to wear while my sad clothes were chucked in the dryer.

It's been a really big week, as much time at the studio as possible, a real estate inspection, a spider bite, decomposing flesh, visits to the doctors, visits to the foundry, drenching rain and perfect sunshine, and more kilometres on my bike than ever. I will be doing a few posts over on the harvest textiles blog, if you'd like to see how it's going.

We've had two home grown cucumbers this week. So delicious! And look, Wizard cat is back!

Residency – Day One

I unpacked some things and got started at Harvest today, and had a great day. Lovely people to have lunch with, a corner to work in and time to focus, away from all my usual distractions. New things to look at. I am pretty excited and already wishing I had more time.





Today was just cutting out and playing with a few bits and pieces. Hopefully tomorrow I might do some printing and or animation. In the meantime, I tried my camoflage against the wood wall. It's a pretty good match, if I hid my pink face. Dry crisp autumn air equals pink cheeks all the time.

Design Depot

Here's some news. I will be giving an animation workshop as part of DESIGN DEPOT – for children aged 9-16 at Harvest Textiles during the school holidays. DESIGN DEPOT includes Emily Green, Handmade Romance, Dell Stewart and Harvest Textiles.

Participants will work side by side with the artists and gain the full benefit of 4 intensive days spent in the creative space at Harvest Workroom. My day – Scrap Paper Animation – will introduce students to the slow, joyous art of old school animation using collage, cutouts and printed paper elements in a traditional, multi-layered glass set-up. I will have piles of printed and textured paper to work with, which seems like school holiday heaven to me, not to mention time with all of these other amazing makers, I'm kinda jealous of the kids. Bookings at Harvest. Be quick as there are limited spaces!

Harvest

We have been enjoying the fruits of the backyard. The potaters are delicious, and just fresh out of the ground. Tomato's have been busy for a month or so now, but I am still waiting on some bigger ones. I ended up planting about 5 varieties. With shallots, beans, mint and sorrel it became a warm potato salad. There is also a couple of types of chili, I am willing my rhubarb to get BIG, there is also silverbeet and lotsa leeks which have made a few amazing quiches. Delicious.

I put in some beetroot and cucumber last week, and some pumpkins too. Now what to plant after potatoes? More leeks? Garlic? Mustard? Corn?

Christmas Cricket

We had the day with Adam's family yesterday, down the peninsula at his uncle's place. It was lovely, and before driving home we picked some lovely red plums that the Rainbow Lorikeets were rowdily decimating.

This morning I finished off making a batch of plum jam with raspberry and vanilla. It's a good colour, and I'm waiting to see that it sets, fingers crossed. I have also just consulted the radar and got the all clear on the weather for today's Chutney Club Christmas Cricket. We are collecting preserves for the hamper, so be warned, we'll be trying to sell you tickets soon.

Knotty

Today I had a meeting with Em and Jess at Harvest, we sat in the sun and drank peach tea. Ziggy made lemonade and was utterly adorable, with his crown of knotty blonde hair standing on end and a very cheeky grin.

Before leaving I snuck into Popcraft for a last look at those rainbow yarns. Pauline was demonstrating knitting up some cotton jersey when Lu came in for a crochet lesson. I got an impromptu lesson as well. So pleased, as I have tried to learn crochet a few times but always got a bit stuck, maybe knitting is too ingrained? I start to knit up knots with the hook, in a confusing manner. Luckily, Pauline was very patient, and now I have my first ever granny square. In giant jersey yarn. Op-arty party.




Tomorrow is the last day of Popcraft, so go have a look if you can, before it's closed for the year. This Open/Closed sign was made by the amazing Isobel Knowles, and I love it. I also love the rainbow LOVE pompoms from a mysterious yarn fan.

I have added the crochet to the pile of started projects within reach of, or on the couch. Here are a few of them. I'm knitting fluro orange rope – slightly painful and unsuited to knitting in company – it takes up the whole couch.





And in the opposite direction, some incredibly soft bubbly handspun wool and silk from Pene. This is a delight to knit with, but still I am not sure what to knit. I'll show you when these things are finished, if they ever are.



While we are on the couch, I should show you this guy, terribly back lit, but you get the idea. A shaggy Echidna woven by John from Looming. I have a pair of them to pin to my jacket when the occasion permits. I'm looking forward to that occasion.

Feijoa and ginger jelly

MMMM... the sweet smell of feijoa's cooking. I got a tip off from Pen about a website which lists fruit trees in public spaces. I have since ridden down the road to pick a bag of feijoas from a tree absolutely loaded with fruit, ripe and falling to the ground. I'm always on the lookout for fruit trees, but it helps if you need something and know it is in season, to know where to look.



It prompted me to challenge chutney club to pick their own fruit for the next meeting. I love the idea of community gardens and the growth of the inner city food supply, making greener cities, and more food at hand for those in need and for the fresh food opportunists amongst us. Quinces and Pomegranites are next on my list.