Nice and Accurate Prophecies...

Craftster recently had a Good Omens themed swap. This is a book by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, about the birth of the son of Satan and the end of the world. Despite the rather gloomy topic, the book is very funny. For my craftster swap partner I made a journal of Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch (that title will make sense if you have read Good Omens - I promise). Using coptic binding techniques that I learnt back here.
And from my swap partner, I received a crochet demon Crowley, complete with sunglasses!
Crowley is fallen angel (who sauntered vaguely downwards), he lives on earth, listens to Queen, and claims responsibility for the M25. You can see all of the Good Omens crafted goodies here.

Gingerbread men in the post...

I was woken up this morning by the sound of a package falling onto the doormat. That noise is enough for me to scurry quickly out of bed, far quicker than I ever would if it was a workday! Delivered this morning was my prize from the asking for trouble blog giveaway. Kawaii notebooks, badges, gingerbread men & an uber cute bread slice charm. Thank you!
Back to my crafting, my opt art blanket is finished and in the post, will share photos soon. In the meantime I have cast on some Wise Hilda socks for me, using some beautiful variegated drops yarn that I won from a playful day podcast giveaway.
The pattern is suitably simple, so that I can knit away whilst daydreaming or watching tv. And, I'd forgotten just how much I like using a variegated yarn, I find myself calling out the colours as I knit along "oooh, purple", "oooh, green!" :)

Almost there...

Over 92,000 stitches down, less that 7,000 to go. So close.
My blanket may be a big project to me, but not quite as big as a crochet coral reef.

A very interesting TED talk from Margaret Wertheim, combining crochet with maths.

Merry Christmas!

Card stock, felt, buttons, and sponged snowmen. Wishing you all a very happy festive season!

Feeling Festive...

The tree is up.
Complete with silver crochet stars, fabric acorns and felt guinea pigs! My knitting of late has been some cute booties and hat, using these ever reliable patterns. To top them off I used some super cute teddy bear buttons.
Currently on the needles is another Op Art baby blanket. In hindsight I had forgotten just how many stitches goes in to one of these (99,012), and decided it would be perfect from my friend expecting in the middle of January. Currently I am only just over 21,000 stitches, on the plus side, knitting a blanket is a great way to keep warm in the winter!

Perfect weaving weather...

It has been a wild week here on the weather front. We have had clear skies, snow, hail, ice and today - Hurricaine Bawbag!
Perfect conditions for staying inside weaving. I finally finished my guinea pig tapestry. He is quite a cutie!

Lost in Lace

Around the corner from the hustle and bustle of the Christmas Market, there is a wonderful exhibition being held at Birmingham Museum, Lost in Lace. The fountain of all knowledge (Wikipedia) describes lace as being "an openwork fabric, patterned with open holes in the work, made by machine or by hand". This definition encapsulates more than just doilies. The work was varied and outstanding.
One of my particular favourites was the mesmerising Forty Eight by Nils Völker.

Forty Eight from Nils Völker on Vimeo.

I was struck by the haunting After the Dream by Chiharu Shiota. Layers of random black wool trap white dresses. Claustrophobic and gripping.
The Crafts Council created this video to show how the work was created.

Chiharu Shiota installation at Lost in Lace, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery from Crafts Council on Vimeo.

The exhibition is free to visit and on to the 19th of February. I would certainly recommend it.