April Art Party

This month's Art Party for the Etsian Artists has been completed. Each month we are given a random word to interpret in any creative way. The random word for April was 'timelessness'.

I found this quite a challenge but my mind drifted towards the maths of crochet. The construction of circles and squares, the squaring of circles, spirals, linear patterns and repeats are all based on basic equations. The Archimedean spiral and the logarithmic spiral can all be found in nature both can be created in crochet. The technique of hyperbolic crochet was first discovered in 1997 by Cornell University mathematician Dr. Daina Taimina.

I admit I'm not a mathematician and most of the formula and equations I don't understand. Given yarn and a hook I can demonstrate an understanding of geometry.

Spirals can be made by a simple increases and it's quite fun to see them curl around themselves. Both the mustard brooch  and the pink brooch have been listed on Etsy.

My work in progress looks at concentric circles. Working with organic cotton I've knitted a shawl collared jacket with a matching beanie. I like the simple plain, purl pattern that gives a chunky feel to the cotton. The photos aren't the best. The drought has continued to break all record and it's the wettest April in a century. Today there are over 33 flood warnings and 158 flood alerts. The shortage of natural light doesn't show the shade at its best.

As an added bonus the shaping of the crown of the beanie produced a really interest pattern. I'm sure there's a formula to explain it but all I need to know is it can be achieved by diminishing decreasing on alternative rows!

Pantone colours

Starfish PANTONE 16-1120

This is the last look at the colours in Pantone's spring/summer 2012 collection. From previous seasons we've come to the conclusion that Pantone doesn't gush about its neutrals. True to form Pantone says,

Starfish, a perfect warm summer neutral, complements all colors featured in this season’s top 10.

It can be used to tone down some of the more vibrant colours in this season's collection. I think it looks great on its own accessorized with the Cabaret and Cockatoo. For a more sophisticated look try it with Sodalite Blue.

I've taken the final colour to add some of my favourite shops on Etsy. They might not all fit the Starfish swatch but then bleh! It's my last post about this season's collection.

Enjoy!

Pantone Colours

Margarita PANTONE 14-0116

Margarita is this season's green. Pantone describes it as,
a piquant yellow-green, lifts spirits with its refreshing and stimulating glow. Reminiscent of a blossoming
garden on an early spring morning.

April has been true to its reputation and deluged us with showers. Everything in the garden is sprouting. With so many shades of green it's got to be the hardest colour to match. Today I've gone through the shade chart and ended with the darkest sage green I could find. Enjoy the greens at Etsy.


Have a great weekend!

Art Party

You might remember that way back in March I told you about the Etsian Artists Art Party. My little sulk about the new style blogger is over but I'd completely forgotten to give you an update.

On the theme of bazaar, my inspiration came from a Moroccan rug and the spice stalls of the souks. The wool I used came from Deramores. Thanks to the super duper, fast delivery I was able to try out the Manta Hueco Zig Zag pattern the following day. I was really pleased with the colours and the acrylic and wool blend was a joy to work with. Pretty soon I went from this to the finished cushion cover.

The pattern worked out well and it was quite straightforward to even up the back. I added lovely, juicy, peach vintage buttons from my stash and there we have it! Finished, photographed and listed on Etsy

I've still got lots of wool left over so that rug might happen yet!

Pantone Colours

Driftwood PANTONE 18-1210

I make no apologies. I like sludge. You'll find me veering towards neutrals before I'll venture into vibrants. This week's colour is one that I'd wear, paint with, crochet with and it will always be a favourite. It's not brown, it's driftwood.

Pantone's description sums up why I like it,

'Natural, versatile neutrals add practicality to this season’s brights. Driftwood, an adaptable blend of beige and gray with a slightly weathered feel.'


The slightly weathered feel, that's what I like. It's not pristine or in your face. It's been around the block a bit. The colour of peeling bark and flotsam, the never knowing what it once was. Adaptability? Yes! I can't think of a colour that it doesn't look good with.

Driftwood is the colour of tweed jackets and brogues, old leather chairs and cigar smoke. Find out much more in this treasury of my Etsy favourites.

Easter goodies

Summer has come early again this year. We've gone straight from grey winter skies to blazing temperatures in a week. Everything in the garden had suddenly popped. Tulips unfolding in front of your eyes. The lawn is covered in selfseeded primroses and I've been dosing up on vitamin D and crocheting in the garden.

Pastels are the colour of spring and there's little surprise that candy colours are replacing the racks of drab winter clothes. It's a great excuse for me to get out my pretty pastel organic cotton and mix it up.

Ta da! I bring you a lovely, squashy, springy cushion that you can find in my Etsy shop.

Joy of joys, the first picture appeared in Flickr Explore  so I've had lots of lovely views and comments.

If you really want to do the whole decorating for Easter thing there's also a matching garland too.

Off to finish a pretty, candy pink and cream blanket and to soak up the rays before the summer months return with more rain.

Pantone Colours

Sweet Lilac PANTONE 14-2808

The weather has been glorious. I've been busy planting up new lavender and trimming those already sprouting this year's growth. For another year we've gone from winter straight to summer. Perfect weather for this week's choice.

I can't compose a better description so I'll give you Pantone's

'Reminiscent of a blossoming garden on an early spring morning, fragrant Sweet Lilac evokes the fresh scents of summer. This delicate pinkish lilac adds a touch of romance to any wardrobe.'

Not since teal have I had so many problems finding the right choices. Sweet lilac is not the traditional pale lavender but a richer, pinker version of the shade. This can only be a good thing and might help to change the perceptions of it as being an old fashioned colour.

It used to be associated with mourning. Black was the colour worn by recent mourners but after a respectable period of time it could be replaced by lilac for widows. Although this stopped in Victorian times I remember old ladies wearing lilac as 'widows weeds.'

So on the day we mess around with clocks  - spring forward- I bring you the new improved Sweet Lilac .....




Please forgive me if my posts have been short and few and far between. My laptop has been suffering from a high temperature and sudden fainting spells. But all's well now because the lovely postman has brought me a super duper, new external hard drive. Even if one of the fainting spells is fatal all my files are backed up.

Have a great weekend!