London-Wul Fibre Arts

2012-01-29T10:23:00.003-05:00

SPIN SPIN SPUN

..... teaching spinning this afternoon, one of my favorite things to do!

Sunday, Jan 29 2012

2012-01-26T10:05:00.002-05:00

BUBBLES AND LUMPS

"Heidi's by Hand" bubbles and Lumps ................

Thursday, Jan 26 2012

2012-01-25T13:26:00.000-05:00

TAKE THE 24 CHALLENGE

............. at RUG HOOKING DAILY

Tribute to Tiffany by Heidi Wulfraat

Wednesday, Jan 25 2012

2012-01-22T13:47:00.003-05:00

STITCHED STARLING POCKET

... my most recent bit of stitch.

Sunday, Jan 22, 2012

2012-01-15T14:20:00.002-05:00

SKETCHING AND STITCHING AND SKETCHING WITH STITCH

Sunday, Jan 15 2012

2012-01-12T11:56:00.003-05:00

WINTER WORKSHOPS

Jan 22 - Weaving on a Simple Loom

Jan 29 - Learn to Spin

Feb 4 - Beginners Felting

Feb 5th and 12th - Learn to Knit Socks

Feb 18 - Sculptural Felting

Feb 25 - Weaving on a Simple Loom

Mar 4th - Felted Figures with Wire Armature

Mar 18 - Painterly Felting

May 12 - Mother's Day Felting Retreat

CLicK HerE for DetaiLs

Thursday, Jan 12 2012

LEARNING NEW THINGS

2012-01-11T13:18:00.002-05:00

I just love to learn something new. I could easily have been a career student if it were not for reality.

On the up side, when I do get the chance, I am now able to learn whatever I choose.

This week I made my first quilt block. Why I started out with two eight pointed stars is another question altogether. I am doing a course with these amazing people.

Now if you are one of those folks who did not sit in front of a sewing machine at the age of seven and whip up your entire first grade wardrobe, I am here to say that you are not alone!

Trying something New? Here are three things that I found helpful;

1... make it interesting, in this case I referred back to my lovely Starling, yet again

2... try and try again, though I may not have achieved expertise in piecing I am an expert seam ripper.

3... perfect might just be for some other day. That's OK.

WHAT DOES WOOL MEAN TO YOU?

2012-01-03T09:44:00.002-05:00

A while back I was engaged to speak at a Creativity Symposium.
Here is what I had to say about what working with wool means to me as a medium and a lifestyle.

" I choose to work with fibre because it gives me strength.
I like the way that it slips through my fingers as I spin at the wheel and the way that it so often twists, curves and springs introducing its own character and guiding me through my work. I like the way a freshly shorn fleece smells as the steam rolls off of its first wash bath. Most of all I like the fact that real fibre, natural fibre, has a story.
In my mind I see each fibre bringing it’s own story to my work, permeating and supporting a handspun skein of yarn, a hooked rug or a felted hanging.

Indeed the history of working with fibre is paramount. We know that the cultivation of flax and hemp was reported as early as 1699 within Acadian communities and that later in the 1700’s Scottish settlers arriving in Cape Breton brought with them a strong tradition of sheep husbandry, spinning and weaving.

A woman’s spinning and weaving skills were critical in early Maritime settlement. In 1810 John Harrison of Maccan Nova Scotia writes home to Yorkshire expressing the need for “a shipload of young women….them that can card and spin”.

By the 19th century, for many maritime women, working with fibre was their story of survival. This was the case for Polly Mercereau who supplied the honorable Robinson Family of Fredericton with handspun yarn and hand woven fabric during the early 1800’s also the story of Sybil Grey whom, during the 1840’s spent long days dyeing wool, weaving and spinning for her neighbor Mrs. Emily Shaw Beaven and for Mrs. Marsden who spun wool for all of the Carter family of the Kingston Peninsula also in New Brunswick.
For many the story of fibre is that of community, communication, gathering and tradition. Early 19th century photographs document Cape Breton frolics, Acadian Bees, and women in Cheticamp dyeing yarns for their hooked rugs.
I must say that I am as pleased that so much has changed as I am that so much has remained the same.

The stories of fibre are intriguing. They involve connections between individuals, between man and animal, between man and land, between a farmer and his family, his father and his son.
Stories like that of Walter Whalen and his son Felix of St. Jacques Newfoundland who are working, to preserve one of the last remaining, flocks of the hardy little Newfoundland Sheep brought to forage the rugged Newfoundland terrain over 500 years ago and nearly extinct today.
And on the west coast the story of Paula Simmons who over the past 30 years has provided invaluable instruction for hand spinners and fibre producers. Author of the cottage industry producer’s bible “Guide to raising sheep” as well as numerous publications on hand spinning technique, Paula is also central in a thriving business that produces the renowned Patrick Green fibre processing equipment.
In all of this, if you call Paula today with a question, a request or an order, she’ll be sure to ask if you’ve put your garden to bed for the season or how the summer’s crop of hay came along this year. Because of Paula’s story I enjoy working with her equipment that much more and when I spin from the spongy batts that roll off of my pat green carder I hope that even a little bit of Paula’s energy and dedication will pass through the twisted thread.

Everyone knows the story of Shrek. He’s the rouge merino sheep who spent six years roaming New Zealand’s South Island before being gathered up for a long overdue shearing.
Shrek’s fleece was a record 60 pounds which apparently is enough to produce full suits for 20 men. The sheep’s owner John Perriam in a BBC radio interview explained that Shrek had managed to evade capture for so many years by hiding in a cave and that when he was discovered he was not immediately recognized as a sheep. The story of Shreks admirable resign won the hearts of people all over the world and his eventual denuding was televised during a live half hour news program on TV New Zealand. Wool crafters and trivia aficionados raised thousands of dollars in the auction of Shrek’s fleece, all to the benefit of a children’s medical charity, each bidder wanting a small piece of the fleece that tells Shrek’s story.

When you choose to work with fibre, you bring its stories and relationships to your work. They lend life to your work, they lend a depth and care and a foundation, bringing strength to your work before you have even begun. After all, natural fibres are grown , cultivated, raised fed nurtured and in some cases loved as a being long before they are used as a provision or as a statement or in a work of art.

And so I have a little story to tell. It has to do with one of my own relations to fibre and it starts out as my husband Arnold and I sat down to supper on a very cold March night.

At 6 pm we got “the Call” from my good friend Bonnie Avis. Could we “please come out over to Dorchester. Jennifers’ away, she’s got a ewe who’s two hours into delivering, vet’s tied up, Martins’ in charge and things are looking shaky”. Twenty minutes later my husband Arnold and I were driving up the long icy lane to Devonshire farm then pressing our way through the early March wind into an open ended sheep barn where the birthing scene was presented before us.
Bonnie, sweet natured and very petite, belied her 74 years, and stood bent over the blatting ewe holding the animal in a firm head lock.
She, the ewe not Bonnie, stood straddled over a bale of hay. Well presented for the anticipated arrival but clearly distressed. Martin, Jennifers ‘husband in charge’ was relieved to see us and fretfully nursed his stress with a very cold beer.

Arnold, never having been in such a situation, if you can imagine, zipped up his jacket against the cold and made himself available standing among the flock of 20 or so wooly onlookers now gathered around the scene.

My own jacket lay heaped on the ground, the top portion of my coveralls tied around my waste and now down to a tee-shirt I slathered my arms with betadine solution. With as much tact as can be afforded in such a situation I plunged my right arm into the ewe feeling the back of a small head, one pointed hoof and one knobby knee.
What I’m hoping to feel, the ideal outline would have been two hooves pointing the way with a little head tucked in behind ready to follow.

To rectify the problem I push the lamb back in an effort to gain some space to maneuver, straighten the leg that is bent back, reach in around it’s head and palming it’s muzzle pull it’s head around to face the new world.

Now 3 1/2 hours into delivery, Bonnie needs not use her full force to hold the ewe that is utterly exhausted and quite critical. Arnold nervously wrings his hands; he stands among the semi-circle of sheep still looking on, many with equally concerned expressions. Martin continues to empty one cold bottle after another; nervously anticipating the wrath of his trusting wife should all go wrong He sits on a hay bale now, head in hands and extolling the virtues of getting out of farming one of these years.

The lamb, now aligned, needs pulling and with all my force I am not able to free him.
Arnold steps in, first gingerly and then with all his might, he is launched back a step as the newborn finally slips free. Like mother, the baby is exhausted and shows no vigor for life. His mouth and nostrils must be freed of mucus after which Arnold must hold him high and swing him, the lambs limp head facing the ground so that his throat might also be cleared. After what seems forever, he sputters for breath and is presented to his mother who still stands supported over a bale of hay. Suddenly, in the excitement of this achievement it dawned on me that a person should check to see if there might be any other lambs involved in this pregnancy.

Once again lathered up and in for exploration I rapidly discovered a very small twin, perfectly placed and easily pulled. We were quickly presented with a second, considerably smaller lamb, apparently quite prepared to start out his new life and no worse for the delay.

Late into the evening we sat gathered around the farmhouse woodstove. Bonnie, Arnold and I propping up the lambs, warming them and offering them their mothers first, most essential, milk delivered from a bottle. Martin busily stoked the fire and showered us with offerings of a warm meal, a warm drink, a cold drink, a drink of wine or whatever else our hearts may have desired.

Pleased with the lambs, with ourselves and pleased to be warm we shared of Martin’s wine. Newly invigorated he toasted our teamwork, the longevity of Devonshire Farm, farm life in general and the return of his good wife.

As the babies gained strength our heads became heavy. Gathering ourselves we headed for home down the long, dark, farm lane the farm house behind us shows a flicker of fire light in the window and a silhouette of Martin in the open doorway holding up two huge frozen turkeys, yet another offering of thanks; maybe next time.

Jennifer returned from her trip away to a farm that was no worse for the wear. We were met with yet more invitations of farm house suppers, wine, turkeys and such and that Fall London-Wul became home to two beautiful yearling lambs, not the boys as it turned out, but two gloriously fleeced ewes that Jennifer had specially selected just for us.

Had she been home that evening she would, no doubt, have managed the situation with impressive efficiency. A well respected Sheppard, over the years, Jennifer became my go-to person for practical advice on raising a fibre flock. She was also a masterful spinner and knitter and a visual artist. The land, her family and her animals were her inspiration. She was as no-nonsense and to the point as she was warm and accessible. Jen was an easy and comfortable friend. On January 10th last year Jennifer died of breast cancer. Driving past her farm now it seems strangely odd to me that it should still be there. It feels as though the without Jennifer there should be no more rolling hills, rambling fences and grey shingled barns when in fact the fields and fences and even a few sheep are still there just as Jennifer would want it.

The Devonshire sheep, Baahby and Pinky as they are now known, represent the beginnings of our London-Wul flock. Now several years later, Baahby remains the matriarch of our eclectic group and the foundation of a farm which fills my every dream.
What pleasures London-Wul Farm has afforded me; happiness in a simple way of life, the pleasure of physical work, the comfort of community and, as an artist, the experience of using a material with which I am intimately connection. Each spring I look forward to shearing and each year I select a special fleece, Baahbys’ fleece, to keep as my own. Bahhbys’ is wool that gives me strength. Baahbys’ wool tells a love story about a little girl from the city of Montreal, who dreamed of nothing but a farm, who years later received a gift from the man who she knew right then and there she would marry. It was a gift of two beautiful barn doors (not the barn, just the doors), a promise of things to come. Baahbys’ wool is full of love and appreciation and respect for the beautiful animals that are the muses of London-Wul farm. Baahbys’ wool is about friendship and community, life and loss.

With that said, I would like to offer you a small gift. It’s a simple gift really; a small bit of wool in a small box. The type offering that friends in fibre so often extend to one another, at a hook-in, in a knitting circle or at a workshop perhaps, just a small bit of wool. In fact it’s a tuft of Baahbys’ fleece. You’d love Baabhy if you met her. Everyone does. She is short legged and slightly plump, for that alone you have to love her. Her winter fleece frames her bare face with a slightly tilted grin like an Elizabethan collar. She loves to be scratched on the fatty fold in the crook between her front leg and her chest. And if you scratch under both legs at once she will lay down.

I hope that someday perhaps you will incorporate your tuft of Baahby’s wool in your work. I hope that it gives you strength and that it sparks your imagination now and always."
Heidi Wulfraat, London-Wul Fibre Arts

WORKSHOPS

2011-12-30T20:43:00.002-05:00

NEW WORKSHOPS listed HERE
Sculptural Felting, "Painting" with Wool, Spinning, Weaving, Mother Daughter Retreats and more...

SEASON'S GREETINGS

2011-12-23T11:18:00.001-05:00

LISTEN TO THIS...

2011-12-20T15:57:00.001-05:00

Could it be? Yes.
A podcast that focuses on yarn, knitting AND, be still my heart, ..... reading!
Comprised of Mom and Daughter team Barb and Tracie, 2KnitLitChicks provides a happy combination of knit chat, book reviews as well as some of the basic thumbs up, thumbs down moments that life has to offer. Good conversation with a warm, relaxing, "gabbing with the girls" kinda' flavor.
It's thumbs up, for the 2KnitLitChicks podcast. Have a listen.

THE VIDEO VISIT

2011-12-17T15:19:00.000-05:00

LEARN TO FELT

2011-12-15T16:14:00.002-05:00

Learn to Felt with Darcy Harvey on February 4th.

WINTER DOODLE

2011-12-10T14:03:00.005-05:00

My sketch book is getting wintry.

WHY NOT LEARN TO WEAVE ?

2011-12-09T11:50:00.004-05:00

Confession; we offer this class because I am enamored with the rigid Heddle Loom:)
Simply put it's a brilliant, elegant and extremely useful little machine !
You will leave the class with a woven scarf and you will have a fun and creative day, guaranteed:)

Learn to weave on a simple Loom: Class runs Sunday January 22

click here for details.

WEEKENDER SCARF PATTERN

2011-12-06T12:25:00.004-05:00

My Weekender scarf pattern has been posted on our FREE PATTERN page .
This one was knit using "Heidi's by Hand" Alpaca / Merino / Cashmere blend :)
Happy knitting everyone and thanks for reading!

SAMPLING WITH STAMP AND STITCH

2011-12-02T10:43:00.005-05:00

FIBRE IN MY HANDS

2011-11-30T13:25:00.005-05:00

I've been carding again. I didn't exactly plan to spend the day carding. I can be easily side-tracked by fibre and there it was and now here am I with new batts to show. Sometimes it's nice to have no plan.
In the end, if I have made something, the day went just right. There's fibre in my hands and I'm happy.

FISH AND POTATOES

2011-11-29T15:23:00.007-05:00

The beast celebrates another birthday.
Fish and potatoes all around!

ON THE NEEDLES

2011-11-25T14:47:00.003-05:00

Fox and Geese Mittens. Traditional to coastal Maine, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Knit in Briggs and Little Heritage yarn. Perfect for winter chores. I am in need of these!

Find this pattern here:

SIMPLE CARDS TO MAKE AND GIVE

2011-11-21T09:01:00.005-05:00

Needle felted surface, Lazy Daisy stitch (or some such thing) French Knots and glass beads. These little pieces can be set into matted card stock for a simple, yet personal give-away!

NEW FACEBOOK PAGE

2011-11-17T20:25:00.007-05:00

Click this curious fellow to find our NEW Facebook page!
Everyone is Welcome. Hope you "Like" us ;)

MORE GOOD THINGS

2011-11-17T09:28:00.004-05:00

ADD GOOD THINGS AND BLEND WITH CARE

2011-11-15T17:09:00.006-05:00

The carders have been turning at London-Wul.
Here is a preview of our new hand-dyed Polwarth / Silk / Mohair batts.

I'M ON A DYE IT

2011-11-07T13:26:00.003-05:00

MORE COLLAGE

2011-11-06T14:03:00.004-05:00

lock (altered photo), starling (altered photo), oil rubbings, mulberry paper, sketched paper, heavy bodied Gesso, gel medium, acrylic paint

DESIGN TOOL :COLLAGE

2011-11-03T09:24:00.005-04:00

About a year ago I started playing with Collage as part of my creative techniques studies with City and Guilds. This is a perfect go-to exercise when you are working out image and design planning for your quilt, rug, felting, tapestry... you get the idea.
But most importantly it's really really fun!
Here is a photo (head) of my little rescued starling.
I've dressed her up. Framed her in an oil rubbing taken from a piece of lace.
The lace was a piece of curtain that once hung in my childhood home.
I've added some script (in mirror image) ... pertaining to my little starling of course.
Finally she has been equipped with a sketched version of one of my husbands carpentry pencils.

Collage can be such a fun way to layer personal bits and pieces of your life. And who knows, while you are playing with it you may just create the perfect design for your next textile project.

THE OLD GIRLS

2011-10-30T11:53:00.003-04:00

My sheep are getting old. They are contented. They are trusting. They've never been
threatened, cold, wet or hungry. They have never been sorted through and selected to be sold or to be marketed. They have never been separated from one another or from their young.
They have come and, for years, they have stayed. A comfortable little group.
Not conventional, I know, but it fits me and I think it fits my girls as well.

FROM ROAD TRIP TO RUG

2011-10-25T12:58:00.004-04:00

This weekend we spent a day out on one of our last Fall road trips.
Here is some of our surrounding scenery. Aren't we lucky?

I have long said that I would create a rug using one of the yarn bundles that we make in the shop ( for the purpose of knitting a lap blanket). ... this year I'm giving it a go!
When I got home I chose a lap blanket kit to hook rather than knit.
The hooking will be free-form with these beautiful Fall images in mind.

MAKING CLOTH

2011-10-20T15:22:00.001-04:00

I need this. Don't you think?

well THAT was FUN !

2011-10-16T09:14:00.005-04:00

A very special Thanks to Richard, Kate and Marc for visiting London-Wul and joining in a celebration of Ashford Wheels and Looms.

Richard Ashford signs Ann's New wheel!

Spinning on the Beeea -utiful Elizabeth 30

Can you say long - draw?

Ahhh Joy.

Kate and Cindy work it - Ashford has a new 12" drum carder!

Kate gets into some Wild carding

Kate demos some amazing ART YARN techniques !

Here's Marc, holding down the fort while Kate whips up a 10 minute warp. Look at her go !!

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

2011-10-10T09:21:00.005-04:00

SPECIAL FALL FESTIVAL HOURS OF OPENING

We're open late on October 11, 12, from 10am-9pm

You won't want to miss a visit with Ashford, New Zealand on October 12

The shop will be closed on October 14th and 15th, meet us at the nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival, Tantramar Theater, Amherst, Nova Scotia on these dates

ADDING COLOUR

2011-10-09T09:22:00.007-04:00

This is a month of colour. It is everywhere and it is undeniable.
October fills my head with colour combinations and fills my days with dye baths.

SPUN BY HAND

2011-10-07T13:35:00.005-04:00

... Spin, Span, Spun, whew, I've been working hard:)
Here's some of my hand spun, crisp and fresh and new....

MORE OF LONDON -WUL

2011-10-04T10:27:00.004-04:00

More space to learn.
More space to create.
More space for fibres, fabrics, papers and paint.

...... London-Wul is growing again!

HATS FOR HAITI

2011-09-27T11:10:00.010-04:00

Contact Project Medishare for Haiti to join in helping the people of Haiti.

A country wool shop is a wonderful thing. I have the good fortune of meeting some of the most amazing people on the planet. I really do.
The following is a message which tells of my meeting with Catherine Wile, her sister, and via telephone, her lovely daughter Jessica. Through this meeting I was made aware of Project Medishare. Check their link. Helping out is easier than you might think.

Hello Heidi,

This summer, my sister and I visited your wool shop and while there I took a call from my daughter. She was in the midst of preparing for a volunteer work week with Project Medishare at the Bernard Mevs Critical Care Hospital in Port o Prince, Haiti and was wanting my sister and me to knit preemie hats for her to take. She thought it rather fortuitous that we were at a wool and so could buy the wool and get started knitting. In all the excitement, my sister explained to you what was going on and before we knew it, you were generously filling a bag with wool and then insisted that it was a gift for Haiti. We were overwhelmed and really didn't know what to make of it all, but over the next week we knit hats and Jessica, my daughter took them with her Haiti where they are now keeping sick preemie babies warm. We will continue to knit up the remaining wool and ensure that they make their way to Haiti at the first opportunity. Attached are pictures of some of the hats.

Thank you so much for your generosity.

Catherine Wile

for

Celeste Pray

& Jessica Wile RN

IN PRINT

2011-09-22T14:28:00.006-04:00

... playing with hand made print blocks, on paper and fabric.

DYE KITCHEN

2011-09-15T14:58:00.006-04:00

I have been cleaning out and re-organizing the dye kitchen ..... Oh if I were only as vigilant in my home kitchen.

STITCH

2011-09-13T09:11:00.002-04:00

...... my paper piecing for Laura Kemshall who continues to encourage me to stitch :)

WOOLY SEASONS

2011-09-04T10:43:00.009-04:00

After Spring shearing followed by a summer of washing, dyeing and drying wool I have started to card beautiful Fall batts courtesy of my lovely little flock. A very satisfying job..... I look forward to a winter of spinning.

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

2011-09-01T10:07:00.006-04:00

Everyone teases me about the number of bags that I own. That's OK. I can justify every one of them in that what I do for a living is "make things". At any given time I am in the midst of making several things. Therefore the bags. These are my file folders. They are my means of staying somewhat organized. Oh, and beautiful bags provide far more creative inspiration than crinkled shopping leftovers (lots of ways to recycle these elsewhere).
Here is my new favorite knitting bag. The mini messenger by Namaste.

You can have one too. Call Kim at Suzie Q's boutique .
She'll set you up with a nice new file folder....

photos courtesy of www.namasteinc.com

HELPER IN THE DYE SHED

2011-08-26T11:06:00.007-04:00

This week I had a helper in my dye shed. I came in one morning to find this lovely creature having a grand snooze on one of my stove tops. After a gentle waking (I wasn't quite sure that she was well, she was sleeping so deeply) my little friend slowly crossed the shed and found a more suitable place to rest. Unfortunately I was not able to get a nice photo of her beautiful face but she really is a darling. I have been watching her grow all summer. She has been in and around my dye garden since April.
We spent the day together and then, in the dark of night, she went on her way. All porcupine issues aside, I thought is was quite a treat.
I once bottle fed an orphaned porcupine. She remained very shy but did enjoy her meals. I wore a raincoat and rubber gloves to hold her though her quills were very tiny at the time. She had the most beautiful blue eyes, as baby porcupines do. .... so I guess I have a bit of a soft spot in this regard.

THE DYEING DAYS OF SUMMER

2011-08-19T12:42:00.005-04:00

.... lots of activity in the dye shed these days. I am happy to say that we are transitioning our dye house so that it is soon to become far more efficient and ultimately more enjoyable to work in. This along with an extension being added to our main building. More on that later.
In the meantime I am enjoying some wonderful weather. Dyeing pounds of the past winter's hand spun, loads of new roving to spin and some mulberry silk for good measure.

IN A DAY'S WORK

2011-08-13T14:25:00.005-04:00

..... lots of spinning and dyeing going on as of late.
These are the heavy weight yarns that I use, most often, in my hooked rugs.

PAPER PIECING

2011-08-06T12:20:00.004-04:00

Piecing paper piecing pieces. Peace out.
.....more C&G work from sketchbook to fabric.

THE COLLECTOR

2011-08-02T15:46:00.003-04:00

I have never really considered myself to be a collector, but really, what fibre enthusiast isn't?
I suppose if one is speaking of tools, like spindles for instance, a collection becomes functional and necessary. The kind of collection you'd be crazy not to have. Wouldn't you say?

................ my fleet of Turkish spindles by Threads Thru Time

...... and this beauty was hand turned by my talented husband Arnold. For the wood oriented, you may be interested to know that the shaft and whorl base of this spindle are formed from one continuous block. Amazing!

PICKING AND CHOOSING

2011-07-26T11:07:00.003-04:00

This week I have been choosing fabrics from my stash that will represent pages that I have worked on in my sketchbook. Some were hand-dyed to work with my sketchbook and others I have collected along the way.
....interesting how we are drawn to a particular palette over and over again. My husband will often comment on a color scheme as we are out adventuring. It might be a fall field, an apple orchard, a bright rain jacket or a wild sofa cushion. He can pick them out and always says "It's you".
And he's right. I keep going back to my colors again and again...

MY LITTLE PETUNIA

2011-07-24T08:34:00.003-04:00

Carrying on with my window box series, here is my latest rug. This was hooked with hand spun yarns for the most part. I spun from a natural roving and then carried on with the dyeing. There is a wee bit of both silk and cotton fabric in this rug as well. I'm having loads of fun with these new designs and have several more in various stages of production.
I've joked about this series before. Because I have issues with my vision these gardens give a glimpse at how I see the world. Still colorful and joyful, just different.

My little Petunia

Geranium Window

HAPPY YEAR 15 TO ME

2011-07-23T10:11:00.009-04:00

Coming up on the 15'th year of London-Wul's existence I decided that it was time to treat myself to a new addition. Very timely of Richard Ashford to create a special Edition production wheel this year!
I am so impressed with this wheel. It is a piece of equipment that I settled into immediately, which is not always the case.
It churns out fine yarns with an economy of effort, silent and graceful. Though I do not have a tendency towards ornate wheels I can't help but appreciate the beautiful balance of line on this substantially sized machine. The Elizabeth Limited Edition supports a massive 30" drive wheel, this being the key to her fantastic capacity to produce quickly and efficiently.
And, what the heck, she's incredibly beautiful as well :)

I'm very happy. Happy to still be in a business that I love after 15 years.

ENTHUSIASM IS EVERYTHING

2011-07-20T12:18:00.004-04:00

On Saturday Anna drove down from Fredericton and picked up her new spinning wheel.
Saturday evening Anna assembled her new wheel. On Sunday morning Anna had a lovely new skein of yarn. Enthusiastic and fearless. I love it....

NEED A NEW KNITTING PROJECT?

2011-07-14T15:13:00.004-04:00

Here is a pattern designed by my friend Bill, from Toronto, who visits the shop each and every summer.

This is "Arsenic and Old Lace". Here's what Bill has to say about the shawl:

"I have turned to one of my favourite movies for inspiration. I’ve looked to the recipe for the poisoned wine the 2 old aunts use to release elderly gentlemen from their lonely lives - “For a gallon of elderberry wine, I take one teaspoon full of arsenic, then add half a teaspoon full of strychnine, and then just a pinch of cyanide”

Is that not brilliant?

You can find this pattern here:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/arsenic-and-old-lace-shawl

Here's Bill's Sea to Sea Shawl:

Bill says, " This circular shawl has motifs inspired by a cross-country trek across Canada. From the center out, patterns reference the Rocky Mountains, the prairie’s grain elevators and wheat, central pine trees, the fleur de lis and quaint east coast churches".

Amazing!
Find this pattern at: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sea-to-sea-shawl

SKETCHING ON FABRIC

2011-07-08T16:43:00.006-04:00

SKETCHBOOKING

2011-07-06T11:57:00.002-04:00

RECHARGE

2011-07-04T09:41:00.005-04:00

Arnold and I spent the afternoon at our new getaway. This is our first summer on the property. We have walked it many times through the fall and winter. Now we are getting to know it in a different light. Best of all are the sounds. Waves, wind, gulls, ravens, sparrows and nothing more.

RELAX

2011-07-03T09:08:00.007-04:00

Angus is our constant reminder of the power of relaxation.
Here he is assuming the position in prep. for family night. Yes that is a very large chair - not an illusion!
Happy Long Weekend everyone! Hope you enjoy some down time ...

NOT A BAD PLACE TO BE

2011-07-02T14:47:00.004-04:00

.... spent the day at the shop, working in the dye pots.
Not a bad place to be.

... MORE PLAY ON FABRIC

2011-06-30T20:16:00.006-04:00

MORE STITCH

2011-06-28T14:43:00.004-04:00

In theory little projects often lead to large designs. Play before work.
Here are some of my recent little projects. Where might they go?.....

FINDING LINES

2011-06-23T13:22:00.004-04:00

...... finding lines: from labradorite stone to fabric

BACK TO SKETCHBOOKING

2011-06-21T18:19:00.002-04:00

............ pencils or petals?

A DIFFERENT KIND OF FAMILY

2011-06-14T15:15:00.003-04:00

Life in the London-Wul barn. Nothing different going on here.....

EIGHT POUNDS OF PURPLE AND PINK

2011-06-09T13:04:00.003-04:00

The sun has arrived in New Brunswick. Fleece is filling the dye pots and hitting the deck!

STUDIO PIGS

2011-06-07T16:13:00.005-04:00

I am surrounded by animals. At home and at work. Without them I feel strange. I have found the company of wayward creatures, wild and domestic, orphaned or otherwise homeless since I was 5 or 6 years old. I have mothered, bottle raised and hand fed everything from porcupines to killdeers. Have you ever raised a baby beaver? Did you know that they will not do their "business" unless they are swimming in a tub of water? Yup, I've been there. Working with fibre was not my first career :)
Here are Poppy and Zinnia. They are company for me while I am working in the studio.
They amuse me and inspire me and demand of me nothing less than extra special attention.

SUMMER SCARVES

2011-06-01T10:39:00.006-04:00

This year I'm teaching a weaving class on "Simple Summer Scarves".
Here are some light and airy samples in cotton, bamboo and silk.
Class bookings run throughout the summer.

HAPPY NEEDLES

2011-05-31T16:38:00.003-04:00

.... Our new needles have been making everyone smile. They are so much fun I admit to have added a few pairs to my own collection as well.
The good news is that we have just received a fresh assortment as well as some fabulous stitch markers to match.

STARLING TOES AND FIREFLYS

2011-05-27T09:20:00.004-04:00

... more on starlings and stitching this week.
This piece was developed from a little painting that I had worked into my sketchbook.
Is it a strange cropping? I have been told that it is. My thought was that little bird feet are so beautiful and intriguing that it would be nice to do a little foot "study".
Or perhaps this is simply a mysterious moonlit starling who chooses to remain anonymous.

MORE ON SPINNING

2011-05-24T11:47:00.004-04:00

... there has been much spinning at London-Wul of late. By the end of this weekend I sent students forth with spindles and fibre, wheels dancing in their heads and freshly spun skeins in hand. I love teaching spinning, probably because I can remember the thrill of learning to spin yarn as though it were yesterday. In solidarity with my new spinners I have been working at the wheel myself, preparing hand spun skeins to meet the dye pot.

SPINDLESPUN

2011-05-19T10:15:00.002-04:00

My new little Turkish spindle has been both a source of amusement and distraction this week.
What a little gem this is. ...very hard to stop playing with it once you get started! A special thanks to Threads Thru Time , a beautiful little shop where you can purchase your very own Turkish spindle. Best of luck in deciding which color to choose! They are all so wonderful.

STITCHING MY STARLING

2011-05-11T16:16:00.004-04:00

.... more work towards my C+G certificate. First a stamped image, followed by a pen and ink rendering. Then two stitched interpretations.

HEAPS OF HANDSPUN

2011-05-05T16:10:00.004-04:00

I have been spring cleaning, rearranging and generally sprucing up the shop this week.
In doing so I realize that I have spun a heck of a lot of yarn by hand. All of my wheels are working very hard and earning their keep. Well, Yay for me - I need another wheel don't you think? Yup, ordered the special edition 30" production wheel by Ashford. Oh happy day!

TWO YEARS

2011-05-03T09:08:00.003-04:00

...... Happy Birthday Dottie. Two years and never a day of trouble.
Happiness is sharing a home with 300 lbs of dog (that would include her brother Angus, of course).

THE PERFECT DAY

2011-04-28T11:16:00.003-04:00

... loaded the whole team; Mom, Dad, Angus and Dot into the van and spent the day on a spring tour of PEI (Arguably one of the most beautiful places on the planet).
Hit the back roads, walked the dogs along the beach, spun Shetland fibre on a spindle all the while. Perfect.

CAST ON

2011-04-24T13:49:00.006-04:00

A friend of mine was in the shop last week and in need of a"pick-me-up" project.
I had no choice but to cast on the same project in moral support. No choice - it's knitters law.
So here are my beginnings of the Irish Diamond shawl by Cheryl Oberle. Try it -you'll like it!

NEW HOURS OF OPERATION

2011-04-20T11:44:00.003-04:00

We're Open More Often ........
new Hours start May 1, 2011:
Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
10AM -5PM
Closed Sunday and Monday (classes in session)

We have had so many requests for classes and workshops that we have changed our schedule to make even more learning opportunities available!

(Please note that, in order to make ourselves available for students, our regular weekend spinning/ knitting circle will not meet this summer)

Watch our listings or sign up for our e-newsletter to find upcoming classes, workshops and "make-it-here" sessions !

(current hours of opening: Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10-5)

STITCH

2011-04-05T12:10:00.006-04:00

... hand stitched on hand dyed fabric, using hand dyed thread.
Who knew I could do it?! .... hope you are all having a creative week.

ADDING COLOR

2011-03-25T10:08:00.004-04:00

Oh my Gosh it's snowing again! ... not just a little bit either. Everything is white again while just a day ago I saw the first little snippet of green poking through.
Time to add some color to my world - I've had enough of white for a while
... here's what I've been up to:

IN MY SKETCHBOOK

2011-03-22T16:15:00.004-04:00

..... today in my sketchbook: more about Starlings.
pen and ink with watercolor

GIVING MY SKETCHBOOK A WORKOUT

2011-03-19T14:47:00.004-04:00

...... of equal value for all fibre artists: exercise the body, the mind, the sketchbook

MORE ON FABRIC

2011-03-18T09:11:00.002-04:00

This was a fun little set of stencils that I cut, printed with oil and later, painted into.

PLAYING ON FABRIC

2011-03-17T16:42:00.003-04:00

I have been cutting out blocks and printing on fabric.
In anticipation of spring here is my vision of a starling's nest in moonlight.............

LET THERE BE SPRING

2011-03-11T16:20:00.002-05:00

.... oh let there be a thaw so that my little people can go out and play. Actually they are perfectly capable of going out to play BUT they do not appreciate getting their hooooves wet.

HANDSPUN MMMMERINO/SILK

2011-03-09T10:12:00.004-05:00

Rarely do I spin or knit something for myself, though I did manage to get quite a bit of this merino/silk blend spun over the past few evenings. I think I will hang on to it. Now - what to knit? Any suggestions?

TWEETY TOES

2011-03-06T13:59:00.002-05:00

...... a theme seems to be developing in my sketchbook.... perhaps for my next piece of felt?

SKETCHBOOK DREAMSCAPE

2011-03-05T09:29:00.003-05:00

Do your dreams fill your sketchbook or does your sketchbook fill your dreams?
Either way I have been thinking about feathered creatures lately (and as always).

FOR TODAY: BLACKBIRDS ON RED

2011-03-04T15:45:00.000-05:00

ESSENTIAL COLOR

2011-02-27T11:39:00.006-05:00

In reference to yesterdays post, you can appreciate how I NEED color!
Here are some more of the cottons that I have been dyeing.

I CAN'T COME OUT TO PLAY TODAY

2011-02-26T09:50:00.004-05:00

Actually I am out to play after a verrry... early start this morning!
Nothing a little shoveling can't take care of right?

COLORS FROM SKETCHBOOK TO FABRIC

2011-02-24T14:08:00.003-05:00

..... dyed cottons inspired by my little sketchbook. How fun!

DYEING COTTONS FOR A CHANGE OF PACE

2011-02-23T14:06:00.002-05:00

COLOR ME FEBRUARY

2011-02-18T12:33:00.003-05:00

London-Wul Lap Blanket kits to knit, to weave or to hook.
Finally a break in the weather. I am back in the dye pots with some fresh color for February.

IN THE MEANTIME

2011-02-16T13:31:00.002-05:00

.... patiently waiting for spring and in the meantime what better designs to play with then birds?
Here's my little starling again, this time sporting red and telling some sort of a story.

COME JOIN US!

2011-02-12T09:11:00.006-05:00

Saturday February 26th 1pm (weather permitting)

... for an afternoon of sock knitting for beginner knitters.

Learn to knit a pair of spiral socks - no heel - perfect fit!

We'll help you with this simple beginners project - satisfaction guaranteed!

INSTRUCTION FOR THIS CLASS IS FREE OF CHARGE

**We do ask that you purchase one or two skeins (your choice) of "vintage" yarn when you arrive. ($8.00 each).**

This is a perfect yarn to begin with and we have loads of colors to choose from.

please bring 3.0, 3.25 or 3.5 mm double pointed needles.

If you do not have these, you will be able to purchase them in our shop.

already an expert knitter? Come join us anyway - we can spiral knit together!

NEW FRESH AND BEAUTIFUL THINGS

2011-02-11T16:48:00.002-05:00

....... for baby

Shop the full line of

"Sublime" luxury baby yarns

Merino/ silk/ cashmere - DK,

Merino/ Silk/ Cashmere - 4ply

and bamboo/ silk , machine washable blends

... all colors as well as pattern books now in stock.

FINDING PATTERN

2011-02-02T16:11:00.006-05:00

Oil rubbing, template taken from a visit to the Moncton Museum

RED FOR A WINTER'S DAY

2011-01-29T09:38:00.002-05:00

More sketchbook adventures .... playing with the color red today.

COLD OUT COLOR WITHIN

2011-01-28T12:18:00.005-05:00

Today in the shop; Jacob fleece and hand knits, rug hooking wool and sari silks, hand spun yarn and felting packs, sock yarn .... Thank goodness for fibre on a white winter's day.

FORM

2011-01-27T08:28:00.005-05:00

I'm back to work and looking at form. Open the tiny booklet in the center of my sketchbook and you will find a delightful Coleridge poem about form and starlings. What could be more fun than that?

KEEPING WARM

2011-01-26T10:36:00.004-05:00

.... winter is a sleepy time in our barn. Not unlike ourselves sheep and goats prefer comfortable, warm, bedding along with room service as opposed to being out in the biting cold. Here is Hazel-Nut sporting her Carhartt jacket during this rather frosty week in January.

RECORDING PATTERN

2011-01-22T09:59:00.001-05:00

Oil rubbings over lace.

SHIVA PAINT STICKS

2011-01-19T10:36:00.005-05:00

..... about a year ago I treated myself to some Shiva Oil sticks.
What took me so long to crack them open? They are creamy and decadent and rich and lovely, like an elegant pastry only so much easier on the hips.... Try some!