happy Christmas...

...and a happy new year

felted leaves...

...decoration for a festive wreath

I have said how much I am loving needle felting and have been jabbing fleece at every opportunity possible with my little needle

thought I would make a festive wreath using felted oak leaves and crochet flowers 

here's some of my work in progress 

hopefully should be done in time to hang on our front door...

Xxx

needle felt...

...fun

not so long ago I tried my hand at needle felt making and have had hours of fun ever since

it so therapeutic and it amazes me how one little needle can achieve so much with just a small piece of wool

i was lucky enough to be given a kit from the lovely Jenny Barnet, who makes the most beautiful creations from felt...particularly animals...hares being my favourite

here is my attempt to needle felt a hare!

a little more like a dog in places which is why he is named...hairy dog!

...had such fun making him and love him being around the house

crochet workshop...

...new workshop booking now

GRANNY SQUARES & CROCHET FLOWERS 

workshop being held by Helen Hickman (nellie and eve) and Debi Lamborn 

23rd November 2013    2-5pm

The Quercus Rooms 24 Kings Street, Carmarthen SA311BS. 

The Quercus Rooms offers a cosy friendly atmosphere.

we will be demonstrating how these nostalgic favourites can be created and promise it will be a fun filled afternoon

 All levels of crocheter's welcome

Starter pack containing crochet hook, various yarns and instructions for you to take away... all for the small cost of £15.00. 

Tea, cake and biscuits of course !! Learners from 10 years to 100 !! 

Please contact The Quercus Rooms ( Hazel or Cheryl ) with your interest and booking...thank you

01267 231212

www.creativecarmarthen.org

shop window...

...display

whilst visiting London's Covent Garden last week I could help noticing Fred Perry's window display.

large balls of wool and knitting needles...and lovely woolly jumpers too

welcome wovember...

...a fun way to use wool throughout November

to start (and finish) projects, using only the finest loveliest yarn...made from Pure Wool

i will be pledging to finish my lace weaving...which will be either a table runner or scarf, will decide when it's done

i am just learning to lace weave and find the techniques a joy to do. the winding of the warp has given me some headaches and dressing the loom but the weaving is thoroughly enjoyable and i could spend hours in my studio...if only time would allow

...so i love the idea of a deadline and Wovember has given me one

learning how to lace weave on my old Harris table loom

why not join in the fun and visit www.wovember.com

happy Samhain...

...a time to reflect on the past,of loved ones passed and to give thanks and remembrance

look back and understand the reason why our ancestors had this festival...

and happy Samhain 

singer sewing machine...

...heaven

the store 'All Saints' have the most amazing displays of old Singer sewing machines that took my breath away. Hundreds of glorious machines and they cleverly display beautiful garments on old industrial weaving looms, just add a glass top and it becomes a shelf, looks really good.

know I should have been looking at the clothes but I was so enjoying seeing all the lovely machines and looms...I forgot...oops!

The photos here are from the store in Chicago, USA

peg loom weaving...

...workshop 

here's the next date and info for the popular peg loom weaving workshops

come along and try your hand at this simple, fun way of making rugs, mats, runners etc

large quantities of tea, coffee and homemade cakes included!

Nellie and Eve

Peg loom Weaving Workshop

 With Helen Hickman 

Learn how to weave on a peg loom, get hands on advice and top tips, make your own seat pad/table mat or pot holder

Places are limited to 6 per class

All equipment and wool provided

and refreshments

Peg looms and prepared fleece will be available to purchase 

£30/per person

(Deposit of £10 required at time of booking)

Where? Llansadwrn Reading Rooms

10am-12am

When? 28th November 2013

To book your place please email nellieandeve@icloud.com

or call Helen on 07712448055

organic wool project...

...at llandovery sheep festival

a delightfully local festival of all things sheep related and more

the lovely ladies of Llynfi Textiles were there, they brought along a small collection of pieces created by welsh based designer/makers for the Organic Wool Project...my work included

I also brought along some new crochet wool wear pieces all made from welsh hand spun yarn

llandovery sheep festival...

...this weekend 28-29th sept 2013

lots to of great stalls of all things woolly, food and entertainment, lantern procession, fireworks...and sheep!

monmouth show...

...spinning and demonstrating peg loom weaving

a very busy, fun day at the monmouth show

sunny all day long...lots of people enjoying the demos on offer

here is Gareth from penpont green woodworking

he drew quite a crowd as he made sweet little birds from wood

a productive day, i made a complete rug by my demonstrating weaving...fab

super day

hand spun Jacob...

...crocheted shawl

a little something I have been working on recently, a lovely shawl crocheted using a cluster stitch and my hand spun Jacob yarn, a capelet in Romney yarn and a cute neck warmer in a blend of Romney and Shetland fleeces. All washed, carded, blended and spun in my studio at home on a hill in south west Wales. All wool is as local as my neighbouring field, except the merino

these pieces will be part of my autumn collection including yarn, headbands in a Shetland/Jacob mix and elegant shawls and shrugs in cream Romney/Shetland/Merino blend hand spun yarn

coming soon....

do you already knit or crochet? want to make these items and more for yourself? i am putting together some simple kits, includes hand spun yarn and pattern from some of my best loved pieces

keep an eye on my website for more details... i aim to have the first kits available this september

xxx 

wood whittling...

...here's a few examples of the lovely work my mister produces

each piece is whittled by hand using only a pen knife and some sand paper

made from coppiced wood from the garden and hedgerows

i love 'em

we use these spoons for sugar and jam

for more info please see his website

www.teganwoodwork.co.uk

happy sunny summer weekend

xxx

organic wool project...

...update and news of where you can see this great project showcasing work from 17 designer/makers

all using the beautiful organic wool cloth that was produced with help from Llynfi textiles and Ystrad organic farm

Nellie and Eve is very proud to be part of this pioneering initiative...

wool event coming soon...

...in the lovely market town of Llanidloes, Powys 

a new wool event is going to be held on 29th June

...a woolly market will take over the towns high street 

all points to being a super day out

...get there if you can

its also the last day of the wool and willow festival too which is held at Minerva Arts Centre at the top of town

here are some images of my stand at wool and willow festival

sunny sunday...

.

...yesterday was one of those very rare days, especially if you live on a hill in south west Wales, like me!

warm, dry and very sunny and not a cloud in the sky...beautiful

i took full advantage of it, planting, weeding and washing fleeces. getting myself a big dose of vitamin d, which is much needed after the weather we have had to endure for so long.

our chickens loved it too, when they found a little shade...

fingers crossed it continues for a bit longer, happy sunshine week xxx

washing fleeces...

...in the glorious sunshine

have been taking full advantage of the fabulous weather we have been having and washing lots of my last years fleeces

they are still in really good condition, having been stored in cotton sacks in a dry, airy shed

i wash my fleeces in a tin bath in the garden, using cool water to get the initial dirt and dust out of the fleece. they are put into large net bags (made from old net curtains) this makes the wool much easier to handle when wet. soak in water for a few hours, change the water and soak some more...spin in the washing machine, still using the net bags, or you can use a salad spinner for small quantities!

at this point I do not use soap or warm water, as I like to do as little as possible to the fleece until after its been hand spun..i will then wash my skeins in warm, soapy water 

a clothes airer and old step ladder are used to dry washed fleeces in the lovely sunshine...

organic wool...

...project
here are my cushions I made for the organic wool project

i wanted to make simple cushions so that the beautiful fabric did the talking and to show how it could be used in home interior decor
i used my own hand spun yarn, made from Welsh Jacob fleece, to embellish each cushion and really enjoyed crocheting the heart fringing

the organic wool project will be going on a tour and I will let you know where the next venue will be soon
for more info about the project please visit the Facebook page Organic Wool Wales

Organic Wool Wales

wonderwool is here...

...the time has come again
when all roads lead to the fabulous wool show
in mid Wales
this year I will be an exhibitor and have been very busy
spinning, weaving and sewing hand spun woolly goodies
for the show

all set up and ready to enjoy the most welcoming, friendly show ever

a little mention....

....in Gathered Magazine

am really chuffed to have had my crochet daffs popped on to the 'show and tell' page of this great weekly iPad only magazine by the lovely people who also bring us Mollie Makes

2 super places to find lots of inspiration for your next craft project, along with chats to crafty people and what's new in the world of all things handmade

here is this weeks 'show and tell' page

forgive my indulgence, but I am chuffed!

happy weekend xxx

organic wool project...

...i am very excited to be taking part in a new and wonderful project along with other designer/makers

the project is a collaboration between two organic Welsh companies

 Llynfi Textiles and Ystrad Organics

 Funding has also been provided by Better Organic business links Wales.

the aims are; (to quote Llynfi Textiles)

*to raise the profile and explore the potential of organic wool

*to establish a broad community of interest that spans wool producers, designers, makers and the general public

*to showcase the potential for organic wool and the quality, innovation and commitment to sustainability of designer/makers in the UK

all sounds really fantastic to me and shows a forward thinking approach to how wool can be promoted.

wool is no longer something that your granny knitted....

with new organic fabrics and yarns...wool now has a funky modern twist

any project that helps promote this has my whole hearted support.

all designer/makers items for the Organic Wool Project will be showcased at WonderWool Wales

 27-28th April 2013

for more information please go to Llynfi Textiles or Ystrad Organics

here are a couple of my mood boards for the project...that's the organic fabric I will be using...gorgeous isn't it?

Xxx