Royal Mail Price changes coming soon...

Royal Mail are set to raise their prices at the beginning of the new tax year (6th April). I will be taking special care to reprice my shipping options as competitively as possible and will update the shops as soon as I can.

Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

Easter Bank Holiday

Easter Bank Holiday - 2nd to 5th April. All items ordered during this time will ship around the 6/7th April.
Happy Easter!
Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

What could I do with the bits of yarn I don't like?

Well I'm thinking jewellery today... What do you think?



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone.
See you soon, Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

New drum carder...

Aha... It's arrived!


Yep, I got myself a new Ashford Wild Drum Carder... This one makes a thinner batt, which will be better suited to my new spinning batt range.



Can't wait to get started and will make some exclusives for Wonderwool and later for the shop.

If you are looking for one of these, let me know and I can get you one from Ashfords.

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See you soon, Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

Merry Go Around: Inspirational Photo Challenge

March 26th: Inspirational Photo Challenge: take a photo of something that inspires you and show what you make from this as your inspiration.

Spring is in the air and finally this month I have movement in my little garden. I've enjoyed Snowdrops, this beautiful drawf Iris and soon the Daffodils, that were made late by the snow.


So my inspriration is Spring Flowers.
Colour in my work is really important, especially in the blends and carded batts that I sell to spinners and felt makers. So taking inspiration from such a colourful start to the year seems like a natural choice...


I've been carding...



batts for the show at the end of April.


These will be exclusive show offers.



And I also designed a Spring Blend back along, well the beginning of March (you can tell I've been planning this post for a while!)... called 'Spring Brights', which can be found under my Limited Edition Shop Page at http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/.

HAPPY SPRING!
Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

----------------
This post was part of a blog Merry go Around, where I have got together with some friends to talk about a similar subject on the same day... a nice way to meet people!

Alison at Tweed Delights - http://idreamoftweed.blogspot.com/
Mitsy at MindArt - http://artmind-etcetera.blogspot.com/
Kim at Vilt a la Kim - http://viltalakim.blogspot.com/
Sara at Crafts of Texture - http://sarastexturecrafts.blogspot.com/
Fabienne at Easterya Jewellery Creations - http://easterya.blogspot.com/
Mariana at Florcita - http://www./florcita.eu/
Agathe at Le Bar du Vent - http://lebarduvent.blogspot.com/
Lily at Lily Pang Art and Design - http://lilypangart.blogspot.com/
Wendren at Wren Design - http://thewrendesign.com/
Ruth at Birdland Creations - http://insidetheartisan.blogspot.com/

Shawl... A few hours in front of the telly!

And I managed to get a bit further...


I'm loving the colours!


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See you soon, Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

Wonder Wool planning - Part 7

Carding again today... Spring colours, for a Spring fair (Wonderwool April 2010).





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See you soon, Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

Open knit shawl... Work in progress

Well I started my shawl...




I had fully intended to follow the pattern, but saw the stitch as it came out and just didn't think it suited this variegated yarn. I unravelled it and started again...





The colour change is so nice that I am working just a plain open weave knit. I think to make it something special I shall look for a nice button to secure it around my shoulders, or maybe make a brooch...

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See you soon, Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

Sowing, sowing, sowing!

Lucky us... D's dad (Master of all things Fruit and Veg), gave us a patch of his poly tunnel to plant some seeds in.


Look there's D... I think he gave up shortly after this and helped his dad with the strawberries outside... it was so hot in the tunnel!


This is me 'rotavating'... we planted;

Augerbines (egg plant)
Chili Pepper (hot, hot, hot!)
Bell Pepper
Leeks
Cabbage
Lemon Basil (this smells amazing!)
Pak Choi (Chinese Lettuce... has an almost aniseed taste, great for stir fries)
Broccoli
and a couple more things I can't remember now! I hope they all grow, I'm hungry!!

It was a fantastic opportunity as I was worried we would miss the growning season, as we are looking to move home. I think I will try a few pots here, maybe cherry tomatoes, lettuce that kind of thing.

So grateful for Spring!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone.
See you soon, Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

A day at the farm

We were invited up to the farm where I buy my Gotland fleece from, to see the lambing. So last week when the Ewes' due dates came D and I got in the car and very excitedly drove to see the new borns...


Here is one of the Ewes with her lamb of about 6-8 hours. The lambs were almost fully black, with beautiful tight curls of fleece. I resisted the temptation to get out my clippers and start shearing, but...


I couldn't resist a cuddle! (Gosh that's a bad picture of me!) D also fell in love with them... so much so they had to do a head count as we left!!


We had a laugh with the Farmer and his wife... we said that we fully approved of August's stock already... the amazing thing will be to see how 'steel' grey the ends of the wool turn as the lambs grow, but you can already see how amazing the curls will be. Very inspiring stuff!

If you are interested in Gotland fleece, contact me at http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/ and I will point out the Yearling stock I have available from January's clip.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone.

See you soon, Sara x

Happy Birthday D!

I hope you enjoy your 40th Birthday! As they say, 'Life begins at 40'.



I look forward to enjoying it with you. You are my best friend and I couldn't be without you...
All my love,
Always,
Sara x

Customer Photos: Deborah's Needle Felted Camel

This is Deborah's first wire frame project...

Taken from the Ashfords Book of Needle Felting in the shop, the camel is worked onto the frame using a selection of wool fleece filling and New Zealand Corriedale (in the shop too).

As you can imagine this takes some time to get the proportions right, but I think Deborah is really capturing the look of a Camel so far.

Thank you for sharing this Deborah, I look forward to seeing more pictures.

Sara x

http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

Wonderwool planning - Part 6

I'm feeling full of action today...



So I'm carding away as we speak... I want to get a few new batt blends worked out for the show.

Do you like my little Ninja imp image? Mum made him up on a birthday card for me... Since I got him, he features on my pin board above the computer, as if to tell me to get my backside into gear! Yes, Sargent Major, SIR! Nothing like threat of violence to make you work harder, eh?!!

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See you soon, Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

But is it art?!

I over span again... And accidentally made myself a flower of yarn.



I love and want to keep it... Question is, if I try to do it again, will I be able too?!

Na!!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone.
See you soon, Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

A little something for me...

While I was doing all of that spinning, I thought I ought to get back to my own project...



I'm using Gemstone Hand Painted Shetland from the shop, which I have to say spins beautifully. I started it a while ago, but got side tracked with work (setting up the eshop) and so left it for a while... I made up another bobbin full to knit with so there's hope yet I might get it done before next winter!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone.
See you soon, Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

Wonderwool Planning - Part 5

Just finishing spinning the samples of my Merino Silk range...



Above is Twilight.



Strawberry Sundae and River.



Finally Citrus Punch, Candy Twist and Dawn.
On the next bobbin...



Dusk and Tropical Mango... the light is getting bad now, so it's not a great shot I'm afraid.


Loosing light now, but this is Woodland, Blackberry and Cinnabar.

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See you soon, Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

Wonerwool Planning - Part 4

I've spun some of the twice blends pure Merino, from the shop...



Need to skien these and get on with the Merino and Silk blends.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone.
See you soon, Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

Finished scarf!

Here we go... I hope you can see the beading?



I need a bit more directed light to catch it across the front... still at least it's finished before Spring!!

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See you soon, Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

A Mention on The Green Knitter's Blog

Thank you very much to Kelly the Green Knitter, she very kindly gave my Woodland blend a mention on her birthday blog at http://thegreenknitter.blogspot.com/2010/03/whats-better-than-watching-oscars-yes.html

Sara x
You can find woodland under the Merino Blends in the eshop at http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

Spin Control...

Still learning I know, but control is my problem... I have moments of pure freedom, everything goes right and I find my rythme.



But then I seem to almost over think it and go into over spin! Does this happen to you? What can I do to stop it? I know I need to practice more... but maybe I can lower my wheel revolution ratio??

My other issue is drawing smoothy to get a consistant yarn... But I'm one if those who likes contrast, so I guess as long as it suits the project... It's not always a bad thing!

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See you soon, Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

Customer Photos: Puddytat Pur has finished spinning my Humbug Blue Face Leicester.

Do you remember my blog post Customer Photos: Puddytat Pur, where I showed you Sam from Puddytatpurr's spinning? Well Sam got back in touch after she had finished and here is the picture of her laceweight yarn...

From 200g of BFL Humbug, Sam was able to spin a 42WPI, 1611 yards/1473m lace weight yarn! Wow!!
Sara x
If you need any Blue Faced Leicester in the Humbug blend, drop by the shop at http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

Cutting and trying on...

Now that the slippers are dry I can cut them open...


And try them on...


I now have to decorate them...

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See you soon, Sara x
www.sarastexturecrafts.com

Fulling the slippers...

Once I have finished rolling, I do a little hand rubbing just to make sure I'm set to start fulling.



Then fulling begins, usually I will throw these about in the bath tub while dowsing them in hot and cold water... But not having a great deal of time today, I'm going to cheat and put them in my washing machine on a spin cycle! You have to be careful with thus stage not to over shrink, otherwise you are in trouble.



Now let's see how they dry...

In the meantime you can still have a go at http://workingwithfelt.ning.com/

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone.
See you soon, Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

Learning a new way...

To draw on my fibres as I start to spin...


By using a double leader thread. A friend suggested it might make drawing on for begginners easier... I'm using my Wild Berry twice blend Merino, from the shop...


And fanning it out so I can draw bits from each cour as I twist.



Conclusion... It didn't work as two separate leaders, but it does if you loop your one thread in two around the bobbin so that the two cut ends draw the fibre on... I did find it helped catch the slippery, finer fibre... Especially in roving form. I usually like to work with batts you see, they spin easily while I watch my wheel rotates at an even speed. Maybe I prefer batts because the fibres aren't all combed perfectly in one direction and the individual fibre scales lock into each other better??? Hmmm... I think I need a bit more time to investigate... maybe it's simply down to personal preference.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone.
See you soon, Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

New toy!

Got my new freedom flyer for the Joy Ashford spinning wheel...



I'm hoping to start creating a few art yarns for some of my knitting and felting work.



If you are looking for an Ashford Flyer unit, then do email me through the website at http://www.sarastextuecrafts.com/, as I will be able to give you quotes and prices... I'm in the process of expanding my Ashford range (including wheels), so do look out for more details.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone.
See you soon, Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

Featured on Nesting Blog

Thank you for the feature at Nesting Blog: diy felt art, Elaine!
Do pop over and check out Elaine's blog, this particular post has the most amazing, interactive felt art.

Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/

Finishing the knitted scarf

I just need to finish beading now and then it's finished... I've tacked out the design with cotton.


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See you soon, Sara x
www.sarastexturecrafts.com

What is next for those slippers?

Well I recut the templates from building rubble plastic bags. I find a thicker plastic helps hold it's shape as a resist against wool shrink.


And started to lay the wool. I did 4 layers, 2 of Fuchsia and 2 of Soft Yellow Merino from my shop at http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/. You can't see the colour too well, because of the dark, grey day outside.



Here's what they should look like...

Wet and soaped them by hand as I folded the ends of wool around the template... And then bound them for rolling.



I do this next bit by foot, because I get terrible pain in my hands and wrists from wet felting (ah, bless!), especially in the winter weather.


Next time I'll show you what's next... If you are looking for the full tutorial, check out our guest felt maker's guide on the challenge at http://workingwithfelt.ning.com/

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone.
See you soon, Sara x
http://www.sarastexturecrafts.com/