My friend's have been busy.

February 28, 2012

My friend's have been busy.  Especially the ones with power tools.  Below you will see pictures of sliced tree limbs with drilled holes for Pine needle basket center's.  I am fully loaded up for a while!

I have some round Oak that was cut for a childhood project for Cub Scouts and sat around in my friend's shed for many years .   (I heard him outside with a chain saw while I was visiting and asked if he could slice a branch for me.) Since he already had the wood all her husband only had to drill the holes for me.  Beautiful, and already dry and seasoned. 

I also got the thrill of seeing some of my first cross stitch and crochet pieces in their home being used as we speak, years after making them.  It makes me so very proud. :-)

Then I had already called another friend and asked him during one of his trips to the woods (he is an avid outdoors-man) to keep an eye out for a piece of Cedar for me.  He cut and drilled about 25 pieces for me. Some I even stripped the bark off of.  WOOOHOOOOO!  

We were cooking out using some split Oak instead of charcoal and I asked for a couple of slices of it also.  They are a little larger and triangular in shape.  I hope I can actually get a different shape than just round with those.  I can pine needle coil for a long time with all of these centers.  I really like the aesthetic that they give to the basket.

Here are a couple pictures of my loot.  At the top are the Cedar slices.  Of course you can see the triangular ones and they are Oak.  Then you see the round seasoned Oak...the little squiggles are bark from some of the Cedar.  At the very bottom my last two pieces of Pine slice.  They will all be sanded of course and I have found that the sap in the Pine is very difficult to sand without an electric sander (too bad mine is in storage).  I am doing them by hand and that is why I am looking into other wood options.  The fact that they are free is incentive also.  I do favor the Pine though in keeping with the Pine 'theme'.  My labor, the sanding, is free also...lol.

Here are some close ups...later I will show them to you when they have been sanded as an 'after' shot.

And guess what?  My sister showed mine off and as a result I have two small commission baskets to do!  I think I will make a few samples and place a sign in her restaurant and at her booth in the farmer's market for 'Customized Pine baskets', your choice of thread color, type of wood center and size.  Wish me luck.

A little chit chat and update !

February 16, 2012

After several trips to the Emergency room I think I have now been properly diagnosed and I am on the mend.  I am back to 2 walks a day with my pup's and I am not in bed all day or in pain.  YAHHHHOOOOO!!!!!

Yesterday a friend took me to have breakfast at my sister's cafe and I gifted her the latest Pine needle basket.  Last week I gifted her a couple of weaving's I did for her while I was in Georgia.  One was the diamond Celtic knot work pattern I got from Laverne's blog.  My sister loved it and the basket, saying that my weaving  just keeps getting better.  Too bad I have no inspiration for it of late.  I did manage to complete the warp that was put on the backstrap back a day before I got hit by a car on November 7.  That warp is #3 maize yellow, #10 myrtle green and #10 royal blue.  I just did simple pick ups, and the band is 32 in. with fringe and 2 in. wide.  It will probably be made into an envelope bag as the colors are wonderful together.

But as usual, I digress.  After breakfast we ran a few errands and then went out to gather pine needles.  We went to the woods where I used to live to find that roads had been paved and you couldn't even tell where my mobile home used to sit.  Bummer.  As a result most of the pine needles we gathered were green and it was difficult going as I was in sandals and we had to tromp through the woods.  Another bummer, briars and it is so warm here that the snakes are definitely already out.  We didn't see any, but were very aware of our feet.

One of the most delightful moments of the day was when we found a piece of a Pine tree on the ground with its star like blooms still attached...what was surprising was that instead of the usual brown or gold color these were the most beautiful shades of purple and lavender.  They were stunning and breathtaking.  I can't believe I didn't think to take out my camera and get a shot of it.  If I can find a shot like it on the web I will post it.

Found one.  It says on the pic that this is a Slash pine bloom.

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=pine+tree+blooms&view=detail&id=BB8A1652A94E02F8B1B25F8A7DCCC807E0248336&first=0&qpvt=pine+tree+blooms&FORM=IDFRIR 

Won't let me copy the picture but here is the link.  Notice that purple/lavender.

Work has taken many changes and I have a job on a technicality that went in my favor after missing so much work.  

I did pick up some needle point for a couple of days, thinking it would be physically easier and less messy in my space, but alas, I am just not fiber inspired at this point I guess.  I think maybe there is a little burn out going on here due to the fact that I was totally submerged in it while in Georgia.  Loving every minute of it of course, but maybe I am just out of steam for a little while.  Weaving has always been my creative mainstay so I am sure it will return at some point.

Meanwhile, I am the pine needle Queen!  I started another basket day before yesterday, and didn't like the results so I took it apart and then got sidetracked without trip to the woods.  I spent the rest of the day organizing and removing the tops of the pine needle sheaths.  I like to get them all ready before I start the assembling of the basket.

So for today, the plan is to start the basket over and watch a little tube while hanging out with my pup's.  Lacy is getting so old and she hasn't been feeling well of late.  Wiggles on the other hand keeps me pretty busy lol.  

That reminds me, it is time for a puppy hug...

Marsha

Update:


Steve and Dana received their pkg.  A Pine basket for him and hand knitted socks for Dana.  Both were well received and I am so proud to think of them using these pieces on a daily basis.

Another Pine needle basket!

January 11, 2011

This one only took me 3 days.  

The center is my own hand cut and hand drilled slice of an Aspen tree branch.  It is an odd center, it is totally white, I see absolutely no grain to the wood, strange.  The base is 6 in. across and it flares to 8 in. total.  I used Russet #10 mercerized cotton thread doubled, and Copper mist #3 mercerized cotton single strand, for the threads.  I drag each piece of thread repeatedly across a piece of wax before threading and sewing.  (I use cotton because I have it in abundance.)  I used a random mix of green and brown pine needles.  The ones that are green were dried in the dark under my bed to preserve their color.  They will, of course eventually turn brown very slowly (especially if direct sunlight is avoided).  

I used the V stitch for most of the body, and for the first time the Fern stitch as a trim and decoration.  I concentrated on technique and consistency of the stitches.  Both of these stitches were chose because I wanted a very firm basket.  It seems the more legs on the stitches the firmer the basket. 

 I wrapped the little handles also.  When the basket was complete I popped it into the microwave for 45 seconds to melt the wax off of the thread as it tends to look chalky if I don't.  It was just enough wax to make this basket hold its form without any kind of wobble or sloppiness at all.

I have not done any baskets in almost a year, so these two have been like relearning the techniques.  I have very nice tools and such in storage, but had to use what was on hand as I couldn't get to them.  I always just try to keep in mind that most of the arts/crafts we do today, were originally done hundreds of years ago without the modern conveniences we have access to.

Even though I absolutely love the blue and green basket, this one is probably my best to date.  The stitches are remarkably symmetrical (very difficult for me as I am certainly no seamstress) and very firm.  

I am keeping this one!  I am even thinking of somehow incorporating a small pin cushion into it.

A little update...this one was gifted to Kraftymax's hubby for his birthday.  I think they make great places for anyone to empty out their pockets at the end of the day.  He seemed adequately impressed with the fact that it is made from pine needles.  Happy Birthday Daddy K.

Pine needle basket coiling.

January 6, 2012

It is coming right along!

First just green thread, then green stranded with royal blue. It is 8 in. across and 4 1/2 in. tall.

My friend 'Buzzy' helped me with the wood centers.  We cut a tree limb and sliced it, then placed holes all around.  I rather like it!

My hand is only there for scale.

January 8, 2012

All DONE!

Notice the stripe of green pine needles...I dried them in the shade.

My largest to date!  Hope she likes it.  (Wish my stitches were straighter too! )

Pine needle basket for Steve.

January 20, 2012

I spaced my stitches too close together on this one about half way through it.  Took longer than it should have to finish it as a result.  It is nice and firm for sure, but it seems a little busy to look at for my own liking.  But here it is...

Please note that my posts are somehow out of order.  You are seeing the finished product before the 'process' posts.  Instead of rearranging my entire blog I have just left it as is.  Please forgive any confusion.

Pine needle basket coiling.

Pine needle basket coiling

I have to learn everything the hard way.  LOL!  

I decided to try waxing some of my earliest pine needle pieces to see what effect would be.  HATED IT!  

I used a scented wax...I like the pine scent that the pine needles produce much better.  

I DID like that it made the piece VERY firm, however, I have completed my newest basket (man are you gonna love it) with a stitch that provides plenty of firmness all on its own.  No wax needed.

So there you have it girls and boys...I still prefer the NATURAL  results from the coiling of pine needles.  Live and learn.

Pay attention tomorrow will be posting the "  Cheery Red"   basket.  

Georgia Bulldog fans its red and black!

 

Cheery Red Pine Needle basket

    So I worked on this thing about 6 hrs yesterday and it is now 8 1/2"   x 7 1/2"  !!!  Decided I wanted to do a little bit larger piece than the last ones, so in fear of running out of this red (and since it is a leftover skein, I have no way of matching dye lots) I decided to incorporate black, which I have an over abundance of.  I also put it in the microwave for 1 minute to melt the wax on the thread...made the colors practically sparkle.

I have also discovered that what I read about the fancier stitches making for a sturdier basket is quite true.  It means twice as much needle work because each stitch has two legs instead of one, which also means it takes twice as long, but the results are well worth it. 

Here are the newest pics...haven't worked on it today due to tons of computer work.  Loaded all art that is on Etsy onto my artfire site as well.  Lots of editing and such.  Then on to the "  Link Love"  on face book, oh yeah and lets not forget the blog and e mail...at least my hands get a little bit of a rest his way.  LOL!

Anyway I probably won't get much done on it today so here is what I have so far.

As usual all comments are more than welcomed. 

Pine Needle basket coiling

So here are pics of my "  Cheery Red"   pine needle basket with a pine bark center that I made myself from a tree in the front yard for the start.

Right now it measures 7 1/4"   x 7 1/4"     making it slightly oblong.

I have used the V stitch as I read that the fancier stitches make for a sturdier basket than the plain stitch does.  I still find it slightly busy.  

I will probably run out of the red since I am trying to use what supplies I already have, so I will probably trim it with black.  (Bulldog basket? LOL)  Anyway I am going for a bowl shape a bit larger than the other 2 baskets that I have already done.

Here are the pictures.