The Great T

TUTUs

2012-01-07T15:39:00.002-06:00

so easy to make and so much fun to make!

How to make a Tutu

A wee little owl

2011-12-20T20:33:00.001-06:00

The perfect newborn cap for a soon to be new born Estrada.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

No Longer a myth but forever legend

2011-11-13T21:23:00.001-06:00

The abominable snowman.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Clean between your toes

2011-11-13T21:22:00.001-06:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Creatures that go bump in the night

2011-11-13T21:20:00.001-06:00

Watch where you step. You may come across some of these...

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

what you can find at the royal bison

2011-11-11T11:25:00.001-06:00

Royal Bison 11

2011-10-02T15:39:00.004-05:00

November 26-27, 2011 you can find me with my weaving, and knitting at the Royal Bison Art and Craft Sale. Come and do some shopping and make this year's Royal Bison a huge hit!

www.royalbison.ca

for the love of overshot

2011-09-28T21:18:00.001-05:00

I've fallen in love with overshot. The patterns are complex and yet super easy to weave (take my word for it) They provide a challenge in the fancy foot work while weaving. And the fun with the colours. The possibilities are endless.

This pattern is called Murphy's Diaper Weave, not sure why, but I love the pattern.

Ready to Run

2011-09-26T00:30:00.000-05:00

Mama viking and Mr. Little man

2011-09-26T00:06:00.001-05:00

school full of fish... toques

2011-09-18T20:09:00.000-05:00

Mike and Nicole's Baby Blanket

2011-09-11T17:17:00.001-05:00

My niece or nephew is on its way... here is the cuddly blanket for the soon to be little tyke.

Smitten for some Mittens

2011-09-04T20:43:00.002-05:00

Go a head!!! I dare you!!! Hold hands with your loved one!!

new knittings

2011-09-01T20:15:00.001-05:00

I may be the only person who takes yarn with me on vacation and knit my little face away. The first photo is my Queen Viking with all the lovely jems on it.

I started making legwarmers for myself and some of friends... can we say "HELLO 1980s and 90s!"

And so much fun to make... the Smitten Mitten! for all you lovers out there, this is the perfect mitten to hold hand with your sweetie. Don't you worry, there's a mitten for your other cold paw. <3

Few new weavings

2011-09-01T19:51:00.001-05:00

After visitng an art centre in the Okanagan, I was so inspired to get back on my loom and weave away. Here are just some of the newest creations.

Opening Reception of generation whY

2011-07-19T23:52:00.001-05:00

This past weekend was a great time in Edmonton. On Saturday I met up with some fabulous friends who came out to support me. Finally my expensive education put to good use. I saw my creations up on pedestals, with bright lights shining down on them.

I submitted 10 different vikings and what the jury of the Alberta Craft Council choose was fascinating. Without knowing it, they choose the first two vikings I ever made, Old Man Viking and Lady Viking. Here at home they hang on my walls and I walk past them everyday, several times a day. Sometimes I stop and look at them, touch them, reposition them on the wall. It is interesting to see the oldest creations among the newer creations and see how far and how so much better they have gotten. How my skills have improved, how my ideas have changed. And then to look at the originals and know they were my beginning.

Thank you to Dianna, Danielle, Jen, Justine, my parents and Electra, Niels, Mike, Bernie, Melody and daughter, and especially John, for being there for me and allowing the madness grow and fester.

Pretty in Pink

2011-07-04T17:09:00.000-05:00

This blanket was created for one of my best friends. She got married a few years, (sort of a last minute thing) and because of that, I couldn't make the event... So because she couldn't wait for me, I made her wait for me, that is, for me to make her a wedding blanket... unfortunately, things didn't work out and this blanket was more or less created for her as a new start to life.

She has two beautiful little girls, so how appropriate is it for a house full of girls to have a very girlie blanket. I hope with all my heart they enjoy it and stay warm!

generation whY

2011-06-01T19:46:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, after a crazy day, I came home to find a wonderful email in my inbox. I submitted work to an exhibition at the Alberta Craft Council called generation whY. I found out yesterday five of my Vikings are going to be in the show! super yay!! the exhibition starts on July 16th and runs until September 24th.

The exhibition examines why Alberta artists under the age of 35 do craft and how this generation (Y) will define by its creations.

The following Vikings will be exhibited:

Awesome Toque Maker

2011-06-01T19:33:00.000-05:00

According to a co-worker's children, who got so excited when then found out I knitted... and especially excited when they found out I would knit them each their very own and unique toques. Apparently today's youth (I feel old saying that) are into bright and neon colours... After the last child got her toque, this is the response I got from them... Touches a special place in my heart to put such smiles on such wonderful faces.

Big Horn beardy Viking

2011-05-29T17:56:00.001-05:00

Here it is on me...

I just love the horns and the tecxture of the hair and beard. He's not finished... but I'm really pleased with how it's turning out. I had to share.

New discoveries part 2

2011-05-23T14:53:00.000-05:00

While googling around for ideas and to see what other people are up to in the knitting/crafting world... I came across this absolutely fabulous viking hat... I just love the beard and the texture and the colours. I say bravo to the artist of this creation!

http://www.kitschy-kitschy-coo.com/blog/2011/02/i-want-to-be-a-viking/

The Missing one

2011-04-29T21:14:00.000-05:00

I don't know why I never posted this Viking toque... I finished it a long time ago... I'm slacking in the blogging duties... oh well... She's kinda simple, but I love her hair!

Viking Jacques

2011-04-26T22:22:00.002-05:00

This past weekend, I had the privilege of meeting my best friend's beautiful little boy. In his honor, I knitted the little man his very own viking toque. It's pretty big on him on... but one day it will fit him perfectly and he will become the warrior viking we know little boys to be. I am so looking forward to seeing him grow up!

Monster booties

I also warned my dearest best friend that I was going to spoil her little angel face. Again they are too big for him now, but in no time at all he will fit into them...

Trendy Converse Runner/Slippers

New Discoveries

2011-04-12T21:43:00.002-05:00

I love it when friends blog hunt and find neat, interesting and inspirational blogs and then send them my way to check out. They see something that is in my field of interest and BAM! they send me the link... I get a wave of OMG I have to do that... or try that! or how did they do that? and I need to figure out how that person/artist did it...

Some blogs that were recently directed my way are:

http://www.claireanneobrien.com/index.php?/work/british-wool/

http://www.toydesignserved.com/gallery/Amigurumi/1082627

Next on the list of show and tell...

A best friend is going through a trying time... and to help her out I made her a oh so wonderfully girly large sofa throw blanket... I will post pics when I a.) take some pictures and b.) after she's seen it. Her and her two beautiful daughters are going to just love it!!!

La Creme de la Creme

2011-03-22T23:12:00.000-05:00

The unvailing happened this weekend. Without too much surprise, the soon to be new parents loved the baby blanket. Their newly decorated home is a perfect for this wonderful baby blanket. Now its just a matter of making sure the parents actually let the baby use this little piece of artwork.

Spamegger Sandwich

2011-03-11T22:37:00.000-06:00

How to make a Spamegger Sandwich

2 Slices of Wonder Bread
2 Slices of Spam
1 fried egg

Fry an egg. Slice the Spam. Assemble the sandwich and voila. A spamegger.

Just for Alex. This was so much fun to make. I love it when friend give me ideas and I'm allowed to run with it. I hope you like.

A different kind of Spam

2011-02-27T13:39:00.000-06:00

I'm not sure why, but my best friend's husband loves, and I mean LOVES spam. So much so, he got it in his stocking at Christmas this year.

I'm not sure what possessed me, but I was on ravelry.com searching through the different patterns and I came across a pattern for a can of SPAM... I showed it to my BF and she begged me to make for her husband.

So I did. Needless to say, it was fun to make.

Time flies

2011-02-21T18:48:00.000-06:00

Wow I can't believe its already the end of February. I guess a quick update it needed. The Royal Bison was a success. 1800+ passed through the venue, lots of homemade goods sold. And a big thank you for everyone who came out, went shopping and said HI.

Currently I'm finishing up a funking, colour filled, pattern filled baby blanket. Unfortunately I can't post pictures of it yet... My best friend from what seems like forever, has not seen the fabulousness. Come March 18, she will when I take off and visit her in Vancouver. Pretty certain she's going to fall in love it as soon as she sees it.

I can post teaser pictures of what inspired the style of pattern and colours.

Some where in this picture is my inspiration.

Busy little weaving bee...

2010-11-01T18:36:00.001-05:00

The Viking who would be King

2010-10-27T15:30:00.000-05:00

I work with a lady who is actively involved with the Boys and Girls Club in Saskatoon. This year is their 32nd annual fundraiser. My contribution is my newest Viking creation, The Viking who would be King.

Royal Bison Craft show and sale

2010-10-12T20:42:00.000-05:00

November 27-28, 10-5pm at 8426 Gateway Blvd.

I will have a table (or half of one) and many many wonderful yarn creations (pictures of what I will be selling... see below in other entries) will be for sale. Come say hello my friends! come say hello!

If you're my friend and I like you a lot you get this...

2010-09-29T21:50:00.000-05:00

As either a wedding gift or a baby gift. I put a lot of work and effort into these blankets. It shows, and I give them to people who will truly appreciate the hard work.

ohhhh the fingerless gloves

2010-09-09T21:10:00.000-05:00

What can I say, I love fingerless gloves, they are wonderful for those cold offices, zipping up zippers for little one in the cold, or another way of finishing off an outfit. Not to mention they are so much fun to make!

Summer's over... sniff sniff

2010-09-09T20:41:00.000-05:00

Sigh, my favorite time of year is over... and currently it's raining like crazy outside. Although summer was on and off busy, I still managed to get some things done.

Not to mention I've created a knitting monster out of mother. She's fallen in love with making fish toques, baby booties and sweaters.

Dredlock Headdresses

2010-06-22T17:13:00.001-05:00

If I continue on this path, I will end up with arthritis. The Pink and blond was created at my former aerobic instructor's request. Took a several days to get the right amount of hair, but I feel it is a huge success and was loads of fun wearing it around the house before shipping it to her!

The Teal and brown head dress was created at my (sorta) sister in law's request. It went much quicker and for some reason my hand and fingers didn't take as much abuse.

a few more creations

2010-06-08T23:23:00.004-05:00

Having fun with colours and patterns, or being challenged with extra space, I'm still having fun and creating more and more using more patterns and more colour variations.

Little booties - just for fun!

2010-05-23T13:01:00.000-05:00

Ode to the many mothers that seem to be popping up EVERY WHERE I LOOK. I can't even tell you how many of my friends are pregnant.

I came across this pattern for Barnyard Booties, and gave the sheep a try. Then I was looking on http://www.ravely.com/ and came across little converse knitted booties. I didn't like any of the actual patterns so with the basics from barnyard booties and the colout set up for the converse booties and made my own pattern.

A Weaving that took a little bit of thinking

2010-05-23T12:49:00.001-05:00

Normally when I weave I usually go into my own little world and listen to the tv or movie that I happen to be "watching". This pattern pulled me out of my normal where I had to actually pay a lot of attention to it, otherwise I would be lost.

I found the pattern in A Handweaver's Pattern Book by Marguerite P. Davison.

The material I used, for the warp wool and cotton and for the weft (the pattern part) cashmere and wool.

The results are beautiful and I've received a lot of praise for this piece.

PS the pictures don't do it justice... it's so much more gorgeous in person!

An Obessive Complusive person's dream come true

2010-05-11T16:37:00.000-05:00

I first came across this artist a few years ago at the Vancouver Art Gallery, Do-Ho Suh had a work in the Pacific Rim exhibition. I walked through his work with my mouth wide open and in complete awe of the level of detail and dedication that created this work. The rest of his work continues in the same manner. Other images of his work can be found at Lehmann Maupin Gallery in New York City.

Do-Ho Suh, Screen, Lehmann Maupin Gallery New York

New Weavings

2010-05-11T14:58:00.004-05:00

I must have a lot of time on my hands, or I just plain love what I'm doing. I'm on a creating frenzy! If I had five looms, I think I would have all of them going... as it is, I have one loom, so one project at a time. I have all these colour combinations and pattern floating around in my head, and Ican't get them on to the loom fast enough.

Not another Viking! oh Yes, and here she comes!

2010-05-03T16:41:00.004-05:00

This is viking number 9. And I think she's my new favorite. I challenged myself a lot on this; doing a wide braid isn't easy you know! Once the original braid was completed, I didn't like how it looked when it was hanging on my wall. so I did the other side of the braid and now I'm super satisfied!

With all the horns and the extra long hair, for some reason this Viking reminds me of a dragon... or a version of the face sucker on Aliens...

A couple of Cupcakes

2010-04-25T21:09:00.000-05:00

A couple of cupcake toques for a friends cupcake nieces.

Can now be found on Etsy.com

2010-04-12T14:25:00.000-05:00

Due to popular demand and people continueously telling me I should sell my work on Etsy, you can now find it on sale at http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheGreatT. There's just a couple of items, but I'm working on growing it! Check it out... let me know what you think!

ps there's a lot of other really neat things on that site!

Creating my Ivy Driving Cap

2010-03-25T15:16:00.002-05:00

There were some hair pulling moments, and I did have to take apart my first attempt. but my second attempt worked like magic! the pattern can be found at http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall08/PATTmorgan.html://

New Weavings

2010-03-01T11:35:00.009-06:00

As I walk through my favorite part of a craft store, I awe-gle all the textures and colours and types of yarn. And matching it to something(s) that I have in my yarn collection. I'm inspired to create one thing or another, trying a new pattern or going back to a more traditional simple pattern.

Purple scarf is made of Cotton, Alpaca, and Acrylic.

Teal Scarf is made of Cotton and Acrylic.

The teal scarf is pretty basic with the pattern, it's a straight draw tie up. The warp alternates from teal to off white. Making it something basic but very beautiful.

The idea for the Pink and Green Blanket.

My mother likes to thrift shop a lot, and it's where most of my yarn comes from. If there is large quantities of it, and the fibres are of a natural substance (as much as possible, there are some exception), then she'll buy it at a very nice low low price and put it aside for me. Such is the case for the Pink and Green Blanket and the Blue and Yellow Blanket.

The actual, made of cotton, acrylic and silk fibres.

The idea for the Yellow and Blue Blanket.

The actual, made of Cotton, Acrylic and weaving wool.

back to familar roots

2010-01-16T14:27:00.000-06:00

Over the Christmas holidays, I was inspired by something I saw in a store. Like a child I ran downstairs, looking for my father, asked him if he had any spare wood lying around so I could carve my inspiration. Soon after, the carving tools came out, and my jewelry tree started to come to life.

It feels good to be getting back to the activity that first got me interested in sculpture. I will post more pictures of the work progress... and eventually the final piece.

Creating an Army

2010-01-12T16:26:00.006-06:00

Ode to the Beardy vikings

Having discovered more Viking toque ideas, I've been inspired to create more... let's see where it takes me and if they will conquer the world...

Viking #6, the longer I look at him I more I like him.

Ode to the Curly Headed vikings.

Ode to the Red Head Conquering Warriors.

Ode to the Winged Vikings

Ode to the Original female Viking.

Ode to the Original Inspiration Viking.

Santa Claus Bearded Toque

2010-01-12T16:24:00.000-06:00

One of a kind. This year everyone in my family recieved a Santa/elf toque as a socking stuffer. My dad, who plays Santa for the little ones, recieved a Santa Claus Bearded Toque.

Commission/Christmas gifts

2010-01-12T16:19:00.000-06:00

Created specifically for a good friend to give to her mother and sister, the following two weavings are designs that I haven't done before. The first one is a pattern called the Blooming Leaf, and one of my praticular favorites. When I was at the Bison, this really wonderful woman came up to my table and started chatting with me about weaving and how she had this great old book, published in the late 1940s, and from the US.

The very next day she came back and offered it to me at a really great price. This pattern is from that book. Thank you Allison for the inspiration and the wonderful book!

The second one was created using a computer weaving program and loads of playing around to come up with a pattern that mimics XOXOX...

Thank you all who came out and support the Royal Bison

2009-12-01T15:43:00.000-06:00

A big thank you to everyone who came out, did some Christmas shopping, and support local talent. The Royal Bison was super busy on Saturday and after a slow start on Sunday became busy as well! Making me start from scratch for next year... Thanks everyone!

the ROYAL BISON CRAFT & ART FAIR

2009-10-23T13:42:00.000-05:00

November 28 and 29, 2009 - 8426 Gateway Blvd. 10-5pm both days

Knittings, weavings and fancy awesome message wrap can be bought at my table.

Check out the Royal Bison's website for other vendors...

Family of Vikings

2009-10-22T12:13:00.000-05:00

Having a little bit of fun in the middle of craziness... Watch out for those Vikings they'll conquer you!

More Fun Stuff

2009-09-26T15:35:00.000-05:00

My beautiful and number 1 fan, Justine has just laid claim to the one above...

So if you're like me and you work in an office, your hands get cold (especially during the winter). Typing in gloves or mittens is just impossible... so I decided to make fingerless gloves... super easy and they've become very popular amongst my friends...

Here are just a few...

How in the world do they do that!

2009-09-21T16:09:00.000-05:00

After Mr. and Mrs. Viking I decided to explore other hats in our world... for some reason the Lumberjack hat came to mind... I goggled around and came up with my own design... and after a few tries I managed to finish it.

Meet Mr & Mrs Viking

2009-09-11T15:21:00.000-05:00

Mr and Mrs Viking could be found in the exhibition In the Balance at Visual Arts Alberta Gallery, Edmonton, AB from July 31 - August 29, 2009. These works were inspired by a colleague 's discovery of the bearded toque and goggling viking hat...

No Mr.Viking would be complete without his Mrs...

Weaving from start to finish

2009-08-27T15:04:00.000-05:00

I had a year of weddings in 2008. Which also meant a year of doublewide blanket making. This blanket was for my best friend, whose wedding I was also in making it extra special to me. I documented the making of it thoroughly to give people an idea of all the work that goes into something this large (a doublewidth or queen size blanket). Not mention the threads are finer then I usually use, so being careful not to break any was especially fun.

After figuring out a couple of things, the warp (see above) is prepared on the warping mill... and then as seen above, it's ready to go on the loom. The warp is what goes through the loom and creates the length of the weaving.

Then the threads get pulled through the beater.

After the beater has been threaded, it's time to get behind the loom and start threading the headles (the sliver things)

When the threading of the Headles is done... time to tie the warp to the back beam and pull from front to back. Back at the front, tie the warp onto the front beam... then even out the tension of the threads and then start weaving.

The final weaving is an lovely queen size blanket made of wool and cotton. The ends were twisted with a special little tool that my dad made for me... also found on the Leclerc website... makes life so easy!

To Alicia and Alex on their wedding... much love, Moi

My first Love... weaving

2009-08-25T16:41:00.000-05:00

Trained in Sculpture, I fell in love with weaving by accident. Now instead of a couch I have a loom and many many many large rubbermaids full of yarn.

The weaving below was a commission piece. It was made with the intention of giving it to a friend as wedding gift. It's about 4 feet wide and 9 feet long, made of alpaca and acrylic.

ohhhh my first post...

2009-08-25T15:19:00.000-05:00

What do I write???

That is the question... many friends have been trying to convince to start up a website to post pics of the work that I create... and events that I sell them at... so here it is... have fun...

once I get pictures up...

While on vaca in Penticton on those odd nights when it was cool and there really wasn't anything to do, I pulled out my yarn (yes I brought yarn and knitting needles with me), and knitted my way through a movie or a glass of wine (ps not easy to knit and drink at the same time).

The above picture is Daphne the puggle, I woke her up to see if her cupcake toque would fit... and then she really woke up and pulled it off her head pretty quick... but it fit! a new success!

The first of my many cupcake toques...not to shabby I think...

These toques are for my dear friend Alicia and my dogson Hercules... I hope they fit...