Convergence 2016--Milwaukee!

                         

Convergence®

 HGA’s Convergence® 2016 Conference   

July 30 - August 6, 2016

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

HGA invites you to our Convergence® 2016 conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 30 - August 6, 2016. We are pleased to be in Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s vibrant arts community on the shore of Lake Michigan.

On HGA’s first trip to Wisconsin, we look forward to connecting with our members in the Midwest and to bringing fiber enthusiasts from all over the world to experience the “City of Festivals.”  Wisconsin’s popular tourist destinations and recreation areas offer an exciting array of activities to extend your visit.  

 

Photography Credits: Milwaukee Art Museum, courtesy: VISIT Milwaukee;
Mary Mortenson, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Red Clay Dress. Photograph: Petronella Ytsema;
Jenny Schu, East Lansing, Michigan, She Can’t See The Forest Through the Trees. Luke Anthony Photography;
Joy Berg and Wendy Dolan, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, Sundress and Parasol. Photograph: Emily Glinski;
Xia Gao, East Lansing Michigan, Restless. Photograph: Xia Gao.

If you weave, spin, dye, make baskets, or use one of the many other fiber techniques we love, plan to be with us for this premier fiber experience!  Join thousands of fiber enthusiasts and hundreds of vendors from all over the world, exhibiting and sharing their knowledge. Convergence® classes include novice to advanced instruction in a variety of fiber techniques including:

• weaving
• spinning
• dyeing
• basketry
• braiding
• feltmaking
• knitting
• garment construction and sewing with handwovens
• digital imagery
• color and design
• and much, much more!

Charity Giving!

As a rule, we as fiber people, like to be generous in our giving to charities.

Right Sides Together website has some good tips on Do's and Don'ts of giving.

Know your audience

Don’t spread yourself too thin.

Give your best…

but use charity as space for experimentation

Read the complete article at their website--some good pointers to make charity giving

a happiness for you as a giver and the recipient.

Mixed Media Trends

TOP 10 TRENDS IN MIXED MEDIA

SUMMER 2015

--Art Journaling: with a shift toward more authentic, raw journaling and less emphasis on pretty pages

--Bible Journaling: faith-based journaling directly into bibles is on the rise

--Text and Lettering: a hot trend from 2014 continues in many forms

--Paint Mediums: more and more companies are diving into the paint business and paint pens are a hot product in 2015

--Fine Art: crosses into mixed media via the popularity of encaustic and cold wax techniques, portraiture and watercolors

--Stencils: continues to ride a wave of popularity with text, geometric shapes, nature, portraiture and and background designs trending as themes

--Fabric and Fiber: crossing into mixed media in many forms

--Surface Design: renewed interest is evident on fabric and paper, both digitally and handmade

--Sketching: a continued resurgence in sketching and drawing is evident

--Coloring books for adults are hot, hot, hot

Folded Bags!

Recently, I came across this Bento bag--wow!  light bulbs went  off in my head! This bag can be constructed from knitted fabric as in the following photo. 

It can be made from commercial fabric.

  Or woven fabric could be used--now, that's when the ideas really began to flow.  I have several pieces of woven fabric that are near this width (12"). 

Japanese bag folding, Furoshiki.

There are two great tutorials on this folded bag--join me!  This will be fun!  Bento Bag

Pattern 8--August!

Well, I can't believe that I am keeping up with this knit along!  One small problem--I'm running out of my handspun!  But, here is the August pattern for this lace year long scarf...........

#8: Spider Stitch Lace Pattern (multiple of 6+1): 63 beads and 49 sts total NON-BEADED VERSION:


Row 1(RS): K1, +YO, SSK, K1, K2TOG, YO, K1; rep from + to end. Row 2 and all even-numbered rows through Row 12: Purl. Row 3: K1, +YO, SSK, K1, K2TOG, YO, K1; rep from + to end. Row 5: K1, +YO, SSK, K1, K2TOG, YO, K1; rep from + to end. Row 7: K2, +YO, SK2P, YO, K3; rep from + ending last repeat K2 instead of K3. Row 9: K1, +K2TOG, YO, K1, YO, SSK, K1; rep from + to end. Row 11: K2TOG, +YO K3, YO, SK2P; rep from + ending last repeat SSK instead of SK2P. Repeat the above 12 Rows two more times (3 times total). Knit five rows. On the next row, K3, sm, K21, Kf&b, K21, sm, K3. BEADED VERSION: Row 1: K1, +K2TOG, YO, K1, YO, SSK, K1; rep from + to end. Row 2 and all even-numbered rows through Row 12: Purl. Row 3: K2TOG, +YO K3, YO, SK2P; rep from + ending last repeat SSK instead of SK2P. Row 5: K1, +YO, SSK, (B)K1, K2TOG, YO, K1; rep from + to end. Row 7: K1, +YO, SSK, (B)K1, K2TOG, YO, K1; rep from + to end. Row 9: K1, +YO, SSK, (B)K1, K2TOG, YO, K1; rep from + to end. Row 11: K2, +YO, SK2P, YO, K3; rep from + ending last repeat K2 instead of K3. Repeat the above 12 Rows two more times (3 times total). Knit five rows. On the next row, K3, sm, K21, Kf&b, K21, sm, K3.

Join In--Mystery KAL or CAL

KAL

Sign ups will continue until August 16. During this time it will be free to join in.  Designs of Holly Maria!  Colorwork!

Holly’s Mystery KAL
Holly’s Mystery CAL
Clue #1 will be released on August 17 (at which time price will become $1)
Clue #2 will be released on August 24 (at which time price will become $2)
Clue #3 will be released on August 31 (at which time price will become $3)
and final clue will be released on September 7 (at which time price will become $4)
The final pattern will be updated on September 14.

Materials:  Worsted Weight yarn in 2 contrasting colors approx. 150 yards each       Size 10 needles       Stitch marker

CAL

Materials:  Worsted Weight yarn in 2 contrasting colors approx. 150 yards each       Size H hook       Stitch marker    Pattern notes:  When changing colors remember to complete the last st in color 1 with color 2.  Pattern is written in US Crochet terms      Stitches you will need to know:

 ch ­ chain  slst ­ slip stitch  sc ­ single crochet   hdc ­ half double crochet  dc ­ double crochet  mc ­ main color  cc ­ contrast color 

Free Crochet Necklace Pattern

 

Fine Craft Guild has many interesting free patterns!  I love this crochet necklace--a good way to use those large beads I've been saving.