Balderdash

In Rotterdam a woman has been knitting sweaters since 1955. More than 550, in fact, all lovingly tucked away in her home. Recently she was honored with one of the happiest, most colorful flashmobs I’ve ever seen. Every sweater you see was knit by her. Flashmob Truien van Loes

rosengris:

Cake vs Crafts

Dessert and knitting.  How can you go wrong?

oftheforest:

grimsperation:

Michele Caragher 

Embroidered details in Game of Thrones 

‘Michele Carragher is a London-based Hand Embroiderer and Illustrator who has been working in costume on film and television productions for over 15 years. She studied Fashion Design at The London College of Fashion, where the course incorporated design, pattern cutting, garment construction, embroidery, millinery and illustration. At the same time she attended a three year evening course in Saddlery at Cordwainers College learning skills in leatherwork.

After leaving college Michele worked in Textile Conservation, repairing and restoring historical textiles for private collectors and museums, specialising in hand embroidery. She then moved into a career in costume for film and television, initially working as a Costume Assistant/Maker on productions such as the BBC’s Our Mutual Friend, ITV’s David Copperfield and Mansfield Park. She soon gravitated towards the decoration and embellishment of costumes, using skills in hand embroidery and surface decoration, taking inspiration from the many historical textiles she had encountered working as a Textile Conservator. 

The first production that saw her undertake the role of a Principal Costume Embroiderer was for HBO’s 2005 Emmy Costume award-winning production of Elizabeth 1. Her most recent work has been on HBO’s 2012 Costume award-winning television series Game of Thrones, working on all three seasons.

As a Costume Embroiderer Michele specialises in hand embroidery and surface embellishment, using traditional hand embroidery techniques, smocking, beading and surface decoration. She works directly onto the completed garment or starts with motifs and textures on silk crepeline/organza, which are applied to the costume and then worked into once on the actual garment. She also works on existing machine embroidery designs that are not too dense, adding some hand stitching and beading to give a more authentic, hand-finished look.

Michele finds hand embroidery has more flexibility and diversity than that of embroidery created by machine, as there is a greater variety of thread choice and colours to use. It is also possible to work more easily on garments that are already constructed. However, machine embroidery in combination with hand work can be very useful when completing many repeats by creating light outlines or a less dense machine stitch, work can then be completed by hand and again can be carried out on a finished garment.

Michele is a highly creative Costume Embroiderer, producing original designs as well as working closely to a costume designer’s brief to create their desired look.’

Text and images from  http://www.michelecarragherembroidery.com

God, that embroidery is so gorgeous! I had no idea that third dress was so detailed after seeing it on the show… Amazing work.

So beautiful.  I believe this will be of interest to many of my friends.

Folkloric Fair Isle Matryoshka Pillow by Betsy Farquhar

Knitted with Cascade Heritage wool and Claudia Hand-painted silk/wool blend.

I knitted this pillow case for my amazing friend Leah, who loves Matroyshka dolls.  I’m very pleased with how it turned out (blocking worked wonders), but the pattern was abysmal to read.  For a purchased pattern, I expected better.

Once I got the chart all figured out and corrected though, it knits up quite prettily. 

positivemotivation:

Crochet Animal Heads by  ManafkaMina

I adore these crochet faux taxidermy heads.  My sister needs them for her living room.

ktshy:

simplicitylovers:

Beautiful Little Tea Cups

(anyone know who makes these? I would very much like one O__O ) Franz Porcelain collection http://www.franzcollection.com/main.php

I NEED a peacock tea cup.  And possibly the phoenix and blue butterfly, and also ALL OF THESE FOREVER.  Need.  Really.