By Miss Muffett, on June 6th, 2011
I’ve always been intrigued by the Georgian and Victorian periods in British history, so it really is no surprise that the neo-Victorian aesthetic adopted by Steampunk is something that for me, holds great appeal. I was thrilled then to find that Simplicity has recently released two Steampunk inspired patterns.
 
I do, thanks to sewingpatterns.com and a $2.99 pattern sale, have these in my hot little hands. While there are those who will lament the popularisation of the ‘sub-culture’ I will continue to enjoy the Victorian aesthetic in any and all forms, and hope that the popularisation results in more affordable reproductions.
By Miss Muffett, on June 4th, 2011
And a terrible habit of forgetting to post. But I am alive. Honest. And so is Miss Hewson, although I am sure she does not feel as such at times. The lovely lass is so bogged down in learning to be a Librarian (Now make sure you read that in a true Evie Carnahan voice). I have been accepted into an archives degree, however I have just interviewed for a dream job so please keep your fingers crossed for me. No, I am not sharing what the dream job is for fear I will jinx it.
I think also, given my lack of writing of a crafty nature, that reviews of a bookish nature shall soon appear. These will be somewhat in keeping with our Antiquarian theme, as I have been reading dozens of Jane Austen adaptations and sequels of late, with a few steampunk titles to break up the monotony. It has become somewhat difficult to tell many of the Pride & Prejudice sequels apart.
I now leave you with the usual promise to write more often and prod dear Miss Hewson to doing the same. I do so hope you take this with the usual amount of disbelief and eye rolling. I am after all, a terrible correspondent.
By Miss Muffett, on April 5th, 2011
One of the worst things about depression, no matter how mild, is that it removes the enjoyment and pleasure from even those things that would usually bring you happiness. For me, this often results in a kind of flightiness. I want to craft and create and begin numerous projects but when I begin to feel the slightest bit down they are often pushed to the wayside. My logical mind knows that should I persist, I would soon lose myself in the crafting and cheer myself up no end, the emotional mind on the other hand loudly proclaims BAH HUMBUG! and downright refuses to leave me be. In consequence I often start a project, and then another project, and then another and another ad infinitum. Vexing and unhelpful. I am not so low at the moment that any enjoyment is non-existent, I am for the most part happier and on a more even keel than I have been for a number of years, but the persistence of unemployment and little things like requiring all four wisdom teeth out (19th April Ai!), rejection letters, a work stressed partner; contribute to a significant case of startitis as I flit about trying to make myself happy.
One thing that has been bringing continual enjoyment of late is the garden. I am thrilled to say that the violets and pansies are coming into bloom, the herb garden is flourishing and providing tasty morsels for the kitchen and I hope – once we prevail against a rather determined possum – our veggie garden will provide us with a harvest. I am also experimenting a little with baking bread (very domestic) the first attempts have been rather salty – I should know not to follow a recipe straight off the internet – but the texture and crumb has been good so a few more attempts and fresh baked bread will be par for the course.
I am not yet back to my full creative self, but I will be.
By Miss Muffett, on March 9th, 2011
Well, when last you heard from me I had just lost my job and promised faithfully to blog more. The latter I am afraid has not yet come to pass. You see just after I posted that message we received notice from out landlord that although he likes us very much and we had been fabulous tenants, he wanted to move in to our flat. Suddenly in need of a new dwelling January was spent desperately house (and job) hunting, while February was spent moving and unpacking. Now into March I am finally feeling settled enough to begin the year anew.
We are now situated on the lovely Central Coast, a little further away from my lovely knit sisters than I would like, however the upgrade from a two bedroom flat to a three bedroom house with a large back garden is generally compensation enough. As I am still jobless I am attempting to throw myself wholly into domesticity. I have begun spending time in the garden, cooking more and of course crafting. Since this is beginning to ease my depression I hope that I will feel creative and confident enough to blog more.
I used to write extensively. Fiction, non-fiction, editorial pieces. When I slipped into depression during my PhD (there I have admitted it publicly!) it was caught up with low confidence in my writing ability, unfounded perhaps, but it changed my relationship with the written word. What had always been an enjoyable experience for me in letting my mind flow onto the paper – a way of quieting all the little voices in my head – became a somewhat tortured struggle as the ever present narrative threads bursting to get out suddenly and unexpectedly shut up. Where previously I had trouble keeping up with their speed I was now faced with sitting at a computer or notepad and being utterly blank. An extremely scary position for someone who had never before faced that silence.
In this way our sudden seachange has been a good thing. I am feeling my creativity returning and the little voices are starting to pipe up with ideas and stories once again. At the moment they are a little enamoured by fairy gardens and are loudly proclaiming their suggestions and demands for creating one in our new backyard. I have begun the planting and searching for little bits and bobs to inspire, my next post will no doubt include some of the things that will go into the garden.
Until then, I have taxed the voices to much. Adieu
By Miss Hewson, on January 1st, 2011
Miss Muffett has threatened me with sharp pointy things if I don’t blog this year’s pretties, so I’d better do it! The last few days as I’ve been looking back over what I’ve made this year I discovered that I knit a lot. I worked out I’d knitted about 9km of yarn this year, which is considerably more than I knitted last year when I wasn’t working. Unlike others, I don’t have a problem with finishing things. The opposite, actually- I have such a compulsion to finish things that sometimes I have to remind myself that this is what I do for fun, not to stress myself out with self-imposed deadlines.
1. Camee’s Earrings, 2. Summer Fling, 3. Herringbone Rib Socks, 4. Laminaria, 5. The Waltz, 6. Meret, 7. Urchin, 8. AeRang, 9. Covered in Bees, 10. Choke, 11. Urchinesque, 12. Jayne Hat, 13. Diamond Beret, 14. Travelling Woman, 15. Tudora, 16. Fountain Pen Shawl, 17. Feather and Fan, 18. Calluna, 19. Rose Mitts, 20. Em II’s Dalek, 21. Whisper, 22. Razor Cardi, 23. Happy Sockses, 24. Letitia, 25. Reading in the Age of Steam
This year has been a year of change, with my entry into the working world and getting used to that. Next year will bring more changes as I keep working and return to studying. I wonder how much knitting I’ll get done? I’m certainly planning to do a lot, starting with the pair of socks I cast on last night and the two cardigans and a jumper I’m going to cast on later today. Only because if I don’t jump in while I’m inspired (read: before reality hits) I’ll once again be finishing winter cardigans just in time for summer to start.
I’m also hoping to get some more spinning done in 2011. I’ve got a tub of lovely fibre but I get bogged down because spindle spinning takes so long. Will 2011 be the year I get a spinning wheel? Time will tell. I had a vague thought of making a rule for myself that every time I’m tempted to go and look at photos of other people’s handspun that instead I have to go and spin some of my own, but I think there are laws against that sort of cruelty.
By Miss Muffett, on January 1st, 2011
A New Year, a New Beginning or so the tradition goes. I for one am sincerely hoping that is true. 2010 was not in the end all I had hoped.
Retrospectively: I quit my job, quit my PhD, gained a fun job, started own business doing research, became really busy, had to put research on hold, barely managed any crafting, went to two weddings not mine, enjoyed job, possessed a vague feeling of being in a holding pattern, lost job, ended year completely exhausted. I think that about covers it. Still, I have started this year with a firm sense of optimism and ease. Although I am not working at the moment, something that I do find difficult, I am sure that another opportunity will come along, and if not I will make one. Expect to finally see some items popping up for sale in the coming months, and more posts.
This year is to be a year of doing!
By Miss Muffett, on October 31st, 2010
Long time no see and all that guff. The truth is I have been that combination of busy and inactive that lets things such as blogs, emails, knitting, cleaning, any form of productivity really; fall to the wayside. But I am resolved to remedy this situation.
My hours at Morris & Sons have gone back to casual, and thus I shall have time to spend with you dear reader. I hope to share with you all some (hopefully) interesting ruminations on the fibre arts and some antiquarian inspirations and to complete some of those half finished creations lurking within my craft room/office. You never know, there may even be a few pieces up for sale in the coming months.
By Miss Muffett, on September 13th, 2010
But this work thing sure kills the desire to do anything but sleep 
By Miss Muffett, on August 8th, 2010
Is finally being put to use. I, Miss Muffett have finally gotten my act together and can now be commissioned for genealogical and historical research, or any research project really. Excuse the dust while I get settled, but information will shortly be available here. And now I return you to your usual crafty discussion.
By Miss Muffett, on July 25th, 2010
Yes, I admit it like many of the cyclists and spinners in this years Tour I have crashed. Badly. The lovely squishy heavenly camel fibre is rather devilish in the spin. Too fine, too camel coloured and, aside from the gorgeous tactile experience, too boring. It is not a spin that you should give yourself a deadline on, well unless you are one of those rare breed of monogamous crafter’s who possesses the ability to complete a project without distraction. I, it is becoming apparent, am not.
This unfortunately does not bode well for my next intended project. My favourite brother is getting married in September and although I am not in the bridal party, as Sister of the Groom the likelihood of being forced into photographs is high. If I am forced to be captured for eternity in such a medium the least I can do is have a gorgeous shawl. And as Step-Mother of the Groom, Mother needs one too. Two laceweight shawls by the first week of September and two dresses to match, I may be catching Miss Hewson’s ambition.
While I have set aside a gorgeous cotton/silk blend in burnt orange from Mayhem & Chaos for my mother – hopefully to be paired with a pink/orange shot silk – choosing my own colours, yarn and pattern is proving much more difficult. The dress that we have chosen is pictured below, perfect for a spring wedding, however unlike mother I get cold very easily. A sleeveless dress and silk lace shawl will certainly not carry me happily through the festivities. Unfortunately orange and yellow are not colours I can wear, unless of course the dead look is one to which I aspire, so finding a colour that does not clash with that of my mother is the next priority. I shall be forever thankful that the bridal party is to be dressed in black and white and therefore we shall avoid any unfortunate colour incidents on that part. I am considering a lovely dark purple, perhaps the Malabrigo Silky in Nocturne that I have tucked away waiting for the perfect project, but then the question of shawl patterns still remains. So dear reader, may I ask for your input? What shawl would you recommend as a quickish knit but a classic style?
I am sure these decisions would be made much easier if I had not just started a new job that is tempting me with possibilities at every turn. I have you see, just begun work at that Sydney knitting institution of Morris & Sons. I am enjoying the work immensely. The sheer pleasure that is to be had from being surrounded with lovely things and the enthusiasm of customers is endless. After spending so much time behind a desk it is also wonderful to be in such an active environment.
Having busy hands as well as a busy mind is leaving me more satisfied at the end of a working day than I ever was while teaching. I have also taken a couple of freelance research queries, one of which is a genealogy search that is curlier than anything I have ever done before. The challenge is exciting and every small piece I find renews my enthusiasm. I am sure a personality specialist would have a wonderful time analysing what this says about me. I however, am content relishing the return to enjoyable employment on both fronts, so I’ll leave the analysis to others and return to contemplation of colours and patterns for the afternoon.
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