Hello I am a new member from New Zealand

[Julia Atkinson]

Hi,

My name is Julia and I am 49 years old and work part time, so time to craft away. I am a big fibre addict. It dosent matter what it is, if I think I can make something out of it, I give it a go. I am into all sorts of fibre craft, knitting, felting, weaving, spinning, dyeing,etc. I also sculpt and paint, which comes in useful to add different mediums to fibre or material. I am into recyling in a big way and never waste anything. I love my trips to charity shops to find little gems of all sorts. Some stores know me very well and keep things for me. They always love to see what I have made or done with things I have bought from them. I love making art clothing and unusual handbags. I will post some photos of them soon. If I have made something then I wear it or carry it and I dont care what people think. The main thing is that I like it.

I get my inspiration from everywhere, sometimes its the landscape,people, material etc I think of an idea and then try to make it. It dosent always work, but I keep it and sometimes it gets left for a while until I decide what it needs or sometimes I pull it all apart and re use the materials elsewhere. I just love anything sculptural, textural and a bright colour. I have books with my ideas in, with little sketches and anything else that comes to mind. The problem is now, too many ideas and not enough time in the day!!!

Today I have been on duty as a volunteer in our local art gallery and to pass the time I started to make some needlefelted animals and recently I have made myself a wrap with hair from my dogs, that I dyed, carded and mixed and then felted. Looking forward to meeting people and seeing what they do.

[Emily]

Welcome!  It sounds like you keep yourself very busy!  I look forward to seeing some of your handiwork.

Emily

[Ann Johnson]

Welcome, Julia,

I know you will enjoy this whole site.  People are so talented, kind, and willing to share their knowledge, it is a wonderful place to be.  Sharing what we do is a way to give and get ideas and help.  We will be looking forward to seeing your work.

There are many groups covering different aspects of fibre work so I know you will find groups to interest you, given your own wide range of interests.

If you need any help at all, all you have to do is ask and someone will be ready and able to help you.

Ann

[Janet M. Davies]

Welcome from another Kiwi. :)

[Elizabeth Braun]

Hello Julia!  How nice that you have insider help at the charity shops!=)  That's a big help, isn't it?

Welcome to the party here and hope you're enjoy it.

Greetings from frigid little England (where it's sub-zero just now - whilst you're enjoying mid-summer!)

[Julia Atkinson]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the welcome!! Hi to my fellow kiwi Janet, dont know where you are but I am in the South Island, although I am originally from England, so I know just how cold it is now, especially in the north west whre my relative is.

[Doreen Parker]

Hi Julia. Good to see another Kiwi join the group I also do a very little spinning as well as quilting and TAST.

Will look forward to seeing some of your work.

Best wishes Doreen.

[Barbara/Hopscotch]

Welcome to stitchinfingers,Julia
I just know you'll be hooked on this site in no time. So many wonderful people and such a variety of fantastic works!
Have fun! :-)
Barbara

[Mary Corbet]

Hi, Julia! I love the idea of the wrap made from hairs from your own pet. This is the first I've heard of dyeing and carding dog hair. Would LOVE to see a photo!!