Etsy Party Night

In Launceston we gathered together in a church hall in the centre of town to celebrate Etsy's birthday as did thousands all over the globe. It was a cold and windy night with heavy rain, making the thought of crafting at home by the fire infinitely more attractive....until we got there.

What an awesome night we had meeting so many wonderful wise and inspiring people from all crafts and ages. I picked up Jenny Wren and Blue Paper Doll along the way and were the first to arrive. We were soon joined by people from Deloraine, Frankford Glengarry and Exeter....

This is the delightful Killiecrankie Farm and her etsy shop is called Ginger's Revenge (in the foreground is Little Jenny Wren).

I met some ladies from the Spinners and Weavers Guild and was particular fascinated with their varied dyeing techniques as seen in the very first photo.

These socks were being knit with wool dyed in a fry pan.

The sock wool was rolled into balls and then placed into a fry pan with water coming about a third of the way up the ball and then orange dye was added. This was allowed to "cook" for about 20 mins and then turned up the other way and green dye was added. The ball takes up the dye randomly and stronger on the outside so the other ball is unwound and re-wound inside to the out so that the two socks will knit with a relative "sameness to the randomness" if you get my meaning. Fascinating!

Here is another pair that this talented lady knit from her own dyed wool.

Aren't they gorgeous!

I also met the internationally famous doll maker and sculptor,Susie McMahon, an incredibly talented artist and was not surprised when she sat down at one of the spinning wheels and spun with a beautiful deft and sensitive touch.

Our fabulous organiser Sara, aka Eco Kitty on etsy arranged everything so beautifully and even found some heaters to keep us warm. Lucy Lou Lewis says my scones with (very Arabian) rose petal jam were a real treat for her and has asked for the recipe which I shall provide here for all.

Rose Petal Jam

50grams of perfumed dark red or pink rose petals

1 cup of sugar

2 tabs of pectin

juice of 1 lemon

1 cup of water

1 teaspoon of rose water (optional)

Roughly chop the rose petals and place in a bowl with sugar. Cover and leave for 24hrs.

Next day, place the rose petal and sugar, pectin, lemon juice and water in a pan and bring to the boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves, then simmer for 20 mins.

Boil for 5 mins until setting point is reached. Add the rose water to increase the flavour if desired. Ladle into warm sterilised jars and seal well.

Thank you ladies (there are many I haven't mentioned) one and all for a wonderful evening of friendship and crafting. Hope to see you again at another one soon.