SIO Tips no. 56: Using up wool oddments

Wool oddments can make your craft box look a real mess; there are some great ways to use up the funny assortment of colours out there. 
A big favourite is to knit a whole lot of squares for a knitted patchwork quilt; great for a baby blanket and family heirloom. 
This also makes a great project to teach a new knitter as the squares can be whatever size you like, great practice to get the hands used to knitting and quick to put together with amazing results.
 

Colour Inspiration

Ever brought a piece of clothing or an accent piece for the home which simply is impossible to match or contrast to? Well you are not alone.

So often colours grab our attention only to cause us matching headaches down the line.  

Nature is the place to find answers to that; our gardens are now a riot of colour, the crazy mix of colours together, colours you would never put together but they work. 

A great way to get inspiration is to take pictures of your garden, local park, or favourite outdoor place.  Take pictures through the year so you have a running commentary on all seasons and therefore many colour ways to consider. You do not have to be a good photographer as long as the pictures reflect the colours correctly. That is enough as it is only for your private design scrap book.

When faced with a colour issue; refer to your book. What would nature put together? Important to note that in nature it is texture and colour, not just colour alone that makes a fabulous combination really work. 

Light is also important, the same paint can look three different shades in the same room due to the light. So, experiment with swatches, tester paint pots, wallpaper cuttings and items you already own to ensure you have just the right shades to make that sensational look.

Nature has it right, it is brave and wild in its choices, so it could be the best place to start when trying to match the impossible.  

Collect your pictures all year as you may well want summer or autumn colours to look back on even in the dead of winter. 

Bonus is if your pictures are ok, well why not frame one or two and create your own art for your home.

Rosie

Creative Director  - Seek It Out

Who says colours clash?

 Every day we are told that some colours just do not work together, who forgot to tell nature?

Just marvel at a few of the autumn blends, wild shades of orange mashed with pink, greens blended with gold.

The magic works despite different textures, levels of sheen or shapes.  This proves, if we dare, we can be a little radical and break the rules.
Marry the oranges and reds, say yes to the brown with black, cream with white, why not.  Nature pleases the eye, so careful combinations can work.

Every colour has a thousand shades and by using those shades you can make unlikely matches.  Fabric texture and finish also plays a part.  Rough with smooth, gloss with mat.  Try out snippets together  
to see the effects.

Remember if working on curtains, for example, then try out your snippets in that room in both the natural and the electric light.  Colours play tricks depending on the light.  Grey day and the autumn colours can almost look one shade of orange, sun out and the true range of colours shines out.

Have fun, go wild - it is only nature!