Welcome to Renate Kirkpatrick’s Freeform Designs

Simply put, I love fibre, colour & texture.

I’m an Aussie, who lives in the sub-tropics

& my Freeform inspirations come from the natural world around me.

I incorporate all types of fibres into my Freeform work ~ from natural to synthetics ~

anything that will help me to achieve the effects I’m after.

Each Freeform piece is a one-off original, takes lots of time to create & can never be repeated…

but, also check out the more traditional crochet stuff & the free & for sale patterns to download

As a new year begins…

…. I wonder…. just where did the old one go? 2009 whizzed by but looking back I realise what full & productive a year it really was…

I started this website/blog with very little tech knowledge & bumbled though learning so much along the way – my aim to be informative & hopefully recruit more enthusiasts to the exciting world of Freeform can be gauged by the amount of hits, comments & emails I’ve received over the year  so I’m  certainly giving this goal the big tick of success…

‘Freeform Crochet & Beyond’, was published & wholeheartedly endorsed by those already immersed or just embarking on the Freeform journey. Many thanks for all the wonderful feedback I’ve received

Alice Springs Beanie Festival entry ~ ‘Australia in colour’ ~ won the Spirit of the Land Category  & I now have this fabulous ‘Camel Trophy’….. my best prize ever!

Joined Ravelry & found all the fibre, crochet & knitting nutters in one place – I’ve met some truly remarkable people & what a joy this has been….

Encouraged by family I’m now on Facebook & even have a Fan Page – good grief!!! what next?

I bit the bullet & opened an Etsy Shop… where I’ve met a great bunch of Aussie Girls in the Dust Team & would probably still be foundering about had it not been for their help & support- it’s been huge learning curve (that is still going on) but I’ve enjoyed every minute – so much in fact, that I decide to open 2 more – one on Artfire & another on Zibbet – I may have over-extended myself here but I’ll just see how thing go…..

There has also been a lot of creative participation throughout the year -’ The Four Seasons’ challenge  - National Gallery Pole knit – Sydney Hyperbolic Coral Reef Project - All great fun projects that wetted the creative juices….

Most importantly…  I’ve made some new & very special friendships (you know who you are) – thank you to all of you for your love, support & encouragement – as I look back on 2009… yep…. it’s been a fabulous year indeed….

So what’s in store for 2010?

At the moment I’m having a real fair dinkum  go at Knitting after discovering ‘Crazy Lace’ by Myra Wood – not really much of a knitter myself but this Crazy Lace has unleashed a whole new adventure – thanks Myra – I’m so enjoying it  & posting my first pics of one of many projects I’m working on…. Here’s hoping everyone has a wonderful creative 2010…..

Cotton Rainbow: Crazy Lace knit – hand dyed…. enjoy!

DUSTY under $50 Gift Guide…

The Aussie DUST Down Under Street team on Etsy have put together a wonderful ‘under $50 gift guide’ – come & have a browse through the many ideas on offer & support Australian Artists & Craftspeople this Christmas

DUSTY under $50 Gift Guide

Happy Shopping!

A Special Christmas Offer….

A little while ago I had to make a couple of individual scarf pins for a custom order – I liked them so much & they worked so well that I thought I’d create a few more & add them to some of my selected scarves as a  free Christmas gift

Each complimentary scarf pin, valued @ $10, has been specially handmade to compliment each particular piece & is included in the price

Aussie Creations for the holiday season

I can’t believe it either….. but it really is getting close to that time of year again – the hustle & bustle of finding just the right thing for those special people in your life – so this may be just what you have been looking for….

The Australian Esty DUST STREET TEAM has started a facebook page featuring wonderful gift ideas for the Holiday season so go check out the beautiful handmade items from these creative Aussies this holiday season – you are sure to find something exceptional & unique for everyone

 

Beautiful Yarns ~ Winter Warmers….

over the years I’ve collected some really beautiful yarn, sometimes for no particular reason only that I had to have it…. just couldn’t live without it… yarnies will know exactly what I mean.

I’m especially drawn to the European blends with their vibrant colours & superb luxurious textures ~ & so my stash has grown… out of control some would say!!

OK… I agree, I can’t just keep collecting… it’s time to put these lovelies into action…

Here are some examples of my collection of Winter Warmers ~ each piece is unique using only the finest quality yarn – some are a bit quirky, some less so, while others are as soft as a kitten & lighter than feathers – all are perfect accessories for those who dare to be a little different  - they are available in my Etsy – Zibbet or Artfire Shops with more to come so keep tuned – enjoy

A very lucky day….

Hoopla & whoop-whoop…whoo hoos….. today I recieved wonderful news that I have won a Premium Zibbet Account for life – the opportunity came though a competition promoted  by The Australian Etsy Blog – Nicky has some really interesting jewelery so please, go & check it out in her new Etsy store & also her Zibbet store

Zibbet is proving to be a great venue… not many sales yet but it’s only just starting. The setting up has been a breeze & the whole look of the market is clean & crisp which shows off your items to their full advantage  - if you have been thinking about setting a a little internet shop check it out – it may be what you have been looking for…

can’t tell you how excited I am… & already playing around with the custom features – don’t how many times I’ve changed things around  & back again…… this is what I’ve done with my Zibbet shop for now….. enjoy

Beautiful Rag Rugs

Check it out!!!… had  the honour of being included in this Flickr Gallery  “Rug Hooking Inspiration” - really awesome work - it’s wonderful to see rag rugging is still alive & kicking

Freeform crochet has taken over for the moment  but here are some other examples of Rag Rugs that I created what now seems like a long, long time ….

I love felting too….

No doubt it’s no secret that I love to crochet – freeform,  traditional or exploring new techniques but sometimes it’s just as exciting to play in a different playground –  splashing about in my kitchen with soap & water & beautiful silk fibres I came up with these little beauties… & very pleased with the results

Sell for Free…

For anyone interested in internet selling…. here are 2 sites that might tempt those of you who have thought about it but weren’t sure about charges & the like.

A while ago I set up a ‘basic’ ARTFIRE shop – it has… No listing or final fees – the basic account  has it’s limits but I think worth giving a try.

2 weeks ago I also set up a ‘basic’ ZIBBET shop – it also has No listing or final fees but again, being a basic account has it’s limits.

You can upgrade these accounts at any time to take full advantage of all the benefits  they offer…. but for me, the basic is enough for the moment – I  just want to see how it goes – if you have a moment, go & have a browse you may be pleasantly surprised….

It’s Official……

‘Australia in Colour ‘ is ‘The Spirit of the Land’ – this morning the Postie delivered a parcel with the best trophy I’ve ever received – HOW COOL IS THIS?

and the winner is…….