tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63955447619893816082024-03-05T03:55:29.802-08:00ArgoKnota journal of my weaving, spinning, knitting lifeOzWeaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03689807058066446918noreply@blogger.comBlogger183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395544761989381608.post-65462586854421979852011-03-25T14:41:00.001-07:002011-03-25T14:43:23.360-07:00ArgoKnot has MovedPlease follow me at my my <a href="http://www.argoknot.com">new location!</a>OzWeaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03689807058066446918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395544761989381608.post-57996988129689970342011-03-09T13:26:00.001-08:002011-03-09T13:27:31.123-08:00Happy Dance!<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TXfwXlfp_sI/AAAAAAAACTk/QEkdPufaCew/s1600-h/bobbin%20lace%203.2011%20003%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="bobbin lace 3.2011 003" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="222" alt="bobbin lace 3.2011 003" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TXfwYzc1JBI/AAAAAAAACTo/QOalaJzraGc/bobbin%20lace%203.2011%20003_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="291" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TXfwboGYWpI/AAAAAAAACTw/2Y9dgUneqRE/s1600-h/bobbin%20lace%203.2011%20004%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="bobbin lace 3.2011 004" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="bobbin lace 3.2011 004" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TXfwdPU8FsI/AAAAAAAACT0/w7JJdPFjIvE/bobbin%20lace%203.2011%20004_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Need I say more?  Lace classes started again so I am a happy camper!  </p> <p>10” of scallop border!  I would like to have a yard so I’m almost 1/3 done!  </p> OzWeaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03689807058066446918noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395544761989381608.post-48798827278811651512011-02-22T07:06:00.001-08:002011-02-22T07:06:21.255-08:00Waiting for March<p>Hasn’t it been a long winter?  In many ways beautiful, and in some ways lllooonnnngggg…  I know I will better appreciate the spring when if comes!</p> <p>So….no images of snow here!  Just a few things that define my February.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TWPQb6nxNkI/AAAAAAAACTE/XyEctgZ61Hk/s1600-h/Feb%202011%20001%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Feb 2011 001" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="Feb 2011 001" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TWPQzue_hEI/AAAAAAAACTI/r-SQOuEvT8Q/Feb%202011%20001_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>Threaded and ready to begin a boundweave wall hanging on my wonderful hand-me-down Toika. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5WK7Ag7x5Q2Ckl7h1Y8hLmsOq5oNcT-xwFoA-grJ5nLotcplGYryWTN4bNo_GpKxoDlLmLn90NXJGdpSKAtfcsjRfavJhIKQQrAAFn-dTFnX0cqyeasdadJCYqUyFEDbwt09qvqeABA/s1600-h/Feb%202011%20005%5B10%5D.jpg"></a><img title="Feb 2011 005" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="Feb 2011 005" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TWPQ3OnIVOI/AAAAAAAACTQ/y6Qv7DYal0U/Feb%202011%20005_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="left" border="0" /></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p>My 2-yr. old camellia blooming for the first time!  A wonderful pink for these grey/white days.  It’s called “Kramer’s Delight” and it is delighting me!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlEMGIUmNTbbAORBeSHwkEdovjrxsvtnJWFP543MWHL3tm8_2lxiErqjMGBhb4IrQ5DpEE8FUiSqhWh1Mps3srkxpKKNl6dzkv7xDTx4QAELBKYbUCug6UhkeMmRf9VcovSezul05osw/s1600-h/Feb.%202011%20piliated%20woodpecker%20037%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Feb. 2011 piliated woodpecker 037" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="Feb. 2011 piliated woodpecker 037" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TWPQ5XSLKOI/AAAAAAAACTY/-QW7Mn6-4bE/Feb.%202011%20piliated%20woodpecker%20037_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>A frequent visitor to our woods, but my first success at catching him on film! (Actually, my husband’s success, not mine.)</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> <img title="Beading RAW crystals (1)" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="Beading RAW crystals (1)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TWPQ6rczBFI/AAAAAAAACTc/bQX3-zlKDtE/Beading%20RAW%20crystals%20%281%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" />A newly finished bracelet. Two rows of Right angle weave  attached, beginning to end, to form a closed ring, then crystals are added.  You can tell I was thinking of spring when I chose these colors!</p> OzWeaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03689807058066446918noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395544761989381608.post-67773667553442392462011-02-02T13:41:00.001-08:002011-02-02T13:41:03.946-08:00Inspiration<p> </p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:38b006d5-aa33-4270-a29f-d4830a13f5b8" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px"><div id="653edfe6-12a2-4f2c-9e99-76c8c72ebff3" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ0QrIT7WiY" target="_new"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TUnPbSWePHI/AAAAAAAACS4/I8OkSC1OJVk/videob64709859cb3%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('653edfe6-12a2-4f2c-9e99-76c8c72ebff3'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/IZ0QrIT7WiY&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/IZ0QrIT7WiY&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p>I just watched this video <em>three times</em>.  The woven image is beautiful and the filming is so well done.  Marvelous! It makes me want to get my big Shannock warped!</p> <p>A Winter Haiku by <a href="http://www.endicott-studio.com/cofhs/chhaiku2.html"><font color="#0000ff">Charles de Lint</font></a></p> <p><em><strong>You can't trust the sun <br />this time of year; it's bright light <br />holds a bitter cold</strong></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TUnOHsJ8ukI/AAAAAAAACSs/NPO_OZ_oLUQ/s1600-h/Jan%202011%20Shinn%20%20Vineyard%20view%20043%5B9%5D.jpg"><img title="Jan 2011 Shinn Vineyard view 043" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="286" alt="Jan 2011 Shinn Vineyard view 043" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TUnOIDtiQuI/AAAAAAAACSw/sMr83rrw5j4/Jan%202011%20Shinn%20%20Vineyard%20view%20043_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>A scene from our recent trip to the vineyards on the North Fork of Long Island.  We missed getting any photographs in sun, although it was sunny during part of our stay.  I have an image in my head of rows of dark vines casting clear blue shadow patterns on the brilliantly sunlit snow .  </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TUnOIhj31MI/AAAAAAAACS0/hDgPbNw3sk4/s1600-h/Feb%202011%20snow%20007%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Feb 2011 snow 007" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="229" alt="Feb 2011 snow 007" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TUnPb957NBI/AAAAAAAACS8/p1XaDzGRySA/Feb%202011%20snow%20007_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="301" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>Ice on my “Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick.”</p> OzWeaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03689807058066446918noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395544761989381608.post-13579256751818077772011-01-26T16:08:00.001-08:002011-01-26T16:12:18.437-08:00Tapestry in the Depths of Winter<p>A friend of mine pointed out to me today that I have not posted a photo of my finished “Medieval Spinner.”  I was certain I had….</p> <p> So here she is….<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TUC3b62MjlI/AAAAAAAACR8/n4LcyZ6wP-o/s1600-h/The%20Flax%20Spinner%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="The Flax Spinner" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="309" alt="The Flax Spinner" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TUC3c-FCJLI/AAAAAAAACSA/9ov_SE2KXOs/The%20Flax%20Spinner_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="235" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Actually, I haven’t spent <em>any</em> time weaving tapestry for the past couple of months.  I have been decidedly ‘under the weather.’  </p> <p>Today I had to miss my class with Archie and Susan due having quite a bad cough left over from my recent bout with the flu. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TUC3eLkXMdI/AAAAAAAACSE/zEpS6Racl2k/s1600-h/pears%20tapestry%20jan%202011%20001%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="pears tapestry jan 2011 001" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="pears tapestry jan 2011 001" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TUC3ejIoGkI/AAAAAAAACSI/sWCeBb-d3sE/pears%20tapestry%20jan%202011%20001_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>So I spent some time working on an unfinished tapestry and making plans for my next tapestry warp. </p> <p>I have to admit I am pretty intimidated by my never-used Shannock loom.  The heddles need to be re-made, and I’m not sure I can figure that out.  I know I can use the loom without the heddles, but….</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>If I can conquer my fears, maybe I can get the full sized Medieval spinner warped this weekend. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TUC3fNTXafI/AAAAAAAACSM/deOYQk5LDuU/s1600-h/pears%20tapestry%20jan%202011%20002%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="pears tapestry jan 2011 002" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="pears tapestry jan 2011 002" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TUC3f-2I-oI/AAAAAAAACSQ/7FZOSOiTx8I/pears%20tapestry%20jan%202011%20002_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>Can you see her? I can just barely see her if I ‘bigify.’</p> OzWeaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03689807058066446918noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395544761989381608.post-85505529520350290582010-12-27T09:00:00.001-08:002010-12-27T09:01:39.349-08:00Peace on Earth, Good Will to All<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TRjGRP5qrXI/AAAAAAAACRs/GCaVwnXUi9I/s1600-h/Christmas%20cup%20of%20cocoa%5B5%5D.jpg"><img title="Christmas cup of cocoa" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="331" alt="Christmas cup of cocoa" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TRjGRiEt3TI/AAAAAAAACRw/wK8EyOgaFjQ/Christmas%20cup%20of%20cocoa_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="494" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>What an amazing holiday season!  On the first day of Hanukkah we had a torrential rain storm that ended shortly before sundown with a <em>double rainbow</em>.  A new meaning for Festival of Light!</p> <p>On the winter solstice we were treated to a full moon with a total eclipse, and in my little part of the world the skies were clear for viewing it!</p> <p>Christmas arrived quietly but deluged us with snow the next morning.  It’s a winter wonderland! </p> <p>I wish you warmth and safety, and a hot cup of cocoa! This particular cup of cocoa was captured by my son, who made it, photographed it, then drank it…on Christmas morning.</p> <p>May the year ahead be rich with blessings….</p> OzWeaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03689807058066446918noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395544761989381608.post-45948233800651493562010-12-20T19:54:00.001-08:002010-12-20T19:59:18.884-08:00Crazy for Monk’s Belt<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TRAkuxkB0pI/AAAAAAAACQY/NbxqtQYuWas/s1600-h/Rob%20and%20Lauren%20placemats%5B5%5D.jpg"><img title="Rob and Lauren placemats" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="Rob and Lauren placemats" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TRAkvochgiI/AAAAAAAACQc/823NG523YvA/Rob%20and%20Lauren%20placemats_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Remember these?  They came off the loom in September, and I gave them to my older son and his wife for their 2nd anniversary, which is cotton.</p> <p> </p> <p>The pattern for this Monk’s Belt project came from the Spring 2004 issue of Jean Scorgie’s “Weaver’s Craft.”  She used soft blue/greens to make a small purse for the project, and I saw them as place mats at a friend’s house.  I did mine with a cotton warp and tabby weft and tow linen in the beachy blues from my kids’ dining room.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TRAkwc9rV2I/AAAAAAAACQg/EVZCV5L_CfQ/s1600-h/Monk%27s%20Belt%20003%5B9%5D.jpg"><img title="Monk's Belt 003" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="Monk's Belt 003" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TRAkw4HWIGI/AAAAAAAACQk/axbHBQ0x_Lo/Monk%27s%20Belt%20003_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> I guess I wasn’t quite done playing with this fun version of Monk’s Belt.  I set up my Baby Wolf with the same pattern for a demonstration recently.  I used 8/2 unmercerized cotton for the warp and the same single tow linen as the place mats, only in different colors, for the weft. I used reds and purples to coordinate with the cranberry Christmas decorations in the show house where I demonstrated. I have quite a collection of linens since I’m completely smitten it! I made three kitchen towels, treadling the traditional little flower motif at each end of the towels, then went back to the treadling from “Weaver’s Craft” for the last bit of warp, which is the cloth on the left, above.  A good friend suggested making the little scrap into a small shoulder bag, like the purse in the original magazine project!  I plan to do it.  I just need to find an interesting lining fabric first!</p> <p><em>And still</em> I am not done playing with this pattern!<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TRAkxcgd7TI/AAAAAAAACQo/a2GfzLBJm6Q/s1600-h/Monk%27s%20Belt%20005%5B8%5D.jpg"><img title="Monk's Belt 005" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="Monk's Belt 005" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TRAkx7y1sfI/AAAAAAAACQs/_yYsGRi6gLA/Monk%27s%20Belt%20005_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>These are on the Toika now.  The warp is 16/2 linen with tow linen for the pattern weft.  They are for my younger son, and I hope the colors will go well in his apartment.  </p> <p>I admit that the weaving has gotten a little boring, but I do love the outcome so I’m sticking with it!  I’ve listened to some wonderful books while weaving these projects…</p> <p>…starting with <em>Figures in Silk</em> this summer, then parts of <em>The Girl Who</em>… books when I was home in between sailing (you know, <em>The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire,  The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest</em>). Then came the Tracy Chevalier story, <em>Remarkable Creatures</em>.  Now I’m listening to <em>Cutting for Stone</em> which is so engrossing and beautifully written (and read) that I hardly know I’m weaving!  </p> <p>At least two of these placemats <em>must </em>be cut off, washed, hemmed and wrapped so that they can be under the tree on Christmas Eve!  I’d better get cracking!</p> <p>Lastly a couple of shots of Monk’s Belt projects from the past that always come out around this time of year.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TRAkyQ4LrII/AAAAAAAACQw/yqz1ppwjafM/s1600-h/Monk%27s%20Belt%20006%5B6%5D.jpg"><img title="Monk's Belt 006" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="Monk's Belt 006" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TRAky8USbfI/AAAAAAAACQ0/3Vwj5wWGPXc/Monk%27s%20Belt%20006_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>My kitchen window valances that always get hung for the winter…</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>and …</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TRAkzm6z0tI/AAAAAAAACQ4/6mBHVXAO27I/s1600-h/115-1584_IMG%5B10%5D.jpg"><img title="115-1584_IMG" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="115-1584_IMG" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TRAkzyArJiI/AAAAAAAACQ8/p5i-Vf6hpHo/115-1584_IMG_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>a table runner</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> <br /> <br />I guess I do have a big soft spot for Monk’s Belt…</p> OzWeaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03689807058066446918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395544761989381608.post-65249716000669990452010-11-28T08:44:00.001-08:002010-11-28T08:44:26.132-08:00Weaving and Spinning at Skylands Manor<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TPKG3b9-JqI/AAAAAAAACPs/Qz6oqg1Y7ts/s1600-h/skylands%20manor%201%5B1%5D.jpg"><img title="skylands manor 1" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="164" alt="skylands manor 1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TPKG3y5MbRI/AAAAAAAACPw/fmj4kc09El4/skylands%20manor%201_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> My local weaving guild, the Palisades Guild of Spinners and Weavers, will be setting up a weaving/spinning/dye-ing studio at the New Jersey State Botanical Gardens that has a Tudor Revival Mansion on the property called Skylands Manor.  This opulent building was built in the 1920s out of stone that was quarried right on the property.  It is completely out of character with the image of a weaver’s studio, but that’s what we are going to create!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TPKG4C1QRlI/AAAAAAAACP0/DaA-wzQi-LY/s1600-h/skylands%20manor%203%5B1%5D.jpg"><img title="skylands manor 3" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="229" alt="skylands manor 3" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TPKG4nJZ_cI/AAAAAAAACP4/q3sLxK7ZvMU/skylands%20manor%203_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Here is the room that will become a fiber studio!  Like no studio any of us will ever see in real life!In any event, I will enjoy sitting in the room to weave all day on Thursday!  The open house will take place from Thursday, December 2, through Sunday, December 5, from 10am until 4pm each day.  Then there will be evening wine and cheese events as well.   Someone will be weaving at my loom each day, and others from my guild will be spinning, knitting and doing some bobbin lace! So if you are anywhere nearby, drop by!</p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TPKG5A8Lu1I/AAAAAAAACP8/0G9FjQtvWQE/s1600-h/skylands%20manor%204%5B1%5D.jpg"><img title="skylands manor 4" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="skylands manor 4" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TPKG5c35x1I/AAAAAAAACQA/edUlX2jyY90/skylands%20manor%204_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>And here is the entrance to our studio.  I’ll have the loom set up at the window near the fireplace to take advantage of natural light during the day. We are setting up tomorrow!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TPKG59IviZI/AAAAAAAACQE/LgpTQ7cEudk/s1600-h/kithcen%20towels%20guild%20demo3%2012.2010%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="kithcen towels guild demo3 12.2010" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="kithcen towels guild demo3 12.2010" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TPKG6fKYFWI/AAAAAAAACQM/AMFUgr39gkM/kithcen%20towels%20guild%20demo3%2012.2010_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>This is what I’ll be weaving: kitchen towels in Monk’s Belt, which I hope to use as presents later in the month!</p> OzWeaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03689807058066446918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395544761989381608.post-60802948517610209832010-11-21T07:11:00.001-08:002010-11-21T07:15:05.529-08:00New Projects<p>Don’t most of us return from summer travels full of ideas for new projects?  It’s hard to implement all the new ideas that crop up from even the shortest weekend away from home.  There is something about a change of scenery that always makes me start brewing up ideas for what to do when I return.</p> <p>On top of spinning, weaving, and knitting projects that I’ve dreamed up, I am also currently taking two new classes.  Once a week I take a bobbin lace class from a group of women who are expert lacers.  I’m so lucky to live in an area with an active guild of lace makers.  They are a gold mine of experience and help.  I’m on my third lace exercise now, and terribly smitten by the process.</p> <p>This weekend, at the annual Lace Day (with classes!) I learned how to move my lace up in order to keep weaving beyond the length of the pricking card.  What you see in the photo is my re-attached weaving. Now I can continue down the length of the card to make the little lace edging longer.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TOk2nOrKimI/AAAAAAAACO8/nlOy6EFekK4/s1600-h/bobbinlace11.20100013.jpg"><img title="bobbin lace 11.2010 001" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="bobbin lace 11.2010 001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TOk2nvbi5VI/AAAAAAAACPA/UyI_3iWdPA8/bobbinlace11.2010001_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TOk2oJwl9qI/AAAAAAAACPE/TD1W-SOCCaQ/s1600-h/bobbinlace11.20100042.jpg"><img title="bobbin lace 11.2010 004" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="bobbin lace 11.2010 004" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TOk2ofPuezI/AAAAAAAACPI/epb3dxoiapI/bobbinlace11.2010004_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Once a month I drive up into the hills of Putnam County to a basket maker’s house where we work on Nantucket Lightship baskets.  I’m making a medium size oval, and I’m quickly discovering how much more effort it takes to place the staves in an oval than in a circle!  I may never get the staves ready, so I truly may never weave this basket.  The camaraderie is wonderful so as long as they can put with my inexperience I will be going back!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TOk2o4AIaFI/AAAAAAAACPM/Av8OcZo-Ats/s1600-h/Nov.%202010%20003%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Nov. 2010 003" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="Nov. 2010 003" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TOk2pNx6S-I/AAAAAAAACPQ/JU7ByyG50z4/Nov.%202010%20003_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TOk2pg7lN-I/AAAAAAAACPU/6mtS6sMAJuU/s1600-h/Nantucket%20basket%20Karyn%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="Nantucket basket Karyn" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="Nantucket basket Karyn" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TOk2p2_3D0I/AAAAAAAACPY/GFMkrnqDz30/Nantucket%20basket%20Karyn_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The top photo is my basket in progress.  I have more staves to shape, and you can see that the staves change shape as they get into the sharper curves of the ends of the oval.  The basket in the lower photo is what I’m striving to achieve and was made by one of the women in the group!</p> <p>Beading and sewing are two other areas I’m dabbling in this fall.  These small projects are destined to be Christmas presents.  I haven’t focused on making the the majority of my presents in at least a decade.  Right now it feels good.  I might not be so chipper when the deadlines get closer!  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TOk2qUHeiYI/AAAAAAAACPc/btZeCdTMdPc/s1600-h/Russian%20netting%20pearls2%2011.2010%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Russian netting pearls2 11.2010" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="Russian netting pearls2 11.2010" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TOk2qsG_vqI/AAAAAAAACPg/axgEhFkKL6Q/Russian%20netting%20pearls2%2011.2010_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TOk2rFV_ENI/AAAAAAAACPk/D_XDFwbO9Bw/s1600-h/bracelets%202%20Nov.%202010%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="bracelets 2 Nov. 2010" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="bracelets 2 Nov. 2010" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TOk2rvG4QlI/AAAAAAAACPo/y93YM63avOI/bracelets%202%20Nov.%202010_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>I pruned back my bay tree in order to bring it in the house since we have dismantled our greenhouse this year, in preparation for possibly selling our house.  I’ve saved all the cuttings and am drying small sprigs as well as individual leaves.  These will be gifts also, to all my cooking friends.  Look out, Martha!</p> <p>The leaves are mostly down here, the clocks have turned back, we had a killing frost recently.  It’s time to cozy up in the nest and keep the fires burning, both in the furnace and in the creative process.  I’m ready…</p> OzWeaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03689807058066446918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395544761989381608.post-67343761500296714872010-11-03T13:00:00.001-07:002010-11-03T13:00:14.462-07:00Fall Brewing<p>It’s time for planting garlic, harvesting root vegetables, and brewing up the dyes from summer harvests.  I harvested my weld in June and again in July when we were home briefly, then left it to dry in Bob’s workshop.  This weekend I made the dye solution at a friend’s house.  She mixed up more colors of ProChem acid dyes than I could count!  Three of us had a great time painting skeins of handspun and commercial wool yarns and sock blanks!  </p> <p>Between gathering in the herbs from the season and making dye, I feel a bit of bewitching power!  Look out!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TNG_M3quaqI/AAAAAAAACN4/AwUEIXrOdWE/s1600-h/Sept.20100054.jpg"><img title="Sept. 2010 005" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="285" alt="Sept. 2010 005" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TNG_OX2kO-I/AAAAAAAACN8/6rQ0T4U2a4o/Sept.2010005_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="217" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>My skeins drying in the garden</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TNG_PgxTTAI/AAAAAAAACOA/EWVhaNC9xKM/s1600-h/dyeingsept20103.jpg"><img title="dyeing sept 2010" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="dyeing sept 2010" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TNG_QGfBilI/AAAAAAAACOE/o7d5_PuFKY4/dyeingsept2010_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> The acid dyed skeins and one sock blank skeined double. Colors used in these skeins are “bright red,”  “cranberry,”      “maple sugar,” <br />“mustard,” <br />“saffron,” “moss green.” These are unknown skeins from KnitPicks, possibly “Palette,” and a Knit Picks sock blank of superwash wool/nylon.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TNG_Q97HF7I/AAAAAAAACOI/bDUykfvuiCA/s1600-h/dyeingsept20100013.jpg"><img title="dyeing sept 2010 001" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="dyeing sept 2010 001" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TNG_RlOjKrI/AAAAAAAACOM/Axhn0riONjo/dyeingsept2010001_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Both skeins dyed with weld, with one skein handpainted with “saffron” and “mustard.”  Sadly, you cannot see what a lovely pear green the weld made.  I love it! Both skeins are “Texas” by Henry’s Attic (50% wool, 50% mohair)</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWm5wiGHwbCpbAjd35lBjRdQKN7QzlV8whfO6tvDDvjyxT1E9H9i2rdoNt-7l29aZI3_XNQ6fWKTIXFE0oHGjjUW8ri-TVK3Z1ymVxRMXQklxyaWGEw2e1wYE37bN4dmlGF45gn7UcLI/s1600-h/dyeingsept20100033.jpg"><img title="dyeing sept 2010 003" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="dyeing sept 2010 003" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZojV0nbK30fLLElXTqvb2KLHAnnV_S6LqQXvvXzM5WTEnOhXC1gaFmntlEPQiipz72g1uzKT-5lVqThrbE5muxCKaMClOWbivC7Y9CZyLCTDoyVqksjFebHkAMrcHcMOHNMYrTnH1zs/?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Last (and least in my mind), blues, violets and charcoal. This is another unknown Knit Picks skein with a lovely twist.  Merino? It’s fingering weight, about 400 yds per 100 grams.</p> OzWeaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03689807058066446918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395544761989381608.post-33435189866719000022010-10-27T08:47:00.000-07:002010-11-01T08:46:41.283-07:00Hiatus<p>I certainly didn't mean to take a two-month hiatus from blogging, but that's what happened.  My ancient desktop computer has given up its spirit, and I've been using a couple of hand-me-down laptops with software that was not compatible or conducive to posting here.  I've missed posting... </p> <p>Work on the Archie Brennan Project has continued even though I have not been able to post updates over at that website either.  Things are going well, but I've had no way to share info! </p> <p>It's glorious autumn here in NJ, and I've got a busy schedule of weaving.  It's been great to reconnect with my community of weaving friends after being away so long this summer… seeing the Wednesday Group again, seeing Susan and Archie's tremendous body of work on display at GAGA in Garnerville, starting a couple of new classes, and reconnecting with my weaving guild and knitting group!  I am taking a bobbin lace class each week, and once a month I travel up to Carmel to learn the techniques of making a Nantucket lightship basket.  All good!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TM7g2zMbFoI/AAAAAAAACNo/1PgwgmbM5xE/s1600-h/Tapestry%20bobbins%20John%20Moss%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Tapestry bobbins John Moss" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="Tapestry bobbins John Moss" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TM7g3aX5lYI/AAAAAAAACNs/vxfNs3K7PEQ/Tapestry%20bobbins%20John%20Moss_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a></p> <p></p> <p>These are tapestry bobbins I ordered from John Moss last June that were shipped to Archie and Susan in NY, so I couldn’t get them until returning from sailing!  Aren’t they beautiful? John does wonderful work.  The two outside bobbins are figured maple.  Can you see the iridescence in the grain?  The second on the left is Osage Orange and the third is Jatoba, also called Brazilian Cherry. It’s wonderful to use beautiful, well made tools!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TM7g3vFH_4I/AAAAAAAACNw/YMSa-uRbm0Q/s1600-h/Rob%20and%20Lauren%20placemats%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Rob and Lauren placemats" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="Rob and Lauren placemats" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TM7g3_b-4WI/AAAAAAAACN0/CeR8WTd9lkc/Rob%20and%20Lauren%20placemats_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Rob and Lauren’s placemats.  This is a monk’s belt design from Jean Scorgie’s magazine “Weaver’s Craft” which was a proejct for a small woven handbag.  I did these in 16/2 black cotton with wetspun 8/1 linen for the pattern weft.  The colors are all beachy blues and greens, and there are two of each colorway for a total of eight.  They celebrated their 2nd anniversary in August, which is the traditional ‘cotton’ anniversary.  The warp and tabby weft are cotton, but I couldn’t resist using the lustrous wetspun linen for the pattern!</p> OzWeaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03689807058066446918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395544761989381608.post-38766945277179006152010-08-25T06:50:00.001-07:002010-08-25T06:50:45.352-07:00Scrapbook of Maine<p>The weeks are passing, in some ways quickly, in others rather slowly, and I’ve now been on board our boat Pandora for a full month as of yesterday!  This is the longest I’ve ever been on a boat.  Here are some images from my month in Maine.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCIY39f4O8NeX0VaPSfDUMGiyAEyygXelKs5ntDgZdYnzESsRCNnQm_IArTCTKXbA_H4r2bltEtxs7zZUqEIVHezhWXDh7F-885a3ONq-5JXQvoQjFQPQEvmh2jAwfpQ-0pj1p9mH10g/s1600-h/Maine%208.21.10%20019%5B6%5D.jpg"><img title="Maine 8.21.10 019" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="Maine 8.21.10 019" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THUfPq0FFVI/AAAAAAAACK8/6ycruiYtm_8/Maine%208.21.10%20019_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> Day schooner that sails out of Camden </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THUfQp7AejI/AAAAAAAACLA/o-bnK6oplew/Maine%208.21.10%20045%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800"><img title="Maine 8.21.10 045" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="Maine 8.21.10 045" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THUfRunYm-I/AAAAAAAACLE/XmKofpOa_kk/Maine%208.21.10%20045_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> Along the Fox Island Thoroughfare, between North Haven and Vinalhaven.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THUfSz2SS8I/AAAAAAAACLI/Mo2rcTOJzpk/s1600-h/Maine%208.21.10%20031%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Maine 8.21.10 031" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="Maine 8.21.10 031" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THUfT1lWjDI/AAAAAAAACLM/d4_mF00UJfs/Maine%208.21.10%20031_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Herreschoff 12 1/2 (means the water line is 12.5 feet),  well known wooden gaff rigged sloop from the early 20th c. designed by Nathaniel Herreshoff, “the wizard of Bristol” (RI).</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEa-zfsayxaPR2VPBmHG6nMBbglYibjgoMeDz2bsF7L8jUNwsRpwdNbxBOKt4QrTH4Zca8MscrEAysmxG7pmajSR2pmxTljQd4c_l7_UlkUTYzbTX-gmoq8jMzV7p0kyWg0gcY7a9O-U/s1600-h/Maine%208.21.10%20066%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Maine 8.21.10 066" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="Maine 8.21.10 066" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THUfWWVu1dI/AAAAAAAACLU/JCMM45kvQlA/Maine%208.21.10%20066_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Bass Island lighthouse, southern most tip of Mt. Desert Island.  This is the most photographed lighthouse in Maine!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THUfXf62QeI/AAAAAAAACLY/0Dqgi9FFMhU/s1600-h/Maine%208.21.10%20076%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Maine 8.21.10 076" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="Maine 8.21.10 076" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THUfYPdW5II/AAAAAAAACLc/S1QWsT60llU/Maine%208.21.10%20076_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>Our boat, <em>Pandora</em>, is in the center of this photo, taken from the lookout on the way up to Thuya Gardens in Northeast Harbor, on Mt. Desert Island.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THUfZXH_2LI/AAAAAAAACLg/ocijKkhgGpw/s1600-h/Maine%208.21.10%20077%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Maine 8.21.10 077" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="Maine 8.21.10 077" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THUfaf7aNYI/AAAAAAAACLk/lHu5himDGzY/Maine%208.21.10%20077_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Thuya Gardens, designed by Charles K. Savage.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THUfcXLTdGI/AAAAAAAACLo/jAxX5znsxIg/s1600-h/Maine%208.21.10%20080%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Maine 8.21.10 080" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="Maine 8.21.10 080" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THUfdW6dsAI/AAAAAAAACLs/hYzop5_kmGM/Maine%208.21.10%20080_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>Thuya Gardens</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THUfeV6O5fI/AAAAAAAACLw/79bs3ulBUs8/s1600-h/Maine%208.21.10%20089%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Maine 8.21.10 089" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="Maine 8.21.10 089" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THUffEt04zI/AAAAAAAACL0/wqxEjj1v-5A/Maine%208.21.10%20089_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The reflecting pond at Thuya Gardens</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THUfgMaevaI/AAAAAAAACL4/hrwluoJiZFg/s1600-h/Maine%208.21.10%20090%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Maine 8.21.10 090" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="Maine 8.21.10 090" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THUfg3dLwaI/AAAAAAAACL8/YIlNvdlXaZw/Maine%208.21.10%20090_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Bee house at Thuya Gardens.  Bob took this photo for me so I could remind him to make one for our garden!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THUfhwee-eI/AAAAAAAACMA/iNVMBIyTpvY/s1600-h/Maine%208.21.10%20096%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Maine 8.21.10 096" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="Maine 8.21.10 096" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THUfig1lKcI/AAAAAAAACME/fpAnebKFFRk/Maine%208.21.10%20096_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The fog bank rolling into Southwest Harbor on Mt. Desert Island.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTXByrBF5kjaXK3OonPHSKWX_xIBinpclZYvHXMkiwmWCumAB8YoYcnMffzbDvYCDo3vQLseY0wxykov53F67pJ7jY5NkpH7RPabjKHGe5nV8w4oCqOW-g0ChOv8c8wOKtfIhr7UHypE/s1600-h/Maine%208.21.10%20094%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Maine 8.21.10 094" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="Maine 8.21.10 094" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THUfkUptSqI/AAAAAAAACMM/5OhobRKM2VY/Maine%208.21.10%20094_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The fog bank coming into the harbor and boats rapidly disappearing!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THUflzjHLNI/AAAAAAAACMQ/20vcGwocRX4/s1600-h/Maine%208.21.10%20109%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Maine 8.21.10 109" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="Maine 8.21.10 109" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THUfml2pRUI/AAAAAAAACMU/YKgZM6tvzH0/Maine%208.21.10%20109_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The rapidly ebbing tide near Blue Hill.  This type of rushing tidal current is called a reversing waterfall.  This is supposedly the biggest reversing falls in Maine.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THUfnr1OiRI/AAAAAAAACMY/EF8IBaz3N3o/s1600-h/Maine%208.21.10%20115%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Maine 8.21.10 115" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="Maine 8.21.10 115" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THUfo5ZXBDI/AAAAAAAACMc/oULKMf_2ng0/Maine%208.21.10%20115_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Reversing falls near Blue Hill.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THUfp9QPdeI/AAAAAAAACMg/wVGhYk1ZcmQ/s1600-h/July%20BoothBay%20Maine%202010%20059%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="July BoothBay Maine 2010 059" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="July BoothBay Maine 2010 059" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THUfq2GvREI/AAAAAAAACMk/p3MEEihAsRA/July%20BoothBay%20Maine%202010%20059_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Morning mist on our friend’s 100 yr. old lobster boat in Oven’s Mouth on the Sheepscot River.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THUfr7E6PXI/AAAAAAAACMo/uoT2er-VLvc/s1600-h/July%20BoothBay%20Maine%202010%20023%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="July BoothBay Maine 2010 023" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="July BoothBay Maine 2010 023" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THUfs3yR35I/AAAAAAAACMs/XDQOuAU6y2M/July%20BoothBay%20Maine%202010%20023_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Osprey nest.</p> OzWeaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03689807058066446918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395544761989381608.post-81744184254108580502010-08-20T07:25:00.000-07:002010-08-25T07:02:53.574-07:00Maine Fiber Arts Studios Day 2<blockquote> <p>My second day of studio/farm visits was just as fun as the first!  Maine seems to be a great place for inspiration and creativity.  I’m so impressed with the places I’ve visited the past two years.  If I lived here I really enjoy having more exposure to these creative people!</p> <p><a href="http://www.hopespinnery.com/"><font color="#0000ff">Hope Spinnery</font></a>:<font color="#0000ff">  </font><font color="#400000">How lucky for me to finally visit this mill that I’ve heard about for years!  It’s in a secluded spot just inland from Lincolnville, nestled in the woods with a rambling garden surrounding the mill.  The upper floor is a wonderful showroom, while the mill equipment is on the lower floor.  I did not get to meet Bill Huntington who runs the mill since he was off-site teaching a workshop. His mother was on hand to welcome visitors and answer questions.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THUiiVk14EI/AAAAAAAACMw/32R2JxKDTZU/s1600-h/hope%20spinnery%20bldg%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="hope spinnery bldg" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="234" alt="hope spinnery bldg" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THUijNhf5MI/AAAAAAAACM0/IWeAG1-Ieg0/hope%20spinnery%20bldg_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><font color="#400000">In the showroom I enjoyed looking at the rovings and yarns, all colored with natural dyes.  Stunning!  </font></p> </blockquote> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.weavingalife.com/"><font color="#0000ff">Weaving a Life: Susan Barrett Merrill</font></a>  Another gem of a studio, hidden in a lovely secluded spot!  Susan is an artist worth knowing!  I must find a way to bring her to NY/NJ so others can experience her charisma and her artistic ideas about weaving and community!</p> <p>She does amazing things will pulled warp tapestry, creating these marvelous masks.  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXnQTXEwFffxLLl5etz3uJTbOJFa35TZc5CInT2pMhNgpeSpqvDHvHL4nyQC8xkboSJT_SesUdUPYxvIhLHOizSCjZXBQWYwU8E8TlnKt_xH0phfItCcBgEcZqxtJdsyPnEAQkeQmKlU/s1600-h/Maine%208.7.10%20011%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Maine 8.7.10 011" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="Maine 8.7.10 011" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THPWeqGLizI/AAAAAAAACKk/BdHN-erhMNE/Maine%208.7.10%20011_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THPWfs_gnkI/AAAAAAAACKo/JP7em-4G-kY/s1600-h/Maine%208.7.10%20013%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="Maine 8.7.10 013" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="Maine 8.7.10 013" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THPWhIlk2KI/AAAAAAAACKs/l2L335dohpw/Maine%208.7.10%20013_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Some of the masks have an entire community of figures surrounding the mask, and are fascinating creations in themselves!  Susan’s ideas and her active involvement in bringing weaving into everyone’s life and managing community weaving projects is very exciting!  She generously gave me a copy of her book, <em>Zati: the Art of Weaving a Life,</em> and I am so touched by it.  </p> <p>Susan has accomplished quite a lot toward her goal of bringing weaving into communities through making Journey looms we’ve all seen in recent issues of weaving magazines as well as writing this book and making several DVDs.  Somehow she still finds time for doing her own weaving and creating these incredible masks.  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THPWiA9BHGI/AAAAAAAACKw/tAXAFPFnk2s/s1600-h/Maine%208.7.10%20021%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Maine 8.7.10 021" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="Maine 8.7.10 021" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/THPWjV0briI/AAAAAAAACK0/4_Pt3lyPNIA/Maine%208.7.10%20021_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> <br />Her method of weaving ancient pictographs or keyforms is the core to her philosophy about understanding our own journey and inter-connectedness. </p> <p>I hope I can bring her to NJ to share her knowledge and creativity with weavers from my own community!</p> OzWeaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03689807058066446918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395544761989381608.post-594178140049267782010-08-11T09:43:00.000-07:002010-08-21T05:20:01.685-07:00Maine Fiber Artists’ Open Studios<p>Well, it’s another beautiful summer in Maine, and I’m so lucky to visit other amazing <a href="http://http://www.mainefiberarts.org/TourMap/tourmaplist.html"><font color="#0000ff">fiber farmers and fiber artists’ studios!</font></a></p> <p>This year’s plan was a bit more involved than previous years, and it was a fun adventure!  My husband wanted to attend a rendevous for the Seven Seas Cruising Association on Islesboro so we worked out a plan to take the ferry to Lincolnville on two of the weekend mornings.  The first morning we hitchhiked partway and got a cab partway to get back to our car in Rockland.  Then, at the end of the day, I left the car at the ferry terminal so it would be handy for our second day of sightseeing.</p> <p>This is the eating area of the snack bar at the ferry terminal on Islesboro.  It’s about 7am, and the fog bank is rolling away to reveal the Camden Hills and the beautiful day ahead!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOkXVkE2d1xaaBOuqFqFPYTGtWYgCk_jwOuF26XJow4TyyRdctU1G2or2JBNnZkRi2RT7-gNtOOsgbxmP5A5PDTZoXw5oChq-HqwFNIx75yyzH_LaXmpGZg6Hv02RLw-3QglHJ0eOfHxQ/s1600-h/Maine%208.7.10%20002%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Maine 8.7.10 002" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="250" alt="Maine 8.7.10 002" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TGV2q-BcmPI/AAAAAAAACJ0/ydlq3Q2S9vc/Maine%208.7.10%20002_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="328" border="0" /></a> It took two hours from the time the ferry left ‘til we had our car, although the ferry ride was only 20 minutes!  We also got picked up hitchhiking a lot faster than when we waited for the cab in downtown Camden!</p> <p>Day one of fiber sightseeing included <strong><a href="http://http://www.eolianfarm.com/"><font color="#0000ff">Eolian Farm</font></a></strong> where no one was home, too bad for me!</p> <p>These photos were taken outside <a href="http://www.swansislandblankets.com/"><strong><font color="#0000ff">Swans Island Blankets</font></strong></a> on Rte. 1, just outside of Lincolnville.  What a stunning 18th century farmhouse they use for their showroom! <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TGV2567a3WI/AAAAAAAACJ4/5RZOaDrXxnQ/s1600-h/Maine%208.7.10%20003%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Maine 8.7.10 003" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="168" alt="Maine 8.7.10 003" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TGV3AZr260I/AAAAAAAACJ8/oDcQFKxgYzY/Maine%208.7.10%20003_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="221" align="left" border="0" /></a>We saw the looms as well as the dyeing room. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TGV3GI1ELtI/AAAAAAAACKA/GT7IqyY2mFU/s1600-h/Maine%208.7.10%20005%5B6%5D.jpg"><img title="Maine 8.7.10 005" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="172" alt="Maine 8.7.10 005" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TGV3PRtDNKI/AAAAAAAACKE/00k8ErD8I8o/Maine%208.7.10%20005_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="223" border="0" /></a></p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.twosonsalpacafarm.com"><font color="#0000ff">Two Sons Alpaca Farm</font></a></strong> in Damariscotta was the farm highlight of the weekend for me!  Owner Ricki Waltz was very happy to talk about her animals to us, a fascinating blend of alpaca husbandry and tales of the various personalities in her herd.  The babies were adorable and had quite distinct personalities right from the start!</p> <p><strong>Timberdoodle 2</strong> (alas! no website!) is a lovely studio overlooking the water near Cushing.  It’s a tiny, perfectly appointed showcase of Kathryn Woodstock-Lynn’s lace spinning and knitting!  Using traditional Shetland techniques, learned from such venerated knitters as Gladys Almedro, Sharon Miller and others, she knits lace shawls and wraps of her own design.  Her spinning is exquisite and so is her dyeing!  There were two large hatboxes of yarns for sale, each with enough to make either a shawl or a scarf.  One box held natural colored yarn, the other was full of her hand dyed creations.  She blends acid dyes into a stunning array of colors.  I dearly wanted a ‘red’ but did not have the pocketbook for it this summer.  I did buy a Shetland/Oxford mix dyed an indescribable mix of pink/lavender/tan ….just a small ball that will make a lovely scarf.</p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.katherinecobey.com"><font color="#0000ff">Katharine Cobey</font></a>.  </strong>When I entered this studio I instinctively knew that I was in the presence of an artist, and that her studio was probably going to be the highlight of all our travels this summer!  Her studio and its setting along the water is as artistic as Katharine herself.  The wall of glass that faces the water must provide an ever changing inspiration to her spinning and knitting. When I entered Katharine was reclining in an overstuffed chair with ottoman, knitting away on a current project. Her large Rio Grande ‘sitting great wheel’ was nearby, and one of the first things she did was give me a demonstration on how it works!  I’ve always wondered how one could sit and spin at a great wheel, and after seeing Rachel Brown’s simple technique which Katherine does so well, I am awestruck by what a simple feat it is to change from spinning off the spindle to winding on without stopping the wheel.  Thank heaven for Rachel Brown! Katharine made it look utterly simple, but when she encouraged me to try it I quickly learned that I’d need several hours (or days!) to get the hang of it!<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TGV3bSYBDqI/AAAAAAAACKI/eDmCmvrAnHM/s1600-h/Maine%208.7.10%20033%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Maine 8.7.10 033" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="234" alt="Maine 8.7.10 033" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TGV3kQzFd0I/AAAAAAAACKM/nq0mnjSEi4A/Maine%208.7.10%20033_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="307" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Part of Katharine’s studio is a showcase for some of her work.  There was a display of knitted mantles arranged in a circle and exquisitely lighted called <em><a href="http://http://www.katharinecobey.com/sculpture_ritual.php"><font color="#0000ff">Ritual against Homelessness</font></a></em>.  They were beautifully moving.  There was also a wire-knitted form on the wall that was wonderful. The form itself was interesting and was greatly enhanced by its shadow.  The combination of real form and shadow were terrific together.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TGV3r7xPVCI/AAAAAAAACKQ/iTlyAnjYwrA/s1600-h/katherinecobeyboat%5B14%5D.jpg"><img title="katherinecobeyboat" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="126" alt="katherinecobeyboat" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TGV3xzj07VI/AAAAAAAACKU/H183HxdKHdQ/katherinecobeyboat_thumb%5B12%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="258" border="0" /></a>  <br />On leaving, Katharine handed me one of her postcards which is when I realized I knew of her!  I had seen <em>Boat with Four Figures</em> at the Portland Museum a few years back, but didn’t realize she was the artist!  I’m thrilled to have met her!   </p> OzWeaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03689807058066446918noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395544761989381608.post-83178319862430727272010-07-09T08:31:00.000-07:002010-07-21T08:37:03.492-07:00The Price of Eggs in China, aka Talking Pears<p>I did finally take an afternoon to weave while we were anchored in Hadley Harbor, on the Island of Naushon just across from Wood’s Hole.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TEcUE56iu6I/AAAAAAAACJQ/U9e3sz9K-o0/s1600-h/Martha%27s%20Vineyard%20July%202010%20058%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Martha's Vineyard July 2010 058" border="0" alt="Martha's Vineyard July 2010 058" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TEcUFT8gPJI/AAAAAAAACJU/BQEVXilXwuU/Martha%27s%20Vineyard%20July%202010%20058_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="308" height="234" /></a> </p> <p>I’m working on a small tapestry that was an assignment from a workshop that Archie and Susan gave to the Wednesday Group several months ago. They called the workshop “Talking Pears.” For the workshop we were to bring two Bosc pears, our sketchbooks and pencils, and a variety of colored papers.</p> <p>For the morning, we arranged and drew our two pears several times.  After our lunch break, we took the sketches we liked best and used them as ideas for making several paper collage designs.  The nature of the paper collage designs being so graphic led to other ideas.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TEcUF1hkONI/AAAAAAAACJY/3f0E22gqWY4/s1600-h/pears%20cropped%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="pears cropped" border="0" alt="pears cropped" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TEcUGSQN0KI/AAAAAAAACJc/KJhiDm0bPvM/pears%20cropped_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="190" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>At the end of class we lined up our paper collages and discussed shapes, arrangements, and color choices.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4jCF45C-vPtJJBnSLtTbujFLknQaveyK1bDceO6oRo0PkhwR9dRi75hP1VKv3z-G7LHcEI2rrl_DVuUm4CLjQu-cTNUrZL1xjwQxy8AtXIFTctpcwoFPUx6KLjGjdEx_eWzCRIPM_ic/s1600-h/Various.%203.24.2010%20006%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Various. 3.24.2010 006" border="0" alt="Various. 3.24.2010 006" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TEcUG3fAlpI/AAAAAAAACJk/3mYHZwWuk6Y/Various.%203.24.2010%20006_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="265" height="202" /></a> </p> <p>This may be more than you want to know about the “price of eggs in China,” but I’m certain that Archie and Susan carefully chose this workshop as a clever way to make us start thinking in the language of tapestry rather than in the language of pure image.  Many of us are often intrigued by an image <em>first and foremost,</em> and we attempt to make a cartoon that will be weaverly. </p> <p>Here, the relationship of our pears as two shapes coming together, along with the relationship of the surrounding area, and the colors we chose to use took precedence over the image itself.  The simple paper collages we made prevented us from creating shading and contours.</p> <p>This simple exercise has allowed each of us to focus on how to create the shapes of the pears and the surrounding areas.  I’ve never paid so much attention to my curves and slopes!  I’m usually too busy also trying to create light and shadow.  I had a lot of fun choosing the colors for this little project, and with only six colors I really concentrated on the relationship between them.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TEcUHTAfxtI/AAAAAAAACJo/SAwI5ZvMDcE/s1600-h/Martha%27s%20Vineyard%20July%202010%20037%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Martha's Vineyard July 2010 037" border="0" alt="Martha's Vineyard July 2010 037" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TEcUHhEHDNI/AAAAAAAACJs/91nBN-xK8UE/Martha%27s%20Vineyard%20July%202010%20037_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="262" height="344" /></a> </p> <p><em>Here you can see the frame that Bob made for me to hold my copper pipe looms.  This frame allows me to adjust the loom up and down so I’ll always be weaving at a comfortable height.</em></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>One Wednesday Grouper has already woven eight small tapestries!  Several others have already woven two.  This is my first one, and I do hope to weave another.  I’m so slow that two will probably be my limit!</p> OzWeaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03689807058066446918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395544761989381608.post-43197725947337713242010-07-08T06:03:00.001-07:002010-07-08T06:03:52.241-07:00Where I am Weaving (NOT)<p>I've been in some lovely places lately, <i>not</i> weaving! I missed opportunities to weave in the Mystic River, on Cuttyhunk in the chain of Elisabeth Islands, and in Tashmoo Lake on Martha's Vineyard. I can't explain why I haven't been weaving as the days pass. Hopefully I'll remedy that tomorrow while we sit in Vineyard Haven.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TDXMp1FA13I/AAAAAAAACIE/9afBxPhQ-g8/s1600-h/cuttyhunk%20june%202010%20017%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="cuttyhunk june 2010 017" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="158" alt="cuttyhunk june 2010 017" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TDXMrsU176I/AAAAAAAACII/wU2rLE_43-Y/cuttyhunk%20june%202010%20017_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="207" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><em>View from the high point on Cuttyhunk.  The church steeple is a United Methodist church, but the list of multi-demoninational services available only mention RC and Episcopal!.. not even a Methodist service!</em></p> <p>                                                                                </p> <p><em><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TDXMssPTmEI/AAAAAAAACIM/Nea0lv_FF3I/s1600-h/cuttyhunk%20june%202010%20034%5B7%5D.jpg"><img title="cuttyhunk june 2010 034" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="cuttyhunk june 2010 034" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TDXMtsvO-rI/AAAAAAAACIQ/SNWU_aRxAno/cuttyhunk%20june%202010%20034_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> The 4th of July parade in which everyone decorates their golf carts (the main vehicle on the island) and drives through the island throwing candy at spectators!</em></p> <p> </p> <p>In the interim I have been spending some frustrating time fiddling with wifi on our boat with a cell booster a the top of the mast for connection. Nothing is ever as simple as advertised, and as I write I am not connected. I am just making a word document!</p> <p><i>And</i> I am attempting to learn to crochet. Actually, I know several crochet stitches and have managed to make trim for my knitted items over the past few decades, but I have never made a crocheted piece. When I visited WEBS in May, I was smitten with the <a href="http://www.yarn.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/categoryID/189C8EBA-5F46-4175-91F5-B5F39BA37751/productID/9F4A3F17-261C-4484-A22E-3C31B530946C/"><font color="#0000ff">crocheted market bag</font></a> (made from 8/2 linen), which is finished with a lovely leather handle from <a href="http://www.homesteadheirlooms.com/"><font color="#0000ff">Homestead Heirlooms</font></a> (also now available at WEBS). I chose a dark aubergine leather handle. I am determined to learn this! Thank heaven for the internet because during the brief moments when I had access to it I managed to watch a video on how to do a “Half Double Crochet” as well as how to do a “Back Post Half Double Crochet.” It sure is hard to recognize when I've come to the end of a round (would new knitters say this too?), so I'm trying to use a marker to keep me on track. I'm forging ahead….but slowly.  I’m not sure that crochet will ever feel natural…</p> OzWeaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03689807058066446918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395544761989381608.post-55160384829989230072010-06-25T06:07:00.001-07:002010-06-25T06:07:35.119-07:00Happy Solstice!<p>The glorious days of summer are here!  I’m spending a quiet week at home enjoying the things I cannot do on a boat!</p> <p>The gardens are looking great this year, with little input from me.  It’s been perfect weather to sit outside until the past couple of days when the heat drove me indoors and made me turn on the AC.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TCSqAEIIEEI/AAAAAAAACHc/chYz6YHtFqE/s1600-h/Garden%20late%20june%202010%20001%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Garden late june 2010 001" border="0" alt="Garden late june 2010 001" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TCSqAqSQ_VI/AAAAAAAACHg/0rO_zuyFYN0/Garden%20late%20june%202010%20001_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TCSqBKUBGtI/AAAAAAAACHk/-pwn0WN0Hq4/s1600-h/Garden%20late%20june%202010%20004%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Garden late june 2010 004" border="0" alt="Garden late june 2010 004" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TCSqCG7nvdI/AAAAAAAACHo/KuvnmUGRqs0/Garden%20late%20june%202010%20004_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>Our sailing grounds have moved to Eastern Long Island Sound now, but I did not weave on our last trip.  We had guests on board so there was little room for my loom.  Instead I did some crocheting and drop spindling.  We visited the newly built Ocean House in Watch Hill, RI, which is certainly as spectacular as the original structure must have been 100 years ago.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TCSqCS5x76I/AAAAAAAACHs/4xrL565fq3Y/s1600-h/Ocean%20House%20Watch%20Hill%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Ocean House Watch Hill" border="0" alt="Ocean House Watch Hill" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TCSqC1MUykI/AAAAAAAACHw/EirPDm_yuig/Ocean%20House%20Watch%20Hill_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="299" height="228" /></a> </p> <p>Now I am home alone for a few days, finally using the Toika that I bought from my friend about two years ago! This project will be a set of placemats for my older son and his wife.  The loom needed a lot of tweaking, at least for this old girl who is only familiar with jack looms!  I might be a bit old for learning new tricks, but with Sr. Bianca’s help, I think I’ve got the loom in great working condition now!  I’m a convert to countermarche!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TCSqDZ7UnHI/AAAAAAAACH0/gfq3D2qmQfQ/s1600-h/Monks%20Belt%20placemats%206.2010%20002%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Monks Belt placemats 6.2010 002" border="0" alt="Monks Belt placemats 6.2010 002" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TCSqD3QP_AI/AAAAAAAACH4/e_JDH9eA8AY/Monks%20Belt%20placemats%206.2010%20002_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>5/2 merc. cotton warp with 8/1 linen tow weft in lots of beachy blue/green colors.  Each set of two will be slightly different, for a total of 8 placemats.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TCSqE0pBriI/AAAAAAAACH8/RKCQsfGsnOQ/s1600-h/Monks%20Belt%20placemats%206.2010%20006%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Monks Belt placemats 6.2010 006" border="0" alt="Monks Belt placemats 6.2010 006" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TCSqFfTaEeI/AAAAAAAACIA/BUHDnOIEa2w/Monks%20Belt%20placemats%206.2010%20006_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> The reverse side is quite nice too.  This pattern is from Jean Scorgie’s “Weaver’s Craft” issue 16, Monk’s Belt.</p> <p>I’m working on the Archie project too and hope to have a new blog post there soon!</p> OzWeaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03689807058066446918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395544761989381608.post-50097246522448342952010-06-17T07:27:00.001-07:002010-06-17T07:50:42.917-07:00Weaving Destinations<p>The first dot on the map may be the most interesting!</p> <p>Bonnie Tarses will be weaving in western Montana, at Flathead Reservation, in a bucolic spot called “The Garden of 1000 Buddhas.”  Through the internet I found this description from a Montana newspaper:</p> <p>“Visualize a 10-acre garden with a thousand Buddhas to inspire visitors of all faiths to reflect on peace and find compassion and happiness within themselves.”</p> <p>And now visualize Big Sky country, a peaceful garden for contemplation, and your loom at your side!  Does it get any better than this? The Dalai Lama plans to visit the completed garden in 2011.  </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:84E294D0-71C9-4bd0-A0FE-95764E0368D9:becc976e-e6fe-4b67-ab0b-4339866fb679" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a href="http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=48.29852~-113.9811&lvl=11&style=a&mkt=en-us&FORM=LLWR" id="map-43305b75-c7a0-433d-8b16-35e5a5b8c1c8" alt="Click to view this map on Live.com" title="Click to view this map on Live.com"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TBo1sAYLJII/AAAAAAAACEg/Bfoo0C3Grns/map-b7731fdc2e3c.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="240" alt="Map picture"></a></div> OzWeaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03689807058066446918noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395544761989381608.post-89875666053992891932010-06-14T14:50:00.001-07:002010-06-14T14:50:59.699-07:00Where will you weave this summer?<p>Yikes!….I wrote this <em>two weeks ago</em> and somehow didn’t post it….</p> <p>A successful few days of weaving while on board our sailboat, <em>Pandora</em>, has me thinking about where other weavers work during their travels.  What comes to mind first is a wonderful <a href="http://www.brennan-maffei.com/SMM_TravelSeriesII/TravelII.html">travelogue tapestry</a> by Susan Martin Maffei that chronicles a train trip she took from New York westward across the country.  It’s a multi-panel work with 2” x 2” tiny tapestries mounted on the panels, depicting the landmarks and landscapes of her trip. Susan has also brought small copper pipe looms on airplanes and woven while in flight!</p> <p>I imagine many weavers must bring looms on vacation (floor and table looms as well as frame looms for tapestry), and I’d like to know where you will be weaving this summer!  If you read this, please consider leaving a comment of where you plan to weave while you are away from home!  I’d like to picture all the wonderful places where weavers will be working on their projects.  I might make a map (if I can figure out how!) showing all the vacation weaving places I hear about.  Or if you plan to blog about your summer weaving, send me a link!  </p> <p>I have just returned home this morning from a trip along the Chesapeake.  It started in Williamsburg (by car!) with a visit to my parents and some friends, and ended with a week of sailing in the Chesapeake.  For my part in this summer weaving list, I can say that I worked on my current tapestry in St. Michael’s harbor, Maryland, and at a lovely anchorage off Gibson Island in the Magothy River, also Maryland.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TBakQNMJ3II/AAAAAAAACEU/CtlU1PRsEaE/s1600-h/May.latemaygardenetc.0277.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="St. Michaels harbor" border="0" alt="St. Michaels harbor" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/TBakQzLVWVI/AAAAAAAACEY/8xPQrf5bD2I/May.latemaygardenetc.027_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="328" height="250" /></a> </p> <p>St. Michaels harbor on the eastern shore of Maryland.</p> OzWeaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03689807058066446918noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395544761989381608.post-39367313982762103632010-05-19T09:36:00.001-07:002010-05-19T09:40:03.898-07:00Second Weaving Trip!<p>Late last week I visited Shelburne Falls, Mass, with a couple of weaving friends.  It was open studio week at <a href="http://www.vavstuga.com"><font color="#0000ff">Vav Stuga</font></a>.  We had made our plans too late to participate in weaving on the looms, but we were happy to make the trip to visit the town and check out this weaving studio!</p> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S_QTkwqfqgI/AAAAAAAACC8/BqHBnzxIofg/s1600-h/vav%20stiga%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="vav stiga" border="0" alt="vav stiga" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S_QTlqH7B4I/AAAAAAAACDA/ph5vq4aKlNM/vav%20stiga_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="165" height="197" /></a> </p> <p>Shelburne Falls is known for its “Bridge of Flowers,” and we learned that the bridge has been turned into a small botanic garden, planted with trees, vines, shrubs and many perennials.  In May there is a lot in bloom!  Azaleas, wisteria vines, iris, Solomon’s seal, columbine, poppies….well, I just cannot name them all!  There were plenty of summer blooming perennials starting to bud!  </p> <p>The Bridge of Flowers was started in the 1940s by a group of volunteers on an old trolley bridge .  For many years it was known as the “Bridge of Weeds.”  It is now supervised by a professional gardener, but still requires the hard work of many volunteers.  While my friends and I walked across, we saw one volunteer hauling numerous wheel barrow loads of black dirt onto the bridge.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S_QTmIdjz3I/AAAAAAAACDE/pWKrToZxH8o/s1600-h/May%20Garden%20and%20Vav%20Stuga%20004%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="May Garden and Vav Stuga 004" border="0" alt="May Garden and Vav Stuga 004" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S_QTmXHpHTI/AAAAAAAACDI/cU2AgYxq8Eo/May%20Garden%20and%20Vav%20Stuga%20004_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="284" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUNmkvOGkPwEPw3rqQCixGsUtnP7Wf1K7g68k73Y8yeENTacQGKseChm1T-VXwZcDAg3JPxbN8x9-BSFJRj1B4vrFAlLOU1BqjZ1OC6sO5h5YdvjtmQLEBsY0wCFwa3lqKPPMGn7XFg8/s1600-h/May%20Garden%20and%20Vav%20Stuga%20006%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="May Garden and Vav Stuga 006" border="0" alt="May Garden and Vav Stuga 006" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S_QTnb08O_I/AAAAAAAACDQ/KuQZmSPBvqw/May%20Garden%20and%20Vav%20Stuga%20006_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="299" height="393" /></a> </p> <p>We stopped at <a href="http://www.yarn.com"><font color="#0000ff">WEBS</font></a> on the way up and had a fun shopping spree!  Their spring sale was in progress, and we each got some wonderful things!  My most exciting purchase was two cones of tencel in complimentary colors to recreate the two-block twill fabric that was on Bonney’s loom when I got it.  That’s the fabric I wrote about earlier this month!  It will be wonderful to have my own version!</p> <p>On our first evening in Shelburne Falls, we met the business manager of Vav Stuga who happens to be living at the Dancing Bear, where we stayed.  She mentioned that there was one cancelation for Friday, and after a little discussion, my friends agreed that I could take the spot!  Lucky me! So while my friends toured the town on Friday morning, I wove at one of the looms!  It was a rep weave project in colors that were just perfect for both my kitchen and my family room!  I loved the studio (sorry, no photos…but you can check out the website! I was too busy at the loom!), and I enjoyed weaving in this setting!  Now I hope to visit again for one of the week long classes.  Becky (owner), Susan (business manager) and Celeste (apprentice) do a wonderful job of creating a calm setting with lots of good weaving energy.  The studio and living spaces make you feel like you’ve just entered a Karl Larsson painting!  It’s <em>lovely</em>.</p> <p>Here’s my runner!</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S_QTn4msw-I/AAAAAAAACDU/wz-6EsSILS0/s1600-h/May%20Garden%20and%20Vav%20Stuga%20007%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="May Garden and Vav Stuga 007" border="0" alt="May Garden and Vav Stuga 007" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S_QToYPk0OI/AAAAAAAACDY/syltQqfxEts/May%20Garden%20and%20Vav%20Stuga%20007_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="262" /></a></p> OzWeaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03689807058066446918noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395544761989381608.post-61758750008942478302010-05-19T09:15:00.001-07:002010-05-19T09:15:42.630-07:00Weaving trips!<p>It’s full spring now, and I have just treated myself to two weaving trips!  I feel decadent, and it is wonderful!</p> <p>First was a two day workshop and evening lecture at Jockey Hollow Weaving Guild, which is in a beautiful part of New Jersey, just west of Morristown.  This is horse country with lots of historical, colonial sites…not that I visited any of them since I was busy weaving!</p> <p>The workshop instructor was Ruby Leslie from New Hampshire, and her class was titled “50 Ways to Weave Your Color.”  Seventeen students each got a warp from Ruby in the same colors but different color sequences with different weave structures.  We then had a very organized round robin of weaving over the two days.  It was great!<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S_QOK56X1PI/AAAAAAAACCE/sjqjHkmDxZM/s1600-h/RubyLeslieworkshop0420100073.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Ruby Leslie workshop 042010 007" border="0" alt="Ruby Leslie workshop 042010 007" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S_QOLQZKcII/AAAAAAAACCI/gTBjmFDKtOQ/RubyLeslieworkshop042010007_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Huck Weave with dark weft on a shaded warp</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S_QOLjxhj2I/AAAAAAAACCM/m4uG8Mx1nDs/s1600-h/RubyLeslieworkshop0420100103.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Ruby Leslie workshop 042010 010" border="0" alt="Ruby Leslie workshop 042010 010" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S_QOMd-XJzI/AAAAAAAACCQ/sFpLQSbpRkA/RubyLeslieworkshop042010010_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Advancing twill on a different shaded warp with dark bars between the color changes.  Woven with a dark weft</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S_QOM7EhZiI/AAAAAAAACCU/izKRDeJ55qs/s1600-h/RubyLeslieworkshop0420100094.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Ruby Leslie workshop 042010 009" border="0" alt="Ruby Leslie workshop 042010 009" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S_QONT-Pf9I/AAAAAAAACCY/k49Q4xaEXWc/RubyLeslieworkshop042010009_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Bumberet.  Lots of variation here.  Warp stripes in bright colors on muted background and weft, or more subtle colors when the bright colors sections are not raised.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S_QOOPd2MlI/AAAAAAAACCc/qipr6iFwkHQ/s1600-h/RubyLeslieworkshop0420100186.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Ruby Leslie workshop 042010 018" border="0" alt="Ruby Leslie workshop 042010 018" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S_QOOqdoe0I/AAAAAAAACCg/QyjO2MQA1d8/RubyLeslieworkshop042010018_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Color and Weave Pinwheels, using multi-colored warp instead of just light/dark. Weft also shades through the various pinks/terracottas and the various greens.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S_QOPIafbbI/AAAAAAAACCk/4y9FVncuT9Y/s1600-h/RubyLeslieworkshop0420100133.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Ruby Leslie workshop 042010 013" border="0" alt="Ruby Leslie workshop 042010 013" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S_QOpt6gqPI/AAAAAAAACCo/3v3IEihvcSo/RubyLeslieworkshop042010013_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Asymmetric plaid, woven either in straight twill or plain weave.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S_QOqAb5PPI/AAAAAAAACCs/16zcdsqF_AA/s1600-h/RubyLeslieworkshop0420100143.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Ruby Leslie workshop 042010 014" border="0" alt="Ruby Leslie workshop 042010 014" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S_QOqkp65nI/AAAAAAAACCw/1HBvPAz1_3Q/RubyLeslieworkshop042010014_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Double weave, with color striping and dark weft.  There were two versions: one in cotton and one in tencel.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>There were 17 looms, with six weave structures to try, so there were three each of 5 structures (bumberet, huck, adv. twill, plaid, color & weave) and two looms with double weave.  Everyone went home with six samples and some of us went home with 7 or 8 eight samples.  It was extremely well organized!  Ruby will be teaching at Convergence this summer, and I’m sure her students will be happy they chose her class!</p> <p>While Ruby has lived in New Hampshire for many years now, she is originally from Queens.  She made a comment that she likes to receive tiaras from her students as a light hearted reference to her ‘royal’ roots.  One of the students really outdid herself by making Ruby a felted tiara late at night after the first day of class had ended!  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S_QOrE7kc1I/AAAAAAAACC0/I9pL6ksWEkw/s1600-h/RubyLeslieworkshop0420100273.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Ruby Leslie workshop 042010 027" border="0" alt="Ruby Leslie workshop 042010 027" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S_QOrcyjIGI/AAAAAAAACC4/cXnU5zGdCw4/RubyLeslieworkshop042010027_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Ruby in her felted tiara!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>News of my second weaving trip to follow!</p> OzWeaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03689807058066446918noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395544761989381608.post-33710338689291548412010-05-11T14:56:00.001-07:002010-05-11T15:28:45.210-07:00A Weaver’s Legacy<p>An amazing turn of events last week brought three weavers together after three years…</p> <p>About three years ago, a good friend of mine died from complications related to breast cancer.  She was a very artistic woman, someone I admired.  She wore her handwoven clothes with enviable flair, and she knew how to accessorize.  When she could no longer sit at the loom she continued to knit accessories that were as striking as her woven items.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S-nSnxDnrRI/AAAAAAAACB0/tw6HxrZu34M/s1600-h/Bonney%20Ford%20crop%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Bonney Ford crop" border="0" alt="Bonney Ford crop" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S-nSoTMlW-I/AAAAAAAACB4/OgwKPo0KNIY/Bonney%20Ford%20crop_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="278" height="325" /></a> </p> <p>(<em>Well</em>, this is not the best photo to demonstrate Bonney’s fashion flair, but do notice the t-shirt on the sheep                commemorates National Spinners and Weavers week!)</p> <p> </p> <p>Her daughters held a sale before selling her house, and I got some precious items which always make me think fondly of Bonney’s friendship.  I have two shirts, commerically made, that look deceptively handwoven, a sterling jewelry pin of a castle-style spinning wheel, and Bonney’s 8S  Baby Wolf. </p> <p>When I got the loom it had samples on it, lovely samples of what looked to me like a ‘Sharon Alderman’ fabric.  There were several small samples, separated by unwoven warp.  The warp looked like 20/2 mercerized cotton in a medium grey.  The weft was the same size cotton in ‘rust’ or ‘burnt sienna.’  The color difference between the warp and weft made a lovely iridescence in the fabric, giving the finished cloth the look of silk.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S-nSo4Eyd2I/AAAAAAAACB8/kdN8Tn6LuIc/s1600-h/Ruby%20Leslie%20workshop%20042010%20044%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Ruby Leslie workshop 042010 044" border="0" alt="Ruby Leslie workshop 042010 044" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S-nSpcc4WfI/AAAAAAAACCA/vwZb861P6Bg/Ruby%20Leslie%20workshop%20042010%20044_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="361" height="275" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>I thought of weaving off the rest of the warp, but when I went searching for what the treadling might be I did not find this pattern. Also, I did not have the weft.  Eventually I cut the fabric off the loom so that I could warp it for a weaving workshop.  I thought I might serge the fabric samples and give one to each of Bonney’s good friends in my guild, keeping one for myself.</p> <p>But I never did it.  The fabric has lain on top of my serger now for three years….</p> <p>During these three years my path has occasionally crossed the path of another New Jersey weaver from the Jockey Hollow Guild.  I heard her name numerous times through mutual acquaintances, and I finally met her during her guild’s holiday sale last December.  </p> <p>Last week when I had again warped this loom in readiness for a weaving workshop from the Jockey Hollow Guild, Sally was the organizer, so our paths crossed again.  </p> <p>At one point during the workshop Sally offered to tweak my loom into better working condition.  I mentioned that this loom had belonged to a good friend who had left this life.  I asked if she had ever known Bonney, who had on occasion attended meetings at Jockey Hollow.</p> <p>Well, Sally <em>did know</em> Bonney. In fact, some time before Bonney’s final days, Sally had visited her to weave off some samples that were part of an exchange (indeed, a Sharon Alderman design). Shortly after that visit Bonney died, and Sally did not know what became of the samples or of  Bonney’s loom.  The participants in that exchange never got the samples.</p> <p>Isn’t it interesting that I had wanted to give those samples to some of Bonney’s friends, but I just never could bring myself to cut them apart and serge the ends?…. and equally interesting that I kept hearing about Sally from a couple of friends.  I, too, had visited some meetings of Sally’s guild, but I did not met her until recently….  And it is interesting that we did not get to the subject of Bonney and her loom on our first meeting, but obviously it was meant to come about at some point.</p> <p>I think Bonney knew it would happen, all in good time, and I think she smiled when it finally did.  I will miss seeing the yardage in my studio, but I’m <em>immensely happy</em> that it will go to the recipients who were always meant to have it.  It’s a lovely length of finely woven cloth.  Good weaving endures, friendship endures.  It’s all good.</p> OzWeaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03689807058066446918noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395544761989381608.post-86218830557267271462010-04-27T15:12:00.001-07:002010-04-27T15:57:35.222-07:00Weaving Mix and Match<p>There is so much stuff going on here that I’m on a roller coaster that vacillates from highs of excitement to lows of panic when I think major things are falling through the cracks and I’m certain I cannot keep up!</p> <p>The highs:  <a href="http://www.archiebrennanproject.com"><font color="#0000ff">Archie’s blog</font></a> is finally up!  It’s something I’ve wanted to do for <em>months</em>.  I have wanted to share some of the many photos and some excerpts from his writings. It just doesn’t feel right to have access to all this incredible stuff and not share it, ‘share the love,’ so to speak, throughout the process.  Meanwhile, others have contacted me that they have things to share as well!  That’s exactly what I was hoping! I installed a counter yesterday (should have done it from the beginning, a week ago) and found that there were 70 visitors in less than 24 hours!  Boy, do I love looking at that counter!</p> <p>The Lows: none of the lows are <em>bad</em> things.  In fact, they are all <em>wonderful</em> things!  It’s just too much all at one time, and I’m certain I will lose track of some important bit no matter how many ‘notes to self’ I write!</p> <p>I have tapestry work to do.  At the other end of my medieval lady’s head I’ve started my ‘talking pears,’ or ‘pair of pears,’ which is a Wednesday group project.  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S9dhQq_V_xI/AAAAAAAAB84/MEDt3PQwk6I/s1600-h/Various.%203.24.2010%20006%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Various. 3.24.2010 006" border="0" alt="Various. 3.24.2010 006" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S9dhQzmQvAI/AAAAAAAAB88/QetBbwt4E2I/Various.%203.24.2010%20006_thumb%5B10%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="173" height="165" /></a> </p> <p>This is the cartoon.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Next week I will participate in a workshop at the Jockey Hollow Weavers’ Guild, which meant I needed to warp a floor loom by the end of today.  The instructor is Ruby Leslie from Vermont, and the class is “<strong>50 Ways to Weave Your Color</strong>.”  I really enjoyed warping my Baby Wolf. I love to warp floor looms!  It’s very zen to me and feels as good as doing yoga!  On the flip side, I don’t like throwing the shuttle so much.  I’d like to dress looms and have someone else weave the cloth for me.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S9dhRl1iVqI/AAAAAAAAB9A/k6r6LaVxRLM/s1600-h/Ruby%20Leslie%20workshop%20042010%20003%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Ruby Leslie workshop 042010 003" border="0" alt="Ruby Leslie workshop 042010 003" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S9dhSERZRcI/AAAAAAAAB9E/vvz_gd5Lkv4/Ruby%20Leslie%20workshop%20042010%20003_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>If you click on this to magnify it, you’ll get an idea of how well Ruby blended colors for this warp! It’s an 8S straight draw with a tie up for weaving lozenge shapes.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S9dhSo3Jn7I/AAAAAAAAB9I/dtIxMdLEWFw/s1600-h/Ruby%20Leslie%20workshop%20042010%20006%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Ruby Leslie workshop 042010 006" border="0" alt="Ruby Leslie workshop 042010 006" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S9dhS4ti2VI/AAAAAAAAB9M/I0b0wYS0HWg/Ruby%20Leslie%20workshop%20042010%20006_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p>Who doesn’t love a freshly dressed loom?  All the potential for beautiful cloth lies ahead, and none of the tedium of throwing the shuttle has dampened the excitement!</p> <p>Oh, and there was another bonus to taking this workshop.  I needed the reed that is currently on my AVL!  In order to get it I had to weave off the last part of a warp I’d made for a minister’s stole a <em>year and a half ago</em>!  I had added a scarf to the length of that warp, and I just couldn’t throw the shuttle any longer, even with a good book on my ipod.  Needing that reed did the trick.  Photos of the scarf will follow shortly.  I will twist the fringes and wet finish this evening.</p> <p>With tapestry weaving I have the opposite feeling about warp and weft.  I really don’t care for warping, weaving the header, putting in the soumak.  I only like the <em>weaving</em>.  I’d like to find someone who’d get the loom set up for me so I can just weave.</p> <p>We leave for a week of sailing tomorrow which is why I had to get both the floor loom and tapestry loom ready by end of today.  When I get back I have three days of classes…a bit too much yinging and yanging for me.  In today’s inbox I got the next version of the ATB8 catalog that must be edited by early next week.  I guess I’ll try to edit while on board.  </p> <p>Wishing for calm seas and smooth sailing,</p> OzWeaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03689807058066446918noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395544761989381608.post-82205415982513656652010-04-26T07:00:00.001-07:002010-04-26T07:03:00.347-07:00The Archie Brennan Project Blog<p>Almost two years ago, I began transcribing Archie Brennan’s life story which I asked him to write, as well as his many essays and articles written over the course of his 60+ years of weaving tapestries.  He is an excellent record keeper, and going through his files is an exciting adventure!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzP97vLfdCaR89SBwWOaLGHQJOOegoGk0hNgT6YlQ7zBZcgcLWhYWLuLV1_ksjzv83xXd6W0aB2II1cHeHEoAUBLuzbtJedXEMxfYwvLoGBka2I6vM2aA_lcAboYE9bjQ_rV4KDF2YJo/s1600-h/Wed.%20Group%20Kingston%20openingArchie%20(Medium)%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Wed. Group Kingston openingArchie (Medium)" border="0" alt="Wed. Group Kingston openingArchie (Medium)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S9WccD81UjI/AAAAAAAAB7E/ODFKI1QY0Rg/Wed.%20Group%20Kingston%20openingArchie%20%28Medium%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="233" /></a> </p> <p>Several years ago I edited and published a book which took a couple of years to assemble.  The “Archie Project” is considerably larger and is progressing nicely, with about 75 pages of text so far! I am committed to putting together a book about Archie that covers his life story, shares his probing, often humorous, thoughts on many aspects of tapestry weaving in various cultures, and showcases as many of his 450 woven tapestries as space will allow.</p> <p>The blog is<font color="#0000ff"> </font><a href="http://www.archiebrennanproject.com"><font color="#0000ff">here</font></a>!  </p> <p>Two other Wednesday Groupers are helping with this project!  Barbara Burns is working on creating a retrospective exhibition of Archie’s work, and she and Sarah Doyle and I are also cataloging all of Archie’s photographed works into a catalog raisonne which will be an appendix to the book.  Hopefully, we can also create a DVD of works to be included in the book.  It’s a big project, and we are all volunteers!  </p> <p>I’m seeking input, in the form of contributions of photos or stories, or advice or connections. A<em>nything at all</em> that you think pertinent to this project will be enthusiastically accepted.  Check out the blog and contact me!  </p> OzWeaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03689807058066446918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395544761989381608.post-35233340912482094452010-04-15T06:18:00.001-07:002010-04-15T06:18:33.855-07:00Guest House<p>At the Soul Collage meeting last night, my good friend who leads us read a poem by Rumi.  It was a breath of fresh air!  I haven’t had enough poetry lately, and actually hadn’t even thought of this poet in a year or so.</p> <p><strong>The Guest House</strong></p> <p>This being human is a guest house. <br />Every morning a new arrival.</p> <p>A joy, a depression, a meanness, <br />some momentary awareness comes <br />as an unexpected visitor.</p> <p>Welcome and entertain them all! <br />Even if they are a crowd of sorrows, <br />who violently sweep your house <br />empty of its furniture, <br />still, treat each guest honorably. <br />He may be clearing you out <br />for some new delight.</p> <p>The dark thought, the shame, the malice. <br />Meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.</p> <p>Be grateful for whatever comes, <br />because each has been sent <br />as a guide from beyond.</p> <p>-- Jelaluddin Rumi, <br />    translation by Coleman Barks</p> <p>Well, today my lodgers are all very boisterous, happy guests.  They are the spring dwellers.  My son’s photos of his Manhattan neighborhood capture them very well!  …even in New York!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S8cSJLWMIwI/AAAAAAAAB58/rhp_pd6PHnY/s1600-h/chris%20spring%202%204.2010%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="chris spring 2 4.2010" border="0" alt="chris spring 2 4.2010" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S8cSJT-ftnI/AAAAAAAAB6A/qX2aOw4EzWU/chris%20spring%202%204.2010_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="314" height="213" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S8cSJyG-HcI/AAAAAAAAB6E/TAYCX8kLhus/s1600-h/chris%20spring%20apple%20tree%204.2010%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="chris spring apple tree 4.2010" border="0" alt="chris spring apple tree 4.2010" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wMHmSKIt2bg/S8cSKB3zIRI/AAAAAAAAB6I/QYcLS_5WOs0/chris%20spring%20apple%20tree%204.2010_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="321" height="217" /></a></p> OzWeaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03689807058066446918noreply@blogger.com0