Sunday, February 23, 2014

FatCat Coming At You!

Once again, each month I'm always amazed at the how Sindy comes up with such interesting and unusual patterns.  Oh, to be such a designer! 
The next to last doggie block for me--background fabric has run out!  Too bad as this has been fun!

another kissing fish--just wished I'd used a brighter fabric for the fins

HOOT!  HOOT! HOOT!

And a new block of the month (BOM) beginning in February--how cute are these fellas!
check Sindy's patterns out at Fat Cat.  These patterns are free each month until the next one is posted--join in the fun!

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

In-Spir-a-tion!

Meeting with my weaver friends is the greatest inspiration! They always amaze me! Give me insight into different ways of thinking about a warp and a weft. In fact, any fiber technique! The latest February meetings brought forth more fruit for thought.................
Dottie is our 'recycling' fiber person.  She can always come up with more ways to reuse 'old' fabrics.  She had taken some woven fabric that had 'aged' and made little heart pin cushions as gifts for a luncheon.

Connie had finished weaving her wrap--big chunky weft and warp, indigo dyed colors.

she added the stitching in the motifs to add contrast points

Look how lovely and genius!

Dottie showed off her needle felted honey pot bear.............

He's quite the fellow!

Now, take this model

Give it to Kate and she is off and running to fashion her own unique needle felted bear--just because, she wanted a bear!


Rosemary had her handspun wool--having recently taken a novelty spinning workshop with Connie

She created these lovely unique yarns


At a different weavers gathering, our luncheon table covering was these interesting table mats; the cutlery works well in this setting 

And sometimes, the best part of meeting with fiber friends is the chance to admire their wearables.  this scarf was worn by D'Anne

And we have the over achiever in Marion!  She is quite the weaver!  She took linen and cotton warp to cram and space to make this lovely fabric

The drape and feel is awesome!


And Karen's rugs!  oh, my!



Rosepath setting


The look of the back one has almost an undulating twill effect

But, up close you can see it is just the weft--she uses yard of fabric that she cuts lengthwise to have a continuous weft--now, you got to admire her for that.

Up close look at Karen's rug
Linda was working with block weaves and had three different versions of the same block structure


The top towel was huck lace weave

Here is the third version

Since our group is studying traditional Swedish weave, this towel fit right in

This lovely spindle was a departing gift to Leigh

Gretchen was showing her lovely warped painted scarf

All we can say is a definite WOW factor!!
 
Yes, there is always inspiration at our weavers' meeting--maybe, I should be on the loom and create some inspiration myself!

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Nature's Colors

How often do you use Nature's colors for your creations?  The colors are around us all the time--winter, spring, summer and fall. 
My favorite nature scene is a winter sunset--there is nothing like a sunset at the beach.


The colors bounce off the water and there must be clouds to have the full effect

My camera has a section where you take different color sections--this is definitely an interesting way to view the same natural scene


Take a look at this sunset from the same location as one above with different tints and hues

And when I take photos like this I can revisit the evening over and over



The daytime flashes of lights off the water is awesome

The blue green of the waters against the white of the sandy shore

And of course, the ruby red of fresh strawberries.  How can we not use Nature for our color selections?

and I love this feature on my I-pad--kaleidoscope feature in the photo booth.  This is a photo of a ball of yarn that I was knitting from--ah technology! 
Have fun with nature and the settings on your camera!



Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Can Not Resist??!!

How can we resist so much yummy fiber? It's there! Easy to touch and feel! Easy on the eyes! That was the problem at our annual January spin-in--vendors who bring the latest and greatest in the fiber world! yummy, delicious, elegant, exotic, unusual, novelty...................
Walking through the vendor hall is exciting--your eyes are glazing over--so much great 'stuff''--yes, fiber stuff!

Spun yarn, unspun fibers, colors deep, colors neutral--

Here is the beginning of a disaster to your pocketbook--but, we have saved and planned all year for just this occasion and we are ready to SHOP!

We stop in each booth to savor and drool--how about Raspberries? or Gale's Art



Dicentra. Skyloom Weavers and Maple Row Stock/Wool from Michigan (no web page)
Alpaca Joe



 
The Spinning Seahorse. Rovings out of Canada


Deila's Notions featured great hand lotions, natural soaps, creams and embroidered shirts

We have such a nice affair with our vendors!

They love our 'captured' spinners!

Can you think of anything better than a buying spree?





We LoVE our VenDors!! 

Just Can’t!!

 It’s been almost two weeks since time change and I just can’t get my body turned around to adjust.  I know it’s only an hour BUT it’s that ...