Monday, August 31, 2015

Folded Woven Paper.......................................Art!

We continue with more lovely paper pieces! 


MAYUMI KANEKO works with great sense of design--take a look at the website to see how paper can be transformed into lovely art pieces!

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Shifu


One of my passions has been Shifu--the art of paper garments.  Using hand pulled paper, which is cut into small continuous strips, is then spun into fine paper yarn.  I have made several garments using this method.  Not only have I used hand pulled Japanese paper but also comic pages from newspapers and tissue paper (the kind used for wrapping gifts).  Today I share with you the technique that is unusual but has a long history.

Paper garments have long been used.
Enjoy this brief encounter into the art of
Shifu and paper spinning.
For more information and the beauty of Shifu,
check out this website









Saturday, August 29, 2015

Art--Paper.......................................Creations!



Nathalie Boutte is a French artist that works with paper strips!  Yes, she cuts long narrow strips of paper and then she patiently assembles, one by one thus creating a feather effect which constantly evolves. 

We call this art too!!






 

Friday, August 28, 2015

Art Continues--Paper Weaving

Art is many forms--today we venture into the world of two weavers, each with an unique technique to achieve their form of art.  A collaboration of the minds--one from Japan, the other from United Kingdom.

 
Paper Rhythms features the work of Mayumi Kaneko.  Mayumi is a hand weaver. She has always been developing woven textures and patterns in various yarns to make beautiful and intriguing fabrics.  Recently, her main focus has been the exploration of the potential of Japanese paper yarn. The yarn is made from Manila hemp fibers and a Japanese paper making method is used to make it into yarn. It is a very unique, fascinating and sustainable material.

Jennie Parry works with an interesting loom, ‘Tri Takadai’ which is pictured in the bottom photo.
Whether it's origami or kumihimo technique, we call it ART!  





Thursday, August 27, 2015

Revisit--ART! Paper......................................

On a recent blog topic, I asked "What is Art?"  So I thought it might be interesting to explore different aspects of "Art" pieces.  For the next few blog articles, I will feature art pieces and their makers.  First up is
Helen Hiebert who works in paper!  She features a weekly blog with different topics.
This weeks topic is Folded envelopes

What fun to work with handmade paper.  Her website gives you the opportunity to
enjoy the art of paper making.  Check out Pinterest and the art of envelope folding.
I spent a good hour or more browsing through her artistic pieces and learning how
this 'art' has influenced our lives!
What is Art?--Paper!


Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Another Pair of Socks?

How many pair of hand knit socks can one person have?  You can only wear one pair at a time.  And if you needed to wear a pair every day, which I don't, why do you keep knitting socks?  Can we call it an obsession!?? 
Here is the yarn for the this pair of socks--never knitted with this brand before. 
I usually begin my socks on four double pointed needles

transfer to two circular needles, knit to heel and once again back to pointy sticks

The pattern is designed by general-hogbuffer and is called "Bovary"
You can find this pattern--where else?? but on Ravelry! 

“Madame Bovary (1856) is the French writer Gustave Flaubert’s debut novel. The story focuses on a doctor’s wife, Emma Bovary, who has adulterous affairs and lives beyond her means in order to escape the banalities and emptiness of provincial life. Though the basic plot is rather simple, even archetypal, the novel’s true art lies in its details and hidden patterns.” ( Wikipedia )
We are heading to the toe!!


Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Tea + Knitting + Mystery = Perfect!!

 
It's close to September and the time to sip a hot Earl Grey tea, sit, relax and think about the next sock knitting mystery!
Yes, I know!  Not another mystery! and another pair of socks??  What's wrong with that gal?
But, I love tea and when I saw this sock knitting challenge was a mystery too--I just couldn't resist.
 
Five clues will be released around 5-7 am EST on
September 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29.
 
Top-down. Cables, lace, and BEADS!!  Fleegle heel--something new to my knitting technique! 
74 beads required.  Written in honor of tea drinkers and Star Trek fans everywhere!  Designed by Heidi Nick.  Pattern is free for Sock Knitters Anonymous Ravelry group

Okay, as a bonus, I'll give you couple Earl Grey tea recipes. 

Ingredients for Earl Grey Hot Chocolate:  Serves 2

  • 1 ½ cups milk
  • 1 ½ tsp earl grey tea
  • 6 square of dark chocolate, or to taste
  • 1. Combine the milk and tea in a saucepan and gently heat without boiling. Continue heating for approximately 10 minutes. The milk will take on a light tea color.
  • 2. Place 3 (or more if desired) squares of chocolate into a heatproof glass. Pour the milk over the chocolate using a tea strainer/colander to strain off the leaves. Serve.  

Or how about an iced Earl Grey Tea:  Brew your Earl Grey tea strong--twice as much bags or leaves as usual.  Steep about 5 minutes.  Pour over ice, add some simple sugar syrup, little vanilla and add milk!  Ahhhh, delicious!




       

      Monday, August 24, 2015

      Boro--The Art of Mending!

      Mending?  When the kids were small, I would be mending small holes on torn jeans, socks, shirts, etc.  just to save money.  Today we look at Boro--mending extra-ordinary! 
       
      Now, if and when I need to mend--I will think of Boro and the artistic value of my stitches!
       
       
      Slow Stitching by Jaki Bogg
       
      A Japanese folk textile known today as 'the art of repair'. Boro textiles were the domain of the ordinary man and represented a collective, impoverished past. Boro faded out after the mid-twentieth century when Japan's society progressively moved towards mass-scale modernization. The patchwork practice was utilized by the rural population of Japan, predominantly in the northern region, as they couldn't afford new clothing. This meant extensively patching and mending littles scraps of fabrics over worn-out areas or holes within the cloth. In most cases, the fabrics were indigo dyed using the traditional 'Aizome' or 'Ai' method, which is said to be an ancient technique from 4000-5000 years ago. The basic raw material is the leaf of the 'Polygonum Tinctorium' mostly harvested in southern parts of Japan. The process yields a color that is commonly known as "Japan Blue" because of its unique hue. The dye also had natural properties to repel insects, preventing odors and a remedy for skin trouble. 
      The scraps of fabrics were often sewn together using the 'Sashiko' needlework method (The Japanese Art of Quilting) to strengthen a single layer of fabric for patching worn cloth or quilting per se, and the purpose was to extend the overall life of the textile. Aesthetically, Sashiko is a contrasting running stitch worked in repeating or interlocking patterns. The closer the stitches, the more durable to garment therefore becomes.
      Boro textiles were commonly used in farmer jackets, firefighter jackets, fisherman jackets and futons
       
      Mending by Karen Swing
       
       

      Sunday, August 23, 2015

      Painting With Wool Fiber and Fabric Workshop

      Catherine O'Leary is presenting a painting with wool fiber and fabric over Labor Weekend.  This feltmaking workshop has two parts, in the first part we will be creating individual designs on fine silk fabric through the application of drawing, stenciling, mono printing and block printing. These fabrics will then be used to create nuno pre-felts which will be incorporated into a garment, wall piece or homewares. The focus of the workshop will be on surface design and composition.  This workshop is being held through Contemporary Handweavers of Houston



      Saturday, August 22, 2015

      Happy Birthday DR Dawn!

      August 22!  Our lives changed forever--this sweet face arrived in our world.
      She is left handed!  She is a middle child! 
      This child went out into the world to become
      a motivator!
      an educator!
      She challenged each of us with her wit, charisma and never let go of her dream!

      That little girl became a doctor!  She changed the lives of those who have passed through her life!  We are all better for the day when she arrived!
      Happy birthday DR Dawn!
       
       

      Friday, August 21, 2015

      Yarn Along The Rockies

      Yarn Along The Rockies is a 9 day yarn crawl with a Passport Tour of 24 participating yarn shops across the front range of Colorado. With SIX grand prizes, generous schwag baskets provided at each store, and lots of crawl discounts, there are lots of opportunities to win!

      Yarn Along The Rockies is happening next week--beginning August 22 and ending August 30th!
      Who says I don't need any yarn??  Not me!  I can always use some yarn--stash it, if necessary!

      Here's the map--plan out your trip and maybe, our paths will cross along the way!
      Happy yarn gathering!

      Thursday, August 20, 2015

      Pincushion crazy!!!

      I have made so many 1/2 square triangles in my Bonnie Hunter Work and had some leftovers--here is what I found to use them up..
       

      Jeni Baker has this new book being published this fall--I think this could be a definite bonus to my library!  Once I looked at Jeni's pincushions, I thought--I like pincushions "why not see what other patterns are out there?"

      I found these knitted ones--really cute!

      You can make pincushions to fill any container--like these small tuna cans or how about small teacups

      How about felted pincushions?  I can use up all those tiny scraps of wool felt@


      Little Birdie  Yes!  My dear Friend, Annette, would make these little chickens to sell to raise money for Breast Cancer Research--I love my chicken!  and think of her every time I look at it!
      and of course, there is always Pinterest











       


      Wednesday, August 19, 2015

      Convergence 2016--Milwaukee!



                               
      Convergence®
       HGA’s Convergence® 2016 Conference   

      July 30 - August 6, 2016

      Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
      HGA invites you to our Convergence® 2016 conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 30 - August 6, 2016. We are pleased to be in Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s vibrant arts community on the shore of Lake Michigan.
      On HGA’s first trip to Wisconsin, we look forward to connecting with our members in the Midwest and to bringing fiber enthusiasts from all over the world to experience the “City of Festivals.”  Wisconsin’s popular tourist destinations and recreation areas offer an exciting array of activities to extend your visit.  
       Convergence(R)
      Photography Credits: Milwaukee Art Museum, courtesy: VISIT Milwaukee;
      Mary Mortenson, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Red Clay Dress. Photograph: Petronella Ytsema;
      Jenny Schu, East Lansing, Michigan, She Can’t See The Forest Through the Trees. Luke Anthony Photography;
      Joy Berg and Wendy Dolan, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, Sundress and Parasol. Photograph: Emily Glinski;
      Xia Gao, East Lansing Michigan, Restless. Photograph: Xia Gao.
      If you weave, spin, dye, make baskets, or use one of the many other fiber techniques we love, plan to be with us for this premier fiber experience!  Join thousands of fiber enthusiasts and hundreds of vendors from all over the world, exhibiting and sharing their knowledge. Convergence® classes include novice to advanced instruction in a variety of fiber techniques including:
      • weaving
      • spinning
      • dyeing
      • basketry
      • braiding
      • feltmaking
      • knitting
      • garment construction and sewing with handwovens
      • digital imagery
      • color and design
      • and much, much more!

      Tuesday, August 18, 2015

      Charity Giving!

      As a rule, we as fiber people, like to be generous in our giving to charities.
      Right Sides Together website has some good tips on Do's and Don'ts of giving.

      Know your audience
      Don’t spread yourself too thin.
      Give your best…
      but use charity as space for experimentation

      Read the complete article at their website--some good pointers to make charity giving
      a happiness for you as a giver and the recipient.

      Monday, August 17, 2015

      Mixed Media Trends





      SUMMER 2015


      --Art Journaling: with a shift toward more authentic, raw journaling and less emphasis on pretty pages

      --Bible Journaling: faith-based journaling directly into bibles is on the rise

      --Text and Lettering: a hot trend from 2014 continues in many forms

      --Paint Mediums: more and more companies are diving into the paint business and paint pens are a hot product in 2015

      --Fine Art: crosses into mixed media via the popularity of encaustic and cold wax techniques, portraiture and watercolors

      --Stencils: continues to ride a wave of popularity with text, geometric shapes, nature, portraiture and and background designs trending as themes

      --Fabric and Fiber: crossing into mixed media in many forms

      --Surface Design: renewed interest is evident on fabric and paper, both digitally and handmade

      --Sketching: a continued resurgence in sketching and drawing is evident

      --Coloring books for adults are hot, hot, hot

      Sunday, August 16, 2015

      Folded Bags!



      Recently, I came across this Bento bag--wow!  light bulbs went  off in my head! This bag can be constructed from knitted fabric as in the following photo. 
      It can be made from commercial fabric.
        Or woven fabric could be used--now, that's when the ideas really began to flow.  I have several pieces of woven fabric that are near this width (12"). 

      Japanese bag folding, Furoshiki.
      There are two great tutorials on this folded bag--join me!  This will be fun!  Bento Bag

      Saturday, August 15, 2015

      Pattern 8--August!

      Well, I can't believe that I am keeping up with this knit along!  One small problem--I'm running out of my handspun!  But, here is the August pattern for this lace year long scarf...........



      #8: Spider Stitch Lace Pattern (multiple of 6+1): 63 beads and 49 sts total NON-BEADED VERSION:


      Row 1(RS): K1, +YO, SSK, K1, K2TOG, YO, K1; rep from + to end. Row 2 and all even-numbered rows through Row 12: Purl. Row 3: K1, +YO, SSK, K1, K2TOG, YO, K1; rep from + to end. Row 5: K1, +YO, SSK, K1, K2TOG, YO, K1; rep from + to end. Row 7: K2, +YO, SK2P, YO, K3; rep from + ending last repeat K2 instead of K3. Row 9: K1, +K2TOG, YO, K1, YO, SSK, K1; rep from + to end. Row 11: K2TOG, +YO K3, YO, SK2P; rep from + ending last repeat SSK instead of SK2P. Repeat the above 12 Rows two more times (3 times total). Knit five rows. On the next row, K3, sm, K21, Kf&b, K21, sm, K3. BEADED VERSION: Row 1: K1, +K2TOG, YO, K1, YO, SSK, K1; rep from + to end. Row 2 and all even-numbered rows through Row 12: Purl. Row 3: K2TOG, +YO K3, YO, SK2P; rep from + ending last repeat SSK instead of SK2P. Row 5: K1, +YO, SSK, (B)K1, K2TOG, YO, K1; rep from + to end. Row 7: K1, +YO, SSK, (B)K1, K2TOG, YO, K1; rep from + to end. Row 9: K1, +YO, SSK, (B)K1, K2TOG, YO, K1; rep from + to end. Row 11: K2, +YO, SK2P, YO, K3; rep from + ending last repeat K2 instead of K3. Repeat the above 12 Rows two more times (3 times total). Knit five rows. On the next row, K3, sm, K21, Kf&b, K21, sm, K3.

      Friday, August 14, 2015

      Join In--Mystery KAL or CAL

      KAL

      Sign ups will continue until August 16. During this time it will be free to join in.  Designs of Holly Maria!  Colorwork!

      Holly’s Mystery KAL
      Holly’s Mystery CAL
      Clue #1 will be released on August 17 (at which time price will become $1)
      Clue #2 will be released on August 24 (at which time price will become $2)
      Clue #3 will be released on August 31 (at which time price will become $3)
      and final clue will be released on September 7 (at which time price will become $4)
      The final pattern will be updated on September 14.

      Materials:  Worsted Weight yarn in 2 contrasting colors approx. 150 yards each       Size 10 needles       Stitch marker
      CAL

      Materials:  Worsted Weight yarn in 2 contrasting colors approx. 150 yards each       Size H hook       Stitch marker    Pattern notes:  When changing colors remember to complete the last st in color 1 with color 2.  Pattern is written in US Crochet terms      Stitches you will need to know:

       ch ­ chain  slst ­ slip stitch  sc ­ single crochet   hdc ­ half double crochet  dc ­ double crochet  mc ­ main color  cc ­ contrast color 

      Thursday, August 13, 2015

      Free Crochet Necklace Pattern


       

      Fine Craft Guild has many interesting free patterns!  I love this crochet necklace--a good way to use those large beads I've been saving. 

      Wednesday, August 12, 2015

      Auryn--MKAL or MCAL--

      Jessie At Home  is hosting MKAL and MCAL
      for twisted and twirled necklaces.
      These are simple easy to learn stitch.
      One month will feature a crochet pattern
      and the next month it will be a knit pattern.
      I'm really enjoying these!  It's a great way to use
      scrap yarns!

      Tuesday, August 11, 2015

      Take A Stitch Tuesday!

      It's another Tuesday! Every Tuesday is a special stitching day--head over to Facebook Take A Stitch GroupTAST2012logo  join and each Tuesday learn a new stitch to add embellishment to any garment or quilt. 

      Pintangle   has the photos of stitch members
       
      This is the feather stitch

       
       


      Monday, August 10, 2015

      Texas Artists Coalition Exhibit





      10th Annual TAC Juried Membership

       Exhibition August 7 - 29, 2015

      Juror Cohn Drennan of Cohn Drennan Contemporary selected 40 artworks by 39 Texas Artists Coalition members from the 106 members who submitted. The mission of the TAC is to support the career development of artists, whether they are emerging or established, amateur or professional. 

      The following artists were accepted in the exhibit: 
       
      Scott Anderson, Amy Barrington, Brad Barrington, Bill Barter, Martha Bean, Carol Benson, Susan Brents-Sheldon, Jim Brightwell, Rick Bullock, Lou Chapman, Lauren Childs, Sherri Coffey, Suzan Cook, Patricia Cowan, Lisa Cunningham, Gen MM Farell, Karen Ferrer, Anastasia Gabriel, Thomas Helmick, Lee Hill, Joe Hyun, Ellie Ivanova, Nancy Lamb, Cynthia Lewis, Rebecca Low, Mitchell Marks, Lorrie McClanahan, Zahra McGinnis, Erin Miller, Janet Morrow, Teri Muse, Lee Alice Pablo, Heather Pregger, Valerie Ramos, Gary Reams, Britt Stokes, Chris Thames, Robertus van der Wege, Dotty Zamora

      Saturday, August 8, 2015

      What is Art???

      Have you ever pondered that question?  "What is Art?"  Not where is Art--because he lives right down the street, but what would you consider Art.  I've seen some weird pieces that are considered ART--Pieces that Museums pay a high price to have in their gallery space--I look it around and around and think "I could do that".

      So, let's ponder this question  What is Art in your book?  In your thoughts?
      Here is one blog post that I fancied as a start into this question:  Caterinagiglio  and then the ultimate list of 'what is art?'  and let's continue the conversation with THIS  








      Friday, August 7, 2015

      Winter Wonderfland Sew Along!

      Okay, it's hot outside!  Now is the time to think about sewing for the winter and
      this is the perfect sew along!
       

      This And That website has guests quilters along the way.  Let's join in for this cool down sew along!

      Thursday, August 6, 2015

      God's Eyes or Ojo de Dios

      Have you ever made "God's Eyes" as a child?  did you know the history of this interesting art craft?

      God's Eyes aka Ojo de Dios originated from the Huichol tribe in the Sierra Madre mountains in Mexico. The Huichol call their God's Eyes Sikuli, which means "the power to see and understand things unknown."  When a child is born, the central eye is woven by the father. Then one eye is added for every year of the child's life until the child reaches the age of five. 
      Here is more info

      Take a look at this
      Jay Mohler art work
       
       

      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 ...