Basket Case!

Have you ever said "I'm a basket case"?  Then there is the laugh track, "taking a college course like basket weaving"!  Implying that you are not a serious student!  Well, excuse me!  Have you ever looked at your baskets?  Everyone of those baskets is handmade by a person!! or maybe many people had a hand in twists and turning the reeds!  A basket is a weaving!

I bring this up now as we are packing to move to another location and I come across my baskets--oh so decorative and useful for storage.  I have many--some I've collected over the years; others were gifts.  While living in Venezuela it was a treat to find that perfect basket made in the Orinoco Delta--in fact, I collected so many--large, small, smaller!

Loved these little baskets!

and these lovely trays or plates!

It was my passion to collect a basket from every state I visited--one from Louisiana made from Palmetto leaves, another from dried pine needles; in fact, you can make a basket from any fiber that is bendable.  There are baskets made from split oak, weeping willow, sweet grass ( smell so wonderful!)

Years ago, we had a basket weaving obsession!  We gathered our own vines, willows, anything that would make a weaveable warp and weft--we had such fun invading our friends backyard and nearby fields!  Then we sat by the swimming pool as the vines soaked, shared stories, laughed and wove our own special basket. 

Tapestry Weaving!

 Tapestry weaving techniques that were used in ancient days are still in vogue today!  Yelp, not much has changed in tapestry weaving.  There are some different approaches to this world of over and under.  There are modern weavers using Tapestry as their avenue of art.  Take Sharon Crary's work--she is manipulating the weft to ripple and wave!

Sometimes Tapestry weavers will use a cartoon for their placement.  

Yarns of many colors are used in this weaving.

The Navajo weavers will use this simple loom

and some will use only the natural sheep color wool~

If you fancy contemporary tapestries, much as Sharon does, check out 

American Tapestry Alliance--this organization promotes tapestry and those who weave

tapestry

And the love of tapestry goes on and on with artists original work--check out

Tapisserie Contemporaine

SAQA Benefit Auction

Beginning today Wonderful pieces of fabric art will be auctioned off on Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc. (SAQA) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the art quilt through education, exhibitions, professional development, documentation, and publications. SAQA defines an art quilt as "a creative visual work that is layered and stitched or that references this form of stitched layered structure."

Founded in 1989 by an initial group of 50 artists, SAQA now has over 3,000 members: artists, teachers, collectors, gallery owners, museum curators and corporate sponsors. A dedicated core of volunteers and staff keep the organization vibrant, dynamic, and progressive. 

This is your chance to own beautiful, unique art quilts by some of the world’s finest artists. Plus, your purchases help increase the recognition for art quilts and the artists who make them while supporting SAQA’s exhibitions, publications, and education outreach.

Back To The Basics

It is that time of the year when the weaving study groups begin again after a summer rest.  The other day, I was thinking of how I could get my mind back into the weaving mode again.  So, let's get back to Basics in the weaving world.   I went searching......................................................

and all my searching bought back memories---memories of how and why I began to weave!  and what did I find?  Lots of the way I learned!

Frame Loom weaving!  Yes, this is the way I learned back in 1970's.  So, guess what?

What was old is new again!  How exciting is that?!!

This is an inexpensive way to begin.   I went to the local lumber store (no Big Box stores then!) and got lumber to build a frame--got a ball of cable thread, warped the loom and went over and under with some awful yarn!  But, I was weaving!  Then I visited the local library and found all the weaving books--all two of them--came home and threw myself into learning!  But, the best part of weaving--You can find other weavers who have the same mind set as you!   Hence, you find a wonderful guild and study groups to encourage you on your path to weaving!

Now, you just open your computer and there the whole world is your oyster!

Here are some interesting sites I found to get back to basics.

Playfullearning

Pinterest (loom threadings too)

Loom and Spindle

Hey Natalie Jean

Learn to Weave

Winter's A Comin'--Have a Cardigan!

Well, I know it's time for the weather to take a turn to the cooler side.  Also, you can tell by the number of sweater and cardigan patterns featured on Ravelry!  I've never had much success with knitting any shaped piece!  But, that doesn't mean I can't learn--so when this popped up on Yarn Madness, I said to myself--"self, why don't you give this a try?"  The pattern states that it is worked from the top down and in one piece, using worsted or aran weight yarn –The fit is relaxed-- and the topper of the whole project-- the whole garment is worked in garter stitch, so not a purl stitch in sight!  Sounds good to me!  

Want to join in?! 

Gauge

4 sts and 7-8 rows per inch in garter stitch

Sizes

Actual bust circumference of garment:
30/32.5/35.5/39 (42/44/47/49) inches, or
75/81/88/98 (106/111/118/122) cm

Approximately: XS/S/M/M2 (L/XL/2X/3X)
Size guide: Choose the size closest to your actual bust circumference, or 1-2 inches larger. The cardigan is indented to be worn with a close or slightly loose fit..

 Worsted or light aran weight yarn; approximately

MC – main color
800/850/900/950 (1050/1150/1250/1350) yards, or 730/780/820/880 (960/1050/1150/1250) meters
CC – contrasting color
60/65/70/75 (80/90/100/110) yards, or 55/60/65/70 (75/80/90/100) meters
You can use a single contrasting color, split the yardage equally between 4/4/4/5 (5/5/5/5) different ones, or alternate between 2-3 contrasting colors.

Two 5.5 mm (US 9) circular needles, or size to match gauge

QOV 2015- a Block Drive!!!

QOV 2015- a Block Drive!!!  Quilts of Valor needs you!

Every year, Alycia, sponsors a quilt block drive!  This year is no exception so here are the 2015 blocks!  What fun these will be to create!  and you can stash dive, just as long as red, white and blue fabrics are used.  

What is QOV?  It is a small way we as fiberists can honor our military service personnel--so join in

make one block or many and contribute to this worthy cause.

Thanks Alycia for giving us a chance to assist in this outstanding way!

Want to Rub a Fish?

Soooo,  you are a fisherman and you either throw the fish back or you save it for the table--now, if you are one of those that say--"it was thisssssssss big" and nobody believes you!  Here is a way to prove the size...fish rubbing! It's called Gyotaku--GYO means fish, TAKU means print, rubbing, or impression. It's pronounced ghe-yo-tah-koo.  Early Japanese used this method of recording the size and type of their catch. It wasn't long before they realized that the images were beautiful art.

Isn't this just too cool?  How about a day of play and make some fish rubbings?  Don't have regular fish to use and don't want to go to the fish market?  There are rubber fish!!  Yes, rubber fish you can rub--how eeky is that?   Anyway, Here is another website that offers more information if you want to do some Gyotaku!

Congrats! My Friends!

I'm so excited for my friends afar!  They have achieved  success in the fiber field with these exhibits!  
Here is information on East Texas Fiber Exhibit:  

The East Texas Art League will be hosting the opening of Fiber Fabrications, showcasing the work of Beaumont Area Fiber Artists,Elizabeth Ann Broussard, Dot Collins, Susan Cornell, Jerry Lynne Domingue,  Connie Marie Fahrion, Kathy Risinger, Christine Schmelebeck, Sherry Walker, and Sylvia Weir, from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Saturday, September 26, 2015, at the East Texas Regional Art Center in Jasper, Tx.  .  The show will run through October 31, 2015.  Congrats--Dot, Connie, Sylvia!  You were always an inspiration!


If you are on the East Coast, drop in to see Antje Goldflam's work.  Antje Goldflam is originally from Germany and soon after her geology degree started to roam the world with her husband. She has lived in 8 countries-mainly in South East Asia. She sees herself as a global citizen and wherever she lived she enjoyed learning about new cultures, people and arts. She was a Chinese brush painting student of Master Lim Eow in Bangkok in 1989 and preferably paints landscapes, birds and lotus. - 

Wednesday, September 30, 2015 - 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm  

International Center (IC) See map

421 Temple Street

Event description: 

The Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) is proud to host a reception for the opening of the Yale Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Group's 2015 painting exhibition. It will be held at the OISS from September 16th to October 28th, 2015.

- See more at: OISS--Yale Education  So happy to see Antje's work!  

Horsehair Fabric

Many moons ago, I worked at a French Colonial Plantation in Baton Rouge.  Sitting up on the ridge was this plain but elegant late 1700's-early 1800's home.

You wonder why I bring this up now--well, the other day, I was browsing the Internet--you always come across some interesting and astounding facts and fiction there!--anyway, back to the subject at hand.

My browser took me to this website about horsehair----I was reminded of my past history with this plantation.

In the parlor in this lovely little home was several pieces of horsehair upholstered pieces:

--A set of five American mahogany Classical style side chairs: Ca. 1820. New York. Each with a curving tablet crest between molded stiles which become the seatrails; horizontal back support with a central roundel flanked by foliate brackets; having a black pattern horsehair seat raised on saber legs
--An American Classical mahogany swivel piano stool: Ca. 1820-1830. Having a curving figured tablet crest and carved back support, the stiles sweep downward to form the seatrails; having a ring-turned support and three hipped and leaf-carved splayed legs ending with paw feet; the seat upholstered in black patterned horsehair

Since this was not one of those 'fancy' antebellum house of Civil War era,  docents spoke of the lifestyle and furnishings of the period.  Each room had a display piece and the one in the parlor was a horsetail so all could touch and feel.  Horsehair was a popular upholstery in that time period and for several years thereafter.  But, today, we don't see much of this elegant furniture.  In fact, I didn't know it was still being woven until I came across this video.

Have a look at this video: Horse Tales Vimeo Video by Nick Wilcox-Brown

A Pause For Remembrance

Today is the anniversary of that dreadful day September 11, 2001.  You will always remember where you were when you heard that news--the twin towers had fallen and many lives had been lost.

Today, let's take a moment..................................................................................Reflect!

The photos are embedded in your memories!

Linsey-woolsey!

I've always been interested in how spinners and weavers of Colonial America made their clothing.

Since I have spun all types of fibers and know how long it takes to spin just one bobbin of any fiber--I'm completely overwhelmed thinking about their daily tasks and how they accomplished clothing their family as well as keeping food on the table!

The above quilt is an example of at least one textile that survived the test of time.

According to family tradition, the quilt is made of pieces of shirts worn by boys in the Lowrie/Knox family, several of whom died in the Confederate Army. The cloth, according to the family story, was homespun and dyed with walnuts and china berries.

Some of these textiles use 'linsey-woolsey', which means there is a linen warp and wool weft--all hand spun.  In later years, especially in the South, it would be a cotton warp.  Now, stop, think--how long would you take to spin and weave fabric for your family?!

check out Linsey-woolsey and Civil War Quilts 

One Skein of Yarn--What To Do?

There is a Knit Along on Ravelry (of course! my favorite go to website!)

Yelp!  It's that time again--time to start think about winter wear--let's begin with 

One Skein of Yarn and knit one of these delightful hats.  Most of these patterns use Worsted

weight yarn, but I'm thinking why not use two or three strands of my sock yarn to get the

gauge I need?  Another way to use up the stash!!  

Andre Sue Knits has this cute and simple hat.

Purl Bee always has fashionable patterns available

Balls to the Wall Knits has this cute Wickerwork cap designed by Gretchen Tracy.

Copyrights for Artists

Copyrights for artists has always been a big topic of conversation.  What does copyright include when you have created a piece, written an article, taught a workshop?  Is it original?  Many people think that copyright is a method of preventing people from making anything that’s similar to their work. That’s actually not true. Copyright is nothing more than the right of the creator to control the copying and distribution of his work. But it is an important and powerful concept that you really do need to understand as an artist.

Here is a chart that explains copyrights the best way I've ever seen.

Decisions! Decisions! Decisions!

You see I have this hand spun yarn--and in order to meet a challenge deadline, I need to make a decision.....soon!  Every January we have our spinners gathering and each year there is a theme.  The theme for 2016 is "Cotton Candy".  WEll, I have the handspun cotton--but, what to knit from this lofty soft stuff??

I did have this pattern picked out at first:

Here Be Water Dragons by Quinton Lime  but then I looked again at the pattern (after I'd printed it off, of course!) and found there was an error--so glad I didn't begin this one.  Now, Houston We Have a Problem!

The problem--there are so many interesting patterns to choose from, like:

Falling Leaves Scarf

Pattern by Robin DeWeese

Shetland Shell Lace Scarf

by Frances Goodman

Tiger Eyes Lace Scarf

by Toni M. Maddox

Dayflower Scarf

by Toni M. Maddox

Foreign Correspondent's Scarf

by Lexy Lu

One Row Handspun Scarf

by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee

Spiral Staircase Shawl

by LizAnn Petch

3S Shawl

by Amy Meade

 Decisions, Decisions, Decisions--I'm thinking I'll put the patterns in a hat and pull one out!  that could be a solution for sure..............................................

National Read-a-Book Day

"I cannot live without books"  Thomas Jefferson

Some historical facts about books.........................

• The very first books used parchment or vellum (calf skin) for the book pages.
• The book covers were made of wood and often covered with leather.
• The books were fitted with clasps or straps.
• Public libraries appeared in the Middle Ages.
• Books in public libraries were often chained to a bookshelf or a desk to prevent theft.

And today: 

E-books are rapidly increasing in popularity.  E-book (electronic book) refers to a book-length publication in digital form.  They are normally available through the internet however,  can also be found on CD-ROM and other forms.  E-books are read either by computer or via a portable book display device known as an e-book reader, such as a Reader, Nook or Kindle.

What will you read today?

Lesson Learned!

This seems to be my week to learn new things!  It has been said that you should learn at least one new thing each day--in my case, I'm happy if I learn something new each week!
Recently, I've been working on this star block called Emery's Stars from Quiltville.

For me, it is easiest to make half square triangles from printed paper.  I print the pattern from Quilting and Whatnot on regular paper. 

 I wanted this block to be 10.5" so am using finished 2.5" half-square triangles from the website.  I've used this site many times and worked up most of my blocks

and this is the layout so far, but it needs more blocks--this isn't going to make a very large quilt.

so, back to the website to print off more patterns--I worked up several pages, cut them apart

and then measured--

I don't know if you can tell, but these 1/2 triangles are suppose to measure 3" but they are 1/8" off--

do you have any idea what that 1/8" would mean to a block?  Or many blocks?

Back to the drawing board--why were these pages coming out slightly off?  Then, it hit me--like a ton of bricks--I got a new PC and it is running different software--well, duh! that would do it!

That's why the brilliant people at Quilting and Whatnot--have this at the top of their page!!

Measure for Accuracy!  Well, I didn't at first and I wasted lot of time and effort on these 1/2 triangles--(of course, these will be cut down to 2.5" for another project! so not really wasted!) 

Reformatted my brain and printer and printed off the correct size!  and...................

We have the correct size!  

I Won't Do That Again!

Have you ever parked in a large garage and forgotten where you parked??

Well, I have been lost in a parking garage!!

and walked around and around looking for my car--

then I push the alarm button and wait to hear

"Where is my car?"

I look like an idiot--searching....

well, this time when I took my grandson to the airport

I did the smart thing!

I took a photo of my parking space

before I entered the building!

Whew!  that was one of the smartest things I've done in a long time!

oops--almost broke my arm, patting myself on the back!!

Paper--Airplane Art

Oh, to be in Cleveland during September to view this interesting paper exhibit at Morgan Conservatory!  This fascinating exhibit will be presented by bookbinder/papermaker/ letterpress printer Kerri Harding of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, who creates site-specific installations on particular themes.  Here 1,000 paper airplanes will be installed!  What a sight this will be!  and how great to have a place that exhibits nothing but paper exhibits.

 

“The making of Murmuration was long and process-oriented, and provided a time and place for personal reflection of the ever-changing nature of heartache and recovery,” she says. “The scale of the piece, exceeding 1000 airplanes, is a reference to the Japanese legend of the making of paper cranes. It is said that anyone who makes 1,000 paper cranes will be granted a wish or given relief from illness.”
I remember a time when hubby went to an event and one of the exercises was to make paper airplanes--of course, it was an engineering event and these engineers needed to use their skill and knowledge to fashion the perfect paper airplane.  Our son was ecstatic--so he tried his hand at the perfect airplane made from paper.  That was before the use of Google too!  Here is a site that will let you finish that perfect flying paper!
Fold and Fly!

Chigiri-e--Collage

Chigiri s a Japanese art form in which the primary technique uses colored paper that is torn to create images, and may resemble a water color painting. The technique dates from the Heian period of Japanese history when it was often used in conjunction with calligraphy. Handmade paper is essential for the creation of chigiri-e images.  If you just saw chigiri-e from a distance, it looks similar to a water color or sometimes an oil painting.  But, then upon closer inspection you realize that the image is actually created with paper and it takes one imagination by surprise.

In Japanese, chigiru means to tear or shred and “e” (eh) means picture.  The technique begins with tearing washi into small pieces to create depth, texture and dimension for the image, a method similar to collage.  The pieces are then pasted onto an art board – like painting with paper.

Purple Mountains Majesty by  Barbara Harmer

Free Digital Catalog--Unraveling Identity: Our Textiles, Our Stories

 

George Washington University Textile Museum has this interesting

free digital catalog to view. 

This publication explores some of the exhibition's themes and pieces on display through essays by museum curators Sumru Belger Krody and Lee Talbot, Research Associate for Southeast Asian textiles Mattiebelle Gittinger, and GW Associate Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Ingrid Creppell

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!

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.

Hand spinning paper into yarn, Video

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

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!!