Color in Motion

Today was day for the spinners and spinning wheels. One of our group loves to not only spin, but she loves to felt. She is preparing her entry for We Felt United , second annual international day of felt happening in October, 2010.
She is working her magic in the required colors of the event--yellow, blue, green. Her studio is alive with wool fibers; some laid out in neat fluffy rows while others are being intertwined to meet the criteria of the exhibit. We are only seeing the beginnings and already the piece looks exciting and interesting!
We also had a discussion about a new book on the market about "carefree" dyeing-- Spring issue of 'Spin-off' magazine has a review of this book. There was lots of spindle talk; which one is best for what fiber? Short shaft or long shafts, large whorls, light weight, support, drop (top of bottom whorl). It all boils down to personal preference--what fiber you are spinning and what you enjoy spinning. Guess that's why most spindle spinners will have a variety of spindles. Or maybe, they have a variety of spindles, just because.................

Odd Book Title

This small news article caught my eye

--"A book charting the frontier between handicrafts and geometry won Britain's quirkiest literary award, the Diagram Prize for year's oddest book title went to Crocheting Adventures with Hyperbolic Planes written by Daina Taimina. This title beat out runners-up What Kind of Bean is this Chihuahua? and Collectible Spoons of the Third Reich."

Needless to say, the fingers flew across the keyboard to find this book and read more about it and yes, order it from Amazon
Front cover--great photo with that fascinating book title:

Back cover along with info about the author.
And inside we dive!
Adventure awaits the brain for more learning about this technique and math--that eighth grade teacher was right--you will use geometry in everyday life!

Spotlight--Linda!

Linda played hostess to our expatchers quilters group this week. She modestly showed off her latest quilting prizes. This is for her grandson Charlie, who is 15 months old. What great warmth this will bring to him from loving hands!
The backing could also be the front; quilted by extraordinary long arm quilter, Sandy.
This quilt was laid folded up in the corner. Well, we just had to unfold and view--what to our wondering eyes would appear but a lovely Christmas quilt.
Paper pieced on some blocks, like this tree of life.
Crazy stitched on the stocking block.
Even the connecting blocks added dimension to the quilt.
And the backing is a wonderful poinsettia print.
Way to go Linda!

Happy Surprises!

We were pleasantly surprised at our expatchers quilters gathering this week! When we arrived we found that our friend Lucy from CA (one of our group from the project in Venezuela) was in town to visit her granddaughter. And a stop to see us was on the agenda! Lucy was working on
her applique project from her CA applique group. She was trying different methods to applique.
Floss applique--doing the handwork with floss, which gives an outline effect to the piece.
This is her original design work and she added flowers and leaves where she thought the arrangement would work the best.
With this method she was using freezer paper as template.
Here she was using Broderie Perse to add another layer to the overall design.
She's rethinking this little hummingbird.
Some areas she used reverse applique, especially for these leaves. Look at her stem work--such tiny detail--cut on the bias, folded in half, stitched and pressed--great look!
Lucy had brought along two quilt tops for long arm quilting by master quilter Judy. This project was all paper pieced. Just lovely work!
Lucy said the larger blocks were much easier to work up but the little star blocks were more difficult since they were less than 3".
Here is detail on another block that is in her Snowmen quilt. This was a fun quilt to do, Lucy said.
Lots of machine satin stitching outlined each area of interest. What a fun quilt! She was also leaving this one for Judy's talented hands to quilt. We were happy to see Lucy and all her handiwork!

Mystery Rediscovered

Early this year there was a mystery that was solved before worked--yes, the mystery that should have been worked along with the group was solved way before these hands begun to do a cast on. Sharon Dreifuss of She-Knits fame writes excellent instructions. Although, each section can be verbose you will know how to knit the pattern as you read along. She even posts videos on You tube with step by step directions. This mystery shawl pattern was intriguing once you got past the beginning steps.
Blocking on the carpet after finished mystery.
Center section of the lace shawl. Lots of yarn overs and beads add to the delicate look.
We are now working along with each step the next mystery lace shawl pattern and it is not solved--yet!
The fiber is luscious mohair from Brooks Farms
Of course, there are disadvantages to working a mystery--was the right fiber or beads used? She walks us through all those thoughts, but then there is the ONE who wants to do it HER way with stash fiber and beads! Oh, well, it will be lovely anyway. And there is always the chance, remote at that, the pattern will be worked again in different fiber and beads.

Do Over

If you have read previous blog posts, you might recall this March post. Remember these?

Washed out and no color variation. Now, take a look at these do overs.

Somewhat better, huh?

Weavers Extraordinare

Weavers are extraordinary people--talented, creative, sharing and giving with their knowledge. But, you can say that about all fiber people! The monthly meeting of this weaver group was filled with energy from various ventures on the loom. Show and tell included Rosemary with her yardage--8H Rosepath.

Some closeup views of the different designs you can achieve from Rosepath threading.
This carrot pattern is featured on the cover of the guild recipe book.
Flowers by the yard.From this yardage she fashions these lovely little sachets filled with wonderful smelling herbs
Sachets with twisted cord. Rosemary makes sure the back is just as attractive as the front.
These are big sellers at the annual guild show and sale. She also showed this fabulous scarf
that had a nice handle. Adding lace in different areas gives the scarf added luxury.

Now, isn't this creature whimsical? A creation from the hands of Antije, who is one of our felters. This hanging was created for her husband from their visit to Hawaii.
He is happy with his surf board on the black sands of Hawaii.
Who could follow Rosemary and Antije after their showing of these wonderful creations? Connie said she would show what she brought to share. From her bag, she pulled out ten yards of woven fabric from the livestock show.
During the three weeks of livestock show, the guild has volunteers who will demonstrate weaving. The loom is threaded with ten yards (this time purple warp) and the threading is Monk's Belt.
Each day a guild volunteer weaver would set their hands to weaving on the loom.
Although, the treadling for Monk's Belt was posted, each weaver could do their 'own' thing with the shuttle. And this yardage bears forth the talent that was used to finish off the ten yards. At the next guild meeting, members will be asked to take some of the yardage and create a fashionable item that can be sold at the sale.
Connie continued to show her pieces woven by her hands--wonderful linen towels And silk shawl that she had dyed.

Kate was the last to present and she pulled out her 'leftover yarns' rug in boundweave.
The other side of the rug.
What an inspiration all these gals are! You leave the meeting with a renewed spirit and encouragement to weave, weave, weave!