And How Do You Spin?

Love Fibers??!! You bet!! Just the touch and feel of any type of fiber (well, it should be nice to feel fiber). There is a handshake in weavers' language--it's the touch of fiber! That language also crosses into quilting, spinning, dyeing or any fiber related craft.

There hasn't been much spinning this summer, but now that fall is here--it's time to get back to the spinning wheel and enjoy the touch of fiber.  This is llama/silk blend.........

I just love the touch and feel of this fiber, I had to post a photo twice--two times the pleasure!  Just a nice fiber to spin!

It is hard to see here, but this fiber has a touch of silver amongst it's merino wool--blended just perfect for our spin-in 25th anniversary party in January!  Our theme is 'circles' and this will make a wonderful cowl to wear on those cold days.

This wensleydale fiber roving is all so pleasing to the eye, but the touch is not the softest.

Spinning was a pleasure though--outer wear definitely.  Okay, back to the spinning and thinking about what to make from these lovely fibers.......................

Let There Be Color!!

Let there be COLOR!  It's that time of year when reds, yellows, oranges, greens burst forth in nature!  It's the time we enjoy--the fresh clear cool fall air bringing the change in everything around us.  To some this is their best time of the year--so, let there be COLOR!

Museum Exhibits

When we have a chance to view interesting exhibits, we take it. This summer we visited two unique displays of historic significance. One was in downtown Denver, around the Pavilions, off 16th Street mall. Da Vinci Machine Exhibit will continue through December, 2012.

Included in the exhibit were drawings that Da Vinci did in the 1500's--and along with these drawings are models from the drawings.

This is a model of his tank formation--there are over 60 models on site to view up close, some you can actually work and touch.

Leonardo da Vinci has become the definition of a Renaissance Man —
 an artist, architect, designer, engineer, philosopher, and
scientist. He learned to use art, anatomy, botany, geology,
mathematics, and physics to improve on what was known in his day
and to develop new ideas.

Here is the model from the above drawing that would allow men to scale walls.

Before our modern ways to measure wind speed this is an instrument that would show men during 1500's the velocity of wind.

The notion of perpetual motion was hotly discussed in Da Vinci's time and with this model he showed there was proof.  Da Vinci's mind must have been running at full force all the time--thinking of all these things that could be--guess what?  They are to be in our present day--a brilliant man for sure, ahead of his time.

Also shown were some of the paintings that he did--this one of mother and child--just lovely to behold.

And then we come to the flying machines--while the men walk around the display and marvel at the invention, I'm walking around thinking "how did that fabric get spun and woven?  What type of loom did they use? and was the fabric linen or wool?  Spun on drop spindles by artistic women?" 

And yes, it took yards and yards of spun thread to complete this sailing fabric--but, of course, these were all on paper and not completed during those days.  Oh, well--there were the thoughts rambling through my brain.

Another historic event that took place in early days was the settlement of Pompeii and the destruction of this location of 20,000 people in 79 A.D.  This exhibit at Denver Museum of Nature and Science will continue through January, 2013.  We took the opportunity to check out this Italian sponsored display recently.  We walked through "A Day in Pompeii".  What is so fascinating about this exhibit is the amount of items that have been rescued from that disastrous volcano eruption.

We marveled at the mosaics!  And I'm thinking 'this would make a great quilt design' as I'm studying the intricate small pieces of marble that are laid in this pattern.

These marble pieces were about 1/4" or less in size--just unbelieveable!  This type of design would have been laid in the floor of the atrium as a welcoming to guests.

This mosaic was found in the burying ground--I'm thinking of the artists (workers or slaves) who designed this masterpiece and laid it all out.

Could we even imagine the time and effort it took to make it?

And how about this design?  It is reconstruction of design that would have been on pieces of furniture--maybe a couch or bed frame.  Nice border for a quilt?

Then we come to the jewelry--awesome gold necklace!

Taking a closer look--could this have been knitted? or just braided?  Or I'm thinking viking knitting.

And the frescos!!  just too unique for words! and to think these went through a massive ton of ash and fire.

Some frescos were found more complete than others.  Of course, there were no fibers or fabric found, but there was a brief touch on how they did their laundry--using urine for bleaching agent.  But, once again--I'm thinking "how did they spin the thread and weave the fabric?"  Remember they wore togas, which included nine (9) yards of fabric, linen for the women and wool for the men.  That's something to really blow your mind!!
 

Inspiration!

Where does your inspiration come from? Magazines? Internet? Spontaneous brain waves? My inspiration comes from all of these; but one of the most important areas of inspiration is people! Recently, my Colorado knitter friend Judy introduced me to her quilter friend.  You never know where these introductions are going to lead.  I fortunately had two quilt tops that needed to be quilted, so Judy and I met Alycia of Quiltygirl to hand over our tops for her magic touch.

Then came the email--"your quilts are finished"!  Hurrah!  Another chance to spend time with Judy and meet Alycia again to see our tops in their finished state.  Here is Judy's black, gray and white quilt.  Alycia said she wanted to keep this one and I totally agree!

This is the back--really like the way Judy fragmented the back and pulled some of the front to the back.

This is the front of the top before it was quilted.  Judy was given this -panel- (yes, it's a panel!) and she made it work with her piano border.  Alycia and I both thought it was pieced!

Close-up of Judy's monkey quilt back

And the front--a simple block that is great fun!

This is Judy's charm pack quilt--super idea!  love the positive and negative features in the blocks.

And the back--very 'girly'

Close-up of block and feather work of Alycia's hands

And if that isn't enough inspiration on how to use charm packs, jelly rolls and layer cakes, then here is another inspiration for you--Alycia had these quilts tucked into the back of her SUV--Quilts of Valor made by local volunteers.  Alycia is the coordinator for this active organization and she is a huge inspiration in my book! 

As she pulled these quilts out for us to see, she told us stories of the recipients and their stories they have to give us for more inspiration!

Check out her website--she has some free patterns to download that will inspire you to create for our military.

I had seen quilts of valor at International Quilt Festival, but they can become a blur when you are viewing so many other quilts in one venue.  This really brought it home to me!

But, seeing these up close and hearing first hand from Alycia the words from soldiers of how these quilts affect their life--I'm in! 

Volunteers work tirelessly to bring some comfort to those who have served our country so well.  Some have sacrificed so much and this is the least we can do to repay them for their dedication.  Thank you Judy for introducing me to another great inspiration!

SWAPS!

Do you like swap meets? How about fabric swaps? Or block swaps? Some of the many quilts that have been made to this date have been from block swaps. It's a good way to get interesting fabrics and unique blocks. It works like this--you make so many blocks, send to a central person, who swaps them around and you are returned the same amount of blocks you sent--only different ones. Some swaps will let you make all the same color of blocks; that way, you get back different colors. And swaps are great even if you don't have a local guild membership to swap with, through the use of the Internet! I have done dye sample swaps, folk art block swaps through Internet friends. Okay, here are a couple of swaps that are going on right now through the Internet.

This is the current one sponsored by Sindy at Fatcat Patterns.  It is through the Scratching Post and requires that you join a yahoo group.  It is called "Laundry Swap".  Sindy has designed a great pattern for these shorts and shirts to be hung on a line.  The deadline to get your swaps in is into November 3rd--so plenty of time to join the group, get the pattern and join in on the fun.  I'm thinking of making this hanging for--what else--but the laundry room!

Sorry, but this swap has been completed.  It was also through 'The Scratching Post' on Sindy's website--it was jars!  These jars are exchange swaps.  Anything that could be contained in a jar was fair game!

Since I've received food as well as bugs, I'm thinking there will be two wall hangings from this exchange.


This is the one that got away!  It is being sponsored by Just Quilting with Denise Russart.  It was such a cool pattern--Batik Lifesavers!  I printed off a copy of the pattern and went to join in the swap and would you believe it was closed--had plenty of swappers!  I was left out of the swap, but I can still make the block for my own personal use.  I think I'll keep a closer eye on the deadline next time there is a swap.
For proper etiquette on swaps, check out this info: 
Quilt Pox

Some other swaps going on the Internet:
Block Swappers
Nifty Fifty Quilters
Block swap Adventure