Can we say--WSW or Westside Weavers???!!

The WSW (Westside Weavers) meetings are always a treat--but, when one of the members returns to our fold from a summer away, it's a double treat.  She brings all the summer 'goodies' for show & tell.  And this group has a method to their madness--around the circle we go--anything you have to show or tell, go for it when it comes to your turn.

Our wayward traveler, Rosemary, has brought the latest issue of Handwoven magazine, which has an article about her summer guild and their indigo dyeing project. 

The magazine also has an article about ply spliting by Louise French, who created this lovely neck wear piece that Rosemary purchased at one of the festivals she attended.

Rosemary is modeling her felt project from a summer workshop--felting on a ball!

What a darling hat!  and only Rosemary can wear something this chic and really look good!

A wonderful doll was another purchase by Rosemary.

Briar Rose Yarns, hand painted yarns at the max!

And Rosemary was weaving--look at these block weave mug mats.................

And during one state conferences, Rosemary took a workshop on warp painting, so here are the results.................

Blue with a splash of red......................

And what clever fringe--

Nice drape and handle in this scarf....................

Another super purchase--a spinners basket with a place for your spindle...split oak made by Susan Preuss

Now we move onto Penny Nelson's handspun boucle--what a great funky yarn!

And Penny's hand models her wonderful cable mitt--note:  knit with two needles!!  Hope pattern comes soon!

This is a super soft cotton yarn--cozy feeling for a cold winter's day.

Dottie's turn now--she brought some of her Christmas ornaments that didn't make it to the fall guild sale (poor Dottie was under the weather and couldn't attend--but, we are richer for it)  She makes these adorable hooked sheep (handwoven fabric on flip side) and cute trees made from empty yarn cones.  Her things sell out fast at the sale.

And just look at these handwoven pin cushions!  Dottie has outdone herself this year--but she is very creative gal and we always look forward to her creations each year. 
Good meeting everyone!!

Check this out!!

18 Hands Gallery is hosting a great exhibit right now --Interwoven III: Fiber Extravaganza!  The third annual: "Interwoven" exhibition, showcasing the work of 30 regional fiber artists from our area. The work ranges from quilted and woven wall work to innovative wearables and even 3-D knitting!

Juried by well-known fiber artist and author, Ginny Eckley, this year's Interwoven III show includes work by Noreen Borys, Sheila Burke, Marian Carlson, Beth Dewey, Tatiana Ermakova, Lynn Sorelle Forster, Sony Hartley, Margery O Hedges, Veronica Helton, Susan Fletcher King, Scharine Kirchoff, Charlene Kolb, Linda Lewis, Leisa McCord, Carmen McGee, Janice Daniel McKeehan, Sheryl Means, Tammy Minnich, Leila Reynolds, Olga Starostina, Olga Tarasova, Sandra Elbel Taylor, Linda Thiemann, David L. Vollmer, Doerte Weber, Lynn S. Williams, Hope Wilmarth and Gerry Woodhouse as well as the work of our juror.
 Pop over to the gallery but if you can not make it in person, be sure to check out their website and see photos of all the work.

A Quilters Delight

This week there was a chance to visit with some favorite people--expatchers quilt group.  Even though not all were in attendance (and we miss those who are absent) we enjoyed our gab and sewing morning.  Always something new and different going on with this group of gals.

Judy was working on this delightful hanging designed by Pam Puyleart.  This is one of many from Pam's backdoor quilt series.

and here is Judy in her new studio--where we all enjoy gathering on those special days.  Thanks Judy!!

Brenda was finishing up her French Braid top.  She and several of the other expatchers took a workshop recently from this book.

What smashing colors!

And a fun quilt top is going to a special little baby soon.

Who is that peeking from behind her finished quilt top?  None other than our group coordinator --Camilla, who found the fabric this summer while attending Long Beach Quilt Festival.  We are happy to have Camilla back after a two year stint in Mexico.  Welcome Home, Camilla!!

Linda is sewing on the binding for her sweet baby quilt. 

A-B-C-D--we can sing right along with the song as we feel the softness of the flannel. 

The diaper pin quilting (by Sandy) adds that special touch.

Last, but not least, is Debby--finishing up the handwork on this lovely quilt that is a gift for a dear foreign exchange student (newly married) she hosted many moons ago.
Yes, we meet to gab, stitch, share, moan and complain; and even though into our lives sadness and trouble flow, we are there for each other. 

Tea Time!!

When the air turns a little cooler and the fall leaves begin to drop, our thoughts turn to TEA!

We have our favorite china mugs......................

Our favorite cups and saucers..........................

The favorite teapot that comes out on special occasions............................

Various sundry decorative teapots...............................

antique pots that are rarely used...................................but look good.

and then there is the standard everyday pot and the necesssary tea equipment..............

We 'heart' tea cosies!  and this book is certainly one of our favorites to enjoy................

And when this pumpkin cosy pattern appeared in the Ravelry group Cosy Corner, we knew we wanted to take this Wensleydale wool from Lisa Sousa and knit up this neat little pumpkin to decorate the standard pot.  Check out the weekly Blog to find your free tea cosy pattern.

Of course, this handspun has been properly 'aged' about 3-4 years; just never knew what to use it for.  Now, we know.....................................because, it's TEA TIME!

Fiber Artists Exhibit at Betz Gallery

HAFA group (Houston Association of Fiber Artists) Gallery Exhibit is being hosted by Betz Gallery through October 26th.  If you have a chance, drop into this gallery and give these pieces a look.  Here is just a few photos of what you can enjoy there.

This lovely garment greets you as you enter the front door.  Entitled "Into-Me-See-The Language of Love" by Carol Watson. 

Here is the back view of the garment.

Here is an interesting crochet hanging by Fermin Coronado who used various techniques to create "Sea Scape".

This piece is not on display but Fermin showed it off at the regular meeting.  This scarf  will be sent to be exhibited in New York as a tuxedo accessory.

"Empty Nest" by Hope Wilmarth uses various quilting and surface design tecniques  for this small wall hanging.

Susan Abouhalkah wove "Yesterday's Towel-Today".  It is displayed on a modern towel stand.

Ginny Eckley has a way with color and needles.  This hanging is entitled "Koi Pond Under the Willow II".  Her larger piece that was entered in the exhibit received Best of Show.  You'll need to stop in the gallery to see that piece.

Aileen Gugenheim is exhibiting "Matrix Field", a work of layered silk, pieced collage with speciality threads and bead embellishments.

In an earlier blog, there was a photo of threads that were used to create this lovely drapey scarf.  Knitted by Scharine Kirchoff and entitled "Peace Be With You", this shawl is linen paper with silk stainless steel thread.

Brenda Bunten-Schloesser has given us this creative mosaic of painted cotton, dyed and woven yarn threads and she has titled it "Light of Morning at Sunrise"

Mari Omori with "Incubator, 2011"  Can you guess the what the incubator holds?  This interesting display in a hundred year old wooden box or incubator holds babies of .................teabags!  Yes, teabags, cotton, cotton seeds.  Stop in Betz Gallery before the closing date to see other creative pieces on display.

Fiber, Fiber Everywhere!

What a treat the HAFA (Houston Association of Fiber Artists) meeting was!  Inspiring, inspirational and intriguing--all wrapped up in two hour meeting--lots of show and tell, happenings and activities upcoming with this group.  The program was presented by Emily Davlin,  a member of HAFA and shared her technique of what she called "Heat Gun Fabric".  Here is the description from the newsletter:  "Artistic Fabric Texturing", Emily will demonstrate how heat is used to form texture on polyester lining weight fabric by using an embossing tool. The resulting pieces have many possible applications from jewelry to wearable art garments to wall art.

She had the fabric ready for demo--sprists some water, brushed on some diluted acrylic paint (cheap paint, Emily recommends) and then apply heat!  Must be cheap polyester fabric too.

And the end product--she also did the back with the heat gun for awhile.  Interesting texture for sure.

Some of her samples on display.  Notice the 'burn' out hole in the fabric; a result of the heat gun.

The black was outstanding!

Emily uses her 'heat gun' fabric for many fashionable wearables--purses and jewelry.  She even uses the finished fabric as lining in garments to add that extra touch.

We all fell in love with "Emily's Book"--a creative gathering of thoughts and ideas.

She even uses machine stitching for more detail work.  This was an interesting program and gets your "juices" flowing and thinking "What if...................."  Thanks Emily for sharing your inventive way to change plain ole polyester into a useful fabric.