Thursday, May 31, 2018

Treasures............

We all have treasures--to each person a 'treasure' means something different,
unusual, very pricey or antique, something passed down generation to
generation.


Judy M places some treasure on this batik quilt that
she made for herself!  she is always sewing for someone else,
so she says, "This One is For Me!"

This was a free pattern she got from 


A definite treasure is this kit from Brenda's Mom,
who passed away.  Brenda found it in her Mom's
house--


Oh, such rich reds!  


Already to be sewn together--it will be a treasure for
years to come--when Brenda can bring herself to work
on it--her Mom is missed so much!


Sandy was sharing her latest 'treasure'--
her cat collage that she learned from a recent class
under taking.


Finished!  This little hanging is worth  a 1000 words


A placement of flowers, butterflies, and special fabrics
bring this guy to life.

Here is a photo of Sandy beginning this adventure.



The pattern came from Laura Heine





Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Another Cowl, It Is!

I'm working on this Japanese knit pattern from Deborah
Tomasello--I think I'm addicted to this way of knitting.
You get cables without a twisting the stitches, you get lovely motifs
I'm using my handspun cotton with size 6 needle.
Pattern Cowl #46, 104--This is so much fun to knit--
I've put off knitting other patterns just to sit and do this!



I'm getting a very lacy look with the size 6 needles so I
decided to go down to #2 to see what happens.
By using #2 size needles, I'm getting a much closer knit and
I think I like the look

Notice the cable running up the middle--The question was
asked "What makes this Japanese knitting?"
1--Unlike the western use of written instructions, the Japanese use symbols and graphs for all of their knitting and crochet patterns. This means that their patterns can be read universally with no language barriers.

2--twisted stitches, manipulated stitches, wraps… where the ‘stitch’ may take several rows to be realized. Also, the Japanese knit cables have special patterns in and around, more so than more common cables with say, reverse st st around. 

3--The Japanese interpretation of knitting stitches.” Many of the stitches are similar to other stitches found in Western stitch encyclopedia’s, however, in many cases, the finished product looks just a little bit different than others. This is also the case with Estonian knitting. The Japanese tend to use mock cables to a much greater extent than most, and, often in a slightly different way, so that they create a “texture” look 


Sunday, May 27, 2018

TA DA--WIP

Drum roll please!  I have a couple of WIPs--works in progress--


Our son, last fall, said to me, "mom, why haven't you made
me a quilt?"  Well, I have made him quilts--but not lately.

He said, " I've seen all the quilts you make for charity and
for my sisters--"  
I said, "I didn't know you wanted a quilt.  What design do you want?"
His answer:  A TEXAS FLAG!

Okay, easy to do--just takes many reds, blues and whites is all--
I was going to Wing the pattern, but got bogged down in the
measures etc--So, instead opted to purchase a ready printed
pattern from Aspen Tree--Am so glad I did!!
She has the applique for the stars--that would have been
a devil to figure out--there comes a time when it makes
sense to purchase a pattern--even if the design looks simple!
But, it took me six months to gather the fabrics I needed and
to actually cut and sew this flag!  Off to the quilters it goes.

The other day, I told him I'd finished his quilt and started 
to pull it out, but his reply was "no, I want to see it
when it's completely finished!"

This is one I enjoyed sewing!  Great pride in our country
and this quilt will be on display for several months
as we venture through our patriotic holidays--
I had the reds, whites and blues from the
Texas flag quilt
Here is a photo of the front of the pattern

Friday, May 25, 2018

Color for may

Just a little behind. Color for may is Green!  Are you a green lover?  Here is reasons you like green:

Green, the color of life, renewal, nature, and energy, is associated with meanings of growth, harmony, freshness, safety, fertility, and environment. Green is also traditionally associated with money, finances, banking, ambition, greed, jealousy, and wall street.
The color green has healing power and is understood to be the most restful and relaxing color for the human eye to view. Green can help enhance vision, stability and endurance. Green takes up more space in the spectrum visible to the human eye and it is the dominant color in the natural. It is a natural choice in interior design as an ideal background or backdrop because we as humans are so used to seeing it everywhere.
With the color green’s association with renewal, growth, and hope, often green stands for both a lack of experience and need for growth. Green also stands for new growth and rebirth, common in the spring season when all of the plants are coming back to life with fresh growth and life after the cold winter months.
The color green affects us physically and mentally in several different ways. Green is soothing, relaxing, and youthful. Green is a color that helps alleviate anxiety, depression, and nervousness. Green also brings with it a sense of hope, health, adventure, and renewal, as well as self-control, compassion, and harmony. The green color is often used to indicate safety in the advertising of drugs and medical products. Green is directly related to nature and energy, so it is also commonly used to represent and promote ‘green’ products.
In different cultures green carries different meanings. For example green is the national color of Ireland and is commonly associated with good luck, leprechauns, clovers, and Saint Patrick’s Day. Green also has close ties with Islam.
Too much green can cause people to become placid, lazy, slow, moody, depressed, and lethargic. Too little green can cause feelings of apathy and fear of rejection.

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Now For Some Raspberry Sherbert..................


  Knotions is a free monthly knitting and crochet magazine with knitting and crochet patternstutorials and blog articles on the latest in fiber arts.  This issue contains a beautiful raspberry colored cowl --reminds me of raspberry sherbert (and since I'm on a cowl journey now--this is right up there for easy in knitting)


This is the third of Skeinwalker's cowl patterns I've knit--
The other two are perfect wearing cowls for any type of weather--well,
not hot humid weather!!  she creates lovely lace patterns


Now, if I can find some colorful cool looking yarn to begin on
this pattern



She is hosting a Knit Along beginning May 26--so
pick up your needles and join the KAL--
I'll be there!

Monday, May 21, 2018

Ancient Dyes

Learning about ancient dyes for fiber is pure joy!  I've been using indigo dye for many years--my first attempt at indigo dyes was with a good friend, who was also a botanist.  We made up an indigo vat and had a good old dyeing day with fellow guild members.  Later in my learning journey, I was education coordinator on an indigo plantation, which grew the plant for several years--an outlet for my dyeing ability to improve.




Recently, while surfing the web, I came across this wonderful video on ancient dyes.
Enjoy!

Saturday, May 19, 2018

Towel Exchange

Ah May--beginning of summer activities while other gatherings are winding down.  Earlier this month our Way Out West (WOW) weavers closed out their study on handwoven towels.  We learned many techniques on what constitutes a good woven towel--lessons either beginner or experienced weaver can relish.  May luncheon was an opportunity to exchange a handwoven towel with another member of the group.
Here are the fruits of our study.

Linen towels


waffle weave combined with plain weave

How do you exchange without knowing who has contributed which
towel?  We had plain bags, all the same size, each marked with
a different number--we randomly picked a bag and
were instructed to fold only once, staple twice--
of course, note your number.


When we returned the bags with our exchange towel, 
each person received a different bag--this way we
didn't know whose towel was in what bag--a 
surprise for sure!




This was a shawl shown at 'show and tell'

Tencel--warp and weft



One weaver has been studying with Jane Stafford in
her internet group--she became our overachiever
for the year!!






I'm sorry I didn't get individual photos of each of
the gifted towels.

Here was the layout for photo presentation

If WOW member wished they could gift a
second towel that would go to a guild member
who experienced flooding during Hurricane
Harvey

It was a joy to see all the delightful weaves from members.
We begin a study in profile drafts in September--
a chance to learn something new, even if you 
think you know it all!!

Road trip continues

 Crossing over into Tennessee, we are now on interstate highways: lots of 18 wheelers, less green nice scenery, some dogwood trees and redbu...