Summer Hiatus

Gracious, I'm tired of seeing the same post at the top of my blog!  Especially one that begins with ack!  I must admit that I entered a purposeful dormant period over the summer.  I was feeling burnt out.  That along with a son graduating from high school, travel to Ireland and a tenth grade curriculum to write, I decided to take the summer off from fiber arts.  At the heart of this decision was not so much my busy life, but I wanted to miss fiber arts. 

It was not unlike fasting or other forms forms of deprivation.  At first it's not so bad, but then the cravings begin which soon turn to pangs.  Before too long, it's just painful.  Then there's that odd calm period and then the cravings begin all over again.  Of course I couldn't go all summer without food, but I did mange to go without fiber arts.  Towards the end, I came close to cheating several times.  I'd pick up a crochet hook and start thinking about crocheting something, anything, and then I'd force myself to walk away.

What I was hoping for actually came to pass.  By the end of the summer, not only was I itching to get back to fiber arts, but I was brimming with ideas.  So much of the time I spent denying myself, I also spent thinking about what I would make when I finally felt the time was right.  After four months celebrating life's big moments, exploring a bit more of this planet and preparing for the year ahead, I was ready to get my hands busy again and even better, it felt like an earned reward.  

I've been back at it since the beginning of September and the only reason I haven't written before now is because I was too consumed by my own deluge of creative activity.  So, no pictures today or links to products, just a promise that over the next few weeks I'll be sharing what I've been up to.  I have been posting at Wind Rose Fiber Studio on Facebook which I think of as the lazy writers' friend.  It is time to brush off that enabling friend and get my fingers typing!

Four Months in One Day

This afternoon I found myself dressed and ready for a happy hour event with time to spare.  There I was with a whole hour an nothing to do.  I sat down at the computer and realized that this would be a good time to finally get back to my blog!

I've taken such a long break from blogging that I was stumped as to how to make my comeback.  Four months have gone by.  How could I possibly make up for four months?  Then that Crowded House song popped into my head, "Four Seasons In One Day".  I jumped into iPhoto and grabbed pictures from the last four months.

Here I am with four months worth of fiber arts in one day.  Since my last post I have traveled to Alberobello, Italy where I found a  counter balance loom on display in the Trullo Sovrano.  I made scarves that I wore through the grottos of Grottaglie.  In the spring, I entertained myself by making other people's patterns like the sleeveless vest in the upper left hand corner from PartPixyDesigns.  

I also indulged in a few Doris Chan innovations.  I wore the cute, lacy black sweater over a tank top while in Stockholm, Sweden.  I savored castles and countryside in this beautiful place and also discovered some fiber folk art, but I'll save that for another post. 

I've also been spinning and I have my first skeins of German Milchschafe prepared.  I used the Navajo ply on these and I enjoyed refreshing my muscle memory on this technique that I have not used in some time.  

There it is.  My last four months, not in great detail, but it feels good to finally post something on my beloved blog.  If you like details, my facebook page tends to be more up to date.  Until next time... which will be less than four months...

One More Resolution

I never used to make resolutions, not in earnest anyway.  At present however, I have many.  I thought I had recognized each one and paid it homage, but now I have one more.  This is the year I let my past creations out of the closet!

My studio closet is stuffed full of things I have made, some dating back more than 6 years.  They are scattered around the room too, like this fulled hat and scarf set nonchalantly adorning my mannequin.  This year I resolve to photograph and list everything into my shop.    

This feels awkward because some of the items are outdated.  I still have a few ponchos from when they made their comeback in the early 2000's.  I have things that no longer reflect my style or focus and therefore don't represent me in the present tense, but I'm going to put all this aside.  It's all just ego anyway.  I am going to list them and if they are a bit outdated, I'll just offer them at a great price.  

I think this will be a good thing.  Not only will it potentially free up space, but hopefully my mind as well.  In with the new!

Spinnin' & Chillin'

I decided to do a little spinning yesterday.  It was too hot to sit outside and I didn't feel like being in my studio, so I started to look around my living room for a good spot.  My living room is far from traditional.  It's the cool room in our house.  There's a pool table, flat screen, old school record player; it's more of hangout than a "living room".  Our leather couch sits a little too high for treadling which left our club chairs as the only choice.  The club chairs are modern, swiveling on pedestals and semicircle in shape.  I don't typically spin in chairs with armrests, so I wasn't certain this would work out.

I selected a song and hit the genius button on my laptop and then plopped down.  In addition to my spinning accoutrements, I had a green spray bottle of water next to me.  Spinning out in the open means attracting the attention of our two cats, Costello and Elvis.  They are trained well enough that the mere presence of the water bottle is enough to keep them at a respectable distance.  

I usually use an antique wooden chair when I spin.  I sit with my back straight and my hands fairly centered.  I feel I can spin longer without tiring when I'm balanced.  That's why yesterday was such a departure for me.  I leaned back into the club chair which is actually a very comf seat.  I pushed my wheel a little farther away than usual and stretched my legs out.  I let my elbows rest on the arms of the chair.  When I began to spin, I found myself drafting in a sideways motion.  It was surprisingly pleasant.  I always find spinning relaxing, but I've never felt quite this laid-back.  It felt revolutionary.

I ended up spending most of the day, just spinnin' & chillin' with good music and the company of my teenage son.  He hung out playing video games and we talked about our favorite tunes and stuff.  I was enjoying myself so much that after finishing 150 yards of 2ply, I started in on a thick and thin just because.  For all of you spinners who are way ahead of me and have been hangin' out in this style for ages, all I can say is, "You rule."  If you haven't tried a more laid back posture, I highly recommend it!

Felted Fountain

I guess you know you've been MIA for too long when your own blog wants you to sign in.  Between the end of the school year and an extreme case of spring fever, I feel like I've been in a constant state of distraction.  I have a feeling that May does this to a lot of people and I am in good company.  

In an effort to regain focus, I've decided to use a couple days of my summer holiday to revamp my studio.  This seems to be an annual event for me.  I think my subconscious is stuck on the notion that with a little reorg, there is more space to be had in my one room studio.  My conscious however, knows that the only way to achieve space is to do some painful purging. 

The closet seemed like the place to start.  After pulling out a couple of big items, a six foot easel and a standing floor loom, I uncovered my felted fountain.  I went through a period of making felted structures.  I was obsessed with seeing how big a sculpture I could make, out of just wool yarn, that would maintain it's integrity without the assistance of any stiffeners or wire or anything else.  To be accurate, I should say fulled structures since I was working from crocheted fabric.  Everything was free-form, design on the fly, so I was always investing time without any guarantees of success.  This fountain was one of my faves and I have to say that it's in pretty good shape despite being unceremoniously stuffed in a closet.  

For anyone who's curious, the fountain stands 14 inches high with a base that's 15.5 inches in diameter.  The center part is about 5 inches in diameter.  Fountains became a theme because I found that I could make larger sculptures by bringing the shape up through the center.  It lended balance and support to the overall piece.  I also carried a running strand of yarn as I crocheted to add more stability and another dimension of color.  I had a good time with these projects because of the element of risk and the fulling process was creatively satisfying.  At times I felt more like a sculptor than a fiber artist.

My kids have a nautical themed bath, so what could be a more natural addition than a felted fountain filled with shells? Every loo has one of these, right?  Mainly, I just couldn't stuff in back into the closet or some random box.  I think my subconscious may be in the lead at this point.  I have a whole box of Hefty bags sitting on the floor of my studio with the plan to give away as much as I can.  So far, I haven't opened it.  It's an internal battle of wills and I hope my practical side wins. 

Home Fibers ~ Part IV

I'm getting back to my series on home fibers today.  My next stop was a visit to my mom's.  My mom is an avid knitter and always has a project in the works.  Here's the sweater she's currently making.  I love the beehive pattern.  As a novice knitter, I look at this and consider how hard I would have to think about what row I was working and the stitch counting, not to mention the inevitable goofs.  My mom, however, knits right along.

I said it before and I'll say it again, it's fun to go exploring for fibers in people's homes.  As this was my mom's, I could snoop rather freely.  Cuddling together in her closet I found Raggedy Ann and Andy.  These dolls have been well cared for as they still look brand new.  In truth they are probably closer to 30 years old.  

On display out in the open, is a more recent addition to my mom's doll family.  She looks a bit like a prairie doll with the apron and long braids.  Growing up in Yorktown, VA, prairie/colonial type dress is part of my childhood and has a nostalgic affect.  

My mom has also done quite a bit of needlepoint.  Above her bed is the angel holding the world and I even found a creation of my own propped up on a chair.  Years ago I made little quilted pillows for my mom and her two sisters.  I printed a favorite picture of the three of them onto fabric and then pieced it together with classic cotton prints and lace. 

These posts are almost starting to feel like a time capsule.  It's interesting to see what people cherish enough to keep and it's touching to revisit the memories that coincide with the fibers in our homes.  

The Pickup The Planet Pouch ~ Tutorial

In my last post, I introduced you to Pickup The Planet.  This is my son's project.  He's picking up one piece of litter everyday and hoping to inspire others to do the same.  I love supporting his efforts and together, we came up with an easy craft that comes in handy when you're cleaning up the planet.  We call it The Pickup The Planet Pouch.

Sometimes you run into litter that's dangerous to handle like broken glass or sharp metal.  Other times you may encounter trash that's just kind of gross.  These are the perfect occasions for The Pickup The Planet Pouch!

 
Made from a classic bandanna cut in half, this little pouch is a great size to keep in your pocket or carry with you in a purse.  It's 100% cotton and can be washed and reused over and over again.  Here's my son in action, showing you how to make a pouch of your own. 



The Pickup The Planet Pouch

Click on each collage for a larger view and easier reading.  With a pouch in your pocket, everyday can be earth day.  Thank you for helping Pickup The Planet!

Pickup The Planet ~ Environmentalism & Kids

I hope you won't mind a little side step into environmentalism today.  I want to share my son's new project.  He has just started a facebook page called Pickup The Planet.  In his words, "I'm planning to pickup at least one piece of trash a day, everyday. I'm hoping that people will like this idea and join me. Just imagine if everyone in the world did this. The earth would be much cleaner! This is something kids and adults can do to help the planet. I'll share my efforts along the way."

When I was helping him choose a name for his project, we were playing around with a lot of words and phrases.  When we thought of Pickup The Planet, I looked up pickup in the dictionary.  I wasn't sure if it was properly spelled as two separate words or as a hyphenate.  What I learned is that it can be spelled either way or as one word.  We thought the one word spelling was catchy and made a good title.  Also, it's nice to think of pickup, not just as the act of picking up something, but as improving or elevated its state.  When we clean our earth, we make it a better place for us and all of the inhabitants. 

Our family lives in a nice suburb close to our local school.  Many of the kids in our neighborhood walk to school cutting through an alley that passes behind our house.  This is what that alley typically looks like.  It's sad that so many kids don't give a second thought to dropping trash on the ground.  I look at this picture and think that it's time to start setting an example and I'm proud of my son for taking a leadership role in doing just that!

Earth Day is this Friday and many of us go out and clean up our neighborhoods or try to do something special for the environment.  It would be hard to do these larger efforts everyday, but picking up one piece of litter a day is something we can all do, kids and grown-ups.  Won't you join us in becoming more mindful about taking care of our planet?  Come on over to facebook and click the "Like" button to show your support.  It would mean a lot to my son, but more importantly, it would mean a lot to the Planet.  Thanks!

Antique Textile Spools Repurposed

In Part II of my Home Fibers series, I talked about my Mother-in-law's antique spool collection.  I inherited five of these spools and brought them home not knowing how I would display them.  I thought I would just show them off in a grouping on a shelf or maybe use them as candle holders.  Then I got an idea.

I decided to use them around my bath.  I must be in bathroom remodel mode because this is the same room for which I just crocheted a new rug.  I guess bathrooms are fun to fix up because they are small.  Anyway, back to the spools.  I put candles in three of them because candlelit baths are always nice.  A large one with wide ends has become a soap holder.  Next, I got the idea to wrap washcloths around a couple of the smaller spools.  That little notion made me very happy.  In my book, its just quirky enough to be cool.  

Now my bath feels very luxurious.  I put some bubble bath in a little Mexican ceramic creamer that a friend gave me.  It has painted peacock feathers and is very sweet.   Next to that is a bowl of dead sea salts because I love how salts soothe my skin.  It's like my own little spa.  It's even more special to me with the addition of the textiles.  There's nothing like relaxing surrounded by the things you love!  

Three Day Weekend Rug

I have a studio full of stuff I've made, but around my house I don't have that much on display.  Just a few things.  I love folk art and art in general, so my decorating involves an eclectic blend of pieces from all over the world.  I enjoy this mix and I like the idea of supporting individuals over big companies.  The one down side to this is the question, "Oh, did you made that?"  I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.  When people know you to be creative, they seem to think that you must create most of your surroundings.  It's a compliment really, but I start to feel bad when I have to keep saying "no".  I feel like I'm letting them down or something.

Lately, I've decided that I want to rectify this situation.  I've been feeling inspired, especially after my latest trip back home where I spent time exploring the handmade pieces that my family and friends proudly display.  I want to start making more things for my house.  I want to start answering that question with "yes"!   

This leads me to my new bathroom rug.  I have a pretty big bathroom floor space on which I had a chenille throw.  The chenille rug served its purpose, but it lacked any sort of personality.  What you can't see is that I have these really cool sari silk curtains hanging over the bath.   I wanted something that would play to that style.  I chose a dark eggplant yarn because this color is in the curtains and would get along well with the color of my tile.  I used 26 skeins of bulky weight yarn.  That's roughly 2,700 yards to create this 5 by 7 foot area rug.  I love how swirly it looks from a distance.  

It began with 10 hexagons each measuring 20 inches in diameter.  I called this post Three Day Weekend Rug, but I did make a couple of these hexagons before this weekend.  I think I had four of them made, but the rest of the rug came together over three days.  It's been a long time since I've made anything this big.  The finishing touch was three rows worked around the edge.  I sat in a recliner half covered by this heavy rug.  It was comical to feel so pinned down and every time I needed to shift the piece, it was a major undertaking.

Finally, my rug was finished and I laid it out on the floor.  I had to fight the urge to walk around it.  It felt wrong at first to step on this thing in which I had just invested so much time.  My son had no trouble walking on it.  In fact, he thinks it looks a bit like a hopscotch board and so he's been hopping across it and encouraging me to do the same.   

Home Fibers ~ Part III

While in southern Virginia, I paid a visit to some dear family friends.  In this case, my reputation preceded me.  Sitting out on the dining room table, as if waiting for me, were three tatted family heirlooms.

I really wasn't expecting to see tatting when I set out to discover fiber arts in the homes of my loved ones.  I have only been tatting for a couple years now, so maybe it just wasn't on my radar.  These are all precious, however the ornament on the far right strikes me as unique.  At first glance, I thought I was looking at a classic wreath or ring design, but then I realized that it has been worked onto a ring that was first wrapped in crochet.  The inside loops of the tatting are a little more complicated as well.  They are actually loops within loops.  All in all, it's a pretty intricate little ornament.

Believe it or not, I have fiber finds from three more homes to share.  Just as a teaser, one of my best friends recently moved back from living in Japan for three years.  She brought back some gorgeous silks as well as a few other surprises, but first, a visit to see my sister and my mom.  Get ready for knitting and needlepoint!  

A Spinning Frame

Yesterday I was sharing some of my mother-in-law's collection of antique spools or bobbins.  On my most recent visit, I had the fun task of selecting five to bring home with me.  Among the more traditional looking bobbins were a few funny looking ones.  I wasn't really sure if they were bobbins or perhaps another part of textile machinery, but I brought one home just the same.

I thought it might take a little research to figure out the function of this odd shaped part, but I stumbled onto the answer very quickly.  In fact, this is a bobbin, known as a spinning frame. It was also called a beehive because of the shape of the base.  The graduated ridges at the bottom gave the yarn something to grip when they started a new run.  The smooth top prevented any snagging.

Though I checked my information with a number of sites, I particularly like Becki's Bobbins. She has some wonderful pictures of old textile mills and good descriptions of the different bobbins.  About the spinning frame she goes on to say, "Cotton or wool rovings were transferred from a larger spool via the spinning process onto the frame bobbin. Different frame sizes were used for different weights and thickness of fibers."  

Home Fibers ~ Part II

I arrived home from my Virginia vacation and kind of spazzed on my blogging.  I'm the sort of person who makes daily goals and likes to get a lot done, so when I returned after a week off, I went crazy doing things with the kids and around the house.  My vacation involved much sitting and visiting and I just couldn't sit still any longer.  Whenever I thought about blogging, I was deterred by the prospect of idle desk time. 

I'm starting to settle back down now and I miss my routine of daily blogging.  Plus, I have a lot about which to blog.  I took so many pictures of home fibers while I was away.  I had a great time asking people about the fiber art that they have on display or in use in their homes, and my family and friends seemed to enjoy sharing their treasures.

Before I talk about my collage today, I just have to say a little something about this fiber mission.  I assigned myself the task of searching out home fibers just to add a little fiber flavor to my holiday.  I knew it would be interesting to me, but I was pleasantly surprised by the reactions of my family and friends.  They seemed to enjoy showing me things as much as I enjoyed seeing them.  It gave us something more to talk about than just the everyday catching up.  It also made me feel more connected to the ones I love because talking about the fiber arts in their homes, led to talking about the hands that made them.  This often meant beloved mothers and grandmothers.  Hand crafted items hold so much sentimental value.  The style or condition they're in hardly matters when they are filled with tender, warm memories.

My collage today comes from my father-in-law's house.  My husband and I have been married for almost 17 years and in this time I have come to love his parent's home.  In fact, it seems fitting to display some of their fiber arts in a collage as my mother-in-law, Kathleen, had a gift for creating decorative displays.  She liked to collect items and then strengthen their story by grouping them.  For instance, the pineapple is historically a symbol of welcome.  Kathleen assembled a grand collection of pineapples including plaques, stained glass, needle point and more.  They are the first thing you see when entering the house and they assure you of the warmest of welcomes!

Also in the entryway is an antique cabinet on which stand a collection of wooden spools.  No doubt retired from years of good service in a textile mill, these spools now enjoy a place of rest and a new purpose.  They are fabulous in appearance, not the tidy little spools we use on our spinning wheels, but massive, metal enforced pieces of machinery.  When I look at them, I remember family dinners, sitting at the long dining room table.  The spools in their various heights winding down the center and illuminated by the candles that Kathleen placed in their cores. 

After this lovely greeting in the foyer, we make our way down the hall passing by the living room.  Draped over a chair is the blue shawl that a friend knitted for Kathleen after she was diagnosed with cancer.   I can't help but touch it as I pass by, grateful that Gary has kept it present.  Now it feels like a symbol of how much we all loved Kathleen and do still.

The hallway opens up to the family room.  This is a wonderful, open space with large windows looking out onto the water.   On the opposite wall hangs an impressive macramé made by Gary's mother.  Though this wall hanging was made in Kansas years ago, it seems right at home and takes on more of a nautical feel.  The natural color and play of knots prepare you for a day filled with salty air and sea shells.  At the end of this day, you can curl up on the couch under a knitted afghan that lays waiting just for you.

What I love about my father-in-law's home is that everything feels so natural.  I'm not sure how to explain it, but sometimes you feel as though furnishings are brought in to match their environment.  On the contrary, there is something special about a structure that feels as though it was built just to accommodate the contents within.  I think it's the difference between house and home. 

Home Fibers ~ Part I

Hello there.  It feels like a long time since my last post, but I guess it's only been a few days.  This week I'm traveling and I have given myself a little fiber mission.  I'm visiting quite a few homes on this trip, so I thought it would be fun to look for ways people incorporate fiber art in their everyday lives.

The first stop on this trip was to the home of Duane the Great.  He's my husband's grandfather, but our kids know him as Duane the Great.  (I think he approves of the title.)  I knew I would find some fiber on display in his home.  His wife Pauline did handiwork and passed it on to their children.  I wasn't disappointed because right on their kitchen table, being used as an everyday tablecloth was this lovely piece of filet crochet.  

Duane and his wife Pauline were both born in Kansas and from the stories I have been told, it was very much a part of the culture for young women to learn several forms of fiber art.  Pauline's daughter, my mother-in-law, could switch easily from knitting to crochet or embroidery.  Making things by hand seems to be in the blood.  

Pauline passed away quiet a few years ago now, but I was touched to see her wedding accessories still on display as treasured keepsakes.  You can see her pearls, white gloves and lace trimmed handkerchiefs.  My favorite piece is the tatted purse.  I don't know if she made that herself or if it was an heirloom.  It's so delicate that I suspect it may be something that was passed down to Pauline. 

It's nice to see handmade pieces being put to everyday good use whether as a tablecloth or a piece of art.  It's so much more personal than anything you could ever purchase and somehow it gives you a sense of connection.  When I touch the lace of Pauline's tablecloth, I imagine her hands forming each and every stitch.  I think about the time and care she devoted to the project and smile.

Fiber Arts for the Front Door!

I was excited to finish my tatted mandala yesterday.  It meant that I was free to do the next big tatted project that I had in my head.  I've been wanting to making decorations for my front doors.  It seems only right that the house of a fiber lover should be somehow be adorned in yarn.

The thought to make front door decor first came to me in December.  I had a design for Christmas wreaths all worked out, but I just couldn't find the time to devote to them.   Since spring in on the way, I changed my plan and decided to make giant flowers.  I have a little tatted flower that I like to make as a charm.  It's cute with an over-sized bloom and little curved stem.  It's the kind of flower you would expect to find on a visit to Wonderland with Alice.  Yesterday, I set out to make a big version of this friendly flower.

After lunch today, I finished my giant flowers.  I made two because I have double front doors.  I tied them right onto the doors even though I do own those metal wreath hanging things.  I thought the hangers were too distracting.  Flowers don't hang, they grow, right?  I guess these are sort of floating in space which is strange, but maybe not stranger than having tatted flowers on your door in the first place.  Projects like these make me happy.  

Block Printing Sheep

I've been block printing sheep among other things today.  My son Wes and I are working together to make tote bags for the current Craft Hope Project.

No, your eyes are not deceiving you.  That's actually an 11-year-old boy at a sewing machine!  How about that?  First, we made our tote bags using plain black t-shirts for fabric.  We used the body of the shirts to make our 12 x 15 inch bags.  There was enough extra fabric on the sides to create our handles.  I also thought it would be really cute to use the ribbed neckline to make a pocket, but I decided against it for this project.  This was my son's first time at the sewing machine, so I wanted to keep things pretty basic.  

Once our tote bags were complete, it was time to decorate.  We decided to block print designs on the fabric.  Using foam board and adhesive backed felt, we cut our shapes.  We wanted things that would appeal to both boys and girls.  My son supplied the Pokéball and the Clamperl as well as the tulip.  I had to make a sheep because who doesn't like sheep?

Happy with our block collection, we set out to make our prints.  We painted our blocks with Soft Scrub with Bleach.  (It wouldn't be a bad idea to wear a face mask for this part.)  This cleanser is thick and makes for easy painting.  When we had our felt evenly covered with the Soft Scrub, we pressed it onto the fabric.  The sheep pictured here is what it looks like before washing out the excess bleach.

After letting the bleach prints sit on the fabric for 3 to five minutes, we rinsed them well with water and set them out in the sun to dry.  (I used bleach stop on our first few prints, but soon decided that it wasn't really necessary.)  Ours turned a warm rust color, but you never know with black fabric.  Sometimes you'll see more reds and other times you see blues and greens.  That's part of the fun.   

We hope the kids will like their block printed tote bags.  Wes and I enjoyed making them!