Correction on the Linen

I discovered that what I called linen is in fact a blend of rayon, cotton and flax. It had been so long since I ordered it, I'd forgotten. It was pretty stiff like linen on the loom but softened up nicely after washing.

Since my first piece, I wove a scarf using plain weave sett at 12 epi. I was worried it would be too stiff, but I really like the texture and drape. This yarn is also a slub which gives it more interest.

For my next project I used a huck lace pattern adapted from Handwoven March/April 2008. This time I used a looser sett of 10 epi. I love the twists in the pattern. After finishing, I've decided I prefer the tighter sett better. And I'm totally bored with these browns and oranges. I think it's time for some color.

Circle of Friends Project

A few weeks ago I completed another Circle of Friends scarf as a gift for a member of my daughter's music group, Safonia. I've done several of these scarves and every time I am once again struck by how emotionally moving it is for me. When I read the messages that are submitted for the project, I'm always reminded how precious our lives are and how important it is to be there for our friends - especially through the difficult times. I don't know the recipient of this scarf, but I know she has been an incredible inspiration to my daughter Brooke and I wish her peace on her journey.

Here is one of the messages that I found especially moving:

As swimmer dare to lie face to the sky

and water bears them,

as hawks rest upon air

and air sustains them,

so would I learn to attain freefall, and float

into Creator Spirit's embrace,

knowing no effort earns

that all-surrounding grace

-Denise Levertov

Wildlife

If you look closely, you will see the tiny bunny we discovered a few weeks ago by our house. The picture doesn't show how really tiny he was. I think he would have fit into the palm of my hand. He's long gone now, hopefully escaping the coyotes by the gate.

This week a new lizard has moved onto our porch and front yard. I'm really loving the pattern on his back. I can see it on fabric. And would you take a look at the length of that dude's tail!

Eggcitement 2009

Eastern New Mexico Art Space here in Tucumcari recently held their Eggcitement fundraising event of donated Egg Art.

I am happy to announce that I am now the proud owner of an original Amado Pena painted ostrich egg. His studio and gallery are located in Santa Fe. His work is absolutely incredible. The colors are vibrant in oranges, blues, purples, browns and torquoise. The images are abstract Native American people and artifacts -- very much his signature style. As far as I know, there is only one other egg of this type that he has done which was donated to the last Eggcitement event. I will cherish this work or art and maybe even create a woven fabric inspired by the colors.

Linen

Last year I purchased a linen-rayon blend yarn in several earth tone colors. They've been sitting on my shelf talking to me for quite some time. Several weeks ago I impulsively warped enough yarn for a wide scarf. I wove it in a loose plain weave. On the loom it looked a bit like the old burlap feed sacks we used to get on the farm when I was kid. That was a bit concerning! I wasn't feeling too optimistic about the outcome.

But once off the loom and washed and dryed, I fell in love! This fabric is light enough to wear in the summer. It has a nice enough drape to not be too bunchy at the neck when wrapped around as a scarf. I think it will probably soften with wear and washings. I can't wait to get the chenille warp off my loom so I can do more projects with this yarn. I'm thinking lace weave patterns will be the next experiment.

Purple

Purple -- I was over it after years of wearing it and surrounding myself with it. I was bored with purple. I recently told a friend that the years I wore purple were my passive days - Passive Purple! Now, I know purple isn't passive. It's deep, vibrant, rich and wonderful. But in those days when I preferred purple, I was a passive person. Guess what, I am no longer that person and I know wearing purple will not make me passive! So I got brave and bought a purple shirt and then a purple dress. I'm finding I really like purple again.

As I was working on my next garment this week – a purple vest – I noticed that my little work corner was surrounded with purple. In the background is a triptych wall piece that’s almost finished from a photograph I took of a allium I had in my backyard when we lived in Denver. I’ve printed it on silk fabric and it’s mounted on purple linen and black silk. I’m having lots of fun experimenting with this medium and once again, surrounding myself with purple.