Brooke's Scarf

Here's the same scarf that was draped on my mannequin on my May 29 blog. It was a birthday gift for my daughter, Brooke. And here she is modeling the scarf! Isn't she preeety?!!

Shall We Call Them Hippie Dippies?

Last week I dove right into my challenge of creating shirts from my new flax blend fabric. Wednesday I set up the loom with a pale peach yarn and enough length for two shirts. I wasn't exactly sure how much shrinkage I would have so I made the warp nice and wide at 30 inches. Thursday, I arrived at my studio bright and early and spent the day weaving and was able to cut the warp off the loom - whew! I haven't spent the entire day weaving in such a long time. Sure wish my massage therapist was closer.

Being obsessive compulsive, I had a race with time to see how much I could accomplish before the weekend. Friday found me setting up the loom once more with a light yellow and enough yarn for one more shirt - seemed manageable at the time, but it was a challenge to get it woven and cut off in one day. But I did it!

I spent the evening and part of Saturday morning pulling the threads to create the resist that makes that wonderful shibori pattern. Then I plopped them in two different dye pots. One of the peach fabrics went into a pot of scarlet and the other peach plus the yellow fabric went into a rust/brown pot. I was a little disappointed to discover that the yellow and peach don't really look that different after the final wash. Doing the shibori in dye pots is new for me. I usually hand paint the dyes onto the fabric. But since I love trying new stuff, this is the new of the moment for me.

And after all is said and done, don't these really look like something right out of the past? All I could think of was Hippie Dippie!! Seriously, I think they'll be lots of fun to wear.

A Beautiful Day in Santa Fe

I just returned from a quick day trip to Santa Fe. What a perfect day in the city with sunshine and cool breezes. I visited the farmer's market and purchased some beautiful spring mix greens. I had a delicious Spanakopita at the Plaza Cafe, and fantasized about having a taste of all of their simply gorgeous baked goods. Then a stop at Whole Foods and sweet Bing cherries, Trader Joe's for a package of salmon and I am ready for a delicious and healthy food week here in Tucumcari. Oh how I used to take all these things for granted. Not anymore!

I also stopped by Handwoven Originals to see how the season is progressing there with my chenille pieces. I was wearing my newest flax blend scarf which I shibori dyed this past weekend. They liked it and want more pieces with this fabric for the summer. So I'm really excited to get to work producing more items from this great new fabric.

Nature Dance

Several years ago while hiking in the mountains of Colorado, I happened upon this perfect wild columbine. On the enlarged version you can even see little flies on the stem. I've had lots of fun being creative with this one.

On the right is a very bad photo of the columbine which has been woven. The digital image was printed on silk charmeuse, cut and woven together. It's matted and framed behind glass which is why this photo turned out so bad - still learning how to photograph this type of media.

For this next idea, I was inspired by a book I saw on quilts. In an earlier life I was a quilter - way before digital images were possible. Since then a whole new world of possibilities have emerged. This next image seemed to make the flowers dance. Check out the center. I think I'll use this image on a silk scarf. In fact, I'm thinking of a whole series of scarves called kaleidoscope series. This is all so much fun and the variety is just what I need to break up my days of weaving and sewing.

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!