by carmen | May 15, 2011 | Personal, Weaving
A child “weaves” a phentex pot holder on a plastic loom. Pretty presents that definitely surpass the dreaded melted beer bottle ashtray. But then knitting needles replace the plastic loom. So becomes the gift of scarves full of dropped stitches. Then crafting goes on a hiatus. For glory, for grades or for boys.
Into the 20’s crafting is more about what we can do. Invincible, I could do anything. But once each one of those mountains is climbed, I exhausted the passion and looked for something new. When do you put the brakes on? When does the passion take hold of you and grip you so tightly that the excitement doesn’t even allow you to catch a breath.
For me, it is weaving my first piece of cloth. I feel connected to the ancients. Part of something as strong as all the threads together. Life in tapestry. I am indebted for the inspiration, women that walked before me and beside me and the ones that will come after me.
by carmen | May 14, 2011 | Weaving
I apologize for the lack of posting this week. I have had a bit of an identity crisis. Who am I? Eager weaver, spinner, dyer, knitter, crocheter, sloppy housekeeper? Okay, we’ve pinned down one.
I am easily distracted by all things pretty and different. I love being challenged by something new and the exciting learning curve of trying to master a new skill. But this is different, very different than the usual distraction. It puts me in the same zone as spinning, clear, calm, content and like I’ve been floated off to an island on my own. Can you say a little slice of heaven?
HOWEVER, where is my inventory? It is not happening at the super speed it used to. I take more breaks. I am more deliberate and purposeful in my work. I know I haven’t gotten any smarter, so I’ll attribute it to getting older or more seasoned.
There is a lot of knit “stuff” sitting amongst the dust bunnies. Time to give the house and my inventory mojo a good late spring dust off today.
The regularly scheduled Project updates will return after the very brief warping interlude.Stay tuned.
by carmen | May 11, 2011 | Dyeing, Weaving
Fibre is still drying…None of it is mine. This make me sad. The great colours make me happy.
Something else that made me not sad. I was weaving today……not really weaving, but tossing a shuttle back and forth and making my hand spun live in a different way. Pictures tomorrow when Pearl helps me get it off the loom. I felt something…….I sense trouble. I blame Terri, possibly Sonia….
by carmen | May 10, 2011 | Dyeing, Workshops & Classes
It takes a village to spin a village worth of fibre and yarn. Here’s what’s still drying from the Saturday workshop.
If you recognize your fibre, give it another day or so to dry and then it’s all yours. For the record, you were a prolific and enthusiastic group.
Again, no pink here anywhere. Today was spent moving the furniture back, drinking a significant amount of coffee and dyeing with Kristen. It was a great afternoon of dueling colourways.
I recently picked up a lovely alpaca that I overdyed and I love it so much, even though it isn’t even dry yet, I know I will sneak a cuddle.
Remind me to show you a picture of the dyed top after spinning. I guarantee you it will look less like this wildebeast.
Only one yarn to add today……but it sure is purdy.
by carmen | May 8, 2011 | Dyeing, Workshops & Classes
Yesterday I offered what I hope will be the first of many full day workshops at the studio. The dyeing class was something that has been in the works for a while. Almost a side effect of teaching spinning, if you will. Once everyone has spun their requisite pound of crossbreed or corriedale (learning fibre) they are all sick of white. The first skeins are not as pretty, kind of quirky, but usually end up being unloved as white.
I headed into the studio quite early to get everything ready for the class which involved a lot of juggling of the space. Cups, brushes, vinegar, buckets, cloths, wrap, gloves, masks, oh yes, and dyes. —-check, check, check…..enough espresso pods…Double check.
The group was wildly enthusiastic and have all been past students. One of the most important impromptu lessons of the day –how to use the cappuccino machine.
Once safety issues were out of the way, not trivial, but not creative, there was an amazing symphony of colour in the room. I am grateful to say, not one fibre was dyed with any pink in it.
There wasn’t time to get a lot of photographs, with two power interruptions and a small flood keeping things hopping, but it is definitely something we will be doing again.
Thanks to Jennifer and Kristin for the classroom support. It was wonderful for the students to see expert dyers in action.
