Finding the Color Within

Several years ago, I was teaching a workshop called "Finding the Color Within". It consisted of creating a series of personal collages based on specific themes. What does this have to do with weaving, you might ask? I feel many weavers have a hard time with color in general. They discover a few combinations that work and stick with them. Learning color theory is painstaking, but making collages is fun, freeing, and generates lots of ideas that can carry over into weaving.


The other day I came across the folder with the collages I made during that period of time. I scanned a few of them into the computer, but then was unable to create the flipped mirror images of them with photoshop elements (although I knew it was possible)


A geeky friend from NIA stopped by and mirror imaged and flipped one of the collages pictured here in the 4 possible ways to manipulate an image. I really love the look of them and can't decide which one I like the best.


Hopefully my friend will return soon and teach me how to do this myself. I have many collages crying out for photoshop manipulation. It is fascinating to me seeing these images on the blog.

By the way: the question for the theme of this particular collage---if you could change one thing in your life, what would that be? My answer at the time was: I wanted to change my relationship with my brother. Once I answered the question, I closed my eyes and thought about what colors related to my question. Brown and blue popped into my mind and became the color theme of this collage.

Now A Step to the Side

I don't really understand why these pictures have come up in reverse order, but I don't have time to fiddle with it, or start over. I will just have to tell the story backwards. Here is a detail of what is currently on the loom. The warp is Bambu 12 doubled and sett at 20 epi. The weft is a variety of variegated 1300 rayon chenille.


This weaving is a commissioned Mobi-Q like the one I had recently made except this person is sensitive to wool, even cashmere.

I decided to move Gary. The picture below shows where Gary is now. I weave with my back to the window which gives me wonderful light during the day. The picture above shows the wall where the loom used to be. I would have been sitting where the baskets are. I am about to move the baskets to make room for the warping board which is located on the wall where Grace will go.

I'll show more pictures as I prepare for the arrival of Grace. She will return the week of November 2nd. She is still at St Mark's and will be there until after All Saints Day. It remains to be seen if there is really room for both looms in this space. They will have to discuss this amongst themselves. If they decide that one of them has to go, I will let you know.

Periodically I decide I should sell Gary. I write up a little pitch and put it out locally. Nobody has ever expressed an interest (except for someone else who has a Fireside loom and wants to sell theirs). I keep thinking the right person will step forward, someone who wants to be my apprentice, and they will "earn" the loom through their tireless assistance to me. That is my true desire.

Two Steps Back

Before I wove Jill's weaving, I wove this pink one for Dara. I can't believe I didn't post anything about this scarf nor did I take any other pictures (setting up the loom or having Dara model the finished piece). I am getting lax in my old age.

Now here are a couple of shots of Jill's weaving on the loom, but I don't know why I didn't snap a picture of a further back picture that showed the whole loom.


The only reason seeing the entire loom is important is because I have moved the loom to a new position, and I can't find any pictures of it in the old position. I am slowly getting the studio ready for the return of Grace.

I am up to my eyeballs in meetings, so I am off to bed to rest up for the cluster of meetings tomorrow.

STAY TUNED FOR THE ONE STEP FORWARD....

So What Have I Woven Lately

Here is the happy owner, Jill, modeling her new scarf. I thought I had posted a picture of this weaving on the loom, but it turns out that I merely thought about posting a picture of this weaving on the loom.


This the same weaving right after I cut if off the loom. Tomorrow I will post a picture of it on the loom. (Bamboo warp, cashmere weft). I haven't figured out how to add pictures once I have already uploaded some.

Did you ever seen that really strange movie called Memento ? It is filmed all out of sequence, like this post (but that is the only similarity). I will get back into the swing of things eventually, but I liked this scarf so much I had to show you before it went to its owner.

INSPIRED BY BONNIE

Thanks to clear directions from Bonnie, complete with helpful hints, I loved working on this shawl. You can see it pictured here on a stereo speaker sculpture designed by my husband, Fred. I am allowing the speaker to model the shawl for Bonnie's archive because I simply never remember to get anybody to take my picture in it! Once I put on the shawl, I go sailing out the door to some special event with no thought of pictures, I guess.The colors from the Cotton Clouds kit are fabulous, and the drape and sheen of the bamboo fiber is difficult to capture in a photo but apparent in real life.

Sincerely, Lynda (Black Mountain, NC)


Here is a lovely detail complete with twisted fringe. This unique method of color blending always surprises me with an unexpected array of colors.

If you have completed one of my kits, I would love to show off the results!

St. Marks Altar Cloth Completed

On September 21, the altar cloth was put into use. (Actually click here for a summary of the project which was started by The Rev. Ralph Carskadden and Ev Tuller back in the summer.) There was a wonderful service where the altar was dressed. I didn't bring a camera. These pictures were given to me by Gabrielle Fine. At this point I have to say that I am not an Episcopalian. In fact, I am not even a Christian, so I may not have my terms right.


The panels were woven so this can be the front at certain times of year and the green at other times.


These are the two sides (above and below)


I recently saw this blog post by Meg. She posed the question For Whom Do I Weave? I posted an answer that weaving for me is an external expression of an internal process, and she asked for clarification. I think this is such an interesting question and that the St. Marks Altar Cloth is a perfect example of an external expression of an internal process. I believe this is why I was drawn to be a part of the project.

I used to think the very best part of weaving was “having woven”. The planning, preparation and process were merely annoyances I had to put up with on the way to cloth. Finally there came a day when the planning part took on a life of its own and became an exciting mental exercise (whether or not I ever wove the piece).

Later, I started to love winding warps and dressing the loom. Touching and counting each thread became a tactile dance, and creating order from chaos an end in itself. But every time I would sit down to begin a new weaving, I would say to myself “This is going to take forever---the rest of my life.” With great reluctance, I would throw the first shuttle. Since most of my weaving is warp dominated, weaving in the weft was simply a way to hold the warp together. Every now and then, I’d weave a plaid, but the weft continued to be a chore until I began to realize it is journey rather than the destination.The process itself is a form of meditation, and throwing the shuttle a spiritual act..

Weaving on commission (or co-creating as I like to call it) is a challenge to bring forth cloth that will resonate with a specific person. I weave each shot with focused intention, thinking about the desires and highest good of the recipient.. Who knows if this makes a difference in the look of the weaving, but it has changed the way I feel about weaving. The weft has become more important, the music that goes with the dance.

Perhaps the real question is: Why Do I Weave?

Invention is the Mother of Necessity

Last December, I wove this commissioned shawl of bamboo and recycled cashmere. Dara, pictured above, insisted I make the shawl extra long 93"---so I did.

Dara came back to me some time later and told me the shawl was too long and would I mind cutting it. I said NO I would not cut it, but asked her to give back to me and I would figure out something. I remembered in the back of my mind having seen a picture of something called a Mobi-Q and discovered a kit for one at Cotton Clouds.
This unique Mobi-Q design (by Margo Carr of California) is a hybrid of a Q-shawl and a Mobius strip. Unlike most shawls, the Mobi-Q needs little attention to keep on the body!



I can't tell you how surprised I was to discover the shawl as woven was exactly the right length and width.


I am so thrilled with this "garment" (so much more than a shawl) I can't wait to make one for myself.

Sometimes one has to go backwards to go forward.

As I just commented on Meg's blog the answer to the question "For Whom Do I Weave".

I try to find that place within myself that interweaves with that place within the recipient of the cloth. For me, the cloth is the external expression of an internal process.

Peter Collingwood

Peter passed away October 10, 2008.
Please click for details.

I Love Your Blog Award

Sandra Rude from Sandra's Loom Blog has presented me with this lovely award.



Thank you, Sandra! We have a mutual admiration society, and my first inclination is to re-gift the award back to you.... However, I will follow the rules.

The responsibility of anyone receiving this award is as follows

1. Post this award on your blog.

2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.

3. Nominate at least 4 other bloggers, and add their links as well.

4. Leave a comment at the new recipients’ blogs, so they can pass it

I decided to seek out some newer blogs to love (well, at least they are new to me)

Syne Mitchell's Weavegeek. Syne has put so much fabulous energy into putting forth weaving and weavers, it is great to really tune into her own process and experience what a great writer she is.

Nicki of Fiber Cyber Scriber is so inovative and informative. I think the thing I like the best about her blog (her work) is that her projects are large of scope, deep of thought and most pleasing to see.

Habetrot is a blog that always makes me smile. I am happy whenever I see a new post and always check it out no matter how busy I am.

Kaisu's new blog Suika Laboratorio is exciting to see what she is up to. I love her images, and you will too. Here's another one of her blogs, textile experiences. Does this count as 2 awards? She has a couple of other blogs as well, so check them all.

Now on to let the winners know....

Fruits of the Ikat Towel Workshop

Remember last winter when I taught a Turned Weft Ikat Workshop on Whidbey Island and the article I wrote for WeaveZine? I received a towel from most of the students. It was like I was receiving housewarming presents.

Note the second and third towels from the right are mine.

I took the towels with me to Baltimore on my most recent visit to my mom and had her select her 3 favorite towels. They became part of her 90th birthday present.

Time Flies, Seasons Change, Clouds Part

Another sunset from my roof. Note the Space Needle.

I'm starting back slowly. More to follow.