SALT LAKE SPLENDOR

 WHAT AN AMAZING WORKSHOP! 

I think it was my very best!



                                        
 Everyone arrived with their horoscope warps on the loom and ready to go.
There were 15 students (my maximum), and what a great group of ladies!
Sadly I didn't get good images of everyone at the loom ("good" is the operative word here)




Usually one student completes their weaving, but 4 weavers completed their pieces during the workshop. The reason why everyone does not finish in the 3 days is because we are learning about Almost Ikat, Turned Weft Ikat, and Woven Words (3 workshops all at once). I will make another blog post featuring these aspects of the workshop, but my experience has been problematic when I try and download too many images. Yes, I know it is supposed to work, but all too often everything gets erased and I have to begin again.

So I am smiling just looking at the Mary Meigs Atwater Weavers.

And, of course, the class is not complete for me until I make a VIRTUAL QUILT from a series of "warpies" (kind of like selfies)--- I am so grateful for opportunity to present this workshop.


                                              

Saori Santa Cruz

"Consider the difference between a person and a machine"

Saori Weaving and the Saori loom is the polar opposite of the Jaquard loom. My visit to Saori Santa Cruz truly rounded out my total weaving experience.

I am sorry I didn't take any pictures of the exterior of this other-worldly studio tucked away in Felton, CA. Even so, we found it, and it looks like lots of other people have as well. Jill Nickolene Sanders, artist/teacher extraordinaire, gave me my first Saori weaving lesson. I am totally hooked and ready to trade my 8 harness, 48" Fireside for a Saori loom. Just look at the uniquely wonderful garments Jill has created on 2 harnesses and 18". And talk about portable! Check out the array of looms, tools, and yarn.


Here is Denise my new friend, student, and valiant driver modeling another Saori fashion.


Must dash.... off to my first ever trip to Las Vegas to see the "O" show

A Good Picture is Worth 1000.......

One of the delightful, amazing and eye-catching pieces in Sandra's studio, is her transforming an old family photo into a weaving. Sandra took me through the whole process.

This is a close-up look at the satin-weave structure (and Sandra as a little girl)


One of the things about looking at other weavers' work is that I say to myself "I could weave that!" This is certainly not true looking at Sandra's work. What I did say is, "Oh, you must weave one for me!"

Now I am in the process of going through my old family photos seeking the perfect picture for Sandra to make into a weaving for me.

Here are some other nature studies
And a lovely scene in progress although if you go over the Sandra's blog, she is probably finished it by now.

Thanks again, Sandra, for providing a most delightful and inspiring afternoon!

But what about the Intentional Design Workshop, you might ask? Coming soon! I will try for tomorrow, but sometimes time gets away from me.

Visit to a Consummate Complex Weaver

Following the presentation at the Central Coast Weavers, Sandra Rude whisked me away for an exciting visit to her studio.

It was amazing to see the marriage of computer, loom, and cloth so elegantly orchestrated by Sandra.

Although I rarely dabble in any weave structure more complicated than a simple twill, I have a deep appreciation for the ultimate in complex weaving done on a Jacquard Loom.

Many people don't realize that the computer of today had it roots in the industrial revolution in the form of a huge incredibly noisy Jacquard Loom. Click to see an old Jacquard in action.


Mind-boggling, yes!
Boys and girls, you may not want to try this at home.

Because I have yet to figure out how to upload more than 5 pictures per post, (and I have tried all the suggestions folks have offered) come back tomorrow to see the amazing things that Sandra weaves on her loom. If you can't wait, then check out her blog.

Just Our Yarn Does it Again!

Several years ago, I came upon a lovely yarn company---JUST OUR YARN.

I wove a couple of delicious horoscope weavings and made some delightful wrappings with the yarn. I even overdyed in Turned Weft Ikat, and then I put the rest of the yarn away (I knew I had enough of another Color Horoscope Weaving). You know how it is when you want to hold back special yarn for a special project.

I had just enough of the ikat bits to frame each of the planets.


When I finished the weaving, I decided to wash it in the machine (I always do that), dry in the dryer (I always do that too), and then just wear it without pressing (I never do that)---just to road test it and see what happens.


Well, I think I have belatedly fallen in love with tencel! I wore like a dream. It didn't wrinkle anywhere near what I imagined, and what little it wrinkled just smoothed out when I draped it over a chair between wearings.


I know there is a lot of tencel yarn out there, but richness of colors in JUST OUR YARN is matchless! Brava!

I just spend far to long trying to find links to earlier posts showing my other cloth woven with the yarn. It turns out that I have been blogging a really long time, and my labeling system obviously leaves much to be desired. But if you have several hours with nothing to do, search through my archives (grin)

Weaving Spirit, Weaving Spirit, Weaving Spirit

For some reason the other day, I googled Weaving Spirit. Imagine my surprise when I discovered a website called Weaving Spirit. Curious, I clicked on it to discover a website (happily it has to do with weaving) newly (this year) added to helping weavers by selling products produced in Mexico.

I am in no way connected to this website nor are they connected to me. I never bothered to purchase the domain name Weaving Spirit (perhaps I should have).

They do have a nice website. I am sending them a link to this blog post, inviting them to comment here and share about their weaving journey.

Big Loom Country and More Weaving

I had the great pleasure of visiting and having lunch with Barbara Hand (and I believe introducing her to the blogasphere and visa versa). It seems that Barbara has been so busy weaving on this 13 ft. Glimakra that she hasn't gotten around to blogging about it. I am sure this isn't the biggest loom in the world. In fact, I think I saw one at least as big in New Mexico, but it may well be the biggest loom in Montana. Oh, please correct me if I am wrong.




I will be happy to to tell you more about Barbara, who has been weaving in Missoula for decades. In fact, she actually lived across the street from me the last time I lived in Missoula. (30+ years ago) I snapped this picture with my phone, so you will have excuse the lack of detail.

Now back to my weaving. I have been totally entranced by the accidental patterns


I decided to use them as random accents.


Each time I weave an accent, it is slightly different.


I know you can hear the last paper dropping off the warp beam. I will complete the weaving tomorrow for sure.

Peggy Osterkamp Does it Again!

Whether you are a new weaver or an experienced weaver, a weaving student or a weaving teacher here is a must have new book for your library! WEAVING FOR BEGINNERS (an illustrated guide) by Peggy Osterkamp

I can't say enough positive things about Peggy's latest book. It tells absolutely everything all wonderfully organized, beautifully illustrated and clearly written. For anyone who wants to learn how to weave, get this book. Weaving for Beginners serves as the perfect text book for teachers. There are hundreds of permanent classroom demonstrations students can refer to at home.

I found myself (after 50 years of weaving) saying over and over as I turned the pages---"Oh, that's how you do it!"

I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks (grin)

Peggy will be signing books in the Cotton Clouds booth #417 and the Lone Star Room at Convergence.

Eighty Inches

I didn't mean to ham it up, but I got so distracted getting ready to head out to WARP early tomorrow morning that I forgot to post the length of the Georgia O'Keeffe Bambu 12 Horoscope Shawl (or take any pictures). I am taking my camera along, so perhaps I will get a good shot of it against the Arizona sky.

The bacon weaving picture (and the bacon weaving itself) was provided by the son of one of the Seattle Guild members. She said that if her son could weave bacon, then we could all weave a garment for our upcoming fashion show. And she is right! Thanks Cyndi.

And me a vegetarian!

Weave A Real Peace

Weave a Real Peace (WARP) serves as a catalyst for improving the quality of life of textile artisans in communities-in-need. I recently joined WARP and am preparing to attend their annual meeting being held at Spirit in the Desert just outside of Phoenix.

I have heard about WARP for years, and am finally going to see how my interests interweave with theirs. I can't wait to report back. I leave on Friday April 30.

Irene Schmoller, of Cotton Clouds and I will be rooming together and hatching some plans.

WARP's Core Values

• Textiles are an important component of the human experience.
• Providing support to textile artisans from communities-in-need gives them tools to shape their own destinies.
• Networking and sharing information creates an environment for constructive action.
• Making connections between textile artisans worldwide promotes positive social change.
• Interacting with people who have similar values enriches our lives.

A Wonderful Birthday Gift

This card was waiting for me when I got home from the most amazing NIA class I have ever experienced.

Dear Bonnie,
For the past six years the Olympia Weavers Guild has participated in the Puyallup Fair's Sheep to Shawl. This past fall we decided to use the information you presented in your WeaveZine article, Turned-Weft Ikat for our design inspiration and the multitudinous hues present in hydrangeas for the color inspiration.

We had so much fun wrapping and tying and dying that warp. Fair-goers were fascinated with the project and the finished shawl was quite simply beautiful.

Each year after the Fair we print up cards showing the draft we used, colors, and the completed shawl. Sine you were so much a part of this project, I wanted to send you a picture of the completed piece.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge so freely! We won first place!

Sincerely, Olympia Weavers Guild

Here is Tami modeling the freshly completed shawl at the fair---September 2009


This was the very first I had heard about this, and the news couldn't have come at a more perfect moment.

All in all, it was the best birthday I have ever had! Thank you all for your birthday wishes. They were the delicious icing on the virtual cake.

How Many Golden Orb-Weaving Spiders Does it Take to Weave and 11 by 4 Foot Tapestry?

Answer: One Million!
How long did it take? 4 years
How many people worked on it? 80 (I think those were just the number of people it took to collect the spider silk!)

Back in October, I got a real weaving treat. I went to the Natural History Museum in NYC to see the ultimate labor intensive weaving extravaganza. I was surprised to find there were no signs advertising the weaving. I asked a guard how to find the spider weaving. He said, "Go down this hall until you come to the giant mosquito, turn right and go until you get to the big canoe." And there is was tucked into a corner of a giant room with no hoopla or flashing lights or anything.
Click here to see my first reaction.


What I didn't realize is that is was woven in strips like Kente Cloth. So I imagine many different weavers contributed a strip. Wouldn't you have loved to tried your hand at weaving with this stuff? The main threads consist of 96 twisted silk lines. The brocaded patterns in the tapestry — stylized birds and flowers — are woven with threads made up of 960 spider silk lines.

The band at each edge was woven separately and attached. It looks like the fringe was also attached after the fact. I loved the braided fringe. The braided part of the fringe is about 18" long, and then there is at least 20" of chaos.


I would have give a lot to have been able to touch it. They say it feels like cashmere, but you would think it would be sticky.

The Upside of Swine Flu

Well, I slipped WAY under the weather. Since I have had my seasonal flu shot, I know this must be the other. So instead of flying to Memphis to teach a workshop, I am tucked up in my cozy nest awaiting the delivery of some health restoring food from Healeo. The Memphis Guild has rescheduled for the end of January pleased that I will not be bringing disease to share along with weaving inspiration. I was at first determined to go no matter what, as I have never canceled a teaching gig before. But once I realized that I really was sick and I could reschedule the workshop, I settled into the "what is".

The first (and most glorious) thing is I got to finally read the wonderful issue of Handwoven. Of course I would say it is wonderful because there is an article by me in there, BUT I am in such good company! Madelyn certainly outdid herself with a whole array of "stars". If you haven't picked up this issue, it is certainly a must have for your weaving library.

AND Sara Lamb's long awaited book--Woven Treasures


I'm sure you all have your copy and have read it from cover to cover, but if you haven't--you are in for a real treat. I have set aside December as the month I will get to play on a rigid heddle loom. I am thrilled to have Woven Treasures as a companion for my new journey. It is the next best thing to having Sara come visit. Who am I kidding? There is no substitute for spending time with Sara Lamb (grin) but her fabulous funny self shines through every page!

It's time for more liquids and back to bed.

Gary has Visitors

Today Syne Mitchell and her son Kai came by to weave a bit of Mary Meigs Atwater's Horoscope Weaving. What a treat and an honor! Gary invited Kai to be the first boy to weave on him. Since I will be using this warp to cut up for swatches in my kits, I thought this would be a perfect opportunity for a weaving experience.


I really love these pictures. Syne's sweater is one of the many cashmere sweaters I collected to recycle. It used to be white, so I decided to send it to Connie Rose to overdye. I thought it would be great fun to ravel a variegated --that was until I saw the sweater. It came out so beautiful I just couldn't take it apart. Sadly it didn't look good on me but, it was perfect on Syne, so she gets to "borrow" it until...


I noticed a teaching "style" I didn't realize I possess----spending 3 minutes talking to the person at the loom and then walking away. Hmmm

I've been thinking about "the woven mile" and wonder how long it took.

INSPIRED BY BONNIE

Even if you only have a table loom and a terrible cold, you can still create a beautiful Color Horoscope Weaving.

"-I really enjoyed selecting my color pallet for Bonnie's horoscope workshop. I started my warp color choices with a copper scheme and then followed that by using a copper colored weft. I have been wanting to do a piece using copper colors, but couldn't decide how I wanted to start it. Bonnie's workshop was a wonderful catalyst. Thanks so much Bonnie, for getting me out of my "usual box".-

Thanks again Bonnie, it was great. "

Dona

Award!

Peg has done me the honor of nominating me for the Kreativ Blogger award.

Accepting this award means following some rules:

1. copy the Kreativ Blogger award to your blog
2. put a link to the person from whom you received the award
3. nominate 8 other blogs and
4. link to them
5. then leave a message on the blogs you nominated

Here are the eight bloggers I have selected in no particular order.

Constance Rose Designs

Woven~N~Spun

Buy-a-thread

Artistic Artifacts

Bonnie Samuel Designs

t'katch

NZ flax weaving

Argoknot

Sock-A-Doodle-Do!

Here are some lovely socks that have come to live with me! Did I ever mention how much I love hand-knit socks? I don't know anything about these socks except they fit me perfectly and they were made by Erin. If you want to know the specs, pop over to her blog and give her an ask.

Click here to see the last pair of sock I received.

INSPIRED BY BONNIE

Theresa Davies recently bought a kit from me. These are her words:

Here is all 12 feet of the rug loosely based on the horoscope gamp. I had a lot of fun with this.

I did have to do some creative interpretation, as some colors I didn't have a lot of in my stash of quilt fabric, but I came close. I never would have guessed that true red was so lacking in my collection of fabrics. I had lots of good yellows and greens though and plenty of indigo.

Oh gosh, I couldn't imagine doing the rug exactly like the draft. I did find that with the rug and weft, it isn't the individual shots, it's the rug as a whole.

Worrying over each shot is, well, needless, but then again...maybe I'm not so much free as a bit lazy

My husband was so excited he hung it before I could get some close ups!

Take care and when I get that formal warp done I'll be sure to send you a pic.

For all those who have ordered kits from me, remember if you send me a picture and some words about your process and I post it here---I will send you a complimentary horoscope draft.

In case you already have, and I have not sent you a draft, please remind me. It is merely a senior moment.

The Other Mary Black

I can't imagine that anyone who reads my blog doesn't also read and listen to WeaveCast, but just in case you haven't and don't...I would like to plug the current episode "The Other Mary Black".
Since I am also the sponsor of this episode (#34) and was interviewed on #9, I can hardly say enough good things about this wonderful resource for weavers and weaving lovers.

I met Mary Black the same day I met Virginia Harvey. They were best friends for years and years until Virginia passed away. I had read and treasured Virginia's books and also Mary Black's, but Mary was quick to tell me that she was the other Mary Black. Although she was never "famous" in her own right, she knew everybody in the weaving world and was there at the birth of HGA. I am happy to say that she is my friend too.

More Finding the Colors Within

A VIRTUAL QUILT CREATED BY THE WHIDBEY WEAVERS GUILD

Several years ago I taught the workshop FINDING THE COLORS WITHIN. I asked for a scanned copy of each students' woven collages. There were 64 woven collages, each one measuring 4" x 4". They actually were 4" x 5", but I trimmed off an inch because I wanted each piece to be a square. Then I grouped 4 squares together to make 16 eight inch squares.

I know it is possible to do this in photoshop, but I did it all at Kinkos. They really got to know me as I spent countless hours and countless dollars there. They also have a fabulous paper cutter there---very accurate.

So then I reduced the image to an 8" square and printed 2 of them. I flipped the image and printed 2 more and pasted them together. The quilt below measures 16" x 16"

The possibilities are endless.

One of the things that fascinated me about teaching these workshops is that each group produced quite different collages, both in the look and in the number of collages (which changes the configuration of the quilt)