WHEN YOU'RE HOT, YOU'RE HOT. WHEN YOU'RE NOT, YOU'RE NOT

It has been a mighty long time since I've done anything on the computer except for hanging out on FB and nothing much on the loom. Sometimes our journeys take us in unexpected directions.  So FINALLY I got out my purply and neutrally un-knitted cashmere and picked out 4 that worked for me. Better color below.

 To test out some beautiful yarn I got from Mountain Colors. (some months ago) Most of their yarn is knitting yarn, but there is this Weaver's Wool. sett 12 epi. This is my first test scarf. I am very pleased so far. Almost Ikat works really well with their space-dyed yarn. (well actually it is hand-painted.) I know this is true because I had the pleasure of visiting Diana and Leslie's wonderful dyeroom and observing how it's done.





I can't wait to feel how the cashmere combines with Weaver's Wool. I don't think this will be the only post about working with this yarn. I am taking it slow.

THE POWER OF GATHERING OVER TIME

Combining moments of time in woven thread and color has been a journey spanning more than a half century.  Every once in a while, it is useful to throw open the cedar chest and take a look at one’s “treasures”. I always try to save a little bit of everything I have woven. Each individual thread you see was a part of a scarf, shawl, blanket, towel, garment, or hanging.  

Although I have never actually made a quilt, I believe I am “quiltish”. I love putting many small pieces together to create a cloth bigger than the loom and beyond my imagination.

THE POWER OF GATHERING OVER TIME is a material manifestation of the spirit and an expression of gratitude presented for your enjoyment and the enrichment of the community.

The 144 Lavender Pillows are up in addition to 2 other "quiltish" creations. 

Tomorrow is the First Friday opening at The 4 Ravens Gallery in Missoula from 5-8 PM
Below I am brewing up some lavender tea to serve at the opening. It amazes me to see how purple (or you could say "lavender") the water turns when in first contact with the lavender flowers. Soon after it turns a rose gold color.

RETROSPECTIVE IN LAVENDER

AGAIN AND STILL TIME PASSES--I riffle through the comodious cedar chest, selecting bits and samples of cloth woven in other times and places. Some of the fabrics date back 40 years. I've been saving them for something--as it turns out, it is to create 144 lavender pillows for an upcoming show THE POWER OF GATHERING OVER TIME opening May 2 at The 4 Ravens Gallery in downtown Missoula, Montana.

Normally I would seek sewing assistance, but when my computer suffered a severe catatonic episode requiring a week long stay in the hospital---well, what's a body to do? Get out the sewing machine, iron, and cutting board and get into it!

I got so into it! Each pillow became a tiny woven composition. I won't say that no two are alike, but pretty close. 

 

I can't take my eyes off of these little beauties!

I also can't wait to photograph them hanging in a diamond shape on the wall of the gallery. Below (and for some reason I can't get this caption to be where the diamond image is) sample of how I will hang it. It will be like a quilt---well, sort of

WOVEN COLLAGED PAPER

During the last 10 years I lived in Seattle, I taught a workshop called FINDING THE COLOR WITHIN. It was lots of fun and consisted of making a series of collages focusing on different aspects of the student's life and aspirations and then cutting the collages into strips and weaving them. Of course, I had to create my own woven collages for every class that I taught. I carefully saved them in a folder which I happened upon recently. Naturally I had to make a collage of the collages for an upcoming show.

TENCELICIOUS

 I had such a good time with the last Tencel horoscope weaving that I posted it on FB and got a request for another. For some reason, the image of the weaving in process did not upload, so you will just see---coming down the home stretch (above) and my favorite part of the process (below). It really is a good thing that I cut with my left hand, so I can take a picture with my right.

 And of course, my favorite pictures -- weaving details!

The is before laundering---measurements--17 1/2" wide x 113" long. I will post the after dimensions.
Now I am jazzed to weave my own horoscope in Tencel. I decided to make the planets as stripes instead of ridges because of the tension problems I had with the last piece. I am happy to report than I had no tension problems with this piece.

TA DA!

The weather has greatly improved, and TA DA, the tencel/cashmere shawl is completed and delivered.

And I already got a jump on the next Color Horoscope Weaving.

 Once again I am using tencel. I had some tension problems on the last piece, so we'll see if I managed to iron out that little kink on this warp.

AS THE BLIZZARD, SO THE SHUTTLE

 Amazing weather out there, so what's a gal to do? Weave, of course!

This is my first Color Horoscope Weaving with Tencel warp (and recycled cashmere weft). I have done a few sample pieces wanting to see if I am able to launder in the washing machine and dry in the dryer. The samples were most promising.

 The one thing I noticed is that the tencel is slipperier than the bamboo, cotton, or wool. It behaves much more like silk than the bamboo yarns I had been using. I had several loose threads. Next time, I will pay more careful attention to my tension while dressing the loom.

 Image below I wove a sample with variegated tencel at the end  just to see what it would look like. I really love the look!

 And yes, one of my most favorite moments in weaving! Now let the finishing begin (grin)