RE-- THINKING, VAMPING, VOLVING, ORGANIZING, ADJUSTING

It's been a while, and it will be more of a while as I circulate through my "RE" phase. I have had much to ponder as I shuffle through the shifting scenarios of the past month. I am not gone yet, and I hope to have words and images before ,I was going to say "before the snow flies", but that already happened last week.  

Stash Reduction/Stash Expansion: ZYG in 2012

How to achieve ZYG--Zero Yarn Growth:

I don't have a huge yarn stash, but I certainly do have one. Over the years, one acquires yarn to precious to use up or trade away. Because I have moved 3 times in as many years, I have de-stashed quite a bit, but still... The natural dyed silk (much of it 50/2) was custom dyed for me by Cheryl Kolander in the mid-80's. I have been carrying it around knowing that I would weave something with it some year. This will be the year!

There are at least 2 basic ways of approaching "what to make next".
1. I want to make a set of towels to match my kitchen. I decide what fiber, colors and amounts I need and then I shop for that yarn.
2. What can I make with the yarn that I have on hand.

Of course, there are variations, but basically that's it.

One of the techniques I use in managing "the yarn I have on hand" is to lay it out on the floor and start moving it around like a puzzle. I like to say that the yarn discusses what it wants to weave.


Sometimes these discussions can last for weeks. Both below and above show the beginning of a discussion.


Every time I weave something that reduces my stash, I will then weave something with new yarn. That way I will continue to support my yarn suppliers.

Onward to a Peaceful and Abundant new year!

Involved in my Work

I've been working on getting ready to show some of my woven paper. I need to present a short bio with a picture. Most of my pictures seem to focus more on my cloth weaving, and it was suggested that I find an image that relates to the work I will be showing. And this is what I came up with.... What do you think?
I can't decide if it is stupid, creepy or extremely cool.

Origami Boxorama

In searching for the perfect little square box to house the 72 mini self portraits, I recalled some little folded boxes I learned to make at a Seattle Weavers Guild (hands-on) meeting. Interestingly enough, I brought one with me in my recent move. I must have known I would need to know how to make them, so make them I did. I printed some of my weaving images on regular computer paper, and it worked just fine.

Then I discovered that I couldn't stop making boxes---until I had made over a hundred of them.

So here is my holiday tree (grin). I know there is a reason I have entered into box-making madness, and I will tell you as soon as it is revealed to me.

The looms have been resting up for another round of weaving. The snow continues to pile up, and real winter is setting in. I have selected a word for the coming year---SIMPLICITY. (more on that later). If you are interested in selecting your own word for 2011, click here.

Have a meaningful New Year (grin)

Dalai Lama Weaving and Sunflowers

Although I brought the Dalai Lama weaving with me on my trip to the East Coast, I didn't show it around very much.
But when I got to these magical fields...well, you get the picture.


Whenever I feel overwhelmed with the move, I look at this picture and can't help but smile.

It puts every in perspective---don't you think....

I am living the experience of "Right Livelihood", a blessing to be a Weaver in this time.

The following is a brief excerpt from the piece by Susan Crowell, writer, and
ceramics instructor at U. Michigan, Ann Arbor:

"For craftspeople, this making special emphasizes both the making and the
special. Reversing the terms - special making- rings even truer when speaking
of craft, for which the process of handwork is an essential component. As our
perception of time becomes more precious and the time-intensive nature of
craft increases its value, craft may even come to represent the preciousness
of time itself, embodied in an object."

Words Cannot Describe.....

There is so much to "tell", but I am starting off with the "show" part---enjoy!

These are the last 5 pictures in the series, something besides me decided I am supposed to show the last pictures first.

From the natural-dyed silk warp to the recycled cashmere weft, each thread was individually selected to correspond to a color sequence unique to HH The Dalai Lama.

You simply have to see and feel this cloth to receive the full impact of the quality.

I will tell you about the finishing process as I move backward in time.

Time is malleable....in weaving

Garden of 1,000 Buddhas Part 1.mov

My dear friend Roberta sent me this little movie a couple of months ago. After watching it, I decided to Weave the Dalai Lama's horoscope as donation to help raise money for the completion of the garden. Once I made this decision, my life began to change in ways I could never imagine.
More to follow:

A Bag of Many Cats

So much has been going on in my life (or just about to go on) that I haven't known where to begin---so I have just reported my day to day weaving here. I happened to be glancing at the ArgoKnot blog: "Where will you weave this summer" and I couldn't resist replying. I had been planning to make a big announcement here on my blog first, but I have these other big things happening before my trip to Montana and the Garden of 1000 Buddhas. to weave the His Holiness the Dalai Lama's horoscope to donate to help raise money for the completion of the garden.

Notes to myself from working with life coach:
1. Know what you need
2. First things first (funny I put that second on the list)
3. Make a plan
4. Stay open and grateful
5. Acknowledge
6. Ask for help
7. Plant seeds
8. Honor yourself
9. Prayer and centering

INSTRUCTIONS FROM SPIRITUAL ADVISER:
Always focus on the thrill of the unknown, instead of the terror. If you can manage to keep 51% of your attention on the thrill, the 49% that may still be with the terror will be powerless to affect you in any way.

Shut up so that you can hear i.e. stay "out of your mind as much as possible". Then listen very carefully. Obey whatever messages you receive immediately, and without hesitation, no matter what.


I listened and heard the title of a book WOMEN, FOOD AND GOD by Geneen Roth . I read the book, and it has changed my life---what else can I say.

Another huge thing (and there will be more about this as well) is that I am working with Cotton Clouds who will be featuring Color Horoscope Weaving kits in the booth at Convergence in a month! Much more to follow on this!

Oh yes, and did I mention that I am moving? If I haven't said where, it is because I don't have any idea---yet.

Making a Memory

When I lost my very dear friend, Sue, I wanted to create a "memory words" wall piece to present to her mother.

At the memorial service, I collected a list of memory words.

PRECIOUS JOY, SWEET SOUL, BELIEVING MIRROR, GIFTED SPIRIT, SINCERITY, PEACEFUL, BEAUTIFUL PERSON, SPECIAL, LOVING, CARING, GENTLE, SOFT YES, CURIOSITY, RADIANCE, MYSTERY, SOFT LOVING KINDNESS, WOOD NYMPH, POWERFUL AND GENEROUS, LOVING, PEACEFUL AND AT PEACE, BUTTERFLY, UNIQUE, SPRITE, LAUGHING FULL OUT, COMPASSIONATE, SOULFUL, DEEPLY INTUITIVE, ELFIN JOY, WHIMSICAL

The word below is PRECIOUS. I tried out a couple of color schemes. The top bar seemed to capture the kind of color that appealed to Sue. Instead of using a black matte board, I decided on white.


I used 10 wraps of a variegated black and white to separate words.


I'm still not sure how the final piece will look or whether or not I will trim off the white.

I don't know if I like the individual memories all fanned out.


Or all grouped together as a shape.

Oh, by the way.....I found out that I have to move.....again!!!!

Happy Birthday to Me!

I'm weaving away on my Birthday. (and it is going along really well!). One of the very best things about ikat-like warps in plain weave is the delight in watching a design unfold. Since I never make a sketch ahead of time, I am surprised at every inch, so much so that I savor every moment.
Perhaps the joy in weaving is the gift I have received for having woven for 50 years. I feel that I no longer have to strive to become the Queen of Weaving or compete for time in the "woven mile".

Remember the words in the weaving above LAUGH OFTEN()LOVE MUCH()LIVE WELL. What a gift to be weaving these words on my birthday. It's a party on the loom.

I'm having so much fun blending the computer with my woven images. That is basically what I have been doing since the new year.

Oops, I accidentally erased the picture. I have never figured out how to put a picture back. But I think the blog is all about going forward, so I will put the picture in tomorrow.

Mental Blogging

NOTICE: IF YOU WISH ME TO RESPOND TO YOU PERSONALLY, YOU NEED TO EITHER EMAIL ME DIRECTLY OR DE-ACTIVATE THE "NO-REPLY" IN THE COMMENTS

My silence is due to a slight flu relapse, but while I have not been "doing" very much in the way of writing or weaving, my mind has been very active.

As you know, I am rather fond of lists. Here a the list of blog posts I have been writing in my mind: (not necessarily in order), so stay tuned. Feel free to request any title.

1. Gratitude list (in keeping with the season)
2. Is it "handwoven" or "hand loomed"? Is there a difference?
3. Woven Images on Display
4. Cashmere Bits and Scraps for Sale
5. Sachet Holiday Special
6. On the Table
7. Visioning for the New Year
8. Celebrating 50 years of weaving
9. Getting re-started, recharged, re-inspired
10. Check out my updates (hopefully this will happen by the time I get to #10)
11. Almost 3 years old---looking back on my blogging journey

Exploring Not So Plain Weave with Jockey Hollow Weavers

I am an hour away from leaving to teach a Turned Weft Ikat Workshop in Bellingham WA, but I couldn't leave without posting about the delightful workshop I taught to a more than delightful guild in New Jersey, the Jockey Hollow Weavers. I'm still not exactly sure where exactly I was in New Jersey, but I am sure this is a great bunch of weavers.

What a fabulous wall hanging, a work of art!


Usually I plan this workshop to last 3 days, but this one (a round robin) was a mere 2 days. I was certain the group would be unable to complete all the samples, but miraculously they did! The 13th warp didn't make it into the picture, but it got done. The main thing I learned is that I need to wind all of the warps myself and send them ready to go on the loom. It would have saved me and each student lots of time and effort although it would have increased the supply fee. In talking to the students afterward, they all agreed it would have been worth the extra money. I learned how to do leno in an efficient way, thanks to Barbara Herbster (grin). I learned that I should have brushed up on inlay, so I might appear to know what I am doing (another grin). I learned that students can get a lot more done than I think they can.


But mostly I am awed by the inventiveness of my fellow weavers and grateful for the opportunity of time well spent together. What a great bunch of ladies!

Percolation

CASHMERE/BAMBOO GREETING CARDS

I have so many ideas in my head and projects started that I haven’t known where to begin to write about it. Let me just pick up any old thread and follow it today, and see where it takes me.

Before I begin, let me say once again that I have 2 meme awards that I haven’t posted. I will continue to delay on them although my thanks to (fill in the blanks). I am sincerely grateful to both of you and will acknowledge them properly before the month is over.

WOVEN IMAGE PHOTO GREETING CARDS

One of my percolation projects is to set up an Etsy Store. I have been mulling this over for at least a year, perhaps longer, but finally I decided what I was going to sell---greeting cards using woven images and woven lavender sachets. When I used to participate in crafts fairs and shows back in the 90’s, I started making greeting cards just to have some inexpensive item to sell.

TWENTY-ONE CARD STYLE GROUPS

Over the years, I have created hundreds of designs. I decided to hand produce a line of 24 cards and to use the Sacramento Weavers to market test which designs to use.

SACRAMENTO WEAVERS MARKET TESTING GREETING CARDS

I made up 100 different cards and asked those who wished to select their favorite card. If they could have one card, which one would they choose. I asked them to put their name and address on a post-it and stick it on the back of their first choice, and I would send them their cards.

When I returned home I discovered 53 people selected 29 styles which I whittled down to 24 designs which is the number I wanted. There were 5 I took out of the line because they were either too difficult to duplicate or they were so individual they didn’t fit into a grouping.

Like so many of my bright ideas, my 53 “gifts” turned out to be much more effort than I had imagined. Happily I mailed the last 6 off today! Now I can turn my attention to actually making them up. Pictures of the complete line to follow.

Now I have to decide what to call my “store”.

POSSIBLE NAMES:

1. Bonnie’s Weaving Spirit Store
2. Bonnie Tarses Designs
3. Bodacious Bonnie’s Bodega
4. Outstanding Moral Fiber Emporium

Thoughts and comments appreciated.

On The Edge

Although my edges are often admired, I have struggled with them for...ummm...48 years. A recent wonderful post by Cally got me thinking about edges in addition to my recent foray into twill. I have to say I was really pleased with the edges on the twill scarf, so I thought I would tell you what I did.

I always use a floating selvedges, but recently I started using these clips to act as weights. The red one is heavier than the orange, so I added a film can with coins inside to match the two. The weight is 5.95 oz (or 169 g).

Something new is that I doubled the floating thread (since the warp yarn was already doubled, I actually quadrupled the floater). I also skipped a dent between the last warp thread and the floater. I neglected to take a picture of the front, but if someone requests it I will.

Have you ever noticed that if you change one little thing, it makes a huge difference?



And speaking of edges, these are the sample swatches I cut and included in the Inauguration Day Special. I didn't cut up the shawl. I wove an extra couple of feet, but they are all gone now.

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)

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.

The Ultimate Warping Reel

Before regaling you with more exciting pictures of my closets and piles of trash, I just had to post these pictures. I had been searching for these for several years (another benefit of moving)

About 10 years ago I taught a Color Horoscope Weaving Workshop at the Redwood Empire Weavers. I have never seen (before or since) a warping reel like Ruth Perrault's. I hope Ruth doesn't mind my publishing this picture. Anyone reading this from the Redwood Empire Guild, please let Ruth know how inspirational she has been for me (and now for folks all over the world)
Her husband made it for her. Not only was it beautiful and compact, but she could wind a warp faster than anyone else in the class. I can't recall the wood, but it was so esthetically pleasing I couldn't take my eyes off of it.


I wish I had taken more pictures because I can't tell if there is a brake and if so where it is located. Anyway, those with clever husbands might take note. (or those who are clever with wood themselves. I , myself, sometimes have trouble just sticking push pins into the wall.)

Birthday Postposed Due to Lack of Interest

Have you ever had a great idea? And then had 10 great ideas? And soon there were so many ideas swirling around in your brain that you could hardly brush your teeth and get dressed in the morning?

Birthday Wish Collage entitled: ONE WORLD WEAVERS.

I had lots of great ideas about my upcoming birthday, but one by one I have let them go. The reason for this is I am once again getting ready to leave town. I am heading to Santa Fe to do a kind of "trunk show" at Body of Santa Fe
I say "kind of" because most trunk shows have lots of products to sell on the spot, and I will be taking orders for Color Horoscope Weavings. I am in the process of putting together a brochure to hand out to potential and will leave in their gift shop that will remind everyone just how wonderful my weavings are and why they need to have one.

Have you ever made a brochure? Well, this will be my third one. The other two were focused on my workshops, and there is nothing in them I can use for this one. What has stopped me in my tracks has always been what to call what I do. I have spend over 20 years trying out different names, and I keep coming back to Color Horoscope Weaving. I have been playing around with Moment in Time Weaving and Twelve Treasures Astrology Weaving. (I now believe Twelve Treasures sounds too much like Chinese food and Moment in Time seems vague)The funny part is I just clicked on the Body's link and they already have published my little story and the title Color Horoscope Weaving. Kind of a moot point:-)

Now I have to get busy and have some woven samples to give potential customers an idea of what they can order. Those of you who sell your work will understand what a great challenge it is to sell a weaving that the customer can't see before they purchase. I do make it clear that I totally guarantee their satisfaction. I have only had to reweave a shawl on two different occasions ;-0

For both purely educational and entertainment values, I will be posting a lot right up to flight time---3/14

Picture Fixing

While it is easier in the long run to take pictures with a solid background, most often I find I am snapping a picture like this--on my not too attractive ironing board cover.

This picture is my latest bamboo/cashmere scarf. I delivered it last night to the fellow who last gave me 10 cashmere sweaters.


I have discovered, however, with not too much trouble, I can doctor my pictures. Actually, I quite enjoy the process. It is much like playing a computer game except in the end I have something to show for the hours spent. The picture above is still a work in progress. I believe I can make the edges of the cloth a little smoother.

I am using the program Photoshop Elements 2 (quite an old version). You can now purchase Photoshop Elements 6. Corel puts out a program called Paintshop Pro which is quite similar and actually comes with the newer computers. Here is a site that sells both. The older versions are surprisingly cheap, and even the latest versions aren't very expensive.

I have yet to master "layers" which would make it much easier to alter the backgrounds. I think part of me likes enlarging my picture until each pixel is a 1" colored square and having the power to alter a picture pixel by pixel.

One important tip: Always save the original picture, and do all of your changes onto a copy.
I'd be interested to hear other people's experiences.

Looking Forward

Sometimes I feel wrong sitting in my comfy warm studio weaving away with beautiful yarns on my wonderful looms while much of the world is in chaos (or worse). How can I justify weaving ?

To explore my feelings, I wrote a list of my wishes for the world and my wishes for myself. Each item on my list I imagined as a color. Then I decided to turn these color lists into collages. (4" x 5") The collage above represents my wishes for myself, and the one below is my wishes for the world.

Then I made color copies of the collages. I cut the wishes for the world copy into vertical strips and the wishes for myself copy into horizontal strips and wove the wishes for self into the wishes for the world.

I taped the tops of the vertical strips to a piece of graph paper, so I could maneuver the strips easily.

This symbolic gesture has helped me to feel that in some small way by working towards my personal goals I am also working towards those things I wish for the world.

Happy New Year!