Summer colors

After I finished the elegant gray scarves ( I do like them, I used some nice textures, ribbons, soft kitten gray colors) I realized the rainy days needed more color. So I ordered dyes I'd been putting off and now it is time for color! The greens I'd been saving were there- it would take a few days to get the bright honeysuckle pink yarns dyed, so green slid into home. ha! I am so NOT the sports metaphor!
It is bright and it makes me want seaweed salad. so that will be the working name for these scarves! I'm weaving them with different combinations, 18 -24 ends per inch, depending on the yarn type, and the wefts are some soft spun silks, cottons that are soft and thin, a couple of slubs for extra texture and a polymide variegated yarn that lets reds, browns, yellows and greens drift in and out of the length.
So far they've been fun to weave.

The pinks are drying today and I'll have that on starting tomorrow!

running behind again!

I am not very consistent at blogging! Well, consistency is probably not going to be on my tombstone, resume or any other declaration of "me". But I have been running- ahead and behind, and it has been great to be outside watching the amazing color transformation of spring. I ordered new dyes, and made some decisions about what i'll be working on, taking to shows, putting in shops and have committed to three shows this year, possibly more. And I am stepping up my workshops some. I do spend a lot of time alone when i am working and it is always a treat to meet enthusiastic students... I love taking workshops and teaching them. I'm excited about my upcoming marbling workshop- April 2. And I plan to have another one at the Art Market. So I am definitely adding some marbled pieces to my show and shop work. Marbling is so incredibly relaxing.
I have plans for two more scarf styles-- I've been having a great time with the thin silk and tencel scarves. I think I want to step up the yarn size and weave something waffle-y. and the resist scarf prototypes have given me some good ideas. I'll need to photograph those.
The next big plan is to try my hand at online sales. I'm thinking it will be painless- really, most folks are safely in the water now!
The last big business plan i have is to enter more local exhibits. After hanging so many art shows it may be time!

off to mordant some fabric and paper!

Daily source of DIY craft projects and inspiration, patterns, how-tos | Craftzine.com

Daily source of DIY craft projects and inspiration, patterns, how-tos | Craftzine.com

6 Tips for Exercising in the Dark | Active.com

6 Tips for Exercising in the Dark | Active.com
It's always a surprise for me! when my way-too-scheduled day ends too early to see where I am running. I get all excited about the sunshine when I wake up, kind of like seeing the cake before you start on dinner. And I really have been around long enough to know better. So, tweaking my schedule today for a better chance of getting it done!

Tie me up!

I haven't made a resist warp in a while and well, this seems the time to do just that. I have used tencel, rayon, mercerized and unmercerized cotton in the warp- all undyed and a couple have been bleached. I have tied off a design that uses two short stripes ending in  resist areas, and one long stripe ending in resist areas. I am thinking of a nice charcoal so I can play with the wefts - I should have enough for four scarves.
Here is a photo of the tied threads. As soon as I take the tape off I'll decide if I over-dye the whole thing or leave the white. Part of me is still entertaining the idea of stenciling or block printing on the white areas. Of course, if I leave the white IO can always paint and print anyway... decisions to be made!

The New Studio

Yes, it is time to start on a new workspace. In order to do that I have to clear one space so I can move the stuff from the proposed workspace out. Everything has an equal and opposite action. Slow- like Democracy. But it is the process and well, there you go!
I will have space for the three looms at the house,  and if I need to move from our downtown studio (we are just checking our numbers and time and no plans are made to move. And actually, I hate to cut off that part of my life. I love that studio and the art-hood!) I will have space.
I've had some pretty productive work time lately, in spite of the killer goldenrods and leaves! they are beautiful and make my head ache. I have three scarf warps ready to tag and hang, three babyblankets ready to tag and hang-- well, they need their fringe trimmed. They are soft- like the ones I made for Wade. But pinker. Should be just as much fun to pee on as the blue ones, too.
And I have been working onmore blocks for printing. I still want to try morewoodblocks but my hands have been really sore lately- yardwork, house repair, stuff. Maybe when the trees are all trimmed and pruned and I've gotten in some rest. Yeah. like that will happen!

I started on a printed piece during the summer as a demo and then began embellishing it. I didn't start out thinking symmetry and now it is somewhat like the eye of Sauron, but some stitches, bits and pieces of found objects should change that a bit. We'll just have to see! I used found objects to print on muslin with ProChem textile pigments. The fabric is definitely soft enough to stitch through. I do like these pigments... I want to try different bases sometime soon. I have a few ideas to work through... I am thinking of a little stuffing, too.

Changing like the leaves!

This has been a year of change. I have new colors for fall-- new warps, a new heavy textured m's and o's scarf prototype to work on, putting the walls up on my new at-home studio (seems we need several of these-- one with people, one without). And I've met so many new artists-- well, new to me! but these conversations have really helped me put my ideas in a new light. Changing jobs- the other job I always seem to need! from working with the Art Alliance to working in the Rockingham County Arts council has been a real emotional ride. I miss being in Greensboro, miss the fun folks at AAG, don't miss the complainers! but the people in Rockingham County have been so friendly and they are excited about the new projects.. the new gallery, exhibits, craft shows, grants.. I'm feeling so much more grounded.
So this is the last jacket fabric for a month or so. time to get the fall and winter scarves.. have some new wools and will be trying the wool/tencel blend soon. And I have new tunes to work with! I have to say... this could be what I have been looking for and I just never knew! Now, if the creepy neighbor would stop asking me about why i don't have a boyfriend....