Diva's Niche

new blog

2012-01-31T10:09:00.001-08:00

I have a new blog at

Pondering

2010-12-06T08:01:00.000-08:00

58 minutes until shift change. Its been a stressful week..mammogram which was uneventful but always leaves me feeling drained and vulnerable. Worrying about paying for tuition and for Christmas......worry worry worry....its not healthy you know.
I have lost my camera leads again so I cannot upload any pictures although I dont really have any at this point anyway.
But mostly what I have been pondering is the impact that the textile art program has had on my life.....since it began 3 semesters ago it has been a whirlwind of skill based learning, one on the next on the next on the next at the speed of light. For someone who went in wondering if they had anything to teach me I am humbled.
My eyes have been opened to new and wonderful techniques some I KNOW I will work and develop in the years to come....some...well not so much. I have so many projects and so many many ideas......waiting.
The other thing I have been pondering is relationships......I marvel at the impact these young women in the program have had on me....thier enthusiasm,perspective and humour have touched me and made me grow as well. I love the way they forge ahead with artistic fervor. I realise that I felt 'sealed' within the confines of the associations I had built in past years and now....well its different, not entirely clear but different.
Today I am waiting for Penny to relieve me so I can drive to school....Precision Dyeing Class nears an end and today is hand in for the research project......which has also inspired some wonderful percolating ideas......and with some trepidation and realisation I am beginning to consider myself a dyer.....well thats one hat anyway.
Well time to pack up and start this crazy week.

Jacquard weaving at Ruths

2010-11-10T18:41:00.000-08:00

Today Tamara and I went to Ruth's to weave our jacquard samples......I love the jacquard loom.......soooo incredibly cool.

2010-08-23T22:18:00.000-07:00

Doapay

2010-08-11T09:22:00.000-07:00

If you have had an experience with Daopay....good or bad please let me know.

my new buttons just arrived

2010-08-06T11:57:00.000-07:00

4 totally beautiful wood buttons from A Remark You Made

Whistler Farmers Market

2010-08-05T09:02:00.000-07:00

I checked and they have updated the webpage with current information......check it out there are some very interesting vendors.

http://www.whistlerfarmersmarket.org/merchants?view=member&id=99

My beautiful freind Suzanne

2010-08-02T17:06:00.000-07:00

While I was goofing around online I found this wonderful tv clip of my friend Suzanne from Michigan. We shared a booth at Convergence in Denver in 2004 my most favorite trip ever

her webpage is

fairy pants

2010-07-27T08:23:00.001-07:00

I am having a love affair with stretch lace......I know its kind of 80s but it works for these fairy pants......all were snatched up on sunday so I think I am on to something.....more to come this week in sage and dusty rose because I went on a marathon dressew adventure yesterday with Susan and ended up stranded on the 401 in the HOV lane in the most intense heat....finally a nice hwy worker came nad pushed us off to the shoulder but the pushing involved his big truck and munched the back of Susans van.....all in all a bit of a disaster but we have fabric and samosas so it was still a good day
I finished the never ending custom hat last sunday for this little girl.....mommy was thrilled and ordered a lighter one for the fall......need to singe some organza today for that yarn.....

new table doobob for the booth

2010-07-20T16:25:00.001-07:00

Last sundays additions were several tie dye shirts, lots of bandanas and some onsies....also a display table which I have to say turned out better than I expected....this week....Im working on some yoga/fairy pants and leggings and some more mannequins to display all this exciting stuff.....

whistler farmers market makes it into the vancouver sun

2010-07-09T18:35:00.000-07:00

http://communities.canada.com/VANCOUVERSUN/blogs/wordofmouth/archive/2010/07/05/scenes-from-the-whistler-s-farmers-market.aspx

Cute little ditty from a local reporter.

I want to be a wooler when I grow up

2010-07-09T09:35:00.000-07:00

This is my little friend Talulah.....every sunday she hangs out with us and spins and gives us advice on life and courage....
She is just about the worlds cutest child.

This week I made a custom order hat.....not quite finished I still have to embellish it with vintage beads (i think). I also made a childs sweater coat and matching hat....still needs to be blocked and have buttons sewn on but I am quite chuffed with the outcome and enjoyed crocheting at the cabin soaking in the view and the good company as well as being entertained by the industrious chipmunks.
I have a felt jacket in my head that needs out....maybe I can start today although the house is disgusting after being away for 4 days.....
my camera battery is dead and I cant find the charger....will post progress pics when it do......in the meantime there is Talulah (picure stolen from Tamara)

Its for the birds

2010-07-03T20:40:00.000-07:00

a little pic of my indigo birds....picture stolen from Tamara.

what is it that I am trying to say?

2010-07-02T20:17:00.000-07:00

In the back of my mind I am struggling for a definition of a directional change that is rumbling around in the far recesses of my menopausal chemo imprinted brain. It has to do with the melding of my far past, the sepia toned photos of long dead ancestors that hold a special magnetism for me and the memories of learning smocking and embroidery from my great grandmother in a room that smelled of tea and lavender with a desire to learn new techniques particularly dyeing, nature dyeing....I am leaning towards textiles rich in the muted natural colours and thick with texture, french knots, bullions, smocking......its all just below the surface, like waiting for water to come to a boil.....like looking at a picture through layers and layers of cheesecloth.......I recognize my process and it wont be long before I know what it is I am trying to say.

Rainbow Feet

2010-07-02T14:56:00.000-07:00

Had a wonderful dye day.....3 racks full including some very successful discharge shibori shirts....but....i have rainbow feet....hoping i can make them look presentable enough to go to the store to get mushrooms for the shepards pie for dinner.

Eleanor's Middle Value Greys

2010-07-02T08:06:00.001-07:00

The sky is full of Eleanor's MVGs again this morning, such a funny sight for the second day of July. As frequently happens when I spend the day spinning and in the company of other artist like I did yesterday I have the most visually mind blowing dreams all night....I have an asymetrical vest perhaps felted perhaps crocheted in my head, some great plans for some really funky art yarn, some baby jackets (inspired by my soon to be born great nephew-niece)and thoughts of needle felted melton (thanks Janna)
I have to dye some tied tshirts today and make bread and then I can get into the wool, maybe I will even drag out the sander and felting machine today.....now if the kids would just find something to do somewhere else when they get up......heres hoping.

Canada Day on Granville Market

2010-07-01T21:04:00.000-07:00

Today was an action filled day at Granville Market.....Tamara, Hilary, Amanda and I represented Cap U at a booth outside Crafthouse. As with any time spent with these artistic women it was fun filled and served to reaffirm to me that negativity has no place in the creative flow.
Hilary and Amanda were phenomonal doing many interactive felting demos with the kids.....good thing too because Tamara and I were really hoping we didnt have to fill those shoes!
Tamara spun and carded and answered relentless questions on spinning wheels, ratios, fibre and the like.....
I sat out front and spun the never ending cria suri alpaca fleece that I got from Marilynn Ross last year, hopefully I will have spun it all by September and it will make its way into a weaving project....i am visualizing something with a silk warp and alpaca weft...maybe nature dyed with pomegranite....
I have never had my picture taken so many times with so many people....all in all a fun but exhausting day.
I have been cogitating a lot lately on dynamics of creative groups and am really moved by the supportive and respectful attitude of the women in this program. I am not sure if it is a result of the presentations and critiques that we do in class or why it exists but its is a very nuturing environment and I feel very lucky to be part of it....

Prudence Mapstone

2010-06-30T19:26:00.000-07:00

www.knotjustknitting.com

It has been a while since I perused her site and it is well worth a look. I took her workshop on Bowen Island, more than 5 years ago and still today it influences my work.....a very very creative woman....

wishing Janna a wonderful adventure

2010-06-30T09:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I braved downtown Vancouver again in the mega-van....I was lucky enough to purchase the last of Janna's stash before she leaves for Montreal to finish her degree at Concordia University. I now have some more dyes so friday will be a dye day....more tie dyes for sunday.....and tommorow we will be at Granville Market doing felting demos and selling stuff at Crafthouse.
I am also planning on taking advantage of being near maiwa while there are will pick up some indigo and cocheneal to dye the organic cotton stuff I am making.....great plans.
I am loving this whole knitting machine experience and will post some pic later, maybe even a video.

another manic monday

2010-06-28T10:50:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Tamara and I did the whistler farmers market again.....It was a very good day although the weather was cold and windy......Our little friend Talulah helped us spin and weave all day in her poodle costume.....she had some very sage advice for Tamara about conquering her fears and going on the zip-line.....probably not going to happen. We had a lovely dinner with JP after the market....nothing like prime rib after a hard day at the market!
We are heading in to Vancouver this morning for supplies.....new t shirts and some organic cotton from dressew for these baby hats I have in my head.....thinking of making them first and then overdyeing in indigo and cocheneal.....might even weave a baby blanket or two....who knows.
I love the buzyness of the summer season.....lots to make, lots to do!!

2010-05-31T18:31:00.000-07:00

I spent the day washing all the fleece from Maplewood Farm, its all done and out in racks in the rain to dry. I am dyeing small batches in the kitchen....I cant wait to get this carded......great plans.

Maplewood Farm

2010-05-31T12:41:00.000-07:00

I dont miss much from my prior life, but, I do miss hanging out in a barn. Yesterday some of us from the textile program did a demo-thing at Maplewood Farm in North Van. Natalie arranged felting in plastic bags for the wee ones and it was a huge success....Tamara and Serine carded their little hearts out, Amanda spent the whole day showing toddlers how to felt....I spun.
We had a blast and we were gifted some lovely fleece for our efforts.

A walk on the dikes

2010-05-27T16:56:00.001-07:00

It was a perfect day for walking the dike, cool but no rain. The sky was so awesome, lots of Eleanor's middle value greys.....
On the home front, I still have the school loom so I tied on a siene twine warp I found in the shed and am weaving some rugs with rug yarn I also found......wonder if I will have them done for Saturday?

Sheep to Shawl Competition

2010-05-22T18:47:00.000-07:00

Today was the sheep to shawl competition at Surrey Museum, there were 4 groups including ours which consisted of some alumni,second years and first year students. We had to hand card, spin and weave a shawl from start to finish in 4 hours. The day started on the trip in with Sol being bonked on the head with a bucket of carders but she was a real trooper and just kept smiling.....We all had a great time and I think the shawl turned out really nicely.

weaving workshop

2010-05-22T18:43:00.000-07:00

For 3 days this last week I assisted and participated in a Colour In Cloth workshop by Cameron Taylor-Brown....It was totally amazing.
This is my final sample and the inspiration it came from.

Dressew and Button Button

2010-05-14T18:44:00.000-07:00

Today I dragged Tamara to a meeting at the school for assistants for the upcoming weaving conference next week. Afterwards we took the land yacht down to creepy town and went to dressew where I bought some awesome yarns for the next jacket and some buttons to finish the last 2 jackets......one abalone for the indigo jacket and a cedar button for the grey and orange one......what a lovely sunny happy happy day.

another jacket in the making.....

2010-05-14T07:04:00.000-07:00

This is the inspiration for the next jacket....it looks like borage but its not, its some perrenial thing that grows in big bushes in my garden. And this is the romney I am spinning....it was a grey fleece which i overdyed with purple......I love the variations in colour.....I am thinking I will weave and felt this one.....im sure it will morph as I go along, my projects always do.

Grad Opening Show

2010-05-14T06:59:00.000-07:00

I had such a wonderful time at the show last night I am still smiling.....makes me realize I should get away from the teenage male negativity in this house more often!!
The gallery was so packed I couldnt really get pictures of the art, maybe I can go back, i did however get some pictures of some of my beautiful cohorts....

woven jacket

2010-04-18T17:54:00.000-07:00

A few more pictures of recent projects. This jacket was made of wool and mohair....I will never do a mohair warp again.....currently on the school loom is another jacket of the same idea done with indigo dyed wool and bits of faded denim. On the home loom I have a wool jacket same pattern again in orange and grey. I want to perfect this pattern as I think it would be an awesome production piece.

Free form crochet and vat dyes....i love the combination

2010-04-07T19:28:00.000-07:00

Well...its been a long time.....

Here of some pics of the upcoming seasons stock. I am making these chokers like crazy. They are freeform crocheted with a rayon yarn and dyed in vat dyes then sewn together with vintage bits and bobs......I am loving making these.

I feel a felt binge coming on....

2009-10-17T14:29:00.000-07:00

its been a while since i got caught up in a felt frenzy....today I am doing lots of much needing around home work.......so tommorow can be a studio day.....am planning on going to school in the am and doing some felting. Planning my felt project due in 2 weeks.....lots of ideas....I need to rein myself in a bit......maybe a funky felt hat. At anyrate I will take the camera and try and do some 'process' pictures.....ok back to work.

Today's Adventures

2009-10-16T18:38:00.000-07:00

Today we handed in our basket projects....mine was a vest, not nearly as interesting as Emily's cocoon....shown here, coiled out of several wool blankets and comes complete with a zip.

another manic....uh wednesday

2009-09-24T06:15:00.000-07:00

And I thought market boot camp was hard.....3
full time days of school is just as intense.....but I am loving every second....except maybe the shlepping art supplies and texts back and forth. Here is some pics from yesterdays surface design class....we are working on colour wheels.....I am thinking I might put some design on my homogonous little car so I can find it in the parking lot.....the furry handcuffs that Kris put on the grill are not really my thing.

.....has anyone seen my flip flops.....i need more coffee.....toodles.

surface design 106

2009-09-22T18:04:00.000-07:00

have had a massively busy 2 days finishing up my sample book for this class.....I am loving it. Making alot of lino blocks and foam block with ideas always in my head to take it into garments....now onto my fibre sample book for weaving class.....

2009-09-15T08:16:00.000-07:00

Wow the summer went so fast. The fastest season I can remember.
And now....back at school for the first time in 30 plus years.....my brain is smoking just like an old car that has been sitting forever.....but I am loving it.

Trailer

2009-07-16T08:37:00.000-07:00

I have finally achieved utlility trailer. At the moment it can hold the grid wall, tent and racks.....but I am hoping that once Jared gets home from working in Campbell River that he can build sides and a top on it and that way it would hold everything.
This is a very exciting addition and will cut the loading and unloading down by half which is awesome.
I am doing the poco market tonight.....hired Richy to help me....getting smarter in my old age. I am so looking forward to Cap U in September, I finished my online registrations yesterday and that was enough of a brain test.
Well, off to make the beds in the camper and load for the weekend.

market boot camp

2009-07-15T08:38:00.001-07:00

No Excuses.....bad blogger.....so here we go again.

This week I will be at:
thursday-port coquitlam market
friday- twillight market in whistler in front of the wesitn
saturday- squamish market
sunday-whistler farmers market

Its funny how it seems like its hard work but then all of a sudden you get stronger and lifting gridwall and boxes doesnt seem so ardurous.

this weeks dyes include lots of sundresses for little girls....some dresses for adults....lots of underpants and t shirts. I have experimented with some different colour combos and I will post pics once they are out of the wash.
As for the rest of the day....registering for cap u courses, tieing some blacks and discharging them....and of course cleaning out the van for this weekends market boot camp. I am hoping the auction fairy comes up with a utility trailer today.....then things would be perfect.

pics to follow.

bad blogger

2009-05-20T08:02:00.000-07:00

hmm I have been so busy! But I was reminded that i was a bad blogger......so as soon as I go to the dump, do some dishes, and wash some ts for tieing I will blog....promise. :)

Haney Farmers Market

2009-04-27T08:25:00.000-07:00

Our first market of the season....the earth day celebration and Haney Farmers Market.
It was sooooo cold in the morning but the weather warmed up and it was a great day, we were well recieved and it was a good precursor to whistler.

Tie Dye Tshirts

2009-04-22T19:50:00.000-07:00

Two new t shirts on Etsy today..... both 5x. I have been busy doing discharge dyes all week....these are the first 2 listed.

chocolate chip cookies

2009-04-17T12:56:00.000-07:00

I took a break from tyeing and made some cookies.....really good recipe......enjoy.

New York Times Chocolate Chip Cookies
Published: July 9, 2008
Adapted from Jacques Torres

2 cups minus 2 tablespoons (8 1/2 ounces) cake flour
1 2/3 cups (8 1/2 ounces) bread flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
2 1/2 sticks (1 1/4 cups) unsalted butter
1 1/4 cups (10 ounces) light brown sugar
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (8 ounces) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons natural vanilla extract
1 1/4 pounds bittersweet chocolate disks or fèves, at least 60 percent cacao content (see note)
Sea salt.

1. Sift flours, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Set aside.

2. Using a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars together until very light, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla. Reduce speed to low, add dry ingredients and mix until just combined, 5 to 10 seconds. Drop chocolate pieces in and incorporate them without breaking them. Press plastic wrap against dough and refrigerate for 24 to 36 hours. Dough may be used in batches, and can be refrigerated for up to 72 hours.

3. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat. Set aside.

4. Scoop 6 3 1/2-ounce mounds of dough (the size of generous golf balls) onto baking sheet, making sure to turn horizontally any chocolate pieces that are poking up; it will make for a more attractive cookie. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and bake until golden brown but still soft, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer sheet to a wire rack for 10 minutes, then slip cookies onto another rack to cool a bit more. Repeat with remaining dough, or reserve dough, refrigerated, for baking remaining batches the next day. Eat warm, with a big napkin.

Yield: 1 1/2 dozen 5-inch cookies.

Note: Disks are sold at Jacques Torres Chocolate; Valrhona fèves, oval-shaped chocolate pieces, are at Whole Foods.

dyeing to share

2009-04-15T17:16:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of black discharge t shirts from the first batch of this method....modeled by the dilly monster....mom, can you cut my head off?

The auction fairy strikes again

2009-04-10T17:42:00.000-07:00

I could spend a long time waiting for the Easter Bunny but the Auction Fairy shows up like clock work...pack of Budwieser under one arm and this time with a FRONT LOADING WASHING MACHINE. Another much needed addition to the staff....not sure how it will work for tye dye but for felting its a must have. So, in prep for sunday dye day with Kat, I have some whites in a calgon wash to tie tonight in front of the tv.

spring wardrobe

2009-04-09T07:40:00.000-07:00

So, what does a fat lady wear for spring. I am becoming accustomed to my recent weight gain and trying not to perseverate on it, after all it is a small price to pay for increasing my chance of survival by 17%....but I really would like to have clothes that fit and flatter. I bought 2 pairs of capris at costco of all places and they are actually quite nice....then i bought some baby pink skimmers.....what was i thinking??? I look like a giant wad of chewing gum so those are going back....unless i tye dye them.....must check fabric content.
On the dyeing front....i bought enough gloves,h2o2 and oxy to last kat and i into the next millenium....and some sox and some black ts. so that will keep me busy for today.
Last night looking for inspiration i found www.thaidye.com ....liking the not so hippy dyeing.

first tie dye marathon day

2009-03-30T07:49:00.000-07:00

It was a definite learning curve....still I think I have hearts sussed out....and I am pleased with the jean jacket. And of course Kat with the steaming knickers straight from the microwave embodies the whole spirit of dye day.

updating etsy

2009-03-27T16:44:00.001-07:00

I have an amazing score of a kzillion tubs of procion mx that I got from a lady on craigslist....woo I love deals!!!! And I have been updating etsy...suitcase #2. Here are a few of the things I listed...Atomic Viking and Im Lichen it.

it wasnt the easter bunny....it was the auction fairy...

2009-03-26T08:52:00.001-07:00

THIS...is a reverse osmosis water softener......omg....I am so excited.....now my dyeing will be amazing......no more calgon.....can you hear me cackling and rubbing my hands together....not only is it a water softener....its the porche of water softeners.....oh oh oh....and felting....yes felting will be a breeze too.....oh and wine.....and the list goes on....

now i just have to read the instructions......

Gotta love that auction fairy....he is kind of like Radar O'Reilly crossed with Matt Dillon only with a serious love of budwieser. Knows what everyone has and what everyone needs.....and almost every week ,post auction in a happy haze of a job well done and a few with the boys he shows up with a new addition to 'the staff'.

yarn bombing

2009-03-25T17:38:00.000-07:00

I have this unsquashable desire to go out yarn bombing....anyone want to come with me....out lurking in downtown maple ridge....tacky acrylic yarn and crochet hook in hand...maybe its just spring fever.....still.....

its a cross between origami and laundry

2009-03-24T16:14:00.000-07:00

Kat came over today and we folded...and folded and watched the 3 instruction videos. We are reserving another day for mixing dyes and applying. Here is Kat folding a pashima....we are different enough in methods and visions that I think we will produce a truly cool collection....and now im going to curl up and dye for a bit.

Its a date!

2009-03-22T14:41:00.000-07:00

with Good Kat from whistler farmers market. (thats glass Kat not the other one )She is coming on tuesday for a dye marathon. We have decided that in the interest of fiscal sanity and pee breaks that we will share a booth this year.....so we are doing some tandem dyeing and such. I have resurrected the patio with the exception of going to the dump with several bags and an old wooden futon that for some reason I cant explain ended up here. I am now fortifying myself with tea and diet cookies and will head out to attack the garage.....boooya. I can almost feel the workspace....i love spring.

spring fever

2009-03-22T09:44:00.000-07:00

I ventured out in the sun yesterday and blew off the patio. I am hoping the weather will warm just slightly so i can work a bit on cleaning out the shed....I need to set up my summer work space. I have been watching the tye dye videos that magda and rob gave me for my birthday last year.....not that I want to tye dye exactly....but i do want to discharge and overdye some jean jackets. I will be so glad to see tomorow when all the brats go back to school after spring break......this enforced togetherness has made me balmy.

caught in a cosmic loop

2009-03-19T11:32:00.000-07:00

i have spent the last couple of days in computer land, updating sites, creating sites, linking, and doing all the little behind the scenes things that need to be done to have a fuctioning on line presence.
I have however been smashing my head against the wall trying to redeem my facebook advertising credit from go-daddy dot com.
So....i have left it in limbo for the time being as i cant get there from here.
I think i will take a stroll in the rain to clear my head and then see about finding a needlefelting attachment for the 'Brother boutique 176' sewing machine that the auction fairy brought me last night.
ok looking for something cozy to wear as i venture out in the wet world.

2009-03-15T22:26:00.000-07:00

spinning out loud

2009-03-14T16:51:00.000-07:00

Day one of the art yarn spinning class for Whonnock Weavers is complete. It was an intense day with lots accomplished. There were even 2 navajo spindlers in the group who adapted the techniques to thier tools.....jeff who did some awesome yarn incorporating a pearl necklace and Marie who is doing some amazing adaptive coily plying.....

last nights art yarn

2009-03-13T08:06:00.000-07:00

Spinning is my solace it always has been. I wonder if years ago when Mr. Allen taught me to spin in a high school art class if he knew what a gift he was giving me.....thinking of how people touch our lives, some good, some bad but each encounter leaves us richer......ok enough philosophising.

Last nights endevours are: Trudy Art Yarn , thusly named for Mrs. Atchison who is an old friends mother, she was very influential in my young life and recently a steadfast support in recovery from cancer and divorce, when she moved into an assisted living facility with her husband she gave me her scrap bag. In it was this fabric that was screaming to be spun.
And Careless Love a cornicopia of different fibres spun thick and thin and coily plied with a commercial mohair boucle.

Also as I sat pondering last night i mocked up some bird patterns....i am thinking for decorations and for brooches and just for fun.....also have pincushions in my mind.

Its official

2009-03-11T16:40:00.000-07:00

Jared (middle child) has enlisted in the navy. I dont know whether to laugh, cry or throw up.
I keep looking above my head on the wall where the picture of my Dad when he enlisted sits. He seems to be smiling down, he would be so proud.....he should have had sons.

Do you know what is coming?

2009-03-10T09:29:00.000-07:00

Spring, spring is coming!
Ha, and on that note I am coginating on setting up studio space in the garage again....complete with setting up floor loom (did i say that?)
Todays little adventure in order restoration involves wieghing out more fleece for the spinning workshop this weekend. Sending out web orders. Finding my table under mounds of stuff. Taking pictures.....I have a lovely nuno shawl i need to take a pic of....really would look its best on a naked model....any takers.....no didnt think so.
I also need to plan a new wardrobe, its a new season and aside from the obviously missing body bit that causes me fitting issues, I have packed on about 20 pounds, thank you tamoxifin (small price for life) so I am going to design big wearable sacs....you know, with kind of a steampunk, urban flair....ya right.

Angel of the Morning

2009-03-09T11:38:00.001-07:00

This was fun!!

42 yards of hand dyed kid mohair core spun on a commercial mohair blend.

soft soft soft and sooo squidgy. It has the most wonderful lustre. Its truly a little bit of heaven.

2 oz

$35.70

camera leads number three

2009-03-09T10:54:00.000-07:00

oh how funny....wrote 2 long posts about not being able to find my camera leads yesterday and niether showed. Today I found the leads....in the dryer omg but they work.....grateful for blessings.

I only took 2 pics of dye day....I got caught up in the moments and forgot.....so here they are:

We dyed 10 K of bfl and 5 K of kid mohair.

and got it all done in prep for the art yarn 2 day workshop I am teaching next weekend. I promise to take interesting pics of that one!

camera leads?

2009-03-08T12:44:00.001-07:00

camera leads?

2009-03-08T12:44:00.000-07:00

carder and picker for sale

2009-03-05T12:35:00.000-08:00

	Post Options	Labels for this post: e.g. scooters, vacation, fall	Show all Hide all
		All Labels: annus horriblis art yarn cherry blossoms hairpin crochet new beginnings

I have posted the ad for the carder and picker in a few spots on ravelry and there has been several requests for more pics of the picker....so here it is.

The pair are valued at 60 thousand and I am considering all reasonable offers. I can help with arranging shipping and can have it crated if desired....these costs are the responsibliy of the buyer. I can also help with brokering it into the States as I have had lots of experience shipping machinery.

I cant say enough good things about these machines they are wonderful. They are the last big machines made by patrick green and have incredible workmanship. This is a wonderful chance for someone and it is time for me to move on.

more staff

2009-03-03T10:36:00.000-08:00

This is Phoebe. She is a little care worn and shows the footprints of past projects....many many projects. She was a gift from a man whose mother was a weaver and she came with an unfinished runner which has recently been finished and gifted back to said man.

She is basic and clunky and a perfect springboard for the weaving that is in my head. This loom has so much positive energy, enouraging me, prompting me, I can hear her calling me away from the always overwhelming chores. She tells me I must do the Cap College Fibre Arts Program so i am dutifully applying today.

need a peptalk

2009-02-28T09:59:00.000-08:00

Slow start to the morning. I am listing stuff on etsy and encouraging myself to get it together enough to go the info session at Cap College for the textile program......thinking i really want to do this, wondering if I have the brain power anymore.
Having wierd kind of flashbacks... I went to CC for a year after high school, way way back in 1977. Also my mom took a creative writing course there just before she died of breast cancer and Dad set up a scholarship in her memory........weird emotional twangs connected to this.

still it would be cool wouldnt it.....i deserve it......dont i? I think it requires getting dressed, and finding where youngest child is with my car.

The Staff continued.....

2009-02-24T17:26:00.000-08:00

Her name is Natasha after the Russian nurse at the cancer clinic....scary on the outside but really really efficient at her job and moves at the speed of light. This girl is all about business. She was a find from the auction fairy and I have great plans for her.

oldest child is home for 2 seconds

2009-02-22T21:53:00.000-08:00

So i managed to get a pic. Oldest child and youngest child.

i had a dream

2009-02-22T19:29:00.001-08:00

Last night i had this dream about spinning coils and granny stack with this stretchy 1970s fabric that came in a scrap bag from Sherrys mom....so rather than start winding a warp around the livingroom furniture I am watchin NCIS and cutting fabric strips.

The Staff

2009-02-22T18:20:00.000-08:00

Today I took the woven purses off the loom and stitched the edges, fulled them a bit and now they are drying....till tommorow when contstuction starts. In the meantime I thought now would be a good time to introduce you to the 'staff' of this live in studio.

This is Alice. Born in 1968 she has the heart of a hippy and likes all things organic. She has no computer skills but she works hard and can be quite flexible.

can i help?

2009-02-21T12:22:00.000-08:00

Well, no one helps with the dishes or the cleaning but apparently Riley has taken a break from stealing the bathtub plug and wants to help me weave purses.

this week is purse week.

2009-02-20T17:35:00.000-08:00

over the last few years my felted divorce purses have been a constant seller. this year i am updating and weaving some of my art yarn up to make yardage for purses.

here is the progress.

I am weaving off a cotton warp from some long forgotten project. Basic 1234 threading....nothing exiting but its making me look for my binder from the jane stafford workshops i have taken.

big decision....carder for sale

2009-02-14T10:52:00.000-08:00

So.....as the maritial dust settles I have come to the conclusion that I should sell my industrial Patrick Greene carder. Its a 5 way, the last one he made of the large cottage industry type. Its such and awesome machine i hate to sell it but.....realisticly I should be usisng something smaller....so....I guess I will take out an ad in spinoff.

Anyone want a carder?

last nights spinning

2009-02-11T10:47:00.000-08:00

Abalone

mostly kid mohair with merino and sparkle. Coily plied with a commercial silk/cotton yarn.

19 yards

$16

vv boutique rocks again

2009-02-09T14:19:00.000-08:00

look what i found....

2 plus yards of handwoven fabric....yellow and white.....what will it be?

spinning with a stuffed head

2009-02-06T19:40:00.000-08:00

I actually think i am giving myself vertigo from spinnng with a headcold....feel like crap. I could have a shoe sale with all the shoes at the front door....the house is full of teenage boys and one chirpy girl.

Time for more medicine. In the time being i give you....bird on a dandylion in all its completeness. The picure is crappy, the lustre of the one is amazing. silk and kid mohair with a bit of sparkle.....spun thick and thin with one lone birdie....chirping just like the girl.

todays inspirtation

2009-02-05T12:31:00.000-08:00

This is the challenge picture this week for Ravelrys Picto Create......so......carding a silk lap that got mangled in the move so too tangled for felting but it will spin a dream, with grey kid mohair, some mohair locks, some brown sparkle....and a little felted surprise......think i will wrap it in thread.

the binge continues......

2009-02-05T12:11:00.000-08:00

I dont know what it is about spinning that has always released creative energy in me....whether its the rythmic repetitive motion or just the total immersion in fibre i dont know but it frees my brain to wander through creative possibilities.

When i think back to the beginning of my spinning....on an old indian head in the art room of Argyle High School.....spinning in the grease, great chunky nobby yarn.....eltie thompson had a giant pillow on the floor loom with unwashed locks tied in every few inches, Cathy Chubb with a plasteer mask on for a wall hanging.....that was the beginning of my love for sharing creative bliss.....today I spin and wander through rembembrances of all the people who have touched my creative soul. Its good to be alive. Fibre is healing.

todays accomplishments:

92 yards of Cherry Blossom Art Yarn

mohair, merino, sparkle, angora lots of felted mohair nubs and 4 felted cherry blossoms. A hand spun thick and thin yarn....really sumptuous.

Hanging in the shower setting the twist.

$78.50

sensuous carding

2009-02-04T20:12:00.000-08:00

look at this....doesnt it make you want to roll in it.

cherry blossoms are coming

2009-02-04T14:53:00.000-08:00

I got a speeding ticket this morning .....sigh....so the only course of action is to spend the day spinning.

I bring you the process of cherry blossoms.

iced bough art yarn

2009-02-03T18:35:00.000-08:00

Todays spinning....alpaca, mohair, merino, angora and sparkle.

Iced Boughs

27 yards

$24.95

Im knee deep in fibre and dyeing to spin....

lost leads and inspiration

2009-01-31T14:01:00.000-08:00

I have been searching for my camera leads for ages......found em......and with out further ado some pics for inspiration...I have art yarn on the brain....and jury piece finishing asap....sigh.

Brain Based Insanity

2009-01-23T09:29:00.001-08:00

I am noticing a bizzarely evident brain function problem these days......while coming off my SRI's I am down to .5 mg every second day I notice my fatigue is extreme.....also my lack of focus....evident by the 7 projects scattered around the house and my inability to work on one for more than an hour.
I need to commit to a production shedule and I think this may require lists.....omg.
I cant find the lead that goes to the camera from the computer.
I need to do a power point for the upcoming workshop.
I need to complete jury pieces.
I need inspiration
I need sunlight
I need to lift this brain fog

coffee.

i think its a flashback

2009-01-14T10:06:00.000-08:00

EBAY LUV

Im in heaven, my last ebay score just arrived and I have been hairpinning up a storm. Just the thing to do with funky art yarn!!

I forsee more workshop proposals on the way.

Last night I went to the Whonnock Weavers Guild meeting this time held at Dales house. We watched a very dry basket video however despite the narrators efforts to bore one into a stupor I was actually inspired. I love the native baskets. I also bought wool as Dales is the new home of fibres plus. Not that I NEED wool you understand its just that well, Im obssessed I admit it....and its almost jury time.

So todays projects? Finish workshop proposals and send. Wind new wool. I need to have a wool winding party.....pity no one would come. And design a knit or crochet felt bag.....my purse handle broke.

drawn in a direction and hit by a steam roller

2009-01-11T10:21:00.000-08:00

Life is so funny. I have been mulling over my workshop proposals at no particular speed and working on the web page in kind of a lalalala fashion. All of a sudden I need to have both done NOW! I am teaching an art yarn workshop incorporating a dye day....3 days in march. So....i guess the health imposed sabbatical is over and im back in the groove.
I have been stretching my chemo rattled brain for days working on the webpage I guess its time to really shake of the dust.
Life is good.
Messages are good.
Friends are good.
Health is good.
ok need coffee.

nubbles

2009-01-10T20:44:00.000-08:00

cuppa nubbles anyone?

Im working on mega nubbles for some much needed spinning time. a quik pic of my motorised production wheel.

Annus Horriblis

2008-12-31T17:43:00.000-08:00

In honour of ringing out my Annus Horriblis I have made Papa's fish cocktails....which are too good to share with unappreciative children!

I plan to spend the evening with my handspun two ply of wendsleydale and seasilk refining the prototype of one of my jury pieces for 2009.

Im into armwarmers at the moment with sort of a feminine victorian goth feeling.

I really need to make it to Dressew for some ribbon.

Well Im off to settle in with my fish cocktails and wool so on that note I wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous Peacefilled New Year.

boxing day thoughts

2008-12-26T12:00:00.000-08:00

Yet another year passes. The kids are grown and after the last year I am grateful for another christmas spent with them. The 28 1/2 pound turkey cooked and eaten with enough remnants to keep them satisfied for a few days. As i plod my way through washing Grandmas china and sweeping up tree needles I ponder christmases past and future. I think i like boxing day better than any other day of the year. I have so many creative ideas in my head needing out and january unfettered to let them out as I quietly try and set order to the christmas disaster zone I am planning my journey.

Happy Boxing day to all!

Im dreaming of a white christmas

2008-12-01T21:48:00.000-08:00

The trees that lline the street are full of christmas lights making me want to knit socks....not sure what the connection is but I am going with it.....the boys are getting hats and socks as my hand made gifts this year. I hope i convince them to put christmas lites on the house this year.
Im feeling very homey and creative at the moment. The stress of pre show production is gone and now the ideas are percolating.

beyond tired

2008-11-30T20:27:00.000-08:00

Home from 2 back to back shows.....the bizzarre bazaar in whistler and the whonnock weavers open house in maple ridge. Looking forward to a good night sleep.

Here are a few pics to share....my booth at whistler and my little show helper Talulah the Wooler.

I hear bells

2008-10-26T18:32:00.000-07:00

I woke this morning to church bells and took the aging dog for a walk to the park in the crisp fall air....kicking leaves and twirling like a kid.

I love this time of year, time to cuddle up with wool and needles and create.

Here is todays accomplishments, also 2 skiens drying to be photoed in the am.

I think today is purple

2008-10-26T14:01:00.000-07:00

Lyrics
Start Wearing Purpleby Gogol Bordello
Start wearing purple wearing purpleStart wearing purple for me nowAll your sanity and wits they will all vanishI promise, it's just a matter of time...
So yeah, ha
Start wearing purple wearing purple (da da da da da)Start wearing purple for me nowAll your sanity and wits they will all vanishI promise, it's just a matter of time...
I've known you since you were a twenty, and I was twenty,and thought that some years from nowa purple little little lady will be perfectfor dirty old and useless clown...
So yeah, ha
Start wearing purple wearing purple (da da da da da)Start wearing purple for me nowAll your sanity and wits they will all vanishI promise, it's just a matter of time...
So yeah, I know it all from Diogenes to Foucaultfrom Lozgechkin to PassepartoutI ja kljanus obostzav dva paltzaschto muziko poshla ot Zzukov Mu!...Party!
Start wearing purple wearing purple (da da da da da)Start wearing purple for me now
Start wearing purple for me now!
All your sanity and wits they will all vanishI promise, it's just a matter of time...
So Vio-Vio-Violetta! Etta! Va-va-va-vaja dama ti moja!Eh podayte nam karetu, vot etu, i mi poedem k ebenjam!
So yeah, ah start wearing purple wearing purpleStart wearing purple for me nowAll your sanity and wits, they will all vanishI promise, it's just a matter of time!...

and with that in mind i hit the dye pots.

pictures of yarn and wip

2008-10-25T11:54:00.000-07:00

dyeing wendsleydale and spinning at warp speed

2008-10-24T22:01:00.000-07:00

It feels good to be in production mode. Its been a year, just as i was gearing up last year I got sideswiped by breast cancer so no felting and spinning just fighting and healing. This year as I am knee deep in fibre and yarn and silk with my brain spinning with creations I am ever so grateful to have the strength to dig in and produce. I am loving the wendsleydale roving which has such amazing luster and handle and dyes to jewel tones rivaling mohair. I spun 6 skeins of art yarn today and made some felt nubs and felted soap. I will take pictures in the light tommorow. Until Sunday the goal is to spin, make nubs and soap. Then Monday a new goal.
After taking the pluckyfluff workshop I have been so enthused, spinning myself into a state of bliss. I bought an old indian head from Irene Wiesner and on her advice attatched a sewing machine motor.....and we are hitting warp 9....I love it.....ok pics tommorow....

some of my hats found new homes this weekend

2008-10-13T17:17:00.000-07:00

It was definitely a hat day at the Whistler Farmers Market.

old dog,behaviourly challenged cat and more kids

2008-09-30T17:10:00.000-07:00

Well, the 16 year old dog and the crazy cat came yesterday. Dog has almost wandered into traffic twice today already, I need a baby gate. He is as deaf as a post and is not used to cars. The cat kept me up all night checking out the new digs.
And......this is it, the sale closes at midnight and the kids are here tonight. I have to move the last of thier stuff tonight without setting foot in the house.
Jared had me up at 5 looking for lost keys.
I need to spin.

plucky fluffed into exhaustion

2008-09-20T19:04:00.000-07:00

ok im beat.....but man what a weekend!

carder is moved and happy in storage

2008-09-18T20:25:00.001-07:00

so the deed is done the carder is moved...thank heavens.
and tommorow i pluckyfluff......cant wait

FRUSTRATION

2008-09-15T13:11:00.000-07:00

So....mr. 2 small men with cardiac problems phones me after going to the house....forgetting of course that he was supposed to phone me so i could meet him at the house.....to tell me that he couldnt move the carder because it was in a building.....i did tell him it was in a shed.......is there something about having a penis that impares the ability to hear and think?????AAAARRRRGGGGGHnow back to the drawing board....surely someone can move this thing!

picture of the carder

2008-09-13T08:17:00.000-07:00

pic of the carder a few years ago....cant wait to have it up and running again.

carder and picker organised

2008-09-12T08:15:00.001-07:00

ok.....so carder and picker are going to storage for a bit. the mass exodus is monday. one more thing crossed of the list.

Today.....rest as i have a cold.....and make soup.......and play with my new industrial serger.......and make felt........sounds good.

too hot to think

2008-08-15T15:36:00.001-07:00

omg how do people in hot counties survive.....i cant think.