gathering at Nans'

Linen twill

some of Nan's knitting projects , some UFO's for longer than she cares to remember/ and lots of great artwork at Nans' house.

Barb's angel with attitude

Beautiful,old hooked wool rug from Newfoundland.  Kathy says: I found out through a link Jean  sent me that the Grenfell piece is actually hooked. It was an interesting read about how they set up this industry in Labrador to help the local economy.
The gradations in color, called abrash (a new word for me), was more common in the earlier pieces.

Susan's rag rug from the past, home for a visit

Rosepath rug of Carole's moms

 Carole brought this to show us the exquisite workmanship in what we believe may have been a watch fob, made from the hair of Carole's grandmother in the 1900's.

Baba Studio bag with a removable front panel.  Good idea for some handwovens

 This months fiber lovers/weavers gathering was at Nan's house.  I always love to be there, in part because she has such a great eye for color throughout her home and also a wonderful collection of art.  I definitely have to go to more art fairs with her.
Other than Barb, with her sassy angel, I don't know if many of us have been too productive.  We showed off lots of fiber treasures though.  From woven rugs and mementos of Carole's moms treasures, to needlepoint tapestries from Newfoundland to some lovely knitting projects from Nan's UFO bin, we are at least thinking about color and fiber.  All good inspiration to tuck under my bonnet, and hopefully pull out during what will be a long winter.
Thanks Nan for hosting this months group.  Too bad you cleaned the whole house cause we seemed glued to the kitchen.  We will look forward to the next meeting that you have being in your new house!  Are you excited yet?
We nominated a visit to Elin's house in Madison, with a possible side trip to the infamous Susan's Fiber Shop, for our meeting next month. Of course Elin was not in attendance to yea or nay this,  but I'm thinking she will be pleasantly surprised.

inspiration

Thanks Evan for sharing this incredible artist Elena Papaioannou. Inspiration for the new year in so many ways.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to friends, near and far.  May you prosper in peace and wisdom this year.

St Lucia day gathering at Susan's

Susan's barn loom

Around Susans' studio

My Swedish lace shawl

Making monrovian stars

shopping at Avalanche Looms, always a delight

my lampworked bracelet/ Evans hubby doll/ Olgas' coat/ Barbs' rep weave

White elephant gift exchange and Joannes treasure trove of bobbins from Susan

Bring your own fruit, fruit salad with St Lucia buns

 Everything about our gathering, on St Lucias' day at Susan's shop, was fun and laughter filled.  It is such a visual plethora of color and fiber throughout her studio and shop, that I am endlessly happy to wander around taking pictures. Between eating the yummy fruit salad and sweet St. Lucia buns, and learning how to make monrovian stars I almost forgot to shop.
Joannes idea to do a white elephant gift exchange turned out to be a lot of fun.  It turns out that one persons fibery discard is definately another persons treasure.
All in all a wonderful day to be with fellow weavers and friends and to see what Susan has been up to in her very inspirational studio.

catching up

It is finally time to post some of the weaving I did in preparation for the Driftless art fair in September.  That so traumatized me that I have only just now put something new on my loom and I am not all that happy about it.  Seems that I want to weave only something that inspires me, and that list is long, but I feel I should be weaving what I know the gallery needs.  Somehow in some recent marketing talk I decided to weave a baby blanket and that is now on the loom.  Blah!  I like the pattern though so I think screw that marketing plan and I will make it long enough for a shawl.  Pics to come, after I catch up with the before art fair trauma pictures.  Can't wait till after xmas to weave some projects only cause I want to!

turned twill blocks

one warp-three very different scarves

twill scarf and summers last flowers

turned twill block weave bamboo scarves

living the dream...actual piles of scarves

supplementary warp and weft, plain weave bamboo scarves

pretties

This weeks 2nd Monday's gathering was hosted by Barb, with lots of yummies to eat and pretties to see. When Susan brought out her woven hand warmers, everyone immediately grabbed a pair amidst many ohs and ahs and became instant hand models for one of my favorite pictures yet. I loved seeing my friends hands woven together.
Linda's rep weave rug  and her twill scarves from a recent class at Sievers, were incredible.  Then there is Barb's rep weave that I can never get enough pictures of,  and continue to covet. Still not brave enough to thread that many ends of 16/2 cotton. Her next rep rug has 2900 ends to thread causing a loud groan by all.
Evan shared the incredible drawings in her journal; truly personal and a beautiful reflection of her creative mind.
Amy of Peepwools joined us for the first time and shared with us some of her fiber art dolls.  I am looking forward to her sharing more of how she sees the world.

As if feeding on all the fiber eye candy wasn't enough Barb served up a great meal for us. Black bean chili, topping baked potatoes, was topped off with an incredible pumpkin cheescake and an apple pie that Joyce brought.Thanks Barb and everyone for sharing your wonderful projects!

Linda's rep weave/Wow!

Twill scarf by Linda

Barb's rep weave

barb's next rep weave

Carole's doubleweave bag/Linda's twill scarf

Kathy's scarf/yum/Joanne's fabric lampshade/Barb's appliqu

fall art tour

A fall tradition for me is the fall art tour; a jaunt around the lovely southwestern Wisconsin counrtyside, during the spectacular fall colors to visit area artists studios and small town galleries in Mineral Point, Wisconsin. My friend Carole and I found plenty to be inspired by; both in the artists we talked to and the works they so obviously put their hearts and souls into. This year we did the portion around Mineral Point, a town so picturesque in itself that we could have spent the whole day right there. Our friend Mark Herrling, who is one of the artists in our VIVA Gallery Cooperative, was a guest artist with his potter friend Frank Polizzi. He is a woodblock printer, engraver and does some incredible art tiles. Another of my favorite artists is Audrey Christie of Short Horse Woodcuts. Her work resonates with just the right touch of whimsy and color. All in all a good day to store up some color and warmth and friendship to help shorten the winter days ahead.

Mineral Point, WI

Mineral Point, WI

My favorite artist:  Audrey Christie of Short Horse Woodwoodcuts

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