Category Archives: Uncategorized

Mint Museum

Barbie guatemalteca
Another interesting phenom? Barbie dolls dressed in the indigenous clothing of the different groups. I first saw this after a post from MegWeaves, although I can’t find it now. Here are some others:

  1. http://www.saipradist.com/writing/displaced-meaning/
  2. http://antiguafc.com/quouforbado.html
  3. http://www.streetschool.net/stock.htm
  4. http://prensalibre.com/noticias/comunitario/Sale-barbie-guatemalteca-vestida-indigenas_0_681532068.html#.T4jcQNElgPs.facebook

I have never had any interest in Barbie, but I love these costumes, although it’s a little disconcerting to see these oh-so-blonde Barbies (first link) dressed in this typical clothing.

What a fun time, she says sarcastically

Mango Punch

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Standish White by Benjamin Moore

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Creamy by Sherwin Williams

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Candy Cane Red by Benjamin Moore

In the continuing saga of choosing paint colors and floor coverings—I’ve finally decided, and it’s way more boring than originally planned. I had a sample of the orange pinned to the wall, and got sick of looking at it! So, that’s that! Once that decision was made, I brought home lots of samples of carpet and the one wood sample that matched the wood already in the hall. Now I spend my time moving all the loose stuff on the furniture, books on the shelves, crystal and china in the cupboard, so that the painters will be able to paint. None of the clips above look like my samples on my screen. The red will go in the hallway. It matches the back of my Happy Chair. Maybe a pic later…image

The kitchen area will be next, so I am collecting ideas. And in a reversal of my previous Pinterist rant, I have decided that’s it a great place for collecting all of these various ideas. I may even post pictures of my work someday. In the meantime, if you’re interested in seeing the collection of stuff, here’s the link to my page.

Coming back

Source

An 1897 photograph of a buffalo wallow, underlain by the Ogallala Aquifer (Haskell County, Kansas)[1]

Slowly, very slowly, I can feel myself crawling out of the do-nothing wallow I’ve been in. My organizer called this decision fatigue. That sounds so much better than wallowing.

Yesterday was haircut day and a pedicure, my second ever. Pedicures could probably grow on me. DiamondsAnd—tah dah—I  actually tidied up the studio from the last project! That usually entails re-balling balls of yarn ‘cause they get so floppy from that center pull and putting them back on the shelf. I even looked at some ideas in my Design folder, mulling over what to weave next. One project that’s been rolling around in my head requires lots of different greens, so I got out the greens that I thought would work well together. Now I’ll see how to incorporate those into the piece. I know that some of these don’t look green. In person, they are more greenish. But as a bonus, my newly-manicured toe is visible!Greens

I’m also getting stuff together for my color consultation, happening later this afternoon. More about that later.

Cerise and fuchsia

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Funny—I had a discussion today with my hairdresser about cerise and fuchsia. Should I mention that she’s from England? Anyway, I had to look it up. After all, they are colors! When I see that purple-y pinky color, I think fuchsia, but after briefly reading a couple of things, I not sure there’s much difference between the two. What about you? Or maybe I just had the two mixed up. According two the above images from Wikipedia here and here, cerise is what I consider to be fuchsia. Does this Happy Chair have fuchsia or cerise?

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Happy Chair

And how do you pronounce cerise, which by the way, comes from the French, meaning cherry? My very British hairdresser says sherise. And just in case this subject has not been beaten to death, here are some pages to see images.

A few things that caught my eye

Weingart Center uses art to help break the cycle of homelessness on Skid Row
More Information: http://artdaily.com/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=56386#.T_o-yfWwXM0[/url]
Copyright © artdaily.org

I think it’s time I made a little trip to the museums for some inspiration. What I would really like is to take a small vacation, but when I start thinking like that, it really means I just want to run away.

In the meantime, here’re a few things I’ve taken note of. Oh, and by the way, I cut the latest piece off the loom. Still thinking about what’s next.

A protest movement works. The cynical side of me says maybe.

Source

Magnificent, mysterious designs in American Folk Art revealed in African iconography
More Information: http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=56187#.T_pHKvWwXM0[/url]
Copyright © artdaily.org

Santa Fe Folk Art Festival is soon. I would love to go, but for me Santa Fe is always crowded. Can you imagine what a festival would be like?

Shawls made by Afghan women who sell their intricate, traditional embroidery through the Kandahar Treasure cooperative as a way to fight poverty. The shawls will be among the wares from around the world for sale at this year’s art market July 13-15 in Santa Fe, N.M. AP Photo/Santa Fe International Folk Art Market, Bob Smith.
More Information: http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=56179#.T_pHJPWwXM0[/url]
Copyright © artdaily.org

No excuses

On_loom_June_2012_thumb2The photographer has come and gone—almost a week ago—and I still have not done any weaving. And, yep, you’ve seen this picture before. What’s my excuse? I have no idea. I have had the car serviced while I wait, which took considerable time. My “toys” always go with me on those occasions, but my sketchbook never made it out of the bag. I have also painted many more samples for the walls. They’re all thumbtacked to the wall so that I can make a decision about paint color. Like that’s going to happen any time soon! Other than not being able to focus on the weaving because of other things going on, the fact that I don’t know what’s next many be a factor. Now, to find the solution! Later…

Back to normal—almost

On_loom_June_2012After today, I should be back to normal, whatever that is. Well, except for all the painting of walls and bookshelves and replacing the floors in two rooms. Oh, and taking an itty bitty computer lesson so I can help my mother. But at least I can get back to weaving. There are only about three inches left to weave on the current piece, and I’d really like to get that done. However, a photographer is coming to take studio pictures, and I kinda figure there should be something on the loom for pictures. And why haven’t I been using this down time wisely by planning the next piece? Well, because I have been reading. Novels. Pure escapism. And proud of it! Not really, there’s a smidgen of guilt about it. In the meantime, sunflowers in an old blue-glass Mason jar makes me smile.

Sunflowers_Mason_jar

I’m not a quilter, but …

but these classes sure do look interesting. And even though I’m not a quilter, I have heard of Nancy Crow and seen pictures of her wonderful quilts. Now, if one just didn’t need a sewing machine—I really hate getting that thing through security! Here’s the link for all the information. Take a minute or two to read class descriptions. What do you think?

Fall 2012 classes
5 weeks of stimulating 5-day art retreats will be offered at the Crow Timber Frame Barn during Fall 2012.
Click on teacher’s name (in red) for bio & class description [skill level]

– Week 1 | September 24-28, 2012

> Carol Soderlund | Color Mixing for Dyers: Part I [beginning to advanced]

> Nancy Crow | The Best of Sets & Variables I & II [intermediate to advanced]

– Week 2 | October 1-5, 2012

> Carol Soderlund | Visions and Re-Visions: a Master Class for Dyers [inter. to advanced] New class!

> Nancy Crow | Sets & Variables III [intermediate to advanced]

– Week 3 | October 15-19, 2012

> Sandra Palmer Ciolino | Machine Quilting: Inspiration, Design, Critique [exp. machine quilters] New class!

– Week 4 | October 22-26, 2012

> Jan Myers-Newbury | Just Clamp It! [beginning to advanced] New class!
> Nancy Crow | Master Composition: Finding your Voice [advanced – 2 week class]

– Week 5 | October 29-November 2, 2012
> Jan Myers-Newbury | A Pole & a Piece of Fabric [beginning to advanced]

> Nancy Crow | Master Composition: Finding your Voice [advanced – 2 week class]

Back to normal—whatever that is

Canoe_ballsCanoe filled with brightly colored glass balls (Beck)

The boys flew home Saturday, leaving me to come home to a really quiet house. I’m sure I will adjust, but for now…it’s really quiet. The departure took quite a while, since I learned my lesson last year. That time, when they boarded the plane, I left. A few miles down the highway, I received a text message from American that the flight had been cancelled. What a panicky feeling! Of course they were fine, well protected by the employees at the podium, but still. So this year I stayed until I was assured that the plane was on its way to their home. Now it’s time to tackle the walls and floor in the living and dining rooms. Plus, there’s a photographer coming on Friday to take pictures for an article in a local magazine. As much as I would like to be madly weaving, something needs to be on the loom for that.Balls_snakes

But first, a few pictures of the Chihuly installation. All of these were taken by the boys.Zane_fog I love the mist coming up from the stream that Zane caught with his camera. And it shows you just how hot it was that day!

Basketball and other things

Zane_MavericksOne of the first things I found out after Zane arrived—he wanted a Dallas Mavericks jersey. He would be spending ALL of his money to buy this shirt. And this is from a little boy that does not spend his money freely. Don’t ask—I have no understanding of this desire, except that both boys play b-ball and really like it. He said that he feels so good in this shirt!
Beck_weavingBeck tried out the loom and wants more. He also enjoys taking my leftover butterflies, knotting them together, and making a ball of yarn using the ball winder. He’s probably the only one that can reach the treadles on this loom.

Snot_faucet The nasal mucous explanation by the runny faucet. 
You’ll be spared from seeing the actual “mucous.”

We also went to the Grossology (picture above) exhibit at the Museum of Science and History, which of course, is rated ….Rated G for Gross