Reads: Update September 2014

Posted in Life in 2014, Reads by

As part of my pledge not to buy any more books until the pile on my nightstand is depleted (ha!)  I was successful in finishing off a number of books that were laying around partially read (poor dears).  I’ve updated my “reads 2014” section with all of these reviews so in 3 months I can look them up and say…have I read that????

The Yarn Whisperer:  My unexpected life in knitting / Clara Parkes  (own)  I love this little book…I think she and I lived on the same street in Fairport, NY but at different times.  Really enjoyed her memoir about finding knitting.

Creative Time and Space / Freeman-Zachary (own)  I always like to read about other artists/designers, where and how they work etc…  Super great little book about making space for making art.  Will dip in and out of this again I”m sure

A Million Little Ways / Emily Freeman (own)  I love love love Emily’s writing.  I follow her blog Chatting at the Sky and I really enjoy it, it’s so peaceful.  Good book about creativity and faith and work.  Glad I bought it.

Inside of a Dog / Alexandra Horowitz (gifted)  Since I own a dog now, my Dad thought this would be a useful read.  It’s very interesting and gives a lot of insight into why dogs do what they do.  If you’re a dog owner, pick this one up.  Helped me not feel guilty when my dog goes *sigh* as she puts her head between her paws.

Wild / Cheryl Strayed (own) I enjoy reading adventure books and I used to read backpacking/hiking memoirs all the time back in the day.  This one is very good and I definitely recommend it, even if you are not a hiker.  Not so sure about the movie version though, we’ll see.  Liked the book too much to see it wrecked on the big screen

Written In My Own Hearts Blood / Diana Gabaldon (own) If you have never read/heard of Diana Gabaldon’s “Outlander” Series….get the to a bookstore or download to your reading device immediately upon finishing reading this post.  Could not wait, jumping up and down for this latest installment of Claire and Jamie.  *sigh*swoon*   Starz series is awesome too but nothing beats the books.  Go. Read. Them. Now.

In the Studio: knitting a Scottish Reel

Posted in Craft, Fiber fun, Handmade, In the Studio, Knitting by

Last summer I was able to spend a weekend at Squam Art Workshop  (I’m super excited that I went for a whole week this year!).  During the Vendor Faire, I spotted this gor-ge-ous cowl at the Knitspot/BareNakedWools booth.   It looked so complicated, it was beautiful, I even loved the name…Scottish Reel…so romantic!  I thought there was no way I would be able to make it  (note to self:  you know more than you think you do)  It’s even beautiful draped on a mannequin…f55adef2704ab2be80586d968cbfb0d7.image.450x337The lovely gal who helped me was so encouraging…  her:  Can you knit and purl?  me:  yes, definitely   her:  have you ever knit in the round?  me:  of course   her:  then you can make this, it’s only knit and purl   me:  whaaaat??? no way… I’ll take one !

So all last fall and part of the winter, I worked on my Scottish Reel…with this beautiful ghillie yarn (which is fingering weight…very fine!) on size 4 needles (I think the smallest I’ve worked on yet).  I knit watching TV, at friends houses, at karate practice, on airplanes…everywhere! And I finally finished it….this spring…and it’s sat in my studio waiting to be blocked and be ready to wear this fall.   Aaaaand finally….it’s all done!!  So excited to wear this as the cooler weather sets in, I have more yarn leftover to make a smaller version or something else.  It’s so pretty and I will say, hides some of my patterning mistakes quite nicely thank you!  It’s also lightweight and warm and big enough to wrap around twice and still be able to pull part of it up for a hood….love love love.

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Here is the link to the pattern from Knitspot for the Scottish Reel Cowl  and the beautiful ghillie yarn  or you can buy the whole thing as a kit!

Now, go make something!

 

Week in the Life / Memory Keeping update

Posted in Creative Practice, Digital Scrapbooking, Documenting Life, Layouts, Memory Keeping, Photography, Week in the Life 2013 by

Hi all!  I am finally getting around to some oh so much needed blog organizing and updating and wanted to give everyone a heads up that I’ve updated my “Memory Keeping” section to include my “Week in the Life” pages from 2012 and 2013.  2013 was probably my most favorite year so far.  Hop over HERE and take a look at 2013 and HERE for 2012!

WITL-13-Cover Page

Squam Art:: Beeswax and Images with Courtney Cerruti

Posted in Writing by

I’ve been really fascinated with image transfer for several years now and I’ve played around just a little bit with different ways to transfer an image from a piece of paper to another medium (mostly, of course, fabric).  I had also played with beeswax just a little bit a few years ago at the Your Story retreat and it kind of cool.   When I was deciding what my second workshop would be at Squam, I had a hard time choosing because none of the offerings were really anything that I knew much about….yep, getting out of that comfort zone.  I chose a day of image transfer and beeswax … a little taste of something I knew a little about but still stretching.

Yes, another great great class!  In the morning portion of the session, Courtney led us through demonstrations of image transfer techniques and then turned us loose.  I was determined to get as many images ready to work on after lunch asap so they could have time to dry.  I was really happy that I managed to complete two projects that day and come home with five more chunks of fabric with images ready to be revealed (yup, hoping to get to those sometime really soon!)  It really is kind of addictive.  We learned packing tape transfers (super quick and immediate and soo much fun!), using blendy markers and acetone and then using gel medium and paint applied to fabric or wood (or probably pretty much anything you could put paint on and then wash off)….Did I mention it’s kind of addictive?!  Add to that the charm of drying our projects in front of a roaring fire in a stone fireplace…hello? Heaven?

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After lunch, Courtney gave a demonstration on how to work with beeswax which was so cool (and went far beyond anything I’d known previously) and then it was time to get down to the serious business of making.  Oh.  My.  Gosh.  so much fun!!

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Image transfer:  paint on wood, over painting, collage with paper, photos and fabric trim, edging of washi tape all coated with varying amounts of beeswax.

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Image transfer:  gel medium on linen, embroidery with crewel yarn and floss, lace trim, vintage buttons.  Then a great big deep breath and dipping the whole thing in beeswax.  Top photo before dipping, next photo dipped and stitched onto it’s hanger… photo below,  in it’s new home in the front hall

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Leap.  Of.  Faith.      and I love it

It was really cool to experiment with different media, different fabrics and colors and different embellishments.

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I also came home with a number of images ready to be worked on at home (evidently, you can keep the paper stuck to the fabric for quite a long time and it still will “work”  (note Studio Assistant Fred providing quality control)

Courtney was an awesome teacher, great at demonstrating and answering everyone’s questions…lovely lovely gal….She had sold our her book at the ArtFair so I ordered it on Amazon when I got home,  and have been having a great time reading through it and thinking up projects!  Thanks so much Courtney!!!

{this moment}

Posted in Creative Practice, In the Studio, Photography, Soul Work, This Moment by

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.

 

This moment 09-25-14