Closure on Canvas

I’ve always wanted to paint on canvas.

“Closure on Canvas” asks the viewer to consider the purpose of a button.  The button as a utilitarian object as a fastener reflects modern fashion design.  The focus of this three-dimensional piece of art considers the button as a handmade object of art, sewn to a substrate of hand felted wool, attached to a painted canvas using French knots. “Closure on Canvas” celebrates the individuality and uniqueness of handmade craft vs. industrial mass-produced items of today.  The buttons are designed using worsted-weight wool yarn inspired by Dorset Buttons of the 1700s. The Dorset Crosswheel and Star Shirtwaister designs are the perfect vehicle for experimentation with color combinations and endless stitching possibilities.  With each round of color, a rhythm develops enhancing a momentum of interest.

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The Return of Loopy and Luscious

Back in the Winter of 2002, www.knitty.com published Loopy and Luscious, http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter02/PATTloopy.html a scarf pattern designed by Natalie Wilson.   Seventy-six yards of “thick-n-thin” yarn and 220 yards of laceweight mohair along with US size 17 needles presents a multitude of possibilities and challenges.  The term Scribble Lace describes the juxtaposition of opposites.  The uniformity of knit and purl stitches and the organic appearance of combining different gauges of yarn.

Knitting Loopy and Luscious and experimenting with ideas out of Debbie New’s Unexpected Knitting have been on my “to do list” Loopy and Lusciousfor many years.  Well, no longer do I put “my design wants and desires” on hold out of fear. I aLoopy and Luscious #2m no longer afraid to try something new and risk making a creative mistake.  After all, isn’t that when the best things happen?

Nuno Felt With Embedded Object

Yesterday, I received a recorded message from the Santa Clara County Public Health Department regarding the triple digit weather, especially for Gilroy, San Martin and Los Gatos, advising the residents to stay inside until Friday.  It’s not about “poor air quality,” it’s about the heat and dehydration.  No physical activity except for getting to the mall or movie theater, in order to take advantage of the air conditioning.  Okay, so I listened yesterday and seized the opportunity to read a novel, Tell The Wolves I’m Home, by Carol Rifka Brunt.

Today, however, I stretched the rules just a little.  My last post described wet felting with an embedded object.  Why not try Nuno Felting with an embedded object? Hmmm…good idea!  The silk used for this project was upcycled from a dress purchased at my local thrift store.

Nuno Felt With Embedded ObjectI gazed at the three dimensional qualities of the fabric and contemplated what to do with the piece, perhaps a wristlet secured with a dorset button, or maybe an added embellishment to a felted purse.

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Tomorrow’s Thursday, one more day inside…

Felted Embedded Object

The weather in California is hot! The weather provided a perfect opportunity for some wet felting.  I thought it might be fun to try something new…

Felted Embeded ObjectOn top of  a sheet of bubble wrap with the bubble side up, rests two layers of roving, the first layer vertical and the second horizonal.  The object of my choice is a dorset button placed in the center.  In order to cover the object, three layers of roving are placed in the same manner as before.   To begin the fulling process, the surface of the roving is moistened with a mixture of warm water and Dawn dish washing soap.  Olive oil soap is also a popular alternative.  After fulling, a visible outline of the object appears.  The piece has been fulled enough when the layers of roving cannot be pulled apart and the object is secure.

Feltted Embeded Object #2After rinsing the felt in cool water, a snip with scissors begins to reveal the embedded object.  It is important to snip with caution because cutting to much felt away may loosen the object.

Even though the day was hot, I did not let the heat keep me from making art.  Art = an idea made manifest.

Felted Embeded Object #3

Missoni

It’s no secret how I feel about the Missoni brand, especially Missoni yarn.  Look what I found at my local yarn shop.

Missoni Yarn 2013Before I began to write this post, I decided to briefly research Missoni yarn, and discovered the recent death of Octtavio Missoni.  http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news/designer-luxury/ottavio-missoni-dead-at-92-6925940?full=true  

Currently, I am knitting a chevron sweater pattern from Erika Knight’s book Glamour Knits.  For the sweater, I am knitting with smc select Violena.  Violena is 50% cotton and 50% mondal.  The back and front are finished.  I’ve started knitting the sleeves and hope to finish soon.

Chevron Sweater 2013

Nature Expressed

Upon waking the other morning, an orange glow filtered through my bedroom blinds.  I decided to investigate and was amazed at the sky outside.

Catching The Sun Rise 2013The diagonals created by  power lines and the palm tree in silhouette, along with the horizonal color of the sunrise displayed a visual narrative defined by the co-mingling  of man-made innovation and nature.

Every Spring, I sow a variety of sunflower seeds and zinnias.  The sunflower represents so many things to me, they remind me of my father and Vincent Van Gogh.  I covet a book given to me by my daughter from the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.  Along with their smiling faces, I grow sunflowers for the future health of our bee population.  The crop this year is exceptional!

Sunflowers 2013My garden is a sanctuary for bees, butterflies and birds.  Tucked away in a corner of my yard, I captured a hummingbird enjoying nectar.

Hummingbird 2013 #3

Yesterday, Sunday, June 23, 2013, I had an opportunity to attend a class, Nature Expressed taught by mixed-media artist, JoAnnA Pierotti. We all gathered at Chateau Grenzer, hosted by Shabby Calavera, Lexi Grenzer http://lexigrenzer.blogspot.com/.  Wood framed canvas, venetian plaster, clear gesso and encaustic wax mixed with fiber, vintage hardware and a recent photograph I captured of a peony applied to a 3″ x 4″ wood framed canvas surrounded by moss and persimmon branches held together with rusty wire and my imagination, creates a beautiful piece of art, which celebrates what I hold near and dear to my heart…nature.

Nature Expressed #5

Chromatic

IMG_1625Designed by Tonia Barry, this  pullover is fun to knit!  Published in Classic Elite Yarns’  booklet Palette, “Chromatic” highlights Liberty Wool from Italy.  Liberty Wool Print is 100% washable wool, 5 sts/inch on Size 7 needles.  Instructions are written for knitting in the round or flat.

I’ve enjoyed taking this project to my weekly knitogether because it does not demand my full attention.  Instead of using the suggested 2 x 2 Rib for the neckband and sleeve cuffs, I’m going to add a crocheted edge.

“Chromatic” is also available for purchase on Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chromatic

A Form Of Flattery Or A Coincidence?

Tommie by Kristin NicholasArt Deco Cowl I love to multi-task…especially with my knitting. Yes, I have more than one project going at the same time, and I don’t feel the pressure to complete a project before I begin another. Knitting for me is about the process, working with color, and the tactile relationship between my needles and yarn.

Currently, a pattern published in Palette by Classic Elite Yarns called “Chromatic” captures my attention. The body of the piece knit sideways with identical front and back pieces are constructed by picking up from the edge of the body. The pattern calls for “Liberty Wool Print” made in Italy. Working with this pattern reminds me of all the “historic” Classic Elite Patterns in my collection. I refer to these patterns as “historic” because they are tangible…printed on a piece of paper, reminiscent of fashion, and reflect the knitting popularity of the late 1980s and 90s. Actually, Classic Elite Yarns has been around since the 1940s (www.classiceliteyarns.com). Norah Gaughan, Deborah Newton and Kristin Nicholas designed for Classic Elite Yarns and are still actively involved in knitwear design.

“Did I mention Kristin Nicholas?” “Yes, I did.”

I’m awestruck by the far-reaching talents of the blogosphere, a global community at our fingertips. Though, I still believe it’s a “small world,” a sixth degree of separation sort of thing.

“Did I mention Kristin Nicholas?” “Yes, I did.” Check out http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tommie found in Book Three, published in February 2013 (pictured on the right).

Refer to my blog post Chevron Cowl of December 5, 2012 (pictured on the left). Is this a form of flattery or a coincidence? I’ll let you be the judge.

Got Gauge?

“Save time by carefully checking your gauge.”  Famous last words for anyone that knits or crochets.  Knitting a gauge swatch indicates the tightness or looseness of the knitter’s tension by measuring the stitches and rows per inch over atleast a 4″ swatch.  Getting correct gauge determines the finished size of the stitched item and insures time wisely spent.  How is gauge checked for items knit in the round?

I’ve posed this question to many in my knitting circle and received a variety of responses. “It doesn’t matter, just knit a swatch.”  “If you’re knitting in the round, swatch in the round.” Why not knit a swatch using two double-point needles creating an I-cord?  (Check-out  www.knitty.com Winter 04 Issue Knit by Numbers).  Got Gauge

I decided to knit three swatches to find out what the difference in gauge would be with each method.  The I-cord method, knitting back and forth on straight needles, and in the round using circular needles.  Each swatch was knit atleast 5″ wide with a worsted weight yarn in stockinette stitch on Size 7 bamboo needles.

The stitches were cut up the back on the I-cord swatch to lay flat. Got Gauge #3Got Gauge #2Compared to the other two swatches, the tension on the knit back and forth swatch was looser.  Before measuring, each swatch was washed.

Got Gauge #4

I-Cord Swatch:  19 sts = 4″ = 4.75 sts = 1″       6.5 rows = 1″

Knitted Flat Swatch:  17.5 sts = 4″ = 4.375 sts = 1″       6.375 rows = 1″

In The Round Swatch:  18 sts = 4″ = 4.5 sts = 1″        6.85 rows = 1

So, I have the answer…each method produces a different gauge.  I believe the I-cord method and knitting in the round are more reliable because both methods mimic knitting in the round.  Of course, each knitter knits differently and your results will be unique to you.

Sea Glass and Sand Dollars

For Mother’s Day, my husband I decided to leave the city behind for sand and surf.  We spent two sand-filled days at Aptos, CA.  We were able to get last minute reservations at Rio Sands Hotel located a block from the beach.

Dinner our first evening consisted of fresh grilled fish and a dessert of coconut cheescake co-mingled with a wonderful bottle of wine at Cafe Rio.  We lunched at Pixie Delicatessen on Pesto Chicken and Southwestern Sandwiches.   The fresh rotissere chicken, melted cheese on a warm toasted  french roll was such a treat!

We walked all day through the surf and sand searching for sea glass.  Unexpectedly, we found an assortment of sand dollars.  We came upon a live purple sand dollar with barnacles on its back.  As the tide came in, I tossed it back into the surf. Sea Glass and Sand Dollars #6Sea Glass and Sand Dollars #4

I was quite fascinated by the sand sculpture along the beach, and was amazed the respect shown to the sculptor.  The sculptures constructed of driftwood were left intack.  Of course, the tide may predict otherwise.  Searching for sea glass requires a trained eye and one not distracted by all the beautiful rocks along the way.  I was so excited to find blue glass, which is a special find, according to a friend of mine that lives in Aptos.

After our final day of beachcombing, we had dinner at Manuel’s, a local Mexican restaurant.  There are no words to describe Manuel’s…Fun, atmosphere and good food reside in this world of cultural flavor.  Two sangrias later, my husband and I discussed our next adventure to Fort Bragg’s Sea Glass Beach.  What a lovely end to a beautiful weekend.

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