F*cking Golden...

I try to come up with creative names for my scarves when I post them to Etsy-something fun, memorable and descriptive.

I've been using music references like Purple Haze, Moody Blues, Age of Aquarius (can you tell I was born in the '60s?) I thought of Yellow Submarine for this one, but the scarf is really more golden than yellow.

A more recent reference immediately came to mind, from Illinois' own infamous ex-governor. Yep, that reference. I'm pretty sure that Etsy would not let me post that phrase and even if they did, it probably would not top the best marketing ideas of the decade.....

I've gotta think of something else....

Dyeing to Play

It's a wonderfully rainy weekend here in Chicago, which is exactly what the doctor ordered. I came home Friday to my much-awaited package of a bolt of white silk gauze and fun colors of Jacquard acid dyes.

I'm teaching a Nuno Felting class in two weeks and need to prepare silk for the students to choose. Plus, I rediscovered my love for Nuno felting in the past few weeks and have been dying (no pun intended) to play around with silk gauze again. I had forgotten how easily silk gauze felts in comparison to silk chiffon.

So since Friday night, I've been cooking up batches of glorious color and felting scarves. I skipped yoga this morning and am missing swim team practice right now. It's going to be hard to save silk for the class!

Spring Cleaning

I think I came across another reason why I'm not really into cleaning--when I do get into it, I really get into it. Take yesterday for example. I simply felt the urge to clean the floor--well, "urge" might be overstating it--the floor was just really gross. Once I got started, I noticed that the windows needed cleaning. And if I'm doing that, I should really wash the curtains. While I'm at it, the windowsills and baseboards need work, too. And I should really straighten up back entryway. Next thing you know, I'm on my hands and knees with a toothbrush scrubbing between the tiles.

On the bright side, I did come across a wall hanging that I made a few years back for the Fine Art of Fiber exhibit. It's mate (the skinny on on top) happily resides in a buyers home. The birds were inspired by scultural art outside of Lakeview High School here in Chicago (see below). I've been wanting to do more home decor work, using this technique (which is a combination of wet and needle felting) for additional wall pieces and maybe pillows.

I envision making some with Arts and Craft and Art Nouveau motifs, as well as Tiffany images.

Bloody Fantastic

For those of you fretting over Tax Day, I thought I'd share a video I came across this afternoon. I'm not a fan of Idol or reality TV, but this clip from Britain's Got Talent show will make you smile and lift your spirits.

I know it's not rocket science....

but I'm still pretty proud of myself. I finally taught myself to crochet, despite many, many failed attempts. For years, I was convinced that I was crochet-challenged, except for the basic chain stitch and stitches that I seemed to make up, as I coudn't find them in any books. I am completely and utterly left-handed, which was a challenge with almost all instrutions being for right-handers.

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Hours sitting bedside with my Dad was the perfect opportunity to finally concentrate and figure it all out. In addition to the swatches and scarf in this photo is another scarf already given to my brother.

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As soon as I finish my Arianne sweater (almost done!) I am crocheting a sweater for this little fashionista. (Mary--already bought the yarn--on sale!)

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Down the road, I have visions of granny squares jewelry with delicate wire and pearls.