10.31.07
Posted in Art, NYC, Textile(s), Weaving, fashion at 4:36 pm by delipics
Last Sunday I went to see Tapestry in the Baroque: Threads of Splendor
at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The fiber-artist in me felt it was an obligatory pilgrimage. The tapestries are massive. I am amazed at the craftsmanship and time that went into each piece. When I looked closely at a tapestry, my mind was staggered at the level detail and complexity of the design. This is a show that deserves a second visit.
What stands out the most for me is the history connected to the art. I only thought of creativity and craft with the tapestries but there was much, much more: war, upset economies, intrigue, royalty, religion and the art market. Knowing all that background information only makes the art work more interesting.
Another show that’s worth the trip is the Luxury exhibit at FIT. Hurry because it is closing November 10th. After making your way through Luxury, go downstairs to see Chicago Chic. These are my two favorites from Luxury - Chanel and Rodarte. Why are beautiful clothes so satisfying?
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10.30.07
Posted in Uncategorized at 5:48 pm by delipics
BOO!
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Posted in Crochet, Photos, Sewing at 5:42 pm by delipics
I have been getting massive spam in the comments. Bad juju in the blogosphere - is it because of Halloween? I had to put in some limits.
This is what has been happening - buying fabric at a steal for $3 a yard. I bought one yard of each; the raindrops for my floor pillows and the other two for, who knows? Most likely bags.
I think the raindrops fabric goes with my crochet, so one half crochet and the other half fabric.
I’ve never sewn crochet to fabric so I’ll need to do some research. I’m sure it’s not that difficult but I’ll check out the blogosphere on technique.
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10.26.07
Posted in CTS/RSI, Rhinebeck, Sewing at 5:53 pm by delipics
I’ve been reading the blogs about Rhinebeck. It looks like it was the best one ever. At the last minute, I couldn’t go. Very bummed out about that. I won’t even go into it, it will take too long. I like to console myself by saying things like, I shouldn’t buy any more yarn or fiber. I mean my knitting and crocheting has been severely cut back since the initial CTS/RSI injury in the spring, it’s not like I’ve got a lot of projects planned for which I need more yarn. I mean really, I’ve got PLENTY of yarn. PLENTY. Oh, who am I kidding? I’m bummed I didn’t go.
BUT, I saw a new doctor about my CTS/RSI and started a new round of physical therapy with immediate improvement! This new doctor explained that while the previous doctor did a good job treating my symptoms, he thinks he’s identified the root cause, which is my neck/shoulder/upper back area. He said that part of the body is very complicated and if one thing goes wrong in the system, it effects everything - breaking into song here - wrist bone connected to the ulna, ulna’s connected to the humerus . . . Actually, it’s more of a nerve issue than a bone issue. The doctor did mention my pronator nerve. Back on topic - right away I could feel less pain. It’s not completely gone, but I can tell I’m feeling significantly better. This is a huge relief for me. Honestly, I think I was slightly depressed about the whole injury this summer (along with some other stuff but again, it will take too long to go into). I had this fear that if I went to a new doctor, he or she was going to tell me I needed to have an operation, long recovery, life-long hand problems - lots of personal drama going on in my head, but now I feel more optimistic about my healing.
This weekend I need to take photos to show off my new fabric (from here) that I bought at a steal. I keep meaning to snap the pics in daylight but when I wake up it’s dark and when I come home from work it’s dark, so gotta wait for Saturday. I may use one of the fabrics for the floor pillows - one side crochet and the other side fabric. I’d also like to start a new sewing project from my latest book purchase. Yes, it has mostly sewing projects, but it also includes fiber-related ideas such as recycled sweater hats and lots of felted projects like the felted silk scarves (I tried this once), a wool knit shibori scarf and an inlaid wool knit scarf.
Time to go and do the stretches my physical therapist told me to do . . .
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10.17.07
Posted in Crochet, Photos at 4:01 pm by delipics
I bought a new couch and I love it!
Which means that the throw pillows for my old couch are ready to be revamped. I’m going to crochet new covers for them and use them as floor pillows. I told a co-worker about my idea and what type of yarn I would like to use and voila - she pulls out a cone of yarn that she’s not using and gives it to me! Talk about meant to be.
I take the yarn home and start making swatches. Top swatch is with a K hook, middle is a J hook and the bottom is the I hook.
I’ve decided I like the middle swatch. This is my plan - so far:
I am thinking of attaching the sections with the seams showing on the outside. I want the pillow to look rustic; I think the contrast of the rustic with the modern lines of the couch will work well.
I also did this for a friend’s baby shower this past weekend - this is the first version:
The next day I looked at it and realized it was missing something:
That last curved line completed the image. I can’t wait to see how it looks on the little guy. I really wanted to knit something for my friend’s baby but since I couldn’t due to the CTS/RSI, this is the next best thing for now.
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10.07.07
Posted in CTS/RSI, Knitting, Photos, Scarf, Sewing at 5:32 pm by delipics
TA DA!
This is slooow kniting. I started Patty’s Scarf about three weeks ago. I knit 4 to 8 rows a night, depending on how good the wrists feel, other nights I give my wrists a break. I wanted to have enough knitting to show before I posted. Baby steps but I feel very proud. I have to give kudos to Veronique. She suggested knitting five minutes a night. I had to give myself a “duh slap” - that’s so obvious right? I guess I was thinking I had to start with a meaningful knitting project when really, all I had to do was just start - so I did.
Here’s a close up of the pattern - circles - simple but satisfying:
The craftiness continues with the Kauai Pouch!
I got a kick-start to sew this pouch after I bought this button on vacation. As you can see, in the end I did not use it (gives me an excuse to buy more fabric to make something else with the button). I winged it with this pouch - no pattern, no measuring. I made a quick sketch and then I went at it with the scissors.
This project was a re-learning process. I used to sew many of my own clothes when I was in high school so the sewing process came back slowly but surely. I had to read up on zippers in my Vogue/Butterick sewing book, but otherwise, I was able to figure it out. I did a lot of basting to make sure I had everything pieced together accurately but only in the beginning. The last piece that I sewed on, the bottom, was definitely altered to make it fit.
The next time I try and sew another project pouch I need to design it to be larger. I like how I placed the zipper so the bag opens wide. Possibly add an inside pocket? Also I want to do a better job with the lining. All the seams show in this one, but I can live with it. The fabric that I bought for the lining I found at City Quilter. It’s because I of this fabric that I call it the Kauai Pouch.
The combination of the two fabrics designs remind me of of the days and nights while on Kauai. The outside for obvious reasons and the inside because it rained frequently at night. My honey and I stayed on the North shore of the island, the rainier side of Kauai. I remember the sounds of falling rain and the crashing waves of the ocean - my Hawaiian lullaby.
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