sutton075

It is a challenge to describe this tapestry's path from conception to fruition.  It started with the fabric scrap pictured below and dyeing yarns in a gradient to match. The concept was holding space, also known as "suspended self importance" or it isn't all about me.  Being present without judgement or control and offering unconditional love and support.  I sampled for this tapestry and lined up my yarns.  The original gradient plus black, some deep purple and purple and silver glitz. I checked for value below using grayscale.  Thank you  Tommye Scanlon Finally began the weaving on July 8th at Arrowmont.  Most of my family and friends know of my interest in all things Navajo, especially weaving related.  I was scheduled to attend a class at Arrowmont  this summer but unfortunately the Navajo weaving class had to be cancelled.  I'd read all of the Hillerman books over the last few months and enjoyed not only  the mysteries but also ...

they rise in a stiff sweetness, in the pure peace of giving one's gold away. ~Mary Oliver The scientific name for goldenrod is Solidago which means "to make whole."  This weekend involved experimentation with dyeing wool with freshly gathered goldenrod. Norsk Fjord Fiber  vevgarn Frid is imported from Hiilesvag Ullvarefabrikk, a fifth generation spinnery on the west coast of Norway.  This is my favorite yarn for tapestry.  It comes in multiple natural shades of natural grey and white, which made for fun dyeing possibilities.  Dear hubs was alarmed when I explained my plan to gather goldenrod along the highway.  He decided adult supervision was required. 3.25 pounds of goldenrod. After washing all the yarn in Synthrapol, I mordanted it.  Some in alum (4 tbsp in 4 gallons of water) and some in iron (2 tbsp in 4 gallons).   After mordanting and rinsing the yarn the goldenrod was placed in a large enamel pot and covered with water.  The pot was b...

After finishing Road to Mamers it was time to plan the next tapestry.  Fortunately or unfortunately depending on your perspective I have more tapestry ideas and enthusiasm at this point than skills. I admire the work of tapestry weavers who also draw, sketch and paint, like  Tommye Scanlon ,  Sarah Swett  and  Janette Meetze .  Alas, I do not draw or paint.  I did take a gazillion pictures when Rachel and I were in Arizona though. Each day we were surrounded by gorgeous vistas that took my breath away.  I blogged about it  here. So I went through all the photos, chose one and played with enlarging it and isolating an interesting piece of the picture. The view from our room at Sky Ranch Lodge. With some computer manipulation  I isolated the part I wished to weave and used the cartoon effect to edit the image. I pulled out my Navajo weaving books for inspiration.  Should I border this with some stripes or Navajo motifs to honor the re...