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These photo’s are pop-ups so you will have to click. I was given these by the widow of a man who had business connections and friends in Japan and I think they are authentic and even perhaps old. The beading is exquisite and I would like to know something about them. I thought of donating them to the local theater group but they kind of seem like they’d be better in a museum. Anyway, I’d like to preserve this craftsmanship somehow but really know nothing about them. If you could help I’d appreciate it. There is this vest, a piece that I think was a hat, a couple of sash type things, one that looks like a bustle, a big bow on a wire and some braided cords. Oh yes, also a little pillow of red silk with tiny gold tassels on each corner.
There is also some delicate paper work with flaking gold leaf, or what I think is gold leaf.

💡 Remember those felted bowls in a recent SpinOff? I’m thinking this knitted box cover could be woven and felted the same way. Or use it unfelted over a box as this knitter did. I’ve figured the lay-out. That was tricky, had to cut and paste, but it’ll work. Anyone game to try it? Send me a photo! 😀

This is a bit “off topic” but it IS what’s been going on around here, lately. I’m minimizing. Loading up the trailer for a trip to the Good Will and finding all sorts of a “treasures” while I’m at it. This one, however, is one of Randy’s. It’s been at his Dad’s and I don’t recall where he got it, some time while working in The City ie: San Francisco and environs. It’s antique and pretty darned ugly. I’m thinking there were probably those flower looking glasses on it at one time. We’ve speculated that the bowl held fake fruit or flowers. I’m not sure what it’s made of… it’s verdigris but it may not be genuine. Anybody ever seen anything like this? I’d sure like to get some info on it. I really can’t imagine it centering my dining table, even in it’s prime, :blush: but, still… one likes to know.
As for fiber content… well, there isn’t any lately. I’m trying to get rid of stuff to make room for the stuff I have to store while we finish the “new” (it just passed it’s 1 year anniversary) room and it’s been raining and still is, which rather hampers things, and it all makes me too darned grouchy :plain: to be creative!
Hope things are brighter where you are!
P.S. It was suggested that I turn this lamp up-side down and hang it from the ceiling. Now that may be a workable idea! :laugh:

I know I haven’t been keeping up this blog very well this last couple of weeks. But today I went to a meeting in Weaverville called “From Field To Fabric” with Tracy Shapiro, a fiber historian and master weaver, spinner, etc. It was very interesting and very informative. Tracy has been helping the Trinity Historical Society sort and store their vast collection of historical costumes and fabrics. She also was kind enough to look at the two old quilts that Grandmother was throwing out as “those old blankets” and which I snaggled. Both are entirely hand made, one she said from the fabrics used was probably 1930’s and the other older, maybe 1890’s. That is it in the picture, or rather the cornmeal sack that forms the backing. Neither are in great condition and I had intended to use them as drapery in the studio but she advises against it so maybe I’ll just put them on the bunk beds.
The other thing I came away with is a cupful of cotton fiber, even a bole of the brown. With seeds! She says cotton won’t grow here (She’s from Humbolt where it’s much wetter) but I have done it before and even gotten boles so I know better. Not that it would make a commercial crop but it is cotton!
Oh yes, I also won a door prize… a box of English Toffee from a local candy maker. 🙂

I’m weaving these 14″ diamonds for a new project, inspired by a knitted pattern. This isn’t going to look much like the knitted one but that one gave me the idea. I bought this yarn at Jo-Ann’s. It was pretty cheap but I love those really big fat skeins! :laugh: I was thinking of pillows or something non-wearable but I think this is going to make a rather nice fabric. I sure like the way the diamonds look so far. I’d like this to fit me so am not sure how many of these I’ll have to weave. And…really… I don’t wear sleeveless tops anymore so maybe I’ll make it for my daughter. I think I have an idea for an entry in the Spin-Off poncho contest, too! lol It is one that would probably be called “art”. No… you’ll have to wait and see! 😎 :laugh:

Here’s something a bit more cheerful. I picked this up at a sale at Jo-Ann’s but I think LB makes one about like it. It wove up nicely on the Quilt Weaver Square and I used the end of a knitting needle to easily pull up the “flags” after. This brand, at least, is made up of three stands and the biggest problem is making sure you don’t drop one on the way though. Again, easy to fix, but annoying. It didn’t happen much and I’d use it again. Don’t know what you’d make with it. Scarves, of course, maybe a hat, cuff or collars for a bigger project. This one is for an afghan patch swap. Soft stuff… actually I can see it as a sleeveless summer top for little girl. I expect two 12″ or 14″ squares might make a little boat necked top, depending on the size of your girl. It’d be fun, anyway! 😀
Snowed here again this morning. I think we may have gotten 3″. Enough to cancel Sis’s trip down. Again. :plain:

It’s been that kind of week. So here’s all the creativity that’s come out of me this week. Now… what do we make of that?

Robin is keeping my chair warm while I make lunch. 😉 There’s the stack of triangles for the border of my blanket. I single crochet around each one before adding it to the blanket. It needs the dark to seperate the jumble of colors. Randy is putting the new door up in the studio 😀 and that means I can get started on the remodling I want to do over there. He has to do the “carpenter” stuff first!
Snow’s all gone again, but it’s blustery and quite chilly out. Nice to see the new white on the Mt. tops, tho. California’s summer water supply! 😛 But I’ll stay in today!

My camera decided I didn’t need a flash or something so this photo is a bit hazy 😛 but this is the crazy quilt on the bed. It needs, probably, one more row to make it a bit longer and then I think I’ll work on the border. I haven’t quite decided what to do there but have been thinking about triangles. 💡

:confused: Well, it happens every spring when the daffies bloom. Here’s a view of the yard which includes the Blue Jay nest. They’ve been using this site under the eaves for quite a few years but this year they started a bit early, it seems to me. I didn’t get a chance to get out and prune and tie up the rose after the winters heavy snow tore it down, as it does every year. It is the prettiest rose, a cream with a bit of pale pink in the center, very fragrant, too. Well worth all the maintenance. And very forgiving is it doesn’t get enough of that!
I haven’t any fiber stuff to show; been spring cleaning. Getting rid of ‘stuff’. And since it started raining… well, the last time Himself hit the “junk ” stores with his friend he brought me a box with 38 Barbie’s, 1 Ken, and 5 little Barbie’s… Skipper, I think she’s called, and Tom & Kelly? Needless to say they were all naked. I had mentioned earlier this winter that I was going to knit up a wardrobe for the baby doll I have and donate it this coming Xmas. Well… he didn’t remember the details of that plan but got the general idea and put it together with my enjoyment in clothing Barbie. Hummm…. Well! lol I have got some of them clothed. I hope I can find a place to donate them. I was thinking of a children’s hospital but they might not want to take second hand toys. Even if I do wash them up well first. I’m sure I’ll find out before I get them all dressed! :laugh: