$10 + shipping. Happy to combine shipping... more pictures on my flickr account...
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Throw Your Dreams
It's a new year... time for a post in the little neglected blog. 2008 has such potential...we're each embarking on a journey that is so big and so filled with energy. My heart is happy and calm today. For the moment, I'm curled up in bed with my big dog at my feet. I'm deciding just how to map out today. It's the last day of vacation, and I have three hours left of me time. So far I've let the dog out and stoked the fire...and made coffee. I think I'll start a pot of dye. I've gotten some gorgeous colors over the last few days. Laura turned me on to Cushings Dyes. They are fantastic! I also need to pull a handle for a pot that's been waiting for me...which means clothes and boots and jacket...it's COOOOOOOLD out there. Start a load of laundry... maybe I'll make something warm and rich in the slow cooker for tonights dinner.
All this to say that I'm looking forward to stepping into today and this year.
Happy New Year!
"Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country." Anais Nin
All this to say that I'm looking forward to stepping into today and this year.
Happy New Year!
"Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country." Anais Nin
Monday, October 15, 2007
Monday, October 01, 2007
Bas Relief Tile Bisque... Breaks will be incorporated into the finished piece
Bas Relief Tile Bisque... Breaks will be incorporated into the finished piece
Originally uploaded by polyartgirl
- H. Jackson Brown
I have to remind myself sometimes. It's a beautiful day but there's so much to do that I sometimes get bogged down with the details.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Intant Illumination I
Fantastic Sparkling Spinning batt... adding new creations to my etsy store every day: Etsy :: Instant Illumination I - Spinning Batt - 1.5 ounces - mixed fibers .99 shipping
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Live and Learn
"There is no difference between living and learning...it is impossible and misleading and harmful to think of them as being separate." ~ John Holt
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Nature's Way
Her spinning batts keep stealing my heart... I love this one... I may have to list some things on Etsy just so I can buy some of her fibers...
Monday, July 30, 2007
The Difference
The basic difference between being assertive and being aggressive is how our words and behaviors affect the rights and well being of others. ~Sharon Anthony Bower, author
Friday, July 20, 2007
Spinning Competition
Spinners compete to see who can spin the longest yarn in five minutes. There was a lot of giggling and frantic problem solving.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Melissa's Weaving
I love sharing my love of fibers. I'm not a fan of tapestry weaving, but it really is the most portable weaving project to learn. Melissa and Christie both started weaving this week. Their very different styles (in learning and creating) are already coming out.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
SLV Folk Arts and Fiber Fiber Festival...
Sarah Bernhardt (the actress) once said, "Energy creates energy. It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich."
I feel spent and happy... everything worked out so well. There is such joy in seeing something like this come together.
I feel spent and happy... everything worked out so well. There is such joy in seeing something like this come together.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Raffle Spinning Wheel
This wheel is being raffled off at the SLV Folk Arts and Fiber Festival. We have tickets for sale online as well go to
http://www.slvfest.com/rafflewheel for details.
http://www.slvfest.com/rafflewheel for details.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
from my Spark People Reflections for the day...
"A man who wants something will find a way; a man who doesn't will find an excuse."
- Stephen Dolley Jr.
Do you see possibilities or problems?
It's been said that some of the smartest people around would make lousy entrepreneurs. How can that be? The fact is, some people are so smart they can easily see all of the problems, roadblocks, and snafus that they'll need to overcome to succeed. They can think of all kinds of reasons why their idea won't work. This knowledge can overwhelm any thoughts of possibilities or dreams. When you think of your goals, do you focus on the positives of making it happen, or the negatives of potential barriers? To reach your goals, you gotta really want them. More importantly, you gotta really believe that you can do it. Think more about why you CAN make it happen instead of why you can't. No more excuses.
- Stephen Dolley Jr.
Do you see possibilities or problems?
It's been said that some of the smartest people around would make lousy entrepreneurs. How can that be? The fact is, some people are so smart they can easily see all of the problems, roadblocks, and snafus that they'll need to overcome to succeed. They can think of all kinds of reasons why their idea won't work. This knowledge can overwhelm any thoughts of possibilities or dreams. When you think of your goals, do you focus on the positives of making it happen, or the negatives of potential barriers? To reach your goals, you gotta really want them. More importantly, you gotta really believe that you can do it. Think more about why you CAN make it happen instead of why you can't. No more excuses.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Get On
"The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them." ~ George Bernard Shaw, playwright
Thursday, May 24, 2007
morsbags sociable guerilla bagging
morsbags sociable guerilla bagging
"let’s do something positive to reduce the hideous number of plastic bags being used - 1 million are consumed per minute globally - of which hundreds of thousands end up in the oceans.
the idea is to get together with people in your local community, drink wine and make reusable cloth bags (from old duvet covers, curtains from charity shops etc) and hand them out to the unsuspecting public for free on specified dates outside different supermarkets.
meet new people, do something marvelous for the planet and beat other pods (groups) of baggers with your morsbag tally."
"let’s do something positive to reduce the hideous number of plastic bags being used - 1 million are consumed per minute globally - of which hundreds of thousands end up in the oceans.
the idea is to get together with people in your local community, drink wine and make reusable cloth bags (from old duvet covers, curtains from charity shops etc) and hand them out to the unsuspecting public for free on specified dates outside different supermarkets.
meet new people, do something marvelous for the planet and beat other pods (groups) of baggers with your morsbag tally."
Monday, May 21, 2007
Combing
I'll be offering these wonderful soft and lofty rovings at the SLV Folk Arts and Fiber Festival.
I'm loving the combs. Combing, Spinning, and Weaving are my three favorite fiber arts...
I'll have to buy a fleece just to make a project from start to finish...but then I'll never sell it... it would have too much of me in it.
Combing How to:
How to Prepare Fiber With Dutch Combs
There's detailed information as well as videos!
I'm loving the combs. Combing, Spinning, and Weaving are my three favorite fiber arts...
I'll have to buy a fleece just to make a project from start to finish...but then I'll never sell it... it would have too much of me in it.
Combing How to:
How to Prepare Fiber With Dutch Combs
There's detailed information as well as videos!
Monday, May 14, 2007
36 hr days
"Those who make the worst use of their time are the first to complain of its shortness." ~Jean de la Bruyere, 17th century French essayist
Focus. Do things you love. Do things you'll care enough to remember. Don't wait for something else to happen. Live now.
Focus. Do things you love. Do things you'll care enough to remember. Don't wait for something else to happen. Live now.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Sunday, April 29, 2007
It's been a while...
since I restructured any old clothing. This was a gypsy like skirt. The waistband was at the top of the burgundy area. I cut a portion of the skirt from the back and used the largest black piece to make the top of the dress as well the little straps. I took the hanger rings from the inside of the skirt to make the ties at the top of the straps. We tied her hair back with a piece of left over fabric. I was really happy with how this little dress turned out...and she loved it enough that we had to wash it so that she could wear it again the next day.
Friday, April 20, 2007
International Freeform Artist: Laura Murphy
International Freeform Artist: Laura Murphy Go check out her newest freeform work displayed with the 2007 International Freeform Show EARTH AIR FIRE WATER!!
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Poppy Fields
The newest yarn... I am in love... it's hanging by the wood stove to dry, and I can't pass it without touching it.
It so satisfying to my spring fever to see these colors together. I'm off to spoil myself today. Getting a massage at the local community college. They do a great job...
It so satisfying to my spring fever to see these colors together. I'm off to spoil myself today. Getting a massage at the local community college. They do a great job...
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Virtue
"Virtue is not the absence of vices or the avoidance of moral dangers; virtue is a vivid and separate thing, like pain or a particular smell."~G. K. Chesterton, "Tremendous Trifles"
Monday, April 02, 2007
Daffodils
This is an irrisistible image... I love natural dyes, though the flowers would be hard for me to use if only because I'd want to enjoy them on the stem for that much longer.
Dyeing with daffodils "How To"
Echoes of a Dream: Daffodillies..............
Dyeing with daffodils "How To"
Echoes of a Dream: Daffodillies..............
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Monday, March 26, 2007
This is my fix.
This is a super soft blend of merino, corriedale, and shiny handpainted tussah silk.
I loved making these coils.
I'd been on about a week and a half of no spinning.
My fiber addiction: fed.
I loved making these coils.
I'd been on about a week and a half of no spinning.
My fiber addiction: fed.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Divided
Today I feel like I'm being torn into so many pieces...down so many paths...
Every few minutes I have to close my eyes and just breathe.
Time is filled with a way to make enough money to live and provide...but I don't want to be so full and busy. I don't want to rush around and wonder where my days went. I want to be still and quiet. I want to sit with my feet treadling a spinning wheel...for making yarn or throwing pots.
I want calm though on fire... so different than busy.
It's good though, I'm on the verge of a weekend that will probably have some rain and some sunshine literally and figuratively.
Tomorrow I'll do a spinning demonstration. As per my usual unpredictable moods...all of the sudden, I don't want to show anybody what I'm doing. I want to hide in the corner and covet the little coily strands.
Every few minutes I have to close my eyes and just breathe.
Time is filled with a way to make enough money to live and provide...but I don't want to be so full and busy. I don't want to rush around and wonder where my days went. I want to be still and quiet. I want to sit with my feet treadling a spinning wheel...for making yarn or throwing pots.
I want calm though on fire... so different than busy.
It's good though, I'm on the verge of a weekend that will probably have some rain and some sunshine literally and figuratively.
Tomorrow I'll do a spinning demonstration. As per my usual unpredictable moods...all of the sudden, I don't want to show anybody what I'm doing. I want to hide in the corner and covet the little coily strands.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Folk Arts and Fibers
Folk Arts and Fibers: "SLV Folk Art and Fiber Festival
The first annual SLV Folk Art and Fiber Festival will be held July 13-15th in Monte Vista, CO in Marsh Park.
We are actively recruiting artists in the following media to set up booths, provide demos and workshops: Wood,clay,metal and fibers-to include fabric, plant, animal fibers, paper, bead work, and glass. Participants are not limited to neither the San Luis Valley nor Colorado--all are welcome!
"
The first annual SLV Folk Art and Fiber Festival will be held July 13-15th in Monte Vista, CO in Marsh Park.
We are actively recruiting artists in the following media to set up booths, provide demos and workshops: Wood,clay,metal and fibers-to include fabric, plant, animal fibers, paper, bead work, and glass. Participants are not limited to neither the San Luis Valley nor Colorado--all are welcome!
"
Monday, March 05, 2007
Friday, March 02, 2007
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Love
Simply Spinful
I'm thrilled to get my new Majacraft Little Gem II this week. I've been spinning almost non-stop since she arrived on Friday. I'll have to list more on Etsy this week... maybe tonight...
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Valley of the Morning Sun - Handpainted Tussah Silk
One of several Silk rovings I've listed on Etsy this week...
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
85/15 wool mohair... handpainted, and gently fluffed/drafted slightly
85/15 wool mohair... handpainted, and gently fluffed/drafted slightly
Originally uploaded by polyartgirl.
Polyartgirl Designs Shop at Etsy
Friday, January 26, 2007
Gift Certificates from The Woolery
Gift Certificates from The Woolery
This is a great gift for ANY spinner in your life... (especially me.)
I'm ordering stuff from here today. I could easily spend my paycheck here. I better get to dying rovings...
This is a great gift for ANY spinner in your life... (especially me.)
I'm ordering stuff from here today. I could easily spend my paycheck here. I better get to dying rovings...
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Autum Spinning
This is my niece Autum working on her third bobbin of yarn. She's loving using my "little spinning wheel." At this point she was still just treadling commercial yarn (with a little added angelina) through the orifice, but soon after this she used her first roving to make a couple yards of beautiful thick yarn.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
January 7th: St. Distaff's Day
January 7th: "ST. DISTAFF'S DAY
As the first free day after the twelve by which Christmas was formerly celebrated, the 7th of January was a notable one among our ancestors. They jocularly called it St. Distaff's Dag, or Rock Dag, because by women the rock or distaff was then resumed, or proposed to be so. The duty seems to have been considered a dubious one, and when it was complied with, the ploughmen, who on their part scarcely felt called upon on this day to resume work, made it their sport to set the flax a-burning; in requital of which prank, the maids soused the men from the water-pails. Herrick gives its the popular ritual of the day in some of his cheerful stanzas:
St. Distaff's Day; Or, the Morrow after Twelfth-day
Partly work and partly play
You must on St. Distaffs Day:
From the plough soon free your team;
Then cane home and fother them:
If the maids a-spinning go,
Burn the flax and fire the tow.
Bring in pails of water then,
Let the maids bewash the men.
Give St. Distaff' all the right:
Then bid Christmas sport good night,
And next morrow every one
To his own vocation.'"
As the first free day after the twelve by which Christmas was formerly celebrated, the 7th of January was a notable one among our ancestors. They jocularly called it St. Distaff's Dag, or Rock Dag, because by women the rock or distaff was then resumed, or proposed to be so. The duty seems to have been considered a dubious one, and when it was complied with, the ploughmen, who on their part scarcely felt called upon on this day to resume work, made it their sport to set the flax a-burning; in requital of which prank, the maids soused the men from the water-pails. Herrick gives its the popular ritual of the day in some of his cheerful stanzas:
St. Distaff's Day; Or, the Morrow after Twelfth-day
Partly work and partly play
You must on St. Distaffs Day:
From the plough soon free your team;
Then cane home and fother them:
If the maids a-spinning go,
Burn the flax and fire the tow.
Bring in pails of water then,
Let the maids bewash the men.
Give St. Distaff' all the right:
Then bid Christmas sport good night,
And next morrow every one
To his own vocation.'"
spun from Potluck Rovings from Sunflower in Taos
This yarn came out quite lovely... I didn't want to change the colorway at all so I spun it up with just a little sparkle and plied it back onto itself.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
The Anything Goes Show at The Yarn Museum
I'm now showing in the Anything Goes show at the new online Yarn Museum: Gallery/The Anything Goes Show at The Yarn Museum/Honoring the artistry and beauty of handspun yarn!
Yay!
Yay!
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Website update
I've been working on my personal site again. I finally got the images to connect and work. Check it out and let me know what you think: Polyartgirl Designs
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
SLV Church of Craft
slvchurchofcraft : SLV Church of Craft
Flickr: SLV Church of Craft
We've finally started our local chapter of the Church of Craft. More gatherings to make stuff... I love that.
Flickr: SLV Church of Craft
We've finally started our local chapter of the Church of Craft. More gatherings to make stuff... I love that.
Monday, October 16, 2006
After second carding... Wool/Soysilk blend
Love the way this batt came off the carder... softly blended with strong distinct colors... soysilk soft accents...
Friday, October 13, 2006
Handspun Cormo
I bought this lovely fiber from at the Pagosa Fiber Festival this year. The same dealer was at the Taos Wool fest, but they didn't have any spinning fiber this time.
The Cormo seemed to make me spin finer yarn. It wanted to spin fine and somewhat tight. The plying softened the spin and made a softly balanced yarn... I'll block it tomorrow and maybe do a nice dye on it...
The Cormo seemed to make me spin finer yarn. It wanted to spin fine and somewhat tight. The plying softened the spin and made a softly balanced yarn... I'll block it tomorrow and maybe do a nice dye on it...
Monday, October 09, 2006
Mohair and flicker... lovely colors
The Taos Wool Fest was fantastic. I only spent a few hours Sturday morning, but that didn't stop me from finding lots of fun spinables and gifts.
This mohair cloud called my name until I want back to buy it. I found some shetland in white and grey as well as lots of corriedale. It'll be fun to see what these become...
This mohair cloud called my name until I want back to buy it. I found some shetland in white and grey as well as lots of corriedale. It'll be fun to see what these become...
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Crocheted fingerless gloves
A simple pattern that used almost exactly the amount of yarn that I had... 3 ounces of red and grey plied handspun.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Hironao Hamada - The Last Papermaker
The workshop was wonderfully informative. They were fun to watch and learn from. I hope to see them again in the future and find out that there is more interest in, and more people working in the Tengucho-style.
the company of prophets
"There is no virtue in being uncritical; nor is it a habit to which the young are given. But criticism is only the burying beetle that gets rid of what is dead, and, since the world lives by creative and constructive forces, and not by negation and destruction, it is better to grow up in the company of prophets than of critics."
-Richard Livingstone
-Richard Livingstone
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Weekend Handspun
Spinning weekend in Tin Cup... Three large skeins. The stripped one is wool plied with soysilk. The other two are koolaid dyed handspun and plied wool. I'm in love with them...
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Thursday, August 03, 2006
about 50/50 Bamboo and Wool... the tiny purple sparkels is Angelina
about 50/50 Bamboo and Wool... the tiny purple sparkels is Angelina,
originally uploaded by polyartgirl.
1/2 oz pencil roving, Wool Batt
I've been working hard to clean my little carder. It's wonderful. I pulled my first batt off it last night. I drafted it into pencil roving. I'm thinking that this is the perfect roving to try kool-aid dying because it has dirty wool from the carder on it.
I'll post pictures as it progresses...
I'll post pictures as it progresses...
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
50% Dyed Wool, 50% Bamboo
Another single that I spun up on Saturday. Very soft and the bamboo sparkles in the sunlight. I'm feeling more secure and happy spinning. It's addictive.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Monday, July 03, 2006
It's Summer
and I've stepped away for a moment from the blogging and the internetting. I don't seem to miss the computer or the endless hours staring at a screen. I've been making knitting needles this weekend, I'll post pictures soon. It's a quiet beautiful day in our valley. I'm listening to dreams and shaking my head. A series of photos is dancing behind my eyes, maybe by the end of summer we'll be ready to take them. A new painting is forthcoming, if we could just make the paper to painting it on... and then it's not just paint on paper... it's a scluptural multi-media representation of me in my head...wonder how it'll come out.
More soon...
More soon...
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Knitted dishcloth
There's nothing like taking things to the extreme. I love using these giant knitting needles. They're so soft and create such a beautiful loose pattern....
Monday, April 24, 2006
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Alchemy Yarns of Transformation
Gorgeous Yarn!
Alchemy Yarns of Transformation
"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us, or we find it not." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Alchemy Yarns of Transformation
"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us, or we find it not." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Monday, April 17, 2006
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Beginner's Scarf
This is the pattern I wrote for my beginning Crochet Class.
This scarf uses: Chain Stitch, Single Crochet, Double Crochet, changes in yarn color, crocheting from the front or back of a stitch, and Fringe treatments. In the class, I teach basic pattern reading as well.
This scarf uses: Chain Stitch, Single Crochet, Double Crochet, changes in yarn color, crocheting from the front or back of a stitch, and Fringe treatments. In the class, I teach basic pattern reading as well.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Classes in Crochet
I'm starting to teach classes in Crochet. My first class is this Saturday at 1pm.
Here's a link to The Brochure (explaining the class content
And a link to the Calender showing dates and times! (Subject to change since I'm posting April through August...
Let me know if you have a conflict or if you'd like to see something added, and we'll see what I can manage!
Here's a link to The Brochure (explaining the class content
And a link to the Calender showing dates and times! (Subject to change since I'm posting April through August...
Let me know if you have a conflict or if you'd like to see something added, and we'll see what I can manage!
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Tapestry in the making
I'm using the yarns I dyed to create my first tapestry. I love the simplicity of tapestry weaving... making the loom from easy to find materials and dying the yarns.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Welcome!
I'm finally integrating my blog and art journal with my Website. You can reach all of the same links as before by clicking on "Polyartgirl's Website" on the right. I'm still tweeking the images, but I'll get there.
Closest green with copper beads: Verdiglow
Finally a finished version of the green handspun yarn. It's lovely. It's plyed with glazed cotton thread and copper colored glass beads.
Color decisions
My first batch of fiber reactive dies...
Wool...
All but the two browns are overdyed. The browish red on the right was overdyed with a little navy added. Originally it'd been neon orange.
I'm thrilled with the results.
Wool...
All but the two browns are overdyed. The browish red on the right was overdyed with a little navy added. Originally it'd been neon orange.
I'm thrilled with the results.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Progress...
It's coming along... The line of red is about 3 and a half inches from being half way done with the entire weaving.
I keep telling myself that the second half will go a lot faster. With about 14 hours into it so far, it better...
I keep telling myself that the second half will go a lot faster. With about 14 hours into it so far, it better...
Friday, March 17, 2006
Where I've Been
*working on my weaving project:
on the loom:
up close:
I've unwoven more than I've woven... I have at least 9 hours in this shawl so far... and I'm only 22" into the 90" long piece... but I finally love it :) It'll be a lattice with grapevines winding up... and... the images show the back of the pattern... somehow I'm weaving it upsidedown.
*and spinning yarn:
*Preparing to teach crochet classes at our little local coffee/yarn/art shop. I think it'll be so much fun. I'm also going to teach coptic bookbinding at Laura's shop...we just have to set it up.
on the loom:
up close:
I've unwoven more than I've woven... I have at least 9 hours in this shawl so far... and I'm only 22" into the 90" long piece... but I finally love it :) It'll be a lattice with grapevines winding up... and... the images show the back of the pattern... somehow I'm weaving it upsidedown.
*and spinning yarn:
*Preparing to teach crochet classes at our little local coffee/yarn/art shop. I think it'll be so much fun. I'm also going to teach coptic bookbinding at Laura's shop...we just have to set it up.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Fiber Passions... Crochet hat
This is the first hat I've ever made. It's from a pattern I found online...(the pattern can be found at: Braided Knot ) Mine came out a little different in that I didn't measure and make the braid quite long enough. I rarely use patterns of any kind, so this was an experiment.
I'm loving crochet more than ever.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Spinning for kicks
I'm finally getting the hang of it... I taught myself by feel and by books. My fibers instructor offered to show me, but I'm too impatient. I want to know now... I want to experience it now. So, I feel it... and now I'm coming up with something that feels like yarn. I'll take more photos soon...
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