Today I went along as a groupie to a photography show jurying at an American Rhododendron Society meeting. The first thing I noticed was that rhodo folks are as passionate about their interests as most weavers I know. The second thing is that they are extremely competitive.
I tried to keep a low profile while the photography judges did their work, but I couldn't resist watching the plant judges. Making fine distinctions—that's what it's all about.
While washing up Wednesday night, I looked out the kitchen window and saw that someone had left the light on in Ampersand House. It looked like an enchanted hideout, which in a way it is.
Another enchanted corner. It's all about the light. This is a space I seem to gravitate toward, especially for hand sewing.
Finally, here's an addition to my collection of waiting room upholstery. Click to enlarge.
Collected over the last few days…
First, the morning light, at least when I'm up in time to see it:
Next, some selvedge porn:
And now (it's that time of year again) my grandmother's chopping bowl and knife, as I make charoset. Because of logistical difficulties, we're having our seder Wednesday instead of Friday. BTW, I use honey, not brown sugar:
There is daily progress on Dogwood. Slow but steady:
I am a devoted follower of Tiny House Blog and the Tiny House Movement, and you can imagine my delight when Kent Griswold published this account of Ampersand House today. Check it out!
More of same; Repper design, modified with Photoshop Liquify filter. Double plain weave.
A few backyard photos from Saturday…first my favorite River Birch.
…and an oak tree reflected in the stream. This only works at high noon.
This is the best autumn I can remember. The leaves linger on here longer than in past years, it seems. Every day brings new colors. Saturday I went for a long walk. Saw some great trees.
My neighbor was out with his leaf blower.
I don't usually think the transformers are interesting, but with the evening sun behind them they become magisterial.
I think this guy doesn't realize Halloween is over. Time to go back where you came from, sir.
No sooner does neighbor Tony take down his Halloween decorations than he is putting up the Christmas ones. Good grief, it's not even Thanksgiving yet! But it does look like this will be an exceptional display. The see-saw Santa is new.
You never know whom you'll meet on an afternoon's walk. Here's Larry! I haven't seen him in ages.
That striped project on the 4-shaft loom is now cut off. It's the one in which I wove straight 2/2 twills on a black warp with an assortment of handspun yarns as weft. It was supposed to be a stash-busting affair. Not too successful at reducing the stash, but I love the stripes and they will make three very nice oblong pillows. This glamour shot is out on the deck, with Ampersand House in the background.
You can see why they call it Fall. Leaves and acorns everywhere. Here's a pile of acorns in the street out front; it's quite hazardous to go walking these days, for fear of twisted ankles. Seriously.
Some leaves do remain on the trees, but not for long. This is a neighbor's maple.
Other trees are quite bare. This is one of my favorite neighborhood trees. It has such a beautiful form. I've added a bit of P-shopping.
Elsewhere in the neighborhood, a few remnants of Halloween remain. This guy just stepped out of yoga class.
Home again. The laundry's done, the mail is sorted. Now a pause to say hello again. What's next? I'm preparing for my online Network Drafting class on Weavolution. There are only two places left, so if you want to participate, now's the time to register.
This will be a pencil-and-paper class, with real cutting and pasting. You don't have to have any particular weaving software to take this class, only an interest in dobby design for 8 or more shafts. We'll be doing stuff like this:
Hope you can join us!
Today we drove to Asheville for lunch with friends Kate and Chris. Kate is the driving force behind the fabulous Pan Harmonia chamber music group, and Chris is the artist behind the Abell Flute Company (a well-matched pair). We were given a tour of Chris's studio. Here he is telling us about the grenadilla wood (also known as mpingo) he uses for his flutes and whistles.
Grenadilla is extremely dense—so much so that it doesn't float in water. Chris ages his supply of grenadilla for as much as ten years before it is ready for flute making.
He also makes wonderful whistles. His flutes and whistles have silver fittings.
He has made his own guitar (just for fun).
Chris's workshop is located in the Grovewood Studios, also home to other artists and and the North Carolina Homespun Museum. Here's an installation of Lyman Whittaker's wind sculptures near the front door.
And something I found absolutely hilarious: this sign outside the Grovewood Cafe:
Driving past the gorgeous wildflower field last night, we saw that the two empty lots had been mown to the ground, and a No Trespassing sign had been posted, courtesy of the Greenville County Council. What shriveled spirit is at work here?
On to other matters—the book whose construction I described in February and March ("Good Day to You My Friend") will be included in an invitational exhibition of handmade, limited edition and one of a kind books at the McMaster Gallery, University of South Carolina. The opening is June 2nd at 5:30 pm in Columbia.
To refresh your memory, the book is based on the text of a 419 letter (Internet Scam). Since I made the book, I've received several more of these letters. As hateful as the purport of the letters is, I do find the texts very colorful and creative in their outrageousness. I've started a collection of the letters. Maybe there will be more woven books on this topic!
