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Today's samples were to see the effects of various granite weaves on a single design, circles in a brick (offset) repeat. The granites were derived from 8-end satins, and all were woven on a straight threading on 40 shafts. These will look quite different when cut off and washed, but I wanted you to see them first on the loom under tension.
It's a waxing first quarter moon. Read about it here.
And back in my studio, I'm finding lots of white. All different whites, all sizes. Mostly cotton. Here's a small sampling. I think there are some mixed white warps in my future. This old weaver never dyes. Don't even suggest it.
Something was really bugging me about yesterday's book. It was the yellow band. Originally I thought it was a good idea to pick up the yellow from the stitching and echo it in the band. But that yellow band turned up in my dreams as a Bad Decision.
This morning I replaced it with a gray band. I'm much more comfortable with this. What do you think?
After the matte acrylic medium on the back side of the fabric has dried, I cut the piece into three book-sized blanks. Here's the mama and the babies.
Even though the backs are secured with the acrylic medium, the edges on the right side still need some protection from raveling. I paint a fine line of acrylic medium along the edges. When this dries (it will dry clear), I'll trim off the scragglies. This is very fiddly work. It helps to have Verdi on the iPod player. Current fave: Otello.
I'm a messy person and work in a cluttered environment. It's not that I don't have enough space. Not at all. I'm just disorganized. From time to time I go on cleanup binges, but order never seems to last. Maybe that's why my secret obsession is following the Tiny House Blog. Imagine living and working in 100 sq.ft., or a little more or a little less. You'd really have to stay organized. Simplify. Pare down.
This week Alex at Tiny House Talk posted this intriguing little video featuring plans for a tiny house with a pullout bed under the kitchen space. This makes it possible to have one's bed on the ground floor. Many seniors (you know who you are) don't enjoy climbing down and up ladders to the sleeping loft during the night to heed nature's call.
Meanwhile, in my very messy studio this week, I finished a few more books with "real" covers, and am now returning to some books with wraparound covers. For these I recycle (or upcycle, don't you love that word) failed wall hangings. I coat the backs with acrylic medium to stabilize them, then cut 'em up. Here's the latest; it's enough for one medium sized book and two tiny ones.
This one just outside the third floor elevator.
We missed the elevator so that I could take the picture, but it was worth it. This designer really nailed the aspect ratio. Perfect circles. Click to enlarge.
My paper order finally arrived, and not a moment too soon. I spent a morning tearing it down into signatures. There's enough for four generous 4 1/2 x 6 blank journals, and on a whim I tore the last sheet into two itty-bitty blocks. The little books are fun to do, and might be just the thing for small scraps of handwoven fabric on the covers.
Three towels, finished & hemmed. The weather turned so warm today that I took them outside for some fresh air and a group portrait.
And a closeup.