designing a new year
the new year has started slowly
what to do/make/create – a bit of a quandary?
so – spinning by the fire while I think
very fine 2 ply silk on my Bosworth Journey Wheel
while considering a new tapestry design I wanted “a light at the end of the tunnel”
but ideas have a way of changing as the design progresses
the first idea was a very dark background – too depressing
the “tunnel” frame is from a picture of a Japanese obi
in the center I wanted to weave a simplified version of the picture on the right
taken on the Victoria waterfront in December 2015
then I cut out the center and inserted a tapestry woven in January 2019
that looks good!
it is fun to choose the yarns – handspun and natural dyed
it takes a day to sort out and tidy the storage cupboard
is it possible to tapestry weave the frame with a hole in the middle?
what happens to the warp threads in that area? will the weaving be stable?
need to weave a small sample
next
in 2002 I attended a teddy bear workshop taught by Helen Thomas
Arthur was born – with a knitted sweater and toque
because he is a Canadian bear and it is cold
he lives in the studio and kids play with him during studio tours – he was lonely so I brought him inside
two great teddy bear books are
Classic Teddy bear Designs – by Estelle Ansley Worrell
How to Make Heirloom Teddy Bears – by Sue Quinn
Arthur needs a friend, so I am going to stitch him a Blue Boro Bear
I plan to stitch each boro piece separately before cutting it out
time will tell if it works but it will be fun trying
welcome 2021!
www.onesmallstitch.Wordpress.com 
Lots of interesting projects there Jean!
LikeLike
Sue – just need to keep myself moving forward – some days it is difficult. Hope all is well with you.
LikeLike
I am fine Jean having had a break over Christmas and done some thinking.
LikeLike
Sue – Spring is on the way. Hope the thinking wasn’t too serious. We had a major winter storm last night, torrential rain, lightening and northern Pacific storm force winds – they are hurricane strength but not called that so they don’t seem so scary. Lots of branches down in the garden. Stay safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I notice the days starting to draw out and it brings me joy!
LikeLike
Sue – we’ve had a wet, windy winter so far, just to see the sun would be welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Jean, I have not seen you for so long, but I have been following your blog. Thank you for the inspiration. I’m starting my year finishing two projects; a jacket both woven and felted, and a bird net for my strawberries made from cotton seine twine. I don’t want plastic netting. I love your idea of a challenge so I’m going to work my way through a book about the basics of felting.
Take care,
Christine
LikeLike
Hi Christine – when the guild has been a considerable part of my life for many years I have definitely missed it. Until Christmas, when my family gave me an iPad I couldn’t attend the online meetings. Now I’m still practicing and not good at it yet. I love that you have taken up the challenge, in the 5 years I’ve been doing it nobody else has jumped in. Have fun, I know you are into learning, will look forward to seeing something at show and tell – someday! Can’t wait to get out in the garden again. So nice to hear from you. Be safe.
LikeLike
Ho ho! The year is ‘bearly’ begun. Sorry… it’s my prevailing weakness, a love of puns. I like the idea of your tapestry, and that spinning wheel is fascinating!
LikeLike
Kate – don’t apologize, it gave me the best smile of the day. Still thinking about the tapestry. The wheel is made in the U.S. by one man and wife, it is signed and dated Dec. 1980, made for me. The design is taken from the wheel (a charka) that Ghandi spun on with the masses in India.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kate – don’t apologize, it gave me the best laugh of the day. The wheel is signed and dated Dec. 1980, made for me. It is a westernized copy of the wheel (a charkha) that Gandhi and the masses spun on in India.
LikeLike
The Victoria weather this time of year can be so dark, even though the buds and such are trying to emerge already… I like the idea of a Blue Boro Bear – a lovely way to stave off the winter blues!
LikeLike
Kjerstin – yes, while cleaning up in our mild weather today I noticed the Japanese plum is already in bud. I hope the boro bear is going to be a fun challenge.
LikeLike