Snow Capped Peaks

The name has nothing to do with cricket, crochet or bras, but I thought it was the perfect title for my newest piece of wearable art. Now that the Ravelympics are over I will modify this so that I can actually wear it. I will turn it into a camisole with a free form lace skirt.

My Camera is Broken and Other Tragedies

I feel trapped by a camera that currently takes stunning photos such as this:

Desperate to post something, anything, I found a preliminary photo of one of the pieces I am doing for the art show next month.  I call this Rockport because it is based on my love for the Texas coastal town by the same name.  This is a multi media piece composed of  crocheted and fulled pieces accented with traditional crochet, shells and other found objects.  I have truly found my creative voice through crochet and fiber arts in general.

On other exciting news, the DFW Fiber Fest will be held at the end of April this year so I can attend!  Last year Yarntopia's anniversary party and the conference were the same weekend.  That was a no brainer.  The first year I didn't know about it until it was over.  So, I guess the third year is the charm.  Edie Eickman and Melissa Leapman will be the featured teachers - they are both fabulous and have so much to offer.  If you are a cable knitter, be sure to take one of Melissa's cable classes - I learned so much from her at TNNA a couple of years ago.

I'm suffering from severe cabin fever, so I'm off to run some errands before it gets too hot.

T.I.E.,

Sheryl

WooHoo for Ravelympics!

I am having a BLAST with my team project for Ravelympics.  I am a member of Team Freeformations and we are all making white freeform crochet bras - aka "Over The Shoulder Boulder Holders."  My first instinct was to make it truly an off the wall art piece, but then I got to thinking, "Why not make something you can actually wear?"  So...I am using only 1 yarn, Cotton Glace by Rowan and making lots and lots of little pieces of white lace.  In keeping with the theme, all the scrumbles are circular or spiral.

My plan is to attach all these pieces to a bra for the team project, and then after the Olympics/Ravelympics are over I'll add a freeform lace skirt so the final product will be a top I can wear out in public.  I'm thinking this will be the perfect thing for a crochet artist to wear to her first art show.  Whatcha think?

T.I.E.

Sheryl

Another Quiz

I am a sucker for these things.  

you are lightskyblue #87CEFA

Your dominant hues are cyan and blue. You like people and enjoy making friends. You're conservative and like to make sure things make sense before you step into them, especially in relationships. You are curious but respected for your opinions by people who you sometimes wouldn't even suspect. Your saturation level is lower than average - You don't stress out over things and don't understand people who do. Finishing projects may sometimes be a challenge, but you schedule time as you see fit and the important things all happen in the end, even if not everyone sees your grand master plan. Your outlook on life is bright. You see good things in situations where others may not be able to, and it frustrates you to see them get down on everything.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

So, what color is your parachute? Take the quiz and let me know.

Art Quiz

I love these things - I must have answered honestly as this is totally me!

You Are Impressionism

You think the world is quite beautiful, especially if you look at it in new and interesting ways. You tend to focus on color and movement in art. For you, seeing the big picture is much more important than recording every little detail. You can find inspiration anywhere... especially from nature.

What Art Movement Are You?

50.5

In my earlier post I failed to acknowledge that today is my half birthday.  Now, I know, most folks stop counting this half birthday somewhere around age 5 or 6, but since I went kicking and screaming into this new decade I thought this midway point deserved some attention.

Since turning 50 I have:

Been on TV.

Had a pattern published in a major magazine.

Been published online and in a book as part of an international fiberarts show.

Received an invitation to participate in an art show - does that make me an artist?

Had a personal epiphany and allowed myself to focus on doing what I love and let go of what is just OK.

Seen Yarntopia grow in its stature in the yarn community and with folks around the country.

Not a bad start to this mile stone birthday.  I'm sure the next six months will be just as interesting.

Calla Lily

Not only is the Calla Lily my favorite flower but it is now the name of my latest WIP.  Calla Lily is the cover sweater on Mission Falls newest book "Mission Falls Goes Crochet" due out later this month.  It is designed by my friend and designer extraordinaire Robyn Chachula.  It is a motif based designed with the motifs being joined as you work so there is minimal finishing at the end. 

And a close up view...

Robyn and I have very different natural tensions as I had to use an I/5.5mm rather than the L/8.0mm called for in the pattern for my size.  But with the way she designs and writes her patterns making this adjustment very easy.  I could even have kept the L hook and adjusted the number of motifs, but I decided I didn't want to think that much.  I just want to crochet.

For years it seems that there were no decent crochet garment designs.  Now, there are so many cool designs that I can't choose and am struggling to stay focused.  We all know how much trouble I have staying focused under normal circumstances, but this is down right painful.

If you are a crocheter looking for garment designs that are modern and flattering check out Doris Chan's Everyday Crochet.  I love the whole book and find the open lacy patterns particularly good for the Houston climate.  We will be ordering this book for Yarntopia with our next book order.

Time for more crocheting...

Take It Easy,

S.

Save the Date!

Sunday, September 28th - All are invited to an art show in Katy at the Pink Magnolia.  I am so very honored to be invited to participate with my friend Sony (a fabulous clay artist) and other local artists in this show.  I am particularly excited as my work might be the first time many have the chance to consider crochet and fiber as art.