No coinkidink - they’re sheep colors! Even if not in wool, so in that you (and I) are such a lover of wool, it makes total sense to me, that you’d be enamored of the “monochrome” which maybe isn’t, quite
Sheep Colors indeed -- I hadn't realized it, but of course. Indeed, it goes beautifully with the dark grey fleece I'm spinning right now.... And you are so right that it isn't monochrome because oh my, all the delicious subtle variations....
I love Sally Pointer! Such a joyful person and knowledgeable and has been through a lot with spouse illness and loss, and she's a lot like you, Sarah! Full of ideas and initiative anyway, no matter what life brings. Thanks so much for bringing her into the Gusset. And don't stay away too long?
Oh golly Liz, I hadn't realized that Sally Pointer had lost her spouse too. Oh my. So hard. Thank you-- for she is, indeed, a treasure. And no worries. Writing the Gusset is too darned pleasurable to stay away long...
I'm intrigued by this idea of a shadow weaver... and/or shadow artist... One thing I know is that my shadow artist really loves soothing greys and monochromes. If they have a hint of blue, all the better. I guess I will be busy wondering and listening to what else my shadow artist wants to share.
Oh yes Ellen, that's it exactly. The hint of blue adds so much. Indeed, my entire closet looks a bit like that: indigo, white, grey and brown. I wonder if our shadow artists meet somewhere and have tea sometimes?
Shadows are just the most fascinating things, aren't they? And catching sight of your own shadow, especially out of the corner of your eye and unexpectedly, is so rewarding. Love knowing we're together on this.
Well, it seems to me that even when you were giving instructions for four selvedge weaving, or weaving those boxes, that you were very much attracted to those colors that people call neutral, or natural, in their infinite variety . They are very lovable! And then again there is a whole world of color to be made without using the coal tar dyes.
I believe the eye craves the barrage of intense color we receive in spring and summer as we live in our temperate places, and perhaps as we slide into late summer our senses need a bit of calm and rest, the better to take in the bright brilliance of the harvest season to come.
I hope you slurp down some red red tomatoes in the next couple of weeks!
My beautiful daisy-dog likes them too when coated with mayonnaise.
HA! you are so right. My love affair with 'neutrals' has been growing and broadening for quite some time. It's wild in many ways because for so many years my practice was utterly rooted in my garden weld and drawer of indigo, cochineal, madder etc. And yet here I am, sinking into the bliss of grey and brown and white. Though I have been starting to think about an indigo pot so....
I will definitely have to see what Beryl thinks about tomatoes with mayonnaise. Today she let me know she was not a fan of cucumber...
Sarah, I'm going to send you a copy of the last book in my Textile Trilogy, Oil & Water, because it contains a chapter (based on a memory of weaver Norman Kennedy) on a nettle-based culture in a Scottish mining village: they ate nettle, healed with nettle and made lace with nettle.
We have a small natural dyeing operation. We can't find nettle fiber to experiment with, only raw silk, hemp and a cotton/linen blend from Dharma. Curious how nettle takes natural dye?
Is there commercial nettle fabric available? I've never seen it though do like Dharma's hemp cloth.
So far I"ve only dyed nettle with indigo and it did beautifully -- at least after a thorough scouring. But as I said, nettle and I are still getting to know one another and I"ve much to learn.
I've more experience with milkweed-- dyeing with indigo, which was great, and also weld (using aluminium acetate and chalk for mordants), and it too went well. Again, after a thorough scour.
And how can we not want to go right now and find milkweed so that we too can twist some lovely sproingy , monochromatically gorgeous, "yarn"?!! Though you say you are not a photographer Sarah, I beg to differ as your photos emanate Light in every tendril of yarn you spin be it paper, wool or weed. I absolutely adore, and always have, the way you hold all your "selves" (past, present, future, shadow, etc) in such graciousness and seek to understand them as they reveal themselves, showing up bossy or shy. Here's wishing you a most delicious time with Beryl away from the tugs of the world, getting up to any all capers you both find yourselves in!
Oh gosh, thank you -- for your lovely lovely words: those about my work (blush) and for the gift of the word "caper"! It makes me want to kick up my heels even more just as Beryl does when she is particularly excited. Be well.
Such a fun read! I just love your shades of Milkweed twine/yarn! I'm going to pay more attention to my shadow and see what I learn. I wish you and Beryl lots of fun as you complete the rest of No Plans July!
No coinkidink - they’re sheep colors! Even if not in wool, so in that you (and I) are such a lover of wool, it makes total sense to me, that you’d be enamored of the “monochrome” which maybe isn’t, quite
Sheep Colors indeed -- I hadn't realized it, but of course. Indeed, it goes beautifully with the dark grey fleece I'm spinning right now.... And you are so right that it isn't monochrome because oh my, all the delicious subtle variations....
Enjoy! Love your shadow weaver, so mysterious. Thank you for your blog, always puts a smile on my face💓
Elaine Todd
Gosh thank you Elaine. Always such a treat to hear from you.
I love Sally Pointer! Such a joyful person and knowledgeable and has been through a lot with spouse illness and loss, and she's a lot like you, Sarah! Full of ideas and initiative anyway, no matter what life brings. Thanks so much for bringing her into the Gusset. And don't stay away too long?
Oh golly Liz, I hadn't realized that Sally Pointer had lost her spouse too. Oh my. So hard. Thank you-- for she is, indeed, a treasure. And no worries. Writing the Gusset is too darned pleasurable to stay away long...
I'm intrigued by this idea of a shadow weaver... and/or shadow artist... One thing I know is that my shadow artist really loves soothing greys and monochromes. If they have a hint of blue, all the better. I guess I will be busy wondering and listening to what else my shadow artist wants to share.
Oh yes Ellen, that's it exactly. The hint of blue adds so much. Indeed, my entire closet looks a bit like that: indigo, white, grey and brown. I wonder if our shadow artists meet somewhere and have tea sometimes?
Our shadow artists meeting for tea.... that thought makes me smile!
Have lots of dog-fun!
I contemplate the shadow side and photograph her as often as possible. I love seeing the shadow weaver.
Looking at these hues I’m inspired to work in monochrome. There’s a project started and not finished. Hmm
Safe journey wherever it takes you two.
Shadows are just the most fascinating things, aren't they? And catching sight of your own shadow, especially out of the corner of your eye and unexpectedly, is so rewarding. Love knowing we're together on this.
Sometimes serendipity turns out to be a lot of fun! So, encourage the serendipity and enjoy the ride!
Will do! Thanks for the encouragement.
Well, it seems to me that even when you were giving instructions for four selvedge weaving, or weaving those boxes, that you were very much attracted to those colors that people call neutral, or natural, in their infinite variety . They are very lovable! And then again there is a whole world of color to be made without using the coal tar dyes.
I believe the eye craves the barrage of intense color we receive in spring and summer as we live in our temperate places, and perhaps as we slide into late summer our senses need a bit of calm and rest, the better to take in the bright brilliance of the harvest season to come.
I hope you slurp down some red red tomatoes in the next couple of weeks!
My beautiful daisy-dog likes them too when coated with mayonnaise.
HA! you are so right. My love affair with 'neutrals' has been growing and broadening for quite some time. It's wild in many ways because for so many years my practice was utterly rooted in my garden weld and drawer of indigo, cochineal, madder etc. And yet here I am, sinking into the bliss of grey and brown and white. Though I have been starting to think about an indigo pot so....
I will definitely have to see what Beryl thinks about tomatoes with mayonnaise. Today she let me know she was not a fan of cucumber...
Your posts bring such joy, enjoy your time away!
Sarah, I'm going to send you a copy of the last book in my Textile Trilogy, Oil & Water, because it contains a chapter (based on a memory of weaver Norman Kennedy) on a nettle-based culture in a Scottish mining village: they ate nettle, healed with nettle and made lace with nettle.
That Norman Kennedy. What a treasure.
The books sound amazing.
We have a small natural dyeing operation. We can't find nettle fiber to experiment with, only raw silk, hemp and a cotton/linen blend from Dharma. Curious how nettle takes natural dye?
Is there commercial nettle fabric available? I've never seen it though do like Dharma's hemp cloth.
So far I"ve only dyed nettle with indigo and it did beautifully -- at least after a thorough scouring. But as I said, nettle and I are still getting to know one another and I"ve much to learn.
I've more experience with milkweed-- dyeing with indigo, which was great, and also weld (using aluminium acetate and chalk for mordants), and it too went well. Again, after a thorough scour.
Hope you and Beryl enjoy this quiet interlude. Sounds like good fun to me. Happy trails!
Thanks much! We celebrated today with a long walk and a picnic lunch -- HOT but lovely. Have a lovely couple of week yourself.
What an incredible artist you are! Such an intriguing post
Gosh thank you so much!
And how can we not want to go right now and find milkweed so that we too can twist some lovely sproingy , monochromatically gorgeous, "yarn"?!! Though you say you are not a photographer Sarah, I beg to differ as your photos emanate Light in every tendril of yarn you spin be it paper, wool or weed. I absolutely adore, and always have, the way you hold all your "selves" (past, present, future, shadow, etc) in such graciousness and seek to understand them as they reveal themselves, showing up bossy or shy. Here's wishing you a most delicious time with Beryl away from the tugs of the world, getting up to any all capers you both find yourselves in!
Oh gosh, thank you -- for your lovely lovely words: those about my work (blush) and for the gift of the word "caper"! It makes me want to kick up my heels even more just as Beryl does when she is particularly excited. Be well.
Wow that grey. Thank you once again for putting a little nugget of peace in my day
Oh geez. Thanks. Nugget of peace. Wow.
Such a fun read! I just love your shades of Milkweed twine/yarn! I'm going to pay more attention to my shadow and see what I learn. I wish you and Beryl lots of fun as you complete the rest of No Plans July!
Those shadow selves -- you never know what they're going to com up with ;-)