Green Droplets Tatted Necklace

Green Droplets Tatted Necklace, originally uploaded by ambrosianbeads.

My Mom's birthday was this week so I decided to try a pattern that was in my head to make a necklace for her in her favorite colors. After some tweaking of the stitch count, I got it to shape around the neck nicely, and used exactly the number of fringe beads I had on hand. This pattern was so successful, I think I will make a video tutorial when I'm in the mood.

Happy the Lovebird crochet

Happy the Lovebird crochet, originally uploaded by ambrosianbeads.

I custom ordered a replica of my violet-masked lovebird, Happy from one of my students. I think she did an amazing job copying his feather colors and shape. She creates her own patterns.

Well, it's official...I'm 50

Birthday dinner 4/23/11, originally uploaded by ambrosianbeads.

Looking forward to crafting, beading, thrifting, drumming, dancing, singing and playing my way through the next 50 ;-)

Orenburg Lace Knitting

This video came through my Facebook news feed and I wanted to share. I attempted lace knitting over a year ago, and failed miserably...no matter how closely I followed the patterns I liked, I could never get past the first set of repeated rows...there was always something wrong on the next row, and I couldn't figure out what was wrong. OK, I tried and succeeded at "feather and fan" pattern, but it just wasn't interesting enough...the ones I liked in my little "Field Guide to Knitting" just never worked :-(

Time to vote on "Fashion Through the Ages"

Etsy Beadweavers Blog

There is still time left to vote for your favorite beadwoven creation in the Etsy Beadweavers' monthly challenge. This month's challenge was selected by our previous winner, Patrizia of Triz Designs. Patrizia has challenged our members to "Choose a fashion style from any period of fashion and design a piece to fit that chosen style/period." We do this for fun and to show the world the extent of our creativity...the prize is just the honor of selecting the next month's challenge. Please take a minute or two to look at all the wonderful designs, created entirely by hand and with original designs (using patterns from other designers is not allowed), and vote for your favorite. This month I entered a piece (#32) entitled "Metropolis", which plays on some of the design elements popular during the Art Deco period.

Backstrap Weaving Report (a year late !)

Well, a year ago, folks, I tried some backstrap weaving, but just now am getting around to writing a post about it...have I actually finished the weaving itself ??? NOOOOO, but at least I'm finally posting about the effort ! My bad :-[

Anyway, over a year ago, during the second East Coast blizzard, otherwise known as "snowpocalypse", I decided to try Travis Meinolf's (AKA "Actionweaver")Pocket Weaver he had posted on his blog. I have a photo series of my effort. I also took a class a month later with Laverne Waddington, the master of Andean backstrap weaving. Have I finished that project either ??? NOOO again, and now I'm wondering how much of it I can remember ! Too many projects, too much procrastination !

Collecting/Re-using Wool Sweaters

I am a super lucky thrifter because in my neighborhood, there are two thrift stores that regularly sell items for only 10 cents apiece in their bins. Every Wednesday, I hit the one with the largest bins, and battle the crowds to claim my prizes...a pile of usually 20-30 items for under $3 total. Since I began losing weight over a year ago, I kept going for personal items in smaller and smaller sizes...I have way too many shirts, skirts and pants now, so I'm focusing on pieces to cut up and re-use, plus I'm collecting silk pieces for a fellow artist who does nuno felting .

My 100% wool sweater collection has grown sizeable in just the last couple weeks, so it's time to start hacking them to pieces and restyle with my new serger my incredibly generous aunt bought for me two months ago. What should I make ? Well, fulled purses is my first thought, but tonight, I found this blog post in my google reader for glove construction . A-ha ! My soft and lovely 100% merino wool sweaters will make nice gloves ! I found my inspiration, so wish me luck !

Colors of the Oasis Exhibit

OK, I know I probably shouldn't have taken this pic, but I couldn't resist. I went to see the exhibit of Central Asian Ikats at the Textile Museum of DC last week, and was truly awestruck with the beauty on display. The range of color and pattern was immense, and there seemed to be no end to the creativity of the designers and weavers who produced these works of art. It's definitely an exhibit I would like to view again before it closes on March 13, 2011. And finally, after years of putting off joining the Textile Museum, I did it. I was still on the fence with the $60 membership, but in the museum shop, there was a sign with a special $50 rate for signing up on location. Hopefully, I'll find ways to take advantage of the membership...maybe a reception, curator talk or other event somewhere down the road.