Jacqueline Groag exhibition

Obviously in London, where else? I'd have loved to have seen the exhibition and get this book
[I had already seen some of her fabulous textiles back in August]...maybe next time!

Here the rain doesn't want to stop - we're staying indoors a lot and I'm preparing the warp for a baby blanket!

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It's so dark these days - but I am looking forward to the sun and summer of next month.
I've found a great tumblr blog, - shining egg by Emily, together with her lovely blog here.
Enough to raise today's mood!

perspective

I can't stop listening to this song.
Have you ever experienced periods when your life doesn't seem to be following a normal route anymore? When the perception of things around you is turned upside down - and you are fully aware that it's your fault only, but you are not able to put things right? What do you do then?

Warmth

Although it's November, the temperature these days is around 17°C - and it feels wrong!
I'd love to wear warm layers of clothing, and feel nice wool scarves around my neck...
but I suppose I'll have to get used to it...in three weeks time we'll be in Aotearoa - I am sooo excited!

in the mood

I knew I loved grey but now I discovered how much I love grey AND walnut brown together.

oh, I also discovered a new (to me!) blog with fantastic photos: Fensismensi by Ana

belated birthday gift

Last month I met this lady whose mother wanted to get rid of some pieces of old Danish furniture - and after a few phone calls I agreed to go and see her: when I saw the furniture I loved it and decided I was going to buy the whole set: sideboard, table and four chairs - in good condition, only very very dirty.
Also, the price was absolutely reasonable.
Once at home I did a bit of research because the furniture had "made in Denmark" and a symbol stamped underneath.
Can you vaguely imagine my amazement when I discovered that the sideboard was this and the chairs these?

completed

I've finished the first shawl-scarf. It's really light and soft but definitely warm.
As warp I used some llama yarn in natural colour, and although llama is not famous for being very soft, this yarn proved me wrong, especially after I washed it. I used it before and it gets better with use, as it gets more supple and soft.
The weft is my precious merino-silk blend dyed with walnut.
I wove it in plain weave, as I wanted to emphasize the yarn rather than the fabric structure.

I am already fanning out my sketches on the table for the next one!

in Cucina!

..I've discovered a new taste for kitchen equipment, especially old battered aluminium ladles and skimmers!

Akira Minagawa

Did you know that fairies live in Holland? I received a precious gift from one of them: a booklet from the exhibition at the Audax Textiel Museum in Tilburg - which gives you a glimpse into the world of Akira Minagawa.

"Indeed, Minagawa considers many industrial products unattractive because they lack the feeling of handicraft and workmanship. He believes that a product should have emotional value in addition to its functionality. A product and a design can only have emotional value if it has been paid loving attention and hence 'time' taken in its realisation.
For Minagawa this means that the hand of the designer or the fine, irregular, natural form is given expression in the fabric.
Only in this way can a product 'come to life', gain character and so contain 'a story'. According to Minagawa these elements are essential if a client is to build up an affectionate bond with the product."
from "mina perhonen fashion" by José Teunissen

This is an excerpt from one of the chapters - these words are so true when it comes to handweaving! - I know I am obviously partial to it, but Minagawa's vision sums up the beautiful process of weaving, from the time spent designing on a sketchbook to the hours of solitary concentration on warp and weft, until the moment you part from the finished object and the latter starts a new life in somebody else's hands.

Let's not talk about products. Let's talk about treasures.

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Today it took ages to thread the dummy warp...it's one of those days...
les contours du silence - lovely photos!

my lovely Halloween

Last Saturday it was also my birthday - and the first of a series of cookery lessons by my friend Nadia who is a chef and a great teacher and also a fellow weaver and spinner. After all the necessary explanations and cooking time we literally devoured the rice timballo and the croque monsieurs - this is always the best part of the course: when we get to eat the result of the recipes!
Also, thank you Margreet for the best birthday card ever!