radiant sun cuff

What do you think, should I add spiral fringe to this cuff?

p.s. Happy Inauguration Day!

crochet cuffs

This piece is one of my favorites. I'm going to make more pieces with this motif, a pin, hair clip, another cuff. Part of me wants to tell you about the inspiration for it but it's such a sad, true story that I am at a loss for words.


The woman who goes for a Rainbow goth look is the inspiration for these two. I might fall into that category (this week).

close up

...of the leaf pendant and button on the long crochet necklace from the previous post.


the button closure


the whole piece
Click on the photos to see them bigger.

2009!!!

Happy New Year!

We're having a heat wave this week and look who came to visit, a wee tomato with a few tomato friends.

It's almost too warm this afternoon, to wear this long necklace! Ah, California winter so brief, so sweet.


My son took the blurry photo. It's better than the ones in focus. The fuzzy mood fits the post.
Below is a collection of chokers and a pair of wrist cuffs.


Once, I started making these I couldn't stop. I still have enough yarn from one skein of Noro Kureyon Sock yarn to make more. woohoo!

things

This Saul Steinberg drawing (from 1971) says it all. Is there anything else? I have (books), here are some images that inspire me.


Embroidered coverlet, Mexican dated 1786, image from American Quilts and Coverlets in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Wouldn't these characters make charming dolls?

The next few are from Knot ISBN978-4-07-257058-6. Click the photos to see them bigger.








ETA: Sources for Japanese craft books Kinokuniya. I shop at the store in Los Angeles. Here is a link to Knot on Amazon Japan. I haven't ordered from them before so I don't have advice on how to navigate the site. I also found Knot listed on Yes Asia. I have ordered books from Yes Asia before. It's pretty straightforward.

babette blanket begins

You've seen my stash, now see it at work. The Babette Blanket by Kathy Merrick (available to purchase from the Knitting Daily site) is a perfect pattern for all my Tahki Cotton Classic and Gedifra St. Tropez leftovers. Crocheting around and around is addicting. Just one more square, just one more square….
What will these two colors look like together, and then this one too? What will happen if I combine these together?


An embroidered Spanish shawl guides some choices.




The blanket’s explosion of color compliments my painting of two skunks kissing.


Who am I kidding; it’s pretty psychedelic over here at my house.

Crochet has infiltrated my desk. Little baskets are cropping up to help me gather my goods as I work on organizing my stuff.
Do you spy the bob sticker? Last week I met the Ravelry folks. I love this sticker, what to put it on that will last? I'll just keep it propped up in this basket for now because that face makes me smile.


And on my dresser, a basket or is it a bowl, to hold more random bits. The photograph is of my mom when she was a teenager. I've been going through everything and I found this photo in a box full of momentos, notes from my grandmother, a toy car, vintage sequined patches, lots of beads, a broken necklace...you get the idea.


The new me - nice and tidy.


Another odd treasure, the fabric doll face a friend brought back from India.


And, to finish, another pin, this one knit on a crochet base.

Felix and I have been walking to the park to feed the ducks.


The floating, soaking process gets the kinks out. I need to do this myself.


Pins are falling from the sky.

motifs and inspiration

Most of the crochet pins from the last post are made of multiple motifs that I found in this gem: Mini Motif crochet pattern ISBN978-4-02-190416-5. I bought the book at the local Kinokuniya bookstore a few days ago. Dangerous place for me as I saw SO MANY books I wanted. I will be returning soon. There was a paper cut out craft book that I swooned over, maybe next time.


I spent some time pouring over this Karl Blossfeldt book which shows flowers in beautiful, graphic,


stark simplicity but also with a dark edge that highlights their graceful shapes.





The pieces grow motif by motif and have inspired a few simple drawings.



Inspiration everywhere, even in this crowded corner of the yard.

flowers

I mentioned in the last post that I spent the weekend crocheting. I had a blast of inspiration. In my mind I kept seeing large flower pins. Do people still wear these? I don't know but they sure were fun to make! Some of the materials used: lace weight mohair, orange thrifted button, and star sequins.


The tender heart back of the yellow flower. Red wool felt sewn to blue/green/yellow silk yarn. It looks nice without the pin but how will it stay up without it?


Mohair, alpaca, sequins, bead, ochre felt


mohair, wool, sequins, felt, button


cashmere, button, tweed, mohair, sequins


angora, tweed, button, sequins

All pins are about 4".

Red Link Bracelet

Wooly bracelet from Gooseflesh boutique.
The artist, Helle Jorgensen is hard at work crocheting wonderful sea creatures from plastic bags. She will be showing her work in Los Angeles in 2008 at LACE.