Friday, October 30, 2015

Update on the Old Shale Shawl Project

Three week ago I shared a photo of a swatch for a ripple pattern that is a type of Old Shale Pattern, of which there are many variations. I started a shawl in this pattern as a gift, and it has been fun to knit because of the relaxing rhythm to the undulating waves.


This shawl combines three different yarns: one laceweight merino yarn has been paired with a thin yarn that is a combination of 78% Suri Alpaca and 22% nylon. (See the ball on the lower left corner of the photo.) The Suri Alpaca has a superb fiber halo, almost like mohair. The third yarn is the other ball in the picture. It is 100% superfine alpaca. I am alternating these two balls every two rows.

This shawl is 90% complete. When it's been finished and blocked, I'll post more photos of it and also the ball bands from the yarn.

The colors are like candlelight or the canyons in Utah. (It's for a redhead who is going to look great in it.)

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Mother Would Like That - Ma

Yesterday the Flash Mob, a treasury team on Etsy, had a treasury contest on the Japanese concept of "Ma," the empty space between things.

Here is what Wikipedia says about this concept:
Ma () is a Japanese word which can be roughly translated as "gap", "space", "pause" or "the space between two structural parts." The spatial concept is experienced progressively through intervals of spatial designation. In Japanese, ma, the word for space, suggests interval. It is best described as a consciousness of place, not in the sense of an enclosed three-dimensional entity, but rather the simultaneous awareness of form and non-form deriving from an intensification of vision.
Ma is not something that is created by compositional elements; it is the thing that takes place in the imagination of the human who experiences these elements. Therefore, ma can be defined as experiential place understood with emphasis on interval.

My mother loved feminine accessories and jewelry, but she was spartan and minimal in her home decor. In this way she practiced Ma, and for me, there is a tremendous negative space where she used to be. I chose these treasuries to feature here, because they reminded me of her. These are collections she would have liked. (The images are clickable, in case you want to start your holiday shopping early.)


By CaryeVDPMahoney:

Bella Solid Bright Sky - 1 yard - 6.50Hand Dyed Fabric Gradient - ParadiseCloud Photography, Nursery Decor, Rainbow Photography, White, Aqua Blue, Pink Wall Art, Photo of Clouds for Nursery,  Dreamy Sky, 8x10 PrintHeavenly Sky Cloudscape - Spring And Summer Nature Sunrise Sunset -Pastel Pinks & Blue - Home Decor Wall Art - Fine Art Photography Print
Fat Quarter Rainbow Sky Clouds Cotton Quilting Fabric - Elizabeth's StudioLANDSCAPE FABRIC- Sky - 1/2 metreℳ Stretch Panné Solid Velvet Sky Blue 58 Inch Wide Fabric by the Yard, 1 yardRainbow with White Clouds and Blue Sky Wall Art Home Decor Photo Print Digital Download Fine Art Photography
Sky Painting, Cloud Painting, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, "A Touch of Blue" by Carol Schiff, 6x8 LandscapeSunrise Oil Painting- Original Cloud Art on Canvas- Water-Based Oils- Pink and Blue- 24x30-  Free US ShippingSky Photography, Cloud Photography, Sunset Print, Film Style, Wall Decor, Abstract Print, Minimal Photography, Fine Art PhotographyBule Skies - Smoking Cloud  - Fine Art  Cloud Photo    Zen Wall Decor - Mother Nature
Sky Landscape - Cloud Painting - Monochromatic Painting - Original Watercolour - 4 x 6 - BlueSky and Clouds, Blue and White, Sympathy, Day Dream Perfection, Photograph or Greeting cardPhotography of Cloudy Blue Summer Sky Nature Art PrintSKY WITHIN Abstract  Color Original Art Photograph

Powered By Toastie Studio - Etsy Tools

By Linda Voth:

Landscape photography, fog, mist, dock, cottage, grey, serene, calm, muted, water, minimal, dreamy, morning, soft,dawn, Goodbye SummerOutdoor photography - Morning mist and sea grassMichigan Photography, Michigan Photo, Michigan, Whitefish Point, Michigan,Lake Superior, sunset Mist white pink dark gray, white, gray UPFemale Cinnamon Teal, Waterfowl, Ducks, Wetland Photograph, Teal Photography, Duck Fine Art Photography, Cinnamon Teal Art, Photo Decor.
Lake photography, Morning mist, Fog in Finland, Nature art print, Nordic mood, Scandinavia, Poster, Landscape, 12" x 8", 30 cm x 20 cmSeats to Infinity in the Fog, River and Mistlandscape photography, mountain photography, mountains, fog, mist, evergreens, pastel, green, nature, Elevation No. 2Early Morning on Malden Lake II, Landscape Photography, Mist on Lake, Borderless Prints
Fine Art Photography: "Canoes in the Mist" 20x10 print, boating, Russian River, beach, water sportsBlue Ridge Mountains in Virginia Mist 4x6 Landscape Photography PrintLake Home Decor Photograph Mist Water Home Office Wall Art Nature Photography Fine Art Gray Grey Up North Cabin Decorate Your Walls Gift IdeBar Harbor Schooner Photograph, Black and White Maine Photography, Boats, Pier, Coast, Morning Fog and Mist, Monochrome Art Print, Gray
nautical photography, fog, mist, dock, cottage, grey, serene, calm, muted,cool, morning, minmal, cottage,soft, old wood, aged, SecuredConnecticut's Lake Mohegan Misty Morning Photo - 11x14 Color Nature Landscape Photography Print - Fog Forest Woodland Blue Purple Dawn ArtAncient English Castle in the Mist, Fantasy Landscape Photography Print. Historic Corfe Castle.Artwork. Limited Edition Mounted Fine Art Photography Print - "Mist of a Memory" 12x16 inches

Powered By Toastie Studio - Etsy Tools


By Christie of Poppy and Purl:

photography, surreal, landscape, cold winter, grey white, pale, neutral, abstract photograph, anonymous, Los Angeles minimalist artthe bonny blue, hand-woven blue tweed woolen scarf..by The Weaver of Words...weaving fibers & fablesLight Blue Abstract, minimalist photo, nautical abstract, light blue, orange, rustic landscape, calming art, abstract sea, landscape, fogAbstract Sky Photography, Minimalist Photography, Sky Print, Cloud Photography, Print, Photography Print, Puffy Clouds, Fine Art Photography
Pendant, Men pendant, Necklace, Metal, Hammered Copper, Copper Pendant, Alternative look, Modern Design, Eco chic, Jewelry, Birthday giftLarge Abstract Minimalist Pastel Landscape, Large Modern Wall Art, Minimal Home Decor, Modern Photo Collage, Pale Color Layers, Zen InteriorWave hunting on the Baltic Sea - dog on the beach in Koserow, Germany, 2013, Fine Art Print, color, signed with embossingDark beauty Portrait Artwork photography Home Decor Surreal  - Limited Edition Print, girl, fish
Cornish Mackerel, Abstract Fish Painting, Signed Giclee Art Print 20x10 inchesPocket Knife, Vintage Pen Knife, Camillus, New York, from All Vintage ManTranquil Ocean Photograph, Beach Photography, 5x5 Soothing Ocean Art, Seascape Photo, Landscape Photography, Coastal Decor, It's Oh So QuietLarge Photography Print - Beach photo - Seagull photograph - Nautical Photography - Bird decor - Minimalist Art
Black feather "Keepsake"  Fine Art Photography Still life Photography Brown Nature Photography Wall art Black Feather Print Feather ArtStarr Design 4 Pack Fat Quarters Mediterranean Blue Hand Dyed Cotton FabricsHandmade necklace with wooden articulated fishbone, fish bone made of wood, bones, medium lenght necklacePerfect Large Brown Sea Glass Heart, Grade A, Genuine Seaglass, Valentine Gift, Ocean Nautical, Jewelry, Keepsake, Frosted Beach Glass, Love

Powered By Toastie Studio - Etsy Tools