“Antique Traditions” in the Journey to Golden Fleece Museum Show

“Antique Traditions” in the Journey to Golden Fleece Museum Show

I was one of the students two years ago in the very first Journey to the Golden Fleece Course.  Our final project was supposed to be completed around Christmas 2014.  I was up to date with my Module 1-7 yarns but stalled a bit in my Module 8 final project.  There was a second graduation at the later date of March 2015.

“Antique Traditions” – Final Project Part 2

Unfortunately, in Feb 2015, I had an accident on the ranch that involved about 40-50 pounds of snow, ice, wood, and my face and head that left me with a broken nose and head injury.  Believe me when I tell you that really stalled my final project. I am healing albeit slower than I like because as my husband says I was at the back of the queue when patience was passed out.  I generally tell him that is not true….I wasn’t even in the room when the patience was passed out!!!

I let Suzy and Arlene know that photos were on the way a few weeks prior when I got close to completion.  I had sort of given up the idea of my piece being considered for the museum showing, my ability to travel to the show, or even if Charlie would be available to be onshore at the ranch.  Imagine my surprise a few days later when I received an email from Arlene and Suzy that included the following information:

_________________________________________________________________________

The Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania will be showing a collection of Journey to the Golden Fleece pieces from October 2, 2015 to November 22, 2015.

The collection being shown will contain approximately twenty pieces.  The museum has asked that we submit the pieces from the following artists for their final selection to be included:
Simone Broersma
Susan Bruck
Pam Crichton
Elysa Darling
Clare Des Bruyeres
Cari Jarman
Sandy Lyons
Jan Massie
Joelle McCarthy
Clare Chapman
Randi Winters
Arlene Thayer
Suzy Brown
Virginia Schlomiti
Silja Devine
Emma Nicholson
Esther Rodgers
Debra Lambert
Melissa Yoder Ricks
Melisa Morrison
__________________________________________________________________________

“Antique Traditions” – Final Project Part One

 

My final project is in two parts.  Mod 1-6 is in Part One with Mod 7 being Part Two.  It is a mixed fiber medium piece.  All the yarn is hand spun during the course.  You can see all the Mod 1-7 yarns HERE.  Various parts are woven on a rigid heddle loom, woven on a circular loom, wet felted, dry needle felted, free form crochet, woven felt, and the backing was sewn on my vintage 1954 Singer 99K hand crank sewing machine.  I don’t really know how to sew so that was a fun experiment starting on such a large piece.  Most of it was pieced together with hand sewing or free form crochet.  Part One piece is approximately 5′ x 5′.

1954 Singer 99K Hand Crank Sewing Machine

I set myself the challenge to spin traditional yarns with architectural plies, to keep it all white, and to use the same fiber with the same prep through out the entire course.  All the yarn is spun from 15.5 micron merino in a commercial combed top preparation.  The only added bits are some white natural fresh water pearls strung on a white silk thread and Mod 6 yarn which includes garnet seed beads strung on a white silk thread.   There is some white silk hankies used in the felted parts but not in the spinning of the seven yarns.  I am excited to be included and very happy that I am going to be able to go to the exhibit.

 

May SNOW? Showers

Today appears to be bringing May Snow Showers instead of rain showers. Good thing I took my clothes that have been hanging on the line for the last 3 days down last night. yeah! We do need moisture and it will be back up in the 80’s by Thursday so all is good.

May SNOW? Day

I just hope that my early in garden will not have any difficulties with this cold snap and snow. I do have all my tomatoes under little green houses built just for them and my herb bed is under a large hinged green house cover. It has been all winter and is why my chives are over 2 ft tall and in flower already. My lettuces and spinach garden should be fine as well as that spinach I planted in October and it has been growing all this time under the green house garden cover during the winter. They are just grand and really help at our altitude as we have some odd weather here.

Charlie and I were walking Kizy and Broch together at the Blossom Festival in Canon City, Colorado on Saturday in 95 degree full on sun. Today it is snowing and barely above freezing. yup that is weird mountain Colorado weather.

My sweatshirt is the one that I took off the line last night so it does smell April Doggey Fresh! that lovely smell my puppy has after being outside and playing in the sun and wind or how your clothes smell after being on the line. Thursday is Charlie’s 50th Birthday and I am happy to see that the forecast says he will be back in sun and fun by then.

I have been busy crocheting and weaving as best as I can with my shoulder and wrist injury. I have finished 2 ponchos, and have an 8 ft triangle shawl part way done as well as another free form open lace shawl close to finished.

Tri Loom Progress

I will finish the crochet shawl today, start on a crochet mobius and work more on the triangle shawl. Later this week, I think I will take Vicky the Mannie out into the garden and do a photography session of all the new shawls and ponchos. Stay tuned for the photos later this week or next week depending on when I finish making them.

Closeup Tri Loom Progress

Still on Llama mom watch. Glenda has 6 more days for her first official due date. She is definitely fat, definitely preggers and definitely got the bitch to prove it!!

It is only 71 degrees here in the cabin and with the wet, rain, sleet, wind and snow outside, it feels really cold in here. I think that I must get to making some food in the oven, in the casserole dish, baking to create some warm yummies for us inside. What do you all want me to make? hmmm……..

I am thinking one of my regular Italian casserole pasta dishes. Mince, hamburger for you Americans, browned and then simmered for a half hour to hour in lots of onions and garlic minced in. Throw in a few red, yellow, and orange sweet bell peppers. some chopped or maybe even stewed tomatoes, a bit of cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, some cream cheese and a touch of Parmesan cheese for a 4 cheese flavor. Some basil and oregano from the herb garden and put it all together to bake it nice in the oven. Take the lid off the last few minutes so the mozzarella on top can crisp up a bit. Throw in a few pieces of garlic Naan bread and we are good to go. I don’t know what you are going to have but this sounds good to me and I am hungry!! I am going to make an Aztec Coffee as well to enjoy while I go to create!!