|
|
Friday, November 6th, 2009
| |
11:02 am - Stone Soup -- Warm Glow
|
Spun up a batt I got at the Handweavers' Show and Sale last weekend. Joan Contraman's Stone Soup -- Warm Glow. It's a catch-all batt from bits and pieces. I've always loved her color sense. If my memory hasn't completely left me, Joan and I were both in Designing Weavers before she moved to Big Sky country to raise sheep.
Images at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/95472896@N00/4081178796/ and
http://www.flickr.com/photos/95472896@N00/4081178790/
I tend to overspin, which balances out in the ply. Usually. I'm rusty (and besides, I've never been very good at plying). So I ran the skein thru the wheel a second time and added more twist and it came out much better. I'm working on plying. I have to remember to pull back while it spins then let in back in at the same pace to add more twist.
|
|
(comment on this)
|
| Wednesday, September 9th, 2009
| |
10:14 am - 09/09/09 09:09:09
|
|
| Tuesday, June 9th, 2009
| |
5:01 pm - Sestina Week
|
Ok, so I joined a community called Sestina Week. No way I'll manage one a day, but I have managed this:
Garden Plots Not the ages of man, but of woman occupy my thoughts in these passing hours, passing now with no particular care whatsoever, if once again the sleep I seek mocks me tauntingly. So it leaves me musing on the garden I have made. Was I ever that bouyant child who made mud pies out back, copying the woman who could turn out a pie dotted with leaves of flaky crust lovingly crafted hours upon hours, perhaps even in her sleep, nurturing body and soul with such care? When in the springtime of my life, what care did I have for the future? As a maid I was timeless, ageless, I slept the sleep of innocence. I blossomed into woman- hood full of ideas to fill the hours to bursting, all those green unfurling leaves. A wandering vine took root and our leaves entwined to form a sturdier plant, care- fully nurtured and tended. In the hours of ernest husbandry as we two made a garden together, man and woman, a sprout grew wild and free in our sleepy valley plot. Seasons pass as dreams in sleep; a day dawns when our sprout ups-root and leaves for new vistas. This can hit a woman hard, this bare nursery. It took some care to plant anew, germinating plans made to stuff the once-full but now-hollow hours. What was fallow bloomed in time; now the hours weigh lightly on my mind. No time for sleep it seems, as plantings old and new have made an oasis in the desert. New leaves have turned, and if they are gold-tinged I care not. A mature garden suits this woman. Happy is the woman who fills the hours given her with care. When she drifts asleep to dreams of falling leaves, her peace is made. --Ellen Shipley (c) 2009
|
|
(3 comments | comment on this)
|
| Monday, June 1st, 2009
| |
9:48 am - Fiber Fun at the Fiber Retreat
|
|
Fiber Retreat was a blast -- I know 'cuz I'm blasted. ;- y Thanx Bjo and everyone for a great time.
My pin-woven tapestry classes seemed to go well. I was more organized for the second one, but I was also less chatty, so I shouldn't schedule two classes for the same day again.
The set-up -- especially the beads -- took most of the time. Maybe I should have scheduled more time for actual weaving, but then I think my students were as tired as I was by the end. A number of them continued weaving on their own later on, which was gratifying. ;-]
You can see pics of the process on my blog: http://wefttomyowndevices.blogspot.com/2009/05/blue-sky-mini-tapestry.html Eilidh showed me how to spin and ply on a single drop spindle. Kewl. I spun, ply & dyed some wool/bamboo for Astra's tapestry project, but she had to leave before I finished. I'll send it along to her via Bruce. You can see a pic on my blog here: http://wefttomyowndevices.blogspot.com/2009/06/spin-ply-dye.html
I really grokked the mud dye. It just spoke paleo-art to me. 8-] I painted a couple of canvas bags with paleo-unicorns. I'll upload pics of them shortly, but they'll be somewhere on my blog eventually: http://wefttomyowndevices.blogspot.com/ I like what Eowyn did with the mud dye on her goodie bag. Her stuff's here: eowynsartifacts
The drum circle was a blast. My first one. 8-] Whey kewl. I brought Will's bodhran and tried not to be too loud. ;- j It was magical. Selene told me about a regular drum circle in the Valley. That might be fun.
It was fun just sitting around tent city and spinning, tho I didn't get to do as much of that as I wanted. There was just too much to do! I never got to play with the rust dye, but Bjo wasn't happy with it and said it needed some more work. Next time.
Thanx to the kitchen staff for keeping us well fed. The chocolate tasting was killer. I stayed away from the dark chocolate for the sake of my ulcer. I kept well fluidated all weekend between the bottomless water bottle and Eilidh's Coffee Bar of Splendor.
I want to take Ercil's tie-dye class next year! I said that last year. It looks like a lot of fun and the finished products were gorgeous. The felting class also looked like a lot of fun. And one of these years I'll actually make a basket. Just too much to do and never enough weekend!
Time to switch gears again. The last fighter poem came in (thank Will) and now begins the proofing and cover. And I have to print up the last of Kolfinna's prints this week. Hey, Coronation's a whole week away yet. ;- ]
|
|
(1 comment | comment on this)
|
| Thursday, April 23rd, 2009
| |
11:16 am - Hippo Birdie 2 Will! 8-]
|
Hippo Birdie 2 Ewe!! W00t!!1!
Happy 26th birthday Will! 8-] You're a pretty kewl frood. ;-]
Dove ewe,
Mom
|
|
(6 comments | comment on this)
|
| Saturday, February 28th, 2009
| |
12:45 pm - A Very Merry Un-Birthday To Me!
|
|
| Thursday, November 27th, 2008
| |
9:11 am
|
Another 100 items meme
Bold the things you have done, strike out what you will never do:
1. Started my own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than I can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland / Disneyworld
8. Climbed a mountain [does a butte count?]
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sung a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched lightening at sea
14. Taught myself an art from scratch [frequently]
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown my own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill [I call it taking a mental health day.]
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb [does a kid count?]
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors [it is on my bucket list]
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught myself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David ]
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had my portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job [and got re-hired]
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book [does fanfic count?]
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car [it was our only lemon, but we loved it]
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had my picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating [does fish count?]
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit [we won]
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Rode an elephant [at the zoo as a kid]
|
|
(comment on this)
|
| Saturday, November 8th, 2008
| |
6:16 pm - steampunk sketch
|
|
| Tuesday, October 14th, 2008
| |
4:20 pm - Cloudy Moon -- Woven Beaded Necklace
|
|
| Friday, October 10th, 2008
| |
3:16 pm - baabaa faux print
|
|
| |
1:19 pm - Paleo-Catfish
|
Paleo-Catfish is the latest work in my Paleo-Mythos series of improbable cave art creatures. I imagine my paleo-ancestor painting the fanciful beasts that might populate her world on the walls of the family cave. She has captured this finny kitty in the act of contemplating a hapless mouse who has gotten too close to the edge of the water.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16053323
|
|
(comment on this)
|
| Thursday, September 25th, 2008
| |
10:14 am
|
Scattergories, gakked from mistresshuette
Erase my answers, enter yours.
THEN: Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following. Your answers have to be real places, names, things ... nothing made up! You MAY NOT use your name for the boy/girl name question. And you may NOT use the same word twice.
YOUR FIRST NAME: Philippa
BOY NAME: Philip
4 LETTER WORD: Pity
GIRL NAME: Paula
OCCUPATION: Photographer
A COLOR: Purple
SOMETHING YOU WEAR: Poncho
BEVERAGE: Pop
FOOD: Potato salad
SOMETHING FOUND IN A BATHROOM: Plastic curtain
YOUR FIRST NAME: Ellen
BOY NAME: Eliot
4 LETTER WORD: Eeek
GIRL NAME: Emily
OCCUPATION: Electrician
A COLOR: Ecru
SOMETHING YOU WEAR: Elevator shoes
BEVERAGE: Eggnog
FOOD: Eggplant
SOMETHING FOUND IN A BATHROOM: Electic toothbrush
|
|
(comment on this)
|
| Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008
| |
11:52 am - That 36 things about you meme
|
from mariamist:
If you're on my friends list, I want to know 36 things about you. I don't care if we never talk, or if we already know everything about each other. Short and sweet is fine... you're on my list, so I want to know you better!
Comment here and repost a blank one on your own journal.
01) Are you currently in a serious relationship?
Oh yes. 36 years and counting.
02) What was your dream growing up?
To be a writer and artist. Curiously, I also wanted to move out to L.A. from the midwest, following friends from high school.
03) What talent do you wish you had?
Oh, to fly maybe. If you mean real talents, then the art of making money.
04) If I bought you a drink what would it be?
I'd like an iced grande decaf nonfat pumpkin latte please.
05) Favorite vegetable?
Currently grilled eggplant, but I really like fresh asparagus.
06) What was the last book you read?
I'm reading a number of books: I just finished S.M Stirling's Sky People and now I'm reading his Island in the Sea of Time. I'm also rereading the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. And anything steampunk. 8-]
07) What zodiac sign are you?
Pisces. Guess that's why I can never decide which direction to head in next.
08) Any Tattoos and/or Piercings? Explain where.
I'm tempted to get a tatoo, but I can never decide on an image (see previous answer). I have the ordinary pierced ears, but I never wear anything but gold balls.
09) Worst Habit?
Second-guessing my decisions.
10) If you saw me walking down the street would you offer me a ride?
Sure, but don't you have a boat or something? ;->
11) What is your favorite sport?
Curling! But I like watching football (go Brett, go Eli, go Paton!)
12) Do you have a Pessimistic or Optimistic attitude?
Pretty pessimistic growing up, but I've learned you only get what you expect, so now I'm more optimistic about things.
13) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me?
Make wisecracks and terrible puns to distract myself from the situation.
14) Worst thing to ever happen to you?
Having to leave our baby in the hospital for a week after he was born with a high bilirubin count. We were scared to death he'd need a transfusion, 'cuz the blood supply was not safe from AIDS yet.
15) Tell me one weird fact about you.
I was born a leap year baby.
16) Do you have any pets?
Two boxers, Freya and Loki. Freya's a sweetheart but Loki has "issues."
17) What if I showed up at your house unexpectedly?
Loki would try to eat you. ;-j
18) What was your first impression of me?
I think the White Star is a kewl concept. But I can't honestly remember if I friended you for the SCA connection or the fibery connection. ;-]
19) Do you think clowns are cute or scary?
Scary. I've never liked clowns. What a horrible thing to do to a child.
20) If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be?
Look (and feel) like I did 30 years ago!
21) Would you be my crime partner or my conscience?
Conscience I'm afraid. Hopelessly square.
22) What color eyes do you have?
Blue, but they can look grey in some lights.
23) Ever been arrested?
No. Square, remember?
24) Bottle or can soda?
Not so much a soda person anymore. The bubbles don't agree with me. But probably can.
25) If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it?
Pay down bills, save the rest for something big. Maybe some landscaping. Or a floor loom.
27) What's your favorite place to hang out at?
Catalina Island. We like to go there sometimes for our anniversary.
28) Do you believe in ghosts?
I believe in forces outside the normal realm, but I don't know what they are.
29) Favorite thing to do in your spare time?
Read, or google something. I love learning new things.
30) Do you swear a lot?
Not so much anymore. I don't get so hot under the collar as I used to.
31) Biggest pet peeve?
People who don't flush public toilets. Even cats know better.
32) In one word, how would you describe yourself?
Creative.
33) Do you believe/appreciate romance?
Oh of course. I married my college sweetheart. ;-]
34) Favorite and least favorite food?
Cookies, currently oatmeal raisin, tho snickerdoodles come a close second. I can't even stand to smell marmalade.
35) Do you believe in God?
I believe in a force greater than myself and I choose to perceive her in the feminine.
36) Will you repost this so I can fill it out and do the same for you?
Sure, tho I'm not too sure anyone ever reads my LJ. ;-j
|
|
(1 comment | comment on this)
|
| Wednesday, September 17th, 2008
| |
8:56 pm - Paleo-Gobbler
|
A Turkey and all the trimmings. Crunchy leaves and pumpkin pie. Thanksgiving Day says Fall to me. And what represents Thanksgiving more than a turkey? But not just any turkey -- a wild turkey, ready to take flight at the first sight of a hungry hunter.
Paleo-Gobbler is the latest work in my Paleo-Mythos series of improbable cave art creatures. I imagine my paleo-ancestor painting the fanciful beasts that might populate her world on the walls of the family cave. She has captured this wild bird in the act of looking over his shoulder, as any savvy turkey is wont to do in the fall. Uh-oh, is that a spear whizzing his way?
http://ellenshipley.etsy.com
|
|
(comment on this)
|
| |
3:52 pm
|
You Are 68% Interesting
|
You are a fairly interesting person. Many people find you to be intriguing.
You have a dynamic, adventurous life... a life that others envy.
You are genuinely interested in and open to the world.
You love making new friends, and you're always up for an unusual experience.
Like everyone else, you can get a bit boring from time to time. That's normal.
But unlike everyone else, you can pull yourself out of a rut. You don't stay boring for long.
|
|
|
(comment on this)
|
| Wednesday, August 27th, 2008
| |
9:58 pm - Kimono -- Bubbles & Waves ;-j
|
|
| Tuesday, August 5th, 2008
| |
10:38 am - I Want My Flying Car
|
So Bill was lamenting the late great Space Program, and how we were robbed. Back when Kennedy sent us off to the Moon, we were bright-eyed about the future. After the Moon, we were supposed to get a space station, and from there go to Mars. Remember 2001: A Space Odyssey? That was the future we were supposed to get.
Not so much. I blame the turbulent 60's. Disillusion and cynicism gradually replaced idealism, and gosh wow became yeah right.
But human beings want to believe, and each new generation has its age of innocence. But what do young people have to look forward to today? NASA is about to send up its last Space Shuttle, and there is no new, improved model waiting in the wings. If we want to go up to the Space Station, we'll have to cadge a ride. People could be excused for believing our glory years are behind us. All the good stuff happened long before this generation came along.
Thus was born Steampunk. It harkens back to an age when all worlds were new and all things were possible. You don't like the way things have turned out? Go back and change it. A bright, new future awaits, a better one than you've got right now. Science, adventure, daring-do, all shiny and lacy and mysterious. Back to the Future! And this time we'll get it right.
I think they've got something there. Steampunk is charming, exciting, civilized. It's open to possibilities and imagination and tinkering. It's just what we need today. The old can-do. In the spirit of Tesla, some bright new mind is going to give us renewable energy sources by scrounging around in the detritus of the old ones. Resurrect those airships and wind turbines. Toss them all up and recombine them into something old and new.
Take a solar panel satellite in geo-synchronous orbit: you might laser the power to the ground, but it will get scattered by all the particles in the atmosphere; and microwaves dissipate over a long distance. But, what if you laser the power down to a dirigible in the atmoshpere that then microwaves it the shorter distance to a power station on the ground. Elegant. Recombinant. With airships!
I have confidence is this latest crop. They think outside the box. They're fearless, and fashionable. They have a real sense of play.
I still want my flying car, and just maybe this new generation will get it for me.
Full steam ahead!
|
|
(11 comments | comment on this)
|
| Monday, July 28th, 2008
| |
3:12 pm - Mouse-Arrr
|
|
| |
3:04 pm - Canterbury Tails
|
Inspired by a passage from The Knight's Tale:
We strive but as those dogs did for the bone;
They fought all day, and yet their gain was none.
Till came a kite while they were still so wroth
And bore the bone away between them both.
My dauntless boxers, Loki and Freya, modeled for the image. ;-j They're always doing that.
You can see it and other work on at: http://ellenshipley.etsy.com
|
|
(comment on this)
|
| Thursday, July 24th, 2008
| |
5:44 pm
|
|
Your result for The Color Code Test... Color Code: BLUE: The Social Butterfly
Here is the basics: For a more in depth analysis, I suggest you look up the Color Code, and take a more intensive test. BLUE MOTIVE: Intimacy BLUE NEEDS: To be good (morally), To be understood, To be appreciated, Acceptance. BLUE WANTS: To reveal insecurities, Quality, Autonomy, Secuirity. SUMMARY: Blues are motivated by altruism. They love to do nice things for others. they look for opportunites to give up something in order to bring another person happiness. selflessness rather than selfishness is their guiding philosophy. Blues seek intimacy. They want to be loved and to love. A true blue will sacrifice a successful career to improve an important relationship. Blues crave being understood. They are gratified when they are listened to, when they feel understood and appreciated. Blues may have thier hearts broken more than most people, but they also spend much more time in love. Blues are directed by a strong moral conscience. They have a moral code that guides them in their decision making, their value judgements, and their leisure time. A blue would rather lose than cheat. Ethically, blues are people who should be in positions of power, but seldom are. Take The Color Code Test at HelloQuizzy
I must be displacing, taking all these tests. ;-j
|
|
(comment on this)
|
|
|
|
|
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
mothie's journal
