I wanted to do a tapestry incorporating New Zealand birds and other animals for my small grandson who lives in Trinidad. This is an adapted from a poster in a Forest and Bird magazine.
by Win Currie
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
A Seascape Tapestry, by Win Currie
I wanted to do a tapestry incorporating New Zealand birds and other animals for my small grandson who lives in Trinidad. This is an adapted from a poster in a Forest and Bird magazine.
by Win Currie
Sunday, 22 February 2009
Dragon Boats at Creative Fibre Area Learning Day
At the Creative Fibre Area Learning Day on 14 February, some members chose to make "dragon boats" even though they had no idea what dragon boats were! Instructions for these funky hangings were found, with other Christmas decorations, in a magazine many years ago (and if anyone can remind me which magazine and the date there would be a lot of grateful people about). Our group had fun making them at the time and they have hardly seen the light of day from then till now, except for "one I prepared earlier," the mobile in Central Otago colours. That was for the challenge the year the festival was held in Cromwell (also quite a few years ago). And no, there is no explanation for why they are called dragon boats.by Rose Pelvin
Friday, 20 February 2009
Fiordland Tapestries, by Win Currie
These tapestries were inspired by a trip to Fiordland a few years ago. I used a combination of some of my photographs of the incredible scenery and overlaid some bird ‘cutouts.’ The yarns are mostly hand dyed to give the variegated effect.
Photos by Meg Nakagawa; text by Win Currie
Tuesday, 17 February 2009
The Nutcracker Collection, by Rose Pelvin
My entry for the Professional Weavers' Network "Common Threads" exhibition: a red tablecloth and white napkins in mercerised cotton, with linen double weave coasters. Napkin rings are kumihimo braid with "silver and crystal" embellishments, and the candle decorations are tatted in cotton. The exhibition has been shown in Palmerston North and is now in the Chamber Gallery in Rangiora till 19 February. It will be on display in Timaru at the time of the Creative Fibre Festival.by Rose Pelvin
Monday, 16 February 2009
February Meeting
The February meeting was held at Bobbin Cottage on tonight; it was co-chaired by Chris and Joan.
This year's challenge is bags, and several weavers brought bags made of handwoven fabrics, one handwoven basket-style bag with tapa cloth attached on the outside, and several machine-woven bags whose construction can be replicated with handwoven fabrics, and one with an interesting feature. We also looked at some examples in the Handwoven magazine. The bags will not be exchanged at the end of the year, but we will have a big show-and-tell during our November meeting, or earlier if we finish our projects earlier. Everybody was inspired and a few were already designing their bags in their heads.
Then, yours truly was given the chance to address the group to explain about the Marlborough Weavers blog and asked that it be adopted as our official website, and it was. Thank you.
This was followed by everybody stating their projects or goals for the year, which was recorded by Joan. We are required to report back at our November meeting whether we were able to complete the project or achieve the goals, and if possible show the fruits of our labour to the group.
Lastly, we had our show-and-tell. I apologize there is no photo accompanying this post, as I forgot to bring my camera.
by Meg Nakagawa
This year's challenge is bags, and several weavers brought bags made of handwoven fabrics, one handwoven basket-style bag with tapa cloth attached on the outside, and several machine-woven bags whose construction can be replicated with handwoven fabrics, and one with an interesting feature. We also looked at some examples in the Handwoven magazine. The bags will not be exchanged at the end of the year, but we will have a big show-and-tell during our November meeting, or earlier if we finish our projects earlier. Everybody was inspired and a few were already designing their bags in their heads.
Then, yours truly was given the chance to address the group to explain about the Marlborough Weavers blog and asked that it be adopted as our official website, and it was. Thank you.
This was followed by everybody stating their projects or goals for the year, which was recorded by Joan. We are required to report back at our November meeting whether we were able to complete the project or achieve the goals, and if possible show the fruits of our labour to the group.
Lastly, we had our show-and-tell. I apologize there is no photo accompanying this post, as I forgot to bring my camera.
by Meg Nakagawa
Saturday, 14 February 2009
Alpaca & Silk Twill Scarf, by Judy Bool
Alpaca & Silk Twill scarf: woven on an 8-shaft countermarche loom; a twill, based on a Maurits Escher design; epi=30; warp-2/28 camel alpaca 70%/silk 30%; weft 2/28 black alpaca.I have been weaving since 2006, and live in the Marlborough Sounds. I am a new weaver and find it fascinating watching the intricate patterns that appear as I weave.
by Judy Bool
Friday, 13 February 2009
How to Comment
There are several options on how comments can be made. All options have good points and bad ones; at one end of the spectrum it could be made easy for anyone to leave comments, and at the other we could restrict access, making the blog safer from SPAM comments. (Just as you get junk email, blogs get junk comments.) Let us start this blog with the most permissive option and monitor the comments vigilantly; we will change it only if it gets out of hand.
So, you see your fellow weaver's work, (or your mum's or nana's or old friend's), and you'd like to congratulate them or ask a question, this is how you leave a comment.
First, click on the word comment below the post you'd like to comment.
Type in the comment. Then, choose your identity. If you blog on Google, Wordpress, or similar, I assume you know how to do this, so I'll skip the rest.
The preferred option is to select "Name/URL". When you click on the tiny circle, spaces to type in your name and URL appears. This is particularly good if you have a website/blog, but the URL is optional, so you can use this option even if you don't have a website/blog.
As well, you could enter marlboroughweavers.blogspot.com when you visit other blogs as well; this will increase returns visits to our blog!
Either preview your comment to see if it looks good, or publish directly.
The other option, which is not recommended, is the Anonymous option. If you choose this, do state your name below your comment so the blog administrator knows it is not a hoax/junk/SPAM comment. In other words, anonymous comments are monitored extra carefully. (FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, ALL ANONYMOUS COMMENTS WILL BE DELETED DUE TO INCREASE IN SPAM COMMENTS.)
Whichever identity you select, you can press the blue button to preview (and edit) your comment, but you must always finish by clicking on the orange button to publish the comment. After publishing, your comment will appear something like this.
If by any reason you change your mind and wish to delete your comment, click on the tiny waste basket icon below your comment. But you can only delete your own comment.
Easy!
Blog Mum
So, you see your fellow weaver's work, (or your mum's or nana's or old friend's), and you'd like to congratulate them or ask a question, this is how you leave a comment.
First, click on the word comment below the post you'd like to comment.
Type in the comment. Then, choose your identity. If you blog on Google, Wordpress, or similar, I assume you know how to do this, so I'll skip the rest.
The preferred option is to select "Name/URL". When you click on the tiny circle, spaces to type in your name and URL appears. This is particularly good if you have a website/blog, but the URL is optional, so you can use this option even if you don't have a website/blog.
As well, you could enter marlboroughweavers.blogspot.com when you visit other blogs as well; this will increase returns visits to our blog!
Either preview your comment to see if it looks good, or publish directly.
The other option, which is not recommended, is the Anonymous option. If you choose this, do state your name below your comment so the blog administrator knows it is not a hoax/junk/SPAM comment. In other words, anonymous comments are monitored extra carefully. (FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, ALL ANONYMOUS COMMENTS WILL BE DELETED DUE TO INCREASE IN SPAM COMMENTS.)
Whichever identity you select, you can press the blue button to preview (and edit) your comment, but you must always finish by clicking on the orange button to publish the comment. After publishing, your comment will appear something like this.
If by any reason you change your mind and wish to delete your comment, click on the tiny waste basket icon below your comment. But you can only delete your own comment.
Easy!
Blog Mum
Monday, 9 February 2009
It's Your Turn
Marlborough Weavers, Chris described this blog as a challenge; I didn't mean it like that, but there it is. My challenge.
I challenge you to give me contents for blog posts; short (or long), succinct posts showcasing your work for a start. And what's required for a short (or long), succinct post?
Another example: if you would like to show the entire process of how you wove, dyed, or embellished a piece, by all means let's post photos every step of the way, culminating in the completed-piece photo.
I hope there is enough here to get you thinking about a post featuring you and your work. I hope you think it's a fun challenge.
Ideally, I am looking for photos as JPG file attachment, and the text embedded in the body of an email. However, I will take anything you can give me, so other format photos, physical photos, a real scarf, a handwritten story, anything will do. Please let's discuss.
I will automatically put a copyright mark with your name on the photographs, unless you tell me it was photographed by another person. I will automatically put your name at the end of the post, unless you tell me the text was written by someone else. In the end I decided against putting all of your personal email addresses with your posts, or on the sidebar, because it could potentially invite SPAM emails. Instead, correspondences will be addressed to this blog and forwarded manually. I hope this works. And please remember to ask permissions when posting photos with faces, before you send me the photos.
Blog Mum
I challenge you to give me contents for blog posts; short (or long), succinct posts showcasing your work for a start. And what's required for a short (or long), succinct post?
- A title. It can be the name of the piece, e.g. "Midnight", or a brief description of the piece, e.g. "Black Merino Shawl".
- One or more picture/s of your piece. At least one picture (if not more, of different views) of your completed piece, please. To use an overused, 90's managerism term, I think it looks more professional to have photos of the finished piece. However, as weavers we are partial to on-the-loom shots, and/or loom-and-equipment shots, and these would be nice additions. Other possibilities include photos of paintings, gardens, whatever inspired you to weave the particular piece, (and what an interesting comparison!), as well as of yourself.
- Text: a few words about what the piece is, material, weave structure, sett/pick, loom/equipment, or draft source would be nice. You can also write about your inspiration and design process, or about yourself and your weaving life.
Another example: if you would like to show the entire process of how you wove, dyed, or embellished a piece, by all means let's post photos every step of the way, culminating in the completed-piece photo.
I hope there is enough here to get you thinking about a post featuring you and your work. I hope you think it's a fun challenge.
Ideally, I am looking for photos as JPG file attachment, and the text embedded in the body of an email. However, I will take anything you can give me, so other format photos, physical photos, a real scarf, a handwritten story, anything will do. Please let's discuss.
I will automatically put a copyright mark with your name on the photographs, unless you tell me it was photographed by another person. I will automatically put your name at the end of the post, unless you tell me the text was written by someone else. In the end I decided against putting all of your personal email addresses with your posts, or on the sidebar, because it could potentially invite SPAM emails. Instead, correspondences will be addressed to this blog and forwarded manually. I hope this works. And please remember to ask permissions when posting photos with faces, before you send me the photos.
Blog Mum
Sunday, 8 February 2009
2009 Weaving Starts
Our first meeting for the year is often informal with a picnic atmosphere and we have a catch-up with each other and plan the year's programme. On 31 January several members met at the home of Judy Bool who lives at the top of a bush-clad hill at Tirimoana in the Marlborough Sounds. That's not far from Anakiwa, where the Outward Bound School is, if you are looking for it on a map.by Rose Pelvin
Friday, 6 February 2009
How to Let People Know about This Blog
So, Marlborough Weavers!
When you are ready to let your friends and family know about this blog, (which should be now), you must them send a link, (also called "URL" or "web address",) in an email or letter so they can find us.
To send a link to the entire blog, with the newest post appearing at the top, copy/paste the following line and send:
http://marlboroughweavers.blogspot.com/
To send a link to a particular post, click on the title of the post you want, until you see a line that has more words than the blog link above, at the top of your screen. For example, to send a link to the post titled "2009 Weaving Starts", you need to copy/paste and send:
http://marlboroughweavers.blogspot.com/2009/02/2009-weaving-starts.html
When you are ready to let your friends and family know about this blog, (which should be now), you must them send a link, (also called "URL" or "web address",) in an email or letter so they can find us.
To send a link to the entire blog, with the newest post appearing at the top, copy/paste the following line and send:
http://marlboroughweavers.blogspot.com/
To send a link to a particular post, click on the title of the post you want, until you see a line that has more words than the blog link above, at the top of your screen. For example, to send a link to the post titled "2009 Weaving Starts", you need to copy/paste and send:
http://marlboroughweavers.blogspot.com/2009/02/2009-weaving-starts.html
Over time as we accumulate posts, you may want to search for a particular weaver, event, or topic. Look for quick access like these on the right hand side bar.
"Searching for posts relating to...?" gives quick access to a particular weaver, event, or topic, using Blogger's label function. For example, if you want to see posts pertaining to a particular weaver's work, click on the weaver's name. If you don't see a name or a topic, no relevant post has been posted yet.
By default, we have the monthly archives. Right now we don't have enough posts for this to make much sense, but if you click on an sideway arrow pointing to a particular year, you will see names of the month appear below the year. If you click on the sideway arrow pointing to a particular month, you will see a list of titles posted during that month. Click on the title you're after to see the post. If you click on a name of the month, everything posted during that month will come up on the main, left two-thirds of the screen. If any of these arrows point downwards, as they do now, it means the months and/or titles are already displayed.
At the very bottom of the right sidebar, there is a picture of an over-wound pirn with "Hints for Marlborough Weavers" just above it. The picture is a quick access button for all posts with the label, "about blogs"; click on the picture to see how it works.
If you still can't find what you're after, search by keyword by typing in the word in the space at the top left of the screen, and click on the "search blog" button to the right of that space.
Final resort: ask me.
Blog Mum
Welcome to Our/Your Blog
Hello, Marlborough Weavers!
This blog belongs to all of us, so please feel free to ask questions and make suggestions. And if you spot grammatical/spelling errors, do please let me know.
IF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH A BLOG
A blog (or a weblog) is a chronological website. It's like a reverse scroll, where the newest information is added to the top, and the older information moves towards the bottom. We call each of these units of information "posts".
Because there is a limit to how many posts can be seen on the first page, older posts will eventually be moved to the second and third pages. You can still read them by either clicking on the worlds "older posts" at the very bottom of the screen; this phrase will not appear until we have accumulated enough posts. You can also search for a particular post, or look into the archives, but more on these later. Please remember that old posts are not deleted.
The left 2/3 of this screen, where the posts appear, is the main, contents part of the blog. This is where your pictures and words will appear. The right 1/3 is called the sidebar, and this is the convenience part of the blog; it contains pertinent information and links, some intended for visitors to our blog, some intended for us.
THIS IS OUR/YOUR BLOG
Our blog is a platform to showcase Marlborough Weavers, the group, individual weavers and our work. So the star attraction, the reason people want to visit us here, is you and your weaving.
There is no restrictions on the topics, the length of texts, or the number of photographs per post, or on the number of posts per weaver, as long as all is in good taste, but I'm not worried about this knowing you ladies. (And lads.) Just be mindful of photographs with faces; please get the approval to post the photos on the Internet from everybody in the photographs before you send them to me.
If it's hard for you to come up with a topic, may I suggest introducing your latest piece of weaving? Take pictures, while on the loom, and after it's finished, and tell me the fibre contents, size, colours, draft, draft source, loom, whatever you'd like, and voilà, there is your first content.
If you have a mainly-weaving website or a blog, let's put a link in the sidebar; tell me your URL. If you are familiar with blogging and would like to post directly, please drop me a line.
NOW START TAKING PHOTOS
If you are weaving something for Timaru, make sure you take plenty of photos. And here's a different kind of opportunity to show your work to the world; why not post your photos on both places?
If you have any questions or suggestions, please email me, (click on the words "email me"), or write to me at PO Box 1752, Nelson.
Please remember: "nice frock mode" and "dribs and drabs".
Blog Mum
This blog belongs to all of us, so please feel free to ask questions and make suggestions. And if you spot grammatical/spelling errors, do please let me know.
IF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH A BLOG
A blog (or a weblog) is a chronological website. It's like a reverse scroll, where the newest information is added to the top, and the older information moves towards the bottom. We call each of these units of information "posts".
Because there is a limit to how many posts can be seen on the first page, older posts will eventually be moved to the second and third pages. You can still read them by either clicking on the worlds "older posts" at the very bottom of the screen; this phrase will not appear until we have accumulated enough posts. You can also search for a particular post, or look into the archives, but more on these later. Please remember that old posts are not deleted.
The left 2/3 of this screen, where the posts appear, is the main, contents part of the blog. This is where your pictures and words will appear. The right 1/3 is called the sidebar, and this is the convenience part of the blog; it contains pertinent information and links, some intended for visitors to our blog, some intended for us.
THIS IS OUR/YOUR BLOG
Our blog is a platform to showcase Marlborough Weavers, the group, individual weavers and our work. So the star attraction, the reason people want to visit us here, is you and your weaving.
There is no restrictions on the topics, the length of texts, or the number of photographs per post, or on the number of posts per weaver, as long as all is in good taste, but I'm not worried about this knowing you ladies. (And lads.) Just be mindful of photographs with faces; please get the approval to post the photos on the Internet from everybody in the photographs before you send them to me.
If it's hard for you to come up with a topic, may I suggest introducing your latest piece of weaving? Take pictures, while on the loom, and after it's finished, and tell me the fibre contents, size, colours, draft, draft source, loom, whatever you'd like, and voilà, there is your first content.
If you have a mainly-weaving website or a blog, let's put a link in the sidebar; tell me your URL. If you are familiar with blogging and would like to post directly, please drop me a line.
NOW START TAKING PHOTOS
If you are weaving something for Timaru, make sure you take plenty of photos. And here's a different kind of opportunity to show your work to the world; why not post your photos on both places?
If you have any questions or suggestions, please email me, (click on the words "email me"), or write to me at PO Box 1752, Nelson.
Please remember: "nice frock mode" and "dribs and drabs".
Blog Mum
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