Finished another two blocks, if very different to each other. 12 blocks finished now (I reckon about another 38 to go) though they don’t fit together yet, so I’ll be making more that I hope will blend in.
Got this lovely purpley ‘barley mouse’ fabric, and have just planned it as the centre of a block in purple and orange tones.
I’m pleased with the colour combinations on this one, and the more rich autumnal tone is what I’ve been after. I think the corner pieces are straighter than this photo makes them look, I hope it’s just warping on the photo! Finding the green fabrics at the Knitting and Stitching show has definitely made a difference, and this time I’ve put two colours at the edges that match with another block, so I’ve got 3 or 4 that actually go together (out of 10…!). Now for another one with the bright modern owl in the centre, I think, but I’ll see if I can get it blend with another block. The trouble is that now spring is getting nearer, I want to use pretty light spring colours, and am getting fed up with doing fat geese, I want to try something different! To be patient and stick at it so that I don’t have a half-finished project lying around, or to give in and alternate this and a spring lap quilt I have in mind? I’ll do an owl first, and hold the line!!
Safe to say that trying to put the plane journey to good use by crocheting snowflakes was not a success (and this was the best of them!)
I found the thin crochet thread hard to work with, and it was really difficult to see what I was doing. I’m going to try again with knitting wool and a thicker hook, but probably not for a while as I’ve lots of other projects ongoing.
But while in Washington, although I decided against going to the Textiles Museum because I was told it’s mainly photos and not so good since it moved location, I did come across nice examples of textiles work both historic and modern.
19th-century quilt in the National Museum of American History
Amazing beadwork on a vest made by a member (or members?) of the Cree peoples in Canada, c. 1920 (National Museum of the American Indian). Just one example of many.
Carpets designed by Erbil Tezcan and hand-made in Afghanistan using traditional techniques and natural dyes: close-up of one and a distance shot + 3 close-ups of another. He is one of the artists helped by the British NGO, the Turquoise Mountain Foundation, founded at the request of the Prince of Wales and the President of Afghanistan (http://www.asia.si.edu/exhibitions/current/turquoisemountain/default.asp) and whose work is on display at the Sackler Gallery. I loved the colours and detail, and that they are made by hand by craftspeople. http://www.asia.si.edu/exhibitions/current/turquoisemountain/bio-tezcan.asp
Patchwork colours inspiration at Dumbarton Oaks!
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