adventures in fingerknitting

fingerweaving, fingerknitting. whatever you call it, i'm obsessed. while i was home this weekend my sisters and i were looking for, respectively, ways to: avoid boredom, avoid paper writing, and avoid rolling balls of yarn. fortunately i always have something up my sleeve when procrastination is on the agenda.

i found my inspiration from this http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2011/04/how-to_finger_knitted_bracelet.html tutorial through CRAFT. although i love the pictures i must admit it left me a bit confused as to how to complete what turns out is an exceedingly simple process. but after some experimentation and help from my sisters, we figured it out. above is one of the first bracelets we made out of an old t-shirt.

entonces, since this weekend i've been trying to figure out what in the heck i'm going to do with all of these long loopy tubes that i can't stop making. first i tried sewing my own ribbons (out of old bedsheets, hence noble thing #6!) and making a headband...which later turned into a choker when i realized that the ridiculously bulky renaissance look just doesn't suit me (or most likely anyone) very well.

then, i adventured further into that idea. necklaces. tiered necklaces, because that way i can make more of these and still use them all. the results are to the left, made with recycled tibetan prayer flag yarn (props, a-dizzle) and below, with some stuff i bought to make a fuzzy eggplant but then never did.

you've made these, right? people have learned this stuff, when they were like, 10. what did YOU do with it? i could sure use some new ideas (belts may be next on the agenda). in conclusion, where will the future of fingerweaving take me? who knows. all i know is i've hooked about 50 elementary school kids on it so far and i think they would agree that it is the COOLEST thing ever, in the entire world, that has ever existed.

the end.

oops i just arted.

i had lofty ambitions for this weekend. admittedly my to do list was far too long for me to even have a prayer at finishing it. i've been having trouble deciding how best to spend my time lately...job searching? writing curriculum? sorting through piles of junk? although i got to bits and pieces of all of those tasks, i have to admit, the more stressed i get, the more i want to retreat into the world of making things. so, i progressed on my meta chair project (above) now featuring a tiny korean tapestry. i also knitted a couple of cozies, began another meditation drawing (right) and also, started my favorite new noble project; a felted desert scene, soon to feature tiny embroidered cacti. i also somehow had time to finish a book; more accurately, graphic novel. called persepolis, by marjane satrapi. its a great look inside a progressive iranian family in the 70's and 80's, and how difficult it was (and i would guess, still is) to maintain independence in that environment. i've been feeling this pull to read more graphic novels lately...not just because they happen to be quick reads. i admire artists who are also amazing writers. after reading the maus series a few years ago i realized how compelling, and complex, and salient an illustrated story can be. the visuals add a whole other layer and interpretation to the story. someday when i have time, i think i'll make one. so if you have any suggestions for a good graphic read, please pass them my way.

it was so warm out today. BRING IT ON, spring! :D

land of enchantment

aidan and i are back from gorgeous new mexico as of last monday. it was an epic journey, filled with camping and climbing (at times precarious), some delicious brews, hidden hot springs, tasty cheap mexican food, the largest margarita menu i've ever seen, and a cozy little hostel in albuquerque that felt like home after just a few days. i was really jazzed about the international folk art museum in santa fe, and took tons of pictures meaning to write up some amazing, rich multicultural curriculum...and later realized that i don't remember where the vast majority of the pieces came from, or even what they are (one mystery piece on right).

another thing that we both enjoyed was exploring the "bandelier national monument", although both agreed that it's lame to name cliff dwellings inhabited by native people for hundreds of years after the white man who stumbled upon them. the anasazi deserve more props than that...don't think i would have survived without the modern railings and paved paths that provided varying degrees of safe access (still hurt myself, of course). it was amazing to see the remnants of some of their artwork and carvings, and to witness the blackened ceilings charred from years of communal fires.

to the right is the river i fell into our first day camping. what can i say...i did it all for the shot--and somehow rescued my camera while ravaging my right knee. and to the left, the hot springs near jemez falls that are so charmingly not indicated by any road signs, at all. took some investigation, but an easy hike from the road and we were soaking in this blissfully steamy spring, chatting with locals about the most notable sights (and their earlier 4:30 am hot spring bender, featuring some all too familiar fluffy white flakes).

and now, it is back to reality time. i've got a few things on my plate before this june when i make the big move to portland, starving artist mecca of the world. haven't kept up much on my crafting the past few weeks...between vacation, work, and life, it has slipped through the cracks. my big project now is selling my car! (if you happen to have experience at this, please give me a jingle). but i'm hoping to be back on track sooner rather than later; 8 noble things goals officially extended through april.

happy spring everyone! :D