My Sister's Christmas Tree

My Sister's Christmas Tree, originally uploaded by confections.

We spent Christmas at my sister's home this year. Her Yule trees (she has at least two, not counting all the miniature ones) are always exquisitely decorated and magical.

Here are just a few pictures to give you a sense of the depth of her Christmas spirit manifested throughout her home.

Holiday Glow

Holiday Glow, originally uploaded by confections.

Here is a photo from my archives from Christmas 1983 in San Diego, California. The tree was a floor-to-ceiling Noble Fir and was embellished with 1,000 mini-lights and at least 400 ornaments (we counted them that year!).

The old-fashioned icicles that adorned it are no longer being made. They came from D. Bluemchen, and the German company that made them for over 300 years went out of business five years ago. I love browsing their catalog and finding treasures to add to the Christmas decorations that I collect.

Have a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year 2009!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas....

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...., originally uploaded by confections.

I loved this type of holiday candle when I was a little girl. Last year at a special Christmas tea with my Mom and sisters, these were our vintage favors. My youngest sister had found them at a local antique mall.

They still have stickers on the bottom from the Coronet five-and-dime in Ocean Beach, San Diego, California, a long-gone treasure in itself which I used to frequent, especially at Christmas time.

Vallona Starr Creamer

Vallona Starr Creamer, originally uploaded by confections.

Up to my old Warholizing tricks again.... I'm very fond of this vintage Vallona Starr creamer and sugar set. Its original color is lime green with gold accents; it will make a great contribution to the Christmas day tea table.

The Woodland Fairy

"The Woodland Fairy" is one of my favorite images that was reproduced by the Green Tiger Press back in the 1980's.

This black-and-white image by artist Ida Rentoul Outhwaite (1888 - 1960) is from "Bush Songs of Australia", published in 1910. A Melbourne, Victoria, Australia native, Outhwaite worked primarily in pen and ink and watercolor and one of her favorite subjects was fairies.

Here we have the barefoot Woodland Fairy, complete with butterfly wings and gossamer gown, seated on a vine swing and surrounded by blooms and a magnificent spider web.

Now available in very limited quantities in any one of my three online shops, Etsy, ArtFire, and LolliShops.

"The Waltz of the Flowers" from "The Nutcracker" by Tchaikovsky

My sister and two of her friends and I took in a lovely production of "The Nutcracker" this past Saturday. It was beautifully executed by dancers from the San Diego Academy of Ballet along with guest artists from the American Ballet Theatre.

For your viewing pleasure, here is the "Waltz of the Flowers" performed by the Kirov Ballet of St. Petersburg, Russia.

Christmas Morning Circa 1955

Christmas Morning Circa 1955, originally uploaded by confections.

My two older brothers and I on Christmas morning circa 1955.... I'm holding my new Ginny bride doll. That same year, I believe, my brother on the left got a great Lionel train set, and my brother on the right got a Howdy-Doody marionette.

Following a German tradition from my Dad's family, we would put our shoes out on Saint Nicholas Eve (December 5th), and receive treats of chocolate and little trinkets. As we grew older, this tradition faded, but I remember that it was magical in my early childhood.

Happy Saint Nicholas Day!

Belleek Thistle Demi-Tasse Cup

Belleek Thistle Demi-Tasse Cup, originally uploaded by confections.

One of my favorite Belleek tea cups, Warholized.... This one has tinges of pink on the handle and the rim of the cup and saucer. I'm going to treat myself to tea using this cup this afternoon.

A Delightful Doll Set by Marie Rose of KittyKatDance

Any little girl would be delighted to have this dollie under the Christmas tree.... All the clothing is handmade by my friend Marie Rose of Kitty Kat Dance.

Hand-Dyed Cotswold Locks

Hand-Dyed Cotswold Locks, originally uploaded by confections.

A few days ago I rediscovered some luxurious Cotswold locks that I bought from fleecemakers on Etsy and hand-dyed them using a Ball jar dyeing technique. They are so lovely and curly, I will probably corespin them around a thin yarn to showcase all their glory.

Lovely Items by Marie of KittyKatDance

Here is a sampling of some of the exquisite items made by my friend Marie of KittyKatDance. My sister and I visited her booth at a local fair over the weekend and found some lovely treasures!

Abstract Painting Made with Free ArtRage Software

Abstract Painting Made with Free ArtRage Software, originally uploaded by confections.

I read about this free ArtRage software that fellow fiberartist Kim Fraser used to create a fabric design for her lovely enterprise, Spoonflower, and I had to play with it over a cup of tea this morning. Great fun!

Confections Heirloom Fiberarts

Confections Heirloom Fiberarts, originally uploaded by confections.

A little mosaic magic from bighugelabs encompassing two years of fiberarts from my studio....

1. Needlefelted Girl (three), 2. Autumn Gourds Colorway Hand-Dyed Superfine Merino Wool Roving (Two), 3. Tropical Liqueur Hand-Dyed Superfine Merino Wool Top, 4. Hand-Dyed Wool Roving, 5. Handpainted Silk Tussah Fiber (3), 6. "Norwegian Wood", My Sister's New Antique Spinning Wheel, 7. Needlefelted Magnolias (two), 8. Fairy Rose Needlefelted Flower, 9. Needlefelted Daisy, 10. Needlefelted Rose, 11. Wrap-and-Roll Technique corespun yarn, 12. Freshly Spun Ragamuffin Yarn (two), 13. Molly Ragamuffin Handspun Primitive Cotton Rag Yarn, 14. Ragamuffin Handspun Rag Yarn Group, 15. Rapunzel, My Lendrum Spinning Wheel, 16. Estrella Colorway Handpainted Laceweight Yarn, 17. A flower for my Mother, 18. Shawl of Many Colors, 19. Handspun Snarly Boucle Yarn, 20. Elderberry Jam Colorway Handpainted Wool Yarn, 21. Handspun Skein of Wool, 22. Lendrum Spinning Wheel with Handpainted Handspun Targhee Wool, 23. After-Dinner Mints Colorway Handspun Handpainted Wool Yarn, 24. Cape Cod Hydrangea Colorway Handpainted Alpaca, Silk, and Merino Wool Yarn, 25. Latest Weaving Project finished 8/12/06
--

Needlefelted Girl

Needlefelted Girl, originally uploaded by confections.

Just playing around with a little needlefelted prototype; the base figure was made using the cookie cutter as a template. Clothes and pigtails of my hand-dyed fiber (wool and mohair) layered on.

Garden of the Gods (six)

Garden of the Gods (six), originally uploaded by confections.

A week ago I spent part of the afternoon at this sacred place near Colorado Springs, Colorado--the Garden of the Gods. Quite awe-inspiring.

Pikes Peak

Pikes Peak, originally uploaded by confections.

Majestic Pikes Peak as viewed from the Garden of the Gods near Colorado Springs, Colorado.... From my recent visit.

Vintage American Pitcher (two)

Vintage American Pitcher (two), originally uploaded by confections.

Just a quick post of a favorite vintage American pitcher from my collection. The spherical shape of this one is so appealing, as is its graceful handle and spout.

I'll be heading off to an old historic shopping district in my sister's new home town in Colorado tomorrow. Who knows what lovely treasures await?

Still Life with Handspun Yarn Skein

Still Life with Handspun Yarn Skein, originally uploaded by confections.

One of the last bouquets of autumn sunflowers reminded me of this Navajo-plied handspun, hand-dyed skein of merino wool and I had to photograph the still life.

The merino wool was Ball jar-dyed a few weeks ago as part of my ongoing experiments in handpainting and hand-dyeing fiber and yarn.

I'm busy packing for a getaway with family, so my posts may be sparse over the next few days. Happy Autumn (and Happy Spring to those in the Southern Hemisphere)!

Needlefelted Butterfly

Needlefelted Butterfly, originally uploaded by confections.

Another in my series of Warholized images, this one depicts a stylized needlefelted butterfly I made originally for my youngest niece. I'll be seeing her again (for the first time in a year and a half) very soon. Hello, Gracie!

Autumn Gourds Colorway Hand-Dyed Superfine Merino Wool Roving (Collage)

Autumn Gourds Colorway Hand-Dyed Superfine Merino Wool Roving (Collage), originally uploaded by confections.

More goodies from the jar-dyeing studio....autumn gourds colorway hand-dyed superfine merino wool roving.

Tropical Liqueur Hand-Dyed Superfine Merino Wool Roving (Three)

Tropical Liqueur Hand-Dyed Superfine Merino Wool Roving (Three), originally uploaded by confections.

The blue and green colors in this hand-dyed merino wool roving remind me of Midori Melon and Blue Curaçao liqueurs. This will be available in my Etsy shop soon. The superfine merino wool is next-to-the-skin soft and would make a great scarflet once spun up. It needlefelts beautifully, too.

Be Happy (two)

Be Happy (two), originally uploaded by confections.

Sage advice from some neighbors near the beach....

Basket of Wool (two)

Basket of Wool (two), originally uploaded by confections.

Just a quick Warholized photo post of a basket of wool in my studio....

Rapunzel, My Lendrum Spinning Wheel (two)

Rapunzel, My Lendrum Spinning Wheel (two), originally uploaded by confections.

Here is a Warholized collage of my Lendrum spinning wheel, Rapunzel. I've had this faithful versatile wheel for thirteen years. I traded with a local weaver who was interested in a Bond knitting frame; she was planning to knit mohair yarn to make teddy bears. I've lost touch with the original owner, but may try to find her to see where her fiber journey has taken her over the last decade and a half.

Rapunzel came into my life around the same time I became enamored of quilting, so she languished for a while before I really focused on spinning. But since I started treadling, I have rarely stopped.

I will close with some words by Gandhi on the subject:

♥The call of the spinning wheel is the noblest of all. Because it is the call of love.

♥I believe that the yarn we spin is capable of mending the broken warp and woof of our life.

♥The music of the spinning wheel will be as balm to your soul.

♥My heart is drawn backwards and forwards between spinning wheel and books.

Apples of Autumn

 

The crisp air of autumn is upon us in the Northern Hemisphere. This is the time of year when I get homesick for Pennsylvania and apple cider and flaming maple leaves. I was Warholizing some of the images from my archives with fds flickr toys and found a few that represent this season to me. Enjoy!

Hand-Dyed Wool Roving

Hand-Dyed Wool Roving, originally uploaded by confections.

I've been experimenting with Ball jar dyeing this week and here are some of the vibrant results. I used a combination of techniques and added my own twist. Fellow Etsian Blonde Chicken has a nifty video featuring Easter egg dyes. I had purchased thorough jar dyeing instructions from Castleman at Etsy as well.

It's relatively simple to do and a lot less messy than my usual handpainting techniques. You'll have fun if you give it a try!

Starbucks Patio at Liberty Station, San Diego, California--TtV (through

Starbucks Patio at Liberty Station, San Diego, California--TtV (through the viewfinder), originally uploaded by confections.

Continuing my latest fascination with the "pencil sketch" application available at this website, here are a couple made from photos shot "through the viewfinder" of my vintage Kodak Duaflex camera. The original TtV (through the viewfinder) photos are below as well for comparison.