Sunday, June 20, 2010

My Dad in His Youth



My Dad in His Youth, originally uploaded by confections.
One of my mother's favorite photos of my Dad, circa 1950, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

My Dad and His Four Brothers, Circa 1930
My Dad and his four brothers, taken about 1930. Left to right: Ralph Alphonse, Vincent Nicholas, Alfred Michael, John Clement (my Dad), and Frank Cletus.

My grandmother and grandfather called three of their five sons by their middle names, so my uncles were: Uncle Ralph, Uncle Vince, my Dad (Uncle Clem to my cousins), Uncle Clete, and Uncle Mike. My Uncle Clete is the only one still alive.

My Dad with One of His World War II Buddies, circa 1969
My Dad (on the right) with one of his World War II buddies, Ray Wilken. Ray and his wife had come into town for a visit and they sat around the dining room table and caught up on their lives. Circa spring of 1969.

Happy Father's Day!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Mid-May Fiber Day with Friends

Yarn, books, spinning, tea, coffee, friends...

Lattes at Peet's

Treasures from The Grove, San Diego

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Moda Jelly Roll: Rural Jardin by French General

An inspiring Jelly Roll by Moda: Rural Jardin by French General's Kaari Meng. It consists of 2.5" wide strips of this new line of fabric. I'm not sure yet what I will do with this new addition to my stash: a log cabin doll quilt, some Ragamuffin yarn? For the time being, I'm just enjoying its potential in my on-deck circle.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Petite Blythe Muchacha Zukin....

My latest Petite Blythe, Muchacha Zukin; here she is surrounded by new fabrics from my stash. I especially love her bonnet, embellished with little felt flowers ♥

Petite Blythe Muchacha Zukin's Bonnet
Petite Blythe and Stash Fabrics

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Fresh Fabrics for Spring

New Stash Fabrics
I went on an artist's date (a concept espoused by Julia Cameron) the other day to one of my favorite fabric shops and came back with this armload of fresh inspiration. Some of it will be handspun into my signature Ragamuffin yarn, and the rest will likely end up in a quilt or apron.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Jacaranda Blossoms


Jacaranda Blossoms, originally uploaded by confections.

The jacaranda are in bloom in San Diego, California. Lovely sight!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Handspun Art Yarn


Handspun Art Yarn, originally uploaded by confections.

This handspun art yarn skein incorporates mohair and Cotswold locks; it is a combination of tailspun and corespun techniques. I used a commercial merino core yarn and plied the singles yarn back onto itself for a super bulky skein.