Saturday, June 09, 2012

barefoot & fancy free...

the view from here

barefoot & fancy free

playing around

on the sand

incoming tide

little gaps opened in the greyness of friday morning, slowly widening into a broad expanse of blue sky in the afternoon. when i left work the sun was bright and warm, welcoming me into the weekend. the tide was on its way in when i hit the beach, but there was still enough sand here and then to wiggle my toes in it and feel the lick of salt water on them. a brilliant sort of early summer evening, a peaceful bit of time alone to contemplate the start of another year. too quickly though i had to put my shoes back on, to navigate my way across the seaweed-slicked and barnacle-covered rocks back above the waterline. while it lasted, it was a very good walk.

on my way home along the river estuary, i spotted a couple eagles hell-bent on their destination and i eyed them as best i could while steering my own route along the road. i took a left into a fish & chip stand with circling gulls above. a little woman from the adjacent fishmonger was standing on the edge of the yard with her bucket of scraps, winging them into the air and the beach below. she left and the eagles and i waited, unsure whether dinner was over. after a few moments she came back again, her bucket heavy with salmon heads and scraps. i stood with her at the chainlink fence as she tossed pieces high into the air, and between the gulls and crows bald eagles swooped low over our heads to their targets landing on the sand. the whoosh as they passed a few feet over my head made my skin tingle. a few of them quarreled mid-air over their prize, wheeling with claws outstretched. far too quickly the moment was over, the woman headed back to work without a word.

>>> how goes your weekend?



Friday, June 08, 2012

owls & mushrooms...

a walk in the woods

barred owl

summer mushrooms

barred owl

poking through

a few more photos from our trip to the mainland. with the weather continuing to play rain games, we elected for a nice short hike last sunday instead of trying to climb. our friends took us up to alice lake provincial park, a moss-drenched forest walk around four small lakes and accompanying creeks. despite what the calendar says, there were many mushrooms poking up in this wet and cool environment, including some amanitas as big as my hand.

as we neared the end of our walk i noticed a ruckus in the forest canopy - a stellar's jay and some robins and other small birds protesting and fluttering about. something large took flight between the trees and i knew it was an owl. it alit on another branch and we all eyed this barred owl with awe, as it warily eyed us back. it seemed particularly concerned about me and my camera, but allowed me to approach at least a little ways to get a couple shots of it high above my head. amazing creature to encounter in the forest, and we enjoyed its big eyes and solid grace in the branches (amidst the continuing distress of the little birds). you may have noticed that the title above says "owls", not owl...while i can't say for sure, later that evening as we drove back up the island to our home in the fading light (and rising giant moon) i thought i spotted an owl perched high on a branch, silhouetted against the sky. it could have been another large bird, a hawk or eagle, or just a trick of my eye, but it seemed very owl-shaped to me. a two owl day, that seems pretty special to me.

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thanks for your words in response to my post the other day. i am feeling a bit better as the week ends, comforted too by some very generous family and friends in my life. and if you didn't already know, it is world oceans day and i plan to enjoy a seaside walk after work this evening. i hope you can appreciate the ocean in your own way today too, whether you are able to be near it or not.

happy friday folks!

Wednesday, June 06, 2012

scenes from the weekend...

tight shoes

hiding from the rain

under a threatening sky

anchor building

the view from here

late night reading

a few shots from our weekend away. the weather was temperamental, as expected, so climbing opportunities were pretty limited. we did manage to get in a few short routes between (or during) rain showers, fingers and rubbered toes fighting to get a grip on slick granite. all fun, just the same. sorry for no actual climbing shots (if you were interested) since a pair of climbers means one is always belaying while the other is climbing, which means no free hands for photo taking. still, the scenery in that part of the province is always spectacular, and the shifting sun and rain made the light all the more dramatic. the last shot shows us tucked into the back of the truck on our first night, under the trees below that massive hulk of rock known as the 'Chief'.

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my apologies if i have seemed even more disjointed than usual lately. 2012 seems to be the year of hard knocks and i can't say i'm navigating through it particularly well. starting the year off with an injury that still continues to nag now and again doesn't help, plus some other bits of bad personal luck that probably really fall under the category of 'first world problems'. the recent shocking death of a good friend was a tough blow, and i've just heard that someone i was friends with in highschool (although haven't seen in at least a decade) had an equally tragic end to his life this week. while i have never called myself much of an activist, the continuing trials of the NGP are keeping me awake at night, especially when i read stories like this and this. yes, there is an inherent hypocrisy in opposing the development of a product we all continue to use everyday, but i am sure the risks for this project far outweigh the purported benefits. i could rant on for hours about that one, but instead i'll just send you here, here, here and here for further insight into this proposed disaster-waiting-to-happen. all this and a busy work schedule and i'm just so mentally and physically exhausted of late.

i'm sure you don't want to hear my complaining, but i thought i'd give you a picture of where i'm at lately. hey, at least the sun is shining today!

ETA: i just saw these awesome words from soulepapa that are a wonderful reminder: 'So you wait for the storm to break. And don't let the storm break you."

Monday, June 04, 2012

time to speak up...

It's been a few days since I posted (I was away for the weekend) and I had intended to post later today...but instead I'm just going to send you this way: http://www.blackoutspeakout.ca/. I think it's important for all of us concerned about Bill C-38 (the budget bill) being pushed through Canadian parliament by the Conservatives to speak up about it. Go over and sign the petition, and have your voice heard.

Hope you're having a happy Monday!

Friday, June 01, 2012

clearing the cobwebs...

Untitled

tempestuous

rockweed & varnish clam

beach still life

a wild day at the beach, also seen in this video. a day when it rained all day and i was glad when there was a break to escape to the shore. i was home alone and tired of my own company, but the rush of wind on the beach cleared the cobwebs from my head. you can tell the season has shifted though, when a windy walk at the beach isn't that cold, and the light hangs late into the evening. slowly, surely, summer is finding a foothold. sometimes it's hard to remember that when it won't stop raining.

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A and i are heading out of town today after work, a quick trip to the mainland where towering walls of granite rise up from the windswept waters of the sound. crossing my fingers for a little break with the weather so we can slip on our sticky rubber shoes and climb some rock. but if not, we will explore and visit with good friends. a little break from the busy pace that has been taking over lately, another sort of cobweb clearing.

wishing you all an adventurous weekend.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

dyeing days...

black bean dye

layers of colour

one more

avocado pits

natural dyeing continues around here, something to do in between the rain drops and sun rays. i have been collecting black bean soaking liquid, after seeing the blue that Lisa got, and Joni's green. i completely forgot that they used baking soda in their dye liquid though, and so i got grey-purple (mordanted with alum, by the way). which really, is what i would expect based on the colour of the soaking liquid. it perhaps was not what i set out for in the beginning, but i quite like it. natural dyeing is full of surprises. in the photo you can see the results on washing linen, silk, cotton, and cotton jersey.

i prepared some other dye liquids over the weekend, but don't have fabric results yet to show. right now several sections of our yard are being overtaken by poppies (so vibrant and pretty, but after the bloom the plants are lackluster at best). i thought i would try gathering up the spent petals and see if i could get any colour from them. in that first shot of the poppy jar you can see the shift of colour, from bright orange-coral petals, to pale pink when they contact the hot water, and the darker pink liquid below. very curious to see what colour i get on fabric.

and that last picture? can you see what it is? i have dyed with avocado skins before, which give a nice dusty pink colour. but i have seen some results online and had some hints in my own experimenting, that i might get a much darker colour with just the avocado pits. so that is what i'm trying here. i don't know if it was necessary, but i had a bit of fun smashing up the pits with a hammer. i am letting them soak for a few days to get a dye liquid as well.

updates to come as the summer of natural dyeing progresses...


Sunday, May 27, 2012

sunday puppy love...

hello

reflection

floppy

well, i figured i couldn't lead you on with talk of a puppy without sharing some shots. hope you enjoy these pics of sweet little Sam, while he's still little (do you see the size of those paws?). someday A and i hope to have our own dog, but i can have fun playing with my sister's for now. he is pretty mellow, but likes to play as well.

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inspiration seems just slightly out of reach right now; some combination of long work days, late spring weather, and who knows what else. i am stitching on a couple custom turtle orders, but currently nothing else in the works. i'm feeling a bit stuck getting started on my second creature for my collaboration with Abby too. it will come, i know. are you working on any projects right now? if you have anything you'd like to share, be sure to leave a link in the comments so that i and any other readers can check it out.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

rainbow flowers...

at the beach

rainbow

lupine stars

beach lupines

last weekend, on a grey day at the beach where i met up with my sister, her family, and their sweet new puppy, i spotted these amazing multi-coloured lupines poking out of the sand. quite often the lupines we see on the beach are pale yellow, or the classic purple. there was lots of yellow ones there two, but then many of these that were a strange hybrid, a pale rainbow. beautiful.

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today has been a gorgeous day, following up the equally nice weather of yesterday. i didn't get to enjoy much of yesterday though, spending 9.5 hours squinting at a computer and then heading home to see A after he'd been away for the week, only to have my mild headache develop into a full on migraine. ugh. but anyway, today started much better. we headed out to the farmers market this morning, surprised at the heat that was already taking over, and succumbing to a $1 fruit popsicles for breakfast. the rest of today has been a lot of time sitting in the sun-dappled shade of the cherry tree, attempting a few chords on my borrowed mandolin, and stitching another leatherback turtle. an easy saturday, and trying to enjoy the sun before the weather shifts again tomorrow. now to convince A to head out for a quick longboard by the river. after that, fresh locally-made pasta for dinner. what are you up to this weekend?

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other things:
>>> i've never been a big fan of potato salad, but i made this tzatziki potato salad last night and it was really good. i think it'll become my new summer standby to go with whatever's on the grill.
>>> i'm really want to get one of these bubblescopes for my iphone whenever they come out.
>>> these handmade ballet flats are lovely.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

currently reading...

it's been ages since i've done one of these, but some shiny new books got delivered this morning so i thought i would share what i've been reading recently.

currently reading

on the top of the pile is civilization and the limpet, by martin wells. someone recommended this book to me on flickr a while back, and it has been really enjoyable. wells got me from the very first page with the observation that 'some poor people work all their lives and all they ever make is money'. his basic assertion is that modern society is increasingly focused on itself, and in some cases you would 'hardly know that other animals existed.' this book is a collection of essay on some of the more curious members of the animal kingdom, more specifically those of the marine world. each one is entertaining and informative and if you are a nature nerd like me it is a good read.

i just finished the last great sea and mentioned it here. a broad spectrum yet detailed history of the north pacific ocean that i've now read twice, and probably should again at some point. good, but a lot of information to absorb.

i found this curious 30 year old soft sculpture book in a pile of things at my friend's house, as she was cleaning out old things while she moved. i haven't fully explored it yet but there are some very quirky sculptures featured. i may give it its own post soon.

wild color is a book i've had for quite some time, but i've been referring to it a lot recently as i'm getting back into natural dyeing as the weather warms (something about summer and dyeing works perfectly together, don't you think?). i think this book is an excellent reference for anyone playing around with natural dyeing.

the last two books arrived this morning, and are further inspiration for the summer of dyeing (see above) i have planned.  indigo is not so much a how-to book as a comprehensive history of indigo use. maybe someday i'll get to actual successful indigo dyeing and then i can be part of that history... eco colour is natural dyeing under the guidance of the amazing india flint. i actually borrowed this book from the library, but due to its high demand i was only allowed a 14 day loan with no renewal. a quick browse told me i would be referring to this volume for a while to come, so it seemed a good idea to get my own copy.

what are you reading lately? (ps, i'm looking for a good summer novel to whisk me away - any suggestions?)

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

oyster in the shell...

Oyster

Oyster

i have a tendency to overlook the oysters when i'm wandering the beach. those ubiquitous ragged white shells, either whole living creatures or discarded husks, dot the shoreline in many places at low tide, to a point that for me they sometimes blend into the background as i search for other treasures. due to their generally stationary lifestyle, they are often covered with barnacles and other marine life, nestled in the muddier spots. and yet, they are a big part of the coast. like other filter feeders, they help keep the water clean. the native species have been eaten by the first nations of the coast for probably as long as either have been here. introduced species have taken over in many places as commercial farming of them has increased, good or bad as that may be. and i certainly enjoy a fresh shucked oyster breaded and dropped in a sizzling pan. It seemed about time to give them their due.

this oyster is completely hand stitched from layers of creamy linen and silk. while live oysters on the beach tend to be shut up tight against the air, this one is cracked open to show you the (somewhat simplified) meat inside. although pearls are rare in oysters of the coast, i have found a small, irregular bead now and again and added one here. and of course there are a few barnacles dotting its shell. :)

if you appreciate oysters like i am learning to do, this one can be found in the shop.

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also in the shop, i am now offering green sea turtles and leatherback turtles as made to order items. i hope to do this soon with some other pieces, as i hope this will make it easier rather than wondering when i might make a certain creature again. i will offer the custom creatures as long as i have the materials to recreate similar pieces to ones i have done before (in some cases these materials are quite limited). and please know that as always, i do accept custom orders if there is a specific beast that you would like to see recreated in textiles but have not seen me make yet. i love a challenge!

Monday, May 21, 2012

small things...

found

>>> awed by the perfect blue of a robin's egg, found on the trail.

poking out

>>> spotting mushrooms pushing through the earth here and there, counter-intuitive to the calendar.

fading

>>> appreciating the last of the trilliums, fading as the weather warms up.

spun paper

>>> noting the perfection of a tiny wasp's nest, abandoned on the forest floor.


rusting

>>> preparing an iron mordant with rusty nails in a vinegar solution, for later use in dyeing.


lush

>>> admiring the vibrant colour of the clematis blooming outside my door, even more so when kissed by raindrops.

hope your week is starting well...even better if it is a holiday monday like i am enjoying this morning. the rain is still falling outside, determined but gentle.  i'm currently typing while savouring the warmth under the covers, but my tummy is rumbling and it might be time to embrace the day.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

gathering stones...

three stones

gentle rain was falling outside the open window when i woke this morning, snug under the covers with A asleep beside me. a quiet sunday it will be, puttering about with tasks with moments of pause. there is bread rising in a big bowl resting on the back of the couch (the heater is behind), and i'm plotting some fabric mordanting and possibly a dye pot of some sort.

the three tiny stones above were stitched last night, natural dyed silk and washing linen on small linen squares, and will be sent out this week to jude. have you heard about the magic feather project? i missed my chance to send over a stitched feather or two, so i'm glad to have a new opportunity to contribute to this lovely community project. she is gathering stones now, perhaps you want to send her some too?

>>> patrick watson always transports me to a magical place.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

saturday exploring...

ammonite falls

ammonite falls

falls

through the trees

on the trail

after a beautiful languid week of warm weather, clouds moved in this afternoon and rain is in the air. the 7-day stretch shows nothing but little cloud icons with lines of grey falling from them. A and i decided to make the best of this last day of sunshine and went to explore a new hike. ammonite falls sits deep in a canyon, on a trail a bit of a drive south of us but the photos online made it too tempting to turn up. descending into the woods from the access road, we were quickly in peace, away from the sounds of the nearby city with only the wind tickling the treetops above. soon enough a louder rush of noise hinted at the creek, still hidden from our view. the hike was shorter than expected, and before long we followed the line of old ropes down a steep slope to the creek bed. the falls rose high above us, falling gently into the pool spreading out at our feet. we found a sunny spot to settle in, and made wraps for lunch as we enjoyed the view. it was a popular spot in the lee of the falls, but their shower of noise helped drown out the sound of others and gave us a quiet rest, a soft mist floating across the canyon to where we sat. soon enough it was time to head back, through the woods again and back to the truck. an afternoon spent in nature, just the two of us, was a sweet little escape.

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tonight i'm playing around with a mandolin that i borrowed from a friend, trying to decide if i want one of my own. i've learned four chords, but i know that is just a toe in the edge of a long river.

hope you are having a good weekend (a long one if you are in canada).

Thursday, May 17, 2012

remembering...

remembering

feeling quiet. remembering a great man who passed away tuesday evening, doing something he loved, but far too soon all the same. i'll be thinking of your big smile and equally big hugs, and your absolute joy for living every moment.

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thanks for your kind words about my vest. it's been a busy week, work-wise. hoping for a bit of re-focus on the weekend.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

a lighter layer...

aidez-ish

aidez-ish

aidez-ish

a little while back i was thinking that an in-between layer would be nice. you know, something for those still chilly spring mornings, or to throw on on cool summer evenings outside. something to carry me into fall as the air begins to crisp up again. something to add an extra layer to warm my core on brisk winter beach walks. okay, actually i've been thinking about a vest for awhile, years if the truth be told. i even knit one once, but the finished shape was completely not what i had hoped and the wool was reused on another project. that seemed the problem with a lot of vest patterns - too boxy, too short, too ugly, to be honest.

after the success of my aidez last fall, i had been thinking i would probably like to knit the pattern again sometime, maybe with a different stitch pattern to switch up the look a bit. then this spring i stumbled upon this aidez and things clicked. that knitter actually plans to add the sleeves at some time, but in my case this seemed like just the sort of vest i was looking for. i had some worsted grey wool that had been sitting in my knits basket for far too long and knew it would work well for the project. i mixed up the stitch pattern a bit, most noticeably using the leaf lace pattern from baudelaire (here's my original sock version of this pattern).

in moments stolen here and there, and a concentrated push to finish this past weekend that left my weak wrist groaning a bit, this vest came together fairly easily. i think it will fit the in-between bill that i was hoping for, and even as summer weather has crept in this past week a good layer is still an important outfit anchor.

for full details, please see ravelry.

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in other news, a friend's uncle gifted her a wooden rowboat that he built. she generously decided to share ownership with A and i. it helps that i'm the only one with a vehicle with a tow hitch, and we have a spot to store it here. so expect some boating/fishing/crabbing adventures this summer as we explore further afield with our new little orange boat. exciting! i have very fond memories of rowing around in the little rowboat we had when i was a kid. this one's a fair bit bigger (about 15') but that just means more room for friends (and crabs!).