Handwoven magazine November/December 2011

The latest issue of Handwoven magazine arrived last week, and I'm very pleased that the pillows I designed for the Profile Draft Weave-Along are in it!  I am truly appreciative of the opportunity to have my work in Handwoven again.  Editor Madelyn van der Hoogt and her staff do an outstanding job of presenting the work of a variety of artists/designers, and the magazine is always a pleasure to see and read. 

All images by Handwoven magazine.

The third page shows the opposite sides of the three pillows.  Difficult to see here, but in fact, my favorite sides as they are darker, richer colors.

  

One thing you might notice is the use (again!) of those reds and golds and rusts I love.  Am I in a color rut?  Nah...I just love the colors of Fall!

Taos Inspired...continued

I made this quilt a couple years ago, but want to share it with you as it seems to fit right in with my previous post.  Lots of those colors I love; orange, red, purple, and gold plus black and brown.  The photo was taken outside during my recent get-together with my dad and sisters in Taos.  Nancy, being the tallest of the bunch, is behind the quilt, totally hidden, and Susan, off to the side, made me promise I would crop her out of the picture... because she was still in her pj's. 

I made the quilt for the master bedroom... the pillow on the bed is the third of the double weave pillows I made last summer.

I wish I could take credit for this fun pattern, but it comes from a book titled, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do... or do without!" by Country Threads, 1996.  The quilt pattern is "Hot Buttered Rum" and suggests using dark fabrics in black, red, burgundy, rust, and brown with gold in the center squares.  I added purples and oranges and vibrant reds to the mix to "kick it up a notch."  


When the snow starts to fall in Taos this winter, I'll be toasty and warm under my layer of "Hot Buttered Rum!"

New Mexico Inspired...Pumpkins, Chili, and Golden Aspens

New Mexico is truly the Land of Enchantment, and whenever I'm there the natural beauty and artistic "vibe" is always inspiring.  At this time of year roadside stands and farmers markets are filled with chili ristras, pumpkins, bouquets of fall flowers, and the fruits and vegetables of the season.  After a trip to Ghost Ranch, just outside of Abiquiu, my sisters and dad and I stopped at a stand in Velarde on our way back to Taos.

  Wow!  How could one not be inspired by the luscious, rich colors here?

The double weave pillows I finished in California are now where they were designed to be...on my red sofa in Taos, and I'm struck by how much the colors remind me of the dried red chili and orange pumpkins in the top photo. 

After two of my sisters left Taos, Susan and I drove up to the Taos Ski Valley in search of changing Aspens.  We were rewarded when we discovered a small tree lying beside the road that had been knocked over in a wind storm.  It was "just waiting" for us to pick up the pieces and take them home where we would arrange the branches to fit various places in and outside the house. 

Susan, happy with her aspen leaves!

                               

Picnic spot beside the river in Taos Ski Valley.

Aspen bounty!

 

 And while we're on the subject of color... Here's a photo of Russian sage and Agastache (Hummingbird Mint) blooming in front of the house:

 And a gorgeous sunset making the snow on Taos mountain glow:

Hmm... there seem to be some colors calling to me in these two shots!  Wonder what they might inspire?