-
-
12:37
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
So here I am, standing in my new studio space which is TWICE the size of my old studio, and I love it. The glass doll case on my bookshelf is still empty while I await the return of the ningyo, but there’s no rush. I’m still tripping over boxes that have yet to be [...]
-
-
16:30
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Between the KimonoMomo shop on Etsy, my new freelance writing/editing gig, the kids’ summer vacation, a nasty cold last week, and preparing to move house in a few days, I’ve had a hard time getting any writing done here on the blog. To update: The ningyo (Japanese doll) project is on hold while Anne Weaver [...]
-
-
20:13
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
A very welcome email arrived in my box early Friday morning from Anne Weaver: I will speak for the little guy. He is now being made whole again by filling the missing surfaces of his body. The clothing is the biggest challenge due to years of dirt and aging. His face is in the early [...]
-
-
17:11
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
After a few days of airing the kimono out, I decided it was time to dress the little fellow properly at last. Once the hakama was on, he looked quite the little samurai. You may have noticed in the first photos that his hakama was tied on backwards and up to his neck. While this [...]
-
-
13:51
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
After removing the layers of kimono and juban, I spread them out to air for the night. I wrapped the doll in a tea towel, laid him flat on a table and went to bed. In the morning, I found the smell from the dirty, dusty clothing to be cloying and not particularly pleasant. Even [...]
-
-
16:56
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Loading the doll and his glass case into the back seat of my car, I wedged the case in between some blankets and a sleeping teenager. Another teenager, surly and tired from waiting in the car while I’d chatted with the shop assistant and owner, looked over from the front seat. “Can we go now?“ [...]
-
-
20:29
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Wandering through a local estate liquidator’s shop last week, this little fellow caught my eye. He stood in a glass case, carelessly dressed and dreadfully sun faded. His hakama had been tied up as if it were a pinafore, and his face was cracked and poorly repaired. Still, I thought he had a charming smile [...]
-
-
20:07
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Just this week I started three new projects… despite my inability to finish several more from the past two years. Every studio seems to have its share of UFOs (UnFinished Objects), so I don’t feel so bad. Projects One and Two are sashiko pillowcases. The first is a scrap of yukata cotton that caught my [...]
-
-
11:37
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
With all the craziness of packing, painting, a family wedding, kids getting out of school, etc., I allowed myself to be overwhelmed by all the other things that needed to get done and ended up ignoring things like, oh, my shop and this blog. Whoops. I logged on this morning to check a few orders [...]
-
-
13:42
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I survived Fanime and have finally caught up with work and sleep! The next challenge here at Chez Kimono will be to move once again. We’re putting the family homestead on the market and starting fresh this summer. I was born and raised in this house, so it will be very odd not to have [...]
-
-
20:29
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Apologies for not having my next post up on Monday as I had promised! Preparing for Fanime is a bit like getting ready to run a marathon and I’m already feeling exhausted, but exhilarated as well. The KimonoMomo Etsy shop will be closed starting Wednesday evening May 26 and will reopen sometime around Tuesday or [...]
-
-
16:03
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Continued from yesterday’s post, here are four more excellent sashiko books in English. Once again, these are listed by publication date. Quick summary statements are underlined. Click on the title links to purchase. Japanese Country Quilting: Sashiko patterns and projects for beginners by Karen Kim Matsunaga. Kodansha, 1990. 96 pages. An excellent all-in-one sashiko reference, [...]
-
-
13:14
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I’m going to take this in stages as there are so many books to choose from! Some of the more recent books that I will review tomorrow include those by Sylvia and Kitty Pippen, authors and textile artists who are comfortable taking sashiko and developing it into more than just the typical white-thread-on-indigo look that [...]
-
-
10:06
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Japanese craft books, you gotta love ‘em. The bright, clear photos presented in an easy to understand step by step format and abundant diagrams. Never mind if you can’t read Japanese, the visuals alone will get you through the process. Also known as “mooks,” a hybrid of magazine and book, these tend to be smallish [...]
-
-
8:19
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Every morning after the dog has been fed and the kids shuttled off to school, I sit down at the kitchen table with a plate of last night’s leftovers, a pot of tea and a book or two. On occasion this leads to a loss of appetite, especially when dye techniques that involve dung or [...]
-
-
15:35
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Just a quick reminder, I’ll have a booth at the 6th Annual Asian Heritage Street Festival in San Francisco, CA Saturday, May 15. Please come by, try on a kimono and say hello if you’re in the area!
-
9:29
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
(Continued from yesterday’s post, as promised) So how did it fare after the second wash? The blue background color is sharper and clearer, but the splash areas that were once light blue are now white. This does not diminish its attractiveness in my opinion, but I had been hoping to retain the light blue on [...]
-
-
10:01
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Along with shibori and sashiko, I am a sucker for kasuri (絣). Popular in Japan since the Edo era, kasuri (or gasuri) is a double woven ikat, meaning the threads are dyed prior to weaving and the design is in both the warp and weft threads. Machine woven Bingo kasuri, which constitutes the bulk of [...]
-
-
12:00
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Please do me a kindness and snap up these fabrics before new ones arrive as I’ll have no place to put them! These are out of print bolts from Kona Bay, In The Beginning and Marcus Brothers, all with Asian/Japanese themed prints. Beautiful stuff, just yearning to be put to creative use. As it is [...]
-
-
9:47
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
First, some not-so-good news: I put in a call yesterday to reorder some of my best selling fabric bolts from Alexander Henry, only to hear that the bolts I want are no longer available. Despite being good sellers, some bolts just don’t have quite enough demand for reprints, which means the warehouse won’t restock them [...]
-
-
13:07
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Thank you for all the orders rolling in! There may be a small delay while we’re still waiting for the paint to dry, but things are moving forward and items are being packed and getting ready to head out very soon. New items will be listed as soon as I have my studio and photo [...]
-
-
17:30
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
The KimonoMomo shop will be closed for a few days while the painting is being completed in the studio. Everything should be up and running again by Tuesday, with new items to be listed. Stay tuned!
-
-
16:38
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I am finding so many good things while getting ready to have the studio painted. When the physical part of cleaning and sorting gets tedious, I take a break and clean out old files from the KimonoMomo website. Among them I found this, a shot from several years ago when I dressed the staff of [...]
-
-
9:11
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
First, the Pretty Things: You know how I’m always asking for you readers to send me photos of items you make with the fabrics from my shop? It’s because I sincerely enjoy seeing what you make! Like it? I do. Kaz of Kaz Style is a talented stitcher from Japan, now living in Atlanta, Georgia. [...]
-
-
19:59
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
What’s that, you say? Remember the indigo I polled about last week? It’s here. And boy, was I surprised when I pulled it from the package. This is not quite what I expected, but I sure do like it! Engi mon zukushi translates roughly to a collection of small treasures. What I had at first [...]
-
-
16:43
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Remember to post your response to this post today to get your name in the drawing for one of two mini bundles of indigo colored fabrics from my stash. I’ll draw a name later tonight… … and the winners are trinlay & LJ! Contact me with your info so I can get these out to [...]
-
-
16:57
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
After handling these fabrics for several years, I often forget that many people have never seen a bolt (called a tan) of Japanese fabric, much less a kimono. Here are my thoughts on a question I am often asked: Why is the fabric so narrow? This is a bit of a chicken-and-egg question, as I’m [...]
-
-
16:44
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Yummy new yukata fabrics have landed, with more on the way. I just can’t help myself when it comes to getting more. Unlike the larger Kona Bay and Alexander Henry cotton bolts I have on the shelf, yukata cottons take up so little space, which leads me to figure I can fit in a few [...]
-
-
14:25
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Slowly getting back on track, planning new classes and ordering more beautiful fabrics. Several times it has been said to me “you really need an assistant” and I know it’s true. Not sure how to go about this other than posting an ad on craigslist–which has worked in the past (thank you, Jacob!)–but I certainly [...]
-
-
18:59
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Literally hundreds of pounds (seriously, UPS weighed it all) of kimono and Japanese goodies are heading to Sakura-Con in Seattle at this very moment. The kids and I will follow on Thursday. Although it seems the only vacations I ever take are busman’s holidays (think of an old fashioned British bus conductor going on vacation [...]
-
-
9:23
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Getting ready for a big show is exciting, nerve wracking, frustrating, and wonderful. The kids (my junior partners in all this) are looking forward to going on an airplane, something they haven’t done in a quite a while. I promised them we’d do Sakura-Con years ago, when we first stumbled upon it one Easter weekend [...]
-
-
11:54
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Today I present two katazome items, one from the SFAPA show and one from my personal collection. Click on the images to get a closer look. The first is from the Cavin-Morris Gallery in New York. It’s a stunning katabira (帷), an unlined (hitoe 単衣) ramie (jofu 上布) kimono for summer wear. This would have [...]
-
-
16:41
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Sorry for the lack of posts this week. The kids and I have been sloggling through the latest flu, but we’re on the mend. The Knit-One-One show is tomorrow and I’m off to sort through my stock and pick out some goodies to show. Back soon with more indigo…
-
-
14:26
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I met Vicki Shiba of Mill Valley, CA last year during my first visit to the Arts of Pacific Asia Show in SF. She’s a soft spoken woman with a sharp intellect and a dazzling collection of antiques. She had several pieces worthy of mention in her booth, and I have chosen two that I [...]
-
-
9:41
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I’m still sorting through photos and notes for the Focus on Indigo feature, but I’ve also been plowing through photos and descriptions for new items and listing them in my shop. The sections have changed a bit; all 14″ wide Japanese kimono and yukata fabrics are now in one place under “Japanese textiles” and what [...]
-
-
9:53
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Following the vest theme of the previous post, here is a fabulous example of indigo shibori from Honeychurch Antiques of Seattle, Washington.
This piece features shibori done in orinui and shirokage (white shadow) styles. The white bands would have been bound and reserved during the dye process, making this a rather labor intensive textile. Dyeing would [...]
-
-
13:36
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
note: Clicking on any of the images here will give you a larger image so you can see the details more clearly.
While I have always had a love for all things indigo, this was the first piece at the Arts of Pacific Asia Show in San Francisco this month that inspired me to reach for [...]
-
-
11:37
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
After two weekends spent surrounded by the sort of beautiful textiles and antiques you’d expect to find in a museum or private collection and being able to not only photograph them, but actually touch them, I find myself with pages of handwritten notes and innumerable photographs to sort through (I stopped counting and just try [...]
-
-
19:34
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I’ll be there! You should be there, too. Lots of goodies will be available, so stop on by.
-
-
14:10
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Starting next week I will be writing an ongoing feature about indigo, including vintage dyed textiles, indigo dye and supplies, and indigo’s use through history.
To start, I will feature several galleries and dealers I’ve been meeting at the Arts of Pacific Asia and Tribal & Textile Arts Shows this February at Fort Mason in San [...]
-
-
10:59
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Known for its distinctive crinkled, crepe-like texture, Awa Shijira-ori* is a cotton fabric ideal for making summertime yukata. The texture, similar to seersucker, does not stick to the skin in Japan’s hot, humid summers, and the openness of the weave allows for good airflow.
Originating in the Tokushima Prefecture during the Meiji era (1868-1889), it is [...]
-
-
13:54
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I will be listing new items throughout the day, including the latest shipment of sashiko supplies. Yes, that means the thread prices will be going up (needles, thimbles and kits remain the same price), but not until I get to them. Right now I’m focused on getting other things listed first, so there is still [...]
-
-
10:38
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I’ve been a terrible slacker. There are stacks of projects on my cutting table, finished scarves to be photographed, business cards to be designed and printed, taxes to be filed, orders to ship (packages went to Australia and Canada yesterday, Italy today), and piles of notes everywhere.
A box of fabric tipped over this morning when [...]
-
-
22:53
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I’ve been drooling over scarves on Etsy recently. It’s still chilly enough here in the San Francisco area that I could happily wear one, so I’m sharing my appreciation of fine neck wear with you today. Enjoy!
Fine merino wool warmly knitted in Massachusetts, USA.
Flirtatious felted wool from Russia with love.
Delicate as a snowflake but without [...]
-
-
16:39
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
First the bad news: Due to a falling Dollar and rising Yen, my wholesale supplier has raised prices on most sashiko items. This means that with my next restock, I’ll have to raise prices, too.
Now the good news: I’m keeping my prices low until new items come in. Stock up now to get your sashiko [...]
-
-
13:04
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
“How the dickens do you thread this thing?”
That was our first challenge after establishing that yes indeed, she ran just fine. A search on the Singer site provided a free pdf download of the instructions we needed for our vintage 15- (“fifteen straight”) machine, and with a bit of tinkering, we sorted it out. A [...]
-
-
9:19
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I’ll be away from the studio and up in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon for a while, but I’ll try to work in a post or two while I’m gone.
Happy (almost) New Year everyone!
-
-
14:44
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
It took a bit of wrangling, but we managed to slide her into the back seat of my car and take her home. She looks like a portable Featherweight, but she is most definitely attached to that table with its spindly legs.
Once in the house, I gave her a good look. I checked the serial [...]
-
-
15:10
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
She’s a gem, my old girl.
My son and I found this beauty one afternoon while driving through our Central Oregon neighborhood looking for garage sales. I was seeking a small table for the kitchen telephone. Spotting a likely subject in a yard three blocks from our house, we stopped to take a look. Lo and [...]
-
-
16:27
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I got this little beauty in the mail a few days ago from someone who has been incredibly patient and understanding with me over the past year. I count my blessings every day for the people who put up with me, even the ones I only know through the internet.
It’s a pillow made from one [...]
-
-
12:49
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I am so excited.
Thirty years ago I was a reluctant tag-along when my mother dragged me to fabric shops. I’d dash around the stands of bolts until she told me to stop, then sit in a quiet corner and fall asleep until it was time to go.
These days, however, it’s a whole different ball game. [...]
-
-
13:09
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I am busy restocking the Etsy shop right now with all the sashiko goodies that arrived today. Needles and thimbles, an array of thread colors, the ever popular black bunny sampler (among others), plus a new book!
If you missed the Cyber Monday sale and would like to stock up on sashiko items this week, mention [...]
-
-
11:56
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
My Cyber Monday Sale is 15% off all items in the KimonoMomo and Blue Star Atelier shops! Mention “blog” when you checkout and I will either refund 15% of your total purchase or send you a revised invoice. This sale starts immediately (Sunday Nov. 29) and goes until midnight (Pacific time) Monday night, Nov. 30, [...]
-
-
18:55
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Where has the time gone? It’s already half way through November!
Things have been moving slowly here for a while as we find our footing again. My current project is drafting a pattern and making a prototype bag for the class I will be teaching in March. Aside from that, chasing sunshine and photographing more vintage [...]
-
-
11:38
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Northern California Bay Area stitchers, mark your calendars for March 1, 2010. I will be leading a textile talk and trunk show for the Valley Stitchers and Fiber Arts Guild in Pleasant Hill, CA, to be followed by a hands-on sashiko class. I will provide more details closer to the date. If you are not [...]
-
-
9:38
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Continuing on with the Olympus sashiko kit project from earlier this month, here are some updated pictures.
So far I have completed the sashiko portion of the project. I still have plenty of thread left over! Next I will hem the edges to give it a more finished look.
By following the pre-printed lines, my stitches came [...]
-
-
15:50
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Well, you knew that already. Seriously though, the Fall 2009 issue of Stitch magazine features Japanese textiles, crafts and textile artists here in the US, including me! The kurotomesode kimono on the article’s title page is even one of mine, currently available in my Etsy shop. How’s that for a shameless plug?
[...]
-
-
9:16
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Autumn is upon us here in Northern California, with fog greeting me at the door every morning as I head out for the paper.
I’m currently in a scarf-making phase right now, which means new purses aren’t far behind…
The sashiko project is still in process and will be updated here within the next day or so. [...]
-
-
14:07
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
My photo studio is generally anywhere I enough space and adequate light. These days that means the back yard, amid humming birds, wild rabbits, squirrels, scrub jays, and the occasional red tail hawk.
We’ve been having a bit of early autumn rain in the Bay Area this month. While we had a bit of dry weather [...]
-
-
13:57
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Very few people are aware that I started out 20 years ago as a jeweler, working with metal and stone instead of silk and cotton. For ten years I plied my trade on the Pacific coast from Seattle to Los Angeles as an itinerant vendor at craft shows and weekend markets. I was a regular [...]
-
-
13:26
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Many of you have requested I do a tutorial with the Olympus sashiko kits I carry in my shop, so a month ago I picked one out, chose some thread and picked out a needle… then things fell apart in my life and it was relegated to the I’ll-get-to-it-later pile. Last night as I was [...]
-
-
18:27
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
We’re preparing for Dad’s memorial service, so everything else is a bit behind right now. I hope to be back to regular posting soon. Thanks for staying in touch, everyone.
-
-
9:21
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I’ve had a difficult time coming up with blog topics lately. Sales in the Etsy shop have been brisk, and I’m only just starting to restock this week. New vintage items are being listing in time for Halloween, and I am back to bundling vintage kimono silk scraps for your holiday projects.
To those waiting for [...]
-
-
18:27
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
My father passed away peacefully early Monday morning. I am grateful I could be with him in his final days.
To customers waiting on orders, I thank you for your patience.
To customers waiting for new items to be stocked, I hope to fulfill your desires soon!
In the meantime, please understand that I am working with my [...]
-
-
11:48
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
After four years, numerous prototypes and much procrastination, I have finally finished a basic kit for hinagata (“miniature”) kimono. When I set out to complete a kit myself and document each step, I found it easier than I remembered to sew everything together! Maybe the fabric choice made a difference. Previously I’ve used vintage kimono [...]
-
-
11:57
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
You amaze me. You really do. All those crazy, wonderful, beautiful projects you create out of just about anything. And if you made something special out of materials from my shop or somehow include me in your creation, then you are definitely special in my book.
Barb’s Blue Willow Apron is one of those special items.
Mary [...]
-
-
12:48
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I wanted to explain why my postings have been so sporadic again. Last autumn my family and I were dealing with moving out of state and losing my mother to Pancreatic cancer. Since July we’ve been dealing once again with the very wonderful folks at our local hospice group as my father is now dealing [...]
-
-
21:04
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Congratulations to Karen of Mystic Wynd for winning the Doll Kimono Kit giveaway!
More information on the kits will be forthcoming very soon. Thanks for your patience while I work the kinks out of the design.
-
-
11:55
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
More freebies!
Going back to a project I started years ago, I’ve been playing around with beautiful fabrics and dolls this weekend to come up with a kit that you can do at home. Used for decades in Japanese schools to teach children how to sew, these doll-sized kimono make wonderfully portable projects you can take [...]
-
-
14:14
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
After listing two new panels of kimono silk recently, I realized I’ve never posted about yuzen. Yuzen as a technique was first developed by Miyazaki Yuzensai, a fan maker in Kyoto in the early part of the Edo period (1603 – 1867). Yuzen is still a very popular kimono dyeing technique today, one that enables [...]
-
-
23:20
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Cut, by a vote of 7 to 3.
Thanks all for participating in the mini poll! The winner of the fabric pack is Lauren of ABC Rags. Congratulations, Lauren, let me know where you’d like me to send your fabrics and they will be on their way post haste.
It’s been a year or so since I [...]
-
-
17:19
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Just curious… before I take my seam ripper to these two silk meisen kimono, do you think I ought to keep them intact, or cut up to sell in pieces? They have been sitting on the shelf just a little too long for my liking and I’d like to move them, one way or another.
As [...]
-
0:31
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Earlier today a friend challenged me to stock a specific number of items in my shop by 2 a.m. (it’s after midnight as I write this). Occasionally I get stuck in a rut and crawl into a corner with a book and a pot of tea, getting absolutely nothing done for days on end. This [...]
-
-
17:39
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
It was 100 F in the shade today, but I braved the sun and took a few dozen photos of new items before hunting down a cold cup of tea and a cozy tile floor to lay down on while spraying myself with Tumalo Lavender water.
Only two new items listed so far: new kimono scrap [...]
-
-
11:49
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Remember that post about lead in silk I wrote ever so long ago? Well, it came in handy this week. Seeking to finish (at long last) my Bachelor’s degree, I’ve applied at Mills College here in the Bay Area. The application gave me the option of submitting graded work from my previous college (none of [...]
-
-
14:37
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
She’s no Clover Meadow, but Cindy is my endearing shadow these days. When people ask “is that your dog?” I answer “no, I’m her human.” I’m Cindy’s third human in the past ten years. Her first was an elderly woman who passed away when Cindy was just three years old. The woman’s family didn’t want [...]
-
-
9:49
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Purses… This month’s special sale category in my shop is obi bags. All purses, clutches and messenger bags are marked 25% off through the month of July. Need a new bag for the fall? Now’s your chance to score one of my sturdy messenger bags for a great price.
And more purses… The lovely Kaz Style [...]
-
-
16:22
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
The complicated dance of having three (somewhat cranky) generations crammed under one roof has taken a new turn as I move my bed into Mom’s old studio. Three decades of craft supplies, unfinished projects, patterns, equipment, photos and books are being boxed up and moved out of the way, at least for now. I’ll be [...]
-
-
2:17
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I disasemble a veritable bounty of kimono every year and figure I’ve seen some crazy fabric combinations, but this piece made me laugh when I first came across it. Used as a sleeve lining for an early 20th century kimono, this synthetic fabric dyed in bright yellow and vibrant red has oodles of cheeky charm.
It’s [...]
-
-
9:59
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Sakiori (saki=rag, oru=weaving) is one technique among the fine arts of resourcefulness and reuse. A worn out, damaged or otherwise ruined garment is torn to shreds and woven over a new warp to find another useful life. I know people who cringe when I tell them that I tear kimono apart, but this is something [...]
-
-
13:40
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Finally! Sashiko needles have been restocked.
New items in the shop will be appearing as fast as I can list them. So far today vintage kimono, sashiko supplies and vintage kimono silk scrap bundles have been added, with more on the way.
-
-
16:45
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
So you want sashiko needles. I hear you! They will be back in stock by the end of the week, if all goes according to plan and the USPS holds up their end of the bargain. White thread will be back as well as a few other sashiko supplies. I’m having to economise when it [...]
-
-
11:46
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
The ever-popular kimono scrap fabric bundles are back in in the shop. My stash practically exploded and spilled out across the studio floor over the weekend, prompting me to take notice of all the bits and pieces I’ve been collecting for years and not passing on to wily crafters like yourself. Last time I put [...]
-
-
17:11
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
The special for this month is 15% off all Japanese yukata cotton yardage. I have a few bolts that are down to just one or two meter-long panels and I’d like to see them find good crafty homes.
-
-
15:05
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
It is definitely starting to look like summer in San Francisco. For those of you not acquainted with Mark Twain’s famous adage, “the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco,” let me tell you now just how true it is. Our typically mild winter was followed by a brief, hot spring [...]
-
-
10:28
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I have been mentioned on the beautiful Ennui blog today. A blog of few words and many images, Ennui isn’t at all boring and really lit up my morning. I highly suggest taking a stroll through the collection of images there if you day is getting hectic and you need a breath of fresh air. [...]
-
-
19:15
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Still playing catch up. Honestly, it’s the most frustrating feeling to wake up every morning not knowing what will come next, but ignoring work hasn’t really helped much, that’s for sure. Pushing myself out of a depressed phase and into a manic one is an uphill struggle, but worth it. It also makes me even [...]
-
-
15:02
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
After attempting to maintain regular posts here, I found myself dealing once again with depression and managed to let it all slide. I’m told the mourning process often takes a year, but really that’s not much of an excuse for slacking off on my business.
Working in my mother’s old studio space is difficult psychologically because [...]
-
-
16:01
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I’ve just listed two new sashiko books direct from Japan, Sashiko no Hon and Sashiko no Hana Fukin. These are great little books to have on hand if you are just starting out with sashiko or want some colorful inspriation. They are full of color photos showing finished projects and how-to instructions.
These are both published [...]
-
-
15:24
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I’m trying not to crash both of my computers right now with photo uploads and listing new items, but all the new sashiko thread colors, kits and books should be up in the Etsy shop within the next 36 hours.
If you’ve never tried sashiko, now is a great time! The sashiko items I carry are [...]
-
-
14:02
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
The current sale in the Etsy shop is 20% off all quilting cottons from In The Beginning, Kona Bay and Robert Kaufman. I need to make room for new bolts coming next month so jump on in and stock up! Sale runs from today, March 15 until April 15, 2009.
[...]
-
-
13:44
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Japanese Fishermen’s Coats from Awaji Island (Fowler Museum Textile Series 5) arrived on my doorstep this morning, just in time for a leisurely read over tea and breakfast. And what an enjoyable read it was!
This slim volume starts off with an historical essay by Luke Roberts, Fishing Villages in Northern Awaji, about the life and [...]
-
-
14:34
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Sorry for the long absence, our internet connection was iffy due to a slowly dying wireless router, which has now been usurped. I replaced our old, UFO-shaped Apple AirPort with a newer model (AirPort Extreme) and feel pretty pleased with its performance so far. No more dropped connections or endless spinning wheels of doom whilst [...]
-
-
13:39
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Finally! After all the sorting, ironing, bundling, photographing and editing (not to mention endless mugs of tea), I’m listing those long-promised kimono fabric bundles in the Etsy shop.
I’ve started with a Baker’s Dozen, thirteen pieces of vintage kimono silk fabric that would be great for crafting, collage, scrapbooking, doll making and other projects. More will [...]
-
-
17:14
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
After coming to a sort of artistic conclusion on the first sashiko project I decided to start another. As the first project was entirely indigo and white, I wanted to give this one more color, but still keep it in somewhat muted tones and mainly focus on blues.
As with the first project, I wanted to [...]
-
-
15:46
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
The sashiko tutorial project I started last year was never officially completed. It ended up, like so many other projects, packed away and not to be seen again for months after our move in October. But sometime in the past few weeks I got twitchy fingers and dug it out again, located my sashiko needle [...]
-
-
12:53
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
It’s been a long time since my last post but I wanted to let you know it’s because I’ve been so busy, which is good news. Kimono silk bundles and sashiko books will be in stock this month as promised, along with updates to my last sashiko project and a new one I’ve been working [...]
-
-
14:47
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Wow! I got a call yesterday from a reader of Altered Couture magazine. Apparently one of my brilliant customers, Shirley Goff, had an article published within that involved some of my fabrics used in her Basho Coat project. I can’t wait to see it! I will be ordering copies of the magazine to sell in [...]
-
-
23:09
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
After several weeks of moaning and whining about not being able to find my library of reference books in the dark cavern of my storage unit, I finally dragged myself there and dug through to the very bottom box in the very farthest corner. I kid you not, it was the least accessible place I [...]
-
10:25
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
A friend recently alerted me to this exhibit at Ohio’s Canton Museum of Art which opens on February 9 and runs until April 26, 2009.
Kimono as Art: The Landscapes of Itchiku Kubota opens at the Canton Museum of Art on February 9, 2009. This breathtaking exhibit features 40 giant landscape kimono of the Japanese Master [...]
-
-
19:44
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Please click on the image to learn more about this important issue.
-
-
15:39
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Digging through boxes in the garage today I came aross a few more vintage boro blankets I’ve had stashed for nearly two years now. I blogged about our family’s favorite last January, but this one has not been in use as it has only one layer with no backing or batting.
The weave technique used to [...]
-
-
12:00
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Since moving in with my family in October I’ve had to adjust to certain changes such as scheduling time in the kitchen, among other things. It’s unsettling for all of us to change our routines for one another, but we manage. Since I’ve let my business drift for the past few months it’s been nagging [...]
-
-
19:12
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
After slogging throug the past few months since the move and my mother’s death, it’s time to get back to business. I’m still missing much of my research library (hidden somewhere in the depths of my storage locker), but I’ve really missed working and am excited to be getting down to it again.
On the schedule [...]
-
-
11:28
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Starting this month I will be offering different specials in the Etsy shop every month. For January all indigo cotton yukata fabrics are marked down by 25%.
It’s raining today, otherwise I’d be outside taking photos of the dozens of vintage kimono I have in stock. Losing the photo set up I had back in [...]
-
-
15:00
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Personally, I’m holding off the big New Year celebrations until Chinese New Year on January 26, 2009. Once the Year of the Rat is over, I’ll breathe a sigh of relief.
January 1 also marks the one year anniversary of this blog. One year ago my life was simpler and I had an idea of what [...]
-
-
15:27
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I’ve been alerted to some lovely mentions on shopping blogs lately. Thank you to Phyllis at Personal Treasures for her mention on Wishpot and to Shopping By Mail for their very nice editorial mention last month!
I am working on updates to the textile portion of this blog and hope to be back to sharing beautiful [...]
-
-
12:19
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I’ve been sitting here feeling blue for a while, so I figured it was time to join the real world a bit and have a sale for all you lovely people. Here are the details:
The sale prices listed in my Etsy shop are valid until January 1, 2009. I’m not going to be exact since [...]
-
-
9:23
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
My “office” has been relocated to my mother’s old studio in the back bedroom in the house, stuffed full of her work. Books, magazines, patterns, pens and pencils, hoards of fabric in every possible hue, a Bernina (!!!), piles of classical music CDs, photographs and notebooks, etc. Several of her finished pieces including art quilts [...]
-
-
15:16
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Oh ugh. Moving is bad enough, but moving in with your family… that’s not so good. Most of my things are either in storage or in boxes in my father’s garage. Every time I bring a new box into the house he gets upset. But what can I do? There are orders to ship and [...]
-
-
21:35
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
My mother passed away on Monday. She was just 70 and had a lot of life left to live. Our family is now focusing on getting the memorial service put together and we are fortunate that Mom had so many dear friends. It’s great to have so many helping hands in a time of need! [...]
-
-
13:29
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
So we’re in California now. The house in Oregon was packed in about 3 days with some help from friends, and the kids and I headed south to stay with family. The Etsy shop and website sales will be closed until further notice as I’m not sure when I’ll be able to get back to [...]
-
-
21:09
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Sunday: Post car for sale on craigslist. Really nice couple comes over to test drive car. I go to move car so I can vacuum out the child residue. Car won’t start. Nice couple drives me out to auto parts store to pick up new battery and even installs it while I’m digging through packed [...]
-
-
17:50
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Colorado will have to wait a while. We’re heading back to my hometown in the San Francisco Bay Area, at least temporarily. This puts us back in with the sort of people I’m most comfortable with, such as costumers, cosplayers, and historical re-enactors. My daughter and I are especially looking forward to attending the California [...]
-
-
17:47
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Catching up just a bit between scubbing floors and throwing out stuff… the kids and I are moving in a week and there is so much to do. Here’s a little bit of what is going on these days:
Friday, October 3rd was the fabulous, super amazing trunk show featuring KimonoMomo bags and scarves at King [...]
-
-
22:35
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Drop a comment here if you know where that line is from! It’s been in my head since yesterday, when the notion that I needed to eat some local produce tickled me and I found the neighborhood kids munching on yellow plums across the street from my house. The plum tree is usually hidden from [...]
-
-
20:22
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
It’s true, I’m a complete novice at this. It’s often said that you can learn through teaching, and I find that sometimes the only way I can learn something is when I’m asked to teach someone else. Here is the shippou design I was working on:
And from the other side… not so bad!
I’ve learned quite [...]
-
-
14:22
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I’m digging through my stock and finding all sort of fabrics that haven’t been listed in a long while, marking them down and adding them to the Etsy shop. It looks like I may be listing some vintage kimono silks on eBay again as well, since I’m trying to move out of my house and [...]
-
-
13:30
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
It’s autumn and time to clear out some of my old fabric stock so I can bring in new fabrics and generally freshen up the shop. If you are on my mailing list, you should be getting a postcard mentioning the sale today or this weekend. Not on the list? Drop me an email and [...]
-
-
15:31
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Sorry about the delay again, but this last one looks to be something that is going to make my family’s life a little better as my daughter is now planning to join my son in home schooling. She’s been frustrated with some of her classes in high school, sleeping through a few because she’s bored, [...]
-
-
23:34
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
A blogger friend I’ve been out of contact with for ages recently tagged me. Well, not exactly. He posted his entire blog roll and tagged all of us, but no matter. It’s all in fun. Hello, MathMan!
Simple meme, join in if you’d like. I’m not much for tagging, but I might just nab a few [...]
-
19:27
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Due to circumstances that likely could have been avoided, I will be writing part 2 of the sashiko tutorial tomorrow instead of today. In the meantime, here are some great examples of shibori done in indigo and white.
These three show just how diverse a medium shibori can be. The piece on the left is a [...]
-
-
16:11
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Before I start, I’d like to bring something to your attention and ask for your hand in helping others. Recently the plight of the Decker family came to my attention, and they are in need of funding to deal with immense medical bills and help for Carol Decker’s recovery. After an emergency Cesarian section delivery, [...]
-
-
13:11
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
So here it is. A little sampler project for getting started in sashiko, but without the pre-printed kit. Don’t get me wrong, I think the Olympus kits are wonderful, but I’m a coloring-outside-the-lines kind of person, and maybe you are too.
The kit contains four pieces of indigo yukata cotton with designs of iris, origami cranes, [...]
-
-
12:01
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
So I’m sharing this with you. It resonates with how I’ve been feeling lately, especially the part about staying up “very very very very very very late”.
“The first way Counting Crows ever sounded, it was me and Dave in bars and coffee houses playing open mics, doing this song this way. The song begins with [...]
-
-
20:35
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
It’s always a bit of a race to score a treasury on Etsy. In the past I’d let them go by without much of a thought. Leave it to others to put together lists of interesting items that might, if they were very well put together, end up on the Etsy main page. Me? Couldn’t [...]
-
-
12:35
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Kumoricon was fantastic! Thank you to all of you who came by to say hello, new friends and old. It was great to meet you, dress you, and share kimono culture with you. I hope we meet again at Sakura-Con in April 2009!
Lots and lots of changes have been happening here at Chez Kimono, and [...]
-
-
12:13
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
The car is packed and we’re ready to go. Hope to see you in Portland this weekend! If you’re coming to the show, don’t miss my panel on kimono on Sunday at 10 am. For details, check out Kumoricon.org.
-
-
10:12
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I suppose in some ways I’m really ready for summer to end. The heat, the dreary day after day boredom, trying to get work done when it’s too hot to think and there’s no one to talk to except the kids and they’re fighting again… yeah, I’m ready for school to start.
We had a lightning [...]
-
-
15:42
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Yikes! My math was bad and I miscalculated some receipts… this means I’ve got to raise funds in a hurry. I’m offering a half off sale in my Etsy shop until 8 am Wednesday morning Aug. 13, 2008 (starting 3 pm Pacific time Tuesday afternoon Aug. 12, 2008.) to drum up some business. If you’ve [...]
-
-
0:07
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
…and forgot to tell you all. Sorry about that. I bundled up my two kids and we drove from Central Oregon to Central Colorado on Monday, Aug. 4. It was interesting from my perspective, having been interested in geology since I was a wee nipper, but the kids were less impressed than I was. While [...]
-
-
23:52
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
The fashion show at SakéOne was a success. We have so many fantastic photos, but for now the only pic I have to share is the one I took myself before the models left the dressing room and hit the runway. Our emcee, Gordon Heady stands in the center surrounded by Diane, Shauna, Annie and [...]
-
-
20:13
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
It’s almost here, kimono fans! The second annual kimono fashion show at SakéOne is nigh upon us. I, for one, am freaking out. I love this show, but it’s a lot of work. Like a fine meal, there’s more prep work than you’ll ever see and it’s gone in just a few minutes. Please join [...]
-
-
1:02
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I’ve been busy sewing, both by hand and machine, as many kimono scarves and obi bags as I can this week. Preparation continues for the show this Thursday, then the one after that. During this time my mother is also preparing for surgery, so we’re all anxious to see that come out well. I confess [...]
-
-
21:57
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Here’s the flyer I just finished for the upcoming fashion show on July 17 at Between The Covers bookstore in Bend, Oregon. See you there!
-
-
23:04
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Tomorrow is the day for drawing the winner of the $10 gift certificate for the July giveaway. If you want to be in on it, post anywhere on this blog between now and midnight (Pacific time) Tuesday night, July 8, 2008. This is the last giveaway until September as I’ll be taking some time off [...]
-
-
0:47
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
It’s been quite hot here in the high desert lately, and since we don’t have air conditioning, that means leaving doors and windows open to allow for a pleasant breeze. Another thing we don’t have is a screen door for the front, so it’s rather bothersome when all sorts of winged annoyances start invading Chez [...]
-
-
0:49
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Here’s an apology to all of those who have emailed special orders, been waiting for a package to ship from me, or even just a reply to an email sent in the past week. There have been a few downturns in the ever spinning world of kimono life here at Chez Kimono, and I’ve been [...]
-
-
14:57
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
A loved one recently sent me a link to an essay written by a weatherman who essentially states that global warming is a scam perpetrated by Al Gore. While I prefer to err on the side of caution and support the idea of global warming (I tell the older generation “get back to me in [...]
-
-
10:53
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
A friend of mine will be walking in the San Francisco AIDS Walk on July 20, 2008. Since I can’t be there myself, I will donate 50% of the sale of these scarves to sponsor him. I’ll be busy fringing more this weekend, but here are the first two to get you thinking about cool [...]
-
-
17:22
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
For those of you in Oregon or planning a trip to Oregon in July, lucky, lucky you! I’ll be doing two events in July where you will have the opportunity to try on a kimono, have your own appraised, or buy yourself a beautiful vintage one and learn how to wear it.
The first event will [...]
-
-
13:53
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I’m driving myself ever so slightly round the bend trying to redo the KimonoMomo website on my own and have no idea when it will be finished. If I become totally baffled, I’ll be giving Cheri at Red Lime web design a call and get this site sorted. Her rates are very reasonable, but I’ve [...]
-
-
22:31
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I’ll admit it, I’ve been at a total loss as to what to offer for July’s giveaway. I’ve avoided posting, felt guilty and foolish (not to mention unprepared), and finally came to the conclusion that I should simply offer a gift certificate for $10 good for anything in my Etsy shop. The winner will be [...]
-
-
20:22
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I got so caught up in my children’s last day of school and need to clean the studio that I completely forgot to photograph the giveaway for July. Mia culpa. The June giveaway winner has been randomly picked (courtesy of random.org) and I am waiting to hear back from her before I announce her name.
In [...]
-
-
14:33
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Phase One of the KimonoMomo website overhaul as begun. If you notice any bad links, odd bugs or just have some feedback on the new look, please leave a post to let me know or drop me an email at carol [at] kimonomomo [dot] com. I have had many requests for kimono, obi and accessories, [...]
-
-
10:58
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
It’s almost Free Fiber Giveaway time! At midnight on Tuesday, June 10 I’ll be picking a random name from those of you who have left a reply anywhere on this blog in the past month. WordPress sorts them by date so I don’t have to search through posts trying to find them. Clever, eh?
I’m back [...]
-
-
18:32
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I’ve just returned from the Farmer’s Market with some yummy goodies (hooray for June!) and settled down to pick out some cottons for my sashiko project. I’ve decided to make a summer table cloth out of spare pieces of indigo and white fabrics. Some of these are bolt ends and irregular lengths, some have a [...]
-
-
10:49
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Honestly, I’m wearing a coat as I’m sitting at the computer today. How ridiculous is that? This is June, after all, but we’ve only had four hot days so far this year. Damn this crazy high desert climate. Maybe it’s time to move again? I’ve lived in Central Oregon since 2002, which is longer than [...]
-
-
11:16
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
At long last, I’ve returned to the desert… where it’s raining. All week long I’ve been looking forward to the dry air and warm climate that I’d left behind, only to find it damp, cold and dreary when I got home last night. Oh well.
Fanime was fantastic. The show was exhausting, but a lot of [...]
-
-
0:02
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Day one at Fanime con has been wonderful! I’ve met so many of you from the Immortal Geisha and Fanime forums, and it’s been fun dressing some of you, talking about kimono, and just having the opportunity to connect faces to obscure online names.
It’s late, I’m happy and exhausted, plus I have to get an [...]
-
-
19:34
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I must admit, I was a frantic mess last week. Now that I’m hours away from the Long Journey South (there’s a song reference for fellow Clandestine fans), I’m finding a mellow yet alert and clear-minded awareness of everything going on around me. Maybe it’s all the Shoyeido incense I’ve been packing (and inhaling in [...]
-
-
22:19
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Some of you may already know I have another Etsy shop, ArtisMagistra, where I sell hand dyed silks that are made in a studio in my town. I spoke with the artist herself yesterday (who prefers that I do not mention her label as it is rather exclusive) while she was loading up her old [...]
-
-
15:06
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Congratulations to Wendy, owner of The Pattern Stash, winner of the fabric giveaway for May! I hope she will find many wonderful uses for her new fabrics.
The next fabric giveaway will be picked at random on Tuesday, June 10 at midnight. That means you have until 11:59 pm Pacific time on Tuesday to post a [...]
-
-
10:05
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Remember back in January when I was taking apart an old obi and looking at the lining fabric? Now the tables have turned, and as I sew more obi for Fanime, I find myself considering what I will line some of these new obi with. I have several bolts of fabric for Nagoya obi that [...]
-
-
19:37
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
For the past three years I have sourced all of my materials from Japan exclusively, but this spring I was fortunate enough to have an opportunity to purchase several bolts of Japanese-themed quilt weight cotton prints from various quality manufacturers. I plan to spend the evening cutting some fat quarters for choice little bundles and [...]
-
-
10:13
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Counting down the days to Fanime, I am getting all sorts of crazy-anxious-calm-nervous-flustered-amazed. My biggest fear isn’t that I won’t do well at the show, but rather that I won’t have enough stock. I can just see myself sitting in an empty booth on Monday, and that would be both really bad and really good. [...]
-
-
17:35
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I pulled myself away from the computer long enough to actually sew the tatewaku and mukaimon obi today. It turned out longer than most of the hanhaba obi I have, so I tied it in an extra fancy bow.
If you are familiar with how kimono are worn, you may notice the lack of fold at [...]
-
-
22:44
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
There is a wonderful little old building in my town that was once a store, ‘way back in the logging-town days (back when Oregon’s economy was all about timber), and more recently refurbished and turned into a home. That home sold a while back and is now a most delightful bookshop. Handy as those chain [...]
-
-
12:08
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I was busy reading up on shibori yesterday when there was a knock at the door. We get a lot of door-to-door folks out here, mainly church people and vacuum cleaner sales people, neither of whom I really want to talk to, so when I opened the door to find a young man in a [...]
-
-
11:12
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Some days I look around the studio and think “I don’t have enough fabric” which is probably what every fabric junkie thinks at some point or another. Then I have a nice cup of tea, sit down on the sofa and have a look around at the bags, shelves, boxes and piles of silk and [...]
-
-
0:48
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
500 miles each way is a long commute and I seem to be doing it more often; the drive from my home in Oregon to the epicenter of my past, the San Francisco bay area. Last month it was the whole circus, four humans and one ferret who made the drive, but this time it [...]
-
-
10:06
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
My kids are staying home with me today and we’re all feeling poorly. Achy joints, low-grade fever, general ickyness. But since it’s one of my eBay listing days, I’m still here at the computer instead of sleeping like the children. Wheeee!
And you know what I’ve noticed? This is no big revelation, of course, but kids [...]
-
-
11:45
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Sometimes that which is not there stands out more than that which is. In this case, I’m referring to a missing dot among an otherwise complete shibori motif.
The shibori in question comes from a beautiful deep green cotton yukata with a peacock feather motif in my collection that I’ve had a few opportunities to wear. [...]
-
-
18:29
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Plaidfuzz is the winner for the Tuesday Free Fabric Giveaway! She will be getting the fun indigo yukata cotton mentioned a few posts down. Be sure to check out her Etsy shop and see all the pretty paper goodies she makes.
I’m sure some of you more regular readers were waiting to hear about the next [...]
-
-
17:21
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Oh dear, I turned my one week vacation from work into a two week vacation from blogging, didn’t I? Naughty me.
I promised to show some examples of shibori prints, so here we go!
First we have a pair of indigo yukata cottons with shibori style prints and bright colors. Notice how the shibori circles are most [...]
-
-
22:26
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Vacations are supposed to be relaxing, so I’m told. Instead I find my fingers twitching and I’m eager to get back to my piles of fabric, dig right in and work until I fall asleep. Tomorrow I plan to attend a screening of Hannari ~ Geisha Modern at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, [...]
-
-
16:24
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
So far I’ve posted several shibori fabrics that were primarily made up of dot patterns, which is a very common style of shibori. However, there are other techniques that are used to bind and dye cloth. Here are a few more examples.
This is an example of ori-nui shibori, where thread is run through the fabric [...]
-
-
20:37
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I wouldn’t normally do a meme on this blog, but I was tagged by my good blogging friend Dr. Zaius and couldn’t resist. I didn’t even have to think too hard to come up with the answer. But first…
Here are the rules:
1. Write your own six word memoir.
2. Post it on your blog and include [...]
-
15:11
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Brand spankin’ new in my Etsy store this week are just a small assortment of sashiko supplies, including sampler kits, needles, thread and thimbles. I’ll be getting more soon, but for the time being I hope you will peruse these little goodies and maybe add to your creative stash. These items are great if you’re [...]
-
-
16:53
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Congratulations to Crunchy Green Mom who is this month’s Free Fabric Giveaway winner! I hope that with 6 kids and a full time job she can find the time to make something wonderful with her new fabric.
The next giveaway will be Tuesday, April 8. All you have to do is post a reply on this [...]
-
-
23:09
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Ohmigosh! yes, I know, it’s almost Tuesday. Yes, that Tuesday. Free Fabric Tuesday. And where have I been while not blogging for the past week? Getting really excited about Fanime Con, a huge anime (Japanese animation) gathering in San Jose, CA May 23-26. I am very, very excited. Did I mention I am excited? [...]
-
-
18:06
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
After a long dry spell in coming up with threads to blog about, I awoke this morning with the awareness that I have more than enough fabric to blog about, I just forget that there are people out there who haven’t the faintest idea what shibori is, how it’s made, etc. much less understand what [...]
-
-
16:33
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Yes, I know I’ve been terribly neglectful of this blog. Sometimes life just gets in the way in all its dirty, messy, disruptiveness. However, seeing as I tend to take Tuesdays off, I plan to use the time for constructive blogging. Hence, I introduce to you the monthly giveaway!
On the second Tuesday of each month [...]
-
-
9:26
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I woke up this morning to see I’m a featured artist on Talent Database!
-
-
13:06
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
What an appropriate word, “anxious”. With that little twist in it, that X, and the way it falls silent at the end. That’s exactly how I’m feeling right now, counting down the hours before my first show in over a year. I sold at live shows and street fairs for nearly 10 years, but that [...]
-
-
13:42
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
which is why I haven’t been blogging lately. However, I have a few interviews and interesting articles planned, so stick around! For now, take a tour of my newest Etsy shop, Artis Magistra and drool a little on the fabulous fabrics found within. If you live in Bend, you’ll probably recognize Ellen’s work. I am [...]
-
-
20:33
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I moved to the high desert of Central Oregon (elevation around 3,500 ft) several years ago. Here we have only two seasons: our winters are dry and freezing and the summers are dry and hot, but both are beautiful. Every winter I pull my Columbia sportswear jacket out of the closet, bemoan it’s lack of [...]
-
-
19:29
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
With a big, heartfelt thank you to Chamekke of the Immortal Geisha forum, I now present to you a very useful table of fibers in Japanese.
-
-
14:24
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Ah, those wonderful mystery fibers. Gotta love ‘em. It’s funny, but to the modern eye, “vintage” Japanese fibers tend to be either brightly colored silks or indigo blue and white cottons, but historically this was not so. Prior to the mechanization of weaving in the mid 19th century, a great deal of weaving was still [...]
-
-
12:51
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
It took about 1.5-2 hours to take it all apart, but fortunately it was all hand-stitched and that always helps. Any kimono-type garments that have been machine stitched at some point are a nightmare to dismantle. Kimono are typically hand sewn of course, but from time to time I come across a vintage piece that [...]
-
-
14:24
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I post nice things about meisen, and this is what I get: more meisen! Here’s a group of 4 nice florals, some of which will be for sale on ebay this week. You can find my listings at KimonoMomo on ebay.
This next little piece is going to be an interesting challenge:
It’s in somewhat shabby [...]
-
-
12:52
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I often tell people my studio is knee-deep in kimono textiles, and sometimes I’m actually joking. Today, not so much. It’s raining outside, the snow is melting, and I’ve got a HUGE shipment of vintage kimono just waiting for me to tear into it. But first, a little project for your consideration.
Working on ways to [...]
-
-
15:30
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
Due to erm, unforeseen circumstances, I cannot access certain programs on my computer, including my photo editing software, so no pictures today. Instead I’m sharing some of the interesting bits and bobs I’ve found so far on leaded silk.
You think lead paint in children’s toys is bad? A hundred years ago we were wearing lead [...]
-
-
14:10
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
It snowed last night, so I got up early this morning and took a few photos of the boro quilt on the back porch. A flock of Canada Geese were flying overhead at the time, and I watched them get caught in a sudden gust that sent them heading in a different direction… they’d been [...]
-
-
12:22
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I’m currently working on researching lead silk, as it’s something you don’t come across so much these days. I do have some pieces of it in my vintage collection from the late 19th century, both in US-sold cloth of the era and (I assume) in several of the Japanese textiles as well. If you have [...]
-
-
13:46
»
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
I must admit, when I started working with kimono textiles I didn’t care much for meisen, that fuzzy-looking weave popular in the early 20th century (early Showa). It made my eyes feel out of focus and looked really… weird to me.
And then, this came into my life:
Cherries! and they’re not fuzzy! Photos cannot convey the [...]
Bend Light [xml|www]
UtterlyBoring.com [xml|www]
Hack Bend [xml|www]
Bend OR Bust [xml|www]
Images by Jeff Kennedy [xml|www]
thumpology [xml|www]
G5 Search Marketing Blog [xml|www]
Working Mom Goes Green [xml|www]
The Wandering Eye [xml|www]
The Central Oregon Veteran [xml|www]
Trusting the Land [xml|www]
The Blacksmith Restaurant [xml|www]
The Ardent Thread's Weblog
[xml|www]My Back Pages [xml|www]
High Desert Musings [xml|www]
Central Oregon Athlete
[xml|www]Bend Oregon Real Estate News [xml|www]
Bend Sux [xml|www]
Pomegranate Seeds [xml|www]
On the Subject of Being Awesome [xml|www]
Jane Johnson Photography [xml|www]
The Bend Buzz Blog [xml|www]
MediawithAK [xml|www]
High Desert Gallery of Central Oregon [xml|www]
Alpine Blogs [xml|www]
TBD blog [xml|www]
Jack and Mrs. Elliott Move to Bend [xml|www]
Blooming Eventually [xml|www]
Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy [xml|www]
Joan Quick [xml|www]
The gr8ful grind [xml|www]
Bronco Billy In Sisters Oregon [xml|www]
The Brew Site [xml|www]
Photos Northwest Blog [xml|www]
Tangled and True [xml|www]
An Eskimo bakes [xml|www]
My Scrap Home [xml|www]
Until All have Heard [xml|www]
Chubby Mommy Running Club [xml|www]
Campbell PR Blog [xml|www]
Wrongdude [xml|www]
WAVE Journey.com [xml|www]
Spiritual Awareness Community of the Cascades [xml|www]
Grizzly Mountain Arts [xml|www]
Central Oregon Writers Guild [xml|www]
The Grand Adventure [xml|www]
Arabella's Garden [xml|www]
The Lone Cowgirl [xml|www]
she's just saying ... [xml|www]
Redmond Spokesman Blog [xml|www]
Brewerman [xml|www]
Red Carpets, Saw Dust & DC Insiders [xml|www]
Go Light. Go Fast. [xml|www]
Nitro Sister- Christina [xml|www]
Dudley's BookShop Cafe [xml|www]
Bend Oregon Restaurant [xml|www]
Run Bitches Run [xml|www]
Harold's Blog [xml|www]
The Wizard [xml|www]
Diner Life [xml|www]
Pressing On [xml|www]
Central Oregon Savings [xml|www]
Bend Oregon Real Estate Blog [xml|www]
Paula Watts Photography [xml|www]
Kamini's Bellydance Blog [xml|www]
Damian Fagan [xml|www]
Steven Koski [xml|www]
Barker Bass Blog [xml|www]
Off Piste, by Bob Woodward [xml|www]
coldframed tomatoes [xml|www]
Seeking Grant Money Today [xml|www]
Leave it to Barney [xml|www]
Blueturtle's Space [xml|www]
monkeyinabox [xml|www]
Bend and Beyond [xml|www]
Gill Adventures Blog [xml|www]
Wannabe Hipster Mom
[xml|www]Nugget Newspaper Blog [xml|www]
BP's Bend Properties [xml|www]
The Wealthy Business [xml|www]
Fleet Feet Sports Bend Blog [xml|www]
Wanderlust Wanderings [xml|www]
Webfoot Painting Blog [xml|www]
Patrick Wurtz's Blog [xml|www]
Sentences We Love [xml|www]
Beth Patterson [xml|www]
DT from da FP [xml|www]
Standup Paddle Flatwater [xml|www]
Women's Hunting Journal [xml|www]
Diary of 1 [xml|www]
Tyler Roemer Photography Blog [xml|www]
Merlot Mortgage Blog [xml|www]
Central Oregon Views [xml|www]
chuggnutt.com [xml|www]
Wonder Worman [xml|www]
The Brazen Soul Blog [xml|www]
Eloquently Stated [xml|www]
furnish. blog [xml|www]
Central Oregon Landwatch [xml|www]
The Martini Chronicles [xml|www]
acloudtree [xml|www]
yarrow [xml|www]
Bend Wild [xml|www]
Ad HOC : Words + Ideas [xml|www]
Katie [xml|www]
Don's Sunnyside Blog [xml|www]
Camalli Book Company [xml|www]
Training For Fun! [xml|www]
IronHorse [xml|www]
The Way....to Oregon [xml|www]
Foot Zone Blog [xml|www]
TechSpace [xml|www]
Create and Relate [xml|www]
Hydro Flask Blog [xml|www]
Greener By Design [xml|www]
Fox CX [xml|www]
The Jackalope Grill Blog [xml|www]
Scott Louis Brown [xml|www]
Buzz By Annie's [xml|www]
Dating Is Weird [xml|www]
Juniper Seahorses [xml|www]
parla (speak) [xml|www]
Good Fitness, Great Life [xml|www]
Awbrey Dental Group Blog
[xml|www]Bicycle43 [xml|www]
Escape to Books [xml|www]
Madras Matters [xml|www]
High Desert Diva [xml|www]
Tom's Book Publishing Blog [xml|www]
THE JC PEOPLE [xml|www]
Living With Music [xml|www]
White-House-On-An-Acre [xml|www]
Ginger's Kitchenware [xml|www]
It Was Written [xml|www]
BendNights Dot Blog [xml|www]
Moving On [xml|www]
The Grumpy Forester [xml|www]
Central Oregon Food [xml|www]
The Map [xml|www]
The Huni Family (Almost) Daily Diatribe [xml|www]
Mom2Mom Bend, Oregon [xml|www]
Bend Memorial Clinic Blog [xml|www]
The Wagger [xml|www]
The Beeb, the Beagle & My Bestfriend [xml|www]
Bend Real Estate Sales [xml|www]
CS Distributors and Creative Smocking [xml|www]
A Day on the Bike [xml|www]
Bend Golfer [xml|www]
Community Learning Instructor [xml|www]
The Sorted [xml|www]
High Desert Gallery Snippets [xml|www]
Bankermom
[xml|www]Brysons of Bend [xml|www]
Build Baby Build [xml|www]
Birdies 4 Babies Golf Charity [xml|www]
Rob Umphress [xml|www]
life is weird (and so am i) [xml|www]
Be Well with Qigong [xml|www]
Sagewind Voices [xml|www]
mark leary designs - mobiles & other swirlygigs [xml|www]
WOW! And I say it louder. [xml|www]
How the Real Mother Hen Sees the World [xml|www]
Pastor Mike's Faith Journey Adventure [xml|www]
Cascade Winds News [xml|www]
Garage Improvement [xml|www]
Bend, Oregon, Daily Photo [xml|www]
BendBubble Phase Three [xml|www]
The Bend Beer Blog [xml|www]
Forever Family Designs [xml|www]
Show & Tell [xml|www]
PPP (Pole Pedal Paddle) [xml|www]
End Times [xml|www]
WebCyclery Blog
[xml|www]Brand Insight Blog [xml|www]
Elise Michaels Media [xml|www]
The Commercial Photographer [xml|www]
RAMBLETRON 4.75.269 [xml|www]
Elan Vital Anthology [xml|www]
Peebo the Bike Commuter [xml|www]
Bend Mothers Acting Up [xml|www]
Oh No She Didn't!
[xml|www]Bend Drum Circle [xml|www]
Bend Chiro Blog [xml|www]
Fade Away... [xml|www]
It's the little things in life... [xml|www]
View From The Cliff [xml|www]
Holly Contracting and Design [xml|www]
Amerine.net
[xml|www]Volcano Vineyards Blog [xml|www]
there once was a girl [xml|www]
Into the Wild Oregon [xml|www]
Bend Oregon ... and a little beyond! [xml|www]
Things that go great with coffee, friends and waffles [xml|www]
Color Conversations with Cristina [xml|www]
to knit in peace [xml|www]
Dwyer Williams Potter, Attorneys, LLP [xml|www]
dopeblend news
[xml|www]Cascades Academy - The Spawn [xml|www]
The Payroll Experience [xml|www]
Trying to live the raw food life in Bend, Oregon [xml|www]
Liana's Lifetime [xml|www]
Umami Media Blog [xml|www]
Stroller Strides - Bend, OR [xml|www]
Cowgirls Blog [xml|www]
The Biggest Winner [xml|www]
Isabella Acosta Barna [xml|www]
Search Consulting Service Blog [xml|www]
Bend Morons [xml|www]
An Angry Bend Bitch [xml|www]
bent and beat [xml|www]
Good Dirt Jewelry [xml|www]
Cauzal Connections [xml|www]
Central Oregon Critic [xml|www]
Pondering Philosopher [xml|www]
backstage pass [xml|www]
NitroSister Christina : Artwork [xml|www]
If you're not ready to die for it... [xml|www]
The Debut Effect [xml|www]
In the Know [xml|www]
Friday's Food Fancy [xml|www]
Stride Steady [xml|www]
Victoria's Secrets Told [xml|www]
Learning Conversations [xml|www]
vorpal.cc/blog [xml|www]
disturbing the comfortable [xml|www]
The Trading Desk [xml|www]
XC Oregon [xml|www]
The Pure Ingredients [xml|www]
Parking Lot Mamas [xml|www]
Parenting A Complex Special Needs Child [xml|www]
Ania Designs [xml|www]
There Goes Today, it Slowly Fades Away [xml|www]
Dusty Tales [xml|www]
Bring Back the 80's! [xml|www]
NeighborImpact Food Bank News [xml|www]
Life Behind the Lens [xml|www]
Bend Oregon Photos [xml|www]
Bend Gazette [xml|www]
Craving [xml|www]
Journey in Bend [xml|www]
Karen Duvall [xml|www]
Latitudes and Lassitudes [xml|www]
Our journey to Paige [xml|www]
Live on the Fly Studio [xml|www]
Pensees [xml|www]
Postcards from the Edge [xml|www]
The BF Stop: The Official BIG Folio Blog [xml|www]
of running and other pursuits [xml|www]
Bivwak Outdoors [xml|www]
What's New in Allyson's Kitchen [xml|www]
eMusings [xml|www]
CRR News And Views [xml|www]
My Tangerine Dreams [xml|www]
Scam Protectors [xml|www]
bikebuzz
[xml|www]Call Me Ed [xml|www]
I intentionally wrote it out to be an illegible mess [xml|www]
Gregg Zivney [xml|www]
Music and Musings [xml|www]
The Adventures of Rich Jandt [xml|www]
True North [xml|www]
The Christensons [xml|www]
The Frequently Unvisited Portion of the Internet [xml|www]
Kitchen Weech [xml|www]
Juniper Ridge Info [xml|www]
Lighthouse Parents [xml|www]
Blog of 4Sight [xml|www]
Not So Sex and the City [xml|www]
Laura @ Curl Up & Dye [xml|www]
Media Review [xml|www]
just a little thought [xml|www]
Poetic License Photo Blog [xml|www]
Talking the Walk [xml|www]
Jesus is Close [xml|www]
Gather at the Table [xml|www]
Political Pop Culture [xml|www]
BNI Bend [xml|www]
nook & cranny [xml|www]
Mike in Bend [xml|www]
Season To Taste ... Cook Until Done [xml|www]
VoIP Now [xml|www]
Dylan Darling's Real Estate Blog [xml|www]
Pimpin' All Over The World [xml|www]
Steph's Simple Solutions [xml|www]
A Predicated Life [xml|www]