![\"IMG_3904\"](\"http:\/\/www.argoknot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/IMG_3904.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThis may be my favorite tapestry from the students’ exhibition. \u00a0It is “Autumn” by Anneli Forsberg. \u00a0Jody and I enjoyed talking to her about Sweden and working with Helena. It’s stunning, right?– with the same marvelous use of floats and thick bundles of weft.<\/p>\n
A few other works of note…..<\/p>\n “Lighthouse.”<\/p>\n “Longing for Summer,” by Hugrun Runarsdottir<\/p>\n Two of the artists\/weavers admiring the crocus. The artist for this tapestry is on the left.<\/p>\n Both exhibit spaces were on the green in Washington Depot. \u00a0This is the building where the students’ exhibition was on display.<\/p>\n In the back is a lovely sunken garden where they served refreshments. By the time Jody and I found this spot the opening was over and the clean up had started.<\/p>\n At the other end of the green was the display of Helena’s work. \u00a0I loved the setting and the way this building is open to the outdoors.<\/p>\n The last time I saw Helena, at her studio, this piece was newly finished. \u00a0It is double woven with a layer of plastic strips on the back. \u00a0When it is hung in a way that allows viewing on both sides, it has a luminous, transparent effect. \u00a0The plastic on the back side creates a sparkling effect on the front. \u00a0On the back side the effect of the woven plastic strips is very glossy and dazzling.<\/p>\n One of my all time favorite pieces is Helena’s “Anemones.” \u00a0Her use of floats and big bundles of weft is what makes her dramatic use of focus and out of focus effects. \u00a0Looks like I had trouble focusing on holding my camera straight!<\/p>\n Here’s a detail shot….<\/p>\n At the end of our visit, dear Jody got a photo of Helena and me together. \u00a0I treasure this!<\/p>\n It was Jody who thought to take this fabulous photo of two of Helena’s works together.<\/p>\n This was the BIG event of my summer, and I’m looking forward to seeing another work of Helena’s at the “Plunge” exhibit in New Bedford, later this weekend!<\/p>\n Backtracking a little, I made contact with one of the award winners from the juried exhibit at NEWS. \u00a0The basketmaker, Barbara Feldman Morse. \u00a0I’m rather certain I saw another of her baskets awarded two years ago. \u00a0Now this year she gilded the lily by also weaving a liner for her latest basket. \u00a0Brilliant!<\/p>\n I had no way to contact any of the weavers whose works I admired, but I happened to stumble on Barbara on Facebook, so I tried contacting her through FB messenger. \u00a0Well, it took a couple of weeks for her to see my message, but when we connected at last I found a most interesting woman!<\/p>\n Over the 40 years that I have been weaving and getting to know other weavers, I’ve often found that weavers lead fascinating lives. \u00a0They are often gardeners, artists in tw0-dimensional techniques, like painting, and often good cooks too. \u00a0Many weavers seem to love cats. \u00a0It turns out that Barbara loves to cook and in particular she bakes madeleines! \u00a0What wonderful little luxuries! \u00a0She has published a cookbook on madeleines and her madeleines were sold at Ghiradelli’s Chocolate in San Fransciso, at local \u00a0Starbucks, and they have been used in films. \u00a0All that baking success is quite a feat on its own, but she is also a master weaver and accomplished basket maker. \u00a0I am happy that I have crossed her path. \u00a0You can read her here and also get a few madeleine recipes!<\/p>\n And summer marches on …. Bob and I participated in a “Conquer the Current” paddle on the Connecticut River last weekend. \u00a0He did the conquering and I kept cool and out of the sun by holding my umbrella. \u00a0Bob rowed 9 miles<\/em> down the river! \u00a0We put in at the Haddam Bridge (think Goodspeed Opera House), and ended at the Connecticut River Museum, in Essex, where the museum staff treated all participants to a wonderful Sunday brunch on the grounds of the museum–even me–who didn’t do a thing!<\/p>\n The gardens I see along my walks are just beginning to show signs of slowing down, but are always still a wonderful part of any venture outside. \u00a0It was a hazy August day-after-eclipse that I took these.<\/p>\n The eclipse seemed to have an oddly productive effect on me. \u00a0Before it started I dug out some linen fabric that I had eco-dyed last summer, unsuccessfully. \u00a0Actually, I eco-dyed it twice and still did not get a pleasing outcome. \u00a0So on eclipse morning I brewed up some French marigold flowers that have been stashed in my freezer from last year’s garden. \u00a0I simmered the linen fabric for about an hour, then let it cool in the dye bath for the rest of the day.<\/p>\n This photo is about as hazy as my garden shots above. \u00a0The color is actually darker and quite interesting. \u00a0The fern prints from eco-dyeing that barely showed up now stand out considerably more! \u00a0Win, win!<\/p>\n First the marigolds, so you can see the color of the flowers.<\/p>\n And here’s what I got…although darker than this photo.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n