Color Trend Forecasts Video

Ever wonder how colors are forcasted? Here's video from Pantone that will give you some insight!

Helena Hernmarck Presentation to Fiber Arts Group

Winnie Johnson (a member of my local fiber arts group) recently flew to Sweden to participate in a workshop with world renowned Swedish tapestry artist Helen Hernmarck. Yesterday we were treated to a presentation and slide show of her experience.


Here Winnie gives us a real life, real time demonstration of Helena's tapestry techniques.

A quick snap shot of a few members of our local group! Many of them are weavers and quilters.

We were also introduced to Fika. Fikas are happy afternoon gatherings between friends. Similar to our US version of a coffee break. Below is a photo of the lovely Swedish Fika we all enjoyed at Winnie's!

Links to more info about Helena Hernmarck.

Weaving a Story (There's an awesome video included with this link - don't miss it)

The Glimpse Wool and linen; weft-faced with discontinuous weft patterning
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts

Mitt lilla hus - This blog is written in Swedish but has some great photos of Helena's work.

Helena Hernmarcks book at Amazon.com

Do you belong to a fiber arts group? Tell us about your group in the comments section below. If you don't have a group you might want to start one of your own. It's amazing the talent and camaraderie you will find in your own back yard!

Note - Winnie Johnson owns and operates Woodland Cottage a Textile and Craft Retreat Center.

Don't Worry BE HAPPY

I like to say, "Enjoy your life". Here's a video with tips on how to become a happier person. I like some of these simple and free ideas. What's your secret to happiness? I hope you'll share them with me and my readers in the comments section.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Here's the link to the happiness study that she refers to - Happiness Study

Developing Skill

Thanks to a facebook post by Roseann Meehan Kermes I found this inspiring site:

makeandmeaning.com

"Acts of making are important – whether they involve yarn and knitting needles, wood and tools, pots and pans, brushes and canvas or anything else.

When we make things, time and worry fall away. We’re more aware, engaged, and excited – and we find it easier to connect with others. In truth, making connects us to our best selves." Direct Quote from the Make & Meaning Blog

These two loaves of Danish Rye bread are examples of experimenting (I combined two recipes into one) and allowing myself to make mistakes. (I accidentally used twice as many seeds as the recipe called for, Oooppps). Both experimenting and allowing yourself to make mistakes are essential to skill building.

Developing skill takes time and practice.

And some skills take practice, practice and more practice!

So allow yourself time to learn and explore. Enjoy your life. Create something unexpected!

I hope you will follow this link to makeandmeaning.com where there's a beautifully written article on developing skills.

How about you? Do you have skill building stories to share? Do tell, in the comments section.

Misplaced work ethic?

Just spent a few days at Cool Breeze Cottage on a quilting retreat with a whole slew of Minnesota Quilt Designers. I sewed and sewed and sewed and snoozed and ate and laughed and told stories. Had an awesome massage and a chocolate martini. Today was my first day back in my studio and it seems I've misplaced my work ethic. Perhaps I left it in Waconia?

So what did I do today instead of work? I Baked rugbrød (Danish Rye bread) and in 24 hours I will get to taste it!

So how about you? How do you maintain a good work ethic?

Spice Up the Winter

Want to spice up a cold grey winter day?

A hot apple cider could do it . . .

HOT SPICED APPLE CIDER
1/2 gallon apple cider
12 cloves
3 cinnamon sticks
1 c. orange juice
1/2 c. lemon juice

Heat apple cider. Add all the other ingredients. Allow the mixture to simmer for half hour or more. Serve in mugs.

Serves 12.

Or you could pull out some blue and grey fabrics from your stash (in honor of the chilly weather) then add a dash of orange, red and green to spice it up. And SEW SOMETHING!!!

And of course you could always do BOTH! Call it "Sip & Sew".

Create something unexpected!

Enjoy your life!

Win a Quilting Studio

Click the logo above for the AQS link and details about this awesome Quilting Studio 'GiveAway'!