This is the family of flower beetles I just took off the loom. I wanted to study it in gray scale for awhile before I finish the piece. It will be framed under plexiglass with a black frame and a colored flannel backing.

The colors of the piece, although similar in value, are saturated and bright. There is of course a bit of sparkle here and there too. At different angles the metallic thread does different things; often highlighting a section not readily apparent from a different angle Black is the only dark value; used largely for outlining the shape.

Overall the effect is good; a calming serene feeling - not that creepy feeling that one could get when viewing a collection of dead beetles. The colors almost make one smile. And as in many beetle collection; no one beetle is the focal point yet each can be studied and admired due to its uniqueness.

Can't wait to see it finished, framed, and hung in a gallery with lots of light.

End of a Warp

Here is a sight that I do not often see...the end of a warp...this is the end of my nine yard warp in serger thread I put on over a year ago. Yup - twenty seven feet of black and navy blue polyester serger thread. Apparently, the warp, all ends included measured out to more than a mile of thread. No wonder I rarely see the end of my warp.

I should go and count but I am sure I have woven more than three dozen beetles and a couple dozen small pieces for note cards. Plus, two large family of beetle pieces. One of the family pieces got into the Eye Dazzlers exhibit and will be shown at the Albuquerque Convention Center in July. A collection of my individual sixteen beetles is currently on display in Fiber 2010 West at the SCIART gallery in Camarillo.

I've included a photo of my last two beetles for awhile. These are from the family Cetoniinae - the flower beetles. I think I need a bit of a break from beetles...but still need to weave a few more to take my vision to fruition.

We took a walk today...

We went for a walk this morning at the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve. Whew - so much red-orange everywhere!

Good News

Two good things happened today - - -

1. My murder mystery kimono was accepted into Convergence's Walk in Beauty Fashion Show. First time I have ever entered something for the runway. It must have been that shimmering chartreuse lining! I can already imagine my trepidation when the model walks down the runway...

2. In about nine minutes, at 5pm , the supplemental application period ends for the California Redistricting Committee. Yes, I was one of the initial 30,000+ applicants. The number of applicants who have made it to this next stage is less than 5,000. Still a long shot, but my odds have improved.

Time to celebrate.

Flower Beetles

I discovered I had another yard or so of warp left on my sixteen harness ashford so I am weaving a collection of sixteen beetles from the Cetoniinae subfamily; the flower beetles.

Four beetles done with a dozen to go. The colors are bright and cheerful and the weaving has been quite pleasant. My only problem has been when I forgot my only rule of weaving with fine threads - avoid clothes with buttons.

I have two weaving goals this month, substantial progress on the flower beetles & my giraffe tapestry. So far, so good on the first. Today I focus on the latter.