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of coffee filters and rabbit holes

6/29/2021

 
Picture
Well hello!
How curious, suddenly,
to be here in the shortening days
of this somewhat odd summer
 (in the Northern Hemisphere at any rate).
Between the super hot bits
and the super smoky bits
and the super dry bits
and all the stuff going on
in our lives
with our friends
and in the world,
every day has been
well -- itself,
and sometimes...a lot.
Yet here we are.
Picture
It even rained the day before yesterday--
a few brief hours of delicious thundery damp
after months of being parched.
 I'd just cleared the clogged downspouts, too.
Isn't it amazing
when things work out?
Picture
Actually lots of things have worked out--
my collard crop, for instance, is incredible,
the freezer is filled with frozen berries,
and our local farmer's market provides all bounty
I am not enough of a gardener to grow.
I try, of course, and have managed
to have fresh lettuce almost every day
despite the heat.

But this summer I've been more cartoonist
than gardener or weaver,
which to my astonishment means that
another thing that has worked out is
this new comic zine/guide thingy:
of coffee filters and rabbit holes
and I like it!
Picture
The project has been
  a great companion these many months--
the process of bringing it to you
as beguiling as the coffee filter yarn itself.
How lucky can I get?
Picture
Luckier still, of course,
is that I also truly enjoy revising--
 drawing, re-drawing,
getting feedback,
thinking of a new approach,
writing and re-writing--
just as I adore transforming the filters themselves
into tapestries and sweater and baskets and imaginary future garments.
Picture
Not that I am doing any of the latter.
My arm/hand stuff is massively better
thanks to endless stretches and exercises and support
and rest from all those beloved activities--
but I remain careful and cautious.
I mean, why risk a relapse?
Picture
And truly,
drawing and writing and thinking about making things
is pretty darned satisfying in itself--
especially once the arm/hand/neck issues
improved enough
to hold  pencils and pens
for longish periods of time.
Picture
One of the interesting things about creating this guide
has been that even as it describes the process of making a particular yarn,
it also draws on all sorts of other ideas I've explored in the past--
indeed, it reminds me how very many rabbit holes
have enveloped me over the years--
far more than could possibly fit into one reasonably sized comic--
and for a time that felt like a bit of a problem.

"If I say that, I've got to explain how to do it!"

My solution was to add at the end
a four page Glossary/Resources section.
And what a blast that was!
Naturally it could have been far longer than it is
(who knew glossaries were addictive?)
but I think it will still provide a few pointers
in case you want to brush up on some technique,
or are yourself beguiled by the odd side passage
in this paper yarn making rabbit hole...

And if perchance you're newish to this blog and my work
and want to see/read more about
how this coffee filter yarn thing unfolded,
check out my Tapestry Archive for 2019, 2020, and 2021,
or click the coffee filter yarn button in the side bar,
or type coffee filter yarn into the search bar at the top of the page.
Picture
So here it is:
of coffee filters and rabbit holes
a 40 page black and white PDF
 now in the webstore ready for you to download.

Note on downloading the PDF
(in case it isn't clear from the website )

Once the transaction is complete
you will get an email receipt with your download link.
Click on that and it should go onto whatever device you are using.
The downloads are not limited to one device,
so you can use that same link on several if you want
(also, in case one thingy works better than another).
If you have trouble, please let me know by replying to the receipt email.

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I think that's about it,
other than to note that one great thing about hot dry weather
is that laundry dries really really fast,
and the grass (actually mostly yarrow, dandelion, and bindweed truth to tell)
grows really really slowly.

Oh-- actually one MORE thing before I go--
well, maybe two--
Picture
Picture
One:
Tapestry Design: Basics and Beyond by Tommye McClure Scanlin 
a beautiful, helpful and inspiring book
is now out in the world filled with tapestry goodness and support.
There are even instructions on how to build
one of my favorite portable tapestry looms --
the tiny Archie Brennan style galvanized pipe loom.
I'm also lucky enough have a tapestry included in its pages.
Truly, a lovely supportive book --
with a spiral binding no less so that like
Jean Pierre  and Yadin LaRochette's wonderful Anatomy of a Tapestry
it will stay open on the page you are reading.
So very thoughtful.
Here is a review by the ever amazing Rebecca Mezoff,

What a time this is for tapestry books
and, indeed, full on tapestry immersion. 
Tommye's other book, The Nature Of Things
Rebecca Mezoff's  The Art of Tapestry Weaving
and Micala Sidore's The Art is the Cloth
and online classes galore.
Time to warp those looms.
Picture
Hut On The Rock; hand woven tapestry; 40" x 48"; wool, natural dyes ©Sarah C. Swett 2004
 Two:
 I wanted to share a link to this
delightful and soothing video
that my son Henry made,
showing the re-skinning of (and then fishing from),
a little coracle that I helped him make
with willow wands about ten years ago,
a wee craft he has since used hard enough
that this is its third cloth covering!

The first one we built when he was 10 or 11 years old
and not surprisingly, it ended up
in a couple of tapestries,
and an egg tempera painting.
Picture
Messing Around In Boats; egg tempera on gessoed board; 16" x 18"; ©Sarah C Swett 2005
Life is so weird and curious sometimes, isn't it?

And speaking of weird
(cuz who knew I'd ever make coracles
much less weave  and knit with coffee filters)
I should probably to put another link
here at the bottom:

So friends, I give you...
 of coffee filters and rabbit holes!
Picture
Nancy Martin
8/24/2021 10:08:07 am

Hi Sara, Thanks so much for your blog -- just found June, 2021. I was in a deep hole and your blog pulled me up and I am almost climbing out of this rusty tin can hole -- it goes pretty deep, but your blog and clicking through everything on your website today helped a great deal. You are so creative. Sending knitting info and your store info to my granddaughter who is a knitter. I am sure she will enjoy getting your PDF's. Thanks again, and prayers for healing arms, hands neck etc. Sincerely, Nancy

Kate Colwell
8/24/2021 11:48:21 am

Sarah: Just thrilled to hear anything from you!!! I was just fretting last night that it didn't seem fair to ask Rebecca while she is hiking to check in and let your/her fans know if you were OK, but it's been so long. I have missed your voice and worry about your body. Be well. kate

PJ Mohr
8/24/2021 01:00:34 pm

Hi Sarah - so great to see your email just now - and a new book to add to my collection! Glad to know you're seeing some improvement in your health. Hugs, PJ

Michi Mathias link
8/24/2021 02:27:44 pm

Yay, so happy to see you back! Good to know you're getting better. What an amazing post, words and pics both, and now I get to read the story of filters and holes... 😀

Susan
8/24/2021 04:06:41 pm

Welcome back!

Barbara Condon
8/24/2021 07:39:18 pm

Oh, happy day!

tommye scanlin link
8/25/2021 02:18:00 am

Sarah, so wonderful to be reading from you again! I’ll go by the online shop soon and get my very own new zine.
I’m up at 5 am eastern to find a new spot to sit through some recent surgery pains. I went down this blog post rabbit hole and found my book at the end! Truly, it brought a tear to my eye to see it there—thank you so much for your kind words about it. And thank you for being part of it; you and your work have inspired me for decades.

Kantu
8/25/2021 09:37:36 am

Hi Sarah,
So happy to have you back! Feeling better! And ready to go down a dozen more rabbit holes! Your blog and you were sorely missed. Good to have you back. Stay well. Kantu

Kristine Stark
8/26/2021 10:32:41 am

Sarah, I apologize for contacting you in the way, but I just purchased you new zine and when I tried to download from the purchase email, I get a network error? Please advise me what to do. The order # is 1781182733. Thanks for your help! Kris

Sarah
8/26/2021 11:33:02 am

Hi Kristine! So sorry you're having trouble. I've sent you an email with the zine attached, which should fix at least part of the problem. Network issues, however, will have to fix themselves as, alas, they are not a thing I can control from here. Take care and enjoy!

liz hoenig kanieski
8/26/2021 08:02:19 pm

Dear Sarah,

Love your words, weavings, drawings and meanderings! Weaving a coracle and "messing about" in it is still on my list of desires. Thanks to you and Henry for your inspiring imaginations!

Liz

Gerri
8/27/2021 03:59:27 pm

So much fun in one place!


Comments are closed.
    Picture

    ​Sarah C Swett 
    tells stories
    with
    ​ and about

     hand spun yarn. 


    Picture
    Click for info on
    my four selvedge
    warping class
    with
    ​ Rebecca Mezoff  
    fringeless


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