Brooklyn Bound, baby!

I’m headed up to NYC , land of my birth, this weekend. Woot!  Going see old friends, including finally meeting Maeve, the little Irish princess that I made this sweater for.

The pattern is the Seamless Kimono Baby Sweater from Jackie Kelly at The Complete Fabrication.   

I found it on ravelry and I just love it.

While in NYC, I’m geeked to be seeing the Felter Skelter Needle Felting All Stars Show at the Gallery Hanahou.  

This show features the work of four needlefelting goddesses who I have long admired, Moxie, Hine Mizushima, Kit Lane and Yoku Nomura.  I own a few pieces by Yoku Nomura (aka feltmates), including this insanely cool panda brooch that I purchased her etsy shop.  I’d wear every day if I could.

I plan to roam, have cocktails, play with old friends and just enjoy myself.  For me that means looking for fabric for my Andy Warhol embroidery piece, seeking out lumnious fibers and threads, visiting the Japanese toy store and pursuing all things handmade. Hopefully I won't freeze to death, as I've become a bit thin-blooded from living in the warm South for so many years. (It was 83F/28C degrees in Durham, NC, today!) 

Looking forward to three days of doing whatever I want!

Yah!

Durham, You have been Gnomed!

Yesterday was Gnoming Day in Durham!

Over 120 Cork Gnomes hit the streets and parks of Durham, NC, yesterday, thanks the devious plotting and maniacal knitting of the Durham String Thing.

The little cuties found new homes in the toes of an enormous metal camel sculpture, nestled in the bells of beautiful spring tulips, cuddled up against an enormous houka pipe on Ninth Street, leaning against the gothic spirals of the Duke Chapel and hiding inside parking meters, among many other locations.  One even flew into the open car window of a passing car and was caught by a lucky, suspiciously festive young Durham man.

Updates of their adventures can be found at their official site http://corkgnome.tumblr.com/

For now, here is a fantastic composite created by the amazing Kay (a.k.a. “little red”) featuring the adventures of Katherine, Kay and myself as we found new homes for some of the little gnomes. Click on the image to see it better.

(I’m the dark haired one in black making a lot of crazy faces.)

Stitched Ode to Tom Waits by Giggly Mama

Oh, Tom, how I love you.  Just say the word and I’d recklessly fall onto the lawn with you, even though I am some else’s wife.

You’ve made dying your hair in the bathroom of a Texaco sound so beautiful.

I requested a custom order of this magenta embroidery of my great, broken love from the fantastically talented Giggly Mama and I could not adore the piece more!

Giggly Mama (whose real name is Shannon) is a stitching goddess.  I cannot believe the detail and expression she captured in satin stitch.  She has amazing skill and she stitched this with great speed. I requested the item from her etsy shop on Saturday and it made its way from California to NC by Wednesday.

I first came across her work in the Phat Quarter group on flickr. She is one of those people you meet online who you wish you could know in 3D.  She is so generous and supportive, in addition to being immensely talented. I’m still so new to embroidery and her encouragement has meant to world to me.   Seeing her beautiful embroidery in person only makes me admire her more.

Tom was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this week.   Congratulations, my grave-voiced sugar man!  I'm not generally a swooning woman... but for you... I can't help myself.

“Hey little bird, fly away home

Your house is on fire; your children are alone

Hey little bird, fly away home

Your house is on fire; your children are alone

Schiffer broke a bottle on Morgan's head

And I've been stepping on the devil's tail

Across the stripes of full moon's head

Through the bars of a Cuban jail

Bloody fingers on a purple knife

A flamingo drinking from a cocktail glass

I'm on the lawn with someone else's wife

Come admire the view from up on top of the mast”

From “Jockey Full of Bourbon”
(Special thanks to Jessica W for the floating hands shot!)

Cork Gnomes to Invade Durham this weekend!

Tonight in the Independent Weekly Online, "Heaps of little creatures are prepping for debut, from bitty bunnies to budding bulbs and... lucky little cork gnomes, as the Indy staff has learned.

The news came in an "a-gnome-ymous" letter of Lilliputian proportion, attached to this little guy (or gal?). Locals will start spotting these little cuties beginning March 20, according to the message." Read the complete Indy piece here.

And don't forget to track their adventures at the newly created tumblr blog, Cork Gnome Home.

A little friend was just spotted in Seattle!!  Oh my!!

Andy Warhol drew me a heart

When I was very young, I met Andy Warhol and he drew me this picture.

I love how crooked the heart is!

My meeting with Warhol has some odd details, which I will write about another time.

Once I finish this pink biohazard pillow, my next stitching project is to embroider this Warhol message.  The search is on for good background fabric. I'm just not sure what I want... Any ideas are welcome!

Something Gnomish this way comes

Look out, Durham, NC! On March 20^th, an unholy army of cork gnomes will descend upon you! They will be hiding in secret places downtown, on Ninth Street and in other locations TBD.

Look at these murderous faces.

And if you’re lucky enough to stumble upon one and take it home… alas, I cannot say what will befall you. 

Brought to you by the devious fiberistas of Durham String Thing, of which I am a card-carrying member. 

My days have been consumed with knitting these Korknisse. To make my gnomes, I’ve modified the original pattern, found on raverly and designed by Manne. (An English version of the pattern, translated from the Norwegian by Saartje, can be found here: )

More details to come, gentle Durham.  Do not be afraid!