Raven and Sparrow

Back to the table

After a brief consultation we agreed with our friends that it had been way too long since we had gathered for dinner. Saturday was a perfect Northwest summer day and so we made the most of it. There were three possibilities for the table, but the availability of flowers (or lack thereof) made me settle on my gray runner over a putty colored base cloth. I usually use pink lilies with that runner because I am always drawn to their sculptural flower buds, but there was only one small bunch at the store. Luckily there were alstroemeria in a similar pink so I padded with those and threw in some wild honeysuckle from the woods. I love my pink glassware so I was glad to combine them with gray plates and contemporary flatware. I have used all of these elements before, but the table still seems fresh to me, just like every meeting of these old friends is a new experience. 

Now, where was I?

Taking a deep breath here. I spent the weekend teaching a class in shibori and indigo at Gail Harker's Center for Creative Arts. It was planned to coincide with the Mood Indigo exhibit at the Seattle Asian Art Museum and on Friday I went down for a guided tour of that show.

I have taught indigo as a component of all my natural dye classes, and usually include a little time for play with clamps and folds and rubber bands. This was the first time I have seriously tried to teach the basics of shibori including stitched and bound resists. I agreed to do it months ago thinking that it was far enough after the wedding that I would have plenty of energy available. That turned out to be unrealistic, but the prep had to be done anyway. Of course, once I met the class and got going it was fun. I have never had a dud class and this one was full of great people. Although  there are things I will change if I teach it again I think it went pretty well over all.

These are just a few of the samples I made during the class. 

Now, with that completed and the wedding over I can get back to my own projects. I abandoned Becky's table after finishing her winter cloth and still have one more - spring - to make. Unfortunately, the studio is in such chaos (oh, and the house too) that I will have to spend some time mucking out before resuming. It does feel good to have more time again. Happy Solstice, everyone.

Party party

The wedding was the main thing, but then there were the celebrations. We started out the night before with a dessert party for everyone who was in Roche Harbor that night...about eighty people.  It was held in a big tent down at the beach, with a campfire, lawn games and sugar in many forms. It was a chance for the two families to hang out and get to know each other a little before the wedding. This was my party to organize and I have to admit it was way beyond my comfort level. Fortunately I had the assistance of my large family. My parents, two sisters, four brothers and their families created quite a team for last minute food prep, transportation, set-up, maintenance and clean-up (whew). I want to especially thank my brother Tim's kids: Isaac, Madison, Kyle and Conner. They pitched in even when I couldn't remember what needed to be done and hung on through all of the phases of the event. The cornerstone planner and worker was my son Brendan's girlfriend, Michele. She has been helping me plan for months and did a lion's share of the baking and food prep. She also suggested and made six simple syrups that could be added to prosecco, club soda, or lemonade. They were the hit of the evening. 

My brother Collin helping me unroll my tablecloths. (Also in the picture: my sister Erin, sister-in-law Margaret and sister-in-law Lynne in full helping mode.) I pinned the tablecloths on swim noodles which kept them unwrinkled through all their travels. They were paired with ferns in clay pots, simple pillar candles and eight by ten back to back baby pictures of Joel and Becca. It was pretty simple and the wind blew most of the candles out, but it seemed alright. 

Michele setting up her delicious syrups....lavender, ginger, blackberry, vanilla.... yum.

Here's my brothers and sisters..me, Tim ,Erin, Joe, Lisa, Andy, and Collin kneeling.

S'mores by the beach. I'm so grateful for my family.

The next day we partied again. The reception was of course much more elaborate, but really fun. It helped that I didn't have to be responsible for it.

 

 We started with drinks and dancing on the patio. then did the hora (inexpertly), with the bride and groom on chairs, just like Fiddler on the Roof.

 

The reception hall really looked beautiful. Becca and Joel's friend Jenn did an exquisite job with the flowers. The dinner was very tasty. After the speeches (short, but pretty funny), and cake the serious dancing began. Someone told me that you can tell how good the wedding was by how full the dance floor is....by that measure this was a great wedding.