Topo Blog

There are times when the search for an answer takes longer than expected, but gives you such a reward in the knowing. I never knew what Vegetable Matter (VM) was. Quite frankly, I never thought about the origins of my roving or yarn at all in my early fiber days. I cared that it was the right color and texture and gave me the result I was after in my project. I picked it up all braided or in pretty skeins ready to work with. Easy peasy!

I got up early this morning. With soft puppy snoring filling the air, I gingerly walked through the dark rooms to the kitchen, trying to allow sleeping dogs (and my husband) to lay undisturbed and avoid the possible contact of one tiny toe to the sharp corner of my bedpost. I still had sleep in me, but the call of coffee was stronger.

Rabbit holes. They wind and criss-cross and connect with others and, best of all, they all lead to home. Perhaps that is why we affectionately use this term to describe our relationship with our art form and craftsmanship. It’s fun to explore what’s around the corner...

My husband and I vacationed in France. Now that alone was fantastical, but before any trip, I make a point to do some fiber research of the area. That’s when I saw them....Ouessant sheep! They are one of the smallest sheep in the world and they have quite a history.

Natural dyes draw me in. They are a prominent part of my work with fiber and a focal part of several organizations I belong to within my community. This journal entry is not that, but rather the experimentation with a historical chemical reaction that altered our dyeing textile methods forever.