Friday, June 29, 2007

Pink Cat Finished

I'm done with this. In more ways than one I think. What I learned: no wool on a work-intensive project (my head's all snuffly and my lips are tingly) and beaded pods like this overpower a simple fabric shape (if the cat were all beady as well it might balance). I'm not enjoying this little piece enough to keep playing with it.

Someone asked if I'm allergic to the wool or the lanolin. I assume the wool since my mom knit me some beautiful wool sweaters I can't wear anymore and I've never had a problem with any kind of lanolin-containing skin creme.

Here's a much better picture of a cat, the beautiful Lily:

The weather here has been dismal. More like March than June. Pokey has been very cuddly which is marvelous for reading, but not so good for quilting. A good excuse to crack some books. I finished The Scent of Shadows by Vicki Pettersson, an urban fantasy a la Kim Harrison and Laurel Hamilton (the early books, before it was all sex all the time). The premise is too goofy, but I found the writing and characters compelling. I'd give it 3.5 out of 5.

The book that I am completely in love with is A Perfect Red by Amy Butler Greenfield, which her website describes as:

The story of the quest for the perfect color red is an adventure into world history. For those who knew its secrets, red was a source of wealth and power from ancient times onward — especially cochineal, the source of nature's most potent red dye.

There's so much information on textiles and dyeing, and pigments for painting, the symbolism of the color red in life, art, religion and folklore. Truly loving the book, which doesn't feel like I'm reading non-fiction. I keep finding quotes for you all, but there are too many to share. How about this one though:

"Deep, rich reds were also popular among peasants and small farmers, but both legal strictures and the prohibitive cost ensured that they rarely had a chance to wear them. At best, peasants could afford only the cheaper orange-red and russet dyes. Even these, if too bright, could bring them into conflict with sumptuary laws and local customs. Such laws were a sore point, at least in parts of Germany, where during a revolt in 1525 peasants demanded, among many other things, the right to wear red."

Can't even imagine living in a time (or place) when someone else could dictate what colors I'm allowed to wear. Anyway, get the book and try it yourselves. I think my fellow lovers of fabric will love it too.

I read this review (by a chef living in Paris, not a film critic) and this article about the new movie Ratatoiulle and now I'm incredibly excited to see it. The basic premise is this: a rat who wants to be a chef in a 3-star restaurant in Paris. It's by Pixar. Directed by the guy who made the fabulous movie The Incredibles. Apparently the Pixarians worked hard to get the chef/food/restaurant/Paris bits accurate. Wheeee!

Unfortunately the movie doesn't get here for awhile. I did start searching the internet though and I know have a link for finding the English Language movies that are playing in Paris. Woohoo. And I've found out some info about theaters as well. Now we're ready for Harry Potter as well as the rat.

20 comments:

Donna said...

I love the dandylion beading -- makes me think of firworks actually. I'd never thought of Red being such an important colour, I've known about purple for some time, but never red....

PaMdora said...

I do love the beady-tree though - great idea! maybe you could do another one with just beady plants.

JennyDillyAnna said...

I'm surprised, another person actually allergic to wool (or lanolin) at least with the respiratory effects. Not that it is a good thing. Lanolin containing products use to work for me but not anymore. Sometimes our bodies can just tolerate small amounts of it.

I like your dandy-tree but do agree with the slight over powering of the kitty. If only first glance being drawn into the cats eyes, all that could be balanced. Guess you are not planning another go at it due to the wool. Best wishes on a quick recovery.

McIrish Annie said...

Bloglines has been very very bad and I am just now catching up to you with Pink cat completed. I absolutely LOVE IT. Don't think the beads overwhelm and love the kitty.

Do you often sketch ideas? I have been thinking about doing that but have put it off since a: i stink at drawing and b: i'm lazy. LOL

But my head is stuffed full and it has been keeping me awake at night of late trying to remember all of it.

Any whoo. love pink kitty in wool.

BTW would make a super cute bag or pillow.

and you are brave and wonderful to work with fabric that makes you stuffy!! bravo

Quilts And Pieces said...

I heard a review of it this morning on the radio and this critic never gives 4 stars, and he gave it 4 stars! I can't wait to see it! Wish we could go together!

meggie said...

I love the kitty with blue beading.
I am sorry about your allergy- my grandon get an excema like reaction if he wears it.
How interesting about colours. I must try to get that to read. I have this aversion to red.

Unknown said...

What a wonderful face your kitty has--sweet and open. Unlike mine with the slit-like eyes and bad attitude.

jmb_craftypickle said...

I love the cat AND the tree...maybe put it away for a while and then look at it again, it is very interesting. I am such a nervous nelly...becareful about the wool, it is all right to suffer for your art...just not too much...David Sedaris' stories of french class are SO Funny!! Especially if he is reading them!

Sassenach said...

OK, so maybe the juxtaposition isn't working so well. I liked the cat drawing, but in execution the medium seems wrong. I really like the beading, though. I wouldn't throw this away just yet. Let the piece marinate for a while and see what comes to mind....

Thanks for the book recommendations. I liked Hamilton, too...in the early stages. I've wish listed them in my Amazon account.

sewprimitive karen said...

Hi, Tonya, have been meaning to say how wonderful your initial sketch is for the wool kitty. Do you sketch for sketch's sake or is it usually the means to a fabric piece? I like the wool piece but see what you mean about the beading sort of dominating. The cat's expression is so cool. I have the same snuffly nose problem working with wool.

sewprimitive karen said...

Forgot, one reason I was commenting is to say how much I've been looking forward to seeing Ratatouille also. My great big son even said he would go see it with me. It'll be like old times going to see an animated feature together :-).

Candy Schultz said...

In the U.S. at least there is a council of people who decide each year which colors will be used for everything from cars, appliances, furniture, clothing and fabric. You have a wider choice these days but it is still controlled.

Finn said...

Hey Ton, good choice to let the piece go in favor of breathing. And reading can be such a great way to pass yucky weather days.
Love the photo of Lily, what a beauty she is..*VBS* Bring on Harry, the world is waiting! Hugs, Finn

Lily Mulholland said...

Sorry that your project didn't work out exactly the way you wanted Ton, but the effect of the beads as trees/dandelions is quite amazing. Maybe get rid of the cat!

Love the photo of Lily. She is purrrdy.

I am not surprised to hear you're enjoying that book! I think there's a similar one around on the subject of purple.

atet said...

The kitty is lovely -- I kind of like the way the beads work on this one, but then again, I've been told I'm weird too ;0).

Thanks for the heads up on a possible good read. I love Kim Harrison and the first Laurell K. Hamilton books. The sex doesn't bother me so much as the fact that the sex in the last one bored me to tears. If it's any consolation -- the newest Anita book tones down the all sex all the time theme from the last couple. There are still a few moments, but it is not the centerpiece. I got this one as a last chance read -- if it had been as bad as the last one she was going on my "wait for paperback" list. You might want to give it a try.

Malagueta said...

We (41 & 44) saw Ratatouille last night with the kids (4 & 5)--and we all loved it. I applauded at the end! It is a beautiful evocation of the colors, tone, and imagery of Paris coupled with a true heartfelt embrace of creativity. A nearly perfect (and perfectly gorgeous) movie. Plus, according to the end credits, they did their technical research at French Laundry--can you imagine? Heaven!

Susan said...

I just finished The Scent of Shadows yesterday! I didn't think I'd like it when I started, but I think I need to read the second one. I do like series books (Laurel Hamilton and Charlaine Harris), so here's one more series for the addiction...LOL!

Clare said...

Brave girl using wool. Hope you have stopped snuffling now. The colours go really well together and I love the dandelions.

A new Pixar film - brilliant. And this one sounds as if it could be their best yet. Cars didn't grab me as much as The Incredibles which I love, including the extra bit at the beginning of the DVD with the snowman.

Yesterday was gorgeous - back to grey skies again today.

Tanya said...

Hi Sweet Lily. A cuddly kitty is the best. Just brings a smile to my face! But quilting is a problem. (I'm getting good a one hand blogging though.)

Laura said...

Lily is a beauty! And so is your little work on wool. I love how you did the beading. I wouldn't give up on this one just yet, just sit it aside for awhile.