FROM DEBBIE.

Received from Deborah in Bolton, October 11.

Today when I got home from work an exquisit textile letter where waiting for me. I have got to know Deborah through etsy where she is known as DiaphorDesigns. She weaves the most fantastic scarfs in collapse weave. Recently she has started to weave cuffs. So amazing work and beautiful. One day I am going to buy one.

Deborah writes this on etsy about her weavings; "Lacy collapse woven scarves in the finest of fibers - from luxurious organzine and tussah silks and merino wool to ultrafine linen and stainless steel.
Inspired by the ephemeral nature of a woodland scene and transmuted into a fine web, these scarves are a synthesis of disparate elements, woven in unique ways with only the finest materials. Many of my scarves are made with a collapse weave process all my own to create a luscious three-dimensional lacy structure".
Please have a look at Debbie's etsy.

The textile letter Debbie send me is full of a lot of different treasuries, full of texture, colors, white in white shades, smells ... I LOVE it!!

The first thing I notice when opening the letter, was two small packages.
Inside the first one was wild curicula cocoons which is shiny, from Habu Textiles. This is so amazing, it makes me want to buy some. I think Debbie is going to try to spin it. I would love to see the result.

The other one is wild rederi silk cocoons from India. It can be softened in water and used in felt.

Here is a little purse which is from the Hmong people in Vietnam. A number of them moved to the town where Debbie is living after the Vietnam War. They are excellent farmers who also make embroidered, applied textiles. 

The print on the bag side is pretty together with the small bells.

The letter from Debbie.

From Habu. To the left. Thin handtied ramie. Tender, but lovely as weft. And to the right; handspun pattern paper.
I think I will try to buy some of the ramie.

A pretty sample of the materials Debbie weaves for her cuffs sold on etsy. I am so happy I have a piece of this.

A sample in a square of scarf material with the lovely smelling potpourri of lavender. It reminds me of summer. 

Here is a sample of the scarf material Debbie sells on etsy. It is so fragile and open in the right way. I like the edges with the tongues.

I am impressed to see that Debbie handdyed the material herself. This one is dyed with cochineal. I have seen a dying process of this in Chinchero in 2007 when I were in Peru the first time.

Handdyed, handspun and handwoven in cotton /rayon.
The colors are lovely!

Where does language come from?
This looks like a good approach into it. Like calligraphy.

The letter was full of photos of handknitted shawls in designs from Debbie, inspired from Shetlands patterns.
They are so beautiful and they remind me of bobinlace and gauze /leno.  

The edge is so pretty!

Photo of sample with overtwisted yarn and handmanipulated lace. Love the colors.

Two photos.

The one to the left of handspun overtwisted wool singles for collapse weave. Once again I am impressed by Debbie to see, that everything is made by hand. WOW!

The other is a sample of a typical shawl fabrics in hand shibori, partially degummed.

Debbie, I would like to thank you for these beautiful treasuries you send me. I am going to enjoy it for a long time.

FROM MARTHA.

Received from Martha in Centerville, Utah, October 11.

Today I have received a textile letter from Martha Witcher. Martha is a weaver living in the States and I have got to know her through etsy, where she sells her handwoven cotton towels, which are so beautiful.

A beautiful card came today with a special greeting inside.

 The weaving twill.

A close-up with the beautiful contrast of mat - shiny, in the materials.

On the back of the card, Martha have put a pretty signature of her own.

I would like to thank Martha for her beautiful card, she have send to me. It is now hanging in my studio.

FROM SOFIA.

Received from Sofia in Copenhagen, October 11.

Yesterday when I came home from work, a nice surprise were waiting for me. Sofia Hagström, a Swedish textile designer, now living in Copenhagen had send me an exquisite textile letter full of beautiful treasuries.
I got to know Sofia at the Danish Design School where we both have graduated from in textile design. Here is her final project.

The letters theme is: Svensk Hemslöjd.

In the letter there were a little pressed yellow flower called "Smörblost" found on Iceland. Perhaps  "Butterflower", not sure. It is so tiny and small. The photo is for Sofia, as I know you love cats and Osvald, my cat is always curious when new things appear in the flat.

A fine little crossstitch embroidery from Erikshjälpen found on a fleamarket.

Sofia have recently fínished a big project for the Swedish Church in Copenhagen. One day I will go and visit.
The white in white sample with the cross is the fabric for the chasuble, woven by Sofia, in wool and silk. Pretty, pretty!!

Here it is possible to see the mat - shiny effect in the wool and silk. The structure is a satin weave.

Two fantastic beautiful laces. I love them!!

The sample to the left is with the symbol of the Maria Rose. It is printed on the fabric Sofia wove to the Swedish Church. I think this symbol is beautiful, very simpel and still with lots of expression.
The photo is taken at a woman in Sofia's hometown in Sweden of the flower Pelargonium. Sofia knows that I love and collect them. The woman was the first one who taught Sofia how to work with a "virkenål" and yarn.

 

Photo of autum leaves and a pressed red leave, found on Nørrebrogade in Copenhagen.

Detail of the red leaved, I think it is from the Beech tree.

Two small woven bands. 

The whole Swedish Hemslöjd theme put together. So pretty!
I have started to put the textile letters on big bulletin boards at my studio.

I want to thank you Sofia for the lovely letter.

SNEAK PEAK -FROM SOFIA.

Have just seen this beautiful photo on Sofia Hagström facebook profile, after I have sent her my textile letter. The theme is going to be "Svensk Husflid".
I am so much looking forward to receive mine from her.

FROM BLANDINA.

Received from Blandina in Firenze, September 11.

I have just received this amazing and beautiful stitching /patcwork from Blandina in Firenze. I hope one day we will meet each other.

Thank you so much for the pretty colors. Now it is hanging at my weaving studio.

TEXTILE LETTERS.

Today I have been working on my TEXTILE LETTERS.

I like putting different kinds of structures together. They will be sent with the mail later on today and I hope the receivers enjoy them.

Paperfolds by me.

Boro textiles from Japan as small cards.

A pressed leaf from the Pelargonium; Conny Broe.

A little piece of oya from Turkey.