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As a recipient of a Nice Matters Award from Bonnie, I’m now honoured to pick seven blogs that inspire good feelings and inspiration. Of course there are so many to choose from and Bonnie and Leigh have covered many that I would have chosen, but here I go…
Number 1:
Thread and Yarn Handling Days
This is an amazingly creative and inspirational blog. The author, Am-tm uses knitting and crochet and other yarn techniques to create textiles that, I think, reflect a unique Japanese inventiveness and innovation. The site makes me feel excited about textile and clothing construction possiblities. Am-tm also maps her processes of inspiration which is particularly insightful.
Number 2:
t’katch – The Language of Weaving
This a new site I’ve been reading by Scottish weaver, Cally Booker and I’ve really enjoyed. She studied Handwoven Textile Design Bradford College UK and she includes photos of weaving and drafts combined with writings about life. Writing of why she started blogging "My plan is simply to keep a journal of my weaving, to ponder on the reasons why I weave, and to reflect on how weaving is connected with the other loves of my life, especially language and liturgy." Although my other loves of life are different this certainly struck a chord with me.
Number 3:
My Little Kitchen
This is a most delightful blog. Cathy, who also weaves, bakes biscuits (or cookies!) from Maida Heatter’s books and asks her friends to comment, rate and, of course, eat her cooking! I just think the whole idea of baking for others and sharing it so wonderful. Cathy provides wonderful artistic photos of the biscuits which make me want to appraoch cooking in a more mindful and committed way. I’ve since baked all sorts of food with a new enlightened mind approach to it all.
Number 4:
Narablog
Japanese textile photos are the basis of this blog, so it is a visual feast more than a written one. There are alot of close up views of the textiles and if you are interested in Shibori you MUST go to the August 07 archive to see the video clips on shibori weaving and tying – they are exceptional.
Number 5:
Curious Expeditions: Travelling and Exhuming the Extraordinary Past
I first came across this site referencing this extraordinary entry on a Compendium of Beautiful Libraries. The photos are amazing about amazing things!
Number 6:
BibliOdessey
Another site along similar lines to number 5 containing obscure visual material and eclectic bookart. Very inspirational and has a great search facility.You’ll need a few hours to saturate yourself with this site.
Number 7:
Unravelling
Meg Nakagawa is a weaver from New Zealand with a lot going on. She documents her exhibitions and weaving progress extensively. Meg also duplicates the site in Japanese.
What I’ve left out! After writing up these links I’ve realised that I have a leaning towards Japan somehow, have exhaused my limited supply of adjectives to describe great sites and haven’t included an Australian site, an origami or basketry site or a tech or political one. My favourites in my browser are very, very long. I’m interested in so many things that writing up only seven links is really impossible…hope you enjoy these anyway.
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Congratulations! I agree with you that only 7 links was tough on the decision making. You did well with your choices!
Thanks so much Karen! I’m afraid my cookie days are winding down (only 4 recipes to go!), but I’m so happy to hear you’ve been enjoying it. I’m looking forward to exploring these other links you’ve given – most of which are new to me. Thanks again!