http://lavernez.com/

Get a jump on Fall!  Copper and Rust with a touch of Olive.  Not your usual Poncho.  Lightweight silk crepe.  One size fits many.  There is an opening on the side for your arm which allows freedom of motion.  You truly become performative art!  $130.
Message me today for special "Today Only Friend" price of $98, including shipping. 

 Seeking Passion
My friend asked me why I do it, shibori dye fabric over and over again.  Good question.  I think the answer might be what defines an artist.  I'm addicted to the question "What if?" I told her.   What if I add this color, what if I design this dress, what if I sew it this way instead?  I can't stop.  I listed to Larry play his new Cordoba guitar.   He can't stop.   He plays the same pieces over and over.  My newest "what if" is using the Vinyl Sulphon dyes to dye alpaca and merino roving.  I'm excited to see the results after it is made into bats and felted on the FeltLOOM and I create a "what if" piece of wearable art.  From the looks of this photo, I may be onto to something with this new process as the newly dyed roving in copper and rust and blues dries in sun.

In writing, Rose was seeking passion, the passion that gets you excited and keeps you awake at night. Rose was always passionate; there was no getting around it. She wasn’t ever going to give it up. To be able to create passion, that’s what freedom is, that’s what life is; just keep on writing because what else is there?  

excerpt from my memoir, The Garden Girls Letters and Journal

Taking a break from media, like Netflix, NPR and the Daily Show.  Getting our news from friends and Facebook conversations instead.  Took our grandsons to see the new Star Trek movie. First time in a theater in over 6 years. Spent $40 on 4 tickets, medium popcorn, two boxes of candy, one medium root beer.  Lots of color.  Reds and yellow.

http://lavernez.com/

Simplifying.  Seeking inspiration in the moment. Following intuition.  This 44" silk charmeuse scarf was shibori dyed in shades or fuchsia, red and red orange formulated using the Vinyl Sulphon dyes.  A circle was cut in the center creating a poncho.  So much easier to wear.  She'll be headed to New Orleans, soon, to the Great Artists' Collective.  Email me if you want one.  We can collaborate.  Give me a bit of news and be sure and ask for your "Friends" discount. 

“How do you find the words?” Rose asked.

“Look at your hands,” Clove said.

“I think you mean that’s really all I have to do.” Rose said.

“Of course I mean it,” Clove said. “Look at your hands, Rose it’s all in your body, in the way you walk, the way you smile, the way you think. Look at your hands and take a deep breath and you’ll find the words.”

The thought was exciting, physically. Rose felt her body move. Mentally she felt her mind churn. “Let’s write together again,” she said, “the next time we can claim a moment to own.”

excerpt from my memoir,  The Garden Girls Letters and Journal

The First Bird Sings at 5:54 am

I open the windows.  It's chilly outside.  I make a fire in the wood stove.  There is still lots of scraps of wood to burn that was part of the old siding that had to be removed because of rot.  Hence, implementation of a Living a Layered Life rule for sure. Make Art Now.  Never let lack of money or materials keep you from making art.  Use what's at hand.

This dress was made from two remnants of 1 1/2 yard pieces of jacquard silk.  Usually all my art is made from at least 72 -80" pieces.   I shibori dyed it in copper and rust colors and copied a dress that I love and has gotten worn out from frequent wear.   The shawl is a prototype for a new design.  This one has flaws, however.  That means I get to wear it!  I will make more now that I have the idea in place and technique down. I don't know about the dress.  It is more size specific.  I prefer to create things that fit many. The photo doesn't show the true brilliance of color that I get from using the vinyl sulphon dyes.

  

I started thinking that maybe Rose and Clove could open a floor-covering store. You know, sell carpet and linoleum and hire local guys to install it. Then they could take off and go to women’s music festivals and sell artwork they made from carpet remnants and linoleum scraps.

excerpt from my memoir, "The Garden Girl Letters and Journal"

The Excitement of Color

Much better.  After over dyeing this silk charmeuse using the Shibori pole wrap I like the copper color.  More intense.  There is excitement watching the rust and copper glisten as I serge.  The first time, with the fold and clamp, I just couldn't get enough dye to penetrate so that the colors I formulated were able to "shine" to their full potential.  I guess that's the pleasure in making art.  Finding the excitement.  Whether it's when writing poetry, performing, visual or musical.

http://www.lavernez.com/

   I remember the dinner, the wineglasses, the red and the white. I didn’t want to go home early. I wanted to laugh all night and I wondered what made it different, what caused the excitement? Was it Clove’s voice, the way she spoke when an idea came and it took her several minutes, it seemed, to speak. You had to sit real still to catch every word so you could understand and you so much wanted to understand.                             excerpt from "The Garden Girls Letters and Memoir"

  Well, I wasn't really happy with how this fold and clamp turned out. And I am a little frustrated.  It's ok, but it doesn't have that Wow! factor that makes me say, "Oh my that color is so beautiful, I can't believe I did  it." And if I'm not totally excited, what's the point.    The problem is that there was too much yardage being folded.  That's why I like the pole wrap when I have large pieces to dye and that's what I'm going to do with this fabric, shibori dye it again, using the pole. 

My Dear,

Rose was frustrated, to say the least. She knew by the way her words paused, by how she was so careful about what she spoke.

“Is your writing always so erotic?” She asked Clove the first time they wrote together.

“Only when I get close to the bone,” Clove answered.

“And when does talk become sex?” Rose asked.

“When the writing is close to the bone, where the passion rides, like in a simple conversation.”

This was a time for Rose to get organized, but there seemed to be another kind of organizing she wanted to do. There was the organizing of her mind and setting of priorities, which seemed too much work, and the only way to begin was to write her memories of last night’s dinner party­­:

                                                                                  excerpt from the Garden Girl Letters and Memoir

It may be unseasonably cold in Kentucky, but at least it's sunny and I can Shibori dye fabric and let it dry in the sun. 

The goal is to stay in touch.  I'm in the process of changing my website so that it will be easier to update and add information.  Check it out and let me know what you think.  LaverneZ.com

My new site also has a collection of felted alpaca and merino pieces embellished with beads. The fabric was created on the FeltLOOM.  Perfect for your home decor.

This week I'm beginning shibori dyeing silk in preparation for fall.  Can you believe it?  Summer isn't even here and I'm thinking fall. Right now they are wrapped in newsprint sitting in the canner waiting to be covered with towels and steamed for 45 minutes to set the dye.

Pole Wrapped, Shibori dyed coat

 

I know it is quickly approaching summer.  Nonetheless, thinking about a merino and alpaca coat, shibori dyed in preparation for winter is not a bad idea.

House for Sale  $45,000
1207 Eubank Street, Matador
www.1207eubank.com

 Exterior, pier-beam construction, to-code wood handicap ramp and porch. Storm Cellar, in-ground, cement, large, well ventilated. Metal roof on house and garage. Cement floor in garage/storage area; additional metal carport. 3 BR. Laundry Room with washer/dryer, laundry sink, toilet, shower, new hot-water tank, plumbing access, great water pressure, tile floor. Custom kitchen with Maytag refrigerator/freezer, dishwasher, large free-standing electrical self-cleaning oven/ceramic cooktop with designated wiring, new double sink with up-to-date attractive faucet with soap dispenser and spray, new garbage disposal, eat-in area, large window covered with white wood blinds, new wood-laminate floors; lots of new cabinet storage. Open living/dining room with hardwood floors. Central air/heat, ceiling fans throughout house. Large, privacy fenced back lawn perfect for your pet, wood deck, mature trees and shrubs, access for boat and/or RV storage; Front lawn with sprinkler system. Walking distance to school, grocery, variety, restaurants, bank, post office, city offices, county court house, medical clinic and Senior Citizens Center.  The house has been used for business and residence; could work as either/or since there are 2 front entrances.  Contact Larry 859-351-8099 or Laverne 859-576-4625