Monday, February 15, 2010

Whimsical Possibilities


When seeking inspiration for a new creative project I often turn to pieces of the past to hearten my colour palette.

Hand-hooked rugs and mats whose threads were once vibrant bringing life into a room often dimly lit by candle or lantern... now well worn and faded with time offer lots of whimsical possibilities.


As captured in the bowls filled with yarn they help to entice a calming effect reflective of the hues painted by Nature.


The assorted threads and hand-dyed silk cocoons are almost a mirror image of the spectrum found in the rug.


I find this motivation most pleasurable...


* Hooked rugs from my personal collection.

16 comments:

Christine Crocker said...

oh my goodness.......how beautiful, especially this last picture with the hand dyed silkes...I have never seen such things as these...
lovely colors, like an early spring garden.

just beatiful,Susan.
xo,C

Julie said...

Hi Susan,
What a blessed woman you are to have such wonderful things around you for such inspiration. The rugs are some of the most BEAUTIFUL that I have seen. The colors SUPERB!!!
BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Thank you for sharing!! I hope you will share what you will be making with those WONDERFUL threads!!
Julie

Lori said...

Susan, i am so intrigued to see what you are making...your rug collection is just lovely...i can see why they are inspiring to you...the colors are so soft and pretty...love your yellow ware bowls too!!!

Julia said...

Beautiful! I love the soft colors!

Pondside said...

What beautiful rugs from your collection - and such beautiful words to accompany them. I too wonder what you'll choose to make with the threads.

Gilly said...

I just love those muted colours! Think I'd still have the rugs on my floor!

Reading Tea Leaves said...

You have a wonderful collection of rugs Susan ... and the threads and silk cocoons are beautiful ... such soft and gentle shades ... I look forward to seeing the results of such inspiration.

Jeanne x

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Hi Susan...hope you had a lovely Valentine's Day♥
What gorgeous coloured yarn you have shown us, just beautiful and enough to make one start a new project with them...Dzintra♥x

The Victorian Parlor said...

The rugs are beautiful! I love hand-hooked rugs-they are art for the floor:).

Blessings,

Kim

Vicki's Bit-o-earth said...

Oh how beautiful Susan! I especially love the first rug, and who could resist those bowls of yarn!? Our house has carpeting, but as soon as I can afford to, we'll replace it with wood flooring so I can put rugs down! (: xxVicki

Heather said...

oh! these are so lovely...what wonderful pieces of art. and their beautiful colors have me thinking of spring~

a little work of grace said...

Susan,

I love hand hooked rugs. It was the first primitive item my eyes were drawn to almost 30 years ago. I especially love dyeing wool. The possibility of color is endless! Love the rugs in your photos, especially the first one. The colors are wonderful!

Laura :)

June said...

Oh I'd be inspired too if I had such beautiful things around me. The colors just speak to me, Susan.
hugs

snoopydogknits said...

Gorgeous colours! I love, love , love the hand dyed silks. I wonder what you plan to make? Enjoy! Ros

Suzanne said...

These are just beautiful, Susan! I too need visuals for inspiration...I'm sure you will create something lovely based on these pieces of the past.

Karen from A`Musements said...

Your collection of hooked rugs reminded me of my maternal grandmother's house, where each room hosted another rendition of her skills.... wish I had even one of them now, to call my own. Aren't yours wonderful?! The bowls overflowing with beautiful yarns look good enough to eat... I suppose if they aren't edible, soothing one's soul is a good trick too. ;-) Lovely post, Miss Susan!

xoxo
Karen