SO Much to Tell!!

Y'all,
Technically it's Free Pattern Friday but, pardon our breathlessness, so much is going on that I'm going to use this Friday's post to get you caught up on some really cool things happening. Then, next week, we'll see about resuming the free patterns. (And feel free to email me any free patterns you're particularly fond of: spike@spikeg.com).

First of all, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, aka The Yarn Harlot, gave a totally kick ass reading at BookPeople last night, an event we co-hosted with The Knitting Nest. I'm going to take a little time over the weekend to write up tales from the reading-- I need to process before I can report because yes, there was so much good stuff I'm still reeling with joy.

Meanwhile, sorry I didn't report this sooner but I only recently found out myself about the art installation at dBerman Gallery at 1701 Guadalupe. The show features work by Lauren Levy, who lives here and uses buttons as her primary medium, with some quilting in the background. I just wrote a piece about the show for a forthcoming issue of FiberArts Mag. The bad news, though, is that the show closes TOMORROW. So, if you're reading this before 6 on Friday or between 10 and 6 on Saturday, do NOT wait, go on over and see her work. I'm including pictures here but you have to get up close to see the thousands and thousands and THOUSANDS of buttons. Really astounding stuff. (Oh, and if you go today, you might also want to walk up one block and check out the incredible two-for-one happy hour appetizers at the Clay Pit-- why sit in traffic when you can see good art and eat good Indian food for half price?)

And then, on Sunday, Testsite, an Austin studio/gallery/experimental workplace/private residence located at 502 W. 43rd Street, is launching their latest project. Click this link for all the details. But the short version of it is that there is a opening reception and artist/writer conversation on Sunday May 31 from 2-5 p.m. where artists Sheila Pepe and Elizabeth Dunbar are going to talk about this wild project they've got planned. They are going to install massive networks of crocheted yarn and then, over the course of three open knitting sessions in June they are inviting the public in to unravel and then use the same yarn to make new projects. So, yes, the installation will physically deteriorate over the next month, but be repurposed and, in the process, promote community and creativity. And, oh yeah, it's going to be FUN.

Okay, below are a few more pics of Lauren's work. Even if you can't make it to the gallery, by all means at least visit the website and see pictures of all her pieces. See you at the Stash Swap tomorrow!
spike