Monthly Archives: June 2013

Asia Handicrafts #2

Asia Handicrafts #2

Today I visited Dusit Park’s Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall. This is a museum made a wonderful display of the handicrafts of Thailand. Sorry this isn’t my own photo, but they did not allow cameras in the museum.

A highlight was the beetle collage. What is that you may ask? Well there is a type of wood boring beetle that has iridescent wings. When the beetle dies the Thai collect the wings to embellish their handicrafts. In this picture the beetle wings have been cut very thinly and weaved with a local bamboo to create the chandelier and panels next to the portrait. The green you see in the picture is the reflection of the beetle wing. This crafting form is actually dying out, however, the Queen is trying to preserve this art form by establishing crafting schools.

More info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beetlewing

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Up Up and Away!

Posted in Getting Crafty by

For the last year I have been planning a wonderful 7-week vacation to Southeast Asia. It has felt like a lifetime, but the day to get on the plane is here! I am super excited. A rough decision had to be made. As we are backpacking, I decided not to bring any projects to work on. I know horible right? I debated this and even asked for opinions on Ravelry. However, it came down to the fact that a project would take up space I need. So unfortunately my hands may be very idle this trip.

Don’t despair my readers as I plan to post lots of pictures about my travels as well as the types of crafting that are popular in Hong Kong, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Check back soon!

Knitting and a Movie

Posted in Getting Crafty, Knitting by

I am currently obsessed with Netflicks. Today I watched Toast  while working on my lemon-colored sweater. This film examines a boy (Nigel) coming of age in Britain in the 60’s. His greatest desire is to cook and do it well. Check out more details here http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1658851/?ref_=sr_1. This film was a great one to knit to. First off the knitwear that “Little Nigel” wears is awesome. He sported some great old school fair isle patterns for about two-thirds of the movie. I love fair isle patterns, especially in menswear. Secondly, one of the featured items that is cooked is a lemon meringue pie. Perfect dish for my sweater! Now if only I could make one…

Here is my progress so far: Completed is the body (front and back) and the Right front panel. I am currently knitting the upper back panel.061213212628