Foothills Farm Fiber

A Wonderful time at Trilogy...

2008-08-15T08:56:00.001-07:00

On Sunday, August 10th, I was afforded a wonderful opportunity to share my passion as well as my new store and teaching academy with the community of Trilogy.

I was excited to see that my passion for multi-generational teaching was warmly embraced by the attendees, as we discussed having auntie/niece, grandma/grandson, even grandpa/grand-daughter and daughter knitting sessions, or perhaps a soap felting session as the holidays approach?

It warmed my heart, especially since I was blessed to live near the most wonderful grandma in the world - mine!, that so many grand-parents have relocated from all over the country to be near their family. What lucky grandchildren!

I am looking forward to seeing this dynamic group of individuals again, either in a class or stopping by my boutique to just say hello! Perhaps the wonderful lady who bought one of my hats will pop her head in the door sporting it!

Hopefully all our paths will cross again,

All my best,

Catherine

"Where do you buy your fabric?"

2008-08-01T09:15:00.000-07:00

This is a question that I get all the time and I take it as a true compliment! The fabric I use to make my garments, hats, scarves, pillows, etc., all starts with a form of yard work.

Everyone on our farm pitches in and has chores...including our goat herd! Here you see the kindergoat dairy goats - Latte and Espresso (that provide the milk for our soaps) and the angora and cashgora fiber goats - Barista, Chai, Frappuccino and half-n-half that supply us in beautiful fleece. (think we live near Seattle or something?)

"my daughter resting on Chai before the work begins"

Twice a year, in the spring and fall, the fiber goats all get a shearing. This is a welcomed event to them, since each fleece can weight up to 15lbs and is extremely warm and itchy, not to say dirty! When I teach children about the fleece, and they comment on the dirt and smell, I ask them how their hair would be if it was never washed nor brushed for 6 months and they lived outside?

"half of Chai is done...more to go!"

One would be amazed at how heavy those shears are! They become especially heavy when you are also maneuvering around a 125lb goat! At least we are electrified and do not have to use scissors, as we did in the beginning!

"Chai thanking his hair stylists!"

It takes about an hour for us to shear, per goat. We are sure others do it faster, but we find that we enjoy the time spent with each animal, and they get a "pedicure" at the same time...we call it going to the "Foothills Farm Spa".

"all sheared out! Need the people spa now!"

After 3 - 4 goats, one's back begins to definitely fatique! We have found that we can really only shear 3 at the most, so usually daddy...Barista...gets his own day!

We leave the leftover fleece on the ground for the birds and small animals. Our resident barn swallow family has been using our fleece for nesting materials for the past several years.

So, as you can see, I take it as a compliment that the fabric looks so effortless...oh, how looks can be deceiving!

All my best,

Catherine

Live Performance!

2008-08-01T08:51:00.000-07:00

I did it!

Meticulously I held the photograph from the Dress Rehearsal and replicated exactly as Debi Kennedy had set-up for me. Fortunately she had drawn a detailed schematic for the very first thing to set-up, the tables, we couldn't figure out how to get the 3 tables in that small space...voila! We had the drawing!

Not having a sign, for I had not seen a design that represented me, I scrambled the week before when I came up with the idea of using a dresser mirror frame from the local goodwill!

EF Printing in Duvall helped bring my vision to life...they scanned my actual hand-made fabric, took meticulous measurements, and using my logo, created what I had dreamt of. I love it!

It is always a wonderful and exciting feeling knowing that my work will be traveling the country as well as locally. Whenever a customer purchases one of my fiber works, I take a picture of them wearing it. I photograph each of my pieces, but not until it has found a new home, and then it goes into my personal scrap book.

(sometimes, unfortunately, I get so busy talking with a client that I forget to photograph!)

Thank you to everyone that came to my "live performance", you helped make it truly memorable!

All my best,

Catherine

A Tuesday Dress Rehearsal Performance...

2008-07-21T07:50:00.000-07:00

My good friend, Debi Kennedy, who is a professional retail/display designer, came and spent a wonderfully sunny and warm afternoon on my farm walking me through "dress" rehearsal.

Deb directed our every move like a seasoned symphonic conductor. My incredibly supportive husband, Dan, had all the large "percussion" instruments covered as he hoisted and lifted on cue.

I, on the other hand, just sat in the audience with my mouth agape watching the performance and incredible story unfolding, all the while clapping and saying "oooh, aaaah".

Catherine

Visit me at Bellevue...

2008-07-02T07:41:00.000-07:00

Time is running out...there are not enough seconds in a minute nor hours in a day to get all my creative ideas transformed into reality.

No sooner do I see a newly bloomed flower than I am mixing dyes in a pot attempting to replicate Mother Natures perfect "periwinkle". As the silk and merino quietly absorb the colors, I feverishly am laying out design patterns in anticipation of a newly created garment...purse...pillow...hat...table runner?

Please come visit me at the Bellevue Festival of the Arts. I will be directly across from International Jewelers store doors on NE 8th St.

Catherine

Realizing a dream...

2008-06-30T07:28:00.000-07:00

As early as I can remember I used to play "store" in my Grandma Esther's kitchen. She would let me pull out all her spices and canned goods and arrange them on the 1950's formica countertop so that my customer (Grandma Esther) could happily "buy" her groceries from me.

We would use pretend money that I would make from scratch paper. She always helped "restock" the shelves...a customer and employee all-in-one! Everything she bought was in the small size so that little can of Hershey chocolate syrup and small jar of mayonnaise was perfect for a little 6 year old's store.

Now that can of chocolate syrup and jar of mayonnaise have transformed into purses, scarves, hats, vests, pillows and even soap.

Every time I enter the store it feels familiar, perhaps because I have "stocked" these shelves for nearly 40 years. The only thing missing is my all-in-one employee...

Catherine

Bellevue here I come...

2008-06-12T07:40:00.000-07:00

Much to my delight, I have been accepted into the Bellevue Arts Fair. Having been a patron of the fair for over 20 years, I am looking forward to the priviledge of seeing the inner workings of an art venue with such an outstanding reputation. Both my textile and soap were accepted, for I had to submit each separately, and this is exciting for Bellevue does not usually carry bath/beauty products...only art...but they saw in my soap what I do...textural art!

The fair days are July 25, 26 and 27 from 10am to 8pm. I do not have access to booth set-up until Thursday night after 10pm so being the morning person I am, this will be the biggest hurdle!

From here on out I will be busy washing, dying, spinning, felting, draping, cutting, sewing, beading, soaping!

Please come visit me at the fair. I will be located directly across from International Jewelers on Bellevue Way, facing their door.

Off to work!

Catherine

Soap a textile?...

2008-02-13T10:26:00.001-08:00

Can soap be considered an art form, and a textile one at that?
I believe so.

The kindergoat- milk soap I make is obviously created with the eye of a textile artist, which I have been learning from my dear friend and mentor, Pat Showalter. Pat worked with textiles specializing in using small hand-dyed batches of fiber to create images that are as full of depth, color and texture as a painting.

Her work is displayed throughout the country.

Migrating from the textile world as she became involved in the development of the Kindergoat breed, she began soap making all the while retaining her textile design elements, which is
part of her personal- fiber make-up: color, texture, attention to detail and beauty.

This she is passing on to me, and it has been great fun as I "experiment" alongside her and ask..."can we try and match this?" and she enthusiastically replies, every time, "why not? Can't hurt to try!".

As a consequence, this unique kindergoat-milk soap can, in fact, be considered a textile.

It has all the color, texture and luxury of a finely made garment as it lovingly drapes the body.

Catherine

Still catches my breath...

2008-02-13T10:03:00.001-08:00

When I first saw Kaela's pictures, I literally gasped! I asked her to photograph some of my work so that I could have an accurate representation of the depth of color and texture. She did it!
Kaela, who owns Serendipity Photography in Duvall, WA does amazing work. I knew her from a family portrait session she did. She took the photos in my profile. We had a lot of laughs trying to keep the goats still...the secret...peanuts behind the cello!

With spring quickly approaching, my fiber has been sitting idle for the time being as I have been busy pursuing my other passion, piano.

I have been busy working on several musicals as well as accompanying in several local school districts, teaching and playing for the Sammamish Symphony.

There are just not enough hours nor seconds in the day to do everything, so my textile world will have to go on hiatus until summer.

Besides, the fruit trees are beginning to awake...

Catherine

Hallelujah!!!

2007-11-12T17:43:00.000-08:00

I am blessed to be given the opportunity to display my work alongside designers from Paris, Milan and New York. Tria Moda, a contemporary artistic boutique located in downtown Kirkland, has just picked up my line. I am still in awe...and it all started with a dentist appointment!

Dr. Thoms suggested that I visit a boutique in Kirkland when she saw the cape that I wore into her office that morning. Since I was already "in the big city", I thought I would stroll the streets and boutiques of Kirkland, which I quickly noticed had drastically changed from when I had lived there 20 years ago. One of the boutiques that I approached thought that my work would be a better fit for Tria Moda, since they specialize in artistic/contemporary/sophisticated/edgy work (an accurate description, believe me!). As soon as I passed the threshold, I knew I had found the latest shopping destination for my husband this Christmas!

My eyes darted from each garment for each was more beautiful and unique than the previous. It feels like walking into a Vogue Magazine. The large floor-to-ceiling framed mirror contributed to my fantasy of being in "pretty woman" trying on a beautiful opera coat...oh, to wear it on stage while I perform at the grand piano in the Sammamish Symphony...

So, you can see why I am in awe...

My husband, who is my biggest supporter, warmed my heart when he said..."they work and shop in some of the greatest candy stores, and they want your candy!"

"my alpaca/silk/mohair scarf"

Who would have ever thought that my angora goat, Barista, from Duvall would be showcased alongside cashmere goat from Milan!

If you want to step into a place that excudes fashion runway...with a northwest "practical" approach... then you owe it to yourself to grab a Starbucks latte and spend the afternoon.

"my latest swing vest"

- Catherine

Migrating along with the Salmon...

2007-09-28T19:38:00.000-07:00

October 6th and 7th I was featured in the "Artist in Action Showcase" at Salmon Days in Issaquah, WA where I previewed my fall collection.

Much to my delight, I was awarded "Best Artist in Action" by the judges.

There were many talented fellow artists, but I was informed that I received the recognition for my work because I am involved in the entire process from its raw form...the beautiful mohair locks are from my goat

Barista which I shear and hand-pick his fleece...the hand-shorn alpaca fleece are from a friends herd...the luxury fiber is received in its natural color...to it's transformation where I choose the color palette, dye to that palette, combine the

fibers and then evolve it into a purse ...scarf...pillow...shawl...jacket...table runner...

As if winning a prestigious award and being recognized as the "38th annual Salmon Days Artist in Action" wasn't enough, a film crew from Los Angeles was at the fair doing a tv series pilot called "On The Map" where they interview people across the country from small towns. They spent a half hour with me, interviewing and filming. It so happens they were standing next to my booth when I was presented the award from the Director of the festival.

They shared that the story they saw was that I grew up in a fairly large city, Bellevue WA, and chose to move to a small town, Duvall WA, with my family so that I could pursue my art which is extremely contemporary yet functional, but uses all the skills from the past (pre industrial revolution) which I sought to learn as an adult and am now teaching my children as well as others.

Mindy, from the production company, promised to keep me informed and to send stills from their filmed interview.

So, perhaps I will continue to migrate from the spawning grounds of the Salmon Days Festival in Issaquah to a television series spanning the entire country.

Catherine

I'm Branded over Breakfast...

2007-09-28T09:41:00.001-07:00

There I am, larger than life...

While having breakfast with my husband at the local cafe, we started thinking about logos.

Fortunately the table was covered in white paper so I asked the server for crayons...she said I was an adult, I could use a pen. I declined and said I prefered the crayons. I have no idea why, but a pen didn't seem appropriate.

We drew F's all over that paper, different fonts, sizes, positions, words until our eggs and bacon were nearly finished. "What about horns?" My husband looked at me like I had lost my mind, especially since I was not given the gift of 2-dimensional art. "Why not horns? I use the mohair from my angora goats and our buck has lovely horns?"

With much enthusiasm I childishly drew a logo with my crayons. I tore off the paper, stuffed it into my coat pocket, my husband paid the tab and then I thought...now what?

In my pocket is where that piece of paper remained...

A few weeks after that inspirational breakfast, I participated in the Evergreen Classic Equestrian Art Show in Carnation. Alongside my booth was a talented glass artist who had purchased a pair of my gloves, but had asked that she have the cufflinks replaced with some that were not equestrian themed. We set a date for coffee one morning, and in the mean time I made her a matching scarf as a gift to thank her for her support which was inspirational and infectious! Another one of those people that God brings into our lives to give us encouragement and direction.

That sunny Tuesday morning while sitting at the sidewalk cafe, I showed her my logo drawing to get her comments. She immediately offered to create it for me once she saw the concept.

So, again, with a lot of help from my friends, Barbara took my idea and transformed it into something even more special than I could have dreamt. What a lovely pen and ink artist she is. It took and still takes my breath away!

This logo is now found on all my work. I incorporate it into the fiber of my fabrics to remind me of how important and inspirational time with my family (that breakfast), time with my friends (that coffee) and time with my animals (horns) is.

Catherine

Expanding My Horizons...

2007-09-28T08:11:00.000-07:00

I never thought at the beginning of summer that by fall I would be featured at two locations at the same time...but I was! The entire month of September I have been the featured artist in Tuxedo's front window. I cannot describe the sense of awe one feels when they see their heart in a window for all to view...I feel a bit like the star-struck starlet who sees her name in lights for the first time!

It was exciting to work with Jeffrey , a set-designer for the Seattle Opera, as he gathered coordinating colored vases to accent my work and to reflect the colors from the afternoon sun into the store. Jeffrey commented that it was a challenge for him for my work is fluid with color and is traditional yet new so it didn't lend itself to being housed in a "box".

Last Saturday I was asked to participate as one of 6 on-site vendors at Olson-Mills fall kick-off sale. Again, what an honor to be have my work showcased in an exclusive store in Bellevue, Wa.

While I was setting up my area, my phone rang and it was a customer just wanting me to know that she loved her purse, had given out all my cards she had on her and wanted to see how I was doing and where was I going to be next? Wow! That is all I can say...how supportive!

It is those calls, emails, conversations over coffee that still keep it exciting to buckle Paris into the passenger seat of my truck and set out with her 1920's steamer wardrobe trunk, that houses her "wardrobe".

I made custom purses, purse hangers and keychains that were designed and commissioned for Olson's clientele.

I had great fun showcasing the horse since I have an old 26 yr old retired pony horse from longacres that I wouldn't trade for anything...a great babysitter for my 7 year old horse enthusiast daughter!

Alongside my textiles I displayed my hand-poured goat-milk soaps that I include with my bathcloths, in my felting kits or on vintage dessert plates.
"long after the last bubble, the memory remains with the vintage plate"

After having a memorable day at Olson's, they invited me back for their "artist" open house in December. Can't wait!

With a Lot of Help From My Friends...

2007-08-30T07:50:00.000-07:00

With a lot of help from my friends, clients and business associates, my work is evolving and many doors are opening...

8 months ago I thought I would give it a try. I started with just a few knitting kits from my handspun and hand-dyed yarn alongside purses made of the same at a local Christmas Craft fair in Duvall, WA.

My husband tied tags on purses in the wee hours of the morning and my 2 young daughters weighed fiber for the felting kits all while I was busy in my studio creating.

After that inauguration I had customers that quickly became "regulars", even placing custom orders that weekend for delivery by Christmas! A local shop owner, Vicki Neal of Tuxedos in Duvall, WA, opened her store to me. This was the boost of confidence I needed to continue.

I retreated to my studio and began creating...then in June I officially started by business...Foothills Farm Fiber by Catherine. I chose to debut at the Snoqualmie Farmers Market. The months of June and July were educational, fun and encouraging. I met people from all over the world, who had either ideas, connections or those most-needed words of encouragement when one has begun a business.

I chose to finish my market season early, at the end of July for I wasinvited to Salmon Days to participate in their Artist in Action Showcase in Issaquah, WA on October 5th and 6th. Olson-Mills in Bellevue, WA concurrently afforded me the opportunity to produce custom work for their clients and store as well as participate in their fall kick off sale on September 22nd as one of 6 on-site artists. In concert, I have begun scheduling private trunk-shows of my work for during the holiday season.

Because everything is hand-made, I have been sharing the art of dying/blending/spinning/felting/sewing and the marketing aspects of packaging to my daughters. My 10 year old daughter is beginning to design her own clothes, and my 7 year old daughter presented me with a beautiful purse she made on her own...sewing machine and all!

When they get discouraged, I remind them that the pilgrim children, starting at 5 years of age, did all the fiber preparation and spinning...

My work has evolved from those first knitting kits and felted handbags to highly detailed purses, purse hangers made from hand-picked dried flowers from my yard, hand-poured goat milk soap from my kindergoat line, hand-dyed exotic-fiber yarns, hand-felted fabrics which transform into custom home accessories and individually designed clothing.

As I stated in the beginning, from product suggestions, display and retail education (Debi Kennedy - http://www.womentakewing.com/), transportation of my "trunks" (my husband), sharing of "private recipes" to the opening of doors... I get a lot of help from my friends!

Catherine

Making New Friends at the Train...

2007-08-30T06:57:00.000-07:00

Every Saturday this past June and July I have been meeting people from all over the world while waiting for the train...the Snoqualmie Railroad Train. The farmers' market sat alongside the historic train depot in Snoqualmie, WA and as passengers arrived to see the depot, built in the 1800's, they spent time with me watching me spin yarn and sell my textile art. I have met people from as close as Snoqualmie, WA and as far away as Poland. Many people left with a little bit of Duvall, WA to take home and share.

It is wonderful knowing my yarn is on its way to Poland to be knitted by a young woman who is excited to be able to take home hand-dyed merino/bamboo yarn ("we have nothing like this is Poland" she quietly shared). Ten women in California will be receiving my hand-poured goats-milk soap for Christmas from their girlfriend who has been to every state in the union as well as all over the world ("every year I make the wash cloths and add the soap, but this year their gifts are coming from you", she whispered through a big hug.)

A fun couple traveling from Florida asked if they could give my name to friends back home so that they, too, could buy the purse hangers ("we won't be home until September, for we are cruising up to Alaska, but then we'll reconnect so start making more", the husband thoughtfully said with a smile).

An encouraging woman, while waiting for Thomas the Train, purchased a sunset hued handbag made from my handspun yarn trimmed with a vintage silver handle and emailed me the following day to share that she was so enjoying the purse and was carrying it around while watering her plants. We made arrangements for another handbag for her daughter, and a private showing of all my textile work.

I could go on and on...the woman with the San Francisco art gallery, the lady who's mother has a Palm Beach art studio, the home decor store owner who wanted custom bedding, the fabulous local knitter who will be making several Christmas gifts from my handspun and handdyed yarns who is passing on her skill to her lovely granddaughters...

So many wonderful, supportive, imaginative, friendly people from across our country and around the world!

Catherine

Fiber Transformation at Star Center Museum

2007-04-03T13:17:00.000-07:00

I was asked by the Star Center Mall Museum to display my collection and textile work.

Always eager to share my passion, I gathered my collection of antique fiber tools, new finished textile items, and my friend Debi (retail visual designer extraordinaire).

My goal was to take a very old artisan craft and pull it forward into the current century causing people passing by to pause and reflect on what makes each hand-crafted piece of art truly art.

When I started organizing the process, tools and final art items I was awestruck at how much does indeed go into each item, and how not one part is more fun or important to me than another.

I love the feeding and caring of my animals as much as putting a freshly finished garment on "Paris", my lingerie model from Paris, France.

After all was finished, I sat inconspicuously and watched as folks truly did pause and reflect. I heard comments ranging from "Those colors, oh my" to "my mother has a spinning wheel like that".

If this display gets people thinking about what goes into creating unique, one-of-a-kind pieces of art and perhaps be inspired to become an artisan in whatever brings them joy, then my goal has been achieved.

Debi, who took my craft and created a lovely visual story , has documented this journey so beautifully in her blog, http://decodivadebi@blogspot.com. Please take a look.

If you make your way to Snohomish, WA please stop into the Star Center Mall and let me know what you thought as you paused to reflect. foothillsfarmfiber@yahoo.com

Catherine

A Child's Drawing in a Window's Reflection...

2007-03-24T17:43:00.000-07:00

One day I wanted to work with my stained glass but did not have a pattern so I asked my daughter, who was 5 at the time, to draw a picture.

Immediately I set about capturing its likeness. How wonderful it was to see the world through her eyes, matching colors where possible.

This drawing now graces my studio. There have been many windows since, she is now 10, but that first window of flowers and butterflies will always be special.

"The first Window"

"My younger daughter's BumbleBee drawing"

After hanging windows throughout my house, the chicken coop, the goat-milking house and the garden, my husband suggested I capture other children's drawings and let their families share in the joy.

I now create windows reflecting children's art for others. Each window is custom-framed and I wood-burn their signatures, date and any other special requests.

These unique one-of-a-kind pieces reflecting the art of unique one-of-a-kind children have made thoughtful gifts for grandparents, graduation, first-homes, weddings, as well as gracing childrens' bedrooms or playrooms, as my children's windows do.

-A series of four windows designed by the Mack Elementary 4th grade students for the Bellevue Christian School Gala Fund Raiser, raising a total of $2000.00

If you would like to have a special child's work reflected in a window, please contact me at:

FoothillsFarmFiber@yahoo.com

Catherine Lowell

The Coffee Bar...

2007-03-03T16:46:00.000-08:00

"Barista" my Angora Buck

Living in Seattle, coffee is our lifeblood! So, Coffee had to be the theme when I started naming my goats. Five years ago I got my first 2 bottle-fed doelings, and named them Latte (for her coffee color) and Espresso (for her jet-black coat). When I decided to expand my herd from Kinder goats to include Angora's, I brought in a little buck and called him Barista, for he was to start a new line of goats...Kindora's...a cross between kinder and angora...The Master Barista!

Mama "Espresso" scolding her kids-

This combination produced 3 beautiful babies with both cashmere and angora qualities as well as the hardiness of the kinder. The first baby to hit the ground we named Half-and-Half. She was a tiny 2lb pure white doeling, looking just like cream. Shortly after, a 3lb Frappuccino with Whip Cream looking fluff arrived, and thus we named her Frappuccino with Whip (Frap with Whip for short).

The following month, our little boy arrived.

He had the beautiful markings of his mother, Latte, much like the spices of chai tea in cream prior to stirring, thus the name Chai.

-Mama "Latte" cleaning her newborn boy

Valentine, our Dexter Heifer, thinks that these three babies belong to her. When the babies were 3 weeks old they found a way to escape into the pasture, leaving their mamas behind. I feared the worst when I arrived home that day, for the mamas were panickingly calling their "kids". Much to my relief, the 3 little wobbly kids were content playing under their new found nanny's legs.

Prior to this, Valentine (who is named after her birthdate, February 14th) had been a kicker and a child herself...not anymore!

Often I lay down next to Valentine with my arms wrapped around her thick neck in the pasture...how many people can say they have napped with their cow!

My first needles...

2007-03-03T16:31:00.000-08:00

I still have those first size 8 golden aluminum knitting needles my grandpa bought me from the Giant T store. Though the matching golden ball of yellow yarn has long been lost, the memory of sitting on my end of the couch next to grandpa's chair listening to him reading the how-to-knit booklet to me as I try to coordinate my 8-year old fingers, are never to be forgotten. When I pick up those needles, I am once again standing in the store aisle against the far wall trying to choose needles. My Grandpa Lee, who was a teamster truck driver not an afternoon knitter, expertly suggested I choose the size 8 to match my age. I, taking his lead, chose the golden size 8 for it matched the golden yellow ball of yarn that I was holding. In that moment, my heart's love of textiles was unleashed...my grandpa and I would sit together many times over the next 10 years watching my passion grow.