Annie's Blog

Luxury Fiber Lace Scarf Exchange

Well, after a long hiatus, here’s the info for the LUXURY FIBER LACE SCARF EXCHANGE. Sign up is still open (current list is posted below), and the initial deadline for the Scarves is April 15.

1.) What is luxury fiber? Luxury fiber could be anything–but it must be *soft* and suitable for delicate skin contact. Silk, cashmere, quivit, possum, angora, camel down, merino, rambouillet, blends… If it hurts you to give it up, or if it causes immediate and incurable envy, it’s a luxury fiber.

2.) What is Lace? Lace just means that there should be some holes in it. And not the kind put there by hungry insects. And the scarves do not have to be knit–but remember, the idea is to put together lace and luxury. No one should be intimidated by the idea that this is a lace exchange…if you can make a yarn over, you can make lace.

3.) What size should it be? Minimum size would be something that you could tie around your neck–a skinny scarf? Short? they don’t really have to be huge–I wear scarves to work all the time in place of jewelry (scarves are much, much cheaper…). Today I’m wearing an Eros scarf as a belt…fringes and all. Anything goes.

Maximum size–hmm. Doesn’t really matter, does it? Whatever the size, it should be something that the recipient could actually use/wear. My unspoken resolution for the year is not to create anything that’s not useful–and so I’ll impose that on the rest of you.

4.) What’s the most important thing to remember? Hostess gifts, preferably chocolate.

No, just kidding. The most important thing is that the scarf should be finished, blocked, and luxurious. And remember that simple things sometimes are the most luxurious.

5.) What’s the limit? You can submit up to two scarves per person. Variety is the spice of life, right?

6.) Is color an issue? Only if the world is black and white. Anything goes.

7.) What’s the deadline? No deadline to sign up, although I’d appreciate a note to let me know to expect your scarf. Deadline for submissions was originally April 15. I’d like to try to keep it there if possible, but I’m willing to let majority rule if folks want to push it back some.

8.) What do I need to pack with the scarf? You should send your scarf, a note or tag attached to the scarf with an explanation of what its made of and how you made it, a label with your complete name and mailing address, return postage $ (if you’re in the U.S., return postage will be $3.85 priority mail, if you’re outside the U.S., I’ll pay your return postage in exchange for chocolate). If customs labeling is an issue, include a note with your scarf to let me know how you’d like your package labeled.

9.) When will I get a scarf back? It will depend on the final deadline, but you’ll get a scarf mailed back to you on the first Wednesday after an odd-numbered Tuesday. Confusing? Basically, I don’t want to take responsibility for redistributing the scarves by myself, so I’ll take all the scarves to the Louisville SBSTT gathering and have the gang help me stay honest. Scarves should be mailed within two weeks of the deadline.

10.) How will you distribute the scarves? Completely randomly. Last year’s Silk Scarf exchange worked well–we numbered each scarf, then drew names. The “committee” helped out if there was a situation where the scarfmaker got his/her own scarf back.

11.) Where do I send the scarf? Send them to me: Annie Tarbox 9105 Trentham Lane Louisville, KY 40242 USA. My mailpeople are both gems, and always walk packages to the door.

12.) Who do I contact in case of emergency (like you can’t bear to part with the scarf you’ve made)? Call or e-mail me. E-mail is atarbox at mttc.org and phone is (502) 439-4013.

13.) Who’s on the list? Well, this is the list I have so far. Please let me know if you need to drop or if you’d like to be added!

Cheryl (fiberart)
Jenny Kosarew (jennyk)
Katherine Condliffe (fiberkat)
Viki Worley (vworley1)
Leigh in Canberra
Kathy T.
Sheri Smith (HippieGoddess)
Kae
Cindy Williams (lussina222)
Socka Khan
Deb Bodmer (NotTheBod)
Annie (COTFU)

Word of the Day: Totem

I need to put together a fiber totem for my new truck (a 95 toyota 4runner), and someone asked what a fiber totem was. For me, it’s a token that reminds me of all my favorite things and gives me peaceful vibes. But here’s an Internet Encyclopedia definition:

Totem

The term “totem” is a native North American term which is now applied broadly to a class of material objects (animals, plants) which the members of a community regard with respect, to which they hold themselves to be peculiarly and intimately related, and which becomes the social bond of union between fellow clansmen. The term was introduced by J. Long in 1791. The totem is both religious and social. Its origin cannot be traced, but its extreme diffusion, both geographical and historical, entitles it to be regarded as a highly important factor in primal mental life. It may be related to fetishism, but differs from the latter not only in its social significance, but also in that the influence attached to the totem covers all objects of a certain class, while the fetishistic powers reside in a special individual object only. The religious aspect of the totem is apt to involve the belief, or the myth, that the clan was by some mystery or miracle descended from the totemic animal or object. Such animals or objects thus become sacred, are tabooed as food, or for use in dress, and the proscription may extend even to the mention or sight of the objects. The totem is looked to for protection from evil and the cure of disease. It is worshipped and respected, and a corresponding benefit is expected from the totemic influence, while violations of its sacredness are severely punished. It enters into the ceremonies which attend birth, marriage, and death, and the assumption of the totem may characterize the rites of puberty.

Besides the clan totems there are also, but far less frequently, totems for men and women separately, and individual or private totems. The last may be selected by divination at the time of birth, or by dreaming of it at puberty, or in any other way which would naturally bring about a mysterious and hallowed connection. On the social side, the totem gives rise to a more or less elaborate system of clan and family relationships which may properly be spoken of as totemism. Indeed, the totemic is frequently a stronger tie than the family connection, and becomes a mark of cognizance for each member of the clan. The custom of exogamy (or marriage outside the clan or totem) requires a sharp recognition of the totem, and brings about a double totem, that of father and mother. According to the rule of descent, whether by father or mother (the latter more usually), the paternal or maternal totem passes to the child, thus ever widening and complicating the clan relations and regulations. The further recognition of special tribes as suitable companions for marriage, and the presence of sub-totems in special branches, may develop a most elaborate and complicated system of relationships. The totem becomes an important symbol of kinship, and is thus used in architecture (totem poles), in dress and in decoration.

The same co-worker I’ve been disagreeing with about the gay marriage-Constitutional amendment thing raises a point that I wanted to hear your (collective)
reactions to.

He says that his main disagreement with _not_ having a Constitutional amendment is that one or two courts in the country are changing the ways that marriage laws are interpreted for the entire country. My immediate thought is that this would be the first guy to complain the instant he wasn’t given his Miranda warning–which also evolved solely from interpretation of the law in the courts.

This is also the guy who wants mandatory sentencing laws…and unlimited oil exploration and drilling.

Oof. I have to imagine duct tape across my mouth sometimes in order to continue working with him. I’m getting pretty good at changing the subject.

But I still wonder what you all think. Should the courts have as much freedom of interpretation as they do? Is that freedom part of the foundation of the country, or is it abuse of power by the courts?