glittyknittykitty

1 September 2010

Embroidered digital commons

The Embroidered Digital Commons (EDC) is a project taking place from 2001-2012, an artwork faciltiated by Ele Carpenter as part of the Open Source Embroidery (OSE) project, utilising social and digital connectivity.

The project in its totality is to create an embroidery of the text 'A Concise Lexicon of/for the Digital Commons' by the Raqs Media Collective (2003).

From the EDC website:

This distributed embroidery aims to collectively stitch terms from the Lexicon as a practical way of close-reading and discussing the text and it's current meaning. Each term is chosen in relation to the specific context of its production.

Some terms have already been completed, some are ongoing, some have yet to start and many have not yet been claimed.

We at gkk have asked for a term to be reserved for us. Our term is:

QUOTIDIAN

And the Raqs Media Collective definiton:

Quotidian: Common but not commonplace. The memorable nature of the everyday. Memory walking down a street and turning a corner. Memory buzzing in a hard disk. Ubiquitous, the dirt in a site, the fog in a liminal zone, that which is thickened through repetition.

Milk, computers, onions, computers, pyjamas, computers, carpal tunnel syndrome, computers, accidents, computers, sex, computers, bread, computers, night, computers, class, computers, skin, computers, love, computers, money, computers, headaches, computers, police, computers, buses, computers, bicycle, computers, radio, computers, horoscopes, computers, matrimonials, computers, funerals, computers, biscuits, computers, conversations, computers, silences, computers.

The quotidian is that which makes a journal turn, over time, into a history, because it induces the search for patterns and meanings in an otherwise tangled mass of time, in memes iterated beyond reasonable limits. Routine, yet random, the quotidian nature of anything demands fleeting moments of lucid engagement with the real world, which now includes within it the world that is forged every time any fingers do a qwerty dance on a keyboard. The quotidian is a measure of all things, rare and commonplace.

I may have been a bit stupid to choose a term without realising how long it was.... this is one of the longest in the lexicon... but in terms of our initial thinking I am convinced we made the right choice.

We have yet to finalise our thoughts on what our patches will be like aesthetically, and how much of a coherent integrated artefact we want to end up with, but we have decided that unlike many of the other terms currently being created, ours will not be a community created piece.

Ours will be a term created in the private social digital space between the two authors of glittyknittykitty, who are at opposite ends of England geographically, but which will be shared via readers of this blog, and via our other more public digital personas in social networking spaces.

The only thing we have agreed on, apart from the term 'quotidian' is that our creative energies will be pushed via the need to blog daily.

A quotidian activity.

Ideally we would like to finish and blog a patch a day. We may not finish one every day, however we will blog daily about our progress.

As we agree on how we will do this project, and what the guiding aesthetic principles for our term will be, we will blog more under the 'quotidian' category on this blog.

Please don't ask if you can take part in our EDC project. We will say no.

But you can contact Ele and create a term yourself. She would be delighted to hear your ideas.

Posted by glittrgirl at 3:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Posted to artykitty | quotidian

27 August 2010

Cee-Lo Green: Fuck you!

Viral hit of the summer apparently...... I love i!

Posted by glittrgirl at 10:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Posted to caterwauling

25 August 2010

Ross Sutherland: Experiment to determine the existence of Love

Posted by glittrgirl at 3:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Posted to littykitty

Rude?

Last night was our regular meeting of Miss Spiritual Tramps Knitting Circle. We love our Tuesday nights at The Bridge Hotel (in actual fact a pub, not a hotel), with delicious real ales, served by friendly bar staff to a bunch of lovely knitters and crochet fans. Last night we were visited by a nice group of knitters from the US who had been in town all day after 12 days craft cruising round the UK and Ireland.

We like having visitors, and they were a friendly lot. Until the cameras came out.

Now the two groups I attend are used to people taking photos. After all a group of 15 knitters drinking beer, singing songs and knitting is still fairly unusual in the UK. And no-one has ever really minded - as long as the 'photographer' asks if it is OK. And I cannot remember a time previously where photos have been taken without asking.... unless they did 'em surreptitiously, without using flash.....

Those who want to can then move out of shot. However, personally, I think it rude not to ask. And when it starts to feel like you are in a zoo, or with the amount of flash being used, like you are surrounded by paparazzi, it's ('scuse the language) just fucking annoying - especially when you have asked politely if they would mind seeking permission.

This is not to say that our guests were unwelcome, or in any way less than a delight with MST regulars. They all seemed like nice people!

But.

Please.

If you are fascinated enough to want to document your visit, and people (strangers) are the subject of your snaps, do the polite thing, and ask if they mind? It's not much to ask, and you'll probably get an answer like 'Sure that's OK.' But please don't assume we all like being photographed. Some if us hate it. And we prefer to be asked, so that we can apply lippy or choose to visit the toilet and stay our of the way.

If any of our visitors read this - it's not meant nastily. It was lovely to meet you all - and you would be welcome back anytime. But think before you click. And think double hard if you click with flash. Flashing is just rude anyway, and your camera will more than likely have settings that enable you to take lovely photos in the ambient light. It'll all be there in the manual.

Thank you.

Posted by glittrgirl at 8:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Posted to

20 August 2010

Lucky

Newcastle has recently been blessed with the opening of not one, but two, yes, two, yarn emporia. This means we can now talk about Local Yarn Stores with confidence when in the City. Don't get me wrong, the North East is far from devoid of LYSs, we just haven't had any actually in Newcastle for a long time. Apart, that is, from a place in the Grainger Market which sells mainly brightly coloured acrylic, and ever decreasing departments in Fenwick and John Lewis.

So. The opening of two shops in a month that sell yarn and knitting things was, well, frankly, rather overwhelming. And very exciting.

Wooly Minded on Clayton Street, is right in the centre of town, and replicates more or less the stock I have perused at the South Shields outlet. And for your standard day to day knitting fayre it is great. Wooly Minded will appeal to many seeking affordable yarn for everyday projects. King Cole Bamboo has fast become one of my favourites, and Sirdar do some lovely yarns at very reasonable prices: most of which Wooly Minded stock. It is worth a visit as the staff are lovely.

The place which has had me drawn back several times already is The Knit Studio. Located in the middle of town, in a 13th century priory, Blackfriars, it is a roomy and peaceful space to wander around. The selection of yarns is unlike anything else I have experienced in this region, and I feel lucky to have it so close. Other places in the region do good ranges, but for me, a non-driver, are not that convenient to get to without a special trip.

The Knit Studio is different. I am in town 6 days out of 7 anyway. So it's convenient. Bonus. The setting is relaxing and peaceful - exactly how you would want a 700 year old monastic centre to feel, and the space is large, airy, warm, and filled with light. The range for sale is centred around knitting and crochet with some sewing and quilting and a bit of spinning too.

The selection of yarns, which will change, has a 'collection' feel to it - concentrating on promoting British breeds, local and UK artisan spun, produced and dyed yarns. There are some carefully chosen ranges from larger producers, and a large selection of knitting, crochet, sewing, quilting and spinning books, plus magazines, and some gifts which would be perfect for fibreholics. Knitting and crochet needles, hooks and notions, and even a small selection of spinning supplies are only some of the treats to catch your eye. There is loads to look at, fondle, sniff and stroke.

The Knit Studio will be hosting a series of workshops on knitting, crochet and sewing - there is a list you can peruse there - and has a mailing list you can sign up to for the latest news. Join by emailing theknitstudio@gmail.com. There is also a Ravelry group.

Inside, there is a large table, and comfy sofas, where you can browse the books and magazines; and sitting for a bit, and knitting whilst you are there, is positively encouraged. There will be knitting & crochet and spinning groups too, watch out for news on those via the group on Ravelry or The Knit Studio mailing list.

I wish both of these enterprises all the luck in the world, and hope they manage to survive in these troubled times. I for one will be checking them out before making any internet purchases in future.

Posted by glittrgirl at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Posted to knittykitty | spiffykitty

16 August 2010

Found some!

Posted by glittrgirl at 2:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Posted to

15 August 2010

Carrot, lime and ginger soup

It's been a while since a soup recipe. This one is very summery - nice hot or cold - and uses up carrots that are not quite pretty enough to put on a plate raw.

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 stick celery, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1-1.5 lbs carrots, chopped
3/4 litre stock (we like Marigold vegetable bouillon)
zest and juice of 2 limes
1 inch cube ginger, grated
2 oz ground almonds
greek fat free yoghurt
flakes of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. Saute the onion, celery, ginger and garlic in the oil for about 5 minutes until soft.
2. Add the carrots and most of the lime zest (keep a few strands back for garnish).
3. Add the stock and bring to the boil. Turn down to a simmer and cook until the carrots are soft. Season to taste.
4. Cool slightly and blitz smooth.
5. Stir in the ground almonds. NB Make sure they are fresh, as old almonds are horrid and go bitter.
6. Stir in the lime juice, keeping a few drops back for garnish.
7. Serve with a dollop of yoghurt, decorated with a few strands of lime zest and a few drops of juice, together with more black pepper to taste. NB You can add a few drops of tabasco for a kick.

Enjoy!

Posted by glittrgirl at 4:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Posted to soupkitty

2 August 2010

Wispy

Wispy Cardi by Hannah Fettig. Knitted in one ply Tia Silk Laceweight from Fyberspates, in the mushroom colourway. So light. So drapey, so metallic looking, so rich, so beautiful, and surprisingly warm. Details at Ravelry.

Posted by glittrgirl at 1:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Posted to It's done!

30 July 2010

When you are ill, comfort food is required: chocolate beetroot brownies. River Cottage or Riverford recipe?

Having indulged in chocolate beetroot brownies from the River Cottage field kitchen at Port Eliot last week, I decided I needed to make some for myself, to enhance the healing of the chest infection I have been suffering from.

Chocolate is always comforting, and with the added boost of vitamin C from the beetroot, can only be considered a healthy convalescent snack.

I rooted through my recipe books, and came up with two. The Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall River Cottage one would (hopefully) replicate the teatime yumminess from Port Eliot, but I also came across a wheat free Riverford one from Jane Baxter's recipe book, with extra cocoa powder, ground almonds and Tia Maria additions.

I am thinking I may try the wheat free version first, but I may end up making both...

Have you tried either or both? Opinions?

Dilemma.

Which one to make?

Posted by glittrgirl at 1:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Posted to gluttykitty

28 July 2010

We are ill

Lack of blogging activity due to collective gkk illness. Time off may mean more recuperative craft activity, but not yet. Off to breathe badly and cough energetically. Not a good combo.

Posted by glittrgirl at 8:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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What do these badges mean?