Close-up of undulating twill

Inside the purse


Another close-up

Pictures, at last

I finally stopped being lazy and took pictures of the completed undulating twill purse. I lined it, added pockets to the lining and velcro closures, a handle and it's ready. The person who commissioned it has not called back so it may be for sale soon.

I have beamed the baby blanket and will start threading in the next couple days. We have lots of things planned while my best friend, Janet, is off from work so weaving may have to wait.

Although,

I received a brand new Kromski Harp for Christmas and have started the warp for 3 cloth napkins using some kitchen cotton and 4/2 cotton I had in the studio. I'll work on taking and posting pictures of that soon.

Meantime, enjoy these. We're off to the Textile Museum today.

Holiday confession

I grew up in a totally Jewish household. Christmas Day was for going to the movies and eating Chinese food. Then, ten years ago my life changed and I started spending my time with friends who celebrate the Jewish and Christian holidays. I was tentative at first. How could I, a Jewish woman, celebrate the birth of Christ. But Christmas here meant so much more. It was lights and decorations and gifts and tons of great food. It didn't take long for me to join in and enjoy. It's a time when we openly and easily demonstrate our love for each other. A time for laughter and a time for joy. Free of the shackles of an oppressive marriage, I have learned what true love is and cherish this time of year. A celebration of many things, different things for each of us. I celebrate the shear joy of being alive and being loved.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year!!

Finished undulating twill

...and on to the purse. I wove the fabric in order to make a purse for a client. I have been struggling with dimensions and design and finally figured it out. I will post pictures soon. I am heading to the studion (down to the basement) to start the lining which will serve as the prototype for the bag.

Holiday sale

Today I went to the Potomac (MD) Holiday sale. It's held every other year to benefit the organization. I've been a member for 4 years and this was a first for me. I'm glad I went. People were in great spirits, lots of cooperation and lots of fun. Marsha twisted my arm a bit to go, and she never does that, but I'm glad she did.

I bought 4 skeins of 10/2 cotton that is so beautiful it looks like silk. It's in varying shades of gray and I see a supplemental warp with turquoise ribbon going with it. I have stayed away from finer yarns in the past because my hands are too numb to feel them and my eyes too blind to see them. So, why did I buy this yarn? I'm ready to branch out into finer fabrics.

I am almost done with the undulating twill. Hoping to finish it after dinner. I have so many projects in my head. The 8 shaft loom, aka Ethel, is getting warped for napkins and once the log cabin scarf is done on Baby Wolf, it's on to a baby blanket.

I'll post the plans for each and pics of the twill this week.

Blog it

I haven't written in forever so I thought I'd give it a try again. I feel like I spend too much time on the computer as it is so I am lukewarm about doing this. I read Syne Mitchell's column in Handwoven today and felt encouraged to give it another try.

I think this is one of those generational things. People in their 20s and 30s seem to get pleasure from doing this and they seem able to make it personal without having it seem too intimate. I would much rather talk on the phone to someone than write about my experiences. I enjoy reading some blogs, mostly about weaving and knitting.

I'm going to give it a try.

Today is a very exciting day for me, I am meeting with the pump trainer to learn how to use my new One Touch Ping. It's a great pump with many of the features I want and need. I have had insulin dependent diabetes for 48 years and have been using an insulin pump for 27 years. I've seen a lot of changes in that time. Being able to do my blood sugars at home has been the best and greatest advance in my lifetime.

I am alos committed to get downstairs and weave, weave, weave today. I'll post more pictures soon.

So, there it is, my first gut spilling in a long time. Not sure anyone really cares but me.

Weaving rag rugs

It has been a while since I wrote anything.  My time has been absorbed with weaving and learning to weave rag rugs.  Also, I bought a new, larger loom so I can weave rugs.  It takes a much heavier loom than mine to do this.  I got a great loom and spent almost a month cleaning it up, fixing and adding missing pieces.  Now, I have warped, threaded and am weaving a rug!!!  It's great fun and it also looks great, I will try to post some pictures.

My little loom is also threaded and warped and I am busy weaving a tencel scarf.  It's looking very nice so far.  I'll post pictures when it's ready.

Spinning wheel

Well, we did it, we found a wheel within our budget and we bought it.  We picked it up on Saturday at the MSWF (Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival) and tried it out that night and it's great.  I will post pictures later.

Funding was provided by several sources and a generous person willing to sell her wheel.  Thanks to all who helped to make this possible.  

I'm off to spin!!

Blogging

See, this is what I am confused about.  What's the point of a blog?  Can anyone help me out here?  Maybe I'm just not hip enough to understand.  

Despite being retired, my days are very full.  I spend as much time as possible weaving and more time than i want on the computer, I cook, clean and generally "keep house', as it were.  Somehow the days fly past. There is so much more I never complete in a day and one thing I want to spend more time doing is learning about things online.

For instance, I want to know how to reach more people with my blog.  How an I get folks to read and respond to my entries.  Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Weaving forever!!

About a year ago I learned to weave and I haven't stopped since.  When I can't sleep I plan projects in my head and get up the next morning and put them to paper.  I have completed over 50 projects and taken 3 major (several days) workshops on different weaving structures.

Now, I am learning to spin.  Last year I borrowed a wonderful double treadle Lendrum spinning wheel from a friend.  She has decided to return to spinning so I have to return the wheel, boohoo.  I am not sure what to do because I was really looking forward to spinning.