Curling, It's Not Just for Watching

In fact if it hadn't been for all those curling matches I probably wouldn't have been able to sleep half as much as I did. Let me back up to bring you up to speed (that would be slow) on the lost ah... last week. Two words: Sinus Infection. In fact the sinus infection from hell. I can't remember a time when I really did nothing but feed animals and the rest of the time spent in bed. Now I did read a little bit, knit a little bit and the daytime Olympic programs had some decent highlights but beyond that, a lost week. It wasn't until yesterday when I woke up feeling more myself. The blanket threading went from almost zero to over half threaded, the sleeve has grown inches and I even managed to catch a bit of the night time Olympic figure skating. I say a bit because NBC's coverage has me nuts. If they are going to do us on a delay, even in the same time zone, can't we get more than 10 minutes of something else besides skiing at a time? As usual, great Olympics, lousy coverage. Nuff said on that front.

I did however feel the need to dust around my studio and organize a little. The shuttles for one thing needed to be cleaned and have a little polish, and they make such a pretty collection, I couldn't resist showing them off just a little.

From left to right ( towards Rodger's pointy little head):

The first four are all Jenkins shuttles, of which the quilted maple is my most loved shuttle. It was my first shuttle and I wish now I had bought both the quilted maples ones available.

After the four Jenkins shuttles comes a Bluster Bay Shuttle in Curly Black Walnut. This is a nicely made shuttle also, but I deduct points because the rod that holds the bobbin only comes up enough to allow the bobbin on and snaps back, making it harder to thread through the slot. A small thing I know, but all the Jenkins have an upright position you can put the bobbin rod into making it very easy to thread.

Next up is a Schacht low profile shuttle and while it is not my favorite it is colorful and comes in quite handy for the Woolhouse Carolyn table loom.

Following is one of two Schacht End Feed shuttles and these are my second favorites.

Last, but not least, is an older LeClerc shuttle and I like this little one a lot. Nice weight, feels good in the hand and well finished. If I only had a choice of the mass produced Schachts or LeClerc boat shuttles, I would go LeClercs, hands down, better weight, better finish at least judging from these older shuttles I own.

Next up are the rug shuttles although I have put my second little LeClerc shuttle out because it's such a pretty dark color. The two rug shuttles on the ends are LeClercs, both bought used. The two in the middle are Schachts, one rug, one ski shuttle.

Other than the stick shuttles I was gifted in January from Sue, this is it in my collection. A little something to cover most circumstances!

Now, you can see a little progress on the blanket. I managed to get just an inch or so past center before I quit for the day on loom stuff. Today I'll try to make good progress in the second half. Three of the drawing batches of yarn have shipped out, three are packed and waiting on the next trip to town, so winners, they will be to you soon.

On farm news, after a glorious week of lovely sunny weather that I didn't get to enjoy, it snowed yesterday and last night. Looks like about 5 inches. The snow amounts here have been pitiful and we are very happy for anything we can get.

I got a good look at the phantom cat I saw a few weeks back. One morning while zoning out at my desk (and trying to swallow an antibiotic the size of a horse pill) I saw him/her. Looks well cared for and my bet is it has a home it goes to. Someone (Juno?)

left me a mouse on the front porch as a get well gift. I have but the mouse........

I clipped Dennett down. He grows such a dense coat that when he starts to shed it gets matted, so it's easier to just clip him, then vacuum and brush like crazy for a while.

Unlike most of my dogs he enjoyed his bath too. Of course in his 17 years he's had a lot of time to get use to them. For the last week we had our own little Olympic sport, Syncronized Snoring, he on his bed right beside me on mine. :-)