January's Playground

Winter months are fertile months for plotting, planning and all sorts of fiber pursuits. As snow disappeared I started scanning the High Country Gardens website for new plants and old favorites because who knows what made it through the winter? That Black and Blue Salvia is always iffy even though I mulch the heck out it.  I've also been thinking of ways to have a small deck herb garden that could be wheeled in for the winter since many herbs are annuals here. Any ideas?

The Gilmore Gem has been dubbed Happy. DH likes him because he is very quiet to weave on. I can get away with weaving on him while naps are being taken. That of course, makes everyone happy! ;-) I am working on color combos for a small run of turned taquete towels.



 I've almost got too many options, but it is fun to drag the cones out and play with color groupings . A weaver's sandbox.

Before last Thursday I wouldn't have had room on that big buffet.



 Everything was a bit untidy from the holiday rush to get stuff done. Items had been pulled out and were scattered across the length of it. I spent Thursday morning, cleaning up and paring down. The inkle loom got dusted off and put in easy reach. In fact it was pared down further on Saturday. The Schacht Sidekick spinning wheel made it downstairs and has a place on the top too. Easy to grab and spin downstairs or travel for an out of the building adventure.



 I *really* want to make some pretty bands. I have ideas for a linen fabric blanket and of course it will have a center seam. What a pretty way to make it a design feature by using a handwoven band?



I've finally started in on the experimental warp on Nora. There is nothing fancy about the threading or tie up, it's a classic rose path, but I'm playing with Boutonne



and further along, rosepath inlay and then paper yarns, tying in pieces like rya or making flowers with them in the warp. I have 6 yards to practice on. It's like the adult version of having a roll of craft paper and a box of 64 crayons. Come to think of it, that still sounds fun too!

Turkeys have been making the rounds. The two Toms strut and gobble away most of the afternoon in the back 40.



They have a captive audience, both human and canine.



The humans are quieter. Much quieter.

There hasn't been much sewing, but there has been a bit of cutting. More on that next post as there should be something to actually see. Suffice to say the sewing that has been happening also uses handwoven fabric.

Parting shot: Jack photo bombing boutonne.