Sunday, January 31, 2016

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.

9 comments:

Mary said...

I love what is on the loom-very interesting. Will it have a raised pattern when completed?

Leigh said...

The Boutonne looks like a lot of fun, and with endless possibilities!

Also think the portable herb garden is a brilliant idea. Maybe something on an old wheelbarrow frame?

Hilary said...

Plotting and planning are good things. Not too long from now you'll be potting and planting. You always have something interesting and lovely on the go. So creative.

Anonymous said...

I love the collection of yarns, nice colors to play with. The boutonne looks like fun it will be interesting to see what designs you weave on this warp. Jack - the mad photo bomber!

LA said...

Bravo!!! The boutonne is beautiful! Can't wait to see what else you do with this warp. I'm sure that is what Jack was trying to see, too.

Susan McShannon-Monteith said...

A linen fabric blanket sounds wonderful.
This area where I live is rich in Mennonite history where once there were several male weavers that made the most fantastic items. Coverlets, linen sheets, towelling to name just a few.
I have a center seam linen blanket dating from around 1860. The piece was woven by the granddaughter of one of the above mentioned and it is initialed by her hand stitched name in the one corner.
Perhaps all that snow you got has protected the plants this year from the frigid temperatures.
Enjoy the week...
Susan x

Peg Cherre said...

I can't decide if I like the photo of the turkeys or the boutonne better. :-)

And I REALLY can't wait to see what you're making with your handwoven fabric. Just the other day I got some lining material and bias tape...not sure which I'll use...as the next step in making my first handwoven garment with the fabric I wove a few months ago.

Judy said...

Your colorful cones of yarn look so inspiring! That's one of the great aspects of weaving-there are so many choices that a weaver gets to make. I LOVE your weaving, so unique and creative, what a great way to play!!
I took my parents out for a drive in the mountains last week and we saw some wild turkeys run across the road, it was the coolest thing.
Have a great week,
Judy

Theresa said...

Judy, yep, the yarn = the crayons, albeit a bit more expensive. I'm known around these parts as "The Turkey Whisperer" LOL!

Peg, Go for the Turkeys. The boutonne is really not that good, just learning and it's a bit sparse.
Handwoven top is done, looks good, feels comfy and will posted up soon.

Susan, One can NEVER have too much linen and what a wonderful story about the linen up your way. I'm going to cheat and buy my linen already woven. I'm hoping the snow provided good protection!

LA, Well, we have tried a few things and while slow going some of the effects in small doses are so worth it!

Martha, and I have more photo-bombing shots on the way. He's everywhere you want to be....

Hilary, How funny! Yes, I'll be potting and planting and having fun playing in the dirt. Ah weaving, maybe an adult form of finger painting!

Leigh, It does and I need to research some simple geometric designs, but I am very slow with it. That's a brilliant idea using a wheel barrow frame! I was thinking a little red wagon might be cute.

Mary, yes, it is a pile weave although the pile won't be cut. Mine is very sparse while I get use to doing it, but it reminds me of chenille bedspreads or candlewick ones. I spent many years in Gardner MA, which has a large French-Canadian population and saw many beautiful hand created textiles. The other half of Gardner was Polish American and I ate many many good sausages too!