Camp Runamuck

The Iceman Cometh

2012-01-28T03:35:00.000-08:00

This is an atypical winter, no two ways about it. After our beautiful snowfall, the weather felt compelled to rain all over that beautiful snow. We lost a lot as it saturated and compressed and then the cold weather came. I was going to ride yesterday. It was sunny, it was cold and crisp and it was a skating rink. The horses are slipping and sliding in the feeding areas of their paddock, the ice is thick and it's anywhere you've ever walked or driven. Where it is still snow the crust is so thick I can walk on it. But they can't. It makes for very unpleasant riding and was deemed far to dangerous to risk it for a little hour ride in the woods. It's always about this time that I wish I could pack them all down to a barn in the valley with an indoor arena. But then I remember none of us enjoys going around in circles, nor being shut in every night, nor the heavy expense, nor the drive down daily to visit. Sigh....

Of course it has meant that fiber pursuits are still in full swing. The flag warp will come off today, and a new one will go on next week. The same thing, 5 yards, black and white for prayer flags. The mixed warp has been spread and awaits the winding. It's going to be a bugger due to all the grabby boucle yarns but fingers crossed we'll get a decent wind on. I may have DH give a hand with this one today.

While you will get to see my flags in full when they come off the loom, my Dad is working this winter on some spectacular scarves and what daughter wouldn't want to show them off. Here is the first in a pinwheel pattern (60 Scarves-60 Years book). The colors are eggplant and silver in bamboo.

I've done a bit of sewing, working through the patterns I cut in the beginning of the week. A while ago I said I would never try another Burda pattern. NEVER say never.

I fell in love with both versions of this pattern and since it was on sale for cheap at the local JoAnn's I figured I would give it a whirl.

I had a good amount of leftover fabric from another project so no tears would be shed if it didn't work out. Surprisingly, I really like it.

I need to do a few adjustments, lower the little front band about half an inch, do a better finish than what they tell you to do on the complete neck edge and I will continue to sew that back pleat down.

It made the top fit so much better and keeps the interesting asymmetrical detail in tact. It's very hard to see in this picture but if you look at the pattern link, you'll get what I'm talking about.

A fabric with more drape is really required for this to be at it's best, but I had this nice soft cotton on hand for the first run through. I didn't do the best job getting this back on Rhonda, it fits MUCH better than it looks in the photos. I like the other version just as well but will lose that ridiculous long back shirt tail. I will say Burda does an awful job with directions, that certainly hasn't changed and I'm am rewriting them and adding notes/details to the pattern so the next time I make it, I'll have a better time of it.

I also made myself a Quincy top as a jacket.

The fabric is a nice black and white wool mini check, tropical weight, with a linen/cotton blend collar, cuffs and pocket details.I liked the looks of a metal zipper with this one and added some silk tie scraps that I had just because it made me happy to do so.

It has been lengthened a bit from the pattern. It is comfortable, light and warm with the addition of a turtleneck. It will get a lot of wear.

In farm news, nothing much to report. Everyone is looking kind of tubby and well fed right down to the barn cats. Last Friday Peter ( who is not as agile at 17 as he once was) attempted to jump up on the high guest room bed. He didn't make it and sheared off a rear toenail catching it on the metal box spring frame. There was a lot of blood but no crying and no panic. We have seen toes of woe before and are well prepared. I cleaned it off with a betadine solution, we managed a nice pressure bandage complete with bright teal vet wrap and started the boy on antibiotics. Through everything he stood like a champ and let us do what we had to do with not a single complaint, unlike some silly puppy I know! Off to the vet Tuesday for a look see. No swelling, no infection, no limping and came home with no bandage and just a few more days of antibiotics. He's on the mend but our walks have been curtailed in with this crusty snow and ice. No point tempting the fates.

Parting shot: Sewing buddies Rodger and Peter.

A Right Fine Dumping

2012-01-24T02:46:00.000-08:00

Winter came and it conquered with some pretty decent snowfall amounts, about 14 new inches on top of our 10-12 we had before the day and night of downpour. This shot was taken at the start of our big snowfall. It was all welcome and did help with our 5 inch waterfall deficit. We still have a lot of catch up to do. The dogs had a marvelous time. To them it must be magic that those pee spots get "refreshed" every night. HA!

With snow also comes the general knowledge that everything outside takes longer, be it a drive to town or refilling water tanks. Hoses must be hung back up carefully, snow paths need to be broken, trudging around is slower etc. And then there was the completely lost NFL playoff Sunday. Congratulations Patriots! I will admit to not watching the last 1.12 minutes of the game. I was sure it was going to be tied and go into over time or worse, end with a Raven touchdown. When I switched back,

I was pleasantly surprised of course. The Ravens gave that one away. And congrats to the Giants, who fought for every single point against the 49'ers. It was a great game, well played by two teams that were evenly matched. I didn't have the vested interest in this one and enjoyed every minute of it.

The prayer flag warp is just about at it's end. I think I can eek about 4 more flags out. I leave a good amount of space for fringe with these little flags so it does eat up warp. I figure I should get about 15 flags. The green wool warp is ready for winding on and threading. I'll use 4 shafts in plain weave, although for some interest I will probably double or triple up threads every 3 inches or so and try to get a little textural windowpane effect in the weaving. We'll see.

I finished off the new McCalls pattern and while I loved certain aspects of it, I truly disliked others. They have you mark everything with circles, squares and triangles. Really, I can match sleeves and cuffs quite well with just a couple of clips and maybe a dot.

The collar, that big collar with the large neck opening is set on a stand. Let me tell you, it was a bugger to get in neatly. It is on the outside, that inside facing is ugly though and the next time I make this, I'll make the collar a bit wider and set it right into the neck and face the inside with grosgrain ribbon or something. The last gripe is the sleeve construction. The top yoke/sleeve is wonderful and the lower sleeve piece fits well, but then it is not really set into an armhole but created by sewing up the side seam into the sleeve seam.

It's just not the nicest construction style for a blouse IMHO. It's okay but not great. I wanted great from this pattern especially since it uses a whopping 3.5 yards. I do love the mushroom fabric, enough that I bought more for later since my hefty stash of it was eaten up on this one garment.

The quilt top has been pieced and is ready for batting and backing.

I haven't yet decided on what type of batting I want to use. Maybe a light wool. I also need to get a binding fabric. I wanted it pieced before I decided on that. It's pretty cute and those squares were quite easy and fun. A nice re-entry into quilting.

I've been reading up on linings and honestly, I am disappointed in what I'm finding in my general sewing books. I have an unlined coat pattern that I want to do but need to line my fabric choice for it.

If I want to bag a lining from edge to edge, a fair amount of good basic instruction. If I want to tailor a men's jacket by hand with linings, interlinings and all sorts of stuff, I can find that too, but for a mostly bagged lining with prominent facings, not so much. I realize how this is probably done but some detailed explanations would be handy to have. I think my old Time-Life The Art of Sewing: Basic Tailoring has the closest information and maybe a peek at some of my coat/jacket patterns with linings may have what I'm looking for in the way of concise steps. We'll see.

Parting shot: Stella, keeping Timmy close on a cold winters day. ;)

For those that may have missed it, "Timmy" is the name of her ball(s). As in , "Go find Timmy, Stella!" Or "Is Timmy lost?" or "Hand Timmy over to me." This one rarely works unless she is absolutely sure you are going to toss...Timmy.

Snow Day

2012-01-20T04:46:00.000-08:00

The sensible ones.....

Tick Tock

2012-01-19T03:51:00.000-08:00

I couldn't help myself this week, I had to grab that vintage inspired alarm clock fabric and get it sewn first in the queue. (It helped that I didn't have a zipper for the black and white wool check blouse slated up first). I felt daring enough (after a good pin fitting with this new to me pattern by Indygo Junction), to use the "good" fabric.

It's actually a very old out of print pattern "The Everyday Jacket" and Fabric of Vision had one copy still hanging around so I grabbed it up.

It is still available here should you want it.

Anyway, it was a relatively quick construction. Sandi has this pattern made up and she gave me a few tips. The neck is high and the sleeve darts might need some adjusting. I did both of those adjustments in the tissue fitting stage. I couldn't be happier with the finished result.

These over sized prints are fun but hard to use sometimes, this was a perfect pair up in my mind.

The fit is quite good and the top doesn't stray into the too voluminous category. And I got to use these beautiful vintage buttons!

I have to say my pattern library has grown and grown again. $.99, $1.99 and $4.99 sales on patterns are the culprit. $.99 is a very small price to pay for some quality dream time even if the pattern never gets made up! There have been some great sales in the last 2 weeks and while I bought a modest 5 patterns at Sewingpatterns.com the one I am most excited about is this new one from McCalls!

It may look like just another shirt pattern but I like the shape and the interesting saddle sleeve/yoke construction this one offers, not to mention the pretty necklines in two variations. I fell completely in love with it when I got out the instructions to peruse. This is a Palmer/Pletsch pattern for McCalls and has excellent instructions on how to do common adjustments that might be needed. What I loved is that they aren't canned. They are shown on this pattern and step by step.

As it turned out I needed to do a small FBA (full bust adjustment), and how nice was it to have the lines already marked out on where to cut and how to do it. If one had never done one before, this walks you through it painlessly. Good job! Now let's see if the pattern really works in fabric. The grey print mushrooms have made it to the cutting table. Another of my many favorite fabrics.

In general news, we are having a series of weather events. They keep predicting high winds and I keep waiting for them. But we have had snow and rain and all sorts of messy stuff in between. The horses are making good use of their stalls. Gene and I took pity on them yesterday morning and I opened the little paddock and stall area back up to easy access. They came, they each took to their own stalls and they stayed, only moving out for bathroom breaks. The boys are quite neat really if they can come and go at will. I left it just as it was for the overnight.

The dogs all had fun playing in the snow. Robin, like his big sis Stella, had himself a grand time un-burying hidden toy treasures, then either tossing them about or parading the find around, prancing like a (very) little pony. I watched from the kitchen window for a good 15 minutes until the games were over and everyone noticed they were cold and tired. They piled up on the deck to wait for the door person, who I might add, is very well trained. ;)

Parting shots: Family Portrait.

Them's that plays together, stays together!

Do Over

2012-01-17T03:19:00.000-08:00

Well, I was sure optimistic thinking I could get that blouse recut and sewn all in a day.

I suppose if I didn't have the steady stream of interruptions (just about all with tails),

or the twin lures of beer and football, I might have had a chance. As it was, the final touches and press were completed yesterday mid-morning.

Was it worth it? Yes, I think it was. I loved the fabric enough to go the distance, USA made and organic.

It was the perfect opportunity to try the short sleeved version of this pattern out. Boy, are pintucks easier on good crisp cotton as opposed to double gauze! I may not have gotten back to this nice Simplicity pattern had it not been under duress. It's in the rotation though now as a TNT pattern. I had to get creative in a couple of spots using the pretty and annoyingly wide printed selvage edge. A small concession.

A few more flags and some work on the warping board with the wools round out the not so productive but quite busy weekend.

Seems there is nothing like starting work on your summer wardrobe to taunt Old Man Winter out of hiding. We actually had measurable snow! Donkeys needed coats

and the horses spent Sunday night locked into the new shelter. And for those eyeing those stall gates, each one has a leather break-away on the handle. It will give long before the tape or the hardware. It's not pretty but it works well and my guys are very respectful of fencing. These are not hot, none of the new paddock is.

I checked once on them before heading up to bed Sunday and yesterday morning they were all peaceful, waiting like gentlemen at the fronts for the hay delivery lady. No one felt the urge to run me over getting out of their stall as I opened each up. Always a good start to any early morning foray in the dark. I had to actually scoot them out to eat at their usual places in the main paddock. While the building is still unfinished on the outside, the inside is quite a luxury for horses that are use to spending 24/7 outside and using trees for protection (even though they had a run in).

I want them to be dry and have some protection from the winds but not much more. This fills the bill wonderfully.

I am loving the hay feeders.

I thought long and hard about what and how to feed from. Horses do best when they can eat in a natural position, in other words, from the ground. Hay is not grass, stalls get dirty and hay gets wasted. Tubs would get flipped or worse, pooped in, hay nets can cause leg tangles that low but these plastic holders are just perfect for my guys. They slow them down, I can hang them low and the holes are too small for an average hoof or leg. Plus being tied outside the stall window allows me to pull the empty up and over to the outside without having to enter each stall.

Easy to refill too, which hay nets are not! So far I'm quite happy with them.

Parting shots: Snow Day Play

The heartbreak of icy paw.

Sergers: The Case for Demonic Possession

2012-01-14T04:32:00.000-08:00

I'll grant you, I shouldn't complain too much about my serger. It's been reliable, it's been a workhorse and it was a gift. But I'll tell you, when they go south, they end up close to Patagonia. I spent 3 hours working on mine on Thursday. I learned a lot about it too, like how to re-thread the thing multiple times. I got pretty fast too. I learned tweezers and a threader are things of beauty for this piece of equipment and I also learned, that demons possess it on occasion. The gremlins are still a bit active, but they have been subdued. I need to conquer tension adjustments and I'm betting that should completely banish any residual devils the machine might have. For weaving it is very handy, for garment sewing almost a necessity. I have many sewing machines, all I'm pretty comfortable with tinkering about, and one serger that still mystifies me concerning its inner workings. At some point this year I think it prudent to add a newer one and keep this one as a spare or have the luxury of one set up for light threads, the other dark. If anyone has some serger wisdom, I'm all ears. I'm looking at the little Brother 1034D which seems well priced, pretty reliable and well liked. I think Brother in general puts out a nice product for the dollar.

Sergers aside, I did get some sewing done. Tuesday was spent cutting. I like being able to grab a project and go. These are the fabrics that made it to the table this week.

Quilt pieces, I couldn't resist these fabrics and wanted to see how the squares would look. Such happy fun prints.

The coat lining was finally cut out and I'm gearing up for my first attempt at winter outwear.

Some lovely black and white wool mini check was cut into for a Quincy top. I am going to have a lot of style fun with this. Black collar, large black roll back cuffs and some pockets. I've cut this pattern just a bit longer than usual since I am viewing it more as a jacket than a top.

The retro looking alarm clocks will be made up in a comfy pocketed duster of sorts. I love these kinds of patterns actually. They are fun, comfortable and can be pretty versatile. The trim is a rich plummy brown silk matka.

Last up was a light cotton top from a Vogue pattern.

This is what I was serging when demons took over. Maybe they were angels, because this top is doing nothing for me. I thought the squared off V neck would be nice looking. It isn't.

In fact it's neither fish nor fowl and I disliked the scrub top look so much I have recut it into a sleeveless version of a well liked Simplicity pattern. Today's project to get done and set aside for warm weather wear.

There has been weaving going on too.

I'm into flag 8 of the prayer flag warp and progress has been fairly steady on the mixed wool warp. Half the bundles have been measured on. The idea of going right from swift to warping board worked out.

It's a little slow but still faster than making balls and then putting the warp on the board. I've enjoyed it too, as the yarns are so pretty. These need to be tied up into a bundle and a new one started with the rest of the yarns left.

Bulbs have been planted (finally!), rocks moved into place for a marker, some general outdoor clean up, a fun dinner out, some good time for play and reflection. A full week

indeed. And tonight, Patriots vs Broncos! ;)

Parting shot: Caught red pawed, hot footing it off after stealthily stealing Stella's ball!

Thank YOU One and All

2012-01-10T03:14:00.000-08:00

Thank you everyone (both on blog and privately) who sent words of comfort, sympathy, beauty and wisdom. You all helped to ease the immediate grief in ways I could never, ever explain in words. Heartfelt hugs to you all and all your fur friends too!

Needless to say Sat and Sunday were lost days, but it is virtually impossible to have a sustained pity party around here with all of this

and this.

So things are getting back to a new normal PDQ. Peter had a rough time too and I made a trip to town Sunday so he could get out for a good long car ride, some visiting and just feeling special. It helped us both.

Now, I had promised some weaving content before we derailed and I've actually made some additional progress.

Having the Julia in the house proper is working as far as use but the location is very poor for lighting. I've had to move the clip on light from my warping board to the loom. A pain really, as it also needs to do duty on the board for the shawl warp. This warp is for single prayer flags and I had decided not to do pattern wise what I have done in the past. I pulled a simple pattern from "Favorite Scandinavian Projects to Weave" by Tina Ignell. There are so many projects of interest but I thought this pattern (Flowery Wool Rug page 117), would translate well down to mini size for the flags and it has!

It is dense, it shows off the given flag color much better and is just more stable/less sleazy than the previous warps. I'm doubling up the weft yarns as I have multiple cones in the same color families. Not always the same exact color so there will be some depth. I ran red first as it is an easy color to spot threading mistakes with. There were none. The tie up though was pretty funny. For the life of me, I couldn't remember what sunk and what raised on the draft. The light bulb eventually clicked on

long enough for my to write it down and we were in business again. Geesh, I need to warp these looms up more! ;)

I've opted not to do a traditional long flag for Dennett, but I did want the silk that is being woven into his flags to be different and special. Sandi at Fabric of Vision came to the rescue with a little piece of saved silk taffeta given with hugs and comfort and a Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino.

There will be all sorts of single prayers in this run, not just for Dennett.

I was hoping to get Hey Baby Delta loom warped but it didn't happen. I did have time to think about how best to handle those multiple little skeins of different wools. They are low yardage although there are 12 of them.

I am going to wind the warp directly from the swift in a random order.

I think it will be faster than doing 12 tiny balls and then winding. I'll drag the swift attached to the bench over to the board and give it all a whirl this morning. The sett will take a bit of playing around with and I'll make it as wide as it will go doing a length of 4 yards +-.

In sewing news, not much mojo there, but I'm gearing up for another cutting session.

A few new patterns and a few old favorites. I love my denim cargo pants so much I'm going to repeat the multi pocket style in a nice deep brown brushed twill I have. They will be top stitched, although not in a contrasting color, just close to the same brown.

Parting shot-Stella: Watching you watching me.

Parting Shots

2012-01-08T03:05:00.000-08:00

Vienne la nuit sonne l'heure

Les jours s'en vont je demeure

Passent les jours et passent les semaines

Ni temps pass`e

Ni les amours reviennent

Sous le pont Mirabeau coule la Seine

-Le Ponte du Mirabeau

Appollinaire

Let the night fall and the hours ring

The days go by, I remain

The days pass and the weeks pass

Neither past time

Nor past loves return

Under the Mirabeau bridge flows the Seine

Farewell for now Dennett, we had an amazing journey together these past many years. You're off on a new adventure but we'll catch up to you in our own times. Promise.

Going for Broke

2012-01-07T02:57:00.000-08:00

And indeed I did at the Fabric of Vision sale. Come September I start picking out the fabrics I want to splurge on during the January sale. (DH wisely allowed for this sale in the Christmas stocking with gift certificates). This week I literally and figuratively went to town. A wide range of fabrics came home with me, some good sturdy workhorses and some coveted ones you pet and leave safely on the bolt for a number of practical reasons. Prime sale fabrics and EVERY fabric out in the store is on sale. If you start planning (and plotting) early, patterns and ideas come for some of the fabrics you may love but have no clue how to use. So what came home? Let's start with the fun but hard to use stuff.

Silk chiffon with silk velvet. Totally impractical, but great sale prices are a powerful motivator.

I have a plan for this fabric along with the sensible cotton lycra woven for the lining.

And well I'm told that tangerine and oranges are quite in this year.

And then there is this...Mushrooms, big beautiful printed mushrooms on a heavier cotton fabric and how perfect the small red and while polka dot works for a lining.

This print is way to big for a blouse or dress, but will be a very fun second lined housecoat, an item I have found is getting a lot of wear.

Nancy Reagan or maybe Jackie O fabric.

I have coveted this for well over a year, passed it last sale for another vintage looking plaid coating and couldn't let it sit through this sale. Simple nice white cotton lining. Pattern already picked out. Almost sensible except for the fact it is white, pale green and has sparkles. Oh yeah Baby!

Now onto the practical!

Waterproof fabric for a rain jacket.

Cool color and texture and this should make a fun

jacket. Much prettier than my over sized yellow rain slicker with hay and crud stuck to it. This won't be for barn wear!

Shirt fabrics: Blue print corduroy, lovely black and white cotton and a retro alarm clock fabric.

Fun but in darker colors hopefully good at hiding dog hair and hay bits.

A nice felted wool with a hint of cashmere in charcoal grey.

This should make a great warm jacket and heck, I can just let the dog hair become some of the felt!

Since I was on an obvious mushroom kick, this somber print came home too, complete with skull and cross bone ribbon.

Poisonous mushrooms you say? ;)

Lastly, something I thought I might never be buying again. Fabric for a quilt.

A small quilt, fast and easy, but a quilt none the less. Here's the pattern I'll be using.

I'll also give a small shout out to Cindie who came over to Ashland yesterday for a morning of shopping and lunch. It is always fun to enable and be enabled and mostly to sit and chat! Good luck on the maiden warp with the new loom!

Next post you'll get to see what's on my looms. Fun there too.

Parting shot: Oh PLEASE let me go upstairs with you!

And yes he did, along with 7 of his closest friends......

He's Missing!

2012-01-03T03:08:00.000-08:00

Old Man Winter simply has gone AWOL this year. November wasn't day to day rain,

December was sunny and dry, there was no white Christmas and our New Year's storm

didn't happen for the first time since we've been here. I got up yesterday morning and when I went out to feed, it was a touch under 50 degrees F. Our waterfall amounts for this time of year are almost 6" less than what they should be. That's a big deficit, that's a a lot of moisture to make up. That's a lot of mud. I should have asked for snow for Christmas, lots of it.

Yesterday I moved the Julia loom from the back sun room to the main living area.

There isn't enough room in the studio proper but this space works quite well.

It get so cold out there and DH hates to heat it since there is no insulation in the walls or the ceiling (house eave space above). This was meant as a porch in the original plans

and for now I'm fine with it being a 3 season room. We had to take the door off to get Julia through but that was easy enough. It's kind of fun having such a cute little red loom in our family area but please excuse the wreck of a (post holiday & football game weekend), kitchen.

The sewing machines haven't been neglected either. In fact I had two of them set up for service. One for sewing and one for just top stitching. It was a pleasure, no a luxury to have two super machines to work on. During the summer I stumbled upon a real deal on this Pfaff 1171.

It's an older mechanical machine with just enough electronics to keep me quite happy. Needle up/down, low bobbin indicator and some fancy satin stitches.

Oh and one more thing, you can fill the bobbin from the needle thread. I never had this option, but now that I do, it's my favorite for sure.

I made some cargo jeans over the holiday week.

Took a lot of time designing pockets and top stitching but I'm very pleased with them. The fabric was heavenly to work with.

A bamboo/cotton blend. The bamboo gives the denim a fabulous drape. These will get a ton of wear and as you can see by the wrinkles, had to be removed for pictures! My only regret is that there wasn't more of this fabric available, but I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for similar blends.

Also up on the sewing front is this cowl tunic.

The pattern is the same one I used for my Mom's lovely black and white one. I've done mine longer and added a bit more shaping to the back with darts. When my Mom comes to visit again ( or maybe during my visit), I'll take some measurements and note them for future patterns for her.

This rendition is from a coral wool crepe, one of my favorite colors to wear. I wanted a little relief from the field of solid coral and did a cute cotton print on the under collar.

I can have just a bit peeking out or turn the collar in and show the whole piece. I loved this print and was thrilled to find a such a perfect use for it.

Going on Hey Baby Delta is this lovely mixed skein of wools and glitz for a bed shawl.

Long, wide and simple I'll let the beautiful yarns speak for themselves. The weft will be a soft darker green Nature's Palette fingering weight Merino.

In farm news, the stalls are as done as they are going to be until spring. Front guards are up, they each have a wall mounted salt block to play with and all three have gotten use to their individual spaces. Of course the weather has been so nice, we have not opened up that little sectioned off barn/paddock area since a couple of days after Christmas.

Dennett celebrated his birthday January 1st, that would be 19. Like a candle reaching the end of the wick, he is fading. He sleeps, we cuddle, he eats well. We'll soldier on until he tells us he truly has had enough. I'm preparing myself best I can.

Stella, Robin, Pogo and Smoochie provide us with lots of comic relief. Robin is hitting that bratty 9 month old teenager stage. No doubt it will last until about 18 months. He's such a cute little rogue and finally has surpassed his big sister in size and weight. She still gets the last word though....always.

Parting shot -Stella : Little Pictures have big ears AND eyes!

Happy Birthday Mom!

2011-12-31T05:47:00.000-08:00

You look marvelous!

And to everyone else, having a birthday or not, Happy New Year!

Parting short: Faithful Charlotte, distinguished and proper.

In the Nick of Time

2011-12-26T03:59:00.000-08:00

It's no secret that this has been the driest winter so far in these parts in recorded history. And Gene is taking full credit for it. Why you ask? Well, the shelter. It seems that the moment it became usable it started to snow, literally. And as DH pointed out, the universe provided good weather while he was "in process" and it all changed once he no longer needed it. So, there you have it, the fence came down between paddock and shelter as the first snow flakes were flying. Later it all changed to freezing rain and then stopped.

The horses are mixed in their reviews so far. Dandy ( red butt), who loves going for trailer rides and such walked right in, Cooper (spotty bottom) followed but Nick, was completely unsure about the whole thing. They will have a couple of days to get use to them, new feeders and such and then we'll get the guards up in the fronts of the stalls. Come spring the eaves will be closed in and the whole building will get metal siding. This whole project turned into MUCH more than just moving the existing shelter. This new shed row barn got a proper foundation poured with rebar, all new sheathing, good solid footing and of course divided stalls. A whole heap of work compared to just 3 sides and a roof. Building for large animals is time consuming. Safety is always a concern. These stalls are narrow and long so the dividers had to be sturdy and solid. Gene came up with a solution to the higher portion of the divider. I didn't want any horse to be able to reach over and nip at it's barn mate, but I wanted them to have full view of their buddies. We're trying this snow fencing. Plastic, breaks easily but provides a barrier and of course the holes are small. I liked it better than wire ( and the resulting types of needed attachments), and it was a lot less expensive too. We'll see how it works. This barn will only be used in bad weather and at that only for overnights and of course for the occasional sick horse since it does have a small paddock area that can be gated off from the large pasture. Picture could have been better, but I had turkey that was just pulled from the oven before feeding and gravy and mashed potatoes that needed to be attended to.

I hope everyone had a great holiday, full of memories and fun.

We had a lovely Christmas. Good food, lots of opportunity to talk with family and friends ( and each other!), far away. Gifts that ran the gamut of useful, useless but awfully fun, needed and coveted. Gifts sent were well received and one of the best gifts of all, the outfit I made my Mother fit! Whew.

Black corduroy pants and a black and white top. Both made from patterns I tailored down. Pants are from the much loved Sewing Workshop Trio pattern and the top is Indygo Junction's Cowl Neck Shift.

A pattern that is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I added these fun and rather silly labels.

I managed to look presentable Christmas morning in a new housecoat.

My first attempt at a fully lined garment ever. Heck it was my first attempt at any lined garment, full or not. Being a first run through I could have done better in some areas, but all in all I'm happy with my first effort at linings.

In process Gene thought it looked like a choir robe! I have to admit, it did a little. Now, it's a bit dowdy but oh, so comfortable and much nicer than grubby old over sized sweatshirts. I haven't had a proper robe in years.

Parting shot: Robin

The Wisdom of the Holidays

2011-12-24T03:14:00.000-08:00

I suspect you are expecting some wonderful reflective Christmas eve post. Forget about it! This is wisdom I've culled over the years and let's face it, Solomon I ain't.

1. Gifting anything with a cord should only be done if that item is specifically on a list.

Just because someone says near or during the holidays, "wouldn't it be fun to have a waffle iron" or "Honey, the vacuum seems to be sounding a little sick." does NOT mean they want to have it appear under the tree. And a dust buster is NEVER going to end up on some one's list. Trust me.

1A. Multiples. Often the same gift is purchased for members of any given family. Two kids wanting the same toy, etc. Please, make it different in some way from the other,

be it color or style etc. That goes for the toys too. If one breaks and they are different, at least you'll know who's it was, not who's they SAY it was. ;)

2. Cash. To give or not to give. I personally like cash, but only from family. From friends, keep it cheap, fun and put something of yourself in it. Family, I know enough about all of you, cash is fine.

3. Tree decorating. Enjoy, don't stress and drink only enough to make the job go quickly. Avoid a Christmas morning hangover. ( We always put up our tree on Christmas eve).

3A. Baling twine, it's not just for hay any more! All trees, especially those in households with dogs, cat's, ferrets or children can benefit by tying their tree to something solid, like the wall or the ceiling. Trust me on this, I know.

3B. The tree looks just fine with only the top half decorated! Fido and Felix can sniff and such to their hearts content the lower branches without an emergency trip to the vet for that ornament or hook.

4. Christmas Eve company. Avoid a morning hangover even if the champagne is free.

Hors d'Oeuvres are not considered "putting something in your stomach before drinking" unless of course, you eat them all. It is Christmas so sharing is expected.

5. This is the one that has always been the hardest for me to swallow. Not everyone wants to get up at the crack of dawn to open gifts! Can you believe that???

(Maybe they didn't know about items 3 & 4.) Even if it's a lump of coal, it's still Christmas, there is still magic and by god, there likely is something wrapped up under that tree that hasn't been guessed at yet.

6. Give a little locally. Shelters, rescues, food banks are all feeling the pinch this year

big time. In most cases these are gifts that go directly to those in need. Do it, you'll feel so much better about yourself and the world. Even Ebenezer figured this one out!

That's it for the collective wisdom.

Don't forget, you can track Santa via those crafty spies at Norad.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday, kept just how they wish.

Parting Shots. Stealth Terrier Undercover!

And she gets so insulted when you accidentally sit on her!

And Then...I Came To My Senses

2011-12-23T03:53:00.000-08:00

I wanted to title this, "Like a hot kiss at the end of a wet fist" but it was too long and I doubt anyone would remember the line from Firesign Theater. You think they have CD's of them out? "Don't Crush That Dwarf, Hand Me the Pliers" possibly?

To the subject at hand it was my pairing of a particularly technical pattern with a hard to work with fabric. In other words, what WAS I thinking. I had my doubts looking at the envelope but it wasn't until I opened the tissue out and saw just how dang complicated it was.

I knew I wasn't going to be able to make it in the silk velvet. A skilled seamstress of course could, but me, no. A better pairing for the silk velvet and funky lace/jersey slashed hand-dyed fabric was a simple pattern that let the fabric be beautiful all on it's own without a lot of manipulation from me and I had just the pattern. So, two days later a holiday top is done and ready. Bring on the New Year.

This is Lisette-Simplicity pattern 2059 and I have to say, it's a nicely done pattern and it made dealing with the fabric almost a pleasure.

I added the velvet pouch pockets and I would like to try this pattern in a stable textured knit. I think it would work.

It took a while but 2011 Christmas book did find me at last. In actuality, two found me at once but Brian Selznick's "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" won out.

The story set in a train station in Paris was just too hard to resist (the other has gone on my short list for the future), as were the illustrations.

So beautiful and they tell the story in numerous pages between the text. Love the black pages, it gives it all an air of the mysterious which was the goal I'm sure.

So far the story has been everything it was billed. Total enjoyment!

On the farm front, it looks like the shelter will be usable by Christmas and good thing too, the weather is long overdue for change and it's a coming. We'll be returned to our usual weather programming of snow, rain and dreary days by the first of the year.

Rodger is looking well and feeling perky. His appetite is back in full force as is his good humor. I will also say he is being quite the gentleman to pill. He never puts up a fuss, once in a while a paw may reach for you, but so far, I haven't had my finger pierced or my hand scratched. Yeah!!!

The socks are working well for Dennett although getting them on can be a little bit of a tussle. I put them on in the morning after the walk of the ancients (Peter and Dennett)

and take them off after last out in the evening.

Parting shot: Ear Hats!

The Toe of Woe

2011-12-20T03:34:00.000-08:00

There is nothing like a big holiday to bring out a good emergency or two. If you're lucky, it WON'T be on the eve of the holiday. I was lucky (knock on wood). What are the chances of not one but two problems presenting themselves within an hour of each other? The Sunday afternoon of discovery......

First up was Rodger, who is in no mood to have his picture taken.

Sometime during the previous 24 hours he had gotten in a fight, likely with one of the barn cats. They usually get along, but lets face it, 3 cats not living together in the same territory is not always all sweetness and light, even in Ashland. The abscessed bite on his neck and the two accompanying scratches were going to need some vet attention in the way of antibiotics. After clean up and inspection with him I let the 9 little heathens in and who is limping but Master Robin, on the same foot as the toe of woe (left front inside) problems in October. In fact that toe of woe was swollen and while not yelp producing was obviously uncomfortable. Well, throw him into the car with the cat for Monday. I was on the horn first thing yesterday to the vet and low and behold, they have a cancellation at 9. I can just barely make it and run frantically through the house throwing dog and cat in their respective crates.

6 miles down the mountain dog is throwing up. 9 miles down the mountain the cat has peed in his crate. Cat is soaked in pee, dog in puke. It was the ride from hell for all of us. The cat had to have a bath and he was grateful for it. He sat while they bathed him

never once yowling or scratching. Wounds cleaned, antibiotics dispensed and we're done on him for the moment. Then it was onto Robin. I had done a quick paw clean so

he was fine that way, but we decided to do an x-ray and see what the heck was going on.

It would seem that Robin actually fractured that toe back in October and while it is healed there is a tiny little bone fragment and some calcification. Likely he hit it wrong rough housing outside with his sister hence the lameness which was gone by the time we arrived at the vet. Of course it was!. If it becomes a real problem it's an easy fix. Remove the first joint of the toe. Sounds awful, but the inside and outside toes of a dogs front foot are not the real weight bearers, the two middle toes are. And did I mention, he's a whopping 10 pounds. Not like removal on a Newfie or a Mastiff! It could be years before anything is needed if at all. The ride home was much less eventful and since my wallet MUCH lighter we could go faster too. ;)

Parting shot: Stella, still so captivating to photograph.

Can This Shirt Be Saved?

2011-12-18T03:14:00.000-08:00

In a word, no, probably not. Not that I didn't work this 5 ways from Sunday either. I did.

A first run through on a pattern for me can be a thing of joy, and usually is pretty successful. The worst thing about this is, I could have fixed it in the pattern piece stage so easily if I had checked a few things a bit more closely. 10 demerits at least for laziness since it was nice fabric I grabbed from stash.

The problem is the armhole. Too low, too big and it won't allow for easy arm movement. More fabric was needed between armhole and bust point to make for a well fitting garment. Simple as that. I've taken a few pics for you can see on like pieces. One is the vest pattern I just finished (tan tissue) and the other the same piece from this Camp Shirt pattern. Remember that smaller armhole will fit closer to the body and gives more fabric to the bust area. Quite a difference really.

And on Rhonda, you can see how nice and close to the body the arm hole is on the vest and how much bunching there is on the shirt sleeve going through it.

Since this pattern was traced from a master pattern I can easily redraft the armhole and sleeve using the Simplicity pattern and a french curve. I like many things about this little camp shirt pattern. Enough to do it.

I have also taken the measurements from bust point to the arm hole, depth etc. so I can get a better idea on future patterns what the minimums are for comfort and fit.

They recommend taking your measurements in quarters, NOW I understand why. Too often designers think as we go up in size, our shoulders become football player proportions, our arms longer and lower. It isn't a matter of increasing things over all, it's knowing where we tend to get fluffy and draft up for those areas while blending areas that don't increase. Thankfully, there are ways to fix it depending on the style and cut of the garment.

Most of this beautiful fabric will be recycled into cute little coin purses or possibly enough might be salvaged for trim on something.

At last here is the lovely fabric Benita sent. If I can get this camp shirt fitting well, I would like one made in this. How fun!

Parting shots: Do You Hear What I hear?

Do You Smell What I Smell?

Finally, A Vest Pattern to Love

2011-12-16T03:35:00.000-08:00

Those that have followed for a good long while may remember that most of my sewing failures have been vests. I've had a tough time with that article of clothing. I LOVE vests so that may have been part of the problem as I was very fussy about the cut and style and of course, factor in my beginner skill and maybe a poorly drafted pattern or two. All in all it made for a year of bad vest mojo. I bought Simplicity pattern 2155 when it came out this late summer and have been looking at it quite often. I have good luck with Simplicity patterns overall so I was hopeful. I had some nice wool in the stash (printed with rose buds on one side, plain herringbone on the other), that I liked a lot but wasn't so in love with that if it didn't work out I would be left sobbing and hand wringing over it.

I'm so glad I went for it. I love just about everything, although the collar instructions could have been better. That waterfall collar needs to be coaxed into that shape and the directions never go back and tell you how, but I figured it out.

You know a pattern/garment is a winner when you wear it around with only one button and don't want to take it off to complete the rest.

Note to weavers, this is NOT a thrifty fabric pattern. It requires between 2.5 and 3.5 yards of fabric at 45 inches depending on size and nap. This will made again, with fabric I've saved and some pattern tweaking.

On the weaving front, 3 beautiful somethings have left here as gifts and are winging their way around the country and not a one has pics I can show. Sorry! But Hey Baby Delta got quite the workout around here and I had a lot of fun with small mixed warps all done in plain weave. Dennett sleeps in the loom room. The thump and bump of weaving upsets him so we moved him to the living room for the duration of these projects. It meant I had to be quick and economical with them. He's back in his usual spot, happily snoozing away most of his day. If he makes it into 2012 he's going to be right around 19. A very old dog indeed. He's a little wobbly some days so we are trying gripper socks on him around the house.

Jury is still out but it looks like it might work pretty well for him. Anything to keep him as mobile as possible.

One thing that did make the finishing a little faster was a new drying rack.

The floor models just don't work for us so I was delighted to find this one on etsy. It hangs on the wall and is nicely made with good sturdy dowels and hinges.

When not in use, it folds up. MUCH better than stuff thrown over the shower stall frame. ;)

In other news, I was thrilled to help a friend out with a blanket for their almost 2 year old grandson. It was so cute too. A big fleece John Deere tractor panel with another plain fleece for backing. I got the two of them together a lot nicer that the usual cut and tie they make these for and did a little custom label complete with tractor ribbon. I love breaking out the embroidery machine!

I'm betting this will be much loved for a long time. I certainly hope so. Stella wanted

it for herself. She does love anything made of fleece to curl in. They all do.

Benita sent me this wonderful horse print fabric in which the picture simply won't load. There is a lot of it, enough for both a cute camp shirt and some pillowcases I think. THANK YOU SO MUCH! I'll be working on a photo of it for the next post. It's so pretty.

And that brings us to the parting shot: Peter, another of the ancients, turns 17 in 2012.

Still handsome after all these years.

The Industry of Elves

2011-12-11T03:16:00.000-08:00

Have you ever thought about how hard an elf must work? I bet a lot of the wants of children are last minute. And imagine having to retool the Santa workroom for molded plastics. I bet THAT was a learning curve! I was watching one of the kids stations the other day. The Polar Express was on and I must catch it at least once (usually more) a season. Anyway, the commercials were plentiful and geared to a crowd much younger than myself. Imagine my surprise and total horror when I discovered they had actually made a small plastic dog that poops! It POOPS! What kind of toy is that? You put a peanut looking thing in the front, pump his tail I think and it comes out the back end. Good grief why would anyone waste their hard earned money on something like that? Dolls that wet were bad enough, what is next years toy going to be? Cat with Hairball? Bulimic Barbie? She throws up on cue. I was disgusted to say the least. This is the best toy makers can do? Does Santa's elves waste their time on such..crap?

I've been in elf mode myself although my efforts don't come close to Santa's. What needed to be sewn is sewn, bought is bought and only the wrapping and/or shipping awaits. The fate of a few peoples Christmas will soon lie in the hands of the USPS. Comforting I know. ;)

I played Santa yesterday to all my friends at the Web-sters. While my yarn buying has drastically reduced, it remains one of my favorite places and the staff is always first rate. This years little token was beautiful needle cases in fancy ribbon, satin and wool.

Easy to make once you get by the slippery satin and of course a perfect way to showcase a truly spectacular ribbon.

Since the staff there runs the gamut of knitters, crocheters, weavers and sewists I knew each could use it for a needle or two.

Other gift making can't be shown, but I have put in a few hours getting some already cut patterns made. Both shirts are Sewing Workshop Patterns, one Liberty with it's interesting side seams and the other, Zigzag with the nifty yoke/collar construction.

Since this is the second time around for these two patterns they went together easily, although the Liberty pattern paired with the lightweight wool suiting was a struggle in some ways.

To get this wool in particular to hold a crease for sewing and such, I spent a lot of time with the iron on steam and a press cloth. It made for getting nice miters a bit more time consuming but I am very happy with the results. An iron is a sewers best friend.

Elf Gene has been making progress on the horse shelter, although I wish it were done.

And there he is, working hard on the getting the metal roof on! I'm told while I spent

yesterday afternoon and evening in town, the other side of the roof was almost completed.

He has had a surprising amount of holiday orders and really has looked some days like a little elf himself in a very messy workroom. I'll spare you that picture. For those of you compulsively neat it is of nightmare proportions to even see it. I keep the door closed myself most times.

The horses have donned their beautiful curly coats and I delight in burying my fingers into those lush soft curls.

It has been perfect weather for riding and I have managed to slip in a few short ones during this past week. It's been cold, but oh so refreshing and the horses have all been playful and fun on their outings.

So now it's on to the time of last minute, be it shopping, wrapping or cooking. Holiday music reigns supreme, pine boughs grace our door and our mantle, clove studded oranges await hanging, cider needs mulling, stockings need filling and cheer abounds even if the blog may be a bit neglected. I hope each and everyone of you is savoring the season in some wonderful way.

Parting shots: 2 Chicas and an Amigo

EARWORM ALERT: (Hummed to the tune of the Little Drummer Boy)

Little Beggar Donks ..fa rump a dum dum

I have no gifts for you.. fa rump a dum dum

My finest hay I give ...rump a dum dum, rump a dum dum...

A Kitchen Sink Post

2011-12-03T04:08:00.000-08:00

These are the posts that have a little bit of everything thrown in. Sewing and weaving projects are off limits right now since it's been all gifts. This one is going to actually start near the kitchen sink!

After I painted my kitchen I mentioned that it would be fun to do some vintage dishes. I was tired of my old set. Like all of my dish sets, it was pretty cheap and I do that on purpose. I never feel guilty about changing them out and moving them on. So the hunt was on for some fun vintage dishes and I settled on restaurant ware. Many manufacturers used similar patterns and so, I was able to find an assortment from Syracuse, McNichol, Jackson and Shenago china companies.

I have multiples of all of these and again a well stocked china cabinet. I'm still on the hunt for some fill in pieces but we've been enjoying them a lot.

Cold weather gear. For most of us, winter is starting to settle in and I feel it's worth mentioning products that have worked for farm use in our cold and wet area.

Bogs Boots! I am heading into year 3 on these boots and I can't say enough about them. They keep my feet warm and dry even though I may be out there for quite some time. They are very comfortable too. If I had a complaint it would be I wish for a little more heel for riding.

Neoprene gloves. I found a pair of diver gloves in a heavy neoprene in one of our local outdoor stores. They are tops for keeping hands dry and I do a lot of work with water outside in the winter for the critters. They are not terribly warm, so if you find a pair, get a warm thin liner glove too. I didn't like the high snug cuff so I cut it off. It's still snug but not like one would need for a wet suit.

Lands End turtlenecks. Still the nicest made for a good price. I have LE t-necks that must be 10 years old. They wear like iron, keep their shape and while over that much time and use, still look pretty decent color wise. I buy the men's since they are cut longer.

Dog beds. If you have dogs or cats that like the sofa and chairs, throw a bed on them. They will use them and it offers some protection to the furniture both with mud/grit/hair and the nesting and scratching my dogs love to do ( and spin around 3 times at least), before they settle into snooze mode.

Rodger the cat likes them too, he just doesn't always get a free one in time. Musical beds anyone? They are easily washable and hold up remarkably well no matter what the make.

I love new little gadgets and doodads. Either for sewing, knitting or weaving. Clover has come out with some fun little clips that have proved useful on the sewing and the weaving fronts.

They really make working with slippery or fine fabrics easy. No more distortion or pin marks. You can also get them in packs of 10.

That about covers the non-gift highlights for this post! Except of course...Parting shot:

Grrrr Baby Grrrrrrrrrr!

He's really not growling..we took advantage of dry lip and stuck them up there. Robin was quite happy to stay like that as long as I was rubbing his tummy. Such a mellow fellow!

What's Black and White and Red All Over?

2011-11-29T03:54:00.000-08:00

I'm sure everyone knows the answer to that elementary school yard standard. My answer is a bit different and not as clever but here it is anyway!

It could be a pirate thing, a goth thing or simply a whole lot of fun well done in this skull print.

I have been casting around for the right pattern from late summer onward and finally, a suitable one was found. I liked the brown tunic a lot and figured the same pattern could carry this very graphic print well even if black isn't always my best color.

Oh, and the red part is Sewing Workshop's classic Liberty Shirt Pattern.

There is a lot to love about this shirt but I'm going to start with the fabric. A fine soft wool, in a woven diamond twill. It has the appearance almost of a thermal waffle weave but it isn't. Drapey and very light in weight this will be a staple in my closet for almost the whole year and perfect for the holiday season now. The construction is quite different, the side seams run from the back of the armhole curving to the front hip.

During construction every seam is finished and most hidden in french seams. I learned to do a good miter on this blouse and like the comfortable fit and style very much.

For those that commented on the Turkey Day Apron there is a pattern for that! I was remiss at not including it with the post. Reet's Rags to Stitches No Hem Reversible Apron #RR125.

In general news, Greensprings Fire & Rescue got called out to a structure fire Friday night around 9:30 pm. The beautiful and unoccupied log cabin was fully involved even as the call came in. It was a total loss but the fire was kept contained to the cabin and didn't creep into the forest or move towards other homes. It was a long night for the crew of 3 volunteers (everyone else was visiting family elsewhere) and Gene made it back home a little after lunch time on Saturday.

Dandy got to be THE pony ride giving star Saturday. Children and grandchildren of a friend came up for a peek at the horses and donkeys. Dandy, as always, is the most willing of farm ambassadors. He is as much of a photo ham as Stella, gentle, loves kids, and knows they bring LOTS of treats. He was not disappointed and everyone is enjoying a few days of the bounty Cassidy and Finn brought. Thank you.

My Black Friday splurge consisted of bags of pine shavings bought at the Grange Co-op at half price. And the answer to how many bags of shavings can ft in the back of the Subaru Outback is 10. Oh and a little fabric shopping as there was a sale. Some of it is gift fabric and a fair amount of the next months sewing won't be shown here until after the holidays.

The weather has been very un-Oregon like. We have had some days of rain but we are looking at about a week of almost Indian Summer weather. Warm, dry and sunny.

The donkey's must be enjoying it. I caught them all playing yesterday. Running around, mock fighting and just being kinda silly. The horses were watching them fascinated. It was pretty cute.

And speaking of cute, I'll leave you with this parting shot: Pogo. I'm keeping this ball safe for Stella...honest.

The Just in Time Turkey Day Apron

2011-11-24T10:21:00.000-08:00

And gosh, have I needed one...for years! I am a messy cook so an apron is a very welcome addition to the daily effort.

This one has cute pockets and is fully lined. It was a lot of fun throwing this together early this morning, just in time.

We have had some other sewing success. The rayon/lycra knit (diva of the fabric world I'm sure) was difficult and time consuming to work with compounded by a pattern that has 24 darts spread through the garment (12 on the sleeves, 4 on the back and 8 on the front) all radiating down from the neck line. What Einstein picked it for this fabric?

Ah, that would be me. The finished top came out well in spite of my struggles and is quite wearable and comfortable.

Next up and in keeping with the green/cream/black theme is this 60's inspired A line tunic. It fits like a glove and I swear makes me look like I lost 10 pounds just slipping it over my head.

I used exactly 2 yards (that's all there was) of a light decorator weight cotton canvas. A winner for sure!

I want to wish everyone stopping by, a wonderful Thanksgiving, even if it may not be your holiday today. We have a lot to be thankful for here. Gene and I count family, friends and furkids high on our long list of bounty. Oh and football! ;)

The cats Rodger, Juno and Buzz are thankful for slow mice.

Horses Cooper, Dandy and Nick are thankful good carrots and apples are available all year.

Donkeys Sugarfoot, Ladybird and Star are grateful for warm coats.

Charlotte is thankful she is still top dog, Dennett is thankful for his daily walk.

Jack is thankful he can leap the dutch doors, Pogo is thankful the stitches in his butt will be coming out next week.

Smoochie is ever grateful for dropped food, Peter is thankful for soft pillows and down throws.

Bea is thankful her knee is holding up so well after surgery 2 years ago, Robin is thankful that my Dad taught him to jump up on the sofas and chair.

And Stella... Stella is thankful it is Robin's turn to wear the Hat of Embarrassment this year.

Robin is an awfully good sport BTW.

Don't worry, he is not scarred for life. A little turkey and all embarrassment shall be forgotten! :)

Those Devious Donkeys!

2011-11-20T02:54:00.000-08:00

Oh, you think they are cute don't you?

They gently take any and all treats from your fingers like highborn ladies at tea, they stand like fine Italian statues while you dress and undress them. They even come and rest their little shaggy heads on your shoulders if you sit a spell with them. All the books say they are very smart, but you think to yourself it doesn't look like much goes on behind those soft eyes and heavy brow.

If you think that you would be OH SO WRONG. They plot, in fact I know they likely whisper stuff as they stand three abreast in their trailer hut. Warm and dry while you lug hay through all kinds of nasty weather. So it was Friday late afternoon. The gate was getting hard to open and close with the snow, so I decided to do a stall guard with two lead ropes, one high, one lower with about 12-15" in between and some slack. I left them suspiciously eyeing my creation as hay was happily munched. At 7:30 that night Gene burst into the house after a long afternoon in town doing errands and announced that we had donkeys on the loose, all three were in the driveway. I got myself bundled up and out we went, carrots in hand. In the driveway you say? Not a donkey to be found, but so many little tracks in the snow going here and there, no way to track the little buggers either. No eye shine, no tell tale rustle of donkey coats, just snow and cold. Sneaky, quick and quiet you could add to that list of traits. So, after looking and calling we found ourselves back at the top of the driveway, when I spied a short little quick eye shine. The gang of three had taken themselves back to their paddock. Sugarfoot even put himself back in and was eating the last of the hay. The ladies were hanging by the intact lead rope stall guard, tapping their hooves and waiting for that errant doorman. I bustled them in, pulled the gate back into place, calmed the horses who were working on their own escape plan and went in and had a good stiff drink. I have new found respect for those little long ears.

So, besides the donkey incident, a flat tire on Bob the tractor ( he got a new one to replace it) snow, a cancer scare with one of the dogs (Pogo has an unusual type of infection and the fix is a long course of antibiotics..whew!), and Dennett going off and then back on his food, I have managed to put together a single new top. Sewing Workshop's Zigzag Top and it was a lot of fun.

It was a completely different collar/yoke construction than I have ever done and it kept me concentrating for most of the sewing. While tricky, the directions as always with SW patterns are first rate. This is made from pinwale corduroy and I have modified it a bit with the addition of some ribbon,

making little "cuff" tucks in the sleeves

and adding pockets. Only one has the little ribbon detail.

Casual tops always benefit from pockets and these are nicely interfaced and lined to prevent sagging. Overall I am happy although it is a bit too big. Next one I'll go down a size. This one might shrink though. I rarely prewash fabrics unless I am mixing them. Garment manufacturers don't so why should I? I build in the shrink room on the cutting table. It works for me.

Parting shots: You can take pictures of cute little me to your hearts desire,

but NO, I am not leaving this to go outside for a walk.

No way!

Weaver's, Have I got a Pattern for YOU!

2011-11-18T03:37:00.000-08:00

I know that just about all of us at one time or another have wished for a really good pattern to use some of our beautiful handwoven cloth with. Something useful, something not too fussy or fitted or big or complicated. Most of all, something that looks high end to show off all our hard work. Crafted, not crafty.

I happen to have just such a pattern! Once a month Fabric of Vision has an evening event called Swig and Stitch at Liquid Assets, a nice local wine bar . Sandi demo's and stitches, we swig two or three wine pairings and take over the full length of the bar and then some. For $18.00 we get wine, we get free patterns and we almost always learn a new technique or two. It's just a lot of fun and the bonus this past S&S, was a perfect pattern for handwovens.

The Pattern is The Hooded Scarf by Jamie Christina Sewing Patterns.

It has five variations and two sizes (adult & child). It is cleverly drafted and the instructions are thorough and easily understood. You will need a sewing machine, but due to the nice construction, you might not need a serger. The designers site is Flash heavy and my computer hates that stuff, but you can find it in stock at Fabric of Vision

and Sandi is happy to pop stuff in the mail. The number there is 541-482-4009, and yes, this could be considered a shameless plug for a wonderful shop and a great little pattern

I did a child's size using the cute pleat option, a button and a folded piece of pretty ribbon completed the pleat detail. The outside fabric is a beautiful and soft rust wool and the inside is a lovely cotton from the new Phillip Jacobs collection.

These fabrics are amazing in that they are color saturated but still soft and muted. It's a balance I wish I could achieve in a lot of my weaving. The scarf covers the back of my neck very well and is a winner for feeding. I have a great big water resistant coat with a barn type collar but the neck is large and I've always wished it had a knitted under collar. A detail you don't often find these days I might add. I wore it out yesterday to town and this morning doing early morning barn chores and loved its versatility. I need to make a few more and what great gifts they would make too!

So there you have it, something wonderful and timely for winter weaving.

Parting shot: Who need Man Ray when you've got Jack?

On To The New Challenges

2011-11-15T03:57:00.000-08:00

The last of the cut out TNT patterns has been finished and I'll admit it right here and now, I adore my little snap tool! My short list of sewing needs has more snaps at the very top. Good sized antique brass snaps were used on this top. This is Kwik Sew 3620 with the shawl collar done in some fine Japanese cotton. Needs a good pressing too!

And then it was on to something new, a lot of somethings new are in the works.

First up to get my feet wet on pattern auditions is a new one by Indygo Junction.

It's IJ 867 Mod Top and Tunic and I am in love with it.

As a child in the 60's this hit just the right note with me. The fabric had been one I admired from afar, so when this pattern came in it was an easy pick. It's a heavier cotton canvas and should hold up well.

Hope so as it's going to get a lot of wear. I'll be making this again with some very minor tweaking in other fabrics. Gotta find my old Go-Go boots and break out some Nancy Sinatra maybe. ;)

Yesterday was a pattern and fabric cutting day as I loaded myself up with projects.

Here is what we accomplished.

Sewing Workshop ZigZag Shirt in aqua baby wale corduroy.

I can't say enough good things about these patterns. They are cleverly designed and well drafted. The instructions are first rate too. Almost all of their styles are flattering to many many body types.

Cut and ready for sewing is also Vogue 1173.

I added this pattern to my collection the last sale Vogue patterns had ($4.99) and paired it with a very nice drapey rayon knit.

I have not conquered knits and both the fabric and pattern will be a challenge. The front, back and sleeves all have multiple dart details. I'm doing a tunic length with long sleeves.

I didn't do anything with this but look at it. It's ambitious and I have some spectacular fabrics for it should I be able to pull it off. Silk velvet in a deep midnight blue and a lace base with what looks like a hand dyed jersey sewn and slashed on top.

Very interesting and actually quite pretty. The pattern will get a good fitting on Rhonda and I'll decide then to go for the good stuff or do a test muslin first. I'm getting better at translating how the pattern fit looks in the finished garment.

Last up for yesterdays marathon prep session is a coat pattern that has been just waiting for me to be brave enough to tackle it. Sewing Workshop Verona Coat.

It took quite a while to cut out all the pattern pieces since it also has a lining. I needed to do a pin fitting to see what size I want to construct my test garment in.

This is basically going to be a wearable (I hope) muslin.

If it works out I get a nice new "around town" winter coat and can finally use the Italian cotton wool plaid (I have been petting and loving in my stash) for a much needed good spring coat.

In other news, the horse shelter is standing proudly with 3 sides and the roof trusses up. Of course it's all frame right now, but serious progress none the less. I bought a third waterproof blanket for Dandy so the boys really will be okay without for a while yet. Most times they used the trees over the shelter anyway.

The shoulder is feeling better and I've thrown the shuttle a time or two over the weekend. I also made time for a nice fall ride. Sunday football carried on just fine without me for that few hours. As a side note, Cooper was quite sweaty and damp from our ride, that fall combination of warm day/heavy winter coat and I was worried he wouldn't dry out in time for the late afternoon temperature drop. For the first time ever I used the cooler sheet I have had for just this scenario. He stood like a champ while I threw it on. The donkeys got brushed and everyone, right down to the barn cats, got some treats and extra attention.

Parting shot: Lend me your ears....

That's Just Snappy!

2011-11-11T03:40:00.000-08:00

Please raise your hand if you dislike sewing on buttons? It is the one thing I positively drag a part of my anatomy getting around to (Chinois Coat still awaiting that final touch), so imagine my delight when the gals at Fabric of Vision mentioned a snap setting tool. My ears perked up for sure. I like snaps! They make a satisfying sound, they have those pretty pearly tops, I don't have to hand sew them and best of all, they are available right in Ashland.

Sometimes it takes weeks for me to get over to Medford for buttons and often the selection is just so-so and dollars to donuts there is never enough of the one I like.

So, I went to town with my little setter and finished up this new pattern test run blouse. Meet Vogue 1274.

The shirt turned out well for the first run through. Certainly a wearable muslin and good thing since I used a good quality tightly woven shirting on it. The sizing is accurate considering problems I've had with Vogue patterns in the past.

The directions were pretty good although there are some things I need to change. They want all seams French seams. In my mind, unless you are working with silk or some other fine fiber that ravels heavily it's a big waste of time and makes some of the seaming extra difficult as far as getting a good clean match. If you like french seams and it makes you feel better, do them, but if you are like me and just want a good sturdy garment, serviceable and neat on the inside, just seam and serge or finish as you normally do. There is no Sewing Police. The neck facing is a poor fit and needs work/adjustments on the next version. I love the looks of this pattern but don't know how that back will behave wearing it. I can see the gathered back portion riding up under the snapped side panels.

In all fairness, a heavier fabric with more body and crispness would be better suited. I don't need a lot of asymmetrical closing shirts, but I will do this at least one more time and maybe more. I like it.

I would love to tell you I've been weaving, but I haven't. Cooper's little explosion last week while trying to get the blanket on him wrenched my shoulder and aggravated a nerve and muscle that lies under a shoulder blade. Why I just didn't let go of the lead rope is an easy to answer question. As beginners ( and I started riding when I was 4. Thanks Mom, you gifted me with that opportunity) you are taught to hold the reins no matter what and I have sailed over and off many a horse, reins still in hand even though my lungs had no air or a body part was screaming injury. I kept a hold of my horse. The same goes with holding a lead rope, although newer (and kinder/safer), techniques are out there. And I know them too. Shame on me.

So Cooper and I headed up to the round pen on Tuesday. It's been a long time since we had to do any remedial work of that kind, but it was good for both of us. I had my clicker in hand and started working on targeting, the blanket thrown over the rail blowing in the breeze was our starting point. 45 minutes later, I had a happy relaxed horse, wearing his blanket and not fussing as it went on and off over his head, over his rump, over his sides etc. We'll do this a few more times just to make sure any unexpected late night blanketing emergency goes off without a hitch. With him it's not so much the blanket itself but the noise the waterproof fabric makes.

Parting shots: Bedtime Biscuits & Little Beggars.....;)

Mission Pants: Completed!

2011-11-08T03:43:00.000-08:00

Three pairs of slacks in about one week. Much needed too. I don't wear jeans often anymore and the ones I have are pretty darn shabby looking. Suitable only for around the house or maybe an incognito trip to the local Grange for feed. At this point 75% of everything I own has been sewn by me.

The two wool pants are made from the Sewing Workshop Trio pattern. Many small modifications have been done. Pockets completely different, flat front waist band slightly extended, leg shape changed to be straighter. These are comfortable pants and fun and easy to add embellishments too. Here is the dark teal pair with a fake front vent and bamboo buttons added.

Oh, and the top is a Chinois Coat by Indygo Junction .

I had done the cut out while my folks were here and then went on to other sewing projects during their visit. It still needs buttons and button holes.

The last pair of pants is a Japanese made cotton/linen blend. Due to the patterning of the fabric I wanted to use a sewing pattern that didn't have a lot of seams. My choice was the pants from Sewing Workshops Urban T-Shirt & Pants pattern.

Again, some changes. The body of the pants has been shortened as it was so long it came up under my rib cage the first pair I made. Now they sit just below my natural waist. Pockets have been added

and I lost the front faced vent and lengthened the leg as I am not fond of cropped pants. This pattern is so easy I could almost do it in my sleep.

A certain friend brought me back some vintage donkey buttons from a trip to the Houston Quilt Market. Three of them. Are these not just the most perfect donkey buttons you have ever seen??!!

I love them and thank you. I may just have to make a little pictorial quilt to showcase them.

In other news, the towel weaving has started again. I am also planning a second towel warp for Hey Baby to be followed by a blanket warp.

Eight cords of split mixed wood was delivered yesterday. Looks like we're ready for all the cold weather this winter is promising and then some. I sure hope so. Heating season can drag on and on into late May.

Parting shot: Stinkin' Cute! ( Thank you Sharon & Alexia for that gem)

Stewed

2011-11-06T03:07:00.000-08:00

Can you find the terrier?

Nothing says winter has arrived like a hearty stew and after two days of snow spewing forth, I can say; Winter has arrived! And stew has been made. Your basic throw it all in kitchen sink kind of stew with root veggies, the last of the fresh green beans and my personal favorite in just about anything...mushrooms.

It cooked in the crockpot all day and when Gene and I came in from a ton of evening chores, there it was, smelling good and waiting for us to heap some into bowls.

In farm news, the foundation for the new stall barn is poured and curing. It is covered with hay and tarps. Next week the building will begin in earnest. In the meantime, I have done something I have never done and that is blanket the horses. Basically rain sheets to keep them dry. Heavy denier poly/nylon cordura type rugs with no poly fill lining. Curly horses really do grow a dense warm coat but even that with a long enough period of wet weather will finally allow them to get soaked to the skin. Wet skin equals cold horses and with no true shelter available, this was a good option. Let me take this moment to mention that I should have been keeping the horses use to the sight and sound of said blankets. We had QUITE the rodeo getting them on. Once over their backs though everyone relaxed and went back to what they truly love to do. Eat hay!

The donkeys are staying snug and dry in their coats with quilted linings. The horse trailer is doing double duty this year as a run in for them and is working perfectly. The little front tack area gives me a place to hang the blankets when not in use and the trailer itself is matted and bedded with shavings making it very easy to keep clean and the donkeys themselves don't often go where they hang out, preferring certain parts of the fence line. The horses too prefer certain areas for their business.

Dennett had his 6 month blood work up, other than some adjustment downward with his thyroid meds, everything is stable or better than in June. He soldiers on and has enjoyed the last two days of snow very much. It was discovered that Pogo (the day after I took Dennett to the vet) had an abscessed anal gland. A miserable time was had by all dealing with that but he is on the mend and I still have all my fingers, keeping where it was lanced, open and draining.

Robin had his first real taste of winter yesterday and loved it. We went for a walk with Jack (who has to be leashed) through the back 40.

It snowed, they sniffed and played.

I took pictures. A great time was had by all.

I have managed to get some sewing done. One pair of wool pants is done, the second ready for hemming. The wool was a pleasure to work with.

It cut like butter and sewed up beautifully. The pocket lining used in this pair is leftover from the kitchen curtains.

I love that fabric but there was only enough for curtains. I bought the last of the bolt. One more cotton pair of pants and a blouse are cut, marked and waiting for assembly. The next batch of sewing will be all new patterns to try. I'm hoping for some winners in there.

Parting shot: Wow! All this just for me. ;)

A Quick Side Trip to Italy

2011-11-02T04:09:00.000-07:00

The end of the annual visit always feels like the day after Christmas. The little let down that the holiday is over. It makes for a great time to throw oneself into a project (or two), so I took myself off to Italy yesterday. It's no secret that there are certain places in this world known for excellence. Paris fashion, Irish Linen, Shetland wool yarn, Turkish rugs and Philly Cheese Steak to name a few. Well, nothing is nicer than Italian woven fabrics, at least to me. When I went to Italy in 1995, I brought back yards of Valentino fabric and even by today's standards the yardage cost was dear. Today I am lucky enough to have someone bring fine Italian fabrics locally for purchase. Sandi at FOV (Fabric of Vision) out did herself this fall with some beautiful bolts and I made some great purchases at good prices.

I wish the computer could allow you to feel these fabrics. The drape is like liquid silver, the hand soft and smooth. This is wool meant to be worn next to the skin and season spanning in weight.

Double sided twill Peacock/Navy wool

Honey Comb type weave in Black and White. Very very soft.

Pinstripe wool Grey/Brown and Cream with a blue/grey cast. I'll be using the less shiny reverse side for some of my garment.

I spent yesterday cutting out 3 pairs of pants and one Japanese cotton fabric for a blouse. I have a lot of sewing lined up and it's a good thing. We're expecting the first true snow of the season and about 5-6 days of unsettled weather starting tonight.

In other news, the rabble is settling down after the visit. Robin still expects his daily walk and I've been accommodating him.

He is one terrific little terrier! Our walks now are just about all off leash, he sticks close to me and even when he sees something like a wild turkey, doesn't run off. I'm SO impressed with him and even more thrilled to have a hiking companion again. Fat Sam and Lexie were my steady hikers for many years. Peter also has been a great little guy to take on walks, but he is almost 17 and not up to the hard long hikes of old. Charlotte is reliable but never really enjoys the walks. Stella has many charms, but walking on the leash is not her strong suit and she would be gone in a heartbeat off leash. Robin was 6 months on October 28th and I am looking forward to many many miles together. I allowed the breeder to pick this pup for me from the litter of 3 boys and can't be more pleased.

Parting shot: Did you say close up?

They're There

2011-10-31T03:37:00.000-07:00

Yep, Friday night we had our last dinner together at the Peerless Restaurant. As always the food and spirits where first rate and conversation and dessert lively. All too soon the meal (and the visit) were over. My folks flew home to Massachusetts ahead of the Nor'easter that came up the Atlantic coast. They woke up Sunday morning in their own beds to some of the white stuff and a downed branch in the driveway. I spent Sunday wishing for a longer visit, thinking about next spring and being grateful the Patriots game was blacked out.

We had a wonderful visit, the shopping was good, the eating and drinking...better!

Both my Mother and Father are great cooks and each did a few fabulous meals. I will say, my Mom gets points for always doing the clean-up and Dad for doing the daily run down the mountain for supplies except on Sunday's of course! ;) It's amazing what we can dream up when we all get together.

Robin and my Dad took to one another and each day the two would head out for a stroll. The donkey's got some extra attention too not to mention lots of carrots. Stella

got her fair share of ball throwing each day and Smoochie, who adores my Mother more than anyone he knows, lavished her with attention.

There was also some sewing, Mom picked out some neon green corduroy at Fabric of Vision and I whipped her up another Quincy top.

Got one done for myself too!

Dad got some wonderful hand dyed Tencel yarn at Webster's and will be making a beautiful scarf or two from it. Just grand stuff from Prism. Here's my hank.

His was in greys, blues and bronzes. Sorry no pictures. As is typical, I put the camera away during these much anticipated and enjoyed visits and go with the flow.

I managed to get a prayer flag done and sent home with my Mom that was requested last spring. They are so time consuming and I have to be honest, writing out the prayers always makes me rather depressed since it was a Rainbow Bridge flag.

The towel warp is again being woven on, but not too much. I need to get those rolling as the holidays are just around the corner and I need a lot of towels!

The horse shelter is slowly moving along too. Gene completed the digging and form building Sunday and will be getting rebar today and pouring the concrete foundation tomorrow. From there it's all simple building and I hope goes quickly.

Parting shot: Small-Medium-Large.

They're Here!

2011-10-18T04:34:00.000-07:00

And that means that I am usually not blogging but enjoying every moment I can during the two week stay. Worse, I have no pictures to post. You will have to take my word for it that the top I made my mother fits and she likes it and that the wool runner is packed up in my Dads bag so it isn't forgotten when the visit ends.

The loom is weaving again some more Celtic towels, the sewing room isn't being totally neglected, food, beer, wine and football all are being enjoyed.

Parting Shot: A sniffing nose gathers some interesting moss!

Able to Leap Small Gullies in a Single Bound

2011-10-11T14:57:00.000-07:00

Yeah, sure, They can try to keep me quiet with their bandages and bags and inflatable collars.

But my nose is good.

My hearing and eyesight keen.

I could go for miles wrapped paw or not.

And I'm smart too. It's nicer to just stay close to home, walking with someone who loves me

and has treats... ;>

Let's Play Dress Up

2011-10-06T03:36:00.000-07:00

Oh heavens, Robin isn't the only one wearing some gear these days. Who would have expected wet snow on October 5th? Not me! But there it was, snow here in the air and snow actually sticking just a bit higher up. And now I have three Miniature MEDITERRANEAN Donkeys. I'm pretty sure it doesn't snow where they are originally from and donkeys with the exception of the Baudet du Poitou,have a pretty skimpy coat. Hence my having to go out and dress the donks yesterday.

Brand new waterproof coats with warm linings came out of the packages and onto the donkeys. And they were pretty good about it too. I didn't get kicked and the only one who appeared never to have been blanketed was Sugarfoot. The girls stood like like little troopers while I adjusted and crossed back leg straps. Sugarfoot needed a bit of a lead around with just the neck and belly strap buckled but finally relaxed enough for me to do the back leg strap cross.

He got carrots, they all got carrots and then went and wandered around their paddock admiring each others new clothes. They hopefully stayed warm and dry last night as the temps dropped to below freezing. I will undress them today once it has warmed up.

Robin is doing well although his maid is becoming weary of bagging his wrapped foot for the wet outdoors. He is so good though and while he'd tear that bandage to pieces if left for very long on his own, he minds his manners about it for the most part.

I've put a little infant sock over the whole wad to keep it clean and he seems less likely to want to chew that.

We'll change it today and check on the nail growth. Once he has a bit of it over the exposed bone he'll be good to go without the bandage. About two weeks.

I managed to carve out some time from cleaning and puppy care on Sunday and had a fabric cutting bonanza while I watched and listened to football. Lord knows there is enough of it on Sunday! A couple of shirts have been completed, another three are cut

and waiting for marking and then I can start in on them as I have time. The first of the completed shirts is a second rendition of the grey tie blouse. I opted not to do the ties and did a better job of grading.

It fits very nicely and I love the soft interesting print. Yesterday morning we had a disaster with it though. I was serging one of the side seams and the fabric from the side front got creased and serged under it. Now mine is an old serger, fast and powerful and cuts quicker than you can take a breath. A large V cut was created in the front panel. I creatively patched it after shedding some tears and truth be told, I like it better. I LOVE happy accidents.

The second top is my standard TNT (tried and true) Hot Patterns shirt.

I did the collar for the first time and I like it. Of course I cut it way down along with the stand to be more like ready to wear.

That is my main gripe with just about all shirt patterns. The collar and the stand are too big. I took this down by almost half. Next time I may trim it even more and do a button down collar.

The loom is all back and ready for weaving.

In fact I might get to some of that today after I put my portion of cleaning time in. I loved that one dark brown/mink colored towel and think I will do a couple of them for myself.

The folks will be arriving next Saturday and we're both getting excited. This Saturday hay arrives and that should excite everyone outside. Hay is costly this year, less growers since the livestock market has tanked, especially horses and those that are, sell out of their barns and fields in small tonnage amounts. Fewer farms are offering delivery. We're paying about what we did last year for hay. Buying less with just three horses but spending more. The donkeys don't eat enough to really add into the equation, much like the goats.

Parting shot: "More cut carrots, Please!"

The Collar of Shame

2011-10-01T03:45:00.001-07:00

Oh it is so sad, my tale of woe. ;) Yesterday was the big day for Robin. On Weds he had injured a toe on his front foot digging. We figured it was a thin slice in that little space between the bottom of the toenail and the pad. Well, it seems he peeled enough of the nail off below it's bed that he actually exposed the bone underneath. The nail had to be cut back, lots of antibiotics and of course, a bandage. Oh joy! Try keeping that on a 5 month old Jack pup.

He had a baby tooth pulled, he was microchipped and of course, he was neutered. He was quite a doped up sore little mess of a dog when I rescued him from the vet yesterday afternoon. As it seems all dogs do, this morning he has made a remarkable recovery. Bouncing, jaunty, ready to take on that vet wrap and his appetite is back!

My Version of Storing Nuts

2011-09-27T03:56:00.000-07:00

And you thought I might be talking about Robin didn't you? Well Robin got a reprieve

until Friday because I am a dope. I thought his day was Wednesday and the farriers was Tuesday. Seems they were both Tuesday. Oops!

My version of nut storage has to do with fabric and yarns. At the beginning of summer I took in about 20 pounds of cotton yarn in all flavors and colors. All either 8/2 or pearl 5/2. Through the summer I have made some lovely fabric purchases too for fall/winter sewing. Compared to weaving and knitting, sewing goes fast, inventory can drop quickly and face it, good fabric is hard to find these days unless you have a great store near you or a good online fabric vendor. I have both.

For those that are looking for an online source for fabrics of interest and quality for garment sewing, try Gorgeous Fabrics. They have wonderful service, and each of the fabrics gives a good idea of weight, a pattern or two that would work well with it and coordinating fabrics, along with the pantone color, fiber content and even recommended needle size and type. A lot of information that makes buying on line MUCH easier. And of course, my local favorite Fabric of Vision with their interesting selection of garment fabrics.

Here is my little fall array of stash waiting to be made into some kind of wearable wonderful. It's been procured over the summer and contains a nice selection of blouse, jacket and pant weight materials.

And a new pattern done up in some nice Birch Organic cotton.

I am in love with this collar and will have to do this pattern again, a little longer with a shaped hem and no ties. I like the ties, I didn't think I would but they are a very specific look and I don't need a lot of tied blouses in my wardrobe, one or two maybe.

But a good looking shirt with a nice soft collar detail can be repeated again and again with variations. For others that like it also, it's Kwik Sew pattern #3620.

And please note the beautiful yarn on the chair.

This is more Kauni with the long color changes producing a lovely shading effect. I loved the naturals on the overshot gift piece and I'm going to try these teals on a dark warp for something different. Websters is still the best place I know of for beautiful yarns

The horses like to spend time watching the donkeys.

The donkeys spend time watching the horses.

The barn cats Buzz and Juno appear religiously for meals. In the barn.

Gene spends time taking the shelter down to rebuild it as a barn

closer to front of the paddock for my ease

and Dandy just wants you to note how handsome he is.

He spends his time standing in the pasture posing.

Parting shot: Only a true friend lets you nap on them.

Replace or Repair

2011-09-25T03:55:00.000-07:00

This is a repair household that's for sure. To that end, we installed, and I use that plural loosely, a new cook top. Our old one had been used and abused. Gene dropped a cast iron dutch oven chipping the corner, everyday use furthered that chip into a series of cracks. Finally, it just looked like the whole thing was going to give way and ruin the elements below. It was truly time for a new one. We looked into replacing the whole unit with a new one. Down draft cook tops are expensive and over the last 10 years the prices have stayed pretty much the same, about $1300.00 to start in electric. I can't say any of them are worth that. It was a solution to a problem when we built the house and still holds as the best one. There is no gas out here and neither one of us was thrilled with the idea of a propane tank large or small. Electric was the easy option. Now I don't mind the old fashion calrod units myself, but near impossible to find them with the down draft option and we opted not to have a hood hanging over our island and the venting that needed to happen above. It was easier and cheaper to vent out the basement level. So, we had to stay the course set and thankfully, a replacement top is still made. I guess I'm not the only one to crumb them up. What a production getting it changed out though.

I think it took Gene about 3-4 hours and cleaning everything was just plain nasty. You would be surprised at the places grease and grime get into on that appliance. But it's all in, it looks just about like the old one, it has no cracks and it works.

The cost savings was about a thousand dollars (not including what labor would have cost us if Gene couldn't do this repair), so it was worth effort. Good job!

In weaving news the towels are done and sold. I don't know what the three of them brought but last bid was $60.00 for the fire department. I spent all of Friday weaving.

Okay, I self interrupted many times for dog walks and donkey and horse petting, but by 3:00pm, the towels were in the dryer and yesterday morning early they were serged, hemmed, well pressed and tagged for auction.

I have to retie my warp and then I can weave on this wonderful pattern at my leisure.

In farm news, the donkeys are all happy. They spend hours chin to shoulder grooming each other. They rest touching even when lying down and they share hay so nicely.

It does my heart good to see them all relaxed and happy. I am rewarded every time I go out with soft little brays of greeting and sometimes a full blast or two. The girls are quite talkative. This brings me back to their names. Star is staying star, but Lady Jane

is not. Martha at Thistle & Rose Handweaving pointed out what a tragic figure Lady Jane Grey was, and it's true. I always try to give sweet names, because I have found my animals live up to them. Imp was one and Boo wasn't the bravest horse around. To that end we have changed her name to Ladybird, and it will just have to do. :) Thank you Martha! I'm glad you pointed it out.

Robin will be bidding farewell to the furry dice next week. It's that time already! Those five months have gone by in the blink of an eye it seems. Like his sister Stella, it appears that we will be helping along some stubborn baby canines while he's under for the neuter. Nothing is ever simple.

Parting shot: Say Cheese little ham

One is the Loneliest Number

2011-09-22T03:58:00.000-07:00

And that is ever so true for just about any grazing animal. I can't tell you how often I've driven by a pasture and seen just one horse, or one cow and felt pity that they had no comfort from like kind. So imagine how I felt when I looked out to my own pasture and saw one little lonely solitary donkey.

The day I got out of the car after being gone for the morning running errands and having Sugar Foot race the fence line braying at me to come visit drove my poorly planned decision home to me. We had to get another donkey. Even Gene came to that conclusion on his own. I can provide quality food, shelter, vet care and loving attention but it is still all of a human nature. I picked up the phone and within hours the last two donkeys of Sugar Foots harem where delivered. Had I waited they would have been sold elsewhere. As they were loading them into the trailer at the Box R someone was coming up the drive to take them. Sugar Foot is a lucky boy, plan B was a Boer Goat which neither of us would be terribly happy with.

So without further ado, please meet Lady Jane Grey

and Star.

Head count 18. Happy herd of donkeys, priceless.

And no, I will not be posting pictures of the holes in my head....;>

In other news, the weaving has commenced. Mid winding the warp I changed my mind on the pattern and ended up doing the Celtic Knot pattern shown here.

I'm glad I did too. I am mid way through towel two and have only towel three to weave between today and tomorrow. It's a fast and fun weave. These pics are from towel one.

In other news I would be remiss not to mention that DH Gene is walking on air these days, almost literally. He finally got his paramotor. Since he started paragliding again 3-4 years ago I have heard about nothing but the joys and advantages of motored flight. Yeah..right! In any event the motor arrived in all it's crated glory before the donks did yesterday so we both got to delight in new arrivals!

Parting shot: The Runamuck Spa for Overweight Long Ears

How Many Animals Do You Have?

2011-09-20T03:28:00.000-07:00

Hilary asked that question on my last post, so really, it should have been updated in the Head Count post.

There are nine dogs. They are in order from oldest to youngest, Dennett,

Peter, Miss Bea, Charlotte, Smoochie, Pogo, Jack, Stella and last on board, Robin.

We have three cats. Rodger the indoor/outdoor house cat ( and champion puppy tolerator..it's my blog and I can make up words if I want to), Buzz and Juno the barn cats.

Three horses also call this home. They are Dandy, Cooper and Nick.

That brings me to Sugar Foot, the mini donkey and a grand total of 16 animals.

I'm just delighted to be in the teens instead of the 20's!

Had hughes.net not been so slow, you might have gotten pics of each and every one of the critters. Consider yourselves lucky!

In other news, the loom is almost ready for weaving. The last picture I took was of her up on bucket stands while I did the 10 treadle tie-up.

I've gotten a little further along and will finish up, tie on and start weaving today.

Over the weekend I went to the Heart of the Basin Quilt Show in Klamath Falls. It was a very small show but the level of quilting displayed could have rivaled any of the larger shows, including Houston. There were some beautiful quilts and it was fun to visit with my friend Sandi from Fabric of Vision as she was a vendor there.

I have managed to do some sewing along with all the other duties tugging at me. Time is running short and the folks are due for their annual fall visit. (That means the annual fall cleaning and God knows, the house sure needs it!) :)

My Mother doesn't read my blog, so I don't feel too worried about showing this. Over the course of a week I have tailored her a beautiful rendition of the Sewing Workshop

Quincy top.

The fabric is a heavier Italian woven shirting in all cotton. It was 60" wide and I eeked a top out of 1 & 3/8 yards. Oh I wish I had had enough to make one for myself from this beautiful fabric. I've embellished with sailboats from a silk tie piece ( Thank you Sandi!), and added a custom embroidered label.

While you can't see it, the inside is completely finished and the garment is heavily top stitched. I'm pretty happy with the level of sewing and detail on this one and hope she likes it. While it is on Rhonda, it is a tight fit since my mom is a few sizes smaller than I am. I will do the final hemming sometime this week and then wrap it up.

Parting shot: Camera,camera in your hand. I'm the prettiest in all the land.

The Short and Long of It

2011-09-13T03:27:00.000-07:00

Okay, the donkey arrived yesterday and while I don't have any good pictures, I have some pictures. We have had some fun making silly puns about my ass though..and I guess this makes me a true blue Democrat . You sure won't be seeing any mini elephants in my old goat pen, that's for sure!

For those familiar with donkeys, I know he is grossly overweight. The Box R has over 500 acres, many in pasture for the cows. It has not done the donkey population any service, but we'll be working on getting this boy down to a healthy weight. He was never named, so it was high time he had his own moniker and to that end we have dubbed him Sugarfoot although Hot Foot was mentioned too.

It is fire season!

The long of it has been measured, chained, spread and beamed.

I do so love to see the warps in their unwoven stage.

At present we are a quarter into the threading and while I probably won't get the whole ten yards woven, I will be able to get the three towels I need for the fire department's fall dance and auction. I'll cut them off and retie the warp.

In other news, we also welcomed a in freezer.

I have not named the freezer, nor will I. Who could beat a name like Magic Chef anyway? ;) I opted for the smallest upright I could find which is 8.8 cubic feet. This was actually scoped out in Massachusetts when I visited in May. This is freezer number 2 as when we plugged in freezer number 1 it did a fine job of letting ice cream melt and nothing else. I would have gotten pictures of it too, but DH was WAY too grumpy at having to load it back up for a second run to Home Depot to even consider pulling out the camera and lets face it, one picture of a freezer is quite sufficient I'm sure.

Sunday was spent watching football. Basically every team I was rooting for lost, with the exception of the Jets and it looked like they were going to lose for most of the game. The game that did count though was last night and thankfully my team won.

Go Patriots!

And before football Sunday, there was a nice long walk in the woods with Robin.

We both enjoyed it and for parting shots, I'll leave you with just a taste of our stroll.

The Long and Short of It

2011-09-10T03:02:00.000-07:00

Boy, have I been remiss in catching my blog posts up. For some strange reason, this summer has seemed busier than most. In any event, the "long" is the new warp going on Hannah Hollandia. The overshot is off and done and if it weren't destined for a gift I'd show you, because it is beautiful with it's subtle color changes. At some point in the future I'll post pics, after it's been gifted. The new warp is 10 yards long and will be all towels.

I need to get at least 3 done by the 23rd of this month for the fire and rescue silent auction. Stats are 8/2 cotton sett at 24 epi. Again this year I am taking a pattern from "A Weaver's Book of 8-Shaft Patterns" page 33, either #134,#135 or #138. I have up to 14 treadles I can use on this loom and of course I can always change the tie up mid run.

Hey Baby Delta loom is also naked and after this towel warp is put on, I'll do another, shorter warp. This will be a gift warp also. I've picked out a pattern from "Favorite Scandinavian Projects to Weave.

There has also been just a touch of sewing. I have a pattern cut out, but until I get the warp on and ready to weave, that's as far as I'm going to get. I did finish up a wearable muslin and am thrilled with this new Sewing Workshop pattern.

I am hoping my mother likes it also as I would love to make her one. The pattern is "Quincy" and I know I'm going to be making myself at least a few more in both jacket and shirt weight material. This picture was taken before it was hemmed or had the snap tape sewn in. Right now it's in the wash after a day of comfortable " going to town" wear last week. I spent a lot of time in town last week for one thing or another.

Okay, it's time for the "short" of it portion. I don't have pics yet, but I will after the weekend. I had mentioned how much I was missing my goats, and had some alert animals under consideration. So, I'm scanning Craigslist just to see what is out there and low and behold, a neighbor, the Box R ranch, not more than 3 miles from us is parting with the animals that made up it's little petting zoo. (At one time there were llamas, donkey's, mules, goats, and I can't remember what else). Anyway, Don had advertised 5 miniature donkeys and one was a gelding! A perfect fit. An animal that has been well handled, use to our climate, horses and well, cute as a bugs ear. The little doll will be delivered either Sunday or Monday. The jenny's are all spoken for too and are staying up on the mountain with another family even closer to us. Maybe they can all visit once in a while!

And while we are on short. Robin had his last puppy program appointment before he is due to have the furry dice removed (neutered). He is just shy of 8 pounds. We are all thinking he won't be much bigger, if at all, than Stella. He is quite the charmer though

and I need to get some good updated pics of him. He's in his adult collar now and has his official "call my peeps if I get lost" tag. In many ways he has been an easier puppy than Stella, and she was pretty darn easy to take on the puppy scale. He is proving to be a extremely sweet and trainable and looks like he will be the rare terrier who sticks his recalls reliably. We have been doing some off leash work all ready. He knows to come to his name, stays within a ten foot distance while we're walking (even with deer spotted in the distance) and knows sit and sit pretty ( front paws up) upon command.

He is very food motivated which makes training a breeze.

Lastly, it has been very hot here the last few days. We've almost touched 90F and not so much cool down at night. It's hard on Dennett. Early evening I stick him in the utility sink, hose down his paws, belly and neck so that he is still just a bit damp there when we head up to bed. It keeps him cool and comfortable and he doesn't have to work so hard panting to cool himself.

Parting shot: The ball always rolls to the other side of the fence...

The Headcount

2011-09-03T04:37:00.000-07:00

There has been change around here over the summer. Not only is the kitchen

looking different but the daily routine. I sold the five goats as a spinner's herd and they went off to their new home a few weeks ago. I must admit I miss them most of all. Sylvie's bell was always in the background, their soft morning bleats letting me know everything was okay in our world as I stumbled around in the dark to get breakfast served to any and all outside. The flock went to a nice gal down in the valley, with a small farm and yes, there are horses. I never got to utilize their fine fibers due to our extended cold snowy springs. By the time I could shear, the fleece had long been blown. It is too cold to shear in true spring and often as not a foot of snow on the ground or more and the months long mud season just around the corner. They will be warmer down below and someone will have the benefit of getting that fiber at its best.

The last of the two horses I wanted to move along left Tuesday. Imp, true to his name,

proved to be a bit of a mule when it came to loading in the trailer. Just when we were all ready to cry Uncle and give up, he walked in and that door was slammed shut and locked in the blink of an eye. So began his journey to a new home and new adventures.

So now the farm count is 9 dogs, 3 horses, 0 goats and 3 cats. Still a sizable number of critters. Nick, my sweet little black horse spent the day calling for his friend. By Wednesday morning, he and Cooper were playing as they use to long ago when we were but 3. I am rethinking a guard animal of some sort. A little morning bellwether so to speak. Geese, donkey, something that makes noise when things are not as they should be. I don't need to be guarded, just alerted. My morning routine is much easier and my hay bill will be down by almost half. All things a-okay!

The weather is changing too, Thursday morning found our temps hovering for a bit at 32F and the warmest it got up here was 64F. By the end of the weekend it will be in the high 80'sF and temps only dropping down into the high 50'sF at night.

Parting shot: "Warmth for dignity" or maybe "The heartbreak of hand-me-downs."

The Kitchen Reveal

2011-08-28T10:02:00.000-07:00

Okay, you've waited long enough. I haven't finished the china cabinet, but it is not in the kitchen proper. I'll post pics when that's done.

For those that are just joining us, a run down of the colors. The walls are a bright sunny yellow, the upper cabinets and island a very pale lemon yellow and the lower bank of cabinets are a jadeite green. Not a color for the shy. It's such a change from my stately shades of grey/sage greens and I am loving the vibrancy of it all. These pics where taken yesterday morning before it was light out. It seems easier for the camera to handle colors without the window light distorting the contrasts.

Paints are all oil because it is exceptionally durable. I'm told they are working on a latex that will be just as durable but so far, nothing comes close to good old fashioned oil based paints. I used satin finish on all the cabinets.

The stools will be painted a cherry red, because I just love those 40's colors. One of these days I might have to scare up myself a set of Fire King, Syracuse or some other vintage restaurant ware dishes.

Parting shot: Tiny Toadies Squeezed in Tightly

Stop the Madness

2011-08-24T04:52:00.000-07:00

I am thoroughly sick of painting, but the kitchen proper is almost complete and the last bank of built-ins on the china cabinet (lower) just needs its two coats and it's DONE! It will be nice to wake up in the morning and not have to smell oil paint fumes all day. The stuff takes days to really gas out. I couldn't have done this in the winter like I had planned that's for sure.

Now all work and no play make me a dull girl. I have had some play time between coats. Unlike latex this paint takes a full 24 hours before you can do the next coat. The silk scarf is almost done and needs to get gone. I have decided to gift it and the event is coming up quickly. The wool overshot has also seen some action and with luck, that might free up loom Hollandia quite soon.

In other off painting time news, Jack, in his infinite doggy wisdom decided to eat gravel. It made him sick Saturday and after a long afternoon at the vet doing x-rays feeding him some food and then re-xraying him, it was decided he was going to pass them. He had thrown up so much he required additional fluids, so we hooked him up for spell to rehydrate, took home potassium pills and did small amounts of water/salt/ pills every half hour for a good portion of the night. I was just happy we didn't have to open him up like we had to do five years ago. It was almost deja' vu so close to the same date. We don't call him the Gold Brick for nothing

Along with weaving there has been some sewing. I wanted to make curtains for the kitchen and settled on this fabric made into lined valances.

Just need some curtain rods. I also made a very sweet little blouse from Colette's Violet pattern. I made long sleeves for mine since I prefer them and it extends the wearing season to almost all year.

There is a lot of other news but it will have to wait until another post. Off to start painting.

Parting shot: Queen of the Rock

Or Maybe....

2011-08-18T12:37:00.000-07:00

a full fold-over!

I can assure you, he is not covering any bald spots though. :)

Stella has done a fine job of keeping those little boy ears good and clean too.

Kudos Stella! You're a good big sister.

So, What's it Gonna Be Boy?

2011-08-17T05:01:00.000-07:00

Ears up, down

or both?

Robin just gives me the raspberry when I ask.

The State We're In

2011-08-11T03:52:00.000-07:00

Literally, Oregon, or if you are politically inclined, a real hot mess, but I'm referring to my kitchen. After a week of having all the top cabinets torn apart with food, dishes, glasses and other sundry stuff scattered from here to there we're finally putting shelves (painted) back in and putting the "there" back here. I'm taking a break from now until Monday, when I start all the lower cabinets. Oh..... Joy.

In 10 years I had forgotten how truly awful oil paint smells, how slow it dries and how thin those coats need to be. I ended up having to do 3 coats to bring my light green cabinets to cream color with a slight hint of lemon. They look great too and I am pleased although I was ready to pack it in after one coat it looked so crappy. The weather has been warm and sunny and that has helped everything dry as quickly as possible between coats. No humidity here to speak of during the days. Cool at night for airing out. For all the hassle oil is to use, nothing lasts as well. To it's credit after we cleaned all the cabinets off and such Gene asked me again why I was painting them. They looked still fresh and you would have never known the use and abuse the finish had taken.

In other news, no sewing, weaving, knitting, riding or anything that might be considered remotely fun except of course playing with Robin and company. Daily walks have been maintained as has poop patrol. There is always time to put a brush down and have a little game of ball or tug outside, to pick someone up for a cuddle or go racing after a puppy with a contraband packing peanut in his mouth. The little bugger is getting fast.

And of course, there is football! Everyone got their act together (Congress take note, the art of compromise does still exist), and tonight the first of the pre-season games start. Oh heart be still! :) Fall is almost here.

Parting shot: Look! Up in the sky! It's a ......?

A Whole Lot of Not Much

2011-07-31T03:23:00.000-07:00

As mentioned in the previous post the summer heat has finally arrived, although people in many parts of the country would consider it cool. We almost reached 90 on Friday and yesterday was a balmy 85. For me,anything over 70 is hot and I really slow down over 80.

The kitchen painting plan is taking shape. Next week Gene will take the knobs and handles off. One day everything will get a good scrub, the next a light roughing up and then I start in earnest on the actual painting. Colors have been picked and brushes purchased. There won't be a whole lot of cooking going on and plenty of simple sandwiches consumed for the duration. I will be grumpy, it is a given. Everyone is getting prepared except Robin, who has no clue that the center of the universe will no longer be him and his furry cohorts large and small. Jack is just happy the suitcase hasn't appeared.

We all had some fun this week though. I did some sewing and a little weaving, lots of play time with the dogs, some riding and some shopping. Gene is away camping and paragliding in CA while I hold down the fort, almost as well as he does for me in the spring.

A Simplicity shirt pattern was morphed from something just plain ill fitting on the muslin

to almost perfection.

I know the working muslin is black and hard to see. The shoulders were too wide, the empire waist no where near where it should be but hanging down almost at my natural waist after I added an inch unwisely. It looked like it needed it on the initial pattern fitting.... The sleeves channeling an outfit on Dallas (Oh god, why are they doing a remake of such an awful show), they were so tall and poofy. Changes made were to grade the pattern for my smaller shoulders. Adjust the sleeve cap width, put the Empire back in the empire waist by going with that bodice pattern piece as it was out of the envelope and add just a bit of length at the bottom of the shirt overall after adjusting the actual natural waist up to were it should be. This doesn't seem important but the flare of the bias cut lower portion wouldn't flare in the right place without doing this front and back. I love this style and wanted to make it work and did.

Not only do I have a great fitting shirt, I also have a sense of accomplishment since there were a lot of adjustments and I made them confidently...more or less. ;)

Stella spends her days looking beautiful and regal.

Robin spends them torturing Stella.

It makes everyone else happy that she is usually "It".

Parting shot: Zebra....headless of course.

High Summer

2011-07-26T02:42:00.000-07:00

It's almost a state of mind rather than just a point on the calendar. For us this year it's late. For me it's marked by hot days starting to wane just slightly shorter, the wildflowers of spring giving way to the dryness and the wildlife. Oh yes, high summer is all about the wildlife. Fawns are big enough that you see them traveling with Mom, quite often little groups of moms. Everything is out and about with young; teaching, feeding, and preparing them in most cases, for fall abandonment. The sightings this summer have been plentiful. In a weeks time I have seen a grey fox on the property twice, coyotes, eagle, deer, skunk, raccoon, and once what I will swear was the hind end of a bobcat with it's short flicking tail leaving me with just a hint of the animal attached. I saw a Peregrine Falcon make off with a young ground squirrel snatched from the horse paddock while I was filling the water tank. Besides eye accounts there has been evidence of owls with their hard pellets filled with fur and bone. Dennett and Peter seem to be the finders on those but occasionally I am the scat discoverer. No bear, not this year so far and I'm not complaining. It's also time for me to start thinking about the kitchen painting project. Next week, handles and knobs and paraphernalia will all come off/out of the top shelves and cabinets of the kitchen, paint will be bought and brushes (all cheap because I hate cleaning oil paint off of brushes), painters tape and other such stuff as one needs for a hard week of tedious work. A bottle of scotch maybe...this might be the time to try again to acquire a taste for it? ;) For now though, the Red Stripe will grace the fridge for a late afternoon refresher.

Sewing will wind down, weaving pick up to get things off the looms. Gift warps are all planned, towels and such for the holidays and auction give-aways all taking place in the fall. The saddles will get dusty, the horses lazy and we will slip into mid August with a flourish of green and cream, speckled hair, splattered t-shirts and a fresh new look for the kitchen.

Parting shot: David & Goliath

For Every Rule an Exception

2011-07-19T03:32:00.000-07:00

I just didn't have a great title for this post but it would seem this summer does have its exceptions to the typical "rules"! The first one being rain and lots of it. It poured yesterday, and Friday we got a gully washer of a thunder storm. That one brought a little fire up on Soda Mountain. While hard to get to, it lay down nicely after torching some trees and was contained to about a 1/4 to a 1/2 acre or so. Both Greensprings Fire & Rescue and ODF (Oregon Department of Forestry) were on it. The call went out around 8:30 pm and Gene was home sometime around 2:00am. The other exception has been the temps. We actually had to fire the outside boiler Rube up yesterday it was that cold and damp, in JULY! In the downpour I was out taking flymasks off wet grumpy horses.

The next rule, although not a hard and fast one, is pants should be a solid color. I know where this one comes from. Most people, myself included, when buying pieces for your wardrobe try to get the most mileage out of them. They have to go with other stuff, like shirts, jackets and sweaters, so I certainly fell into that rut when making clothes. Why can't I have patterned pants or jackets? I mean I can make what I want to match and am not left to the whims of the retail racks for either fabrics or style. Isn't that why I sew, or weave or knit? To make what I like? Of course it is!

So two beautiful Japanese fabrics came home with me last week, both patterned and both destined to be part of my fall wardrobe. I can't say enough about the beautiful quality of these fabrics, heavier than shirt weight and the cotton so fine, you would think they were a medium weight woven silk. I was smitten when I saw them last week (and a half a dozen other patterns too) at Fabric of Vision. And look, some beautiful shirt weight fabrics were in house and just begging to be tops for these lovely prints. The caramel is a soft woven and almost brushed silk, the other a nice weight cotton.

Even the spools of sewing thread look pretty together.

My folks have booked their much anticipated October visit and I'll be stepping out in style!

So, some sewing has gone on and a fair amount of riding still.

I had some company last Thursday to ride with and it was awfully fun to have an experienced rider to go out with and get two horses exercised instead of one in a day.

As an update, the fawn, sadly, did not make it. It stopped eating and the lovely folks who took it in decided it would be best to have it humanely euthanized.

There has been a lot of puppy attention too.

Both young and old have all had some quality time. Dennett has his highs and lows although truthfully, it's been mostly good these last couple of weeks. Every day is a much appreciated gift. Miss Bea has arthritis in her back and as she ages it has become more noticeable.

The damp cold weather we've had has not been comfortable for her, so each night before bed, she gets a nice and gentle neck and back massage and then I bundle her up in the blankets in a warm spot next to me. During the day I try to get her out for a walk too as it is helped by light consistent exercise. Jack, Pogo and Smoochie are taking Robin into their male circle, not without it's little upsets along the way, but he is fitting in nicely. Charlotte, as is her way, shows nothing but disdain for most of the dogs but Peter and Dennett.

Robin continues to change daily. My gosh puppyhood is such a rapid affair, if you blink, you miss something. I am trying not to blink. I will say he is one of the sweetest puppies I have ever been lucky enough to meet let alone have as a companion. He is a cuddler with a capitol C. No doubt about it, this pup is very people oriented but not obsessive. He's just as happy to play or sleep with Stella or Smoochie or both!

I even caught Bea cozied up to him, but if you want to reach down and pick him up and tuck him in with you, he will stay there as long as you want.

Parting Shot: The Flying Nun (Stella's ears did a similar thing at this age)

Wrestle Me

2011-07-13T07:54:00.000-07:00

Season Premiere!

Hard to say who the winner was. I'd call it a draw.

No animals were injured in this exchange although there was some fearsome growling and bad acting screams.

July? Really???

2011-07-09T02:46:00.000-07:00

This has got to be the coolest summer on record up here. Mt. Ashland STILL has her peak top of snow and average temps here at 4500ft elevation have been below

80 degrees during the day. Downright chilly at night. Gosh, if every summer was like this I might grow rather fond of the season, bugs and all. We had two hot days and even those weren't that bad. I have been taking full advantage and doing as much riding as I can. The cool mornings have been tailor made for some long hard good rides. The high meadows are bursting with wildflowers and everything is in bloom. The dogwoods were late coming in and late to drop their petals, so it is a riot of color amongst the trees and in the fields. Cooper and Dandy tell me the grass is making for some pretty good trail munching too. One day in late June we even had a 24 hour period of rain. Unbelievable! Fire season is in swing, but not with the usual dryness. We are at moderate risk, as compared to high or very high at this time of year.

The sewing goes on as does a little weaving, I'm inching along with the silk scarf and the wool overshot. Since the only thing that is changing is the amount of rolled

completed cloth, I haven't bothered with pictures.

I did test out a new pattern.

Since the fabric I want to use is costly, I took the leftover (and very cheap) linen/rayon Kelly green blend and did a true muslin.

No finish work, no interfacing, this piece was all about fit and adjustments. It's a simple cardigan pattern with a 60's vibe. Depending on fabric, I could be channeling Jackie O with this style and a little gussying up! A short, rather fluffy Jackie O. ;) For now, the simple cream wool blend should make a great wardrobe workhorse.

There is also a silk taffeta plaid vest in progress.

This one has been taking a lot of time.

I am finishing all the seams in a false french seam and after getting it together need to draft a large portrait collar with a black silk organza back. The front closure will get a zipper. Should be an interesting and fun piece when it's completed. It was a challenge matching the plaid but I did a pretty decent job I think.

The linen shirt is complete except for buttons.

Getting some I like is one of the items on today's list.

Robin continues to delight with his winsome little personality. He has a charming temperament. I can't say enough about both pups from this set of parents. Stella most certainly takes after her mother, and Robin, his father. They are so different yet both are exceptionally low key and sensible for Russell Terriers. The key word here is terriers, Robin, like his sister, shares a love for a good dig, a rousing game of tug and lots of serious rolling around in the dirt.

Parting shots: What once was clean is dirty ...again!

All Sorts of Excitement

2011-07-05T03:22:00.000-07:00

This summer really has been passing in a whirl of activity. The riding has been wonderful as has the weather. We've had all warm and no real hot stuff yet. I'm sure it's coming but for now, every morning needs a light sweater and the afternoon breezes have been refreshing.

So, let's get to the excitement. First off, on one of the Dennett and Peter crawls we were confronted with our resident skunk. I don't know if it's Bond who use to get into my barn, but likely, a relative. Out early Thursday and up the driveway towards us on his homeward journey I spied him before Peter and certainly before Dennett. Those leashes got snapped on collars faster than a crumb gets licked up off the kitchen floor. The skunk finally saw us and made for the culvert under our driveway. Whew! I dragged the boys back to the house because by then, all noses where in the air and on the scent.

Saturday night Gene woke me up with a bundle in his arms. A fawn, maybe a week old

but very small. It had curled up in the middle of Highway 66. He did a check of all it's legs and everything appeared fine and unbroken, but between it's instinct to play dead

and I think general weakness we couldn't assess it's true condition. A couple locally has taken in two over the years, one thrived, one died. We decided to put it back in the general vicinity of where it was found (NOT on the highway) Gene flagged it and the couple (who were in Jacksonville) were going to stop and check on it when they drove through on their way home. If it's Mom found it, great. If it was still there they were going to bring it home as they have all the equipment for raising it already on hand. Sunday morning found her with them, drinking lambs milk but still weak. The doe might have abandoned this one, could be a twin that wasn't thriving, could have been grazed by a car, no way of knowing but we will be hoping this little one makes it. I'll keep you all posted.

There has been some sewing going on.

Two shirts, one pair of pants all finished. I think I was misleading in my last post. The teal crossover T shirt is a winner, the wadder never made it in photos onto the web. NO WAY was that going to grace even this modest little blog, it was that bad. I did make another crossover T since I liked the pattern so much. Here it is in a rayon and lycra knit.

Not my favorite fabric but I loved the color and it was good to expand my skills sewing this. I was emboldened enough to pick up a beautiful spring green sweater type knit in rayon for making a light weight cardigan

and some double knit cotton for another T shirt.

I mean who can resist those skulls!

I finally got around to embroidering some fabric for use. Here is the little design done on the back yoke of a new blouse pattern I am testing out.

The fabric is linen but not of a great quality. It was dirt cheap at Joann's and I figured why not, good way to test both pattern and embroidery machine and might even get a wearable garment out of the deal.

Robin finally is doing better with the digestive upsets.

The addition of a probiotic to his diet has made an amazing difference. I was skeptical I will admit it, but not any more. Probiotics have been in my equine vitamins for years

and I keep a couple of tubes of them on hand for them so I am scratching my head as to why I wouldn't have thought of them for the house critters.

The turnaround was almost miracle like. For anyone who is interested, the product is a FortiFlora made by Purina and there are formulas for both dogs and cats.

Otherwise, he is growing by leaps and bounds and showing off what a sweet mellow puppy he is. Robin is low key, he plays hard but likes cuddling best.

Stella was a busy puppy, Robin is but not in the same way. He is bolder but less curious about getting into mischief. He is also turning into a good little afternoon napper. We've been practicing together. ;)

Parting shot: Extra curricular snoozing with Peter (who never would have tolerated Stella doing this).

One Size Does NOT Fit All

2011-06-30T03:12:00.000-07:00

I am too ashamed to even include pictures. Not since the vest from a bad Star Trek clone movie was made have I produced such a complete wadder ( wadder=something that hangs at the back of your closet/drawer/laundry basket never to be worn or see the light of day). An alternate title might have been Pride Goeth Before a Fall...

Coming off a wonderfully successful knit pattern for a cross over T shirt (which looks and fits perfectly and is on its way to becoming a TNT pattern).

I cut into some expensive slinky knit and a different pattern. Oh I should have just slapped myself silly! I know better. Three hours later I had a very expensive wadder. It was so bad I cut it all apart and will selvage what I can for a tank top. There were a couple of silver linings though. The first is the Pfaff sewing machine handles knits better than ANYTHING I have ever sewn on. The second is it sent me back down to the looms for some weaving. I was having a grand time there too until I broke a floating selvage on the overshot pattern. The runner is of a size I don't have a temple for, so I need to repair it and work up a temple with some weights and alligator clips to get me by.

Speaking of (or writing as the case may be), one size, I learned again one food does not suit all puppies. Poor Robin has had quite the on again, off again battle with the runs. He has been checked out 9 ways from Sunday, not a worm, not a bit of bacteria, no fever, nothing. So it was time I took some action and the first thing I did was look at the food. Wellness makes an excellent quality puppy food but sometimes, no matter how good a food is, it just doesn't settle with a particular pups tummy. It was time for a change and that's what we did. I've switched him over to Halo and hoping that this suits him better, seems to so far, but we are weaning off the rice and bland cooked chicken slowly. Of course he is still a playful mischievous puppy.

He has climbed up the training ladder and has his sleeping crate in the bedroom now. We have a couple of peeps when he first goes in and then, like the smart little tyke he is, he curls up for night. He is also learning to wear a collar, something Stella abhorred.

He is much easier about it than she was.

Parting shots: Happiness is a Warm Puppy, even for an old cat...;)

Multiples

2011-06-24T03:07:00.000-07:00

It's no secret I like multiples of things. A lot of times it's curiosity, the greener grass on the other side. Other times, I like something so much, I need to have more than one. Hence the many animals that call Camp Runamuck home.

I have 3 floor looms and each has a purpose, although right now they all share a single goal, to get working! I won't tell you exactly how many sewing machines I have in the stable right now (some will be moved along), but it will come as no surprise that another one has shown up. Yep, I was so impressed with the Pfaff my folks bought I needed to find one for myself with the wonderful IDT/dual feed system.

I have been stalking eBay since I returned home and finally, an affordable option presented itself. An older (early to mid 90's) Pfaff Varimatic 6091, also known as the Stretch & Jeans machine. This was a precursor to my folks machine, mechanical with a limited array of standard utility stitches

and the coveted IDT system.

It was like brand new coming out of the box. If it had more than 3 hours of sewing time on it, I would be surprised. Here it has already produced a little summer top out of a skirt I decided to recycle and has another shirt in process.

It's wonderful and I can go forth into the world of silks and other slippery fabrics with a new found confidence. That top feed foot, which works in perfect union with the lower feed dogs is such a boon with fussy piecing or difficult fabrics. The motor is smooth and the piercing power is excellent. It will go through multiple layers of heavy fabrics and the feed system is strong enough to move it all along perfectly

So too arrived some patterns I found on sale.

Hotpatterns are expensive. These were a tad over $5 each at fabric.com, the Kwiksew patterns are both for knits. I really, really need to get my chops up in that department and find some good go to patterns for tees and tops.

Robin continues to wiggle his way into our hearts. He is a sweet puppy, less pushy than Stella and quite mellow with the other dogs. He isn't seen hanging off Uncle Smoochie's cheek or biting his ears. Smoochie, as always, is being the wonderful tolerant uncle he was to Stella. They all like to curl up together. Robin is much kinder to the cat but he does save some of his puppy energy for big sis Stella, which is only fitting as far as I am concerned. Payback! He is finally going into his crate at night quietly. Nothing like a schedule and some backbone to get that one important training aid done. I don't crate him during the day when I am home and can watch him, but at night he has to learn to sleep through quiet and clean. We're on our way! He had his first puppy check up Tuesday. He is 8 weeks, 3.8lbs, born on April 28 and very good about getting his nails trimmed. :)

Rather than blather on, I'll give you what you really want, puppy pics! Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend.

Three Ring Circus

2011-06-21T03:43:00.000-07:00

Oh heavens, Robin is not the prim perfect puppy Stella was THAT'S for sure. Not since Fat Sam was a puppy so good and easy. Not that Robin is bad, he's just more outspoken, shall we say, about the way things are being run here.

There is a fair amount of Stella in him though and a lot of Robin we need to get to know.

Dennett soldiers on, slower and maybe a little fussier. Sleep cradles him about 20 hours out of every day, but when he's up he's up. We still do our daily "crawl" and there is enough moxie in him still to sass at me, especially when it's toe nail clipping time. He can take that paw back at lightening speed still. But we don't live by dog alone, although it may seem so.

On the sewing front, BR (before Robin) I did get a few things made up. This is the very emerald linen/rayon blend you saw in one of the previous pics. It became a wearable muslin for one of the HotPatterns pants patterns. I can't say that every one of their tops has been a winner, but the pants sure have.

Very few changes needed on these. They fit well and I can see this pattern making some yummy and comfortable chinos. Maybe a pair out of baby wale corduroy?

Next up I finally used some fabric that had been in my stash since 1995. Seriously, this was a reissue of a vintage French fabric and when it came out I bought 3 yards of it. It was expensive then, around $20.00 per yard and it is a beautiful tightly woven cotton, like a heavy percale. I used it for the Petite Plus Pattern Yoked Blouse.

The assembly went smoothly. The two things that caused me problems on the first blouse ( sleeve set and yoke) went off without a hitch. The fit, as with all the PPP's so far, is perfect. I added some cute flower trim to the sleeves just for something a little special since it was hard cutting into this fabric. I am oh so glad I did.

I have done a very little weaving because I have been using my usual weaving time to ride, and I've had some nice ones. It's time consuming getting everyone into shape. Dandy is really out of shape. He went on a handful of rides last year and has lost a ton of muscle along his back. Slow workouts for him, lots of hill work, a fair amount of trot work and miles of good walking. Cooper is just tubby and we need to condition him back up too. Nick needs remedial steering work. Rather than put Imp under saddle I've decided to sell him. I only have so many hours in the day and barely have time for keeping the three rideable horses familiar with saddle and bridle let alone putting in the work on a green horse. The horse market is tough, I'm just hoping to find him a great home.

Parting shot: I'm Just as Cute as Stella

A Midsummer Night's Dream

2011-06-19T04:33:00.000-07:00

Or maybe a better title might be Love's Labour Sent! It is Father's Day and I promised a shot of the "custom" made gift. It's really nothing much but I had fun making it and thinking about lunch shared at one of my Dad's favorite haunts. You can see what the star of their menu is right here.

Sushi! When I saw this fabric I knew I had to do something with it. Here it is paired with a pretty and very masculine dark blue grey shot cotton. It also makes for a very soft pillowcase.

So how did I come up with the title for this post anyway?

This passage might give a hint as one of Titania's fairies recognizes Puck for the sprite call'd Robin Goodfellow

Are not you he

That frights the maidens of the villagery;

Skim milk, and sometimes labour in the quern

And bootless make the breathless housewife churn;

And sometimes make the drink to bear no barm;

Mislead night-wanderers, laughing at their harm?

Those that Hobgoblin call you and sweet Puck,

You do their work. and they shall have good luck;

Are not you he?

Let me introduce you to he. ;)

You might notice a family resemblance. Little Robin ( and he might end up being called Hob because he is a SUCH little imp) is a full brother to Stella. And like Stella,

just as fascinated with Rodger the cat.

For Every Winner

2011-06-16T05:09:00.000-07:00

There is a loser in sports and so it was last night in Vancouver. I hoped for the best and planned for the worst and was very happily surprised. It was a fantastic series, all heart stopping seven games of it. Congratulations Boston Bruins! And congratulations to the Vancouver Canucks, for bringing so much blood, sweat and tears. "Almost" is tough.

On other news, I am feeling much better and have been enjoying these late spring days

riding as much as I can. Come the weekend I'll have more stuff to report on, but for now this is it.

Parting shot: Eye See You

Ah-Choo!

2011-06-12T04:11:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful week weather wise and a crappy week to have a head cold. I have managed to keep on keeping on, some weaving, some riding (head cold or not it's always good for the soul), and some gift making. The key word there is gift, a Father's Day gift. While it has left the building, it won't be opened until a week from today assuming the honor system is still in place. I suspect one or both of my folks may have peeked at a gift from time to time...or maybe that's me? ;)

In any event, I do have pictures and will share, next Sunday.

Other than the usual stuff, not much going on here. I have spent more time than I would like parked in bed next to a Kleenex box. The upside has been more time to read

George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones epic series and I mean epic. This has been a

guilty pleasure for sure. I started the series in MA and each book runs somewhere around 700-1000 pages. I'm on the 4th book of the series at present. I haven't enjoyed a fantasy series this much since Harry Potter and before that, The Dragons of Pern series many years ago. It's not often I dip into this genre for reading, but when I do, I thoroughly absorb it. (Can't wait for HBO to release the series on disc). I think the dogs have enjoyed the down time too. They all troop up to rest with me while I read, nap or sew. Not unexpected after being gone a month.

I'm on a short leash I guess!

Parting shot: As above, so below.

A Little New Inspiration

2011-06-08T03:41:00.000-07:00

I weave with cotton quite often, it's inexpensive in comparison to many other fibers, usually washable and certainly durable in most weave structures. When weaving I often do a test strip at the beginning, checking my threading, my treadling and color combinations etc. The strip usually runs about 8 inches into the warp and comes off

under the heading of waste. So it was with great delight I spied this book. Quilting: Line + Color by Japanese artist Yoshiko Jinzenji.

Simple, colorful and oh, what a super way to use up some of those woven test strips.

Now I haven't bought a quilting book in years. Just nothing appealed to me enough to want to go to the trouble but this one hit all the buttons.

Clean uncomplicated lines both in construction and quilting and small pops of color giving it all a very contemporary feel and a great way to up cycle both some garment scraps and weaving scraps. A winner in my library for sure!

Parting Shots: Time for Work

Her Masters Voice

Fabric Pairings

2011-06-07T02:42:00.000-07:00

So, it's no secret I like fiber and fabric and to that end, I added just a wee bit to my stash. My fabric stash is quite small really, everything earmarked for a specific type of project. So let's go over what's in progress and what is earmarked.

The floral/camo sateen cotton from Joann's (not the greatest quality) was inexpensive

and became a wearable muslin for a first run on the HotPatterns Scarf Blouse.

It's okay, I'm not in love with it and in all fairness the pattern calls for a more drapey fabric than this but I have issues with some of the construction of the garment. I'll do a second shirt from it, making adjustments to the sleeve pleating and a nicer cuff construction and see if it works out. I am using a lovely plain silk scarf I own instead of one made from the camo fabric.

I also tried a new Sewing Workshop pants pattern.

It too needs some work to be a winner. The cut is completely different from the Trio pants and while it fits nicely in some areas, it could use work in others. The length from hip to waist is WAY too long for me, so I need to hack off at least an inch there and since it is a front seamed pant with no side seam, it needs just a bit more ease added at the hip. I increased the length since I really don't like cropped pants all that much. While I used a medium weight linen for this first pair, I might like to try a stretch bottom weight cotton for a second run through. The pattern itself has no pockets, so I added pockets because pants without them just won't do!

Now onto the pairings! First up is some lovely Japanese heavier weight cotton in black and tan. This will be for the TNT Trio pant pattern, and some lovely sale cotton for my favorite HotPatterns Shirt.

I could use a dozen of these and by gum, I might just come close.

The second pairing is a lovely drapey linen and rayon blend in a clear emerald green. Suit weight and there is enough to make pants and maybe a short jacket or semi-fitted vest. Along with it is some pretty cotton I picked up in Massachusetts.

It's a darn good match too if I say so myself. This will become one of the Petite Plus shirts, either Shapely or Yoked Blouse.

Since we are talking about pairings and sadly, I cannot get the parting shot up (note to self, when the upload is working put the parting shots up first!) I will draw your attention to last nights pairing of Boston Bruins to Vancouver Canucks. Oh my, what a game for Boston fans with the exception of the hard late hit that sent Ethan Horton to Mass General. Regardless of how the series ends up, Boston fans got a little bit (or is it bite?) of payback last night. GO BRUINS!

Filling In

2011-06-02T14:04:00.000-07:00

Isn't he such a handsome dog! I can't begin to tell you how happy I was to see him.

And thank you all for thinking of him.

Well, just so you know, pictures are almost impossible to upload. I don't think it's a blogger problem, more of a hughes.net or modem problem, but blog on I will and I have a few that made it on.

Just a bit more on the vacation. I did get to use the Harrisville Collingwood rug loom.

It gave me MUCH more respect for weaving rugs that's for sure. It's big, it's heavy and it does amazing things with the shaft switching. You get quite the workout too!

I made a small sample using brown and blue and the shaft switching. Of course, no pics of that. BUT, I also made some towels in a waffle weave variation. My towel is on the left. The big white and blue waffle weave towels my Dad made and gifted me with one.

There was also sewing! My Mom has an ancient Kenmore, and not in a good way.

It's just an old kind of funky running machine and now that it is getting use sewing handwovens, I steered my Dad to a newer machine that might serve well for making hems and such a little easier. He doesn't need whistles and bells, but a good straight stitch and a good zig zag are always handy. I didn't want anything too complicated because my mother uses the machine from time to time for hemming. The household ended up with a Pfaff Select 3.0. Why? It's mechanical so pretty straightforward in function, has stitches for both woven and stretch and the real selling point, the IDT system. The presser foot feeds in sync with the feed dogs like a walking foot. This means that both layers feed through together, stitching perfectly. Something nice to have with slippery or heavy fabrics especially when hemming. Bonus, we found a fantastic sale on it locally. I bought some all cotton interlock knit and made myself a swingy vest to test the machine out. The vest was fun and I fell in love with the IDT system.

I came home with all sorts of goodies, a little cotton fabric, some clothing etc. My folks gifted me with a fabulous print from a shop in Portsmouth NH. The print titled Portsmouth Tugs is the top left here. I will be taking it down for framing in the next couple of weeks. A new radio and ipod dock also followed me back to Oregon. Cambridge Soundworks makes a fine radio similar to the Bose tabletop one. My Dad had a spare complete with ipod dock ( and an extra set of Bose headphones too). I bought an ipod Nano to complete the set, green of course! Thanks Mom and Dad. I so needed something better than the 15 year old boom box with the chewed cord and wired on antenna!

In other news there, the boats all got in the water but sadly, the weather was just as crappy there as here and there was no tooling around the harbor during this visit.

They did pack me up with a lobster roll from Rowand's Fish Market. It was delicious

and made a bumpy flight bearable. You gotta love their motto too. I have two hats with it on it. One for going to town, one I wear around the farm.

In answer to Susan's comment about the Bruins-Canucks playoff series. It was a fluke goal! ;) GO BRUINS!!! Seriously, they are pretty evenly matched, regardless who wins they will have earned it.

And last, here is the Stella fix. Cute as ever.

Long Time-No See

2011-06-01T04:12:00.001-07:00

Finally, some time to start in again on the blog, so let's get to it. ;)

The trip was WONDERFUL! There was great food, both old favorites and new. If you like fish and ever see Skate on the menu, trust me, try it. Lobsters clacked their claws in fear at my arrival and I had my fair share and then some.

There was weaving and sewing, exhibits, shopping, gift goodies, good movies and lots of excitement. Those dang play-off hockey games had us all on the edges of our seats. Go Bruins!

I got to feel useful by cleaning out closets and freezers and skiffs. Lots of time to rest and recharge with naps and reading and upon my return, Dennett was waiting for me still. With the new meds he's acting more like a 15 year old than an 18 year old.

I hit the ground running when I touched down in Oregon. The house needed to be attended to and Gene needed some free time after doing such a good job with the animals. I needed a little time to get back in the swing and find my mojo again. Frankly the weather is still like it was in March and April, AWFUL, but compared to what others are going through this wet stormy year, I have nothing to really complain about.

It's good to be back and I'll fill you all in on some more details next post and pictures. Blogger has been difficult at best with uploading pics, but I didn't want to let it go any longer before posting. It's good to be back.

Bye Bye Birdie!

2011-04-25T17:29:00.000-07:00

Bags packed, instructions written and reiterated ad nauseam no doubt.

I'll try to keep up with everyones blogs,and of course my e-mail but this blog will reawaken when I get back at the end of May. If you've stumbled on me by accident, I'm sure there are a few interesting things to see even if it may seem neglected.

I wish everyone a wonderful month, full of sunshine, flowers and springtime joy.

Parting shot: Pogo and the heartache of ear flop. ( Stella's doing no doubt, but that is one clean ear!).

Sewing Week

2011-04-22T04:17:00.000-07:00

So, I said I wasn't going to sew anything more, but the new Hotpatterns that came last week were just too tempting not to try. I picked the Superfantastic Shirt and took a leap of faith on the pattern and used my dotty bird fabric. This is an easy pattern to love.

Tricky enough to provide interest, the fit is like a boyfriend/husband shirt, a little over sized, but the styling makes it all look so good! I was unsure of those long angled french darts but they are perfect for this shirt.

The shaping they provide from bust to waist is fab. They make the shirt curve slightly in all the right places. The front placket is 3/4 length with a nice pleat down to the hem, option for a true collar or just a band collar and a longer tunic length with a pretty shaped shirttail hem. It was so captivating I made a second one.

BOTH need to have buttons sewn on, so I will get my thread and needle out and go to work on those.

I also made a point of trying out the side cutter foot I bought for the Brother sewing machine.

Hey, it works! It's slow compared to a stand alone serger, very slow, but it gets the job done and worked very well on the cotton fabrics I used for these shirts. It is a nice option to have to do cut and overcast edges just by changing a foot on the machine.

The travel prep is in full swing and while most things are quite streamlined in ease, my boy Dennett has been anything but easy. He has been going on and off his food. A trip to the vet, blood work, worry and cash have all been expended. He is off old meds and on new which we are hoping will continue to provide a good quality of life for a little longer. I am hoping and praying for improvement over the weekend.

It's that fine line we're walking, but nothing in his blood panel indicates he is in any kind of chronic failure or pain. He is still enjoying his walks, and the afternoon meal seems to be relished quite well.

On the weaving front some progress has been made on the overshot. I'm into one of the darker color changes and it looks quite pretty.

Easier to see any mistakes on too!

I've sent off heavy rug wool via mail to Massachusetts. I'm going to give my Dad's Harrisville shaft switching rug loom a spin while I'm visiting.

Parting shot: When Stella sasses, we listen. :)

Weaving Weekend

2011-04-18T04:02:00.001-07:00

It's not like the weather is anything to write home about (rain and more rain) but the indoor activities made up for it. I am sure there are any number of people in the mid-west who trade their horrible weather for our soggy spring rains.

The overshot is in process and I am loving the long natural hued color ways of this beautiful yarn. It took a little doing but I have the two skeins close in color progression.

Instead of using the double bobbin boat shuttle I opted to wind them on one large bobbin together and boy am I glad I went that way. I don't have a counter of any kind, nor a scale, so getting two bobbins wound close in color was iffy. Doing it together solved that problem. The wool itself likes to grab and the two come off the bobbin as one plushy thick yarn. Of course when you wind a bobbin, your last cut end ends up on the bottom of the bobbin and that wouldn't do to keep my progression in correct sequence, so I wind onto one bobbin and then put it in my old Schacht bobbin winder and wind the bobbin I'm using in the shuttle off of it.

Then my bobbin starts right where it left off on the previous fill. Some extra work but oh so worth it. The sett was done at 16 epi, the tabby weft is a lace weight Nature's Palette silk and wool yarn that has been in my stash for a little while. I am still sad the company has stopped production of their beautiful yarns.

Due to the dreary weather we decided it was perfect soup weather, so I threw together a veggie and ham soup. Easy and tasty and with some fresh baked bread, a simple meal fit for a king and queen!

Time grows short here for me. I leave next week for MA and will spend this week getting everything ready here for Gene to take the reins (or should I say yoke!), of the farm duties. He is a saint for doing it too. I sure hope for everyones sake we have turned the corner on the weather by then and he has lots of sunshine to make the chores easier, drier and just more fun.

Parting shot: That's just wrong!

Franken-Shirt

2011-04-13T03:25:00.000-07:00

Well, it is done and it was quite the sewing journey. I learned a whole lot about this fabric and combining patterns. The shirt is quite pretty too, on the outside. The inside is not one of my proudest executions of sewing skills. And NO, I am not going to post a picture. :) No way.

The sleeves went in like a charm, so much so I have a note on the Shapely pattern that the one piece sleeve from Vogue 1226 fits well and will probably check that sleeve against other Petite Plus patterns to use should I want a one piece as opposed to the two piece sleeve that come with those patterns. The collar went in pretty well too, although,next run through I'm cutting the pattern with a higher V. It ended up pretty low. I like the slight flouncy ruffle enough to want to try it on another pattern or two. Who knew that this girlie detail would delight me so much? I certainly didn't.

The problems came with the front button plackets. They are attached in such a manner that the raw edge of two double layer ruffle pieces, plus the raw edge of the shirt all make one big whopping heavy bulky clump of fabric. The placket themselves are also interfaced. Now Rayon crepe has a lot of drape, it's a heavy fluid fabric and the front was terribly weighted down by all this stuff. I opted to forget the plackets all together, sew up the middle seam and press it open. The raw edges of the shirt are actually the selvage edges and they won't fray. I serged the ruffle raw edges on either side and ended basting the top of the V neck up ( need to make it a bit more permanent), about 3" for modesty. It works, it looks nice and drapes well, but as I said above, the inside nuts and bolts are not very pretty. I would be more likely in the future to do the ruffle a little differently and also work it into a better placket construction. If I were to use another heavy crepe fabric I would be tempted to do the underside of the ruffles with say a light voile in a matching color and as already mentioned I would certainly raise that low V a few inches right at the cutting table. The fun thing is, I feel confident in doing these changes. Granted, execution might be behind in skill level, but I can see just how to construct it and why. That's growth! We like growth.

An speaking of growth, Hannah Hollandia has her warped beamed on and ready to thread.

I have no sewing going on so my day is going to be devoted to all things loomy.

Some more work on the silk warp on the Delta, and get the threading / sleying done on Hannah. Overshot here we come. I have a decent length of warp on there and if I like the pattern enough, I might cut into some of it for sewing. Heck, why not! In fact, I ordered some more Hot Patterns and one specifically in mind for use with hand wovens ( but not this overshot). The scarf shirt has tons of possibilities don't you think?

Parting shot: Let me guess. Do you want to play ball? ;)

Snow: It's Not Just For Winter

2011-04-09T03:21:00.000-07:00

If I didn't have 12 outside critters all waiting on their breakfast, I would have turned around and slunk back to bed Thursday morning. As it was, my morning greeting committee was down to one (Buzz was staying snug in his barn kip), but Juno had enough enthusiasm on my morning arrival for both Buzz and I.

My kitty escort always brings a smile no matter the weather. I get the three nicker salute when I am halfway to the barn and many times a bleat or two from the peanut gallery. They may have their own selfish reasons to be glad to see me, but they are still glad to see me! The wind was wild, the ride on Bob into it, stinging you into a nearsighted and feral feeling blackness. The snow backed bodies, all nuzzling warmth and good cheer made the thought of being in bed and missing this, a quick and poorly planned thought.

It did make for a good day for sewing though. The second to last shirt is done.

I do love these bell sleeves and did a little linen ribbon trim on them.

The last shirt in process.

And what a process. I am calling it Franken-pattern because I am cobbling together two patterns to get what I want. It all started with this new Vogue pattern.

I loved the small ruffled detail going around the collar and down the sides of the button plackets. Nice full sleeves etc. Looked a little straight in the cut but was sure it would be doable. It says "loose fitting" on the envelope so it MUST have decent ease. Well, maybe if you're Twiggy! I am not and not by a long shot. The body of the pattern simply was too small even at the largest size. Ease my butt! What's a girl to do? Well, I could slash and adjust and add darts and finagle the whole dang thing, OR I could substitute a well fitting shirt body. One I know is cut for a fuller figure.( Note to self: Avoid patterns with no darts at all costs) With a little checking, a little measuring I came up with just such a pattern. A plain v necked blouse pattern out of my Petite Plus pattern book.

So, I'm using a PP body and the sleeves, collar and directions from the Vogue pattern. My main concern is fitting the nice Vogue sleeve into the PP pattern armhole and it's a pretty close match. Either pattern sleeve pieces requires some gathering and easing anyway, I should be okay and the rayon crepe looks to be quite forgiving. I did a beautiful placket on the first sleeve and then realized, I had put it on backwards. I had to take the whole thing off, one tiny black stitch at a time so as not to rip the fabric. Took me an hour. I called it a day at the sewing machine and threw the shuttle a bit on the scarf. I'll be back on that blouse to conquer the sleeve plackets today!

On a rather fun and surprising note, there is another weaver on the mountain! Her name is also Teresa and she has two looms that she is waiting to set up. How fun is that? Her husband is a new volunteer at the fire department. She is a retired elementary school teacher. And she lives right down the road less than mile.

Parting shot: Happiness is a warm friend to rest your head on.