Like Riding a Bike

Isn't that what everyone says when you do something you haven't done in a while? It wasn't quite that easy remembering all the little modifications specific to getting Murphy warped up but it was close. It all came back to me how to get the warp lashed on to the back apron and how nicely the old Purrington angel wings worked with it.



 Out of all the looms I have had or have, this one is the easiest hands down to get the warp rolled on. Having said that, the time you gain in getting the warp on you give to threading and sleying. The breast beam is fixed as is the beater. A small concession really as old Murphy rarely disappoints in the weaving. A small warp was put on for another string of prayer flags. I used the opportunity to change the pattern. I'm using Ginny's Coat (pg.30 Var. 1) from "A Handweaver's Pattern Book".



 In fact I never even had to change the tie up from two plus years ago when I last wove something on this loom. Of course, Jack is excited to get weaving. He's not too sure of that tilting bench though and neither am I, but we're going to give it another go.



In sewing news, not much. Another Marcy Tilton/Vogue french housedress was completed. Pattern 8813 is awfully fun to make, and fun to wear. It really does fit the bill as being the "go too" garment around the house.



Big pockets, loose cool fit and of course you can get so creative with fabric choices. This one is in a toile. How much more French can you get? I love toiles but for the most part, they are relegated to fabric more suited for use around the home as opposed to around the body. Happily I found a pretty girlie toile in a lightweight cotton that was suitable for a garment.



 A little pink and brown mini print and a brown and cream plaid for the pocket linings and the dress was done.



 The fabric is from the French General line by Moda and has such beautiful selvages, I used those too for the pocket ties.

In farm news, the weather has been either wet and cool or almost warm. The grass ( such as it is) is tall and green and I've been rotating a horse out to graze every couple of hours.
All my horses are use to this. Basically, throw a halter and lead rope on, flip the lead rope over their back and let him loose. They always stick around. I've tempted fate and put all three out loose at once, but they are more likely to roam further afield than I would like as a complete herd. When it's time to switch out for a change, just bring a carrot and whomever is out is more than willing to be "caught".

Parting shot: Dandy, always "Mr Photogenic".

Weaving Weekend

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!

Whatever Shall I Do?

There must be others that find themselves at odds about what to do with their Sundays

now that the football season is over. It's not that I don't have anything to do, but one day a week I could beg off all the little things, plop myself in the comfy chair wrapped in a blanket and critters and have the guilty pleasure of being a lazy, armchair quarterback. For some strange reason every time I think about the end of the football season, the strains of Don't Cry for Me Argentina start playing in my head...pitiful, I know.

But I have been somewhat productive. Here is a picture of what is likely the last towel.

I bought this all cotton yarn ages ago for a knitting project. Well, we know how fast I knit and there it was, just begging to be used in something that would be seen on a regular basis.

And of course, some sewing. I finished up a test garment from Favorite Things Classic Shirt Pattern. I'm so happy I bought cotton on sale instead of plain muslin.

Quite often the sale bin at Fabric of Vision contains something a little nicer than true muslin and runs around .50 more per yard. Since I usually buy 3 yards, this means I spent 1.50 extra for a wearable shirt assuming the pattern came out well the first time. It did and I did and here is the picture complete with Mr. Jack who just has to be near always.

It's been a shopping week. I did pick up a second ball of yarn for the overshot planned and while I was there I spied this little pin. Remind you of someone?

It was just too cute not to splurge on. For those that have never been to the Web-sters, along with a huge selection of fabulous yarns. they carry beautiful art clothes, amazing garments done by fiber artists country wide, handbags, hats and some incredible jewelry. This little pin is by a new artist to the store and there was a charming selection of cats too. I might have to scarf another up for a Mother's Day present.

Yesterday Cindie and I met up for a little morning shopping marathon. I needed a few things at Joann's Fabrics, most importantly a cutting table. The floor or my low sewing table, while both roomy, weren't suiting as far as my back was concerned.

JA had one that folds and is a nice 35" height and pretty inexpensive especially when coupled with a 40% off coupon.

Guess I know one thing I'll be doing today for sure..assembly! Buttons, thread and some pant fabrics rounded out my adventure. I dropped off my Bernina for a cleaning and service (Cindie dropped hers off too so they are keeping each other company) and after lunch, Cindie was off to a meeting and I was off to finish up errands. A wonderful way to while away a Saturday.

I also want to show you the lovely little coin purse Cindie made and gifted me with.

How cute is this!!?? Gosh even the little card is adorable. Thank you Cindie, so much!

Parting shot: Don't be lookin' at MY bone!

2011 It's Not Just for Looms

In fact, I would bet all the weavers have other fiber pursuits besides weaving, like spinning, knitting, crochet or sewing! I know I do. So weight in, what other fibery pursuits do you have or want to have in the new year?

Here is my inventory of fiber tool goodness (madness?) going into 2011.

Four working sewing machines, three of which are Singer's. The 401A, the new little Featherweight and a give-away, a vintage 1970's Genie complete with mod flower decals. Who didn't want one of these as a teenager in the early 70's?

The last is my Bernina, the go to machine for fine or knit fabrics and fun decorative stitches. I have renewed my love affair with this machine after the slip cover sewing incident. The Morse 4400 Fotomatic is not pictured here because it is not in working condition. The foot pedal is downright scary electrically and a new one needs to be ordered before that baby can be up and running.

A most useful White serger. Those stickies identifying the thread number and path have been a godsend. My Dad put them on when he adjusted it and I've kept them in place.

The spinning wheels are a herd of two, the little Schacht Ladybug

and the Timbertops Leicester wheel.

Both wonderful spinners, although there may be changes in the line-up in 2011.

In farm news, the snow has been pushed aside and while we have a lot of it, getting around the farm has improved. Good thing too since Bob the Tractor is laid up in the barn waiting on a new water pump. Gene has been staging two bales by the gate every day for me with his pick-up. The water pump can't get here fast enough!

Other than that it's been pretty low key. I would like to say I have been a whirlwind on the fiber front but the truth is we both have been sick with flu and colds. Gene is feeling a bit better but the head cold that came to me also brought a case of pink eye and it's been downright miserable.

Since I haven't been taking any pics the last few days, I'll leave you with this parting shot: Jack, waiting for the "helper" to finish up so he can get weaving.

Silk

I'm on the fence about silk. In some things I love it, in others, it doesn't send me. I did however find some tussah silk yarn I love. It all started out with some reconnaissance for my Dad. He informed me he wants to work on a silk scarf during his visit and what are the local resources like. First I went really local, like my stash and sent some pics of lovely Gems silk with a Curious Creek Fiber yarn, which he liked.

It was set aside. But, being my father's daughter in some respects I know he, like me, would like some other options and that's what I was looking for. I came up pretty much goose eggs for fine silk fiber in the valley except for a very small amount of some lovely Silk Tree #6 in the most amazing gold. I had just the project in mind, one I had been searching for a complimentary silk casually for a while and the 2 skeins available might just do it if I planned right.

In fact Llamas and Llambs in Jacksonville had another 2 skeins of a lighter brighter yellow which I had them hold. I'll pick them up next week. So, I wrote my Dad, told him he'll need to find silk at home or order something up from the Silk Tree and here is a list of colors that would go with that Curious Creek yarn, Earl Grey. The trouble came when I started twisting that lovely CC fiber with my coveted golden silk. Then instead of keeping the secret to myself, I had to send a picture to my Dad.

Needless to say, we have some lovely silk coming in #14 gold and #5 grey. It should all arrive in time for the visit starting the 15th.

While I'm on my silk kick, I'll also update on my merino/silk spinning adventure. I've fallen hard for this fiber.

Who would have thunk it after all my complaining about merino, but it's true. I love spinning this.

So, heading off of fiber and into the world just inside my front door.

The much anticipated settle bench has finally made it from Cindie's garage to my foyer and it is just as wonderful as it looked.

That silly looking raccoon just puts a grin on my face. We use a bench there a lot. In fact every time we go in or out so having something so unique has made the changing of the footwear extra fun. And it's always nice to have a little extra storage for hats, mittens, gloves, flashlights and scarves.

There's lots of other news but I'll save it for the next post. Instead I'll leave you with this silky duo.

Resleying

Yes indeed I had to resley about 10 inches and start again. I don't know why I had it my head that using a 6 dent reed was the way to go with 5 ends per dent to make the 30epi.

I suspect it might have to do with doing blankets in multi layers. Anyway, I thought why am I doing this? Maybe 3 ends per dent in a 10 dent reed might be better. So I did what any weaver would do, I asked another weaver, in this case Cindie the weaving oracle.

Now the truth is when you ask someones esteemed opinion, you hopefully will get it and I did. She recommended that she would use a 15 dent reed with 2 per dent but if all I had was a 10 dent than that would do. Now I have a 15 denter and a 12, a number of 10's an 8 and my much loved 6. My 15 dpi is not much loved. In fact I am convinced Cindie has much better eyesight than I do but I can see the value in having it and using it for this project. So, we are about where we were at 10 inches sleyed, 2 per dent and sleying on.

In car news, there is nothing as upbeat to report. It needs a new front differential, which in essence means a transmission overhaul. A really big ding in this summers

home improvement budget. We were going to rip off the front porch and rebuild along

with redoing the grade there in front and a retaining wall. I am still holding out some scant hope for a little 10x10 deck out the back door, but only a small flicker. I will be sharing Gene's truck until the beginning of August. We are both moaning about THAT! :)

Now Stella news is always happy, she's growing and developing quite the little terrier attitude. She positively bounces when she walks with her tail keeping metronome like time as it swings back and forth with each step. She's affectionate but losing some of the cuddly puppy behaviors and reminds me so much of my much loved Fat Sam in very many ways. Stella likes her own time and goes off daily to do her own thing, whether it be lying in the sun or bug catching or trying to get Uncle Smoochie or Uncle Pogo to play. Every 45 minutes one of us will check up on the other and there is late afternoon play time right before dinner (ours) daily. Here are some shots from yesterday.

I just dare you to take that ball!

This can't be comfortable but what do I know. Stella enjoyed burrowing with her red ball for 20 minutes like this. The dark spots, pine pitch staining. Puppies don't like their bellies scrubbed so, we just let them wear off. Life is too short to worry about such things, just ask Stella. ;)

You should have heard the growls and groans.

And just so you don't think my BEST weaving buddy Jack has been replaced, he hasn't.

He's not the handsomest dog I've ever seen but what a personality.

Faithfully by my side at the loom, like always.

We will ignore the Stella chew on the bench foot because after watching this, what's a little nibble here and there in the whole scheme of things. Go on now and enjoy.

It Could Go Either Way

I've started a new scarf warp to put on Hannah. I love the fibers, I love the colors but even with that great start I'm not to sure about how this will look once done. The combo is Mountain Colors Winter Lace and Frabjous Fibers Sari Ribbon. The sari ribbon might end up being a little to ragged and uneven in the scarf. Of course it could be really fun and interesting too. Guess we'll all find out soon enough!

While I was winding the lace yarn ( all 1200 yards of it) I had supervision as you can see.

Jack wants to get to know all facets of weaving. He really does intensely watch what you do. I love those little flopped triangle ears, they speak to me.

Pogo quit the little dog bed once the swift got going and went and hung with his peep Gene.

Smoochie and his cat couldn't be bothered with our goings on. They were happily curled up together on the comfy chair.

The sofa was similarly occupied with the rest of the four legged household Everyone spent our dreary rainy Tuesday just as they pleased.

Mischief in the Making

I'll bet you wonder who REALLY writes this blog. Well, I do, but in case I ever drop off the face of the earth. I have a sub. He may have figured out the Carolyn table loom too for all I know. Jack may not have a lot going for him in the beauty category, but he sure is one busy inquisitive pup. If the chair was closer he'd be giving the desk top the once over. While I was keeping the seat warm he was supposedly fast asleep in the blanket on the floor. 

On the weaving front, some progress was made on the saddle blankets. There is about 10 more inches of the single color to go before I get into the 3 color pattern to the end

of the first blanket.  I am slowly gearing up to put another curtain warp on the Murphy loom. I'm thinking natural 10/2 cotton with a small monks belt band in rose or, as I did previously, a canvas weave also with a band woven in. I have 20/2 here but I'm saving that to try a pillow case pattern I came across in an older Handwoven. It was shown in a feature for summer weaving projects. I was going through my older Handwoven's yesterday when I came to the much slammed pet issue one. Low and behold it did have one redeeming pattern, another saddle blanket draft which is quite pretty. I'll have to give it a go on the next round of them. Well, off to start that pesky cleaning.