Messin with Sasquatch Updated w/Additional Pic

Had I paid more attention when I purchased the beautiful Prism yarn, I would have realized that it was actually two yarns together. A sticky mohair and nylon carrier yarn and a very slick shiny rayon. It made for an interesting and time consuming warping process. The binder was not actually wrapped around the rayon, so keeping them even while measuring on the warping board proved challenging. Amidst mohair and insults flying it all got on the loom to be woven..eventually. I figured that while this warp could prove troublesome and end up as a dog scarf I would consider it "experimental" while on the loom. So I dragged out another something I've wanted to try to. Raw but clean Habu silk cocoons. I carefully pulled a few apart, attempting to keep the overall feel and rounded shape of the cocoons and woven them around the weft (alpaca and silk blend lace weight) as the mood struck me.

Needless to say, I was quite pleased with the result. The scarf is drapey and substantial thanks to the rayon, it has softness and a light halo due to the mohair and I love the little shiny cocoons woven in. While this was slated for the humane society I think it will be appreciated by a particularly wonderful and artsy friend and will be squirreled away until gift giving time arrives. I will make something a little more mainstream for the auction as I have no idea what people like at that event.

Sue: This second pic is for you. The really close up shots weren't worth posting.

Onto the curtains! I am sad to say my hemming job simply sucks. I dislike hand work of that nature and the iron, which wasn't working well, finally puffed it's last hot breath. It's been on the outs and I have been so uninspired to go iron shopping. So, the hems are not as even as I would like and will be redone when I get a decent iron to make a nice clean ironed hem line.

I so admire those bead and braid and do all sorts of beautiful finishes on their lovely hand wovens. It's just not me. Not once when entering any of those  3 Ashland bead stores did the siren song of a bead call to me. No way. Now someday I might feel differently and I might not. I may never get that particular call to fussy finishes. I also try not to compare my work to others. It's hard but it is also very freeing. I can love weaving and my woven pieces for what they are, the promise they show and for the enjoyment and challenge I got making them.

A word about the weather before closing. I want to know why the Rain God has decided to camp on our doorstep? As I write we are having a gully washer outside. I have more mud than I can possibly use, both in and out of the house. It is amazing what those little low riders we call dogs can bring in on their feet and bellies. They are truly earning their Grit Sponge title.  House cleaning is a futile ritual in the best of times, in these times it is sheer folly. I have but to turn around to put the bucket and mop away and in that brief moment of relaxed vigilance, someone has muddied up the floor...again. ;-) A glimmer of hope though, it looks like come Thursday we will have sun for 4 whole days! 

One Horsepower

I find it interesting that our modern cars are still using horsepower as a unit of measurement. Every time we talk about the newest, most efficient vehicle we harken back to a time, not so long ago, when the measure of strength and efficiency ran on hay and oats.  Yesterday I finally got to harness some of that strength and energy. Cooper and I re-investigated some of our little world after a long winter away from the trails. There are so many things I love about the big guy, one that is always at the top of the list is steadiness. You can let him sit for 5 days or 5 months and you get the same horse. He doesn't get spooky, silly or barn sour. He is what he is and can be counted on to be safe and sensible. Our "dust off the tack" ride yesterday was no different than our "time to put away the gear" ride last November.

The trails were still muddy in parts, snow covered in others. Shrubs and trees are just starting to bud, while in Ashland, a scant 20 miles away and much lower in elevation, trees are blooming. Everything was very hushed still, the birds twittering but still tentative and all with a mission no doubt to be nest building.  Some trees came down over the windy winter and we took the time to clear where we can on the trails. Followed a little deer path for a while. Hadn't seen it before but with the ground still so bare it was easy to spot. We also spied some bobcat or lynx tracks, fresh from the morning while the snow would still support a small animal walking on it.  It was starting to get overcast and not the most beautiful day else I would have taken the camera. We spent two hours out, mostly at a walk with some nice trotting. We're both out of shape but neither us wanted to call it quits to head home. 

When I did get back into the house, I spent the rest of my time weaving. The curtains are almost done. I'm a good way into the final curtain and hoping to get them off the loom today. Yah!

Monday was a lost day. We got the car down into town without having to tow it. On first run through by the mechanic it is going to be expensive, we're waiting for the final estimate. Some things have got to be done, others can wait until we regroup. I'm hoping to have my multiple horse powered transportation back by the end of the week.

We've also been plagued by connectivity problems with Hughes.net. If I had it to do all over again, I would never go with them. Ever. There are other companies now which reach into our area. 

Sue over at Life Looms Large also sent out this beautiful award to me. Thank you Sue,

I'm honored! I am sending this lovely award onto Sarah @ Woven Voices, Evelyn Oldroyd, Jennifer @ Finding the Real Me. Their blogs are all in my blog list and when I figure out how to make their names links in the text, I will! ;-)

"This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY-nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement! Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers!"

Big Sigh of Relief

Last week I found a really ugly small growth on Miss Bea's right rear leg. Irregular in shape and rather angry looking. I was sure this had to go and very worried that it could be cancerous. She's of an age when these things start, at about 12. An appointment made for Tuesday and I had planned to leave her for what I thought was imminent surgery.

Dr. Beth takes a good look, scraps around and looks at me and states it's a wart. A WART!!!! No need to remove it unless it starts to bother her or we have her in and under for something else. Needless to say, I bundled my little blonde bombshell back into the car for the ride home faster than you can say "How much do we owe you?" She got a big late breakfast and Gene has dubbed her with a new nick name, Bumpy Bea!

 The monks belt curtains are in progress. I got a lot done yesterday. About 30-40 inches with the one run of decorative pattern which will be a few inches above the bottom hem. I had to measure the window, decide where I wanted the pattern to sit, add hem lengths etc. My easy way of doing it is to take a string measured to length and knot where the elements go, pin it in to the selvage edge and start weaving. I just slip the big pin out and stick it back in at the start of the second panel and so forth. I like the pattern very much, but I have used an open & rather sleazy sett on this and the floats on the monks belt are rather long. For this application it will work fine but if I wanted pillows or something that will get far more abrasion and use than just hanging around, I would go to a MUCH tighter sett. I could see the possibilities of this border pattern on some pillow cases, using something in 30/2 range. 

The saddle blanket has languished a bit. I do have some wonderful wool coming for more blankets and the process of acquisition is quite wonderful and unique. When it gets here I'll explain more and offer some pics!

Lastly, it has done nothing but rain here. Just awful weather. The paddock is now a sea of mud. The horses are getting their hay delivered by hand up the hill so they don't have to stand ankle deep in the muck. We are all feeling a bit moldy and housebound.

Thank heavens for weaving and knitting ( and Miss Bea's wart) because riding is out for a while yet.