Finishing a Scarf

It took me awhile to finish this scarf, I just set it aside and forgot about it for some reason. So as I watched LOST last night I twisted fringe, it took several hours but I washed the scarf this morning and this is the result.

I am putting another scarf on the loom while I spend the time figuring out how to do my color sample fabric. Its another chenille one. It will be black with some lines of blues to make a window pane check. It was a warp I wound years ago and forgot about. I seem to be finding things lately and bringing them back to the forefront. Not sure what that means but it can't be a bad thing. The last time it was art supplies and this time weaving, hmm I wonder what will be next.

Last night I had writers dreams, first I there was the dream about Neil Gaiman(no ladies not that kind of dream). I met him somewhere and at first he was at the table and I wasn't aloud to go approach him or talk to him. A restriction was put on me. Then later we are having a conversation. When I mentioned that I was a writer and a weaver and a mixed media artist he was interested in talking to me. I guess I was not one of those hapless writers looking for advice or perhaps its the whole me that was interesting. Then I had a dream about Laini Taylor and it was something about being at a venue with her. I went and touched her hair and said wow your hair really is pink. Yes it was a stupid thing to say, but this is a dream. I think that was a result of reading her blog lately. She had been at some writers event and looks like she was having a blast with a whole group of other writers. Perhaps its something I want to experience.

I loved this question and answer on Neil Gaiman's blog today.

"What do you think is the best way to start writing a novel?"

I think the best way to start writing a novel is to start writing a novel.

I got a chuckle at that one because it is so true. We spend so much time thinking about doing it instead of just doing it. On that note I think I will go do some writing.

Using Precious Supplies

I am continuing with the journaling every day. I was struck by this image, the ladies appear to be having so much fun. I wish it were warm enough to sit in my hammock but alas it is snowing again.


















This one is started in my new journal that I made last week. I really am ready for a road trip. I went to Sedona this time last year and sure wish I could go back. It was a lovely trip. I met wonderful bloggers and the scenery is so fantastic. Wat a trip that was.
















I am weaving on my scarf today and starting to think about my next project. In the past five years I have had several weaving and spinning friends die and as their fibers are passed on to me I think how sad it is that they never got around to using something they bought and loved. We never know how long we have in this life and I decided at that point that I was the one who is going to use my stash.

I was looking at this yarn the other day remembering how excited I was when I bought it. That was over ten years ago and I haven't used it yet because I couldn't figure out what I wanted to do with it. The yarn was so expensive that I didn't want to ruin it. I could use all the colors and make fabric, do a series of scarves, towels or a vest. I could weave it in plain weave or a twill or a lace weave. There are lots of decisions to make. I plan to go through old weaving magazines for ideas and then just choose something. So it will be my next project.

Is there something in your collection that you've been afraid to use, like the fabric that is so exquisite you are afraid to cut it, or the journal with the handmade paper in it, or the expensive yarn you bought on vacation. Pull it out and work with it, enjoy it and have fun with it.

Monday Musings

This page has evolved over time. First I put masking tape on it and painted it, hated the color and painted it again. The it sat since I still didn't like it. Ripped off most of the tape and painted with black gesso. Decided to collage over it since it was a smooth page anymore. I like it now. So don't give up on pages as they sometimes can have a 2nd or 3rd life or more.













This is what is on my loom. Its going to be a rayon chenille scarf. The yarn was dyed by a friend. Its almost finished so I should be able to show the finished project later in the week. Sometimes the rhythm of weaving is so meditative, I enjoy sending time doing it when everything is in the flow.

We had high winds and a snow storm yesterday and today its all melting with beautiful blue skies. I didn't even have to wear a coat, weather in the spring is always so amazing in its diversity.

I put myself back on a schedule and although I did not follow it totally today it does feel good to be on track again. I am making some goals for all my creative endeavors and it seems like that fact of writing them down somehow sets their life in motion. I have 2 weaving projects to plan, a writing plan and ideas to finish paintings, make journals and enjoy the classes that I will be taking in April. It feels good to have goals for some reason. Usually I balk at that but it seems different now I am not sure why. Perhaps I can see their use and that they are a tool that really does help me. It makes me feel empowered and ready to go.

How about you, Do you find having goals motivates you?

Create Every Day - Its finished

I haven't really posted anything for creative every day this year. Although I have only one post this project entailed several days work. It is a mixed warp shawl, it came out long so its more like those Mexican Rebozo shawls, especially with all the reds and rust in the warp. The weft or horizontal threads was a fine grey wool, while the warp was a combination of wools. These are all handspun yarns, some I dyed and some I did not. I like the way it turned out.

Works in progress

I spent the day working on this warp. It is really taking me a long time. I finished threading it, getting all the tangles out and had it almost wound onto the back beam when I discovered a problem. Had to pull it back through the heddles and adjust the stick on the back beam. I need to rewind it on now. A job for tomorrow. Its a mixture of reds rusts and grey that will become a shawl soon.

















I took a break to play and finally finished this journal page for the Goddess art class I am taking with SuziBlu. I have had the picture glued down for a long time. It was fun to finally find some elements to add to the page. I am not used to working this big so it was a challenge. Now that I have done one of these I think I will go and work on the other two that I have started. I have been having a hard time getting in the art groove again. I'm hoping this page will help.

Snow abounds

Like in many locations around the country we have lots of snow. These are the drifts in my front yard.














Outside my window the birds are really congregating.














Then I saw these on the lawn. I believe that they are Hungarian Partridge.














And here is one close up. A minute later they all walked over the snow bank and disappeared. I was taking these through the window so they aren't real clear.


















I did this drawing on Sunday. I have wanted to try two faces together and this was my first try. I see this as two sisters looking out on the world. This was fun to do and I think I want to try it again.
















I finished weaving the blanket last night. I am now busy making repairs and twisting all the fringe. This a picture showing some of the fringe already twisted. This has to be done before the blanket can be washed and fulled.

Just in case I don't get back here I want to wish you all a wonderful holiday. enjoy the time with family and friends and be safe.

Outlander Fans

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_zuxlLra38

Check out the video if you are a fan of the Jamie and Claire saga by Diana Gabaldron. There is enough eye candy here to satisfy anyone.

This week has been incredibly busy and the end is not in sight. One of the women in my knitting group had her cancer return for the third time and this appeared to be the final round for her. I busily knitted a 12 x 12 swatch to go in the blanket for her final days. It could be today or tomorrow or later, hard to tell. So she is in my thoughts and of course my mom died on Dec 17, 1999 so I have been missing her too.

I have the loom working again which gives me 5 days to weave a blanket. I'll post pics of the blanket as soon as its finished. I think I have the time,just have to work everything else in too.

There is a possibility that my sis Marianne will come for Christmas, it all depends on how she feels. She has a nasty cold right now. So I am planning on her being here and if she can't come then I will still be ok. I'll just have extra stocking stuffer's. I have done no holiday baking but that will change soon. Sarah made some peppermint bark and its yummy. I have plans for mini cheesecakes, lemon bars and Russian teacakes. I'll skip the sugar cookies this year. We are having turkey since we didn't have it for Thanksgiving. Dave usually makes it but this year I decided I wanted to. I want a cornbread stuffing. I have to find a good recipe for one. I'll drag out the cookbooks or look on line. Plus there are pies to bake and on and on. I know you know how it all is.

Nanowrimo Celebration Party

Here I am looking at my gift a copy of this



















If you haven't seen Wreck this journal it has all these fun things you do to the book. Its going to be fun to take it through the trials and back again.













Look at all the wonderful writers who showed up to celebrate












Then there are more, we had some of the supporters too. Several spouses attended too. I gave away a slew of writing books. I think most everyone ended going home with something. I also had some moleskin cahiers to pass out. Dave was supposed to be taking pictures but he only took a few. Anyways fun was had by all. We are glad its over and many will join the writing group we have that meets once a month. There were 21 people who managed to write a novel in November. We have an awesome group of writers here. Congratulations to everyone who participated in Nanowrimo this year.


Weaving Time

I have been spending time weaving. I got the towels that have been on my loom forever. I decided to un-weave what I had done on Dave's blanket. It was just not working our like I had planned. I am going to add more warp threads to make it more dense and then weave with varying shades of grey. I think that will work out much better. I figured what I had done was so gauzy that by the time the fabric was washed it would draw in too much and the blanket would be too short. I also pulled out a mixed warp I had done for a demo a couple years ago. I am going to put that on the Baby wolf loom. It will be a shawl, it has varying shades of reds, maroons and some pink. So lots of projects in the work. I want to work on them all but I have Christmas things to make so I have to get back to them.

Tomorrow I am going to learn how to make soap. My friend Kate makes it and I asked to watch next time. I helped her set up her new loom yesterday and I also need to teach her how to set up a project. She has materials to make a rug and she is excited to be working at it. Its always fun to work with someone who is new at it, their excitement and enthusiasm just seems to fuel mine. Then I can't wait to get back to my own stuff.

200th post

This is my 200th post so I think that is a cause for celebrations. Plus it's my birthday later this month. To celebrate that I am going to give away one of my hand woven dishtowels. You can see them on the loom further down in the post. I will choose a winner on my birthday February 27th. To enter just send me a comment before that date, or an email if blogger won't let you comment.


I think that after finishing weaving the blanket that was on my loom for so long I am back in weaving mode so that feels so good. There are lots of projects on the back burner that need focus again.















I have been working on the dishtowels a little bit every day this week. My goal has been to weave at least 1 hour a day. I have promised one for my church auction so I need to get them woven. I also like to have some on hand for gifts.














Since I moved the spinning wheel near the window its my cats favorite spot to sit.















Here is how a blanket begins. I am starting to wind the warp for the next one. This is a warping board. Before the loom is threaded all the warp threads need to be wound on a warping board. This makes sure everything is the same length. The warp threads are the vertical threads on a loom.
















This blanket is using all natural colors. I have all the skeins draped across the front beam of the loom. This helps me decide what order I will use them in. I look at them for a while before inspiration sets in. I will move all the skeins around several times to see how I like their arrangement. First I thought I would just do dark to light but now I am thinking about doing light dark light.

Quote if the Day: Great Imaginations are apt to work from hints and suggestions, and a single moment of emotion is sometimes sufficient to create a masterpiece - Margaret Sackville

They forced me

Well blogger forced me to do it. They wouldn't let me access the old version anymore. So I upgraded to the new version so I hope I do not have any major problems.

Last night LOST was great, I was happy to be back on the island. I ended up making around 75 braids of the fringe on the blanket last night. There are a total of 128 braids that have been made, yikes no wonder my hands are sore.

I mailed all the valentines, Anna I have no clue how long it will take to get to you. The rest of you should get them in a few days.

I spent lunch with my friends Ginger and Kay and we talked about The Secret and how we are using it in our lives. I got some great ideas and then last night I watched the DVD again and am inspired once more. I will use the techniques outlined in the movie like the gratitude list and rock and vision board to work on healing myself and other areas in my life. This is the one single thing that is making a difference for me right now.

I found some great crow embellishments at Ben Franklin(craft store) yesterday. I am ready to get back to working on this crow book. I am also going to tackle a new project I saw it here . Its called the Art Journal Challenge and it lasts all year. Basically you start with a deck of playing cards and do 1 card each week. The prompts for the week are list on the website. I have gotten as far as getting the deck of cards and doing a background for the first one. They are already on week 5 but I think I can catch up. I figure this is a great way for me to be doing art at least once a week. I'll post them when I get several done.

Quote for the day: People who allow themselves to create, who wake each day with songs in their hearts, primed canvasses in their studios, fresh pages in their journals, know that Art is truly about - Joy-Celebration-Beauty-Love-Humor-Real Life.... Danny Gregory