The Upside of Swine Flu

Well, I slipped WAY under the weather. Since I have had my seasonal flu shot, I know this must be the other. So instead of flying to Memphis to teach a workshop, I am tucked up in my cozy nest awaiting the delivery of some health restoring food from Healeo. The Memphis Guild has rescheduled for the end of January pleased that I will not be bringing disease to share along with weaving inspiration. I was at first determined to go no matter what, as I have never canceled a teaching gig before. But once I realized that I really was sick and I could reschedule the workshop, I settled into the "what is".

The first (and most glorious) thing is I got to finally read the wonderful issue of Handwoven. Of course I would say it is wonderful because there is an article by me in there, BUT I am in such good company! Madelyn certainly outdid herself with a whole array of "stars". If you haven't picked up this issue, it is certainly a must have for your weaving library.

AND Sara Lamb's long awaited book--Woven Treasures


I'm sure you all have your copy and have read it from cover to cover, but if you haven't--you are in for a real treat. I have set aside December as the month I will get to play on a rigid heddle loom. I am thrilled to have Woven Treasures as a companion for my new journey. It is the next best thing to having Sara come visit. Who am I kidding? There is no substitute for spending time with Sara Lamb (grin) but her fabulous funny self shines through every page!

It's time for more liquids and back to bed.

Under the Weather

Although I am feeling somewhat under the weather, I am not too sick to weave. I canceled everything else, however.

Unable to decide what color to make the weft, I decided to weave 3" of each of the 12 colors in the warp. The cloth will make a good color exercise to show the Memphis guild.


Or perhaps I am sicker than I think. I did spend most of the day in bed, drank lots of liquids, and vitamin C.

My plan: be in tip top shape by Friday, so back to bed.

So Do I Ever Get to Weave

I thought this was a very nice picture. I had laid out the Mary Meigs Atwater weaving on my table (to cut strips to include in my Color Horoscope Weaving Instructions Packets). I got carried away and started playing with my wrapped birthday blessing words.


Then I started playing around with draping some of my cloths. I finally finished weaving the turned weft ikat scarf in 18/2 Jaggerspun and un-knitted cashmere.

And then I decided to take inventory of my yet to be un-knitted cashmere. There are 43 sweaters on the table, but tonight a fellow brought me 20 more! I am cashmere rich!


I like to weave a piece before I head out to teach although I am not always able to do so. I thought I would weave my horoscope using the Lunatic Fringe yarn. I have never actually woven with it before. Many of my students have used it, so I thought I would give it a try.


I am using a sett of 30 epi.

It remains to be seen if I will actually be able to get it woven off before Friday.

Forth and Back

I had a grand whirlwind trip to Bellingham to spend a day with some of the Whatcom Weavers.
Turned Weft Ikat is a 3-day workshop--that is if one wants to do any actual dyeing, but I did it one day. I opted for "virtual dyeing"


I brought 25 lbs of already dyed yarn, some commercially space-dyed but much of it was ikat dyed skeins I have dyed over the years. I had 2 different weights of bamboo, merino wool, rayon chenille, 8/2 cotton, 20/2 cotton, and 3/2 cotton. Students selected the yarn they wanted to work with, and each person got enough yarn to wind a scarf warp.


Each student also wound a 1 oz skein of undyed Habu bamboo and wrapped it for dyeing (to be actually dyed at home after the workshop).

I got so caught up in trying to get everything done that I didn't really get many pictures. I was trying to give everyone a taste of ikat. It will remain to be seen how successful I was in inspiring the group. I will know if they weave their scarves (grin).

All of this happened in the middle of our first big storm of the Northwest--all very exciting. And now I am home getting ready for yet another trip out into the world. Friday---to Memphis.

Exploring Not So Plain Weave with Jockey Hollow Weavers

I am an hour away from leaving to teach a Turned Weft Ikat Workshop in Bellingham WA, but I couldn't leave without posting about the delightful workshop I taught to a more than delightful guild in New Jersey, the Jockey Hollow Weavers. I'm still not exactly sure where exactly I was in New Jersey, but I am sure this is a great bunch of weavers.

What a fabulous wall hanging, a work of art!


Usually I plan this workshop to last 3 days, but this one (a round robin) was a mere 2 days. I was certain the group would be unable to complete all the samples, but miraculously they did! The 13th warp didn't make it into the picture, but it got done. The main thing I learned is that I need to wind all of the warps myself and send them ready to go on the loom. It would have saved me and each student lots of time and effort although it would have increased the supply fee. In talking to the students afterward, they all agreed it would have been worth the extra money. I learned how to do leno in an efficient way, thanks to Barbara Herbster (grin). I learned that I should have brushed up on inlay, so I might appear to know what I am doing (another grin). I learned that students can get a lot more done than I think they can.


But mostly I am awed by the inventiveness of my fellow weavers and grateful for the opportunity of time well spent together. What a great bunch of ladies!

Completions

Sometimes it take longer to complete a project, and sometimes it is worth the wait! And it always is a surprise. You can't even imagine the feel and drape of this blanket. It measured 44" x 104" before I put it in the washer and dryer, and 39" x 96" after. Bamboo and cashmere are such a surprisingly wonderful combination. I have to tell you that the dad kind of commandeered the blanket shortly after I took this picture. I didn't realize I had woven a Blessing Man Blanket rather than a Blessing Baby Blanket. (grin)

I thought I had posted a picture or two of the blanket on the loom, but I don't seem to see it. I won't dig anymore now, but I will instead direct you to my other blog: Inspired By Bonnie. I have 4 new posts there, they are quite interesting--especially the one using supplemental warp combined with Woven Words. Oh yes, the Color Horoscope Weaving done in 3 panels on a rigid heddle loom is rather inspiring as well.

Tomorrow I begin in earnest gathering supplies and packing for my 1-Day Ikat workshop in Bellingham, WA. I leave Wednesday. I am doing things a little differently. I'll tell you about it tomorrow.

Hello Blogisphere from the Seattle Weavers Guild Sale

Especially Sue Bye! We miss you too.

For those of you who have never been to this sale, let me tell you it is the most amazing and totally fun weaving event I have ever attended (or been a part of). If there is a recession, you certainly couldn't tell by the people lined up outside waiting for the doors to open. You couldn't tell by the bank of cash registers that never stopped working.
One of the things that distinguishes our sale is that all of the creations are co-mingled in departments. There is everything from clothing


To jewlery
To towels

And everything in between. I was told we had 600 scarves in the scarf department this year.

I haven't seen the sales totals, but I wouldn't be surprised to learn we broke all records. I sold 1/3 of my sachets, but I will talk more about that in a later post.

Below is a picture of my purchases. I always buy one towel. I started doing that 15 years ago because I KNEW I would never weave a towel myself. Even though I have since discovered the joys of weaving towels, I continue to select one favorite from the hundreds that are offered each year.

This year we had lots of wonderful dyed yarn. I couldn't resist getting a skein of Bambu 7 to combine with my solids. And best of all I got the brand new publication by Robyn Spady. I don't see a link for purchasing a copy on her website, but if you contact her I am sure you can get your own signed copy--a must have for your weaving library! Be sure to mention where you saw the link.


Now to but my apartment back in order and begin getting ready for my next workshop---Turned Weft Ikat in Bellingham Washington on November 5.

Oh yes, stay tuned for all the posts I didn't make when I returned from the East.