Fall?

Recently several weavers and I got together to put together a large carpet warp order. I still have a lot of warp in several colors but some fall colors caught my eye. Today I started winding a warp for placemats. It is going to be stripes. Here is what I have so far. This seems like an odd time of year to be thinking about fall colors but I really wanted to see how these colors would work together.

The stripes will be symetrical from side to side. I still have two more sections to wind. They will go on the right. I am not sure I like the order of the colors. Maybe I shouldn't use the brown? We will see.

Linda

Happy Valentine's Day

This is what I woke up to this morning! Isn't it wonderful? My husband must have arranged this while I was asleep! Later in the day I received a text asking for a dinner date. My husband is such a romantic. I am so fortunate to be married to him!

Happy Valentine's Day to you all! I hope your day is filled with love and romance!

Linda

Do we all suffer from loom lust?

My fellow Tuesday Weaver, Maggie, was talking about loom lust on the blog. Do all weavers have that at some point in our weaving lives? Isn't it strange how that works? We see a loom and then can't get it out of our minds. We can't even sleep! Several years ago I saw an ad for the prettiest loom I have ever seen. I contacted the seller and found out it only had a 24" weaving width. I told the seller it was too narrow for my needs. Then that night I couldn't sleep! I couldn't get that loom out of my mind. How often does a loom that looks like that come my way? I contacted her the next day and told her I would buy it. Then my son and I drove to middle Tennessee to pick it up. This loom was made by Anders Lervad. I was never able to find out what year it was made. Some of these were made with carving on the castle but this one is plain. It has become my scarf loom.  So what do you think? Isn't it pretty. This picture was taken when my studio was in the basement. Things were so cramped then.

Yesterday I rethreaded this loom. This meant I had to get down on the floor and retie the treadles, too. I was hesitant to do it just in case I couldn't get back up. My family wasn't home to rescue me if I got into trouble. I have to say.....not only did I get down on the floor but I was able to get back up without any problems! This is no small feat when you have had your knees replaced. When I had both replaced in June of 2010 people kept asking me if I was glad I had it done. I told them no. Even after a year and a half I could never say that about my right knee. Then I found out that the doctor had missed something when he did the surgery that made my knee unstable. Now, just a little over 8 weeks after having my knee replaced again ( different doctor ) I can honestly say I AM glad I had it done. This knee is doing very well! Whew, it has been a long time coming but now I can get back to weaving and doing the things I want to do.

Linda

This week.......dish towels

Just popping in to let you know what I have been doing this week. Yesterday was a beautiful day. It looks like today will be, too, but tomorrow rain moves back in. It was so nice yesterday that I opened the windows at the studio! We sure haven't had much of a winter here.

I just came in from hanging out the laundry.  I wonder if may people do that anymore? I like the smell of laundry that has been hung outside. When Carol ( Tuesday Weavers blog) and I came home from the Midwest Weaver's Conference we passed through Mennonite country. It seemed like every home had laundry hanging out. I think we were in Michigan at the time.

I was able to get six dish towels woven this week! I haven't woven this much since November. The May and June craft shows will be here before I know it!

I know I will have to take a break from weaving in May to get the house and studio cleaned and ready for company. Our youngest child will be graduating from high school. I could cry just thinking about it! Wasn't I just holding him in my arms a couple of years ago? These days I have to look up just to talk to him. The last time we measured he was six one. He could be taller now! Gee, I feel so short! He will be starting college this summer. Does this mean I am old now??? Yikes!

Time to go. My wonderful husband of almost 38 years wants to take me out to lunch. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Linda

Back on the loom bench again!

I finally got to the studio today and did something productive! I wove half a dish towel. Is that all you say? For me it is a big deal. I haven't sat at a single loom there since before my surgery. It felt so good to be weaving again that I just sat there and relished the moment. This is what I have done so far. Hershey, my Netherland Dwarf rabbit was so happy for the company.

I have recently gotten back to knitting hats again. I would show you a picture but they both sold while I was knitting them. I was knitting one and a woman wanted to buy it. A week later I was knitting another when she picked up her hat and she wanted that one too!

I have been thinking about which shows I want to do this year. I have decided on five so far and I am considering a sixth. They are pretty spread apart. One in May, June and the rest in October and November. Pretty ambitious for me. I hope I am up to it!

Have a great weekend!

Linda

I am knitting!

Well, sort of. For those who know me you know I can't knit the regular way. I can knit on looms, though. I bought this loom a few months ago and thought I would try it out after the Foothills show. When the show was over I thought....I will try it after I have my surgery. I took it with me to the physical therapy rehab center and then realized I didn't bring a tape measure to measure my foot. My family brought me one but then I worked on making hats instead. Employees kept coming in to check the progress of the hats and two employees wanted to learn how to use the Knifty Knitter Loom! When I came home I again looked at this neglected little loom and thought it was time to use it. This is what I have so far.

So far working on this loom is just like making a hat on the Knifty Knitter loom. The part coming out the bottom of the loom is the leg. I went ahead and put a cuff on this one. I am sure when I get to the heel I will be looking at the DVD that came with it several times until I get it. You know, it feels really good to be creating something again! It kind of takes my mind of my knee for a while.

For two days I have been walking around the house without the walker or the cane. I can do it but I have a limp. I wouldn't want to try this outside just yet. Hopefully in a few weeks I will be better than new!

Linda

Where I am and how I am doing

I am home! It sure feels good to be here but I am limited as to what I can do. I haven't even been to the studio! I have gotten to visit Max and the goats a time or two when someone can go with me. I don't like being limited!

Yesterday was my first day home alone. Before going to work my husband told me not to go outside. Sigh. My husband and son have everything under control. I don't even have to go out on the deck to feed our cat. They have been wonderful.

I wasn't able to bring the sheep home that I bought the day before the surgery. That was disappointing. The petting zoo that I am getting her from think she is bred and want to keep the lamb. As disappointed as I was this is really a good thing. When she does come I will be able to walk better and can be there to introduce her to Max and the goats. I am so excited about having two fiber animals!

Last week I started out patient physical therapy. Five more weeks to go. They work me hard for about an hour. Yesterday I told them I thought I could go up and down stairs. They weren't so sure but they let me try it. I went up just fine but coming down was a bit hard. The more I did it the better I got! I am still not bending my knee as much as I would like but I will get there.

So this is where I am these days. Stuck in the house, limping around and not accomplishing much. I have decided I will get to some jobs that I have put off for a while like cleaning the linen closet. I just have to accomplish something!

Until next time,

Linda