Thursday, July 31, 2014

Is It Still Thursday?


Sheeeesh.....I'm screeching in right under the wire!  I've been out of town for the funeral of a family member.  But, I've fed the cats and opened a lovely adult beverage, and now I sit down to type.

So...what's new?

  I was asked to make a donation for our church auction to be held in September.  This is the rug I wove at the Museum on 4 July during the Anvil Shoot.  It's 24" X 48" of recycled blue jeans.  I twisted the fringes yesterday while I listened to Written In My Heart's Own Blood.  All in all, I think it's a dandy item for the auction!  (Just a note:  I don't think I'll be able to look at a blue jean rug from now on without thinking of the Revolutionary War!!!!)

  I have 18" woven on the new rug at the Museum, and I've got two of my shuttles loaded up to take in the morning.   There's a nice size ball of additional denim to possibly finish a rug tomorrow.  It's a peaceful place to weave.

  It's hard to believe that tomorrow is the first day of August!  July has flown past in record speed!  It's those deadlines I see in the near future that has me a little concerned...lots of great events on the horizon.

Enjoy your weekend!
Happy Weaving!
LouAnn

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Signing Off


I have enjoyed being a Tuesday Weaver for the last 9 years.  I've loved sharing my life with our  blog readers when I have time and can remember to do so.  But I haven't really been a Tuesday Weaver for almost a year, and though I've tried to find someone to take my place here on Wednesdays, I've been unsuccessful.
  And so, dear friends and readers, I bid you adieu!  I hope someone else will take my place and write about their weaving and life adventures, to round out those posts by LouAnn, Tina and Carol.  I will be blogging from my own blog, http://asweetthread.blogspot.com, and I'm hoping I will be able to blog more often.  Changes are in the offing, and I'll be excited to share them with you there as they occur.
  In the meantime, keep weaving, spinning, knitting, dreaming of fiber's possibilities and how you can share them with your friends.

Love,
Maggie


Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Working With Our Hands

  Back to work at the studio today!  Lanny had runners to hem.









  Tina repaired the Ashford spinning wheel that came with all the stuff from North Carolina.







  Pat cut off the rugs from the warp that Ann put on the Rocker Loom.













   She worked this afternoon needle weaving the ends back into the rug.



  Carl finished the warp on the Barn Loom.




  There were four rugs on that warp.  We'll be knotting fringes next week!!!














Yes.....the lovely ladies of the back row.....just staying busy!!!!   (I don't know why they hate to see me coming with the camera!)



  Betsy and Margi kept Carol company while she did a quick inventory of our 8/4 stock.  It's time to reorder more!!!










Betsy got some tips on drafting from Carol.



Sharon has gotten hemstitching down to a fine art!















It's just not a Tuesday without a little Show & Tell!  Marie tried her hand at Shadow Weave....isn't it lovely!

  Another Tuesday is in the books.....who knows what we'll get into next week!!!  I can guess that the warping mill will be pulled out to wind new warps for two of the looms, and I think that Marie will be planning a new warp for the Macomber!  We'll have to wait and see......

Happy Weaving!
LouAnn

Monday, July 28, 2014

Best Laid Plans

I am just glad that this iPad was charged. If I'm careful, I should be able to use it the rest of the day.
I'm kind of stuck at home today. Hope it doesn't get too hot.
As the storm was approaching last night, DH thought it would be a good idea to move the cars up the driveway under the trees because of potential hail. Three years ago most of Knoxville got new roofs because of serious hail damage. Two of our cars have many pock marks from hail as well. Mine doesn't. So he was trying to protect them. Well, our tall persimmon tree couldn't handle the wind and broke off, falling across the driveway. Apparently my roof has a tiny ding but DH's jeep has a broken window and he couldn't get the jeep out without a chain saw. That will be tonight. If he hadn't moved the cars, none of us would have been able to get out before the tree had been cut.
It could have been so much worse. A friend's shed was hit by lightning and burnt. There had been a nice boat in there...
We've been thinking about the tree that fell. It was on the side of our hill, the only really tall tree right there. A few years ago, in winter, we watched a raccoon climb that tree, looking for something to eat. Branches bent, but he held on. To us it was terrifying to see how fearlessly he went on branches way out from the trunk, looking for food. We all breathed a sigh of relief when he finally headed down. I suspect it hadn't been the first time a raccoon had been up there but it won't happen again. 
So I am home today. It's quiet and I have enough light to get some handwork done. 
Hopefully they will get to our street today to get us back online with power.
Until next week, here's hoping I will be able to get a bunch of weaving done.
Keep weaving!
Carol

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Washing Wool

WHY am I washing wool????
    Can stinky wool be saved?????

Have you ever tried to get a smell out of wool yarn?  If you have, then you know it's not an easy process.

How to Get Smell Out of Wool | Get Smell Out

  I'm working my way through these suggested procedures.  I did find some charcoal that is used for closets that I'm putting in a storage tub for the final step.

  What was I thinking?????


   




You might remember Tuesday's blog:  we had a bunch of barrels that were full of yarn.  What I didn't say on Tuesday was that these barrels had an odor problem!!!! 
  Therefore, the yarn that had been stored down in the barrels also had an odor problem!!!!  
  I wasn't going to get any of the yarn, but the blues caught my eye (of course!)  It wasn't allowed to come into the house until it had been soaked in a vinegar bath and air dried.
  But, that still didn't remove all of the smell.  They soaked again last night in baking soda, and rinsed again.   It is much better....but there is still some lingering odor.  I'm going to leave them on the rack and let them continue to air on the porch.  I'll get a tub ready with the closet deodorizer (charcoal) for when they are completely dry.  I've got my fingers crossed.

Have you ever encountered this problem?  If so, what was your solution?

LouAnn

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

It's That Time of Year Again!

My much younger self

 Yes, friends, only 7 more shopping days!  I heard my sister just groan, but you must know that my birthday is my favorite day of the year.  It's even better when my birthday starts a week early.  A dear friend took me to a wine dinner at one of our favorite restaurants last night, and it was wonderful.  It's great to see a good friend become a successful chef, with a terrific restaurant that's thriving, and a baby on the way, to boot!
  Each course was better than the one before, and the wines were perfectly paired.  We had a lovely evening!
  LouAnn, who's birthday was Monday, will  be joining my sister, mother and I for brunch this Sunday, so we can extend both our birthdays.  We both believe in the birthday week, and maybe longer!






I haven't been weaving a bit, but continue my knitting obsession.  I've started a shawl, based on the one I finished recently in turquoise hand-dyed yarn.  It was from KnitWear, my favorite knitting magazine, and had a lace border incorporated as you knit.  I loved it, but thought it would be cool to use a more complex lace design.  I perused my many, many lace knitting books, and found a pattern I liked.  I'm using Noro Lace, which is cotton, wool, rayon and cashmere, in a very vibrant colorway.  I'm really enjoying it!  And it's small enough, for now, to fit into a purse and go places with me.
  I have most of next week off, so I hope I'll find time for a loom or two, but right now, knitting is what I want!  That and British murder mysteries, a treat for aching feet that just want to sit still for a while.
  I hope you're treating yourself, too!  Happy weaving!
Maggie
 

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Got Stash???

What happens when a weaver decides to move far away OR to downsize their weaving studio???  They sell off their stash!!!

  Marie, Molly and Linda B. drove to North Carolina on Monday to pick up a load of stash from a weaver that was moving to the Northeast.  After unloading the goods, they left it for today's weavers to pick through and sort all the goodies.





  For new weavers, this is a good opportunity to get yarn for a low price.  Plus, it adds to our supply for the studio.







  Ms. Ila bought the two Harrisville looms....a little Murphy's made them look almost brand new!





  The wool on these cones was too weak for us to use as warp, so Katie asked for the cones to use for Kids' Camp next summer.









  And, in the midst of all the yarn, we had a visit from "Santa."  YES......Santa wants to learn to weave!  (We'll keep you updated on this one!)





Carl brought his newest rug to share with the group.  This pattern is from Tom Knisely's  Weaving Rag Rugs book.












  It's a good thing Linda loves us....she baked a chocolate zucchini cake to reward us for all the hard work.  After all, it's healthy, right????





  She even volunteered to vacuum the studio! 

Thank you, Linda!!!!

  Somewhere out there, new weavers are dreaming of lots of new projects woven with their new stash.  It's even better than sugar plums dancing in their heads!
    Right,  Santa?????





Happy Weaving (and Dreams!!!)
LouAnn

Monday, July 21, 2014

Whirlwind week!

Another whirlwind weekend for me!! This past weekend I was in Asheville at the Southern Highland Craft Guild's July show. It was 4 days long. That's a long time to sit in a booth and be with people! I so much prefer my studio!! However, it's important to meet the public and to sell my things so I was there.
 I actually forgot to take a picture before the show started so by the time I remembered, alot of things had been sold but I have plenty so the booth looked nice.
 I like to take pictures of the booths around me so that you can see what I saw for 4 days. This potter uses nature themes on the pieces. They really have a collection of work. It's kind of nice to see a person who focuses on one thing and does it well.
 The other direction I looked at had woodworking. Furniture and bowls. Imagine having a wooden sink. Apparently it works great. They have had one for 10 years and it's been fine. Makes for an interesting potential in remodeling a bathroom!!
I'm just glad to be home now and able to settle down for a few weeks before heading north.II'll be Blogger is causing me fits today. So I'll be signing off! Until next week, keep weaving! Carol

Friday, July 18, 2014

Maiden Voyage

I have finally gotten a warp on the new Cendrel, Leclerc's floor Inkle loom.  I had chosen a pattern soon after I got the loom, but it has been  hard to put aside time to warp this first project.  I wanted to be sure to do it right the first time, so I did it a little at a time, winding and tying off every few rows.  I have heard so many differing opinions of the right way to do this, continuous warp, one strand at a time, a few at a time etc.

I have done a continuous warp, and I knew that with the size of this loom and the lack of a concentrated time to do the job, I would be better off not following that route.  So, I wound the 6 edge strands together, then I broke up the body of the piece so that I could leave it in progress but totally secure.

I wound about 20 feet, though I could have easily done more.  I didn't want to make it so long that I tired of the pattern, and also I had heard that with the longer warps there are sometimes difficulties with advancing the warp as needed.  I wanted a fun easy project to start with.


 I picked on of the Baltic patterns from Anne Dixons "Inkle Pattern Directory"  It is one of the pick up patterns, and it looks like a basket weave. Which is really funny because I want to take the belt that comes off of the loom and try to make a basket out of it.

I saw something like it on the Facebook Inkle weaving group.  It looks like a very fun project, and I had it in mind when I purchased this loom.
I have only been able to weave a couple of inches in the pattern, and I have not settled what the best width will be, but with 20 feet to work with, I think I can play with it for a few inches!

I probably will not be posting next week, so maybe by the time I post in 2 weeks, I may have some more inkle weaving to show.

Until next time, Happy Spinning, Knitting and Weaving, Tina

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Oops!!!!















It's Thursday????  For real??? 
Sorry...... I've been sucked into the vortex.....Roger went back through the stones?   Oh, no!!!
  You're right....this has nothing to do with weaving, but everything to do with my time the last few days.


My RH loom is just waiting for me to put the next project on and get started.  It looks so lonely propped up against the wall.

  I just need to get to a break in the action.....



Sorry....gotta go........back to the past.

LouAnn

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

A Glorious Day

 Our model is seen here wearing her mom's new cowl.  When I put the cowl around her neck, she was looking a little sad, but when I put the camera up to take her photo, she straightened up, tucked one paw under and held her head high.  A true super model.
  The cowl pattern is one I picked up on the yarn crawl a few weeks ago, and the yarn was from another store on the crawl, Noro worsted weight.  It's 50% silk, 40% mohair and 10% merino, but even with all that silk, it's a little scratchy.  I know this, because it's hanging around my neck right now.  It's chilly in the house!  Can you believe it?  July 16, and it's in the mid-70's!
  But Bella and I are not complaining.  We've been on a lovely walk around UT gardens today, enjoying the cool temperatures and the beautiful flowers.




And the lovely flowers are not just at UT.  I've spent most of the morning sewing, looking out the window of my sewing room at the vegetable garden and beyond.  The crape myrtles are all in bloom, and the hydrangeas are coming and going.  The garden is still going strong, lots of tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, okra and peppers.
  My sister and mom are coming in a couple weeks to visit, so I need to finish up some sewing projects that will be gifts.  Time to settle back in front of the window and enjoy this beautiful afternoon.
  What are you working on today?
  Maggie

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Getting Back To Business

  The quiet of last week is just a memory....today was a combination of stories being told and plans being made.  And, of course, there was a lot of weaving going on!!!!










  Lanny wove the last lace table runner and cut off the warp in front of the heddles.  He had just enough so that he could tie the new warp onto the old one.  Another warp of lace runners will come in handy at the Fall sales.

(The serger came out after lunch to finish the edges before hemming!)









Our lovely ladies kept the back row looms busy.  That would be three warp dyed scarves and one warp of towels!

(These are the looms that fold up during the week and sit in the space between the barn looms and Big Bertha.)












  Maggie dropped by and ended up having a knitting lesson with Tina.  She's using a knitting "belt" to hold the receiving needle.










Maggie's friend, Nikki, was there to look at the spinning wheel that we are selling.  Nikki and Carol were having a great conversation about Canada (Yes....they are both Canadian!)







Sharon brought her hot-off-the-loom towel for us to admire!    (And Tina let us touch her alpaca scarf that she blogged about last Friday!!!)

  Share Time is GREAT!!!











Just so Cindy knows that we haven't forgotton her, this is where I am on the threading on her towel warp.....not quite half way.

There's a lot to be said for those quiet days in the Studio....but, you just gotta love these busy days when just about everyone is back with us.

Happy Weaving!
LouAnn

Monday, July 14, 2014

CAAS 2014

It's been a whirlwind 2 weeks! I didn't post last Monday because all I'd been doing was getting ready for this past weekend and it was a full time job! My husband is president of the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society and we host the annual convention in Nashville. This year was our 30th convention at the Sheraton Music City. We kind of take over the hotel with 1300 people attending which includes about 70 performers and workshop leaders. It's a massive undertaking that I couldn't do without the help of the people shown below, my crew! These couples come from as far as Texas, Florida and Canada to help me each year. We take care of all the registration. Alot of people do register ahead of time but we have many that just show up and pay at the door. 
 The convention is 4 days long with 2 stages, 2 workshop rooms, 3 vendor areas and music everywhere. However, I don't get to see the music. I'm at the desk the whole weekend from 9am til 11pm. It's a blast meeting people each year. Many of them become friends that we love to tease (and get teased back!). It's a family atmosphere  with people of all ages coming to enjoy the music and the friendships that they develop each year.
I do make time to hear DH's set each year (if I remember!) This year he was on stage 2 with his friends performing songs they worked on after arriving. Jim's from California. Zach's in Utah now and Mike and Mark are from Knoxville. Doesn't matter that they live so far apart. When they get together the music flows.
 The one evening that I actually sit down and watch the show is Saturday evening. The show starts at 8pm and this year actually was over about 11pm. Sometimes it's gone alot longer. They try to keep it short but it's hard when there's so much talent and they want to cover so much. This concert is always a tribute to Chet Atkins. It used to be his night to perform and now we perform his music. We also showcase the music from up in Muhlenberg County in Kentucky. Joe and Paul played some Merle Travis tunes.
 We had alot of performers that evening but I'm just showcasing a few to give you highlights of what the convention is like.
Scottie Moore was a backup player for Elvis and toured the world with one special guitar. It was a guitar that he kind of bartered with Chet to get. Actually, Chet liked one of his mikes that he had on his desk at one point and Scottie gave it to him. A couple of weeks later Chet sent over a guitar. This guitar is the one. Scottie decided that instead of having it in a museum, he wanted it to be played to encourage young players. So Mark brought it on stage to talk about and show everyone.
 During the convention the guys look around at all the young players to see who should have the special honor of playing Scottie's guitar. This year they had a tie. It's pretty intimidating to be in front of hundreds of people (we make the room really big for the last concert) and perform but these kids did it! First Parker Hastings played the guitar with his friend backing him up.
 Then it was Samuel Grounds turn. One is from Kentucky and the other from Oklahoma. They met at the convention Wednesday evening and played all weekend.
 That's one of the big reasons we do the convention. To encourage young players to push themselves to do the best job they can and keep playing, challenging themselves and becoming the players that will take over as our players retire.
In keeping with that, Meagan is Chet's great niece. She plays with Jason who is Floyd Cramer's grandson. However, the big hit that evening was when she brought up her young daughter to join her in a song. The next generation is starting with Chet's great great niece beginning to perform. She stood on a chair to do it and everyone loved it! She was awfully tired by then. It was after 9pm before they came on stage but she did it great!
 You all know Jerry Reed from Smokey and the Bandit? Did you know that he was a first class guitar player who wrote a bunch of tunes? Chet recorded alot of them and the guys learn them. His daughter Seidina is performing now and did some jazz numbers. Way cool!
 This year we had a guitar ensemble perform. They came down from Boston's Berklee School of Music. I think they really learnt alot from everything going on. I'm hoping the group will come down each year. The students change each time but the inspiration they give and get will continue.
 Then it's time for the grand finale. This time there were only a few guys on stage. If everyone that had played came on they wouldn't have had enough amps for them to plug into! That's Tommy Emmanuel up there leading the group with Joscho Stephan from Germany sitting on the chair in the middle. On the left is Shawn Weaver, then Jim Nichols, Guy Van Duser and John Nichols playing bass behind them.
That's just a flavor of the 4 days of music. Decisions have to be made because you want to be in two places at the same time. We apologize ahead of time for that dilemma! Sleep was optional and we're all sleep deprived right now!
So it's back to work. I've got boxes of convention stuff to go through, organize and store for the next year. Alot of guys went home determined to practice like crazy this year so they can play at open mike next year and a bunch of them were bemoaning the fact that it was 361 days til we did it all again! I am glad for the break!
This week is another hectic one because by Wednesday I'm in Asheville setting up for my show. I'm heading for bed early tonight!!
Hope you get to weave this week!
Carol