Sample

This week was the week I got a sample warp on the loom.  I am using the Sears Hearthside loom this time, even though it does still have some issues, like the back beam will fall out of the loom if you look at it sideways!

My client is choosing between two warp colors and two treadling patterns.  I have put enough warp on the loom to do a smallish sample of each color and pattern all at the same time.

 Warp on cantankerous back beam

I will be cutting the strips for the samples from the sleeves from these t shirts.  I am probably going to have to go thrifting to round out the blues and greens collection in the pile as it is.







The plan is to do a gradual shift in colors from light to dark over the face of a 3 panel rug.  I always did like a challenge.   I think I can, I think I can, I think I can…….

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

Dogwood Time

  YES....it's Dogwood time in Tennessee!
  These showy white blossoms decorate many yards and the woodlands here in the southeast.  In our area, they are the reason for a festival!
  The Dogwood Arts Festival started this week, and there are trails all over the Knoxville area to drive, bike and walk through.  In addition, there are exhibits and events scheduled during the next couple of weeks.
  If you'd like to read more about the Festival, here is their website:

Dogwood Arts

  The Appalachian Arts Craft Center is taking part in the Studio Tour this weekend.  Since I'm not weaving on one of the looms in our studio, I warped up my rigid heddle for an oven mitt to demonstrate weaving.  I'm also going to warp my Inkle loom to have with me.  Just like at the Museum, you never know who you will meet when you demonstrate!










  And, slowly, but surely, I'm getting the hems serged on my challenge place mats.  Here's the proof!!!!

  With the switch to warmer weather, I've been taking the house plants outside, and trimming up some of the shrubs.  The poinsettias are going out tomorrow, and getting their yearly clip.  They have gotten really leggy this winter!

  We just need to keep our eye out on the weather....we always get a little Dogwood winter this time of year!  I may be hauling everything BACK inside!!!!

Happy Weaving!
LouAnn

Full House

  It was one of those days I know California wishes they could have:  RAINY!  As always, inside the Studio it was full of energy and positive vibes.    Weaving....learning about weaving.....wishes for more time to weave.....you know what I mean!
  Last week, Theresa over at Run-A-Muck wanted to know just how many looms we have in the Studio.  Great question....not an easy answer.

Let's start with the Table Looms.  We have 13 table looms that are used for beginning weaving.  We also warp up a few for Kid's Camp in the summer....that's always a favorite with the campers!  While you are learning to weave, the students can take their table loom home to thread or weave. 


 










  Carol gets them started with their threading after they get the warp wound on, and then checks back with them as they progress OR if they have any questions.


  We also have an 8 shaft Schacht table loom that can be checked out (which it is right now!) 

    Roughly two-thirds of the floor space in the Studio is taken up with floor looms, such as this Norwood.  Darlene cut off the last of the black warp today.  There were 13 place mats and 2 runners on the cloth beam.  That means that next week, we will be putting another long warp back on this loom for more place mats!  It has a sectional beam.
  In addition to this loom, there are:
2 Macombers
60" Leclerc
45" Leclerc
36" Leclerc (counter balance)
Studio loom (rugs)
Cambridge loom (rugs/place mats)
the Rocker Beater loom
the Barn loom
  We are getting another 45" Leclerc donated to the Tuesday Weavers, and it will go in the space where the Rocker Beater is now.  Linda is going to take the Rocker Beater loom to her Studio for some TLC, which is over due!!!!

Sharon is cleaning up the 36" Harrisville that was just donated to the TW.  It will be loaned out to one of our new weavers to tide them over until they can get their own loom.  (There are two other Harrisville looms checked out right now, also.)
  You can see Shirley weaving on one of the 5 Wolf Pups we have.  (One of them belongs to Carol, but it likes to be with its litter mates!) 
  We also have a Baby Wolf and a Mighty Wolf.  These Schacht looms fold up at the end of the day, and slide into the aisles between the looms.







  So....help me out Marie....let's do the math:
10 floor looms (that stay put!)
7    looms that fold up
13  table looms

That would be 30 looms!!!!!
(and then a bunch that can be checked out!)

  That's a lot of looms in a small space!  Yes.....we are happy campers!
Happy Weaving!
LouAnn

Rhythm

After going out of my comfort zone the first part of the year, weaving things that I normally don't do, it's so nice to be back into the rhythm of weaving my regular yardage!

Knowing that I'm going down to the studio to weave a warp that, unless I have a broken thread to repair, is smooth going, is nice, comfortable and rhythmic.

Thinking of new combinations or ones that I haven't done in a long time is another question.

I haven't done this one before. It's a cranberry, navy and caribe combination. I like how it's turning out.

 The interplay of color is fun and, although you'd think it would be a wild combination, it's quite sedate and has a nice flow.

 I almost forgot to take the picture of this warp. It's navy, natural and cranberry. The white at the end is the toilet paper that I use to separate items as I weave them. This is the end of the warp. I wove to the very end again.

No excuses now. I've got handwovens ready to be cut, serged, sewn and handwork done on! The top warp is washed and ready to go. I'll finish the second serging on them before changing threads to navy for this one.
Today looks like a perfect day to weave. It's dull, dreary looking outside after a beautiful day yesterday. I think we're supposed to have a fair amount of hit or miss rain this week. I should get some weaving done!
As much as I enjoy a challenge, it's nice to get back to doing something you can get into the rhythm of and get some weaving done!
Until next week, keep weaving!
Carol

Home Again!

I hit the ground running on Monday, or should I say staggering.  I had taken the Sunday night red eye coming home to Tennessee.  Normally, I can get quite a bit of sleep on the overnight flights, but not this time.  I did doze a little bit, but I could tell that it was going to be rough staying awake all day.  I did nap 1 hr as soon as I got home, but I was a bit wobbly all day, and ready for bed by 9pm for sure!

I woke up the next day refreshed and ready for my week.  I took a quick trip to Norris to see the weavers, but I had to get home, as work was still in progress on the porch.  Our builder had come across a rusty patio set of a table and 4 chairs that someone was wanting carted away.  Well, he carted it all the way to my house!  I purchased spray paint (7 cans in all) and worked some spray paint magic.

I went over them quickly with sand paper, and got rid of all the loose paint and rust, and even thought it was a breezy day, I think they came out wonderfully!  (Rubber gloves might have been a good idea!)

The porch really is almost done, in fact it is so almost done that I have already set up the tables and chairs, and we have eaten every meal outside since Wednesday!


I am still looking to find another set of table and chairs, then I will figure out what else I can put out there, something squishy and comfortable seems indicated.  (Unless you too have a screened in porch, you don't know what kind of feeling it gives you to be out there, under cover and protected from skeeters and their friends.  My eldest daughter says it almost feels like camping!  Even the simple act of opening the familyroom door is delightfully refreshing!

We will be painting the porch later on this summer, the builder says that it is best to let the lumber breathe a bit before you paint.  The only other thing left to do is to put some kind of railing up to keep kiddos off the screen,  stay tuned to see who's idea wins!

I picked up some Gerber daises to brighten our tables for Easter dinner, I also picked up a couple of white table cloths.  I may be brave enough to sew up some table mats toppers to put on top of the white table cloths, if I can find the right springtime fabric in the stash.

Knitting continues on the Clapoti scarf, it is longer even if you can't see it from here.  That is about the only thing I have been able to get to this week, next week will surely be better, right!

Here is wishing you a meditative Good Friday and a thoughtful and joy filled Easter Sunday.

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

April Showers

  The brief shower has passed, and the sun is back out in my neck of the woods. 
  This was my greeter when I arrived at the Peter's Cabin this morning at the Museum.  We were gearing up for 100 students from a local school.  These peacocks have to be the calmest creatures EVER!  They put up with a lot from the kids!  And, they never fail to give their best show.

  From inside the cabin, this was my view.  I did have a small fire going to ward off the chill and dampness...the adults in the group really appreciated that.  Today, I finished the 2nd linen ribbon for my 18th Century costume.  I've got to do my calculations for the warp for the Rocker Beater Loom this weekend.  It would be great if I could get that warp wound and get ready to dress the loom.  I've still got to tie more heddles before it can be threaded, though.
  Besides the school group, there were other visitors to the Museum today.  One couple was traveling through on their way to Lexington, KY, to visit their son.  This was the day they finally decided to stop....and I think they were glad they did.  They had a lot of great questions.  And, there were two sisters from Michigan that dropped by.  You just never know who you will meet at the Museum!

     My challenge place mats are sitting by the serger (still.)  It sure would be nice to get them completely done!!!!
  In the meantime, I put together another group of threads for another dozen placemats.....after all, I still have plenty of that fabric to use for weft!

And...I found the thread and threading I want to use for my napkin challenge........

Do you ever have this problem?  There are so many things I want to weave and just not enough time!!!!

I'll leave you with the parting shot of the ornamental magnolias that are by the driveway....they were not blooming during that little cold spell, and they are showing off big time right now!  The blooms on the big tree turned brown, and have fallen off the tree.  Sad........

  But, that's Spring for you!  The dogwoods are up next for the show, and I can tell they are going to be truly lovely in about a week!  The tulips are budding, too!

Enjoy all this beautiful color around you....it might inspire your next warp!

Happy Weaving!
LouAnn

Going Once, Going Twice, SOLD!

The tension mounted as it got closer to two o'clock....bids were changed and the atmosphere was getting charged with electricity.
  This was the auction of weaving equipment from a long time weaver.  There were inkle looms, a rag cutter, a warping mill, table looms, benches---the items you might expect from a weaver's studio.  By two o'clock, we had some happy weavers!
  Carol will be sending out an email with final results soon.

  The basket of "one of a kind mats" went upstairs this morning.  When we tidied up the shelves in the shop, we had mats that no longer had mates.  It's time for them to find a new life!  And, the shelves are looking great, too!











  Pat has been busy at home weaving rugs.   These were a great inspiration to our weavers.








  Our new weavers were busy with their warps.  After winding her warp, Frieda got it wound on the back beam.  She'll be threading next.    Arnis got a chance to talk to the other weavers, and cheer Barb on!

  Dye Day was a big success, and Harriet got this skein balled up for Ms. Ila's shawl.  If you click on the picture and look closely at the color, it's lovely shades of brown.  I heard someone say that this color was called "root beer."









  Which reminds me, Molly has started a new towel on her loom.  The hem looks like creamy butter, and the towel is in shades of brown sugar.   I call it the cinnamon toast towel!







  We had a full house in the Studio, today.  Lots of chatter and laughter.  We also had several visitors that came downstairs to see what was going on! 

Every nook & cranny filled with weaving!

Such a great place to be.











Happy Weaving!
LouAnn