I do sincerely apologize for my lack of posting. Things have been getting in my way so I haven't had time. Below you will find several posts bringing me up to date.
From this point on I will try to keep posting, more frequently anyway. We have decided to give me more studio time. Which should give me plenty of time to blog.
Last Thursday we went back to the auction where I got my turkish spindle. They realy didn't have a lot I was interested in except for one box. It had tapestry wool and embroidery pieces in it. I got it for less then five bucks.
After we got home I was looking through it to see what was there. Definitely wool, plus some petti point pieces and a embroidery piece. All the way in the bottom of this box was a yarn flower making kit. This was never opened and came from the department store called Orr's. Which is long out of business and the kicker it's from 1967. It's a really cool piece of nostalgia that I plan on using. Maybe I'll make some of the flowers and embellish a beach bag with them. You know the kind made from raffia or other natural material.
Memorial Day Ed and I did a cemetery run on the buck's county area. We both have relatives buried in that area. So on the way home we stopped in Frenchtown, NJ. We had lunch in a wonderful little Italian restaurant. We had a couple of appetizers, since we where picnicking later.
After lunch we walked around and stopped in to the weaving store. When we stopped in on Palm Sunday I noticed they had Easter kits. What they where was a chicken that you put an egg inside for the body.
Well they still had some left at Memorial Day so I picked one up. I haven't knitted in a while so it will be a good practice piece.
While I was walking around the flea market one weekend. I came across this cabinet that is totally portable. While talking to the gentleman selling the piece he said he knew it was used for to things. One it held herbs and the second was sewing supplies.
I was so intrigued by it I bought it. On the out side it has oriental paper for decoration and to handles. The inside is made up of different size shelves. There was also a table that lifted out on the left interior. The hinge marks are still there. On the right side therw is a little metal bar that swings out. I not sure what that's for.
I had originally thought that this piece was an apothecary cabinet. After thinking about it while writing this post. I think it was more likely an artist cabinet. I my self an going to see if it will work as a boobin lace cabinet. I'll keep you posted if I do.
A while ago Ed had mentioned he would like a toiletrie bag to take his stuff down to the shower with. Well I got the idea to use the pin looms to make the bag.
I decided I would make eight inch squares. A total of eight would be needed, I would then make it a draw string bag. I decided to use a variegated cotton yarn in browns or fall colors if you will. I made each square with a different pattern. I sewed each square together then gathered the bottom together. I then crocheted the top to have squares to thread the string through to make the draw string. After that I washed and dried it.
Ed really likes it and I thing it xame out well myself. I'm glad I got that project done, I am now planing another bag project. This one is going to take longer.
A couple of months ago I had the chance to buy a turkish spindle. Instead I bought a support spindle and figured I would save up and come back to pick one up.
We where there on Palm Sunday the Thursday after we went to an auction. One of the items up for auction was a turkish spindle. It was a little ruff looking, there was some white mold on it. Plus it was dull and looked to have seen better day's. I got it for a mear seven dollars. On closer examination I believe it to be hand made or hand carved to be exact.
After I got it home I cleaned it up, sanded it and put a fresh coat of finishing wax on all the pieces. It looks really good and not only did I save about $28.00. I got a piece of history, unfortunately I don't know the carpenter who made it there's no markings on it. I would quess it to be quite old but I am only guessing. In the end it doesn't matter to me since I plan on using it and have. The cool thing is its my best balanced spindle. Thus us a very cool piece that I will cherish the rest of my life.
Way back on Palm Sunday Ed and I did a road trip to French Town NJ. We really enjoy going there it's a quant little town. Any way they have a spinning and weaving shop. Very cool for me if I do say so myself.
While I was walking around I found a support spindle and turkish spindles. I had always wanted both but never had enough to get them and I used the money for something more pressing. Well this trip I had enough for one of them. I choice the support spindle.
The spindle itself comes with a porcelain cup to support the spindle with. The woman who sold me the piece told me that the cup is a rice bowl. Beforw it was fired grains of rice where placed on the cup. When it was fired the rice burnt up but left a translucent area in it's place. When you hold it up to the light you can see the spots.
I haven't been able to use it yet. I have some cleaning of the studio to do first. But it is a neet addition to my spindle collection.
I have been working on a project for myself that involves cords. So I got my kumihimo disk out and I have been making cords. The first is purple, the next one is the green and I'm working on the yellow one at the moment. There will be a total of nine when I'm done. I am planning on making a belt with them. After all the cords are made I'll braid three together at a time. Then I'll braid the three braids together to make the belt. I think it will be really cool when it's done. As I get further along I'll post pictures, this is probably going to take me a good year till there all done. I can't devote all my time to just this project. I'm sure most if not all of you can relate.
