Happy New Year 2014

A Happy New Year to everyone!!!!!

Let me bring you up to speed with what 2013 had been like. The last major post I stated the truck was totaled. From that we got a mini van. Which in six weeks was also totaled. The money we got from that accident we put into the KIa to get that back on the road. and we have been accident free since. (Yes I knocked on wood.)

Since we didn’t have a vehicle for the months of April and May we weren’t able to sell. Which hurt a little since we still had rent on our spot to pay. Ed also got a second part time job. Evenings and weekends so he wasn’t with all the time when we where selling. There for I had the brunt of that this year.

The reason I have not been posting is our computer died. The computer we where given as a temporary, till we can get one we like. Can be very slow and hard to work with. I think we got that under control enough that I can post more.

In the middle of the summer Ed’s brother informed us he was moving out. So as of August first we have had the whole house to our selves. YEEEEEEES!!!!!!!! Sorry it’s nice having the whole house. As I said yesterday my studio is one room.  This house has a sun porch which of course means the whole one wall is windows. With that said the room is flooded with natural light perfect for a studio. The room is large enough to hold all my equipment, the only exception is my dying supplies, I left them up stairs in the second kitchen. I’m able to keep all my dying equipment totally separate and on a second level.

A new piece for my studio is a ridged heddle loom. This is the original Schacht loom that they don’t make any more. It came with a eight end per inch heddle. I am able to get the other heddles, which is a goal for this year.

We are working on the rest of the house little by little. We painted the living room and dinning room. Got furniture for the living room, a vintage 40’s – 50’s porcelain toped table for the kitchen, this table has wooden legs and a draw in the front for you silver ware  and to leaves that slid under the main top. It’s a cool piece that works very well for us. It also came with its four original chairs.

I think that brings you up to speed with everything. If I forgot anything I’ll let you know.

New Years Eve

I know I haven’t posted in months. I didn’t have a computer that I was able to do that with. So know that I can write posts I will probable post more. Pictures may be an issue write now, but well see.

This year has been a busy year, at lot of good stuff. Ed and I now the whole house back. So my studio is no longer in the living room, kitchen, bedroom. It has its own room. which is good since I got some new toys. Since we have the whole house we were able to host Christmas dinner. That went really well, so that is something that will do again.

Tonight will be Ed and I at home with some of our favorite foods. For a quiet New Year's Eve. So I will leave you with this tease and pick it up next year.

Lace Days 2013

In the midst of the accident I was able to take a few hours and go to lace days in Lafayette NJ. I’m able to make that one before we head to work in the afternoon. I always have a good time and see friends I only get to see once a year.

This year I picked up a book on lace for worship (which goes well with my weaving for worship book). I lost one of my tools so I replaced it, I also got a riser for my pillow. The last thing I got really isn’t lace making per say, but you could use it to make some gimp threads. It’s a Lucet, I’ve seen these before I just wasn't sure its purpose. Well it make a square cord, so in reality you could make your own gimp cord if you like.

Unfortunately there wasn't a bargain on a pillow this year. May I get one next year, we’ll see.

 

Update

Just to give everyone a quick update on what has been happening here. Our truck, which is are only vehicle was rear ended the beginning of this month. So from that time until now we have been working with there insurance company to get paid and get a new vehicle (just so you know you won’t get replacement value). Before I go any further no one was hurt, Ed and I weren't even in the truck at the time it was hit.

So for the money we where given we got are selves a minivan. We realized this was a better option all the way around. There is enough space to load up for flea marketing. We also have four seats total, which gives us the ability to take two other people with, we didn’t have that option with the truck. So in the end it did work out. It was just very stressful for the last couple of weeks. Thank God its over.

Tapestry

Santa Finally got me my final present, my book on tapestry weaving. After reading through the book I ventured into making the first sampler which is just a small piece for you to learn and get used to the different techniques used. I had fun with it and I’m get ready to make the second sampler which is much larger then the first.

The second sampler is taking what you learned and using it in a larger scale. It incorporates all the techniques you just learned. I do have some other books that have a chapter or two on tapestry, just not a whole book (until now). The first sampler covers Soumak, Horizontal Stripes and Spots, Pick and Pick, Hatching, Diagonal Shapes and Curves, Vertical Slits, Shading, Distorted wefts, Outlining Shapes. Below you will see a picture of my version of that sampler. The List of techniques I just gave you starts at the bottom of the piece and works up. This piece is 4” by 12”, mine is a little larger then the one in the book by two inches. But I don’t think that will be a big deal. it’s not like the tapestry police are going to arrest me. Wait, what, Whose at the door? The Tapestry Police, Got to go.

Straw Art

When I was at the Farm Show this year I had stopped by the wheat weaving booth after her demonstration. While I was looking around I saw a kit for straw art. With this kit you take a wheat straw and split in into (in this case) six pieces and from those strips of straw, you make stars or snowflakes from them.

The kit comes with a book, splitter and two different sized forms to make your designs with. The possibilities are almost endless, You can make designs of one, two, three or four layers and you can single designs and tie them together. The designs when you are done can be tree ornaments, window decorations, used in wreath making. They are a little delicate so some care must be taken. The kit made twenty four designs I’ve added a album for you to check them all out.

 

View Full Album

2013 Seeds

Spring is in the air, well since I got my seeds that I ordered that is. I used the gift card Santa got me and got a whole bunch of seed. If you haven’t herd me say this (if you have don’t listen) I order my seeds very early. Not only do you get them early you also don’t have to wait longer during the rush and you also get what you ordered since there shouldn’t be any sold outs this early. I have a list of the goodies below if anyone is interested in checking them out.

• Violet de Provence Artichoke
• Mary Washington Asparagus
• Blue Lake Bush 274 Bean
• Golden Wax Bush Bean
• Chioggia (Bassano) Beet, looks striped when sliced
• Golden Beet
• Amarillo Carrot (yellow)
• Chantenay Red Core Carrot
• Cosmic Purple Carrot
• Little Finger Carrot
• Boston Pickling Cucumber
• Aswad Eggplant
• Dwarf Coffee Plant (just for fun and my own coffee)
• Flax
• Quinoa – Cherry Vanilla (grain)
• Jenny Lind Melon (cantaloupe / musk melon)
• Tigger Melon
• Cayenne Long Thin
• Red Cheese Pepper
• Sweet Red Stuffing Pepper
• Glaskins Perpetual Rhubarb
• Abu Rawan (tomato)
• Principe Borghese Tomato (drying)
• Tomato Gypsy

I thought you would also like to know that they are all heirloom seed.