"On Our Way Home......."

Becky and Rosa had a little guy for us to meet on our way home, too. His name is Dave, or Buddy, or Buddy Dave. :) (that last one coming from Rosa's soccer team) We called him just plain Dave. He is defintely a cute little guy and very friendly. Here he is with Mom Becky......


He looks much bigger when Rosa holds him. ;)


And so much smaller when I do......


But just right when Don does. LOL

"Celebrating Becky's Birthday......."

Becky's birthday was earlier in the week, but we celebrated it on Saturday. The Overture Center was having an open house and offering various activities aimed at children, so we decided to spend some time down there, prior to taking Becky out to lunch.

Here we are in the "dress up" area. Everything here had been used in a play, and was available for "kids" to try on. Rosa chose what Becky and I should wear........


Our little "Bison".......


There was a medley of show tunes from the productions geared towards the younger set of theatre goers.....


I'm sure Don or I said something humorous. :)


There was also the opportunity to tour through the "backstage" area of the theatre. Don took this photo of the workshop, where they build everything needed for their productions.


This one was taken in one of the dressing rooms.......


One of the beautiful light fixtures in the Capitol Theater.


We also had the opportunity to listen to some songs played on the Grand Barton Organ, which was built in Oshkosh, WI in 1918.


Here is a photo that I pulled from another source so that you can see the keyboard with all of its many facets......


Rosa was in a posing mood after we ate lunch at Frida's Mexican Grill on State Street.


More "Celebrating Becky's Birthday" photo's tomorrow......

"Looper Rugs......"

I finished the 2 looper rugs for which I had warped the loom. Unfortunately, not ever having planned for 2 on the loom before, I didn't realize that after one was woven, it became too thick on the front beam to weave the other. That meant I had to cut it off and re-tie the warp again, which, in turn, used more of the warp that I had intended for the 2nd rug and allowing me less warp to weave, ending in a much shorter rug than I had planned. I now have a small rug next to the bed. :)

Here is a photo of the 1st rug prior to finishing it and cutting it off.


The finished rug (approximately 3'x4').


This photo will give you a better idea as to the size of the rug. I am very pleased with how it turned out.


I have chained up the loopers in preparation for my next rug. If I have time today, I will begin measuring out the warp for this rug, plus adding enough to it in order to weave the 2nd rug that I had originally planned, after cutting this one from the loom. :)

"Saturday and Sunday....."

I only have a couple of photos to show for our weekend.

This first one is from Saturday from the Willy Street Fair, where we ran into Sue, a neighbor from down the block.


This second one is from Sunday when we went to an "Old Blind Dogs" (a band from Scotland) concert, which was held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, outside of Plain, WI. With me (from left to right) are: Sara, Rick, Barb, and Geoff.

We had a wonderful time!

"Henry's Birthday Continued....."

Time to decorate the cupcakes with "sprinkles"!


Maybe the company "sweetens" it's bottles?


"A Birthday Lunch"......


With Velvet Cake for dessert, too!


AND a present!


This birthday present is pretty cool!


Later that day, there were more presents! Big brother Simon looks on......


AND....a BIG birthday cake!


This wish will come true......


The end of a Great 3rd Birthday.......sweet rewards!

"Preparation for Henry's Birthday!"

Maniphone sent me these photos of Henry helping make his birthday cupcakes. It is hard to imagine that he is turning 3 already!

You can see that expectant look on his face of "when can I taste it?"


Ummmmmmmmm.......


The Birthday Boy knows exactly what he needs to do.......


And is ready to take the cupcakes from the oven, too!


Ahhhhh.......sweet reward for patience!


Oh yeah.....it's HOT! :)


More photos of Henry's birthday to follow.....

"Another Weaving Project on the Loom....."

I began another weaving project Tuesday. I measured out my warp, in 6 groups of 36 (38 in the 2 outside groups).


I then spaced them on the back rod, using my "Tensioning Device" between crosses in the warp.


Next came the spreading out of the warp into 1" increments along the "tension raddle" that I made using 1"x3" wood and nails. I have that held in place using Velcro. Notice the other places I have Velcro on my loom. The many uses of Velcro! ;)


My warp is all spread out and ready to thread through the heddles. (back view)


A view from the front......


Working from the center and right to left, I have threaded the first 3" of warp through the heddles. After that half is threaded, I will then start again from the center and thread from left to right.


All 218 warp threads ready for the next step.......sleying the reed.


More to follow......

"My Experiment With "Space Bags"....."

As you know, I have now been spinning, weaving, and knitting for a number of years. During this time, I have accumulated quite a bit of "stash", as it is called in the fiber world. Some has been given to me (thanks Barb and Angela!) and much I have bought. I have bought sets of plastic drawers to help contain and organize my fiber, but still it grew. Of course, if I would stop buying "new" fibers, and use more of what I have, then it woudn't be a problem. I have learned my lesson and now know what I actually have, since I used "Space Bags"! No more having fiber hidden inside cardboard boxes that caused "out of sight, out of mind". I can now clearly see everything that I have through the plastic of the Space bags.

Here are a few before photos of "my stash". I bought 1 box of Space bags to experiment with, which included 3 medium and 3 large sized bags.


I had rovings and fleece in drawers, bags, and boxes. Yes, it was all labeled but not seen, so it was as if I really didn't have it. (Yes, I know, my own memory limitations.....)


A close up of "bumps" (wound balls of roving) and "batts" (fleece which has been run through the drum carder).


Here is a before photo of a full washed fleece. Inside, I have some of the un-carded fleece (inside a plastic bag) and some which I had run through the drum carder. Notice the candle sticks and tip of the white roving behind the bag.


Here is the after photo of the same bag. Its volume is reduced by at least one half, plus it is now protected from, moths, dust, and humidity.


Another before photo of bumps of roving.


And the after photo.....


This after photo shows the entire "collection" of fleece and roving that I had shown you in the first 3 photos. I didn't have enough bags to have everything sealed away, but certainly made a dent on my space problem. By doing this, I was able to open up a couple of drawers, which I promptly filled with extra yarn, but still, I made more space and was able to "de-clutter" some more. By the way, the Space Bags are reusable, too, so I can get something out and re-seal them again.