MadCityMike's Blog

"Oxaback Lilla and Temple"

2012-02-02T06:19:00.003-06:00

In some correspondence with another weaver, Matt, the other day, he'd mentioned that the Oxaback Floor Loom couldn't use one of the homemade temples because the frame on the loom does not have a horizontal support for the temple's cord to hang over. I should say it doesn't have one at the height "needed", as there is one lower. If a homemade temple was to be attached to a piece of weaving, the support has to be very close to the same level as the weaving, otherwise, the woven fabric is pulled in a downward angle....not a good thing.

So I got to thinking about how I could rig something up to accommodate a temple. I had a couple of lengths of steel rod left from when I had Home Depot cut some longer ones down to a custom length to replace the flat wooden warp and cloth rods on my Ashford Table Loom. They were the correct length, why not use them? So I went to the hardware store and bought 4 screw eyes. I wanted something thinner with a long shank, but those weren't available, but found some that would work fine.

The Oxaback's "beater" sticks out a tiny bit from the loom's frame so I was not able to have anything that laid flush against the frame, so only screwed the eyes in far enough to catch firmly.

Here is how it looks when finished. It is easily detachable and does not threaten the integrity of the loom's frame. I could have used "L" screws, but felt a rounded piece of hardware would be better.

The steel rods (wooden dowels could be used, too) are held in place with a rubber band.

The other side of the loom has the knob which controls the folding section of the loom. It is used when one would bring the warp beam up for storage, or down for work (as it is now), tightening to keep the section firmly in place. Thankfully, all I had to do was remove the knob, screw in the eye and replace the knob again, although, it still was a tight fit. It, too, is held in place with a rubber band, but on the other end. The "L" screw would actually fit into this space much better.

Another look at the set up.......

While at the hardware store, I also bought a few things to experiment with for another temple. Again, thanks to Matt, who got me thinking about improving the temple.

This time, I used alligator clips, found in electrical supplies, nylon cord, and fishing weights/sinkers. The weights are the same as I used before. The alligator clips have a shank on them, which is for wire to be fed through, then attached, but I found a nylon cord thin enough to pass through it and then melted the end of the cord, which caused a large, hard bubble on the end, too large to slip out of the shank. The same was true for the wire loop on the fishing weight, too, so no knots were needed to secure the cord at either end.

A close up showing the melted cord ends......

Unfortunately, I don't have any weaving on the floor loom, but I was able to "stage" its use using my twill sampler. They're clipped to each side of the sampler, hung over the rod, and gravity does the rest.

I don't know how much weight the alligator clip could handle, but I imagine more weight could be added to it. A close eye would have to be kept on the clip and what its attachment does to the woven fabric. This is all speculation on my part. I'm sure I will have some opinions after testing everything out. ;)

"Maxing Out......."

2012-02-01T05:44:00.003-06:00

I maxed out my warping board yesterday, measuring a warp for all the samplers I want to weave on my table loom. After sitting down and figuring out how many variations I could weave without too many re-threadings, I came up with about 30 sample weaves......"if" I figured correctly. I guess we'll find out, eh? ;)

Here is the measured warp being wound onto my Ashford 8 Shaft Table Loom. I will only be using 4 shafts for these samplers.

I've never had this much warp on this loom yet. As you can see, I got very close to having too long a warp. Good thing I hadn't put in more warp sticks, eh?

The warp is ready to be threaded for the 1st sampler. In this 1st sampler, I have 6 treadling variations to try using one threading. My plan for the samplers is to hem stitch each one individually, cut them off, then re-thread for the next one. I will, of course, make sure I take photos of the process.

"A Twill Sampler....."

2012-01-30T05:00:00.004-06:00

I decided to begin weaving a few samplers to give me some experience outside of plain weave/tabby. After weaving the twill scarf/runner, I figured I'd continue with variations of twill. So....using my new book that Don had given me for Christmas, the Handweaver's Pattern Directory, by Anne Dixon, I began my experimenting.

Using the threading as seen drawn on my notes, I had 9 variations to work with.....this page of 3 and 6 more on the following 2 pages, each one using a different treadle sequence.

The next 2 pages of possibilities, each using a different treadle sequence.

I was also able to try out a new method of weaving in the beginning header. I had dressed the table loom the day before reading about this new method on one of my Yahoo weaving groups. Since I'd not gotten too far with my weaving, I decided to un-weave what little I had done, plus the old header, then redid it using the new method. It worked perfectly! I had parallel warp threads, at the correct width, in 6 picks! 6 picks!! Fantastic! My thanks to Laura Fry for sharing her method. Here is the link to her method: http://laurasloom.blogspot.com/2012/01/beginning.html

A closer view to the new header and the beginning of my sampler. The darker area at the beginning of the weaving is hem stitched, which locks in the warp/weft threads, so I won't have to do anything to the ends after cutting the sampler from the loom.

Don took this photo as I began another variation in treadle sequence, which would give me a new pattern.

The finished sampler, also hem stitched on the other end, in white this time. I've really not woven too many samplers. The only ones previously were from workshops. It took me a bit of weaving and a couple of variations, before realizing I should separate and tag each one after completing them. This was made clear by the larger space at the bottom of the weaving, which also is a somewhat confused area. The beginning was controlled then I became confused and have no idea what I was doing. :) After floundering a bit, I ended that section and began again.

I've decided to continue my weaving/practice with another sampler. The next few pages in my book call for a different threading, and give 6 variations of treadle sequences. I will measure out a long warp this time that will give me enough to weave numerous samplers. Each one will be woven similar to the 1st one, using its particular threading, hem stitched, and cut off, so that I will be able to begin anew and re-thread for the next. This will save me from having to measure out another warp and wind it onto the warp beam.

In my earlier post about adding more heddles to the back 4 shafts of my table loom, my hope had been to try using all 8 shafts. I took a closer look at that goal and figured I should know more about what 4 shafts can do before I get into using 8 shafts. We'll see how long this "practicality" lasts, eh? ;)

"A Little Loom Prep....."

2012-01-27T05:44:00.002-06:00

Don took this photo of the colored heddles with the sun streaming through them from the front room windows. The brightness of the sun really does bring out the jewel-like colors.

Some of you may remember my Ashford Table Loom has 8 shafts. So far, I've only been using the front 4, but I want to expand and try a pattern which uses all 8. I also wanted the table loom to be able to weave a particular pattern for kitchen towels, which forced me to move the few heddles I had on the back 4 shafts, onto the front four. Having bought 4 hundred more Texsolv heddles for the back 4 shafts, I went about adding 100 to each shaft, then marked each shafts heddles a different color.

The shafts are quite easy to take off and put back on, as I marked the slot in the Texsolv cord with the color of the heddles that fill each shaft.

Starting with shaft number 8, who's heddles are now marked with dark green, shaft number 7 is brought to the table where I added the heddles and then marked with orange.

Here are all 4 of the shafts ready to go back onto the loom.

All 8 are now on the loom and each with its own color of heddles. Seems I got a bit more carried away when marking the back 4. All the easier to see, eh? ;)

"Hotel Red Open House"

2012-01-26T05:00:00.002-06:00

Hotel Red (http://hotelred.com/) is a newly opened hotel not far from our house. They had an open house for the "neighbors" a few weeks ago, so off we went to check it out. :)

Jyoti, one of our neighbors from down the hill, works at the front desk. Although not working that day, she was going to meet us at the open house. Here is Don sitting not far from the front desk....Regent Street is behind the front desk......Monroe Street is behind us.......Camp Randall Stadium is across the street from the hotel. Location, location, location. ;)

A view from where we were sitting, through the lobby to the bar.

Yes.......sigh, Don had to take my photo, too.

Lights in the lobby which are kind of cool.

Here I am with Jyoti........one of her coworkers took us on a guided tour of the 4 styles of room accommodations they offer. They were all very nice.

I'm sure the hotel will do very well because of its location. The staff, some of whom we met during the open house, were all very friendly and welcoming......a HUGE part of any businesses success.

"Something New"

2012-01-25T05:36:00.003-06:00

Actually, I should have titled this "Something's New".

The 1st thing new to me was using this home made temple to help make sure my scarf (or in this case, perhaps a small runner) stay an even width with no draw in at the sides. The temple idea came from Sara and Hans of Woolgatherers Weaving Shop, in Fond du lac, WI, where I bought my Oxaback floor loom. I should say, it came from their website, http://www.woolgatherers.com/index.htm, under "Free Temple Plans". I did tweak it though, by using mitten clips and fishing weights instead of what was suggested.

It is a very simple and ingenious idea, AND gravity does the work. It is MUCH easier to use than my larger and wider metal ones......plus it doesn't have those nasty sharp teeth! ;) The temple is moved along the piece as the weaving progresses. It wouldn't be possible to use this temple when weaving on all looms. On some looms, the support bars are low on the sides and the temple line/weight would draw the weaving down on an angle too steeply.

The 2nd thing new to me is another home made idea, and my thanks goes to Juanita, of Vavning Weaving Studio, in Shopiere, WI, for this little idea. Using a piece of flat styrofoam, cut from the bottom of a meat tray, and a stick pin, allows a weaver to keep track of their pattern without writing down each treadling sequence. Well.....you write it down once, then keep track of where you are by moving the stick pin. ;) I learned this little tip when I took the double weave class from her last November. (http://sites.google.com/site/vavningstudio/juanita)

The 3rd thing that was "new to me", was the use of a "floating selvage". I'd heard of floating selvages before but had never seen one used nor knew much about them. For some reason, I was intimidated by them.....why? Because I was ignorant! ;) They are one of the most simple things to use! All they consist of are 2 "extra" warp ends on each side of the piece of weaving that are part of the wound warp, but not threaded through any heddles! That's it! Then, when weaving, you, the weaver, decide how you will use them.....either by having the shuttle go over it on one side of the piece and under on the the other side, or vice versa. As long as it is done in the same sequence throughout the weaving, it locks the sides in of the woven piece all along its edges. I "think" part of the reason I was intimidated by it was because I have mainly done plain weave/tabby for my woven pieces, and with that, no ends are ever left on the edge that weren't locked in with each treadling sequence.

And it was because I was moving from plain weave/tabby that I forced myself to read and find out more about "floating selvages". I was planning a scarf using "twill". As seen in the photo below, twill creates directional lines in the woven piece. If I hadn't used floating selvages on this piece, I would have had warp ends not caught on some of the treadling sequence.

Here is the piece after I took it off the loom. I had planned for a scarf, but I used 3/2 Tencel as warp and weft. It may be too heavy or stiff for a scarf and not allow enough drape in the piece, thus my comment about a "small runner" earlier in the post. ;) I am pretty sure I'd seen it used for a scarf before, but could be wrong about that. I'll know more after wet finishing it.

Yesterday, I took time to twist the fringe on these 3 pieces. Today, I'll wet finish them.

"Snow Fun......"

2012-01-24T05:23:00.003-06:00

My oldest son, Patrick, and his wife, Julie, each have their own snowmobile. This past weekend was the first time they had enough snow to get them out of the garage. It was also a gorgeous sunny day and great for photos, too. ;)

This is Julie's snowmobile.

And this "pull behind sled" will be Abigail's mode of transportation when she is a little older, or now, for that matter, with her Grandpa, Great Aunt Sandy (my sister), or Julie's family.

But on this beautiful day, she was to ride with Patrick on his snowmobile around their yard. Here they are with Patrick giving her last minute instructions before leaving to go on a nice slow ride. By the way, that is my camper in the background.....their "guesthouse", which has comfortably accommodated both sides of the family.

They live in the Manistee National Forest and have access to snowmobile trails, but for Abigail's first time as a snowmobiler, their yard was just fine........

Julie did an excellent job of photographing the event. ;)

Can't you just hear Patrick telling Abigail to "Get ready to wave to Mommy"!

Unfortunately no wave, probably in hopes they would keep on going.......

Abigail is probably thinking...."Uh Oh.....Here we go again....Mommy with her camera.....maybe if I look bored, then Daddy will take me for another ride". ;)

I'm sure she was not bored by any means, but was ready for more!

My thanks to Julie for posting these photos on Facebook. That sure makes it easy for Grandpa to download them for his own folder of photos. :)

"Beer and Cheese Fest"

2012-01-23T04:59:00.002-06:00

Last Saturday, Don and I went to the Allaint Energy Center to attend the Beer and Cheese Fest. We, of course, had to support the local microbrewery's of Wisconsin.

Here is Don with his first sample of beer. I have not a clue as to what brewery it was from........there were so many brewery's! As many brewery's as there were.....there were just as many producer's of cheese, too.

We'd gotten to the event early. This is what the crowd looked like about 30 minutes after it opened. Later in the day, the hall was packed and no open patches like this were seen.

I'm not a beer drinker, but I did taste a number of samples. I have to admit there a couple I did enjoy. But cheese.......there wasn't one that I didn't like. ;) So many and all good!

Don likes beer and enjoys a good microbrew, but there were a few that he wasn't too excited about. Thankfully, there were buckets around for emptying those samples into. ;)

We stood in line with these 2 guys who were quite the chatterer's. :) They were very enjoyable and seemed well acquainted with quite a few of the brewery's.....giving us pointers and what we could expect from some of them. A couple of friendly, Wisconsin beer loving characters. ;)

One thing that was spontaneous and hilarious during the event was when someone inadvertently dropped their little sample glass, which of course would break on the concrete floor of the hall, the people near them would say "awwwwwww", which was taken up by the crowd and within a second, the whole hall was resounding with "AWWWWWWWWWWWW". As time passed, there were more "AWWWWWWW'S" and more often. Gee, I wonder why? ;)

"January's Crank In......."

2012-01-20T05:01:00.002-06:00

Our local circular sock machine group usually gathers monthly at Madison's Hawthorne Branch Library, but it seems that in January, the room used by the group is never available. Barbara, one of the organizing members, for the past couple of years, has offered to host the group in her home, which is located outside of Mineral Point, WI.

I was able to attend the gathering this year. Last year, I made it as far as the other side of Verona, which is just outside and southwest of Madison, before I decided to turn around due to the weather. That was not a problem this year. The day dawned bright and beautiful and we only had a small amount of snow on the ground.

I stopped and took this photo of her home, which as you can see, is nestled in it's own small, shallow valley.....a truly beautiful setting.

Inside I found some of the regulars, hard at work already, and set up in various areas of the house. At one end of the dining room, 3 stations had been set up. Renice and Martha are at their machines and busily working. A side note, at this gathering, we were also celebrating a couple of birthdays, Martha's being one.

Another 2 work stations were at the other end of the dining room. Here is Pat, taking a break from her machine. Pat is the other birthday celebrant, and because of this, she caused another reason to celebrate.......perhaps the biggest reason. Her retirement! Her last day at work had been the day before our gathering! Oh Happy Day! ;)

The last work station area had 3 set up to work. Here is Ingrid being productive. The other members of the group were all upstairs, having a tour of Barbara's studio area.....which is where I headed after taking these photos.

The attic of this huge old farmhouse is Barbara's studio. She has a number of interests. She is a seamstress, a flat bed knitter, and a circular sock machine knitter. I took this photo from one end of the area, standing between 2 windows. This area held her computer and bookshelves full of resource material. In the center area, is her large table for laying out material, and to the sides, "in the wings", are more storage areas.

The third room, and this photo was taken with me by the window, is her knitting room. She has 5 flatbed knitting machines, and 2 circular sock machines. I, of course, am green with envy. What a space! To have all of your yarns at your finger tips.....AND arranged by color, truly "this" fiber addicts dream come true. ;)

We had a wonderful day at Barbara's. She is a gracious hostess and everyone felt very welcome and at home. Thank you Barbara!

"A Couple of Scarves....."

2012-01-19T05:06:00.002-06:00

This is another sock yarn scarf. The yarn is from a German company named Lang, and called Jawoll Magic (75% new wool/25% nylon). I saw it at Wisconsin Craft Market, a local craft supply store (http://www.wisconsincraftmarket.com/), when I'd gone in for another yarn, and it was an impulse purchase. It comes in several color ways....all designated by numbers from what I can tell.

(By the way you local "Craftaholics", if you go to the Wisconsin craft Market website and click on the Madison coupons links, you can print out a 25% off coupon for your entire purchase! It isn't a one time deal either, you can print one out any and every time you plan on going in.)

The semi-completed scarf. I was undecided about twisting or leaving the fringe as is, but have decided to twist the fringe, thus the semi-completed description.

Another sock yarn scarf, this time the yarn is from Knit Picks, from their Stroll collection (75% Merino wool/25% nylon), and called "Kindling Tonal".

This doesn't show the true color due to lighting, but it allows you to see the pattern created by the color variation in the yarn. I plan on twisting the fringe on this scarf, too.

I forgot to mention, both yarns are superwash, so there won't be any shrinkage when washed/dried.

"Pendleton Selvage Rugs Re-Visited......"

2012-01-18T04:50:00.004-06:00

The Pendleton Wool Blanket Selvage Rugs are FINALLY completed. I wasn't able to use all 4 colors, 1 not having enough to weave a long enough 3' rug, but the other 3 have been hemmed and wet finished.

This rug was the longest of the 3, ending up at 63" long. Don and I are going to actually use this one to hang on the wall, replacing one of my 1st rugs that we hung a few years ago. I was happily surprised to find that as long and bulky as it is, it wasn't hard to hem. Perhaps I'm just getting the hang of hemming rugs, eh? ;)

A close up of my 1st fold over for the hem. The "Jazz String" will be pulled out before I fold over once more and sew across, to complete the hem. There is a bead of Elmer's School Glue along the Jazz String and warp header, which will wash out during the wet finishing process.

Here are all 3 of the completed rugs.

Don couldn't resist lying down on them (they are soft!) and of course, Copper joined him, not being able to resist having someone who will give her attention, especially on her level. ;)

I took this photo of the 3 rugs after they had been machine washed (delicate)and dried.......in the dryer! I checked care instructions for Pendleton's Wool Blankets on their website, and found they all said "dry clean". I figured that weavers before me have used these selvages and I doubt they "dry cleaned" their selvage rugs, so into the washer they went. Next decision was, do I put them into the dryer, hoping that the selvage wouldn't shrink and loosen the warp, which is a poly cotton, and wouldn't shrink? What helped me decide to put them in the dryer was a comment from another weaver who also belongs to the Ravelry weaving group called "Warped Weavers", who said that she'd seen rugs woven from these selvages before and that they had even "felted" a bit. Wool will felt when it is wet and heat is introduced, so remembering her comment, into the dryer they went. I am so glad I did! They came out somewhat felted and are even more soft and cushy than they were going in! If you'll look closely at the before and after photos, you'll notice less warp showing after wet finishing. The hot dog commercial jingle, "They Plump When You Cook'em", seems to be true for wool selvages, too. ;)

I even made the decision to use one under the computer area where I have since sat barefoot enjoying the feel of the rug. ;)

I will definitely be ordering more of these Pendleton Wool Blanket Selvages. Having looked online at their blankets and seen the many, many color combinations, who knows what could be in my next order? ;)

"Finished Rag Rug"

2012-01-17T05:05:00.002-06:00

The Fraser Rag Cutter worked very well. I was very happy with how the cut rags wove, too. Each one laid in the shed evenly, printed sides exposed on the top and bottom.

Here is the finished rag rug. The hems were easy to sew, too. This rag rug doesn't seem as heavy as some I've seen, but I'm sure that has to do with the weight of the fabric used. Overall, I am pleased with the finished piece, but I do know I'd prefer using cloth/rags that have more contrasting colors, instead of some of these "bland" ones. ;) Next time.....

"Never Say Never......"

2012-01-13T06:34:00.002-06:00

"At this time" (instead of saying never), I don't plan on processing rag strips this way ever again.

Once I wove using "processed" rags strips when I took the double weave class from Juanita, I realized there was more than just taking scissors to rag strips to cut them down, wind, and weave. After cutting, there is "folding in half" to allow the print to show on both sides of the strip. I thought they had to be ironed (because of the seemingly nicely pressed ones at Juanita's), so prior to receiving my Fraser Rag Cutter, and not having to cut the rags on my 1st coil, I set up another "work station" to iron the rag strips. It wasn't a grueling job, but you can imagine how time consuming it was to iron the entire length on that coil! LOL Do I feel somewhat silly now? Yep!

Although........it does make a really, really nice rag strip to weave with....... ;)

Thank you Juanita (http://sites.google.com/site/vavningstudio/juanita)and Karen (http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/)for some "tips" on preparation and weaving with rag strips. :)

Juanita suggested I fold the strip, then wind it into a ball, as seen below. The pressure on the strip should be enough to hold that fold, which in most cases, it did. I do believe that next time I will wrap the strip around a flat piece of cardboard though, instead of winding into a ball. I "fumbled the ball" too many times to count.......

Karen suggested I fold the strip while winding it onto the shuttle, which also worked well, but, I have to admit, neither way was as easy to weave with as my original ironed ones.

So back to the beginning and "at this time"........I don't plan on ever ironing rag strips again, but "if" I need something to do to kill time......like perhaps waiting for a special yarn to arrive in the mail, I now know what I can do to fill that time. ;)

"Finished!"

2012-01-12T05:03:00.003-06:00

Finally.....all of my 5 coils of rags are cut! I did tweak the "work station" a bit, too. I added a couple of clamps to help direct the cut strips into their respective containers, one of which I raised, and the other added to help with keeping things organized. I also brought over my Ott Light, which gave me much better lighting.

This photo is of coil #5's first cut.....the strip being collected in the laundry basket will have to be cut again. I found it actually much quicker to make the 2nd cut, because the 1st cut has to be unwound from the cardboard tube, while the 2nd time around, the rag is already loosened and feeds much easier from the airy pile in the laundry basket.

It took another day of on and off work to get them cut, and although not all of them are folded and wound into balls, they are at least cut to the size I want to use this first time weaving with them. I wouldn't have them all cut if I'd taken the time to fold and wind them into balls. I will fold the rag as I wind it onto my shuttle and see if that will be a more efficient use of my time.

I'll begin weaving with them today and will, of course, keep you posted on how things develop! ;)

"Branching Out........."

2012-01-11T05:10:00.003-06:00

I'm branching out a bit with my weaving. I'd woven with cloth strips (from now on I'll be calling them rags), but I hadn't realized there was a better way to get them ready until I took the double weaving class from Juanita, at Vavning Weaving Studio (http://sites.google.com/site/vavningstudio/juanita), last November. I'd used scissors to cut them, which took quite a bit of time and let's face it, I wasn't too cautious that I cut them nice and straight. Not only that, but using scissors becomes uncomfortable after a bit, too. :(

During my class, which was one on one with Juanita, her husband Norm spent his time cutting rags and getting them ready for weaving. He was using a "rag cutter", which is what I ordered last Friday, and it arrived on Monday afternoon. I ordered a Fraser Rag Cutter from Great Northern Weaving Supply (http://www.rugwarp.com/index.asp), which is located just north of Kalamazoo, MI (where I attended college). They have always had wonderful customer service and orders arrive within a few days of placing them. I have always called them because I've had questions, and they are very knowledgable and super friendly.

Here is a photo of my collapsible "work station". I am very fortunate to have Rob living next door. I had the idea as to how I wanted to set up my cutter, but I didn't have a board wide enough for it's secure attachment. Rob came to the rescue! He has a number of "finished" pieces of oak trim, extras from his front room, that had actually been milled from a tree taken down from his backyard. Not only did he donate a piece of wood to my work station, but it also has true ""local" history, too. ;)

Cutting the rags is just one part of the process.....the fastest one actually. After cutting them, they are folded in half so the prints are showing on both sides. This is another thing I learned while at my class. My final project, woven after my sampler, was a woven bag, using processed rags of Juanita's. They were so nicely done that I'd thought they had been ironed, but they'd only been carefully folded and wound into a ball! The tension created by winding actually "pressed" the rag.

I spent my day yesterday cutting and winding rags. Obviously I took breaks and such, but basically I was working with the process on and off all day. This is all I finished......seems a pitifully small amount doesn't it? I'm going to weave a rag rug on the warp that I have leftover from weaving the Pendleton Wool Blanket Selvages. I had planned on using all of it for the selvages, but there wasn't enough of the 4th selvage for a 3' wide rug with a decent length. Not having woven a rug using properly processed rags, I'm not exactly sure how much I need for at least a 3' x 4' rug, possibly longer. Because of that, I am cutting up all 5 of the coils I have, weighing them, and then will re-weigh what is left over,so I will have a better idea as to what I need from now on. There are so many facets of weaving and this "old dog" continues to learn. ;) My thanks again to Rob for making my "Fraser Rag Cutter Work Station" a success!

"A Tribute......"

2012-01-10T04:56:00.002-06:00

Don found this photo on the internet the other day. He was so impressed he sent it to me, and I was so taken with it, that I decided to carry it forward and post it on my blog.

Whatever the reason the person who designed this had in mind, I think it not only beautiful and creative, but certainly one final tribute to the tree(s) that were taken down to warm some home.

"What Is It?"

2012-01-09T05:19:00.002-06:00

What's this you ask?

Why, it is the cover from the front of Don's piano! He had taken it off in preparation for the piano tuner to come last Friday.

I'd seen the insides of pianos before, but I guess I'd not taken a really good look. They're fascinating!

Job was done, piano put back together, with sound approved by Don, and he's happily spent time tickling the keys.

"Abigail's First Time Enjoying Snow....."

2012-01-06T05:14:00.004-06:00

Abigail was born in October of 2010, so her first winter wasn't one she would have been out enjoying the snow. The area of Michigan where the kids live got their first decent snowfall last Monday.......and they took advantage of it. Julie had the day off and Patrick didn't have to go into work until around noon, so they got Abigail outfitted in her winter gear and headed outside.

Her own single seater sled (throne?). They certainly make them different that the "good ole days", eh? I remember my kids having a wooden, 2 runner sled, with a back.

With that little grin, I think she was enjoying herself.

Mom Julie taking a turn at pulling Abigail around the yard.

Mush Daddy, Mush! Dad Patrick taking his turn at being her pulling power.......

Oops! That looked to be kinda close Dad. Patrick told me on the phone yesterday, that they were going to have to work on teaching her how to "bail" in situations like this. ;)

I'm sure this wasn't following their time out in the fresh air (since Patrick had to go to work), but it looked like it could've been a perfect ending to their morning. :)

"Now, A Word From Our......"

2012-01-05T05:07:00.002-06:00

No, just kidding, but I wanted to post this photo of these DELICIOUS Scones that I baked yesterday. They were part of a Christmas gift from Don's sister, Bonnie, and brother in law, Eugene. I LOVE SCONES!!!! They came out of the oven and I "impatiently" waited until they cooled down a bit before breaking off a piece from one........I was in heaven. Did I tell you I LOVE SCONES? ;) I stretched out eating the remainder of that scone for the rest of the day, enjoying every bit of it, but I did treat myself with another entire scone after dinner. They won't last long enough.......sigh. ;)

Many, Many Thanks to Bonnie and Eugene! "The Way To A Man's Heart......." What's with me and these old sayings???? ;)

"Emma's Shrugs....."

2012-01-04T05:00:00.002-06:00

My daughter Claire, wrote and asked me a few months ago, if I would be interested in knitting a shrug for her friend Tara. Not for Tara herself, but for Tara's niece, Emma. Emma was only a few months old at the time, and the smallest pattern I have would have been a bit too large for her even by Christmas. I was happy to knit one, but figured I would take the pattern I had and try using a thinner yarn and smaller needles to see if it would work out OK. If it didn't, then it could be a doll shrug, right? ;) I then knitted a shrug following the pattern exactly with the right sized yarn and needles. That is one of the great things about knitting things for babies.....the pieces are so small that it is almost instant gratification because they take so little time to knit. ;) I was pleased with the results. Oh! Double click on the photo to enlarge it so that you can see the buttons. I thought they were pretty cute. ;)

I received an email from Tara yesterday with this photo of Emma wearing the smallest shrug during the Christmas holiday. I am so pleased that she was able to wear the smaller one and now has the larger one to grow into. As you know, babies and young children grow so quickly, it is hard to knit something that they will be able to wear for any length of time. Looks to me like Little Emma is quite the character.....with that cute little grin and twinkle in her eye. You can tell she is quite proud of herself that she is standing up......."all" by herself! ;)

"Pendleton Wool Blanket Selvage Rugs......

2012-01-03T05:10:00.005-06:00

Even though I haven't completely finished the rugs by hemming the ends, I was so anxious to take photos of them and show you how the selvage wove up. With a little over 5#'s of selvage, this rug ended up being 4 foot long after taking it off the loom and not being under tension. On the loom, it measured longer, so there is quite a bit of take up.....perhaps as much as 8-9 inches, "if" I measured correctly. A sturdy, very cushy, 3' x 4' rug though. :)

Selvage #2 gets weighed. These 2 balls, together, weighed in close to 7#'s.

The first ball of selvage that I worked with had quite a few long, loose strands. Here I am removing them, although I'm not sure that it would have made any difference to have just left them alone and woven them in. You also can see in this photo the end of rug #1, the "Jazz String" spacer, and the hem of rug #2.

Some of selvage #2 woven and more loose strand removal. ;)

This photo gives a good close up view of the selvage. This one has equal length fringe sticking out from the sewn middle. This may make more sense if you look closely at the blue & yellow selvage at the bottom, near center of the photo, as it makes the turn at the end of the warp.

Here is the finished woven rug......although I have to sew/hem the ends yet. Truthfully, I don't think these photos do the rugs justice. Using all of the almost 7#'s of selvage, this 3' wide rug ended up being 5' 7" off the loom.

Don took this photo using just natural light. The colors really look quite cool due to the light, but they are very warm and vibrant.

I still have 2 more Pendleton Wool Blanket selvages to weave. Stay tuned! ;)

"Warping The Oxaback Floor Loom Again......."

2012-01-02T07:39:00.002-06:00

With the rush for weaving scarves for Christmas gifts (all woven on my Ashford Table Loom) over, it was time to warp my floor loom once again. My plan was to begin weaving rugs using the 4 colors of Pendleton Wool Blanket selvages (December 16, 2011 post) I had bought last month.

My warping board will only allow a 25' warp to be measured out, so that is what I did. Here is the chained warp passed through the shafts and ready to be wound onto the warp beam. Some people measure out their warp in only 2 sections, dividing it in the middle of the loom. I measure out mine for each section between the Texsolv cord attached to the warp rod/beam.

Here is a view of my warp in each section, prior to untying and spreading out in the raddle. I used 6 ends per inch for this warp.

The warp spread out in the raddle and being wound onto the back warp beam.

Once the warp was short enough to separate into inch increments, it seemed easier to wind. I'm using my Harrisville tensioning device clamped onto the breast beam to help with keeping an even tension on the warp threads.

After winding the warp onto the warp beam, it is then threaded through the heddles and reed. The rugs will be woven in plain weave/tabby, so the threading sequence is 1, 2, 3, 4, repeat. This photo shows all that completed with the warp tied onto the cloth rod and I'm ready to begin weaving.

Here is a view from the back of the loom. It looks pretty good, although I did notice that some of the warp isn't as tight as I'd hoped.

My target length for the rugs was 5'. The warp is 3' wide, which will draw in some after it is off the loom, but my calculations were figured for 3' x 5' rugs. Not having used this type of selvage before, I wasn't sure how far it would go, so I needed to weigh it to figure out that little detail "after the fact", meaning I needed to start weaving with the goal of 5', and measure accurately as I wove. This selvage weighed just over 5#'s and weaving all of it, my 1st rug ended just short of my 5' target length, so now I know it takes a little over a pound for 1 running foot of rug, 3' wide. I have 1 more selvage of about the same weight, with the other 2 weighing more, so I will be able to hit my 5' target length at least twice. ;)

Backing up a bit, I began weaving by using some of the "Jazz Strings" from Great Northern Weaving Supply (http://www.rugwarp.com/index.asp) to spread the warp out evenly from the knots.

My header is in and I'm ready to begin weaving the selvage. I didn't notice it at the time, but from this photo, you can see I wove the header weft too tightly so that it drew in somewhat. Yet another thing to keep an eye on and try to do better...... ;)

Here is the selvage woven. I am VERY pleased with the look and texture of this selvage material woven.

I did complete this rug as you no doubt realize since I mentioned the calculations of weight versus length already, but I did not cut it off the loom after completing it. Instead, I woven in a few rows of Jazz Strings again for a spacer, and began my 2nd selvage rug. I wove quite a bit yesterday, so I'm sure I will finish #2 today, and will then cut both rugs from the loom. I have to do this as I do not have enough room on the cloth beam to weave yet another rug onto it. In truth, I am not unhappy with having to do this because I am anxious to see the rugs off the loom and fully laid out. :) Yep......you'll see them in tomorrow's post!

"Christmas Dinner......"

2011-12-30T07:05:00.002-06:00

Don and I had invited a few friends over for Christmas dinner. The table set and ready for our guests. The center piece had been delivered on Friday, sent by Jim and George, who were coming all the way from Sumner, Iowa.

A close up of the beautiful center piece.

Sheila and Penny brought "Crackers" which, when "cracked or popped open", contained our crowns, jokes, and a small "surprise". Seated from left to right are: George, Sheila, me, Penny, Jamie, and Jim. Poor Don, being the photographer, isn't in too many photos. :(

After dinner we adjourned to the sun room where we opened a few gifts. Here is Penny modeling her new cowl that I knitted for her.

And once again modeling for Don wearing her new mohair/silk scarf that I wove for her. :)

Sheila got a pair of hand dyed, hand cranked (on my CSM) socks.

And Sheila also received a mohair/silk handwoven scarf. In reality, they both received all the gifts as they "share" accessories all the time, having the same foot size, and a scarf is a scarf, right? ;) Penny received the cowl because she leans to being on the cold side during cooler weather......Sheila, not so much. :)

Penny also tried on a stocking cap that I had knitted with her in mind, so that went home with her, too. ;)

After gifts, we went back to the dining table for dessert. Penny and Sheila had brought a "Yule Log". The cake decorator was certainly creative, don't you agree? To think each little figure was made from frosting and the mushrooms of meringue. Needless to say (although I will) it was enjoyed by all. :)

Our one lone photo of Don, taken almost at the end of the evening. His expression says it for all of us......we all had a wonderful time! An excellent ending to Christmas 2011!

"Christmas 2011 Continued......"

2011-12-29T07:00:00.002-06:00

One of my Christmas presents was this 20 Color Gamp Kit from Lunatic Fringe Yarns. (http://www.lunaticfringeyarns.com/) I've used their 10/2 mercerized cotton for some of the kitchen towels I've woven and like their yarn very much. On their website, they have several photos of what can be woven using this gamp kit. If you check them out, the one I plan on weaving 1st is the plain weave. The kit will have to wait though, as I am warping my floor loom now so that I can begin using the Pendleton selvages that I bought a few weeks back. Photos of those to come.....

The Duluth Trading Co. (http://www.duluthtrading.com/) came through for me as well. This 3 legged stool, The Walk Stool, with its telescoping legs and compact size when folded, will be attached to my bike for those times when we go riding and make stops. Don usually rides his tadpole trike recumbent, so he has a built in seat, and now I, too, will have a "special" seat for those "off the bike" times. ;)

My much wished for reed stand was also under the tree! It is in the fiber room and already doing it's duty. ;)

Yep, another great Duluth Trading Co. find......my new "lined" cardigan sweater. I do not like to wear heavy coats during the winter, so usually "layer" a couple of shirts and wear a fleece coat over everything else, and since I rarely am out and about for long periods of time, that works fine. This lined cardigan sweater works fine all by itself. :) Added around my neck is a 60" cowl that I knitted "for myself", something quite rare in itself. ;) The pattern is a free one from Knit Pics, called the Nottingham Cowl (http://www.knitpicks.com/patterns/Nottingham_Cowl_Pattern__D55484220.html), in case anyone is interested. I've worn it several times already and like it very much....no loose scarf ends to catch the wind, so it stays in place and I stay warm. ;)

We went back to Duluth Trading Co. on Tuesday and I bought myself a couple of new caps to wear with this sweater. Don said last night when we went out to dinner at Brocach Irish Pub, that I looked positively Irish, wearing sweater, cowl, and new cap. ;)

And last, although certainly not least, is my new robe from....yep, you guessed it....Duluth Trading Co.! It is fleece lined and wonderfully warm. Yep, I'm a very happy man. ;)

"Opening Presents......."

2011-12-28T07:01:00.002-06:00

Don received these mini bottles of taste sensations in his stocking. He also received a few of their larger cousins from various places around the world, too.

Our "window shopping" at Duluth Trading Co. in Mt. Horeb, produced a plethora of possibilities. This was one.......

And this was another.....

And this bag is one of the main reasons we'd gone to Duluth Trading Co. Don was interested in a larger bag than what he'd been using when we were "out and about", and didn't want to resort to carrying his big backpack. His criteria was it needed to be something mid-sized, serve multi-functions, and include numerous pockets. After seeing this one, he decided it would also hold his iPad, as it has a padded interior pocket large enough for that, too. Perfect fit!

Another wish he expressed was for a Dashiki. His mother had sewn one for him years ago which he really liked, but it had long ago disappeared. It was time for a new one.....

And finally, a sweater (no, I did not knit it) that was also a "look alike" from his past. Our computer displays continuous photos from both of our past and present (I guess if a photo is taken, it already shows the past, eh?). I'd seen a photo of Don in a sweater VERY similar to this and felt it was time for him to have another. Thank you Cabela's for your online ordering service. ;)

Some of my Christmas presents tomorrow.....and YES, there are fiber related things!!!!

"Christmas Morning 2011"

2011-12-27T06:56:00.003-06:00

A view of our Christmas tree from Don's chair, taken Christmas morning.

We started, as I "assume" many people do, with opening our presents found in our stockings. Here I am with the stocking my wife made for me back in 1978. She'd made them the year our first child, Patrick, was born, keeping the pattern, and making one for Sean (1981) and Claire (1985) when they were born, too.

Don has had his stocking for many years, too. A friend made it for him in 1983.

Can you stand this look? Evidently, Copper thought she was being forgotten and was quite sad about it, giving Don this pathetic look.

But yes, she, too, has her own stocking.

And it was filled with lots of doggie treats.....many of which she was able to taste again and again. ;)

My little cabin ornament........

And this years annual Wisconsin Capitol ornament. Don has been giving me the Capitol ornaments since I moved here in 2005, so I now have 6. ;)

Don also got 2 ornaments this year.....a bagpipe and another piano. I've been getting him a piano each year and thankfully (surprisingly?), there haven't been any repeats of the same one. ;)

Christmas morning 2011 continued tomorrow......

"Mohair/ Silk Blend Scarves....."

2011-12-26T08:27:00.004-06:00

Now that gifts have been given, I can post about their making. Not thinking of my Facebook friend list, I had posted a photo of the finished scarves on my Facebook status, where they'd been seen by their recipients, but fortunately, they had no idea for whom they were intended. ;)

Friends Penny and Sheila had given me a generous gift certificate to one of my favorite online fiber sources, Halcyon Yarn, in Bath, Maine. What better to do with that gift certificate than to buy something "special" and weave them a gift in return, eh? ;) I'd benefit from trying something I'd not normally have been able to try and have a great learning experience, with something concrete in hand to show for it, too.

I chose 2 "Douceur et Soie et Amis" yarns, red and blue, each a blend of 70% mohair, 30% silk. As I had mentioned previously, I wanted a new learning experience, and I got one. :) I learned that using a "sticky" yarn, which means a yarn that likes to grab itself and stick together, makes one "re-think" how dressing the loom (winding/threading the warp) needs to be handled.

Fortunately, measuring the warp on the warping rack presented no problems.

Attaching the warp threads to the loom also caused no problems, but see the "halo" emanating from each of the warp threads? That innocent little halo will prove to be troublesome, which I will write about when I go from Penny's blue scarf to Sheila's red scarf, only because of a photo which illustrates where the problem arose.

Threading the heddles in a 1, 2, 3, 4 shaft sequence. I will be weaving the scarves in "Plain Weave", or also known as "Tabby". Shafts 1 & 3 will be raised together, as will 2 & 4, giving me a "Plain Weave".

The beginning of Penny's plain weave scarf. I "Hem Stitched" the beginning of the scarf, too, which will lock the warp and weft together so they will not unravel when the scarf is removed from the loom. I will also hem stitch the other end when I am finished weaving prior to taking it off the loom.

This photo shows just how open the weave is. I had to gently beat the weft, leaving a very small space between each weft thread, otherwise it would have packed too tightly.

Penny's finished mohair/silk blend scarf.......

Measuring out Sheila's red yarn. Notice the "cross" between the 2 upper right pegs on the warping board. This cross needs to be preserved to make threading the heddles easier, so each section of the cross is tied before removing the warp from the rack.

The 2 measured sections of warp attached to the loom, chained and ready to undo so I can wind them onto the back beam.

Here began my problems with "sticky" warp. My "lease sticks", seen here connected with a small metal ring, are always inserted in the warp to keep the "cross", which I wrote about. Since I had bought this table loom, I've used these metal rings to keep the lease sticks together to preserve the cross. With the new mohair/silk yarn, the cross was where the yarn began sticking to itself. It grabbed the halo so tightly that I was not able to wind the warp onto the back beam without undoing the stuck areas. This is where my learning something new began. :) After struggling with this problem for awhile, and physically removing tangled halo bits, I had to re-think my set up. And what a simple solution it was to fix my problem. I unhooked the small metal rings from the lease sticks to allow more room between the sticks, which in turn, allowed the warp threads more breathing room and they did not stick! Talk about a simple fix, eh? ;)

From then on it was clear sailing and I had no problems whatsoever with sticking.

Another photo showing the openness of the plain weave.

Sheila's finished scarf.

The scarf feels so light and airy, but when folded or bunched up, it feels much more substantial. I "believe" that even though it has such an open weave, it will still have the ability to be quite warm if needed.

The finished scarves......

"A Christmas Party....."

2011-12-21T05:12:00.003-06:00

Don and I were invited to a little Christmas potluck at friends, Rory and Linda's, last Saturday night. Linda had written a "Recall song" for Rory while out west visiting her family, and Saturday night was its debut. For those of you who do not follow politics, Wisconsin is in the midst of getting signatures to recall our governor.

More entertainment followed. This is "Doug the Jug". With my being somewhat new to Madison, I'd not heard of him, but Don has seen him perform numerous times.

More singing followed. Many well known Christmas tunes have been re-written with words of solidarity for singing down in the Capitol rotunda, and Rory and Linda have participated in several of the sing-a-longs. They had some of the song booklets which were used for a more intimate sing-a-long that night. Yours truly is not a singer but did enjoy watching and listening. Rory's longtime friend, Shirley, accompanied the group on the piano.

Only a few of us did not sing......yes, I know, every party needs a pooper, so that why we were invited. ;)

Following the sing-a-long, Rory accompanied Neil on her guitar while he piped Christmas tunes. I'd never heard Christmas songs played on bagpipes before, so that was a nice surprise. :)

We enjoyed ourselves very much. The group was nice, friendly, fun, and interesting. Rory sent Don this link to a You Tube video of Monday's Sing-a-long at the Capitol in which she and Linda showed up near the end (beginning around 1:47).

WI Protests--Solidarity Sing Along Dec 19, 2011

"A J Bombers"

2011-12-20T05:36:00.002-06:00

Don and I tried out a new eatery last week, A J Bombers. The flagship restaurant is in Milwaukee, but they've recently opened one up in Madison, too. Considered a "Burger Joint", it was definitely good. We both enjoyed our burgers. And yes, they have a spectacular Bloody Mary, too, served with something unusual......1/2 of a small burger as part of the garnish! We're told that the appetizer, next to my BM, is their specialty......deep fried dill pickles. It didn't sound good to me, but I have to admit, they were pretty tasty.

Another "gimmick", if you will, is they serve peanuts in the shell, and yes, peanut shells are to be tossed to the floor. What is unusual about their peanuts, is how they are served, or brought to the booth. Most of the booths are under a ceiling track, which holds a "bomb" located behind the bar. The bartender fills the "bomb" with peanuts and shoves the bomb along the track. When it "hits" the booth, it drops peanuts down through a tube, which land in a stainless steel bowl......peanuts served! :) Cute gimmick and somewhat noisy, but definitely memorable.

"Tale of 3 Scarves......."

2011-12-19T05:01:00.005-06:00

I wove scarves as Christmas gifts for Claire, Julie, and Sean this year. I hand dyed each skein, hopefully, choosing a color that each would like. The yarn used was Bare, from Knitpicks, and it was a 70% Merino, 30% Silk blend.

This is how Sean's yarn looked prior to winding it out of skein form.

Claire's yarn is the Burgundy on the left, the Packer yarn from a previous post in the middle, and Julie's blue on the right.

Each skein had to be wound into a ball, then from the ball, I chose to wind it onto a cone, thinking it would unwind more easily from the cone when measuring warp and for filling the bobbin to use as weft. I love my handy little bobbin winder. It is a true time saver!

Sean's yarn created a variegated pattern, with colors ranging from white, through a variety of blue grays. I also hemstitch at the beginning and at the end of each scarf. Hemstitching is sufficient to secure the scarf from unraveling after it is taken off the loom and could be left "as is", allowing the warp to hang loose in single strands. I have done that, but when using sock yarn, I have always "twisted" the fringe.

Claire's yarn was more of a consistent burgundy with occasional white flecks. This photo shows the process of taking the yarn from skein form and winding it into a ball. On the right, are my dye pot, tongs, and bag of citric acid, which is used as the mordant for my Jacquard Acid Dyes. When I began dyeing yarn, I used white vinegar as the mordant, but as I dyed more and more, I got sick of the smell, so switched to the odorless citric acid. The wooden slats are warp sticks, which are used initially to keep the warp flat/even as it is wound onto the warp beam. I also use them on the cloth beam for the newly woven material to keep things nice and flat as well.

Next step after measuring out the warp, is to attach it to the warp rod, keeping the cross (which you'll see in another photo) with lease sticks, and winding it evenly onto the warp beam. The table loom is pretty easy to warp because I can hold onto the warp with my left hand, keeping the warp taut, as I wind the warp onto the warp beam with my right hand. Of course, that depends on the warp used, too. I recently used some mohair/silk blend warp that is "sticky" and clings to itself, so I use a couple of hooks and clamps to hold the warp taut so I can take more care to keep things winding smoothly in back of the loom.

Here is what Claire's yarn pattern looks like.

Don took a few photos of me weaving. You can tell I was weaving on a weekend. ;)

Levers 1 & 3 being pulled down. These scarves were all woven in plain weave. Levers 1 & 3 for weaving into the warp from the right, and levers 2 & 4 for weaving from the left. My table loom has the ability to weave using 8 shafts, but I've not delved into those patterns yet. Soon....... ;)

Measuring the warp for Julie's scarf. The cross I mentioned earlier is made between the 2 pegs on the top right of the warping rack. This cross keeps the warp parallel and in sequence, making it easier to thread the heddles. These scarves are all 8" wide, and end up 55"-57" range, depending on how long/short I tie onto the cloth rod when I begin. Since I am weaving them in plain weave, I use 10 ends per inch for the width, having 80 warp threads total. I measure the warp in 2 bundles, 40 threads in each. This photo shows 1 of 2 bundles, which are taken off and put onto the loom. Each bundle is then untied and separated into the 10 warp ends per inch, using a raddle, which spreads the warp into its 8 inch width.

And from that point, once again the warp is then wound onto the warp beam.

A similar pattern to Sean's yarn is created with Julie's, too, although in different and more vibrate blues.

Claire's burgundy scarf has the fringe completed by twisting, Julie's and Sean's still in single warp thread form, but they will also be twisted as well.

You may be wondering why I am posting about Christmas presents prior to Christmas. These scarves were shipped last week and I know that Julie received hers and opened it already, so I am "assuming" Claire and Sean got theirs, too. If not.....Merry Christmas guys....I hope you receive yours soon! ;)

"Pendleton Wool Blanket Selvages"

2011-12-16T05:53:00.003-06:00

On one of the blogs I follow (http://readagainbooks.blogspot.com/), Dorothy, who also is a weaver, mentioned seeing some woven pieces while she was in Branson, MO, that had used wool blanket selvage from Pendleton Woolen Mill (http://www.pendleton-usa.com/), Pendleton, OR. She had posted ordering information, so yes, sight unseen, I called and placed an order, too. I figured I should widen my weaving horizon a bit and move beyond loopers and rags, too. ;)

Don has been checking the front deck each evening to make sure no packages have been delivered unnoticed. Thanks to him, my box of selvage didn't sit out in the rain all night. :) When Dorothy had ordered hers, they'd sent her 2 bags of colors, so I wasn't sure what I would be sent. We immediately opened the box and I was happy to see I had received 4 bags of different colored selvage. The next morning, I took photos of them in front of the Christmas Tree, because it was sort of like a Christmas gift to myself. ;)

I took close up photos of each bag, too. The colors are so varied and rich!

If you go to the Pendleton web site and look at the blankets they have available, you'll understand why there is such a variety available. Unfortunately, when ordering, you are not able to specify what colors you want, but can only buy what is available at the time.

Weaving at a mill means setting up their looms to run a specific item and color for whatever they want for their inventory. Once that is complete, they set up for another item and color, etc. After each run, there is selvage available from that, but when that is sold, no more is available of those colors until the next time they set up for that one again.

Having never woven anything using this type of selvage before, it will be quite interesting to see what is possible. Unfortunately, it is going to have to wait a few weeks......after all, "tis the season" and I already have planned pieces that need to be completed in the next week. Yikes!!!! Time is counting down QUICKLY!!!! ;)

"What's 4 Dinner"

2011-12-15T05:25:00.003-06:00

I signed up on this site, "What's 4 Dinner", quite awhile ago and have gotten some really tasty recipes from it. It sends me a daily email with a recipe. Yesterday's was "Chicken Biscuit Pie", and having all of the ingredients in the house, I decided to make it. Don and I enjoyed it very much. I even had enough left over to call next door neighbor, Rob, and ask him if he'd eaten yet. He hadn't, so he also had Chicken Biscuit Pie for dinner, but no report back on what he thought of it though. ****This just in....Rob read my post this AM and has chimed in that he, too, found it delicious! :)

I was impressed by how it looked after taking it out of the oven. As you can see, so much so, that I got the camera and snapped a photo of it. ;) Andy, if you read this.......it fits your requirement as a 1 pot dish, too!

Here is the website, along with the recipe. Although, I did tweak the recipe a bit by adding mushrooms, too.

http://koit.radiotown.com/whats4dinner/

"No Photos....."

2011-12-12T05:03:00.002-06:00

No photos usually means no post. Since I hadn't posted anything since last Wednesday, I thought I should at least explain why. I've been taking photos, but of things I can not write about. You know why......"tis the season" and all that.

We had a very nice weekend, starting with my picking Don up from work on Friday and our going out to eat. Its always a good day when I don't have to cook. ;)

Saturday was work around here until late afternoon when we drove to Fort Atkinson, with neighbors Mary, Made', and their son Sanjaya. We ate at a Sushi restaurant there (another glorious day of not cooking!) and then went to Cafe' Carpe to listen to 3 musicians sing/play. It was a very nice time.

Yesterday was another day spent working around here, although, it included some time outside, with Don on the roof cleaning out the gutters, then putting deck chairs in storage, and my trimming some low hanging (read annoying!) tree branches and cleaning up the last of the leaves. We were very lucky to be able to still do that at this time of year. Although somewhat cold outside, it was bright and sunny.

I hope everyone has a great week!

"Christmas Tree 2011"

2011-12-07T06:14:00.001-06:00

I finished decorating our tree yesterday afternoon. So happy to have it done so we can now just enjoy it.

"Tree Progress......"

2011-12-05T05:21:00.002-06:00

Don arranged the lights on our Christmas tree this past weekend. Now the ball is back in my court for putting the decorations on to finish it. Soon...... ;)

"Packer Yarn?"

2011-12-02T05:08:00.002-06:00

Any Packer fans out there? Some of my yarn dyeing took a path that I wasn't planning on........

My pot of Jacquard Aztec Gold........

After exhausting the gold dye, I added a glass measuring cup filled with Jacquard Bright Blue to the dye pot, and placed one end of the already dyed gold yarn into that. I know my color wheel, but evidently wasn't thinking.........I was "hoping" the Bright Blue would remain blue. So not the case.......

Nope.....the dye did what it predictably would do......turn the gold into Packer Green. ;)

This photo doesn't do the colors justice (the flash photo was too bright, this one too dark), but they truly do seem to be the Packer colors. I'm kind of anxious now to see what type of pattern will emerge when I weave it into a scarf. Time will tell, eh? ;)

"Our Christmas Tree Goes Up......"

2011-12-01T05:19:00.002-06:00

I decided, after a "nudge" from former neighbor, Maniphone, that I would bring the Christmas tree up from the basement and set it up. "Back in the day", the tree would already have been up the day after Thanksgiving, and fully decorated. I'm definitely slipping......

Each year has been a struggle with wrestling the ungainly box out of its storage area and hauling it up the stairs to the sunroom. FINALLY, I thought to use the 2 wheel cart! So much easier! Thank goodness for those "Eureka" moments. ;)

After turning on some Christmas music, "fluffing" each branch came next before it was inserted into its allotted spot. I am always amazed that there could be so much tree in one box.........no matter how big the box. ;) As much as I love the smell of a freshly cut pine tree in the house, I am so not going to have to deal with a drying out tree and dropping needles. Been there, done that, not going back again. True, artificial trees drop needles, too, but they don't cause excruciating pain when stepped upon. :)

About 1/2 of the branches are in. It gets easier as I move up the tree thanks to smaller branches. When all the branches are installed along the pole, the final piece is a mini tree of about 3', which is inserted into the top of the 6' pole.

Our tree is up and waiting for the lights to go on next. That is Don's job and he probably won't get to it until this weekend. The hardest and most time consuming part of decorating for Christmas is done. I enjoy hanging the ornaments and reminisce about each one as it comes out of the box. Yeah.....a few tears are shed, too. ;)

I'll post a photo of the fully decorated tree next week. I hope that you are becoming festive in your own way and are eagerly anticipating the holidays, too.

"Black Worsted Scarf"

2011-11-30T06:21:00.002-06:00

This was another yarn experiment. :)

I used a worsted weight nylon/acrylic yarn this time. This is Berroco's "Comfort". It is extremely soft and looks to be "cabled", not plied.

Threaded at 10 ends per inch, it was quick work to get the loom dressed and ready for weaving.

Using plain weave, it wove a very nice fabric, but where one weft thread ended and another began is too noticeable in my opinion. I suppose that could also be due to it being a solid color (shade), too. Keep in mind, I'm still "experimenting". ;)

I like the looks of the scarf, but I think worsted is possibly too heavy of a yarn for plain weave? I would appreciate any opinions or suggestions. I've not wet finished it yet, and that may help a bit, but since it is nylon/acrylic, I'm not sure how much.

"Stored for the Winter"

2011-11-29T05:13:00.002-06:00

After having the kayak and canoe take up the garage floor all summer, we finally made some decisions as to where/how we'd store them for the winter.

Don's is short enough (12') to wrangle into the main part of the basement. Our garage is under the house, so we lose close to half of our basement storage space to the garage, but Don is a great organizer and moved things around on Sunday to accommodate it.

I worked yesterday on getting the canoe hung and getting the car back into the garage. SUCCESS! ;) If I'd known all those spiders were up on the ceiling (I only noticed them when I checked the photos!), I'd have made "other arrangements" for them first......looks like I'll be down there again today. UGH! I HATE spiders!!!!

"2 Trips to Mount Horeb, WI"

2011-11-28T05:10:00.002-06:00

Don and I drove to Mount Horeb, WI, last Wednesday to check out some possibilities for Christmas gifts at Duluth Trading Company (http://www.duluthtrading.com/). If you've not heard of them, check out the link, and if you're "local", definitely check out the "Flagship" store. We both think it is a great place with VERY nice items.

After we left Duluth Trading Company, we decided to eat, drink, and be merry at The Grumpy Troll (http://www.thegrumpytroll.com/), the local brew pub. We've been there numerous times and it is another place we would highly recommend.

Don ordered the beer flight, which included ALL of their beers available at this time. Myself......I'm not a big beer drinker, so I had a Bloody Mary instead, which was also good. :)

On Friday, we returned to Mount Horeb, bringing along friend and neighbor, Rob, to go to Fisher King Winery (http://www.fisherkingwinery.com/), which ironically is located right next door to Duluth Trading Company.

A friend of ours, Dan Walkner, was entertaining there Friday night, which we found out on Wednesday when we saw a flyer in the winery's window, advertising their upcoming artists. Fate, eh? ;)

When we walked in, there sat Erica, Dan's girlfriend and a favorite of ours, who happily joined us.

The owner offered to take a photo of us, to which we all happily agreed so that we could have Don in at least 1 photo. ;) By the way, Rob is wearing a scarf that I recently wove. There seems to be a reoccurring theme of our friends wearing my woven scarves in recent posts. ;)

Here is Dan, set up in the viewing area and "doing what he does.....".

Later, he was joined by 2 fellow singers/musicians.....Corey Hart and Paul Mitch.

Dan and Corey doing a number together. Corey is a local of Mount Horeb and lives within walking distance of the winery.

We had a very nice time that evening. I forgot to mention, that we ordered a flight of the winery's wines and found all of them very tasty, too. I prefer a sweeter wine, but found I enjoyed their dryer wines as well. All of us agreed that their selection has something for everyone....and more. ;)

Another small Wisconsin town that has a lot to offer! Oh! I forgot to mention earlier......Mount Horeb's known as "The Troll Capitol of the World". :) http://www.trollway.com/

"Thanksgiving 2011"

2011-11-25T07:21:00.003-06:00

Don and I went out for Thanksgiving dinner with our friends, Penny and Sheila. We drove out to Mazomanie, WI, to The Old Feed Mill Restaurant, which is an old feed mill that was converted into a restaurant.....kind of self explanatory, but I "felt the need" to have it in print. ;) Don and I went there last year by ourselves and obviously enjoyed it enough to want to go back. ;)

Dinner was served buffet style and consisted of the usual Thanksgiving dishes, but The Old Mill is also known for their "Pot Roast", and it, too, was being served. DELICIOUS!

I "think" this is the 1st photo of the "Don and Sheila" photo series taken.......

Don somehow "managed" to get this one in of Penny and myself. ;)

Penny began taking photos with her "older", but obviously perfectly fine, iPhone (Sheila, more than Penny, is sooooo jealous of Don's 4s iPhone!). Don has his iPhone because he is developing apps for the "Department of Family Medicine".

Penny began giving Don directions as what he was to do to "Poor Sheila". You can tell by the look on Sheila's face that she is resigned to her fate......

Truthfully, Penny did surprise me with the "push Sheila's ears forward" directions. LOL Sorry , Sheila, but it was too funny! Thankfully, Sheila is a good sport........

As we left the restaurant, Don had us line up for a photo outside The Old Feed Mill. I "selfishly" have to add that Penny is wearing one of the scarves I recently wove.

A passing woman kindly asked him if he'd like her to take a group photo of us, to which he quickly assented. It is nice to have full documentation of our entire little group. :)

After a leisurely drive back to Madison, and on to Penny and Sheila's house, we stayed a bit to visit more, and of course, make sure their dogs had some quality time with us, too. Here is Eleanor/Ellie in Sheila's arms.......

While Frankie hung out with me for awhile. ;)

We had a wonderful day and look forward to spending more time with our good friends, Penny and Sheila.

"Potato Chip Scarves......"

2011-11-24T07:58:00.002-06:00

I'd heard about this pattern when I attended a men's knitting group a few weeks ago. After finding it free online via Ravelry, I printed it out and knitted this scarf. It is "supposed" to be around 58" in length.....mine finished at 28" long. The pattern directions suggested "if not using the yarn in the pattern, use a needle 2 sizes larger", which I did. While knitting it, it seemed the tension was pretty tight, but not having any experience with this pattern, I continued until I'd finished it. The scarf did turn out looking like the patterns photo, so that was fine, but the finished length of the scarf and the tightness of the stitches seemed "off"........definitely the length, and only my opinion in stitch tension.

So I started knitting scarf #2, making my own adjustments to the pattern in hopes the finished piece would be longer and the stitches more open. As you can see in the photo (scarf on the right), scarf #2 did turn out longer......52" long in fact, and although it is hard to see in this photo, the stitches are more open. They should be, as I used a needle 4 sizes larger than the one suggested on the yarns label. :) I also added 30 more cast on stitches before beginning the pattern. The pattern is pretty easy.....knit 1 row and the next you knit in the front and back of each stitch, which doubles the number of what the previous row had. There are only a total of 7 rows, plus the cast on and cast off rows to this scarf, so as I said....a very easy knit. The results of my last increase row brought the total number of stitches to 960! ;) That is a lot of stitches!!!!

The pattern is a free pattern written by the design team at Knit Picks. I found it on Ravelry which had a link to get to it. I tried searching for it this morning by going directly to the Knit Picks site but couldn't find it, so I suggest you use the link below if you're interested in having it. ;)

http://www.knitpicks.com/kpimages/pdf/50355220.pdf

"At DC's Request......"

2011-11-23T13:58:00.002-06:00

Thank you DC for asking to see my purchases from Blackberry Ridge Woolen Mill. I didn't have any photos for a post today, so didn't write one, but after reading DC's comment, I went right out to the deck and took some photos. :) Now, at your suggestion, I have something to write about....."Show and Tell" I guess, eh? ;)

Here is everything I bought last Sunday. I took some close up photos so will write more about the yarns along with those.

This is the 100% silk yarn that I "envision" weaving up into a very soft, beautiful scarf. It is a hand painted lace weight, 2 ply, 3.2 oz., and 580 yards per skein. The color is Blossom.

These are 2 of their bulky hand painted yarns. It is also 2 ply, 25% Mohair/ 75% Wool....colors are Blue Violet and Forest Floor. I've started a hat for myself, but it may become a gift if I don't like how it looks on me. :) I'm not really a "hat person", so feel strange when I have one on. The pattern I'm using is one of Blackberry Ridge's own- "Fuzzy Mohair Hat and Mittens".

Another of their patterns that I bought, and the yarn to knit it, is the "East to West Vest". The yarn is called "Colorflow Rag" and is a Medium weight 2 ply, 100% wool, and comes in 365 yard skeins. The color is "Evening".

The other patterns were ones I bought "just because" and for something to knit in the future. :) A boy scout I never was, but I believe in being prepared. ;)

Again, thank you DC for the inspiring todays post.

"Blackberry Ridge Woolen Mill"

2011-11-22T05:07:00.004-06:00

Blackberry Ridge Woolen Mill, which is outside of Mount Horeb, WI (a short and easy drive from Madison), held their Annual Open House this past weekend. I went to it on Sunday afternoon. The place doesn't look like much from the outside, but there are wonderful things inside. They really don't have what would be considered a retail shop, but when you walk in, you're basically standing in an area that is one, although it is seldom used as one. They are open to the public only by appointment throughout the year, and of course, when they hold the Annual Open House. They do attend fiber festivals, and have a website, too, which makes their yarns easily available.

http://www.blackberry-ridge.com/

When walking in the front door, as I mentioned, you are in, for all intents and purposes, a yarn shop. :)

There are books of knitting patterns sitting on the table, with chairs for you to make yourself comfortable while you take your time going through each and every one of them.

Knitted samples abound on the walls, showing what individual yarns look like knitted up, as well as showcasing a specific pattern.

There are bins and hooks bursting with "kits" that are available, providing specific patterns along with the yarn to complete the piece.

Many of their yarns are stored "behind the scenes" so pretty much everything you see hanging here are their samples. That takes a little getting used to......it is easy to forget they are a yarn "supplier" and have a large stock of all of their yarns.

It truly was a wonderful experience. The people working were all extremely helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable.

Tours were given of the mill, too, which is a fascinating experience. Seeing fleece turn into wonderful yarns, on such a large scale, compared to one strand at a time on my wheel at home, is mind boggling. Even though Blackberry Ridge Woolen Mill seems like a big operation, it is small compared to some of the larger manufacturers, which makes it even more mind boggling! ;)

When I left the mill, after having a wonderfully fulfilling fiber addict experience, I admit I brought some home with me. ;) I bought several knitting patterns for future projects, along with some yarns to knit a couple of them, plus I purchased some fine 100% silk yarn to try weaving a scarf with, too. It is nice to know, or in my case, "be reminded once again", that we have such a fine "LOCAL" resource for beautiful yarns.

"So It Begins......"

2011-11-21T05:14:00.004-06:00

For those of you not from Wisconsin, this may not interest you, but for Wisconsinites, this IS a big deal. The Recall of our current governor, Scott Walker began this past week. The permission to begin the recall was given mid week, and various groups of people held parties and began signing recall petitions a minute after midnight of the start day......we, however, held off until Friday's Happy Hour, when a neighbor, Mary, brought hers over for those interested to sign. I wasn't the first to sign it, but since it gets dark so early these days, I brought it inside to fill them out in better light. ;)

After I did that, Don brought out a lantern so that people could see the petitions better. I should have mentioned that Governor Walker is not the only person being recalled, but the Lt. Governor, Rebecca Kleefisch, is also, hopefully, going to be recalled as well.

Bobby and Annie, neighbors from down the block, stopped by to sign them, when they heard Mary had brought her recall petition to Happy Hour. Jyothi, another neighbor who signed earlier, looks on.......

The following afternoon, a Recall Walker Rally was held downtown around the Capitol. The "official" estimate was around 30,000 people, but I'm not sure how accurate that was. It seemed to Don and me that there were many more than that, but who knows, eh? As you can see, someone brought their "palm tree" which alludes to when Fox News showed a video of a group of unruly protestors this past winter and said it was here in Madison.....in the background of the video were numerous palm trees lining the street on which the protestors were marching. "Not quite" an outdoor tree here in Madison.

The Madison Firefighters Pipe and Drum made another appearance. They played numerous times during the protests this past winter, too.

Many people got quite creative with their signs and outfits.........

We ran into former neighbors Travis and Sara, with sons Jonas and Niles.

As I said.....many creative outfits........

I wonder what Abe would have said..........

This one definitely took a bit of work, eh?

We also ran into and chatted with another neighbor, Elspeth.

Jyothi, with boyfriend, Khaled, were there with Jyothi's parents, Terry and Roy, too.

The petitioner's have 60 days to gather over 540,00 valid voter signatures. Time will tell if this is accomplished........

"Tuesday, November 15, 2011"

2011-11-18T05:04:00.002-06:00

When I went out last Tuesday morning to open the chicken coop, I was struck by how beautiful the day was beginning.

The hens are once again laying after their molt, and when I opened the little nest door to check for eggs, I found this one looking back at me. I didn't want to disturb her, so I quickly shut the door again. Inspiration hit me! Get the camera and take a photo for a blog post! So back into the house for the camera!

With camera in hand, and the photo taken of the hen in the nest, the other 2 hens got their photo taken, as well, while they busily hunted through the leaves to get at the scratch feed I threw out for them. I think the brown hen was anticipating more treats to head their way.

And why not snap a few photos of the beautiful morning while I was at it? :)

The rising sun created such stark contrasts between where it shone and the areas left in shade.

I thought I 'd go for the full range and get the rising sun from the front deck as well. As you can see by the frost on the neighbors roofs, it was a "brisk" morning as well.

We've been very fortunate in the number of bright and sunny days we've been experiencing. Quite fortunate, in fact, for this time of year. We'll happily take them! ;)

"A Cranking Visitor......"

2011-11-17T05:05:00.002-06:00

Last week sometime, I read a request on one of my Yahoo Sock Machine Groups, from a woman who was asking if someone in the Madison area would allow her to come and check out their Circular Sock Machine, as she is contemplating purchasing one.

I wrote and volunteered, so last Friday, Karen, along with her 3 young sons, came by for a "cranking lesson". ;)

Here she is, with her youngest son looking on, as she "picks up" her hung hem stitches.

I made her look up for a photo, too. :)

I walked her through all the steps of a sock, beginning with the hung hem, then the length of the leg, knitting a heel (decreasing and increasing stitches), the length of the foot, and finally, decreasing stitches for the beginning of the toe. Something went wrong and a stitch was dropped. I am not able to pick up a stitch from the toe or heel area if my life depended on it, so I wasn't able to get her back on track. Instead, we knitted some scrap yarn onto it , leaving the dropped stitches (and probably adding a few more). Karen would take it home, rip out the tangled mess until she came back to her stitches for the foot, and re-knit the toe by hand. She's knitted quite a few socks by hand so will be able to complete the sock.

I'd say she was quite successful for her first time at a CSM. She was going to another persons house the following day, who has the same brand of machine that she is interested in buying, so hopefully, she was able to crank out the 2nd sock at that time.

"Follow Up on Yesterday's Post........"

2011-11-16T06:11:00.002-06:00

Thanks to Heather, Don's sister, asking if the bag would have a clasp to help secure the flap closed, it now does. I sewed strips of velcro to the backside of the flap and to the top of the bag's body, so now it truly can be closed and secured. The button was added only for looks.

"Double Weave Class- Day 2"

2011-11-15T05:56:00.005-06:00

Juanita had one of her many looms dressed with this blue warp. She'd woven several other double weave bags on it, which had not been cut off, but wound onto the front cloth beam. While I finished up my sampler, she moved the warp forward from her last bag and then wove some thin rags into the blue warp as a spacer, shown here under the stick shuttle, so I could begin a double weave bag on it. By the way, Juanita customizes stick shuttles by wood burning or painting them. The ones she loaned me for the class were some of her "experiments", and not up to her standards. :) I thought this one rather nice, though.

Back to the weaving. Above the scrap rag area, is plain weave which I wove in so I could later hem the bottom of the back, rather than have any fringe. The rag area woven above that is the beginning of the bag. What you can't see in this photo, is the bag is already 3 dimensional. The small amount woven, actually creates a pocket. Remember, double weave is woven "in the round". ;)

More body of the bag woven. Would you have guessed, by looking at the woven area, that the cloth used for the weft was a Gingham print?

The bag is completed. Once again this is a misleading photo. The last several inches of woven area is actually just one layer of fabric, which will be the bags flap. When I wove what I wanted for the bags body length, I switched to the yarn that I originally started with, and wove more plain weave so that I would be able to hem it. That whole process took place on the "bottom layer" of the warp, while at the same time, I continued weaving the Gingham rags on the "top layer", to finish the bags flap. I actually wove 3 rows of plain weave on the underside of the warp, to 1 row of rag on top.

This photo shows the 2 layers of fabric. The top layer is the completed flap, and the bottom layer has masking tape holding the warp threads in place at the end of the plain weave. Each end of woven fabric will have masking tape laid across it so when the bag is cut off the loom, the masking tape will secure all of the warp threads in place until they are hemmed.

The final plain weave woven at the end of the bags flap. The warp with then be secured in place by masking tape before cutting it from the loom.

The bag being cut off the loom. The masking tape that is seen here is holding the inside of the bags plain weave hem.

This photo shows one of the several bags, plus mine, which were already on the cloth beam. The rest were draped on the back side of the shafts.

Juanita cuts my bag from the rest.

The completed double weave bag. Trimming and hemming will be done at home.

Yesterday, I hemmed each edge of the bag. I had some yardage of nylon strap that I'd bought for a sewing project (that I obviously never got to), which I used on the bag.

All of this has been pretty much "uncharted" territory for me. Don's sister, Heather, asked if there was to be a clasp on it, too. I hadn't thought about it, but I "guess" perhaps there should be? I'll have to check out what types are available at the sewing or craft store and make a decision based on what I find. Suggestions are welcome. ;)

This completes what I learned at my "Double Weave Class". ;)

"Double Weave Class at Vavning Studio"

2011-11-14T05:15:00.002-06:00

As I mentioned last week, I attended a "one person" class (me!) on "Double Weave" at Vavning Studio, down in Shopiere, WI, which is about 1 hour south of Madison. With it so close, I drove back and forth each day, although when I have attended other classes, people stayed at local motels or stayed in their RV's right in the studios parking lot (right, Karen?). ;)

The weaving studio is in the lowest level, which used to be the "Fellowship Hall", and I believe it still lives up to its name. It makes it super easy to bring in looms and equipment from your car.

Juanita, the owner of the studio, had sent me an email with instructions on how to have the loom dressed upon arrival for the class. My warp ended up 6" wide, after realizing I'd made a mistake in calculations and unwinding my 1st warp and adding 2" more. :) I'd originally measured out what I "thought" was an 8" warp, only to realize when I was threading the heddles I would end up with only 4". Each inch of measured out warp would "in reality" only be 1/2" when threaded through the reed. In double weave, you need 2 layers of warp, one for the top, or front of the piece, and one for the bottom, the back of the woven piece. Luckily, it was not a problem unwinding the warp (due to its shorter, workshop sampler length), leaving the heddles threaded, and adding an inch more of warp to each side, rewinding it back onto the warp beam, and continuing threading where I left off. :)

My 1st project piece on the sampler was weaving a tube. I mean that literally......weaving "in the round" so that the fabric is woven front and back in one continuous piece of fabric. This became a small pillow, stuffed with "fiberfill", and because it is on my sampler, it was then closed while still on the loom. Here it is "stuffed", closed on the beginning end, but still open on the finished end.

A side view showing its thickness prior to weaving it closed (sorry about the glare from the camera's flash).

After closing the 1st pillow, I continued on and wove a 2nd small pillow, using a different weft. I should mention and explain the pattern that was created by the warp. When measuring the warp, I did so with 2 warp ends, 1 of each color. If I'd been careful, I would have ended up with the 2 colors separated, 1 becoming the "top" of the weaving, and the other becoming the back color. As you can see, I was not careful, so the warp threads randomly switched places, and created this pattern. I'm not unhappy about this, but wanted to make sure I pointed it out.

2nd pillow stuffed and ready to be closed. That is Juanita in the photo, sitting close by and giving me step by step instructions. ;)

Next up on the "double weave sampler" was to weave 2 layers of fabric simultaneously, but "not connected" at each side. The shuttle is being held between the 2 layers, showing what that sequence of shaft changing creates. My top layer of fabric was blue weft, and the lower layer used gold weft. Above that section is a short woven area using plain weave (blue weft), to end or close the "open edged pocket", and to allow for the beginning of another open edged pocket, having the gold weft on top this time, with the blue in back.

The 2nd pocket closed, more plain weave, with yet another small open edged pocket woven, and then closed with plain weave. The reddish yarn was used as scrap yarn so I could cut the sampler off at home, leaving the rest of the warp on so that I could have the sampler as a visual resource when practicing the double weave techniques.

"Ready for Class....."

2011-11-11T05:11:00.002-06:00

My table loom is warped, folded, alongside it's stand, and ready to go to class this weekend. I'm taking a refresher on "Double Weave" from Juanita Hofstrom, of Vavning Studio, in Shopiere, Wisconsin, which is about an hour south of Madison. I'll be driving down and back each day (Saturday and Sunday), which I have done 2 other times when taking a class at her studio. Those times I took part in a class that was taught by Jason Collingwood, who is internationally known, along with his father, Peter Collingwood, for their rug weaving. http://sites.google.com/site/vavningstudio/home

Double weave is something that I learned in college, but I haven't done anything with it since then. That was just a wee bit of time ago, so I definitely need some "freshening up". From that time far away, I have a pillow that was woven using double weave, "in the round", which Don uses to this day. Pretty good life span for a college weaving project, eh? :)

I will, of course, write a post about it next week. ;) Have a great weekend!!!

"Sock Yarn Scraps/ Scarf......."

2011-11-09T06:27:00.002-06:00

Using a few shades of blue (10 to be exact- 9 dyed by me and 1 commercial sock yarn) of my leftover sock yarn from cranking pairs of socks, I wove another scarf on the Ashford Table Loom.

This is the warp which has a color change every 6 warp threads. There were 84 warp threads, so I had 14 color changes across the scarf. I attached the paper behind it to help highlight the colors for this photo, which helps a bit......

This was taken after weaving approximately 1" of each sock yarn scrap. The camera flash has brightened the colors a bit......they are somewhat subdued in natural light.

This photo is rather dark, but probably gives a truer idea of what the colors actually look like.

I'm pleased with the striped effect and also quite happy that the scrap sock yarns worked........I have MANY, MANY, MANY more leftovers. It's hard to imagine all the color combinations/possibilities!

I took a tip from a fellow weaver, Karen, who suggested that I spritz the sock yarn scarves with diluted fabric softener and water, then iron them. As expected in following her advice, they are much softer. :) Thank you Karen, for yet another great tip! http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/

"First Happy Hour of November......"

2011-11-08T05:12:00.002-06:00

We had dry and "crisp" weather for our first happy hour in November. As you know, we have happy hour "weather permitting", which means as long as it isn't raining/snowing/sleeting or any other "mix" of precipitation. In reality though, our days of happy hours are numbered. Once there is snow cover, we rarely sit out on the deck. I say rarely, because we have been known to have gatherings (it all began here-http://madcitymike.blogspot.com/2009/12/snow-day.html) when the snow has been quite deep, but those are few and far between.

Tala and Griffin take advantage of a warmer, cushier seat on the deck. We'd brought out Coppers bed so that she could lie on something other than the cold deck, but she chose not to use it, giving it over to the youngest of the happy hour attendees instead.

Tala's Mom and Dad, Daria and Ben, came prepared wearing warm hats and coats, too.

Mom Charlie with son, Griffin, and Mom Daria with daughter, Tala.....

Rob and Jyothi also stopped by to chat.......

I stole this photo from Facebook that Jyothi had posted of Rob and me. "Great minds think alike" when it comes to wearing plaid. ;)

We had a very nice evening. I'm sure that times like these are numbered.

"Chazen Museum of Art"

2011-11-07T05:06:00.003-06:00

A few weeks ago, Don and I went to the Grand Opening of the 2nd building of the Chazen Museum of Art. You are able to see both buildings in this photo. The older/original building is on the left, which houses a large art collection, is now connected to the new building, via a bridge. The new space also houses a large art collection, easily doubling the gallery space.

A close up.....

Members of the University of Wisconsin band played some tunes to the pre-opening crowd........

The first photo of the main foyer......

Number 2 taken to the left of the first......

And the 3rd showing the gift shop area......

I took this of Don in an upstairs alcove. There are a number of nice areas similar to this one, as you'll see, throughout the new building. This one faces the courtyard and the original building of the Chazen.

This one faces University Avenue.

This is light from the window in the last photo......

In the 1st photo, you saw the bridge connecting the 2 buildings.....this is the opposite side of the bridge....total windows. The view stretches all the way to Lake Mendota and beyond. Union Terrace is to the left where the land meets water.......

The new building is truly beautiful and yet another asset to Madison.

"Griffin's 1st Birthday!"

2011-11-04T05:07:00.003-05:00

Neighbor's, Lonny and Charlie, hosted a 1st Birthday party for their son, Griffin. It seems unbelievable that Griffin is a year old already, but time does march on.

Charlie, as "Dorothy" from the Wizard of Oz, and Lonny, our own Indiana Jones, greeted party guests as they arrived.

The guests included Baby Ducks.....

Little Cows......

Little Puppies, with their Big Dog Daddies and Mommy Witches.....

Little Red Riding Hood.....

Little Witches and undressed Ice Cream Cones......

Tiny Lady Bugs and Princesses, with Cowgirl Mom......

Monkey's.......

And Griffin, the Birthday Boy......a Lion.....Grrrrrrr (his words, not mine!) ;)

As you can imagine, getting "most" of the kids together for a group photo was quite the chore. It truly was a fleeting moment.......

Some little ones came as themselves and politely sat and watched the festivities.

Lonny baked Griffin's Birthday Cake.....very cute, eh?

Mom Charlie and Dad Lonny help Griffin with blowing out the candles on his little "Number One" cake.

They even got to sit down and quietly eat their cake and ice cream, too.

Griffin had a very nice birthday party and everyone had a great time. The weather cooperated, although a little cool, but otherwise, it was bright and sunny. A truly memorable birthday for Griffin (especially with all the photos taken!).

"2nd Woven Sock Yarn Scarf......"

2011-11-03T05:28:00.002-05:00

As I mentioned yesterday, I measured out this warp, dressed the table loom, and wove this scarf all in one day.......although, twisting the fringe took place following morning. :)

Here is the warp ready to be threaded. I had hand dyed this skein a while back and just hadn't used it. I guess it was fate that I'd held onto it and not cranked a pair of socks using it, eh?

My first look at how it was going to weave up......

A GIANT time lapse from the beginning to the finished (although untwisted fringes yet) scarf. I'm pleased with the "feel" of the scarf after using the Merino, alpaca, nylon blend yarn. Unfortunately, this blend of yarn is no longer available, but I did place an order yesterday for some other yarns to try that had a higher percentage of Merino, with nylon added for strength. Merino is one of the softest wools on the market, so I'm pretty sure it will work well.

I warped the loom once again with another skein of the same Merino, alpaca, nylon blend yarn and will begin weaving today. It too, is hand dyed and I "think" will look somewhat "Heathery" when woven. I guess I'll know soon, eh? ;)

"My 1st Sock Yarn Scarf......."

2011-11-02T05:58:00.003-05:00

As I mentioned yesterday, I did "customize" the loom in several ways to make things easier for myself. I used Texsolv cord instead of the strings provided by Ashford, to secure the cloth rod to the cloth beam. I also used a similar arrangement on the warp beam, threading Texsolv cord through the warp beam, but keeping the warp rod accessible and free. I did replace the warp rod, which is fairly thin (it matches what is shown here in the photo), with a cut down broom handle. It's not pretty, but I think it works better, as it is stronger with no give/bending. I might buy steel rods (Home Depot will cut them to size for me) to replace the broom handle and front cloth rod........we'll see. ;)

I was VERY pleased to see that the loom stand could serve another function to make measuring warp easier. It is the perfect height for clamping the warping rack onto it, which allows me to measure warp without having to reach up too high or down too low. :)

The sock yarn I used for my 1st sock yarn scarf, is what I use for cranking pairs of socks on my circular sock machine. It is 75% wool and 25% polymide. This was more of an experiment to see if 1 skein of sock yarn was sufficient to weave an entire scarf. I can happily report that it is quite sufficient. ;) Unfortunately, I was not happy with the "feel" of this particular sock yarn after it was woven. It is "OK", but not as soft as I would like for wearing around ones neck. Further experimentation was called for......and I'm happy to report, I believe I have found a sock yarn that fits the bill for me. It is Knit Picks "Bare" sock yarn, which is 50% Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Superfine Alpaca, 25% Nylon. I had a hand dyed skein on hand, which I experimented with yesterday. I will post about it tomorrow. **(It seems, this particular blend of sock yarn is no longer available, but similar blends of Merino with Silk or Nylon are. Hopefully, they will give the preferred "feel" when woven. I'll try some and report back.)

In this photo, I am spreading the warp along the warp beam. This is prior to my customizing the rods and beams with longer Texsolv cords.

Here I am using a permanent marker on the Texsolv heddles. Each shaft has a different color of marker, helping make it easier to follow a pattern when threading.

The loom came with 480 heddles, so I decided to concentrate on the front 4, allowing each shaft to have 80 heddles, and the back 4 shafts given 40. Eventually, I will be purchasing more to "fill out" each shaft.

The sock yarn threaded through heddles and reed, tied to the front rod, and ready for me to begin weaving.

This is what the warp looked like after being tied up and under tension.

I'd not used the "hem stitch" until I began weaving scarves. It is used after 3 "picks" or rows of weaving at the beginning of a scarf, and also used at the end of the scarf to help bind the warp threads together in groups. I like how it works very much. I'm sure I am missing many little tricks of the trade by not having attended/taken many workshops. One is never too old to learn, eh? ;) In this photo, I'm following a tutorial video of "Laura Fry's Hem Stitching", on You Tube, using Don's iPad. Technology is wonderful!

I was very pleased with how the pattern developed when the hand dyed yarn was woven. It reminds me of wet pavement reflecting a multitude of white lights.

After taking the scarf off the loom, the next step in finishing it was to twist the fringe. This photo shows "my set up", which works for me. I'm sure others have their own way of doing this.

One end of the scarf completed.

Don modeling the finished scarf. I'm pleased with how the scarf turned out, but will keep this one for myself, as I would prefer giving a softer scarf as gifts.

Customized set up using Texsolv cord on the warp beam and rod as I begin scarf #2, using Knit Picks Merino, Alpaca, and Nylon sock yarn. I also made myself a little 2 board platform to lie behind the shafts to make it easier for me to "dress" the loom. I don't like to deal with the lease sticks sagging, etc. when I am threading warp. A quirk of mine. These boards are removed prior to weaving.......

I started AND finished (except for twisting the fringe) scarf #2 yesterday. Don has a computer class on Tuesdays, leaving the house around 6 AM and not getting home until after 9:30 at night. Without having to think about making any dinner for the 2 of us, I spent the morning, afternoon, and evening working on the table loom, taking the completed scarf off the loom around 8 PM. It was a very pleasant and productive day. ;) More on that tomorrow......

"My Ashford 24" Table Loom!!!!"

2011-11-01T05:21:00.005-05:00

I'd ordered my new 24", 8 shaft, Ashford Table loom, with Stand, from Susan's Fiber Shop, in Columbus, WI, and it arrived late Thursday afternoon!!! I immediately began my adventure into assembling them by opening and unpacking the stand first. Don, of course, caught this happy moment. It was very well packed and everything that was supposed to be in the box, WAS in the box. ;)

The direction booklet was VERY well illustrated. The stand includes a 4 treadle kit, but I chose not to use those parts, not wanting to have it work with anything but the top levers. The treadles may work for a shorter person, but for someone my height, they would not be conducive to a comfortable weaving experience.

Here is the box unpacked with parts laid out for assembly.

In very little time, due to excellently illustrated directions, the stand was assembled. I later reversed the 2 side shelves so that the closed end was in the back. It was easily done after assembly by removing 2 screws, reversing the shelf, then replacing the screws once again. It was done in a matter of minutes.

Then began the unpacking of the loom itself.

Once again, everything needed was neatly packed and in the box. Here are all of the parts prior to assembly.

The main frame is easily assembled (great illustrations!). Hints, such as using candle wax on each screw prior to insertion, made the job easier, too.

The castle pieces assembled.....

Frame and castle assembled........

The "in-between step" not photographed, was the assembly of the 8 shafts. It, too, was an easy job. 16 screws were inserted into the 16 tops of the wooden end pieces, Texsolv heddles were slid onto top and bottom shaft rods, which were then inserted into the wooden end pieces, screw side up. ;) The small screws are what were soon to attach the Texsolv cord around, after being threaded through the upper castle, and attached to the front levers by threading the cord through the castle front. After the Texsolv cords were all attached, then it was a simple process of adjusting the height of each shaft, using the holes in the Texsolv cordage.

Lastly, the hanging beater was attached and the loom was completely assembled. Admittedly, I did make a few changes on the front and back cloth rods/beams. I didn't want to use the string provided, so instead, I used some extra Texsolv cord that I had previously bought, to attach the cloth rods to the cloth beams. I made further alterations with those, after weaving a scarf, which I think will make it work better for me. I'll show what I did in tomorrows post.

I also wanted to show a photo of just how nicely the loom and stand fold up for storage. The loom is supposed to fold this nicely with a weaving project on it, too. Due to the size and amount of various fiber equipment in my fiber room, I will definitely have an opinion on that soon. ;)

Tomorrow: My first sock yarn scarf.

"Last of the Farm/Art DTour and the Merrimac Ferry"

2011-10-31T05:04:00.004-05:00

The next "Field Note" was about LAND. What a gorgeous spot to feature this one, eh?

Here is the close up one for easier reading........

This panoramic view was used for the next art installation, too. This one is called "Farmed Framed", by David Wells, of Madison, WI. Yes, he was also the artist who did "Tools of Toil".

The last art installation was "Stonehenge", created by Friede and Associates.

This was extremely cool.

The hay bales were huge but were strongly secured using cables attached to thick iron stakes in the ground. I am sure that if they hadn't been so securely held, they would have been blown over by the wind. This installation was on top of a ridge and the wind was very, very strong the day of our visit.

Our last stop on the DTour was at the Culture Stand created by Phillip Katz, of Mequon, WI. It was ironic that the DTour loop brought us back to the way we entered Reedsburg on our drive into town. We actually passed this stand, which was in the rest area, Highway 23 Wayside, but we hadn't noticed it as we were passing by. To be honest though, the wayside does sit somewhat higher than the highway...... ;)

This was a very cool sign that rotated as the wind direction changed. It was moving quite well that day. This wayside is located on top of a ridge, too, and was getting its fair share of strong wind. :)

My copilot, Don, who planned our exploration route, brought us home via the Merrimac Ferry, which spans the Wisconsin River.

It was a nice quick ride across the river. I was surprised to find out that the ferry is a free service, too.

As you can see by the waves, the wind was making itself known on the river, too.

I was also surprised to find out that the ferry is guided by an underwater cable, too. It kept the ferry on course and we were to the south side of the river quickly. The efficiency of the ferry crew was amazing. Cars were quickly unloaded and replaced by new ones, with the ferry soon back on its way to the north side.

We had a wonderful day exploring parts of Wisconsin that I had never been to before. The weather was particularly gorgeous, which made our adventure even better.

"Another Change to the Blog"

2011-10-28T13:58:00.002-05:00

I liked what I had changed the blog page to, but I do believe it was too complicated. I had to manuever around to find out what and how to do things......I'm sure it was more than most people were willing to do. So...."Simple is Good". ;)

I'm hoping that now it is back to "normal", I'll once again begin receiving comments.

Sorry for confusion......

"More of the Farm/Art DTour......"

2011-10-28T05:08:00.003-05:00

Our tour continued with the South Lime Ridge 4-H Club's installation. This was located right next to the Carr Valley Cheese Shop, where we did find a few cheesy delights to bring home with us.

This art installation was by Catherine Schwalbe-Bouzide, of Chicago, IL. Can you read what it says? It took Don and I a few minutes to figure it out, although if we'd looked at our tour brochure, we'd have understood it right away. The name of the installation is, "TRUTH in the Driftless Region".

"Sky Cage Traps" was done by Terrance Campagna, of Detroit, MI.

Several of these informative signs were along the tour as well. They are labeled on the tour brochure as "Field Notes".

This was part of the next art installation, but across the road from the one labeled.

The main part of the installation were these "Scarecrows", by Sauk County HCE.

We stopped alongside the road so Don could take this photo, and come to find out, we were to turn right onto the same lane that the tractor and hay trailer had just come out from. Our stop was to be at the "Windy Ridge Bakery", who operates out of a culture stand. They also had locally hand woven baskets for sale. Don and I bought a French Bread basket made and signed by Daniel J. Gingerich & Family, of Viroqua, WI.

The first of two "Field Notes" with explanations of "Dairy".

A close up to make it readable. ;)

The second "Field Note" with another explanation, or view, of "Dairy". Personally, I prefer this one.......

More of the Farm/Art DTour to follow......

"Farm/Art DTour Continued......"

2011-10-27T05:09:00.003-05:00

We stopped at the next cultural stand, but didn't take any photos of it. To be honest, none of the other culture stands were as interesting as the original one, so Don didn't take photos of them.....although he did take some of the very last stand that we stopped at, which will be seen in another post, and that more because of the setting it was in. This one was sitting in the parking lot of the St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, who's church yard held the next art installation. Don and I, standing behind it, had our photo taken by another tour goer. The welded iron sculpture, done by David Wells, of Madison, WI, is called "Tools of Toil".

This small cabin/vacation house was just down the hill from the churches property. We found it a very cool building.....what a view it has, eh?

The next art installation was in a wooded area. This one, by Katie Schofield of Reedsburg, WI, is called "Come What May".

I'm not quite sure what the hanging pieces were constructed from, but these smaller forms looked to be crocheted using plastic grocery sacks. Very organic, eh?

Yes, I viewed most of the tour from the car. ;)

Amidst this gorgeous panorama, was the next art installation, called "Field Weave", by Randy Walker of Minneapolis, MN.

Don, of course, went down to the sculpture to get some very nice photos.

The day was absolutely perfect!

More of the Farm/Art DTour tomorrow......

"The Farm/Art DTour......"

2011-10-26T05:08:00.003-05:00

I'm trying out a new layout for my blog.....click on the photo of todays entry and another window will appear with the entire post.

As I mentioned yesterday, there was something for everyone, but not everyone would enjoy each installation. That said, in the next few posts, I'll take you through most of the tour......

"Breathing Room" by Laura Annis, Baraboo, WI and Alexis Ortiz-Duarte, Chicago, IL

"Farm Form" by Reedsburg FFA

One of the beautiful views seen during our drive along the tour.....

Some of the vistas were truly spectacular.......

"Wayfinder" by Terrence Campagna, Detroit, MI

"Boots" by Chris Lutter, Puppet Farm Arts, Minneapolis, MN

"Collie in Control" by Rodney and Tim Seamans, Carolyne and Jan Aslaksen

Farm/Art DTour to be continued....

"Food and Farming Festival"

2011-10-25T05:17:00.002-05:00

Saturday, October 15th, Don and I drove to Reedsburg, WI, to check out the "Fermentation Fest". A group called "Wormfarm Institute", along with several other grants, and working in collaboration with Sauk County and the Reedsburg Area Chamber of Commerce, hosted the event. It wasn't the usual type of festival. From what we perceived, there were no "festival grounds" or large gathering places, but instead, various classes were held at area locations that dealt with fermentation of foods and beverages. We did not attend any of these classes, as pre-registration was required, but we were not disappointed because a self guided art tour, aptly named "The Farm/Art DTour", was part of the festival, too. This was not your average art tour either.........it was a tour that involved driving through 50 miles of scenic hills and valleys, along ridge tops, past farms, fields, pastures, and through wooded areas.......truly a gorgeous drive. We were extremely fortunate to have gone on a bright sunny day, which I'm sure made a difference, too. ;) Throughout these 50 scenic miles, were art installations by artists from WI, MN, IL, and MI. Something for everyone's taste. ;)

Also, "Culture Stands", artist built mobile farm stands, an integral part of the festival, were highlighted throughout the tour. This produce stand, built atop a special electric assist trike frame, was our first encounter with the mobile "Culture Stands". We, of course, thought it was fantastic! :) If I remember correctly, this trike produce stand was built by a Milwaukee artist, who "may" have gotten some inspiration for the moveable "wings" from the Milwaukee Art Museum. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1u4UsrFaE0)

A closer view of the produce area.......

The first stop on the Farm/Art DTour, was the original mobile produce stand, and the inspiration for creating more. Currently, there are 6 Roadside Culture Stands in WI, with 3 more scheduled to be built for the 2012 growing season.

A close up of some of the finer details......

Even the back of the stand is beautiful and has character.....no, not the character standing in front of it, but the wood detail. ;)

One of the best details in "my" opinion.......

The Farm/Art DTour continued tomorrow......

"A Gift From Jonathan......."

2011-10-24T05:18:00.003-05:00

I had searched online many times (as my weaving stash grew) for a spool rack that I could mount on the side of one of my shelving units. All I found online were freestanding spool racks, which are great, but I didn't want to take up anymore precious floor space in my fiber room.

I finally asked Jonathan (our former neighbor who now lives in North Dakota) if he would make me one, and to my delight, he agreed to do so.

Thanks to his wife, Maniphone, I have a few photos from "The Construction Period". ;) Here is Jonathan out in his workshop, drilling holes for the pegs, which will hold individual spools of yarn.

If I am not mistaken, the drilling of the angled peg holes was the hardest, most technical, part of the entire project.

Jonathan had to fashion a "jig" so that he could consistently drill at the same angle. This is what he came up with, which obviously worked quite well, eh? ;)

After the angle was set, he finished drilling each peg hole........

It obviously took a steady hand to achieve this line up, eh? :)

The spool rack about to be dis-assembled, packaged, and shipped. We'd discussed, via emails, about a finish on the rack, but decided it would be best if I did that on this end.

The spool rack arrived last Friday afternoon!

Jonathan had done an excellent job in packing it, so it arrived in pristine condition.

Here I am inserting pegs at the beginning of happy hour......

I'd wanted to display my new spool rack during happy hour, so set it up and added some spools of yarn for effect. :) Neighbor Rob (professional painter/finish expert/http://www.sprucepainting.com/) and I discussed some possibilities for finishes, one of which I chose, so my thanks to Rob for the help in making that decision.

I'd rubbed the new spool rack with Teak Oil, which I found the next morning in our "paint and finish department", downstairs. ;) It brought out a nice warm glow in the wood. I unloaded the shelving unit, clamped the spool rack to it's side so that I could drill into and through the side of the storage unit, using Jonathan's pre-drilled mounting holes, then bolted the spool rack in place.

Here it is mounted, with the shelving unit back in it's place.

It didn't take long before it was loaded up with spools of brightly colored mercerized cotton (which I use for weaving kitchen towels), some of my rayon chenille (more on the shelves, too), with a few spools of sock yarn added for good measure, too.

I'm sure when you look at this photo, you think, "it really doesn't look any different than it did before". In one respect, that is true, but thanks to the new spool rack, I now have all of my spools of yarn and warp in one area. Before, some spools were in this shelving unit, and others were across the room in another shelving unit. It is so nice to have them all in one place and together. Of course, now I will have to suppress the urge to buy more since I have the extra open shelving, eh? ;)

Here is the final re-organization of the fiber room. Much the same as before, but also different.

On top of all the benefits that this new spool rack has given me, Jonathan "gifted" the rack to me as well! The man is not only a Master Woodcrafter, but a Saint, too! My sincere thanks to Jonathan for this wonderful gift. (I hope he has kept his notes/drawings on the making of this rack......"just in case".) ;)

2011-10-21T07:33:00.002-05:00

I took my first floor loom over to Michigan so Julie could try her hand at weaving. It is a 36", 4 shaft, 4 treadle, made by Harrisville. We finished dressing and readied it for weaving the day prior to my leaving. Julie was able to get a few inches woven and did very well.

A closer view of her beginning........

I took this photo from Julie's Facebook page which shows her progress.

Abigail is showing some interest in the loom, too......

I hope we have a future weaver !

Little Miss Busy Buns arranging her rocking horses, getting ready to ride.......

And away she goes! As you can see, she has a variety of horses to choose from.....and they all get a workout! ;)

"The Gloaming......"

2011-10-20T05:07:00.002-05:00

Abigail finished riding earlier than Julie, so while Patrick took care of getting the horse unsaddled and put back into his pasture, Abigail and I walked to back of the house.

This little swing called out to us, so Abigail enjoyed some time on it as we waited for her parents. After swinging, I placed her on the trampoline where she had a great time, too, especially after Julie joined us and climbed aboard to jump with her. Grandpa kept his feet on the ground......although there was a time back in the day............ ;)

The sunset was gorgeous......and I love the word "gloaming". I think it evokes a special meaning to this time of day and , well, I just like it. :)

I was able to get a better view and photo of the foal while it nursed. As you can see, this is the 3rd pasture with horses in it. I don't know how many horses are at the stable total, but a good number for sure.

Tomorrow: my final photos of my Michigan visit.

"Abigail and Julie Ride......"

2011-10-19T06:11:00.002-05:00

After grooming and saddling their horses, the girls (Abigail had a little help from Daddy) were on and ready to ride.

As you can see, Miss Kitty goes everywhere. I guess until Abigail gets herself acclimated, Miss Kitty goes into her mouth. ;)

Miss Kitty now has found her riding spot. Just prior to this photo being taken, a small engine plane flew over the stable, quite low actually, so Abigail was pointing and expressing her delight. Notice the adjustable stirrups that Patrick fashioned for Abigail? They can be lengthened as she grows........

The low flying plane made quite an impression and she chatted with us about that for awhile. If you haven't figured this out yet, Abigail has no fear about being up on the back of her horse and is quite at home. Patrick and Julie started having her ride on Julie's lap when she was able to sit up by herself, and then proceeded from there. I did mention she just turned 2, right? ;) Yeah........I'm a proud Grandpa. :)

Here is a little video I took while she was riding.......

"At The Stable......."

2011-10-18T05:10:00.003-05:00

Late afternoon of our day seeing Claire in Traverse City, we drove to the horse stable where Julie and Abigail ride. Patrick has ridden there, too, but not as often. The entire day had been a beautiful one and the setting sun made it a glorious late afternoon, too. ;)

The numerous paddocks held groups of horses so Patrick and Julie had to go out into one and bring the horses to the barn to groom and saddle them prior to riding. It is a "full experience" stable. ;)

A close up of the group that the kids walked out to.........

Here they are with their chosen mounts.

Patrick had to stop so that Abigail could say "hello and good to see you" to her horse. ;)

While they groomed and saddled their horses, I wandered a bit and took some more photos. These horses are in another paddock. I was hoping to get a good photo of the foal that was out with them, but that one came later......

I took this photo because not only did I want to show you a view towards the east, but also because of the moon. As you can see, the sun was setting fairly quickly and creating very long shadows......this one from the barn.

Tomorrows post: The riders emerge........

"Morgan Riley...."

2011-10-17T19:49:00.003-05:00

I'm sorry to report that Morgan Riley, whom I wrote about this morning, passed away tonight. Julie had let him out in the backyard and when she'd gone back to let him in, he was lying prone on the back step. She'd called Patrick at work but by the time he got home, Morgan had passed away. Patrick thinks he may have had a stroke.......

Our condolences to Patrick, Julie, and Abigail.........Morgan will be missed.

"The Guesthouse........"

2011-10-17T05:11:00.002-05:00

After returning to Brethren from our lunch date with Claire in Traverse City, we regrouped and got ready to go to the horse stable where Julie and Abigail ride. My duty in this regroup, was to take the dogs out.

Abigail watching Grandpa from the front door wondering why she is not outside, too.......

Here is Copper with Morgan. Morgan was raised by Copper. Patrick had lived at the cabin with me for a bit before getting his position with the state up in Manistee. During that time, he'd found this little puppy running loose along one of the back roads......much too small to have been out and about with permission. After attempting to find his owner, with no luck, this little puppy was named Morgan Riley, and has been a part of the family ever since. As you can see, the little puppy grew into a much larger dog, surpassing Copper in size.

Here is the "Guesthouse", which I have posted on here before. I posted it this time so that you could see the colorful view which I had during my visit.

I made some changes inside the camper, too. In stead of pulling out the couch and sleeping there, I chose to lower the table and sleep in the booth instead. It is plenty long enough for my body frame, plus I like the looks of it, too. :) Although, after sleeping on it during this longer visit, I've come to the conclusion that I really should think about buying a regular mattress for more comfort. If I do buy a mattress, instead of sleeping in the booth, I will pull the couch out and have the mattress there in the permanent position. It should be able to be either a full or a queen mattress, and so much more comfort! ;) Maybe next trip..........

The "Jazz String" runner that I wove just prior to my trip fit perfectly, too! I was very pleased. As you can see in this photo, I have a "Looper rug" also.....that is right as you come in the front door. I imagine I will be weaving a small runner for the kitchen area, too, but it isn't a top priority yet. Too many woven items to do yet before Christmas! ;)

Abigail and Julie on horseback tomorrow........

"Birthday Present Opening"

2011-10-14T05:13:00.002-05:00

After lunch and our walk through the marina, we headed back to the parking area so that Claire could get started for Glen Arbor to begin the wedding festivities, and we to go back to Brethren. But.......Abigail had to open her birthday presents from Claire. What could be better than a "mini tailgate party"! ;)

Abigail has opened a large bucket full Play-Doh!

And how about this tee shirt? I guess it is pretty obvious that Claire lives in Washington, DC, eh? Abigail, of course, has moved on to her last present.......

A box of Play-Doh! Abigail was quite taken with those little containers of Play-Doh and rode home with 2 clutched in her hands. They were opened, emptied, filled, and closed countless times from her receiving them until she went to bed. I don't remember how she was persuaded to "give them up" prior to bedtime, but Julie and Patrick were successful in doing so.

My MI visit to be continued.......

"Friday's Drive to Traverse City"

2011-10-13T05:20:00.003-05:00

Last Friday dawned as yet another beautiful day during my visit in MI. My daughter, Claire, who now lives in Washington, DC, flew back to MI Thursday, to attend a wedding in Glen Arbor last weekend. Glen Arbor is just west of Traverse City, MI, so we made plans to get together for lunch on Friday before she had to leave for the wedding festivities. She'd spent the night up in Petoskey, with my younger son, Sean, so they were able to have a short visit, too. Unfortunately, Sean was not able to meet us in TC as he had work commitments.

The drive from Brethren to Traverse City was beautiful. I truly believe that I hit prime color season last week.

The colors were absolutely gorgeous.........

Abigail was able to get in a short power nap, too, during the drive up to TC. Daughter in law Julie was able to get off from work a bit earlier than usual (Friday's are her days in Cadillac, otherwise, she'd have been in TC already) and was able to meet Patrick, Abigail, and myself in Mesick, MI, leaving her car there.

My "kids" in downtown TC, after lunch at Mackinaw Brewing Company.

The Boardman River runs through Traverse City (which we had to cross from where we'd parked) and the Salmon were "running". We, along with several others, stopped to watch the huge fish in the river.......

Abigail checking to make sure Mommy is watching......

A view of the Boardman River towards the east. Not too far from where we stood, it flows into West Bay, which is part of Lake Michigan.

A view of the Boardman River coming from the West. It actually flows North to TC, then swings towards the West running parallel with Front Street (the main street going through downtown TC), then does a "U turn" back towards the East before flowing into West Bay.

Here is a photo of one of the many Salmon in the river.....

To be continued.....

"A Michigan Visit"

2011-10-12T06:35:00.002-05:00

I drove over last Wednesday, to Brethren, MI, for a visit with Patrick, Julie, and Abigail. Abigail was to turn 2 years old on Saturday, so I thought a visit to coincide with that would be good timing. :) I had scheduled a visit in August, but then had the vertigo incident and had to cancel, so I'd not seen them since late April/early May, when we'd rented the Silver Lake house for a week to celebrate Don's 60th birthday. As you can imagine, Abigail has changed quite a bit and is now saying some words very clearly......especially the word, "No". ;)

Julie's birthday was in late September, but I chose not to send her the Einstein Coat I'd knitted for her, but had waited to bring it with me for this visit. Thankfully, it fit her VERY well and she liked it. I also gave her the chenille scarf I'd just woven, too, which had a brown in it that matched her knitted coat. The weather had been quite warm during my visit, but on the morning I was to leave, the temperature was cooler and she wore her new coat to work, which, of course, pleased me greatly. :)

I had also knitted Abigail an Einstein Coat to match her Mommy's, and it, too, fit nicely. Here she is modeling her new coat while holding Miss Kitty, her constant partner in crime. ;)

I has also knitted Abigail a little shrug which fits, but is a bit too large, so she will have it fit for a longer time.....definitely a good thing. I'd been afraid that it might have been too small since I'd not seen her in such a long time.

Abigail kept her eyes on me quite a bit, getting used to her Grandpa once again after so many months apart. By the end of my visit, she was sitting easily on my lap, etc. :)

She does LOVE adult shoes and boots! Here she is wearing a pair of her Mommy's work shoes. :)

My Michigan visit continued tomorrow......

"Wedding/Reception- Part 2"

2011-10-05T06:19:00.004-05:00

Barb and Geoff asked that no one take any photos during the ceremony (except her niece who was doing their wedding), so today's blog entry jumps to after the newly wedded couple had their receiving line. :)

I wanted to make sure Barb's wedding outfit was seen in its entirety. She was a beautiful bride.....and she is a beautiful woman ALL the time, so nothing new here, right? ;)

Barb, and her sister Sarah, have a few moments together after the wedding.......

The "paperwork".......Don got to sign it as one of the "witnesses", too. ;)

A pleased Barb, with her 2 looper rugs that I wove for them.

Barb and Geoff cutting their wedding cake..........

The candles from the wedding ceremony were left to light up the evening.......

A gorgeous, crisply cool evening to top off a wonderful day.

We wish Barb and Geoff many, many years of happiness!

"Barb and Geoff's Wedding- Part 1"

2011-10-04T05:13:00.004-05:00

Our friends, Barb and Geoff, got married last Saturday, October 1, 2011. The day couldn't have been more beautiful for such an event. Their marriage ceremony and reception was to take place at their house, amongst a small group of friends, and Don and I were honored by being invited. ;)

Here I am talking with Rick, Barb's brother in law, who is married to her sister Sara.

Barb's mother, Shirley, with grandson's Nick (on the left) and Adrian (on the right).

Barb's 3rd son, Andrew, with girlfriend, Hope.

The wedding took place in their backyard in late afternoon. Geoff's 3 daughters are in this photo. Gwen (far right in gold), with twins, Camille and Amanda, to her right (I have no idea who is who as I did not have the opportunity to meet them).

Chatting with long time friend of Barb, Diana (on the right), who flew in from the west coast are Joanne (on the left), and her partner, Martha.

Barb and Geoff were being married by their very good friend, Kelly, seen here with her son, Sam. Kelly is a minister at the First Unitarian Society here in Madison.

Kelly's husband, Dan, holding their other son, 6 week old Owen. I was fortunate enough to have time holding Owen, too. Many of you know how much I enjoy babies......until they get hungry........then back to their Moms! ;)

Part 2 tomorrow.......