Thursday, Thursday

Another warp on the loom....this time a table runner...actually a piano runner!!! I had a large ball of cotton sitting looking at me and decided I'd try it out........it's working up quickly. I'm getting used to using the smaller loom and it's more comfy too. My only problem is the floats are a bit long on the Atwater-Bronson lace pattern. BUT since it's on the piano no-one will be touching it much to snag it.




I'm still working away at my gardens...yesterday was a busy day. My new climbing rose is doing what it should....climbing! I had some roses earlier this season and it looks like I'll soon be having more. The trumpet vine I planted is growing well too....some day the swing will be covered!!!!!



I'm really happy with the geraniums I kept over winter....they have been blooming all summer and looking pretty. I love the salmon colour. These started out as slips last year from a neighbour.










Yes I do realize I have a red one in the mix!!!! I guess this year I'd better label them when I bring them in.

I had a good visit with my sister Norma last evening.....we ate, drank and had a few laughs....I'm a lucky gal to have such a great friend! I'm looking forward to catching up on all the gossip tomorrow over lunch.

Yeah! I'm Finished!

It's been perfect weather for weeding, digging and pulling!!!! I love my
perennial gardens, but this year they have really matured! Yesterday I worked in the largest garden and pulled, and separated and yanked out weeds and flowers that have gotten too big and jungle-like! It's looking much better and there's actually room for a few new ones .....maybe????



Yesterday I had the bright idea to move my table loom outside into our breezeway! What a great idea that turned out to be....I just loved weaving in the breeze and having Scarlett curled up in a chair beside me....usually I'm downstairs and for some reason, she hates the loom and stays out of sight! I was really enjoying my weaving, so I knew I'd have it done in no time.


I love the pattern....can't wait to finish it.

DONE!!!!!!! I'm really happy with it. It's about 80" long, so it wraps well and drapes quite nicely. I'm a bit disappointed with the texture....more like cotton than wool......maybe after a few more washings it will be softer.


Can't wait to start another one! I'm still working on the sweater....got the back finished tonight. I also started another book today...Cain and Abel.....I read it years ago and remember I really liked it....saw it yesterday in a used book store and bought it. I also started making kitchen curtains, but my machine is acting up again, so I decided I'd wait until tomorrow and maybe it will be a bit cooler ......including my temperament!!!!! I was chatting with a neighbour today and she said how bored she is this summer with the hot weather and humidity.....bored is something I'll never have to worry about being....there are so many things I like to do.

A New Scarf

Wow! I've never had to add heddles before....that was an experience. I don't even know if I took them apart correctly, but after a bit of cussing and mopping of the brow I installed about 60 of them! The newer ones are so flimsy/cheap, compared to the original heddles that came with my loom.

I chose to use this mauve yarn and it's not stretchy so it should be ok. It took me ages to dress the loom but at long last I think I'm ready to go....NO....after the initial shot, I realized a couple of the threads were crossed.....
After a bit more cussing and fussing, I was ready to go. It's weaving quickly and nicely. I love the pattern and I'm glad I changed the size from the original....making this about 3 inches narrower....I prefer a narrow scarf unless I'm wearing it for major warmth!
My edge on the left side is not that great....getting better. For some reason the weft is really loose after a shot and I have to constantly put tension on it, or it will bunch up.
I only have about 65inches left to go!!! I'm actually enjoying it....love to see the pattern develop.

I'm still knitting like crazy too on the little pullover and almost have the back finished....I had to spend a lot of time in my gardens today....great day for weeding, they came out easily. I managed to fill up a bag and still have two more big beds to work on this week.....never mind all the usual "housekeeping" things I have to do.

Scarlett has been totally pooped all day....the kids wore her out yesterday. We went for a couple of short walks today, but she has spent the entire day stretched out relaxing....except for about 20 minutes when I chatted with a neighbour this evening and she barked her little head off....guess she could hear us....too bad all my windows were open, because we could hear her a bit too.

DH has a very sore back still....it's been bothering him over a week now. I called my chiropractor and he had x-rays taken etc. He'll go for his first treatment on Wed. morning. I hate to see him hobbling around....that's my trick!

A "Great" Nephew Visits

No pictures today! Not everyone wants their face spread around the world! It was a great day however. This morning I picked up my 2 1/2 year old grandson, Ryder and brought him home to play for the day because my sister brought her grandson for a visit too. He's visiting from Indiana for a few days. My sister and I are very close , so it was a special treat for us to get together with our two boys. What fun we had watching the antics!
To top my day off, my daughter arrived with my pretty little grand daughter who shouted "Grammy" when she saw me and was looking for Grampy as soon as we started for the house. She is just full of impishness and the sparkle in her eye would warm any one's heart. I feel truly blessed with them in my life.
This evening my DH and I were discussing whether or not a trip to NS was in order this fall. He has booked off a couple of weeks from work and we'd go the last week in
August and first week in September. We'll be taking our dog with us and camping en route. Seems like a good plan to me. We haven't been to visit relatives for 5 years.....it's time. You just never know when the older ones are going to pass on! We lost an uncle just after our last trip and we were glad we had visited.
No weaving or knitting done today!!!!!!!

A Busy Ending to a Lazy Week

Friday, at last!! Well, that's the way I always used to think when I was working full time....now, it's just another weekday, but one I always look forward to.....lunch out with my four sisters. We each take turns choosing an eatery and catch up with each other over lunch. The best part is the weekly gossip and laughs we share! I'm very grateful for my sisters, who are also my best friends! We all have grandchildren, one even has a great grandchild.....two more babies on the way this fall. The picture is one I took of my Yorkie, Scarlett, trying to relax in the heat today....very hot and sticky and no air-con!!!!!
It was pouring rain this morning when I got up, so I grabbed a coffee and my knitting needles and started knitting my great-great-nephew a sweater for his first birthday....I'm using Marble yarn, completely washable, and the colour should go well with his hair. I'll post a picture of the finished garment....soon, I hope.


I was also getting anxious to start a weaving project. SO....after lunch today I started winding off a warp for a pretty Bronson-lace scarf I found in Handwoven magazine....Mar/Apr 2008. I decided I'd put it on my Dorothy table loom and that way I can dress my larger counterbalance loom with the rag rug wedding gift.....I'll wind the warp for it another day!

Can't wait to see how it works out....I'm not used to the table loom at all and it might be a bit of a challenge for me. I'm also using some fiber I had on hand....a mix of mauve coloured yarn...75%wool and 25%acrylic......If this works out, there may be a few more in the offing!!!!!

A Good Day!

I think a hair cut and a visit to my friendly chiropractor fixed me right up today! The weather was beautiful too. I had thought I'd let my hair grow for a while but when I looked at myself in the mirror this morning....."do something " was written all over it!
It's back to short now, but easy to manage.
I spent the afternoon making sushi and some guacamole dip for a potluck dinner at my sister's tonight. My niece and husband and son are home for a few days from Indiana and it was a chance for us to visit and catch up. What fun it is to have a family gathering, even though my own kids were unable to make it.
I purchased some "marble" yarn to knit a cute pullover sweater for my great, great nephew....he'll be one in October. It is actually his birth gift, but it's a little late!!!!!!
No dizzy spells today....thankful for that....hope that's all behind me.
All in all a great day....so much better than yesterday!

An "Off" Day!

Got up this morning full of energy! I took my Yorkie, Scarlett for her morning walk...damp and cloudy, but could tell it was going to turn into a beautiful day.
I had all kinds of things planned....but first I wanted to go shopping to buy a few things to make some "green" products to use around the house. While I was out I had a very bad dizzy spell....takes the wind out of my sails!!!!! I have calcium crystals in my inner ear and I guess they've moved. It makes me feel sick and I've been light-headed all day. Needless to say I didn't get much accomplished today.
Since I'm new to blogging I had trouble adding photos yesterday and am trying again today. I'm enjoying my garden....especially happy to see orange trumpets on my vine. I think I try too hard with it.....my friends' vines are loaded and they do nothing to the vine. new Handwoven CD, 2008 today....full of lots of great ideas. Hope to make a couple of tencel scarves I found patterns for.
Hope tomorrow is a better day!

Lovin' my gardens!

It's a beautiful day here today! Sunshine and a cloudless sky. Just finished wandering through the yard enjoying the colourful gardens. Most of them are perennials and need very little care. Our lot isn't all that big, so my veggie garden is very small.
I was planning on starting my recycled bag mat today, but a friend's daughter eloped on the weekend, so think I'll get started on a rug for her kitchen instead! Will keep you posted.

Well...Here at last! I've been thinking about blogging for a while now, but kept putting it off. I'm not sure I have enough interesting tidbits to share. I thought I'd use this blog to share my weaving experiences, few though they are!!! I'm still very much a "beginner". I've learned to weave through reading books and mostly using patterns from Handwoven magazine. I love the feeling of accomplishment and enjoy trying new ideas. I'm following several other bloggers now and I'm finding them both interesting and helpful. Would love to hear from other weavers.
I'm going to try a plastic bag rug that I found on a website. I'll keep you posted as it progresses. Right now I'm collecting bags from family etc. I love recycling and think it's a great idea....I want a runner for our breezeway.