Weaving

Stayed up way too late last night watching the meteor shower. It was the best one I have ever seen.

I didn't get to my studio until after 2:00, but I am sleyed and started going through the heddles.

Weaving

This was the first Thursday of my weaving Thursdays and Fridays for the next 5 months. I did do a few loads of wash as the machines are in the studio but on the whole I got a lot done.

Decided to used some of the yarns that I have picked up at Conventions to make some new selling clothes. I cannot resist beautiful hand-dyed yarns and don't feel guilty buying them if they are something we don't dye.  This one is from Hand Maiden out of Canada, it's 70% silk and 30% seacell.  Seacell is a yarn made from shells, mostly clam and shrimp.  Surprisingly it's very soft. They call the color melon, one skein is a soft pink and golden yellow, the other a darker pink and a deeper golden yellow.

I have done my math and measured the warp, I'm ready to slay the reed in the morning after my walk.  I'm going to alternate light and dark and weave with RedFish 60/2 in a golden yellow.

Life

I have decided my house needs some order, that even made me laugh. I have attacked the kitchen, cleaning out cupboards, shelves and drawers.  I'm tossing everything with gluten and dairy, also things that the date has expired, those little circles do pop up. I'm going to keep going until the house is spotless. I will weave on Thursday and Friday.

It was so beautiful this morning on my walk.

Trail home from Convergence

After Convergence, which was totally exhausting, we were supposed to backpack into Bandalier for 3 days of R&R. This little trip was called off as it had rained daily the whole time we were in Albuquerque and it's too dangerous to be in the wilderness with lightening, rain, flash floods, etc.  Besides who wants R&R in wet camping gear.
We decided to play tourist and see a few things we have by-passed as we are always in a hurry.

Meteor Crater - I have been to see the crater many, many, many years ago. Gary and I took his boys to see it. We drove up to it, climbed down in it, spent the whole day there and had a great time. This time there was an enormous building, you buy a ticket - 15 bucks - climb up 3 flights of stairs, go on a quarter mile "tour" with a guide, warning you to stay together and on the path. You do get to stay a half hour for your 15 bucks.  Woo-Hoo!  It is amazing but 15 bucks?

The Painted Desert - This was my 13th visit to the Painted Desert. It rained right before we arrived and it was unbelievably beautiful.  I have yet to take a picture that does it justice. I just can't drive down 40 without popping in.

This was my first visit to the London Bridge. I know it's silly but walking over it and imagining the countless people in history to do the same made me wonder how England could let such a treasure go.

Having Convergence in a city I love was a great treat, can't wait to find out where the next one will be.

Chinese Braid Embroidery/Goldwork Embroidery

The new weights were way too heavy, back to the drawing board.

Chinese Braid Embroidery/Goldwork Embroidery

Back from Convergence, slept several days, now I'm ready to start doing stuff.

When I first started doing Chinese Braiding, I used a pillow and some bolts, very unsatisfactory. Then a braiding stand was made out of a stool and a rag shuttle and used bobbin lace bobbins, better but still unsatisfactory.

These are the bobbin lace bobbins with washers for weights but the bobbins are made to have the thread slide. When braiding the thread is stationary until you move it.  Also the washers kept cutting the ties and they were noisy.

I purchased these from "The Lacemaker"  I just love her shop, it has everything for making every type of lace and she knows how to do them all.

Tonight I'm going to fill these new bobbins and start a braid so I can get on with the embroidery part.

Trails - Albuquerque

The trail has lead home again. Most of the time I had no internet, the rest of the time I was too tired to blog. I will post pictures in little bunches.