The First Dishtowel

I cut the first dishtowel and dishcloth off the loom-I glued the last weft thread and the threads between the items and after it had dried I cut them apart!  It held things together just fine so I could hem!  This first one is for my sister in law, Shelly, who is here for a quick visit as her and my brother drive my parents down to Florida for the winter and I knew I could give it to her in person!

I retied the warp onto the front beam and began weaving with the blue for my Mom.  This one is from the top pattern on page 35 of the Handweaver's Pattern Directory. 

I am knitting up the second Targhee sock, the circular lace shawl and this mystery shawl......

Yes, it is still cold here, too.  We have had temps right around 20F degrees every morning.  BRRRRRR!

SNOW, SNOW, SNOW!

Yes, it has been since 1989 that any of this has hit the ground around here. 

The plants are covered but after so many nights, I think it is of little value anymore!

Anyone want to sit and have a cuppa out here?!

My parents arrive today from NY-at least they won't have to shovel this snowfall!

Ceilings...

I have hung a sheet in my doorway which separates the existing house from the new addition. 

The sheetrock crew is working full steam ahead!

It is so nice to walk in and not see the insulated roof; they plan on having all the sheetrock up today and will do the taping and mudding starting next week. 

This is the hallway to the bedrooms; see the cut out for the attic access in the hall?

Rewards...

The weaving is progressing with the steady rhythm of my treadling dance; 2-3-2; 4-5-4 again and again.  This is the pattern on page37 (bottom photo)  of Handweavers Pattern Directory.  I am using 8/2 cotton from HalcyonYarns.  Cream was used for all the warp and I will change the colors for the weft making each dish towel unique in patter and color.  The weave will get closer and fluffier after washing.  I like having the loom in the livingroom!

Efficiency VS Perserverance

Bill and Caleb went to play some golf even though it was very cool (for us) and I decided to use the time to  warp the loom since I haven't done any weaving in a while again.  I warped up a very long (24') warp and began the process of dressing the loom when they left just before noon. When they got back at just before 5, I was just finishing the winding, sleying, filling, goofing, phone ringing, back breaking, cat-buzzing job! 

After a delicious and enjoyable dinner, I sat to weave a few picks to get rid of the bad feeling from all the warping fun and immediately saw a mistake in the very center of the warp.  I had to quit for the day.

This morning, the sheetrock delivery came and the men unloaded the supplies according to the contractors distribution-so many wall / ceiling boards in each room-very convenient and considerate! 

They have a neat boom that reduces their carry distance.  Bill and I marvelled at the ease of their job considering how we have done it ourselves in year's past--this is definitely the way to do it! (Yes, we had another colder freeze last night;  21 degrees for most of the night!)                     

Nyki likes the new play surfaces-she didn't like the empty room!

I redressed the loom this morning and when I wove another 4 " and then I could see two mistakes-at least they were near the edges. 

There is no unweaving as in unknitting-you must be merciless and cut the threads and then pull them out. 

Finally-I am errorless (well, without errors in the threading-I see I still have to work on my even beating) , and determined.  Humble dishtowel, you are on your way! (weaving details to follow tomorrow )

Deep Freeze

This is what the front yard looks like.......

as we try to protect some of the more sensitive plants (cacti, croton, daisies, poinsettia and pineapple) during this cold snap! 

We placed out porch plants inside the breezeway so we won't lose them,

but the rest will just have to tough it out!

We have learned that some plants get burned, die back but come back in a few months (big leafy tropical plants),

and others will come back from the root(think banana plant. )

In general, the citrus trees, like the tangerines will weather it just fine, the lemon tree doesn't like it but will be okay if we don't get too many frosts in a row. It actually helps to sweeten the oranges that are ready to be picked as long as we don't get any lower than right around the freeze mark, 28-32 degrees.  The daytime temperatures rise to the high 50's and the sunshine does more than just make it bright, there is a warmth that is the real secret to the south!

The local ferneries all have their sprinkler systems running all night to keep the temps from falling too low.

 This freeze is even affecting the strawberry producers in Plant City, 3 hours south of us, and they are warning of higher prices for that fruit........what's new!?!

Rolling Down Renovation Road

We passed our heating/cooling system inspection this morning so we have ordered our sheetrock!  The supplier will deliver on Wednesday, and then the sheetrock crew will begin on Thursday!

  So, we have to move out all the 'stuff' I have moved into the new space even tho it was unfinished!  The furniture will get put in the garage, the car goes into the driveway........we must make some sacrifices to get this job done!

The loom/weaving area had to be relocated, it will temporarily be in the livingroom.  I just couldn't bear putting it in storage to be completely unaccessible.  This will work (thanks , Bill , for the great idea!).  The rest of the weaving supplies have gone into a crate in my sewing room-I don't like clutter so I like it out of sight in a bin!

I did a little spinning, this is blue faced leicester wool which will find its way into a pair of socks.  This was the birthday roving from the McKees-thank you , it was a delight to spin!

Pure inspiration with lot's of practical advice, great book Sara!  I will be doing some rigid heddle projects from this book with my Mom .  You are going to love it, Mom!

2010 Happy New Year!

Isn't it wonderful to be given a new start to each day and today we have a whole new year to look forward to!  It is also the last year in this decade so use it wisely!

I like to start the year by assessing where I am and make some course alterations for where I want to be.  Not resolutions mind you  because they never last long but real adjustments in the day to day.  I am not a very introspective person; I prefer action to words so hopefully you will see the changes that will be evidenced throughout the year.

Bill is putting some finishing touches on the A/C ducts so we can have the system inspected on Monday and then the sheetrock crew can begin work!  I am chomping at the bit! (This is one project that 2010 will see its end!)

I dug out piles of fabric and so updated my project to-do line-up.  This was on the list for last year that never happened.  But now it is ready for the sewing machine next week!  (These are piles of suit samples I got at an auction for a men's suit factory that went out of business 8 yrs ago!)

 Some of the samples I left their full size and the rest I cut up for 6" blocks.  It is fun to play around with placement of the subtle colors, pinstripes, plaids and plain blocks. 

I took part in a new YahooGroup  Mystery KAL (Knit A Long) that started this morning.........one clue a week to complete the shawl.  You will get updates accordingly!

I am continuing work on the Triggy Shawl (that took a backseat to the Christmas sock knitting) today when Bill takes a break to catch some football scores.

Rain fell all morning, it was a beautiful soaking with a little thunder for emphasis.  It is a precious gift to get rain in the winter.  This is right out the back door; a corn bucket for the Sandhill Cranes.

Make this a happy new year for those around you.

Purge the Old

The end of the year is just as exciting to me as the new one will be tomorrow.  I like to spend the day in thoughtful thanksgiving while cleaning out piles of clutter; cleared mind, clean house.

Have a safe evening with those you love.

What a Great Week!

                            

Christmas Eve family time-yes, the kids kindly roasted these for everyone!

Bill and I surveying the blessings of a family gathering.....

Kitties were enjoyed by many laps......

They were a bit overwhelmed by the gift frenzy but did seek shelter in nooks and crannies to watch us.

Nyki did not like the little kittens much to my disappointment but she did like a nap after playing with Mindy who was more her size.

A new pair of socks brought knitting smiles to me and my hands....there is some lanolin left in this Targhee wool I carded and spun which gave much needed healing to my hands- the difference in temperature and humidity in Georgia wreaked havoc on my skin!

Abigail posed for a shot of her new dress with matching doll dress-she is just picture perfect!

Merry Christmas to You!

The birth of Christ was only the beginning...

He still desires to dwell in the lives of people today, don't be like the innkeeper of long ago, excluding Him because you have no room ....

Luke 2

Contented

I am enjoying a lot of grandkid time!  Its a good thing I had a few days with them before the Uncles got here because then I am second choice! 

We brought up a 'tunnel' for Marsel's new cat.  Her and Nyki are getting along just fine and they are very entertaining to watch!

I warped up a black thread for 2 plastic bag totes and used black strapping-

wow, it sure does make the colors pop!  I am going to use the black again when I am back home.

I finished knitting one of the big  boy socks (our sons take after dad and this is another men's sized 15 sock!)but before I could cast on the mate,

 David asked if I could make him a new pair of fingerless gloves.  Of course, I cast on for them instead.

He watches me knit and likes to feed out the yarn so I can go faster!

Oh, yes, this is my birthday present from Bruce and Marsel.   Yeah, fiber!

This morning while the chatter of my grown children hummed around me, I made a few of the yarn potholder loom items which I will sew together for a doll shawl for Abigail.

I hope you are having a great day, too.

Son Shine

We took the boys a load of wood from Bill so they have something to burn in their fireplace.

 Bill got is all stacked under their carport, ready for the fires to come.

 I brought a beef stew for dinner when they got home.

And I took a few toys to the new 'furry' grandkids-Caleb and Kristen's new kittens, Sketch ...

...and Storm. 

They play hard and then sleep hard, too.  They are adorable!

 

They both liked to help me knit this sock-one of several pairs I am going to make this winter for the men in the family!

Then they surprised me with my fav birthday dessert! (I have one of those on Sunday!)

 When I asked the boys for a pose to send to their sister for the annual family calendar, this is what I get!!
Did I mention we laugh a lot when we get together?!