Handwoven Towel Exchange

My weaving class is having a handwoven towel exchange. We have to weave three towels - two to exchange and one to keep and write up a project page with attached samples. Since this will be our first towel project, we are not expected to be perfect. But I have had problems way above and beyond and I thought I would document them for future struggles...



The above picture shows where one of the threads behind the heddles either broke or loosened from the tie on to the point where I had to attach an "S" hook to weight it otherwise I was constantly fighting loops on the front of the fabric...

The next photo shows the tangled mess behind the heddles that I was ALWAYS getting up and going behind the loom and combing...





This photo shows the list of shots necessary for my Swedish
Rose Twill pattern. There were 78 shots for one pattern
repeat!










The next two pictures show the front of the loom with the towels on it.














Despite the struggles, I love weaving and it was a lot of fun
watching the fabric emerge! I sure would like a new loom
though :) Maybe if I write Santa a nice note...

Saturday, December 13, 2008 I went to the Weaver’s of Orlando luncheon at Antonio’s Italian Restaurant in Maitland, FL. It was a lovely luncheon with great food and even better company. The meal started with a lovely salad of baby greens with a light dressing. You had your choice of two dishes: chicken stuffed with Fontina cheese and prosciutto or a pasta dish. My friend, Joy, told me that the chicken would be the less caloric of the two so I believed her and ordered that. I have now eaten all of my allotted calories until Wednesday of next week… Then we had trays of candy for dessert. The weavers also had a raffle so I bought 6 tickets for $5. I, who never win anything, won TWICE!! I gave away my second win so someone else could have a chance. I did get some lovely yarn – camel in a very pretty warm, natural brown shade and a nubby cotton/linen in an unbleached shade. I’m sure I can use them both. Then we had a gift exchange. It had to be something hand-made. I gave away a flat basket that I had made many moons ago. I got two knitted dishcloths made by Thelma who is in our weaving class. These dishcloths will never see a dish – they are suitable for washing the queen only!

I was very pleased and the recipient of the basket seemed pleased too! I sat across from Gloria and Jim and they were fascinating. Both in their 80s and still going strong. He does blacksmithing at Barberville where there is a craft village of life in olden times. I had gone there many moons ago with my father and I would love to go again. One of these days... Anyway, I had a wonderful time and sure won't miss another one!

Then I went on to Georgia's house. She was having a knitting get together. I picked up some flowers - carnations but they had been dyed a pretty salmon color - and some cookies and off I went. We had a lovely time. Most of the women from the Knit or Knot knitting guild were there and conversation was lively as it always is with those ladies J I got there around 3:00 and we all left around 4:30. Very nice.

I have made a mistake with MS4. Apparently I only moved ONE side of the pattern marker and did not move the other side. No telling when I made this error… So I am going to have to rip or tink. I think if I put in a lifeline about 4 rows down I should be able to rip down to that. I don’t know if I can put in a lifeline after the fact but it seems logical.

I am currently working on the Ann McCauley square on the GAAA. I love those baubles! They are such fun to knit! I finished the Janet Martin square. These squares are certainly challenging but a lot of fun.

Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving was a wonderful holiday filled with family and friends. The drive to Pensacola on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving was very pleasant and traffic was surprisingly not too bad. Ede’s mother and her friend were already there and it was nice getting reacquainted. Poor James had a cold but he was sure being a brave little soldier. Wednesday night we went to church and Eden was an acolyte! She did a wonderful job but putting out the candles was a tough job especially when they were so high!

I played Cranium with Dean and the kids on Thanksgiving. Dean cooked the turkey in the Big Green Egg. It was delicious! I made a salad, dressing and gravy and Dean made the sweet potato casserole. Ede’s mother made Puncit, a Filipino dish akin to lo mein with rice noodles, pork, chicken, shrimp and vegetables. I wrote down the recipe once – I think it took two legal pages – and determined that I was never making that!! James played the piano for us. He really has a lot of talent.

Friday was the day for putting up the Christmas tree and decorating the house. We tried to go to Bellingrath in Alabama to see the gardens and the lights (http://www.bellingrath.org/) but it was raining. So we went to Felix's Restaurant on Mobile bay instead (http://www.felixsfishcamp.com/). Their crab soup is to die for! And I enjoyed the crab cakes too. They were on fried green tomatoes. I had never had those before and am now addicted and make them at home… And we went to Barnes & Noble. The Pensacola store is very nice and bigger than the ones in Orlando.

Dean took me to work out every day… I would get a small – very small – breakfast and then we’d go work out. After working out we’d come back and have a delicious protein shake. YUM!! In other news along this same line, I’ve hired a personal trainer and joined a gym. Little Andrea works my TAIL off! I may have lost two pounds. I am getting stronger – I can actually lift 50 pounds AND run up and down steps!!! I’ve still got a long way to go but it’s a start.

The drive home was horrendous with the FL/FL state football gamers (GO GATORS) AND the Thanksgiving people… It took 10 hours instead of the usual 7. And I never saw an accident...

My Continuing 60th. Birthday Saga

After leaving John C. Campbell Folk School, I headed toward Pensacola, FL where my son, Dean, his lovely wife, Ede, and their two children, James and Eden, live. The drive down the mountain was uncertain since I wasn’t sure I was headed the right way on two lane mountain roads but I soon approached civilization. I took the western beltway around Atlanta which was not as scenic. The AL interstate was very nice and had rest areas timed every 45 minutes. And the landscaping was beautiful. I arrived at my son’s house a few hours early and surprised Ede. She was cleaning Nibbles’ and Cinnamon’s cages. Nibbles and Cinnamon are the family pets. Nibbles is a Lop rabbit. Lops are known for their floppy ears. Cinnamon is a Cinnamon rabbit breed, I think… Both rabbits are females and have been spayed just in case. Dean and James were at James’ soccer game. Eden had already played her soccer game – she’s the only girl on the team... The dining room was decorated for a birthday party… Hmmm. Dean and James came home and we sat down to eat dinner. I had a wonderful salmon that Dean cooked in the Green Egg with rice and a lovely fresh tomato and mozzarella salad. Then came hand-made cards from James and Eden and Dean. Ede bought me a lovely birthday card.






There were tons of presents – 3 blouses and a leather jacket!!! Then Dean gave me a mailing envelope and inside was a picture of a 46” Samsung HDTV!!! It was being delivered Thursday afternoon after I got back to Orlando!! WOW!!! I really had a wonderful birthday!

The next morning I had a light breakfast – a roll and water… Then Dean took me to work out with him. So I biked for a few minutes and lifted weights. All my favorite things :) Then we went back to the house and enjoyed a protein shake! YUM!! We met Ede at a lovely sushi restaurant, Fuji Sushi, for lunch. It was delicious! I picked Eden up at school and we got lost but I managed to find my way home. I played the Pilgrim’s Progress board game with James and Eden. James got to the Celestial City first and I was second. We had many perils along the way – monsters, giants, a cruel judge and hungry lions. It was a fun game! Eden did a wonderful presentation about the family vacation to Cheaha State Park in Alabama.

Tuesday morning was another light breakfast and more working out… Another yummy protein shake. I’ll be a shadow of my former self with all of this activity. . There was an indoor volleyball game later that evening at the school so I drove Eden back there. The acoustics in the gym were very good – I had to sit in the waiting room thanks to my tinnitus. Dean brought me some ear phones with white noise and I had high hopes for them but they were no match for the shouting in the gym. After the game – we lost :( - we went to Pensacola Beach to Crabs Restaurant. This is one of the best seafood restaurants and we always love going there. Dean had a large fruity drink so I could keep the glass to remember my evening. I had the combination platter – Dungeness crabs, Alaskan king crab, and stone crabs. James had to help me eat it all! Dean arranged with the waitress to have the staff sing me “Happy Birthday” and bring me birthday cake – a Key lime pie! We all enjoyed that! Then we went walking on the beach. It was a wonderful night to remember.

The next morning I drove the children to school for the last time. We gave each other lots of hugs. Dean and I went to IHOP for breakfast and I was on my way home, somewhat cheered by thoughts of my new HDTV’s arrival the next day!! This was certainly a birthday to remember!

John C. Campbell Folk School Experience

I left Friday morning, September 19th. at 5:00 AM to journey by myself from Orlando, FL to Brasstown, NC. As I neared the FL turnpike it occurred to me that I had forgotten my purse… My purse with my medications was sitting on the counter in full reach of my Cocker Spaniel. I had visions of Riley getting into it and me having to take him to the Emergency Vet Clinic (major $$$) and missing my class… I turned around and in full panic mode raced back to the house. I was stopped at a traffic light and it occurred to me that there was NO ONE around and so I ran the light. As I pulled through the light I heard the whir of the camera as it took my picture… I’m sure the ticket will arrive soon…The purse was unmolested and I proceeded on my way. I was also panicked about driving through the big metropolis of Atlanta but I continued on. It turned out to be nothing – all six lanes moved through and under Atlanta with ease. Northern GA was beautiful – lovely quaint mountain towns. Gas – another fear – was not plentiful but it was acquirable. The car got a treat of a higher test at one stop – that was all that was available. My AAA triptik guided me to JCC with only two glitches and those were easily corrected by calling the school. I did however have to do a u-turn on two mountain roads! And I passed fields upon fields of goldenrod in full bloom… As this is one of my major allergens I was using my steroid nasal spray like a crack addict. After I completed registration at the school in Keith House,

I journeyed on to my room. I was in Bidstrup House which is located on the side of a mountain. The side next to the mountain was buried in dirt up to the windows which were only a slit near the roof.

However, the room was clean as were the bathrooms and other areas.

Should I return to JCC however I will request an even numbered room – they had beautiful mountain views. My roommate had already arrived but was not in evidence. I unpacked and rested for an hour or so before returning to Keith House for Orientation. Orientation explained meals and other amenities. After orientation we went to the Olive B. Campbell dining hall. Students are to stand behind their chairs and sing or say a blessing before each meal. Announcements are made halfway through the meal. Usually the food was very good. The first meal, dinner, was beef with mushrooms, wild rice and peas and carrots. Fresh baked warm bread was served at every meal. After the meal is finished, plates are taken up to the kitchen and dessert is brought back. The first night was peach cobbler. After dinner, I went to the Putman Fiber Arts Building which houses both weaving and quilting. There I met my instructor, Pam Howard. We picked our yarn, wound our warp and dressed our looms.

At 9:00 PM I had to throw in the towel and go back to my room – it had been a LONG day! I finally met my roommate, Joan. She was taking a weekend of clogging! The first night I was over-tired and didn’t sleep more than 4 hours. I tried not to wake Joan but I was restless and every time I turned the bed squeaked. Saturday we went to morning song which was a banjo player. Very enjoyable! I sat at another table for breakfast and chatted with some ladies who were taking the quilting class next door to my weaving class. Then it was off to weaving class to finish dressing my loom – which was a Schact Wolf Pup.

Once the loom was warped using a pattern of one thread of wool and three threads of cotton, I began weaving. I used two shuttles, each loaded with the same wool/cotton as the warp. We didn’t have to worry about the selvedges or the joinings since we were going to felt the piece. I finished weaving about 4:30 and we put the scarf into the hot washer, agitated for 10 minutes and withdrew it to cool it. If it wasn’t felted enough, back into the washer for another 10 minutes it would go. After the 3rd. time I was able to put it into cool water to stop the felting process and wring out the water by putting it into a towel and stepping on it. Then it was put into the dryer for about 10 minutes and finally hung to dry on a rack. Dinner Saturday evening was meatloaf, mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts. I sat with Dot, a weaver from North Carolina, and her sister, Shirley, and Sheree from Alabama. Shirley and Sheree were taking Chair Seats and caning chairs. After dinner, I went back to my room and read awhile then went to the common room to knit. There I met a lovely lady who was making an appliqué square by hand, turning the edges as she went. I slept much better the second night although I did spend some time in bed with my flashlight reading my book… At least I didn’t disturb Joan. We had to be out of our rooms by 9:00 so I packed and loaded the car. Breakfast was with Dot, Shirley and Sheree and then I went to see how my new scarf looked! We had to comb out the fringe and cut it and trim off the joining ends and the scarf was done and ready for viewing at Show and Tell! I’m glad I didn’t leave early as many did because Show and Tell was wonderful. It took place in Keith House and every class showed what they had learned over the weekend. There was photography, quilting, soap making, woodturning, woodworking, blacksmithing, chair seats, dance, enameling, gardening, jewelry, painting and, of course, weaving. Wonderful, talented people and beautiful results. I left before lunch since it would give me an hour’s head start on darkness and I don’t like to drive at night with these cataracts. As I wound down the mountainside – hoping I was going to get where I should – I kept thinking of what a wonderful time I had and all the new friends I had made. John C. Campbell Folk School is a terrific experience and I heartily recommend it.

My 60th. Birthday

Happy Birthday to ME!!!

Yesterday makes 60 years that I have been on this planet! Anyone who tells you this begins your “golden” years hasn’t been here! I’ve got cataracts – can’t see; I’ve got tinnitus – can’t hear; I’ve got hypothyroidism – can’t lose weight; and I’ve got atrial fibrillation – heart jumps around in my chest like a fish out of water. None of those things remind me of golden anything… But I do have a wonderful son and his super wife and children. And I have very caring friends. Monday night I went over to J’s house for SFFF jello, strawberries and cupcakes. I had a lovely evening. My friend, M, MADE me a quilted bag! WITH a pocket inside of it! And she gave me two skeins of yummy sock yarn; a sock pattern for the specific yarn and a very cute needle sizer.

J and J had gotten me a wonderful basket – it had not arrived so they printed out the picture from the internet. I am looking forward to meeting it in person!

Tuesday night my neighbor, J, came over bearing DINNER – homemade corn chowder, 2 rolls, fruit/marshmallow salad AND birthday cake – and a gift! She made my card and it was really special. She gave me a wonderful nightgown that I will take with me to John Campbell Folk School Friday.

My friend, A, sent me a lovely card and a candle and my friend, V, sent me a wonderful card welcoming me to my 60s.

When I got to work this morning I found that the gang had gone all out for my birthday! My office was swathed in toilet paper (one of the girls had left the crepe paper at home by mistake so they had to “make do”), I had a zillion cards and confetti was all over everything. Framing this wonder were two huge balloon trees!

Later in the day my present from my son arrived – a lovely Edible Arrangement of fruits with yet another mylar balloon! And on the heels of D’s present came a present from my friend, S – five mylar balloons, one appropriately black!

The girls took me out to lunch – we picked up Vietnamese – YUM!! And we had birthday cake at 2:00 – angel food cake with sliced strawberries and whipped cream!

T and B took me to Red Lobster for my birthday dinner and I had 1-1/2 pounds of crab legs!! And T arranged with the waitress to bring me cake and ice cream and sing Happy Birthday to me! They also gave me a wonderful set of slippers and creams for my feet and a cute fall decoration for the house. I have certainly had a very memorable birthday!

Mystery Stole #4 - Clue #1

I have been knitting MS4 Clue #1 all last week. This is my first KAL - knit along - and the first time I have knit with beads.

The choosing of the yarn and the beads was very intense with knitters all over the world chiming in about their selections. I chose a mystery yarn - for my mystery stole - from my stash. The instructions said to use a laceweight yarn but this happens to be a fingering weight. I'm glad I chose to use the thicker yarn - the stole would not be wide enough for my taste if I hadn't.

I contacted Lydia from Beadwrangler and sent her a piece of my yarn and she chose beads for me. I was very impressed with her service and her bead choices. However, once I received the beads, size 8 per the instructions, they proved to be too tiny for my fingering weight yarn... There wasn't time for another order from Lydia so I chose some beads from Michaels. However the store only had two tubes - I used one whole tube on Clue #1 - so I went to another Michaels and bought the entire 5 tubes they had. Hopefully this will be enough! KAL are certainly fun and I'll have a lovely stole when I'm done!