What's next in weaving?

Something nice and EASY.  I just finished this runner...

... and it was a nightmare!  It started out wider and a mess.  After trying to salvage it, I had to give up and start over.  Reslaying the reed.  But Yay!! It's finished!  

I am going to do a tabby weave next.  It will be soooo much easier. Then I will try a houndstooth!

I actually did a little extra to make a small wallet/clutch.  I am debating about putting it in the shop.  Hmmm.

A finished project...and unfinished :)

I almost (this is me wayyyyy to often) had this done at Christmas. Originally I used a zipper that was to small and a pillow that was to small. After another  trip to Jo Ann's it was finished.

In the picture to your right, you will notice a QR barcode by stkr.it .  My local quilt shop, Find X Designs, sells these things for $3.25.  You just download the app, scan the sticker, apply any digital media you want to that code, iron it on your project and your done!  

When my hubby scanned the code he saw a picture I took in DC of the Mall and a message thanking him for taking us.  I wanted to do a video of the kids playing there instruments and/or singing, but get them to get it all together in time, well... 

Below is a picture of a scarf and wallet that I wove.  I embroidered a flower design that matches the lining I am using for the wallet.  The picture below is my second attempt.  And now I am on my third *sigh* .  The first two colors just didn't stand out enough against the background.  It just looked like a blob of brown thread. 

So, I am trying a yellow this time.  My husband suggested it.  When he did, I thought yellow?  But he is something awesome with color coordination.  Most women dress there husbands, my husband dresses me :/  :).  Okay, I really need faces for this thing, hehe.  

Labels!

I finally order labels.  They work great with my handwovens.

The labels are made of UltraSuede and laser engraved by

Bullfrog Graphics on Etsy.

Next I am ordering some of these for Taylor's birthday for her to use in her doll shop.

They will say Taylor Made

Currently Working On

This is a pic of one of the warps I chose for the Christmas washclothes.  Well, I haven't finished those washclothes.  They were more work than I barganed for.  I've only gotten 3 done out of the 8 washclothes from just one warp.  There are suppose to be 16 in all.  I can't do any other projects till this is finished, :( . 

I have some in mind: 

• Coal Grey Cotton / Cobolt Blue Linen face towel for Hubby - Houndstooth design (maybe)
• Pink and Cream Scarf like I did before - I really need to do this one before the end of March (Yikes!)
• Something fun for making little purses, doll clothes and other little crafty items. 

Currently I am working on my friends wedding dress.  I am really excited about it.  I tell her she's terrific, how many friends would allow their friend to make her wedding dress? 

Heddles

I'm pmaking some washcloths on the loom for Christmas. I got the reed sleighed, then I realize I'm short 88 heddles! So I asked my Wonderful Husband to put some nails in aboard for me :).

Picks of one of two scarfs I made recently.  Can't wait to do pink and cream, but have to wait till I finish the 1800's Dress (you can see the fabric underneath the scarf).

It's hard to get them in the shop when I want to give them all away, lol.

2nd Scarf Completed

I finished my second loom project which turned into 3rd and 4th project as well.  I miscalculated the amount of warp I'd need and was able to get two scarfs and a finger towel out of it.  Actually the finger towel will have to be something else because I remembered Bamboo is a wicking material, not absorbing. 

I was excited because my teacher said that my edges come out so nice and that I did so well i could sell them.  So I am selling one of them in my etsy shop. 

Bamboo Scarf

I started a new scarf projects.  I made up my own design and love it.  Of course my weaving teacher helped me to put it all together :-).  The colors are cream and green.  I took picks at a few different angles.  They are darker than I intended.  I even tried lightening them up in Picknik.

You may be able to see a few tangles in the warp.  I sure had a time with it.  I messed up my figure 8.  I was trying to adjust something with the strings and let go of the bottom of the 8.  I was horrified for a moment, a girl could just cry at the thought of all that work ruined.  Resolving to myself first that, there is a God (THE God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, The LORD, Jehovah, The Most High God - NOT Allah or any other little "g" god - I stress this because people want to confuse my God with other gods.), making my mishap seem silly.  Weather small or great, anything that comes my seems easily remedied when this living fact comes to my remembrance. Second that it will be a pain, but all is not lost.

 I received my lye soap Saturday, just in time, I was completely out of laundry soap.  I ordered the wrong stuff however and only got half the basic lye.  The other half was traditional.  I'll have to pay more attention the next time I order.  It did give me the opportunity to try hand and dish soap again. 

I used the basic lye for the dish soap.  I'm still not happy with the results, but it was better than the Fels Naptha.  I will have to research some more to get the kinks worked out.

For the hand soap I used the traditional lye.  It worked great.  I love the way it turned out.

 Last I am working on a rag rug.  I have wanted to try this for some time but am just now giving it a try.

Here are a few links...

Rag Rug Cafe - This is the design I am using.

Moda Cake Shop - This one looks fun.

Finished scarf. 

Coming Along

Here is a pic of the work I've done on the loom.  I'm pretty pleased with results so far.  I have completed about 18" so far.  I'm making a scarf so I have a lot more to do before I'm finished.

 Here I am trying my hand at some dish soap.  If it turns out and I like it, I will be adding some to Etsy along with more laundry soap with new fragrances.  It has been a rough start from when I had to close when we moved, but things are mellowing out now and I'm anxious to get started again.

This and That

It's been awhile since I've posted about projects I'm working on and thought I'd share a few.

This first one is actually one that Taylor did for a little one at church.

She crocheted the pocket lace and did a hand embroidered stem stitch for the collar. The picture she used was from a greeting card she received.

Here I am doing a small Biscornu. I did a larger one here with a tutorial.

In looking back I see where I wasn't clear in some of the steps. If you have questions, please email me. I will fix the issues as soon as I can.

This is a table loom my MIL gave me just before we moved to NC. It was her grandmothers. I absolutely love it. I contacted a lady about her chickens and wound up with lessons! I saw some really nice guitar and belt weaving patterns that I excited about trying.

I was complaining to my husband about doing a project that I'm not excited about and that I'm one that would rather do a project that is too difficult, but inspiring than one that is easy that I lack enthusiasm over. He loves my corny artist quotes, like, "An artist needs inspiration!" It always gives him a good laugh.

I bought goats milk soap from a vendor at the county fair. I do not like having a mess from the bar in the shower, so I thought I'd make some terry cloth sack like thingys. I'll think of a better name later. I will put some up on my etsy (along with more laundry soap) and see what happens. The fabric I'll be using is Michael Miller's Organic Terry Cloth. MoSoap is an excellent source for lye soaps. They are very generous.

Arts in Texas

Two weeks ago we went to Homestead Heritage in Elm Mott, Texas. We do not agree with their religious beliefs. We were able to see a few demonstrations. Pottery, Ironwork and a little Weaving. They are excellent craftsmen.

These pictures are all backward so please start from the bottom and work your way up.

The Deli

Seed guide in the General Store

Hand Carved Owl

Waldorf/Kinder Dolls with Wool Lambs

Grace took the following eight pictures.

She seems to have an eye for it.

Fiber Arts Shop (Eva out front)

Grist Mill we learned a lot of interesting things here

about the mill and the millstone workings.

Handmade Violin

Potter's House

Handmade Stummers

Handmade Brooms (nice and expensive :-)

The Barn where we started.