Inspirations and Doubleweave

My Granddaughter was here last year visiting us with the rest of the family. It was a very fun time for us even though we were totally squished into this little house. Our house was built in 1912
the rooms are small. The saving grace is that the ceilings are 12 foot. So one gets the feeling of space. Even if its over your head as long as its not in your head. Sorry I digress!! Kiera has to draw and write everyday its part of who she is. So one afternoon she sat amongst 3 and 4 year old trying to show them how you work with a box of paints. They mostly loved dipping the paint brush into the glass of water. In the process she painted this. The colour in this little picture, I thought quite remarkable. Of course I am very bias all my little ducklings are swans and geniuses to boot.

Up on the fridge it went and I felt inspired to try and weave something that would incorporate those colours.. Because of weaving being so structured I thought a double weave would maybe work somewhat. I like what is happening here in the weave and I have had many ideas just weaving how to produce another piece with some of the flower colours too . If I was Alice Schline I could copy it exactly. But I'm not, and I'm happy doing what I'm doing. I have this real love affair with weaving double weave. Its so slow . I had better get back to it while I have a bit of time. Also Kiera really is a lovely child to look at, with a huge sense of humor. Yippy they are all coming again in May. We will grumble about packing everything up to put up beds. But cry when they leave to go home.

Well I have finished my bag, it ended up taking quite a bit of sewing and quite a big of my weaving. (More than I thought actually. But that's OK) I really liked the end results. The bag is a Simplicity pattern with some adjustments from me to accommodate the hand weaving.It's soft and padded enough for me to carry around my hand spindles. I have to fess up and tell that I bought yet another hand spindle. Its lovely a Kundert Spindle and I love it as much as my Spindolyn. I consider myself a rank beginner at spinning and especially working with a hand spindle. But I'm hooked the whole basic creative process of turning fluffy wool into thread is addictive.

My friend gave me a book as a Christmas gift called "Respect the Spindle" by Abby Franquemont. "Damselflys delights" gives a book review on her blog. Two thumbs up its a great book.

OK I have a 24 shaft table loom. Its a Wool House loom and I wove the bag fabric on it. I have decided to sell this loom. If anyone is interested at all. It comes with the table and 4 reeds shuttles and a few other bits and bobs thrown in. The grand sum of $800.00. Its a very good buy for anyone who wants to play with multi shafts. I have decided I have done my thing and need the space. I'm beginning to feel very squished in my little room. If anyone should happen by and is the least bit interested leave a note and I will be in touch. OK we need more pictures. I still a bit challenged when it comes to this blogging.

Now Tap those Ruby Slippers together and say there is no place like home

Well its been a while since I blogged.

New Years Eve is very quiet for my husband and I. However this is the strangest New years eve ever for us. We were woken up at 1-30 in the morning with the bell ringing plus a loud rapping on the door.We both literally tumbled out of bed. Arthur went to the door in his PJ's to find a very large RCMP officer standing there. He said he would like us to evacuate. As they had a situation . Art said could we please get dressed first. "Yes sir and pack an over night bag." So in a daze we got dressed and threw some stuff into a bag and the door was being rapped on again. Are you ready "yes" Me" can we just drive away in our vehicle". "No Mam we will drive you to the detachment". "OK run across the lawn and get into the van". "Heads down".As I stepped out of our front door, a large policemen was laying on our porch toting a Rambo looking rifle.I haven't really run anywhere in years, but somehow I managed to do what they wanted. Then trying to scramble into the van was difficult since it had nothing to hang onto. Art helped to drag me in trying not to laugh at my antics. I realized I was in what everyone calls a Paddy wagon.

We actually live 2 blocks from the police station but the area was completely locked down and we drove all around getting the scenic view of our neighbourhood. Finally we got to the police station to be greeted by our Italian neighbours and a huge contingent of there family. They too had been evacuated.

We found out from the neighbours that were trickling in, it was John a chap that lives 1 house away from us. He had got drunk and was shooting a gun. He is a very troubled man, but lets not go into that. We ended up spending the night in a Motel kitty corner from our house. The whole thing was a very unpleasant experience for us. There is more to this story but enough already

I really commend the RCMP, just recently they have been getting some very bad press. But those men put there lives in jeopardy of protect the Innocent. Who knows were a stray bullet could end up. And they were very polite and caring to us.

Having recovered from that experience. I have got my butt in gear. I cleaned out my linen closet and rearranged its contents. Cleaned out our apartment size freezer. My new year Intentions, not you notice Resolutions, are to make a weekly menu plan for our meals. We have an awful lot of good food frozen. I don't know how I got so off track in that regard. and to finish what I have started. Also to try to use only what is in my stash. Crikey! that will be hardest to do, and eat more healthy so I can easily hop into paddy wagons. My Grandchildren need to make a visit soon so I can palm off the last of the chocolates. This is a picture of my sewing bench I have some hand woven fabric I would like to make bags out of. Ok then lets get out the cutting board. I need a bag for my hand spindles.

Happy New Year everyone