It borders on obsession..

Hmm? Guess what I've been doing?
Using up stash, that's what...
Mostly scraps, and a pompom yarn that I found utterly exasperating to knit with.
Oh, and then for a reprieve... I met a friend for coffee, she was in town for a family visit. We went to grade school together, and reminisced about the Hearst Honeybees (softball). I know I have never mentioned my athletic abilities before... that's because there aren't any.
We ran into another school mate, Sargeant Calhoun, TPD. We asked a young girl at the next table to take our pic. I noticed he got instant respect in that uniform. How could she say no?

Okay, back to weaving. I'm working up a soft alpaca scarf... for a cousin. Imagine that?

There is nothing to do in this heat, but weave.

And wait for cooler weather... so I can wear my new scarf! Lemongrass Silk

There is a website out there for knitters, crocheters, and now weavers. It's called Ravelry. Ever heard of it? You can find me there. It's chock full of inspiration, information and groups of likeminded people. I'm putting all the details of my projects there and will link to the corresponding project page for anyone who wants more info on the items I post on my blog.

I was talking to Meg about this scarf yesterday, and she asked me what about this scarf made me feel as if I had turned a corner in my weaving. And here is my answer...

I think I turned a corner for a couple of reasons. This is the first piece that actually feels like fabric, draping across my skin. All the previous ones have been coarse, or bulky or just not comfortable to touch.

And secondly, it is the first piece where I felt like plain weave turned out anything but plain. I have tried all kinds of techniques to alter the plain weave that I can do on the rigid heddle, using a pick up stick etc. But they all seemed blah to me. This piece I decided to throw a little caution to the wind, and wove with 4 different yarns in a random repeat. It is truly something unique and not easily replicated. Unlike other plaids and stripes I wove, where I thought, "hmf! I could have bought one like it at Target!"

So I feel as if I have created something beautiful and original and luxurious.

Take Your Cat to Work Day

Hello readers! Daisy at the blogging helm today! I am announcing an event on facebook and inviting you all to attend... Take Your Cat to Work Day.

It's this Wednesday and starts promptly at 8 am. No slacking kitties showing up late to work, now! Be sure and click the link above and rsvp. I'm sending out helpful hints about what a cat should wear to work, how to pack a brown bag, etc.

And I want to tell you about a new book which I cannot wait to get, called Careers for Your Cat, authored by Ann Dziemianowicz and illustrated by Ann Boyajian. It's being released on August 3rd, just a few days away! Pre-order it now on Amazon.com and it qualifies for Free Super Saver Shipping (when your order meets the $25 minimum)!

Remember that every cat has a purrpose in life, and it is up to you to help your kitty find theirs! This book will have many ideas of how to get Fluffy on the Payroll and off of the Dole.

Lucky for me, I have already found my full time job as a blogger and facebook promoter!

Toodloo friends!

Daisy

No fees were paid for this endorsement.

When a lull in creativity strikes...

Prep for the next wave of inspiration.

Spin some new yarn. Gesso some canvas.

Get out a sketchbook. Make some quick collage art.

Shop for new supplies. Try something new.

Anything but clean up the studio!

My recent weaving addiction has created quite a mess.

((sigh!))

I'm so pleased to learn my weaving class has been featured on the Be Sweet Yarn blog! So cool!

A New Scarf! Imagine that!

Someday I am going to break free from the scarf format. But until then....

Yes, that is me the weaver, modeling and photographing simultaneously. Don't laugh!

Yarn: Wild Stuff, Portofino - Weft and Lachiwa color 1404 in the Warp.

Plain weave, 8DPI heddle on a Cricket Loom. Finished size is 5 inches by 72.

Don't Spam On Me!

Dear Anonymous:

This blog is not your personal Spam ground. It is not a place where you can receive free marketing for your stupid Akoya Pearls or anything else. This blog is mine, all mine!!!!!

And since your mama never taught you, I will tell you there is a thing called etiquette and it applies even in the blog world. It goes like this... You say something nice, using your google account log-in, type-pad log-in etc, not anonymously. And you say it in clearly, understood words. And you do NOT leave a list of links to your products or more likely your false web page that hacks into every visitors computer and inserts viral information onto their computer. You say something and leave. Then when I read it, I am happy you visited and I reciprocate onto your blog, which is a blog, not a commercial website that sells crap I don't want.

And since you have made yourself known here, over and over again, you have left me no choice but to alter my blog settings to restrict and moderate comments so you cannot do this to me and to my readers again, you schmuck.

I just wonder how people like yourself even sleep at night because you are not welcome anywhere you go. Goodbye Anonymous!

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

Pottery Barn is having their summer sale, maybe you heard?





A little scavenger hunt around my house yielded a few sea shells for my sea shore theme.
Happy Thursday! Thanks for stopping by!

Linked to Tablescape Thursday.

Taos Wool Festival Re-Cap

In 2008, Steve and I went to Taos, New Mexico and attended their famous Taos Wool Festival. Here's a recap of what we saw there.

A highlight to our trip to New Mexico, these cute baby alpacas made me want to come home and start a herd of my own! They made the cutest low cooing sounds, too.
I'm not a good fact gatherer, so I didn't get the breed of these goats. But I recall someone saying they are some special hybrid breed for the length of their fleece. I could see me walking one of these down the city streets of my neighborhood! There's nothing in my covenants about raising goats, I'm pretty sure!
I had never seen a sheep shearing contest. I supposed speed was part of the criteria. The goat baa'd through the whole experience
Here is a naked sheep. I think I prefer the hand cutting method I have seen on video to the rip-roaring electric sheers that buzzed this poor baby. But in all, it seemed like it embarrassed the poor animal rather than hurt it.
Wool rugs of course were on every corner of every town we stopped. Those at the wool festival turned out to be some of the better ones we saw.
And the judges agreed with us. The rugs above were made by this award winning weaver.
And I was pleasantly surprised to see my friend and teacher Ruth Walker exhibiting there. She took first place in the household items division for her beautiful felted tea cozy. Go Ruth!
I would have liked to take home a few of these gems. Beautiful spindles of exotic woods with inlay decoration on the disc. I was too nervous to give one a spin.

But I did try these on for size. The softest woolen gloves and mittens you can imagine. And they are made by a family business who raises their own sheep, and spins and and knits their own goods and then sells them through venues such as the wool festival. I thought their display was the best in the show and their prices were good too.
So, I took home a pair of gloves! And I actually wore them that day since the temp was a chilly 42 when we arrived that morning. I had a great time there and wished all my fiber friends could have been there with me!

Mark you calender for 2010, The Taos Wool Festival is Oct. 2 and 3rd in Taos New Mexico, where else?

Patio Reveal!

Ta Da!! You may recall we were screening in our patio a couple of weeks ago. Well, let me say we have been thoroughly enjoying it with the cooler weather, this week. Take a little peek at how it's come together...

I knew from the git-go I needed to flip-flop the furniture arrangement. Table and chairs are nearer the back door and the conversation area is anchored on the brick wall at the far end. Such a more practical use of space. Why had I not thought of it to begin with?

Would you like to come for dinner, or maybe brunch in the shade of the screened porch? My plastic-ware is from Target last year. I had never intended to create a continuous color scheme on my porch. I have just bought things I liked. But lo-and-behold.. you will see... stuff coordinates! I'm so surprised at myself!

This table came from Lowe's, eons ago. The top is just plain old ceramic floor tiles and you just pop them in and out if you want to change the look of your table. I just went with boring brown tiles, but it makes my dishes take center stage!

And you might have noticed my polka dot chair cushions? Got those a few weeks ago at Marshall's. I am the diva of discount, you know? The shade of blue is brighter than the things I have accumulated, but ultimately, I think it looks more than okay!
I know, I know, I even coordinated my flip flops. Unintentionally, but then realized they had to be in the shot! Truly, I had left them here when I kicked them off last night before coming in.

Here is our conversation area. The faux-wicker and cushions are from Gordman's last year. But I think I saw them this year also. Cheep Cheep, says the birdie!

No, my porch swing is not for short people. This is one item still on the honey-do. But honestly we enjoy the patio so much already, it's kind of shame to break the relaxation and make the hubby get out his tools. (Maybe this weekend, sweetie?)

See he just has to move these chains. And SHHH! Don't tell Steve, but I am thinking those light fixtures need to be replaced with outdoor ceiling fans. And... I have considered hanging matchstick blinds above the screens so I can block out that west facing sun on super-duper hot days.

You might recognize this table. It used to be here. Now it's doing duty on the patio. The perfect drawer to hide a couple of gardening tools, a candle lighter, etc. Steve dug this old fan out of our garage last night. Perfect!!

Even my caladiums are coordinated. Again, this was just pure coincidence. I had red ones here before and just prefer the contrast of the white against the brick. These are the only plants on the patio. It really cuts down on water spills to have only one potted plant to take care of, not to mention my time.

Although with these epoxied floors, water is not a problem. I love the way they turned out! It's a product that has real tiny pebbles mixed into the epoxy. Super wearable, and weather proof to the max!
And the kitty likes it, too! She spends most mornings out here with me now. I love that she can get some fresh air and enjoy the sounds of nature.
Plus, she coordinates! ha!
Completely unplanned!
Speaking of unplanned, this candle holder is something I made a few years ago from left over craft supplies -- a project I did for my nieces room. It kind of unintentionally became my muse for my patio decor. Funny how a 2 dollar craft project can launch a home improvement idea! ha!

Okay, thanks for visiting my patio today! It was sure nice to get my mind on happier things. If you are in Tulsa, and want to know who did the fine job on our patio, it was Standard Builder's Supply. Bob is the owner. He will treat you right! Thanks Bob! We love it!