I’m back, reluctantly…
And what a re-entry it was. Between malfunctioning ponds, waterfalls dug up by the dog, shot bearings on the pool pump, sprung springs on the garage door, and 95 degree temperatures, with no airconditioning (which I refuse to start up, flushing drain lines etc, since I’m leaving again in a couple of hours to take Brianna to UWebs, UMass for freshman orientation) it has been a hell of a week. And it is only Wednesday…
I want to be back in Oregon…
My new band weaving buddy John Mullarkey and I have had a running dialogue about self publishing books, he has in fact published a terrific tome on Card Weaving patterns through LULU.com. This opens up all kinds of potential opportunities, more things for me to dive into, but he graciously provided this quote for me, in reference to my whining about my overwhelming reentry midnight on Sunday night…
“The blanket of fiber we wrap ourselves in is so comfortable, and it is so cold outside…”
Other than the fact that the thermometer will hit 97 today, I think that is a record for mid-June, I loved the quote and am wishing for some studio time to play with all my new fiber inspiration from the ANWG conference.
Meanwhile…
Spending lots of time partying in the lounges after hours at the conference, sitting in airports, and hunkered down on airplanes in coast to coast flights, I managed to knit a tank top for the cruel days of summer. This is Noro Lily Yarn, cotton and silk, and I’m using a free pattern from Berroco. All I have to do is finish one armhole band, and sew everything together.
The dishtowel exchange at the Jockey Hollow Guild last Wednesday night, where Brianna’s sheep towels were a hit, netted some excellent towels between the two of us. The assignment was to create dishtowels using complementary colors. This was a terrific exchange, my only regret is we only have one sheep towel between the two of us, so I know if I want one of my own forever and ever, I’ll have to weave one for myself. 🙁
And finally, I did manage to undo the three yard seam, fortunately I’m an excellent speed ripper, and I reset the front/collar pieces on the un-named coat/dress and got the whole thing back on the dressform. I’m really happy with the garment so far. All it needs is hidden button closures, a lining, and lots and lots of handwork, which I’m not doing until the air conditioning is on and I can stand holding a 10 pound wool garment in my lap.
Nameless No More… I’ve come up with a name for my coat/dress. I’ve been sitting on this photo from our trip to New Mexico just before the Albuquerque Convergence last July. We saw amazing sunsets on that trip, and this one has haunted me, and I think wants to be part of my garment, so I’m going to give my nameless coat/dress a formal title, Albuquerque Sunset. I’m hoping to finish it up to take to the Midwest conference in two weeks, my fingers will be flying all next week, as I sew, garden, clean up, prepare the house/yard, and get everything ready for Brianna’s high school graduation on the 17th.
I need that blanket that John described… In spite of the heat, it is cold outside…
Lovely name – PERFECT match of photo and garment — the colors in both are just stunning. You ended up with a great selection of towels. I bet Brianna’s Ninja sheep were the most sought-after. Good luck with all the work ahead of you….
I think you’ve got it!!! The sunsets in New Mexico are truly enchanting, and you’ve captured all the colors in your coat. It’s beautiful (and will bring back many wonderful memories!)
Bri is just going to have to weave a few more of the towels.
You’ve got that blanket. It is called family and home. It is there to wrap around you any time you need it and it is guarenteed to keep out the cold.
Great coat dress and the name is perfect!
Perfect combination! Lovely towels from the exchange. Congrats to Brianna too.
Can’t wait to see the coat at Midwest!
Daryl,
for self-publishing, get info on blurb.com. Nancy Schwab of nunofeltdesigns.com has a wonderful blog for nuno-felters and she just published months of her great blogs in a little book “Nuno Felting Tips & Tricks (which of course I ordered).
Sorry to miss Midwest this year, but hope that some time in the future I will meet Albuquerque Sunset!
Albuquerque sunset is a splendid title! That’s just one of the great things about NM. Thanks for sharing, even during your crazy busy week. Good luck!
Great towels. Perfect name! I love those colors. See both you and John M at Midwest…soon.
love the coat dress, the name, the picture and look forward to seeing you at Midwest. I was on a hot 8 day trip this last week end, swore not to spend a dime and came home with two more spinning wheels…;-(
Incredibly apt title it just has the right ring to it! After seeing the pic what else is there to call your lovely coat of many colours. I’ll bet you’re happy to see it finished, I know I am..it looks amazing! Love the tea towels too…rich variety and what a pleasure to use.
Sorry, your coat looks finished, and there is still lots to do as you say… but it still looks simply wonderful. Thanks for sharing your trials too, and your consolation. It’s a deep note you’ve struck in my heart…
Love that coat and the New Mexico sunset. Perfect!
Daryl the coat is beautiful, or will be beautiful when you get it finished and you have absolutely captured the NM sky. Everyone always says the sky is magical and it is. You have just proved that you also think of it that way.