Three, Two, One and Lift off!

Back in the 1980’s when I use to do craft fairs, I always could tell how well I’d do at a show, by what went wrong or didn’t right before I left.  If everything went smoothly, I got everything finished, there was no peripheral drama with family or the house, or storms or anything, then the show would invariably be terrible.  If on the other hand, I was completely crazy by the time I was ready to leave for the show, because if it could go wrong it did, then the show would be fantastic.  The more that went wrong before hand, the better the show.  I know that seems like a silly gauge, but it was somehow comforting.  Like it was nothing I did or didn’t do, sort of just the fates.

If this week is any indication of how my trip to Reno will go, this should be the conference of the century.  Which I hope it is!  That said, I’m so tired of the drama.  I have a pond that keeps emptying, and is green, and pond guys came Monday, replaced a pump, cleaned the filter and it still dropped 3 inches overnight.  I’m guessing the next step will be to rip the pond out, re-line the entire system and start over.  The pond is old, probably 15 years, and I just want this to work again and not have to hire someone to babysit it every day while I’m on the road.  Yes, there are those I know well who are telling me to just back fill the whole thing and call it a day, but it was my husband’s legacy and I’m not ready to give that up.  I’ve invested too much already.

And then the comments thing.  I found out over the weekend that the comments plug in was not functioning and no one could leave a comment on my blog posts.  We traced it to an upgrade to Word Press, and it all seems to be part of the huge push to comply with privacy policies and opt in options and the whole plug in that controlled the comments section just disappeared.  I had to call in tech guy, who came in Saturday and spent the morning trying to figure it all out, and I hope he was successful, I’ll know because hopefully some of you dear readers will leave comments.  And it will work.

My daughter texted this afternoon she was in the Emergency Room with a possible gall bladder attack.  I’ve had them.  They are no picnic.  No sign of stones, but she is a hurting puppy.  A traveling mom’s worst nightmare.  I have to leave for this trip tomorrow.  Too much is riding on this conference.  And I’ve invested too much. Half of my stuff is in Reno already.   But then my daughter is in the hospital.  Hopefully as I write, she is on her way here to stay the night, where it is airconditioned, her apartment was 94 degrees last night and the cat went into severe distress.  She is a smart girl and knew what to do, get the cat to the vet hospital where she works.  I’m sure stress has nothing to do with any of this…  And probably the dinners at Taco Bell don’t help either…

Did I mention the storm that blew through here an hour ago?  Monsoon rains, torrential flooding, towns 15 minutes away got nothing.  The power went out before I could transfer my files and I had visions of my last trip, where I had to fly out with a power outage causing me to have to dump all my food the night before I left, from two refrigerator/freezers.  The power outage was short lived and you will know all is well if I get this post out.  It has been 100 degrees the last three days and it has been hard to function.

In spite of all this chaos, I could go on, but you get the point, I did what any self respecting fiber junkie would do and in between frantic calls to contractors and tech people, I hid in my studio, psyched about the path I was on, and looked around for more stuff to sew.  Slim pickings.  I have to get my naked looms dressed and get to weaving…  I did find the remnants from this tunic…  

And after I sent a huge hunk out to make these clogs… (Chameleon Clogs)

I was left with this…

There clearly wasn’t enough fabric for a bias top, but that never stopped me.  I am a whiz at butting selvedges together, and the selvedges on this fabric were beautiful.  So I carefully pieced the fabric in a way that allowed me to cut a bias front and back and I have another summer top.  The draft for this fabric, called Pacific Sunset can be purchased here.

I’m having trouble fitting all these lovely new things in my closet! (And in the suitcases for Reno).

Then there was the pile of scraps from the Autumn Patchwork Duster Coat I just finished.  

 

There was enough to make a tunic from the leftovers. Truth be told, I love this tunic even more than I love the coat.  And it is something I can wear a lot.  The draft is Autumn Patchwork and you can purchase it here.

And Sunday I needed to do one more dry run of the Turned Krokbragd technique that I’ll be teaching on Friday afternoon.  The weaving is easy, but the set up is pretty complicated.  And I had to see exactly what I needed to pick up at Staples to give to students, rubber bands, unsharpened #2 pencils, paper clips.  The result of course was this…

The draft is in my Advanced Inkle Weaving Techniques.  You can purchase the download for this here.  I hand dyed silk from India I bought from a weaver friend.  It is the same draft as this one I started last year, and had to abandon because, well, Shetland wool singles, what was I thinking…  Silk is so much better to work with on an inkle loom.

In spite of all the drama, I’m packed, just have to weigh the suitcases, which I’m avoiding as you can tell.  The limo comes to get me in the morning and I start the trek to Reno, via San Francisco, from Newark, and it will all be what it is.  I hope a complete success all round.  No drama.  None.  

Stay tuned…

 

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

16 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Lucy
Lucy
July 3, 2018 6:22 pm

I realized that I was holding my breath while reading! Safe journey, see you soon.

Joan Anderson
Joan Anderson
July 3, 2018 6:26 pm

See you in Reno. It should be a great show from your theories!

JoAnne Tuffnell
JoAnne Tuffnell
July 3, 2018 6:48 pm

Based on your past experiences and theory, the Reno conference must be charmingly perfect! And when I see the creations you have woven and sewn, I am in awe. Always. (And may the pond fix itself!)

Mary M
Mary M
July 3, 2018 7:05 pm

Think about a backup generator. We installed one this year and it is such a blessing to have electricity during a storm.

Peggy Bowman
Peggy Bowman
July 3, 2018 7:08 pm

Sending virtual hugs for you and best wishes for your daughter’s healing. You will make Convergence a most positive experience – or a source for some really good stories after!! Safe travels.

Sue corbett
Sue corbett
July 3, 2018 7:44 pm

I so enjoy your blog. I agree that the more that goes wrong before a show. The better the show

Nancy Weber
Nancy Weber
July 3, 2018 8:15 pm

So happy that you fixed the comments section. Of course your top is awesome! The colors are very pretty and work well with the top. Have a good trip and see you sometime over the weekend. Hugs, Hugs, Hugs,

Angi Jurado
Angi Jurado
July 3, 2018 8:31 pm

Safe Travels and Enjoy! I’ve been reading and posting. But basically what I said is how fabulous it is to me, that you so freely cut into your designed garments, viewing them instead as yardage! You’re an inspiration as always!!!

Randi
Randi
July 3, 2018 8:31 pm

Best wishes to your daughter for rapid recovery. And Daryl- thank you for making your drafts available to purchase! Love love love reading your blog!

Judy Sheppard
Judy Sheppard
July 3, 2018 8:46 pm

Hi Daryl,
Have a great time in Reno, a safe trip there and back. I hope your daughter is feeling better and her cat. I love your clogs, does a company do that for you or did you cover an existing pair. and How do you keep them clean? I’d love to do that, but I think of the wear and tear on the fabric for something like this. The closest I’ve come is covering a pair of slip on sandals with silk fabric I have embroidered.
Cheers Judy
SE Qld Australia

Gerri Barosso
Gerri Barosso
July 4, 2018 12:07 am

The drama has already happened and you are on to a marvelous conference!

Alice Sharick
Alice Sharick
July 4, 2018 7:45 am

Wow! You’re amazing! I’m exhausted just reading this. But you seem to have not only survived, but thrived. Wishing you all the best with your travels, your show, your daughter’s health and your pond.

Jenny
Jenny
July 4, 2018 9:55 am

Clogs, how cool is that. I did not realize you could do that.

Generator…I vote yes there….permanent, automatic, peace of mind. Something I am looking to do soon. Too much violent weather around here in the last few years. That storm missed me….but it looked like the wrath of the gods riding just over the ridge to the north. Guess that’s what hit you.

Lynn Field
Lynn Field
July 4, 2018 6:20 pm

I agree, the tunic is beautiful. Hope Brianna is OK and you have a safe, successful trip

grace
grace
July 4, 2018 7:12 pm

Hope everything comes together in Reno! And you are reunited with your carryon! I have class with you on Friday morning so I will get to see if all is well then!

Read previous post:
What’s Old is New Again…

Those of you who know my history know that after college/art school, I started my career working for a textile...

Close