Frisbee is a nine year old English Cocker Spaniel. She is a blue roan which means she has lots of gray and black and white spots all over her. She gets her own shrine that I wear around because she means the world to me. She is my constant companion since my husband works on the other side of the planet. She is my personal trainer and makes it a point to get me up between 4:30am and 5 every day so that I don't forget to go on our walk. I think art should be about celebrating the things that mean the most to us. My husband says that in his next life he wants to come back as my dog.

The copper slide case, and the slides came from Artchix Studio. They have great service and cool things to play with. http://www.artchixstudio.com

May your art reflect what makes your heart sing. (Don't tell the cats I did this.)

Two projects on one warp. The first is a V-back shawl and the second is a vest. They were made on one nine yard warp, where each panel is woven and a space is left for the fringe between before the next one is begun. The warp and weft were 100% wool, although that being said there are lots of different kinds of wool in the world. The warp has some soft Harrisville (the blue stripes you can see) and some old overspun wool from a stash I inherited. The weft is a red boucle that is pretty soft but also gives the whole thing a crepe paper feel. I think it would be a fun thing to wear if you live somewhere cold.



















Now this other little project is posted for my friends in the Creative Life Group, run by Rice Freeman-Zachary http://www.voo-doo-cafe.com. It is a shrine necklace that features a picture of my dog Frisbee. She is one of the lights of my life. Another friend, Jean Peter (no web site) made the bone charm in copper with Frizz's name on it.


















May Art enrich your life everyday.

The new year got off to a running start and I've been weaving things on the rigid heddle loom (see previous post). This is the first vest, mainly blues. The yarns are different kinds, some wool, ribbon, cotton and novelty. The idea was just to stay with things that looked interesting together and have a patchwork kind of effect. The vest went with me to the gallery last week and sold first thing. The woman who bought it put it together with a great turquoise necklace made by Frieda Bates.
Here is the back side, you can see some of my studio with all the cones of yarn on the walls. I always need to see things in order to remember they are there and able to be used.

A New Year, a new project using the new toy Santa brought to me. Despite having several large looms I was enchanted with the idea of all the things that can be made on a rigid heddle loom. The one Santa brought is a Kromski Harp made in Poland. There are many nice things about these rigid heddle looms, they are hand made and it shows in all the details. They include a built in warping board on the back of the loom. They fold in half even when fully warped so they can be taken anywhere. They are available with a great stand that allows you to work anywhere there is a chair and a little floor space. I can see being able to take this fun loom with me to demonstrate weaving much in the same way my Ashford Joy spinning wheel goes with me to demo spinning. My resolution for now is to only make fun things on this loom, no serious projects, just cool colors and funky yarns. This first scarf is finished and came out soft and bulky. The yarns are all commercial but worked up nicely.

Here is Viola the dressform showing off the scarf after it has been washed and dried.

In addition to new projects for the new year I alwas look back on the things I am so grateful for in my life. Here is my list: 1. Family, Friends and Furry Companions. Not necessarily in that order all the time. 2. Being able to do what I love for a living. 3. Living in New Mexico where the light is incredible and the chili is the best! 4. Good books, tea and chocolate. 5. Good Health. 6. Yarn, yarn and yarn.

OK enough for now.

Blessings to you all in this new year. Get out there and do something to make your dreams come true.