Archives

Solar Eclipse

May21

We drove up to Slate Mountain to view the eclipse. Haven’t been out that way in years. Nothing much has changed except that the county has recently graded the road so it’s in pretty good shape and the trees are starting to crowd the road, making it nearly a tunnel in some places. Not dangerous so they don’t spend any money clearing them back.  It’s kind of pretty and reminds us of how soon our works would disappear if we did.

Back on subject! We had a great view of the eclipse and as we were front and center for it, we got to see the whole ‘ring of fire’ thing. Pretty neat. It got a little darker, kind of like a thickly cloudy day but forget the movie thing, you are not going to impress any natives with your magic. But we had a nice picnic and enjoyed getting out in the woods again. Don’t have the right kind of filters on our cameras so they refused to see it but have a couple of stunning sun pictures. The view from up there is great, too, in spite of the rather hazy air.

Looking back toward Bonanza King on the right and the little bump on the horizon to the left is Billy’s Peak, at the foot of which is our place. It’s not as far as it look in the photo, I’m guessing maybe 10 or 12 miles as the crow flies.

This one was taken by an internet friend in Arizona. The thick smoke from the forest fires they are suffering now acted as a filter for this eclipse. Is that looking on the bright side?! lol They were not in the right line to see the full ring but I found this effect very interesting.

So we’ve had two sky events this year already. I think that’s enough! No need for too much excitement from out of space for us. Our sky event today is the likelihood of thunder showers. I’d rather like to miss those, too. But I am making a couple of weaving videos for youtube so a bit of cloudiness is good for the lighting out on the deck. Get out your looms and weave with me!

 

 

Spring Trip

Apr23

We spent our 28th anniversary and his 60th birthday on the road. Had a great time, too. Visited Death Valley.

and Las Vegas along with many other places along the way. I have way toop many pictures to share here, tho.

We say Donnie and Marie and they were great. What energy they have for people who are no longer really young!

We walked The Strip by night, a year-round Marti Gras! But we also spent time in the desert, quiet, cool and peaceful for the most part. It started to get warm by the time we got home and the streams are up and running today with the temps in the 80’s!

This is Walker lake, the most colorful lake I ever remember seeing. We spent an afternoon and night here. You will swear this is a painting but it is not and i did not do anything to the photo, it is just as it really looked.

and here we are at Burney Falls on the way Home.

 

 

The Doldrums…

Mar21

Yeah, it’s been awhile since I posted. Can’t think of anything to say these days. You don’t want to hear me whine about the weather… rain snow rain snow rain rain… you know how it goes this time of year. The sun occasionally comes out just to let us know it’s still there. I have some violets and primroses trying to add some cheer to the gloom.

But I have been working steadily in the shop and weaving a couple projects to enter into HandWoven’s contest for this year. I can’t show you those, tho. Not yet, but here’s a pic Randy took of me working at my new downdraft table. It’s done wonders for the atmosphere in the shop.

Jane Grogan will be teaching classes this summer using a 10″ square (see me sanding those looms) and also Quilting with Weaving using the Tiny Weaver set, both workshops at the Midwest Fiber and Folk Art Fair in June. She is a great teacher and talented weaver. If you are in the Wisconsin area do try to sign up for one of her classes. You won’t be sorry, tho if you wait much longer you may be too late!

Happy New Year!

Dec31

I hope you all had a great christmas and are going, tonight, to have a Happy and SAFE New Year’s celebration! The old folk here in Coffee Creek will have a quiet one at home. He’s gotten a cold somewhere and tho we were invited to a party I guess we ought not go spread the germs around. I have my fingers x-ed that I can get by without it.

But we enjoyed ourselves in Sausalito with Randy’s step-mom. It was a nice treat for a couple of country bumpkins! She took us to see Beach Blanket Babylon which has been running in San Francisco since 1974. It’s a sort of satire and is updated frequently so is really entertaining. We loved it. Here’s the pair of them waiting in line. Don’t he look cheerful?!this is why the kids call him Grumpa!

Of course we went to see other sights, too. The Bridge, of course, from up on the hill above Ft. Baker. It wasn’t exactly foggy but there was a mist.

The houses in Sausalito are all stacked on top of each other. No kidding! These are the ones that look directly out into the bay. MIL lives up the hill a couple blocks and I do mean UP!

And we got to the beach. Well, I have to admit we only got to the parking lot. The wind of icy cold and gusting. The spume off the waves was flying back out to sea! The gulls had to flap just to stay in place and had to tack to make headway! So I took this picture from the car. yeah, I’m wimpy!

And Sheba was nice enough to model the coat I knitted for her and didn’t even seem to mind it so I guess that was a success!

AD: Christmas spcecial

Dec6

Free Shipping on some orders
Order between now and December 10th and if your order is $100+ I will refund your shipping! Continental states only.
Questions? Email anytime!
Also I have heard from weavers in other parts of the world that they would like to buy a loom but that the shipping is prohibitive. It is very true for most of our looms, I cannot deny that but the small Flat Rate Priority Mail shipping box will hold several loom sizes and the cost is $13.45 US to any place I have shipped yet. I understand that some postage rates are going up again soon so I thought I would post this list of looms that will fit in this box. I wish I could offer free shipping to you but I’m afraid that is prohibitive for me, as well. But here is a list of our looms that will fit in the small flat rate box. I tried to think of all the combinations that will fit but email me if you have any ideas.
The cost of the flat rate box within the US is $5.00.
Happy Holidays!
Hazel
http://www.hazelroselooms.com

3.5” Tiny Weaver Square
3.5” Tiny Weaver Triangle (Unfortunately, not both)
2” Multi Square
4” Multi Square
2×4” Multi
2×6” Multi
4×6” Multi
4” Multi Square & 2” Multi square
4” Multi Square & 2×4” Multi
2” Multi square & 2×6” Multi
2” Multi square & 4×6” Multi
2” Multi square & 2×4” Multi
4” Multi triangle
http://www.hazelroselooms.com

Apple Pie Season!

Dec1

I finally got the last of the summer’s tomato crop (in the freezer) canned up and faced the buckets of apples waiting in the washroom. Got one pie in the freezer and am about to get the second one int here, too. Then the rest will become applesauce.

Haven’t done any weaving but I have been making looms. Not quite the same but needs to be done. Have to go to town tomorrow to pick up my stuff at the LYS and see who won the doll and her wardrobe that we’ve featured there this summer. And I’ll get my hair cut on the way home, I’m getting downright shaggy!
Hope your preseason chores are going well!

Rope again…

Nov29

I tried it again, and I did ‘card’ it some tho mostly that just made a mess of my hand cards. But I think it did help some and I made little rolags… sort of… from the results. So this is today’s rope. It is finer, tho still rough. Part of that is that the fiber is still not entirely fiber, some is still needles. I need to further process it without breaking up the fiber too much. But it’s better!. I spun this on my thigh. Our local Indians did not have spindles, they were hunter-gatherers so the ropes they made were probably made this way. I haven’t gotten any cedar bark yet.

Top is first try, bottom next try, and better.

Free shipping! Some restrictions apply.

Nov25

It’s finally cold enough for a pair of mittens woven with the Tiny Weaver Set of small looms. The 12 & 14″ square looms make a great Hooded Scarf for keeping that the wind and snow from blowing down your neck, it’s been quite a popular one at shows. Everyone wants to try it on! And When you order the larger looms I’ll include instructions for the Button Down scarf as well. You can make gifts for the whole family and save on yarn as well since these looms take less yarn than a comparable item that is knitted. For instance, a nice warm snow hat takes just 100 yards and fits every one from a medium sized child to adults.
Or make their Santa stockings using the small squares… check the web page Project for instructions.
Order between now and December 10th and if your order is $100 or more I will refund your shipping! Continental states only.
Questions? Email anytime!
Hazel

Looms made items. You can do it!

Fiber Mania

Nov15

We just got back from Grant’s Pass and the Fiber Mania event. This fiber show is sponsored by the Alpaca guild there in southern Oregon. Now you want to talk about your luxury fibers? It is really hard to resist this one! And I didn’t. In fact, I would not be surprised if a good portion of our profits came home in the form of alpaca yarns! lol

Once I get the house cleaned up after being ignored for so long while we traveled hither and yon that’s going to take awhile as it really needs the attention!

I got a photo of my American Girls modeling some woven dresses and shawl for visitors at the show. And the baby was also popular.

Patrick is my kid magnet! lol The kids lug Momma into the booth as soon as they spot Patrick! I guess I need to weave another Sponge Bob to go with him. The first one has gone home with a grandson.

We had a great time and got to spend a couple nights with my sister and her husband, who always put us up and feed us without complaint! Nobody loves you like family! They’re coming down for Thanksgiving. I thought I’d make the guys thankful this year and not make them eat more turkey so I bought a Prime Rib. Gasp! Thought I was going to have to hire a Brink’s truck to bring that home! lol I just hope I can do it justice, never having cooked this expensive bit of cow before. But for Christmas it’s going to be turkey again!

Winter’s on the way.

Nov4

I know some of you are having more than enough already. We have our first snow predicted for tomorrow evening. We’re not ready, either! The garden is mostly put away and we’ve only one more trip. We’ll be in Grant’s Pass for Fiber Mania on Nov 12/13. That’s if the pass stays open!

But here’s Taz taking her ease on Randy’s lap, a sure sign of cold weather. This is the Mighty Hunter who does not come in before 10pm on summer evenings, but she appreciates a good warm fire when the temps reach freezing! As we all do. Randy’s looking at expensive tools on his laptop and I’ve weaving and reading my mystery by turns. If you’re looking for a project for the up coming season be sure to check the web site projects page where I’ve posted instructions for the Chirstmas Stocking.