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!

 

 

40 days & 40 nights…?

Mar29

Well, not yet.  But it’s been raining  or slushing for over a week with another week forecasted. The brighter side is that the snow level is around 4000′ which is putting down snow where it needs to be and melting it out of my yard! The daffie that had it’s shining little face pushed into the snowbank the other day is standing up brightly again out there in the rain. There’s some crocus and primroses, too, so spring is around the corner, as the saying goes.

Meanwhile, we’re using the time in the shop and on the looms. I have finished my HandWoven “Sleeveless” entries and just need to get some Natural Light to take photos. Not this week tho! lol

Hope you are seeing some springtime where you are!

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!

My new toy

Feb28

Yep, it’s a downdraft table for my sanding!

It does a great job, too! He has been improving the dust collection system in the shop but my finish sanding has always been a problem. Not anymore! And it’s got this neat brass plate  on the front. Randy says it looks like a rodeo belt buckle but I think it adds a touch of Class!

It’s been getting a workout since it arrived, too.  I’m caught up for a bit today so get to actually use my looms! lol
And it’s a good day for it since we are getting a new storm that is supposed to drop a few inches of snow on us. We get estimates from 4 inches to 3 feet. Needless to say I’m not in favor of the latter! So far it’s just cold and windy and putzing around  snow-wise, but it’s enough to keep me indoors by the fire with a lap full of yarn. Hope you are cozy today, too!

Feburary!

Feb15

I didn’t realize how long it’s been since I posted! Sorry ’bout that! We have been busy, tho. Randy has under taken a new project for me, and maybe for sale once we get the “bugs” worked out. It’s a doll storage and clothes trunk. He calls it a steamer trunk. The first prototype gave us a clue about what we need fro the remodeled one. For instance, this one has no room for the doll.  Since I tote a couple of these with me to shows they do need a safe way to travel.

And I finally finished my toaster cover. Had a time getting it to felt. I used Noro sock yarn and I have found Noro easy to felt in the past but this sock yarn has silk so maybe that was the reason. Anyway, it’s done and I’m happy with it. I am working on one for the mixer now.

And  I’ve been ‘inventing’ clothing patterns for the little 6″ American Girl dolls, too. Those are such fun, fast and easy, even with tiny needles and yarns. You can find those on Ravelry, tho there aren’t many posted yet. I have a couple of knitters working furiously testing my creations! lol

And I have gotten a bit of canning done as well.  Bean soup! And I don’t know why this blue line is here…aauugh!


But in the meantime… The snow is starting to melt tho we keep getting threatened with more, none has fallen recently. But it’s cold! The wind keeps it icy in spite of the bright sunshine we have today. Hope you all had a Lovely Valentines day and are looking forward to spring. I see a few bulbs starting to push up some green!

Winter?

Jan17

 

They say we are going to get some snow after all. So far all we have is frost and ice. Treasure Creek is starting to ice up

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and my deck is growing crystals!

I think that’s pretty neat! But… I am staying indoors as much as possible and working with the looms and knitting needles and warm fuzzy yarn! I hope you are staying warm, too! If you need a looms, check out my Etsy store for some bargains. Hazel’s Creations

A New project

Jan8

Well, now that the holidays are over and things are more or less back to normal, I’ve gotten out the lovely, huggable alpaca yarn I bought at the Fiber Mania in Grants Pass, Oregon this past November and am weaving some replacements for the Hooded Scarves I sold there. I don’t usually sell my weavings but people kept asking and I decided that I needed to make some new ones to show at the fiber events anyway, so I gave in to a couple gentlemen buying wife gifts. lol
I’m weaving this one on our 14” tri loom and assembling them side to side. I have not yet decided if it will have a fringe. This hand spun alpaca seems a little fragile and I don’t know how a fringe would handle being washed. I may leave it plain or maybe crochet something.
I’m using an old fashioned stitch called fagoting to assemble the triangles. It give the scarf a bit of a lacy look while still being plenty warm. Because this is a thick & thin soft yarn of varied color I wove a plain weave, letting the yarn show itself.



I use the needle to hold the loop while I adjust the length of the stitch.

Once it’s blocked ( I block most things after assembly) it will look something like this.

Rope!

Nov28

I’ve seen bark rope in museums and I think I have finally figured out how the Indians did it. I’ve tried this before without luck, both with pine needles, green and dry, and cedar bark. Nothing but disappointment and splinters. But I found this wad of fiber in the road and discovered that it was pine needles, rained on and run over many times by passing cars. An epiphany! Of course I could not find my drop spindle so I remembered a more simple way and hip spun a bit then attached it to a hook and off I went. This sample is plied back on itself. It’s also very rough and shaggy but it’s rope! The fiber was not completely processed, there were still some nearly whole needles in it which ought not be there but I did this in a hurry. I’ll gather more and see if I can card it a bit better so it can be drawn out more evenly. And I’m going to hunt up a bit of cedar bark and lay it in the driveway!

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!