Ice Broken and on a Roll

What a difference it makes in the weaving life when you don't have to punch the clock!

Even with 3 days of travel/away from home, and a couple days of visiting with kiddos, I have this much done up- mainly on the new loom.  I have a hard time 'getting started' on new projects and tools.  Now that I have broken the ice on this loom, I think I can keep a steady flow of items coming off of it.

I purposefully installed this loom in my living room.  I can turn on netflix and get something done instead of gravitating to bed in the evening.

I have my original Union downstairs- where it's gloomy and uninviting- that needs a table runner warp woven off.  I must get a denim rug warp put on that one!  The end is in sight and I've done some strip prep that goes on that warp today.  We'll see how long it takes before I get going in blues again.

The Newcomb down there has plenty of black and white stripe warp on it, so no excuses there, either :)

Now just to keep the momentum going...  Only two more days of my own before I get to go back to the regular grind.

It's gonna be hard to do.

But...

I've got a new goal to work towards. 

Announcement coming in the near future when all the details get ironed out!

All for now,

JULIE

Inaugural Warp

After nearly six months of procrastination, there is a warp on the Blue Union Special.

I will be weaving table runners on this warp.  In the process I found out about this loom....

* No crank on the sectional beam!  How could I have missed that?  I cobbled together a little something to get this warp on, I'll be making something permanent at some point :)

* Shorter than my other Union.  No standing at this one- I'll need to find a stool or chair in the proper height.  A regular chair table is about 2 inches too short for me. 

* It's not quite 'square' and looks like it's been like that forever.  There are wear spots that shouldn't be there.  Seems to be weaving a straight weave, tho, so will analyze that as I get some of these first runners off the loom.

* I've lost a couple of heddles in the process- rusting has weakened some of them.

Other than that, it's been pretty straight forward weaving.  On the second runner already.

Today is the first I've had alone and unscheduled since my last workday on Saturday.  All the kids were home at some point, just not for long.  I've taken some vacation days and will have myself an 11 day break.  Five days left!  Not sure what all I'll get done, but there is quite a list of possibles :)

The other day I took a moment to finish the ends on a couple of rugs that came off the Newcomb awhile back.  More procrastination.

This one is a yellow and white chenille,  turned out kinda cute!

And another chenille in an ugly green that was improved by the black and white warp this loom has on it. It's actually quite pleasing now.

The weather is cooperating with the urge to weave.  It has decided to be winter.  Cold and some snow.  My Arizona daughter was a little shell shocked while she was here for the 5 days she was here. 

It's been a weird time ~ It never did feel like Christmas despite the activities at work, the kids being home, going to a Christmas church program, etc.  I never did put up a single decoration or bake any of the normal Christmas goodies.  I didn't even wrap or open a single gift. 

I'm going to try a New Years resolution.  I want to weave for "a little bit" each night before I go to bed.  I've been catching myself thinking it's bedtime shortly after 6 PM>  Way too early even with my 4 AM wakeup alarm.

I need to do this, for more than one reason :) 

All for now,  JULIE

Get out the parkas, kids!

I had to dress up the Cooper dog this morning before I sent him out for his morning constitutional.

Didn't help much~ he turned around and came right back in.  I let him out in the garage to pee on the tires there.  Aren't I a softy?

Here's why -

Winter is back :(  I took this pic after it quit snowing. The wind is still blowing like nuts and it's a cold one out there.  We've had it too good so far this fall.  We had a skiff of snow a couple times that melted off right away, and last week I think it got into the 70's one day.  Not that I've been out in it much.  Been working the same crazy overtime hours.

I have been picking away on a quilt top. 

Needed to create a little.  For my sanity.

Finished that up today- I think -  Not sure if I'll put some borders on it or not.

It's all scrap materials that came from one of the two totes of material I have around here (other than rug material... that's another story)

This is the 3rd red white and blue scrapper that I've done.  I think I finally have a handle on the reds and blues :)   I'll have to study a bit and see what color ways I have and start looking for the next top to do.  Goal is to reduce those scraps to nil if possible.  I've really not done much purchasing of material, I really don't know how I accumulated so much!  I had a big start from the BOXES of materials I got from the ex's grandma.  I think she liked red and blue.

All for now,
Julie

PS... I won that Thanksgiving box decorating thingy at work!  My turkey box got me 25$ worth of Britton Bucks -- I bought groceries!

25 years

Just a quick post since it's already past my 8 PM bedtime....  4 AM comes really early!

Busy, busy, busy...  A week ago was our local craft fair.

Happy to report I had the best show I've had in years!  Funny, because I had not a new item in the lineup :)

Still working overtime.  Five 10 hour days are the norm, and I volunteer for Saturdays unless I have something else (like the craft fair) scheduled.  Makes for not much time to do anything else. Sundays are pretty much catch up with the laundry, cooking and housework (ya right).

This past Sunday was our annual 4-H Recognition Event.  Believe it or not, this young chick got her 25 year as a leader pin.  Seriously???? How did that happen?  LOL   I started as a leader before I even had kids.  Think I'm a lifer :)

It's an actual Emerald, I think... My birthstone, too!

I'm up late tonite because of a little contest my workplace is having.  I'm decorating a box for the food pantry giveaway.  Makes me think of valentine day boxes!  I loved doing those!  There is a little prize available.  What do ya think, do I have a chance?

I had to scrounge a bit, seems all my crafty stuff has diminished over the years since I'm not actively buying more stuff!  Took me awhile to find my glue gun ~ for shame!  What kind of crafter am I that I can't find my glue gun!  HA  I had to be funny, his butt says "gobble gobble"  :)

All for now,

JULIE

Long time no see...

Yep, it's been awhile again.

Weaving news for a change!

Well, kinda weaving...  I've got a craft fair tomorrow.  I'm selling older stock, plus some refinished furniture type stuff. 

This is the fair that a friend and I promote.  We do all the planning, renting, inviting, setting up, tearing down, advertising, etc.  We have found a sponsor in the local Lions Club.  They do the luncheon and get all proceeds from that ~ and they carry the liability insurance that the school auditorium requires to rent.  We get the profit, if there is any, from the booth rent.

Makes for a long day, but it's rewarding.  We are providing a venue for locals to sell and promote their businesses, and having something for people to do on a Sunday when no other stores are open in this smallish town.

We're hoping for a good crowd.  Not too nice outside to keep everyone away doing fall outdoor fun stuff, but not so nasty to keep people home.  The weather man prediction is right about where we want it to be! 

I'm also launching a new business for my daughter. 

Introducing, Leah Photography!  I offered to do this first test show for her here in her hometown.  Kinda get the bugs out. 

Here's her website if you'd like to see some of her other photos that are available.

http://www.leah-photography.com


Proud mom here :)  

All for now, JULIE

Windy

It's a little windy in South Dakota today.

Full disclaimer here.  I 'borrowed' this photo off facebook.

It's raining, and blustery, and downright messy out there.  Not complaining about the moisture, tho.  It's been dry!

Not gonna get long winded here either.

Been working mega overtime hours again.  

That's a good thing in my world :)

I have a craft show in two weeks.  Not much new weaving is gonna make it there, but some refinished furniture and repurposed stuff will.  

Maybe I will get around to getting a picture or two and show ya'll.

Hang on to your hats and small children :)

 Julie

Five dollar loom

A while back my parents went to an auction sale for me. 

It was hard to tell them what I was willing to spend without seeing it in person.  The picture in the ads was not clear, but I thought I could tell it was a Union...

My dad is used to auctions... Bulls and heifers, but he knows when to bide his time :)

He sat back and waited when the auctioneer called for 100$. 

No bids.

He offered 5$ ~ They sold it to him for that, LOL.

Then it was up to him to get it out of the basement it had lived in since its delivery and assembly.

He found some young guys that were willing to help and after removing a bunch of parts and the stair railing, it came up and out of the dark.

I decided to leave her be, and just give her a good scrub and some oil.

I think I'll call her "Blue".

All the metal is a little rusty, but not bad. I haven't decided if I'll replace the canvas warp tethers... I might just take them off.  The hooks on the end are rusted through.  My other Union doesn't have them, so they aren't necessary anyway...

I'll probably put a warp of something dark on it and weave the rust away.  She's a sturdy little bugger tho!

The brake is of a different type of what I'm used to, so it's gonna take a bit of thinkin' when I do get to warping it.  It'll be fun, just not sure when I'll get to it!

I'm up to 3 functional floor looms.  Two Union 2 harness and a 4 Harness Newcomb.  There is a 6 harness mystery loom downstairs, but that need some major rehab.  Not sure of the future of that one.

Now I've just got to find the time and energy to get to weaving on them.

All for now,
JULIE

Seeing what's there

The girls have spotted something!

I like having them around to keep me aware of stuff~  I see their reactions and take the time to see what they are finding interesting :)

I zoomed in as far as possible, but they are a bit hard to see yet.  A family of Canada Geese has taken up residence in the pasture! 

Kept the girls enthralled for quite a while.


They missed this, tho....

Neighbor cows in my back yard.  Notice the close one?  She's looking in my basement window. 

I think they know they don't belong there.  I opened the door to ask them what the heck they were doing and they high tailed it outa there.

Cooper took up the chase in the front yard... until I called him off.  He's too dumb to know he can get kicked or stomped.  See the second cow? She's got her evil eye turned on, LOL. 

The LAST THING I should be doing is piecing quilt blocks...  but I am, and I just finished up the last of the Ohio Star blocks I'll need for my current project. 

I NEED to be doing so many other things!  Someone suggested that I should make a list to help focus what I need to get done.

Did that.

Now I'm even more depressed and overwhelmed!  Holey Moley. 

Makes a person want to just run away.

I'm gonna do that today.  To the South Dakota State Fair.

Just to see what's there.


All for now,
JULIE

get **it done

I've been trying to get it done...

"I"t being lots of different things.

Thing is~

ever heard of that West Nile stuff?

I got THAT done apparently :)

Don't worry... I've got a mild form.  Tired, headachey, sore muscles and joints, a little feverish.  Just enough to pretty much blow the last week and a half.  Spent it pretty much down except for work.

I guess I'm smack dab in the middle of a hot spot for these dang mosquitoes.  Weird thing is, the bugs haven't been bad at all this summer.  But it only takes one bite.  Lots of people here abouts are showing symptoms, some worse than others.

Tomorrow I've taken a vacation day to be a judge at our State Fair for the 4-H division.  Of course it's gonna be HOT.  Typical.  It's a volunteer thing and I told myself I wasn't going to do it. 

A frantic plea by the powers that be was sent out saying they were short judges. 

 Lots of judges. 

You know that thing called guilt?

So I'm doing it. 

A day of vacation given away ~ granted, for a good cause ~ 

A tired, somewhat sickly woman. 

And a long holiday weekend coming up.

I need to...

All for now,
JULIE

Another furniture finish

My boy left for college yesterday.

He got one last project done before he left...

Isn't this a sweet little desk/table?

He actually would like to keep this one.  Me too :)

But I have more than enough furniture and he has at least 2 more years of moving around yet.  Someday he can start keeping some of this stuff!


So the leaving has made it hit home that we are on the final legs of summer.

I've gotten so little done that is summerish.

It makes me sad/disgusted/mad.

Where does the time go?


All for now, JULIE

Quilts in the Park

My quilt guild had an event today for our town Harvest Days.

First annual (we hope)  Quilts in the Park

Here are the vintage quilts...

It was a bit breezy.  Lots of motion in our quilts :)

Some of the women brought garden flowers and decorations....

The group's mystery quilt project from a few years back... I sold mine there today !

This year we did a fabric challenge.  All participants brought pastel floral fabric so everyone got a 5x5 in piece of the same.  Seventeen people joined in, so lots of variety.  Each was to be used in the project however you wanted.   Lots of variety in what was made.  I didn't get to this meeting so...

Too many beautiful quilts to show every one.

Teeny tiny hexies... I think over 970 in this itty bitty quilt.

And we served rootbeer floats~ this young man was enjoying his :)

All for now

JULIE

Random

It was one of those days today.

One that started out badly and never really recovered.

By the time I got home tonite, I just didn't want to do anything.

So I sat here in front of the computer.

I shuffled through some piles here and found these pictures from Leah's last year in 4-H.

Did I mention it is 4-H Achievement Days here right now?  No?  I'm involved, albeit on periphery now that I don't have my own kids in it anymore.

I love 4-H.

I got this new copier/scanner thingy awhile back and decided to figure out how the scanner works.

It was pretty easy, so decided to share these from 4 years ago.  Where has the time gone?

This was one of my sons last projects.  He sold it last night because he needs cash for college textbooks.

The judge that judged it 2 years ago bought it from him.  She had tried to buy it from him then :)

He's working on about 4 more projects and we'll try to sell those, too.


I'm feeling a little bit better now, altho very scattered.



I ran over my neighbors dog on the way to work this morning.

It's been a tough day.



Julie

Refurbished

My son recently finished refurbishing this dresser.

He's hoping to sell soon as he needs $'s for college textbooks.

It looks to have it's original hardware and mirror.  

Nice piece~ we didn't need to strip it or restain or anything.  

He did reglue some of the joints and I gave it a good oil.

The fainting couch is ready to start upholstery.

That isn't for the faint of heart.  We need to get on that!  

He leaves for school next Monday~ already...

All for now, 

JULIE

Perfectionist?

An example of some of the blocks I'm piecing.  It's a scrappy quilt~ I'm using all bits and pieces from my small stash that consists of two totes jammed full.

 See? Most of the points are pretty darn close.  I would love it if every one was perfect.

But really, who cares?

This one I missed quite obviously.

But you know what?  I'm not gonna rip it out, I'm gonna use it in the quilt! 

I've always said I'm an 'immediate gratification girl'.   I like to get to the finish when I'm doing projects. 

I care that it's done well, I just don't get all obsessed if there is a little "human-ness" showing!

In the past, I've been accused of being a perfectionist... 

The topic came up again recently, so I did a little research.  

 

Here's what I found...

All-Or-Nothing Thinking:

Perfectionists, like high achievers, tend to set high goals and work hard toward them. However, a high achiever can be satisfied with doing a great job and achieving excellence (or something close), even if their very high goals aren’t completely met.

Critical Eye:

Perfectionists are far more critical of themselves and of others than are high achievers. While high achievers take pride in their accomplishments and tend to be supportive of others, perfectionists tend to spot tiny mistakes and imperfections in their work and in themselves, as well as in others and their work.

Unrealistic Standards:

Unfortunately, a perfectionist’s goals aren’t always even reasonable. While high achievers can set their goals high, perhaps enjoying the fun of going a little further once goals are reached, perfectionists often set their initial goals out of reach.

Focus on Results:

High achievers can enjoy the process of chasing a goal as much or more than the actual reaching of the goal itself. Conversely, perfectionists see the goal and nothing else. They’re so concerned about meeting the goal and avoiding the dreaded failure that they can’t enjoy the process of growing and striving.

Fear of Failure:

Perfectionists are also much more afraid to fail than are high achievers. Because they place so much stock in results and become so disappointed by anything less than perfection, failure becomes a very scary prospect.

Defensiveness:

Because a less-than-perfect performance is so painful and scary to perfectionists, they tend to take constructive criticism defensively, while high achievers can see criticism as valuable information to help their future performance.

Low Self Esteem:

High achievers tend to have equally high esteem; not so with perfectionists. They tend to be very self-critical and unhappy, and suffer from low self-esteem. They can also be lonely or isolated, as their critical nature and rigidity can push others away as well. This can lead to lower self-esteem.



So here's the proof that I'm not a perfectionist!  I'm merely a high achiever!  :P   LOL

All for now,

JULIE 

Getting to know you....

I admit.

I shouldn't be doing what I'm doing today.

I am behind on housework.  Bills.  Outside chores. Weaving.  Pretty much everything that I should be doing.

That start button issue?  Still a problem.

But today, I am starting something.  I am cutting and sewing the start of a scrap quilt. 

I don't need another quilt.  I don't have a deadline of a gift, or an event.

I have had a pattern picked out for awhile that will work with using up some scraps.  Because ya know, I can't throw anything away....or buy anything new without an act of congress.

I'm getting to know my new machine.  Straight stitch only.  Don't think I can even back stitch?  I should probably get out the book and read through it just once :)

I'm going to have to figure out something for the foot control.  It's a little high for my comfort.  Need to make a heel rest or something.  Also include a way to keep it in place.  It has a tendency to get pushed under the crossbar underneath and then it goes to town by itself.  I have to fish it out from underneath so it quits sewing!

Typical me, lately.  Second block and I've already made a mistake.  See it?

It is out of character for me to make these simple mistakes.  I did it at work the other day, too.  Put a part on the wrong side of where it goes.  Stupid, dumb mistakes. 

Sometimes I think I'm losing it.  I have been so unfocused lately!  I'm edgy and restless. 

Are those symptoms of a midlife crisis or something??? 

Or maybe it's this~

From this advice, I'm not prepared mentally for sewing (or anything else I presume). 

I've got the dirty dishes and unmade bed...

Ditto the housekeeping chores.

Make myself attractive?  HA!  for whom?



Really, I would never do anything enjoyable if I was to "get everything put together" first...

But that doesn't mean I don't want it to be done! 

Oh for a fairy godmother, or a maid, or a genie!

All for now, from a very disorganized person,

Julie

Blah

That's me ...

Ugh.

Can't seem to start and do anything.

Maybe it's the heat.  High 90's and today windy.  Yesterday High 90's and dead calm.

Maybe it's the 'punch the time clock' thing.  Day in, day out same thing.  That's the problem with "jobs".
What I'm doing doesn't make my skirt fly up or anything.  I'm bored.

Maybe I'm tired.  Who knows.  Shouldn't be.  Think I'm getting enough sleep?

Maybe I'm sad.   For oh, so many, things.

Maybe I'm in disbelief.  Today I happened onto the horse registration papers and realized my youngest horse is 7.  She's tame, but never even had a halter on her.  So embarrassing - especially for a supposed horse trainer like me...  Her older sis is 9.  She's halter broke, but never ridden.  You have no idea how hard it is to write that here.  I feel like a failure!

Can't seem to get into weaving.  Or crafting. Or anything.

My house is a disaster.

I don't know where to start.



I need a change.  Just not sure what it is that I could realistically change... 

Hoping tomorrow morning brings with it a better mood.  I don't like feeling like this.
JULIE

Slogging along

What is slogging?

I guess my meaning is gettin' it done.

I'm gettin' thru the days.  Work, heat, tiredness, lack of excitement, overwhelmed...

Small goals are how I'm rollin' these days.

If I get my dishes washed and have clean clothes to wear, I think I'm doin' ok! :)

I've got so much stuff that should be done, that I want to do... I can't seem to get started!

So here is one of my small goals that has been completed~

This is a small antique mirror that at one time belonged on a dresser.

I refinished it and wired it for hanging. 

It should make a nice accent mirror for someone!

Now to pick the next small project.

Tonite I caught up on paying bills and I'm gonna head to bed.  I've been fighting a headache for a couple of days and it's morphed itself into a migraine.  I've taken my ridiculously expensive migraine medication and will hope it does it's magic and I will feel like a new woman by tomorrow morning work time. LOL

Not much weaving happening lately~ OY

All for now, JULIE

PS ~ Got a wild hair the other day - literally - and had the hair dresser cut off almost all of my hair.  It was time... 

6 months later...

I've finally gotten around to my 'new' sewing machine.

Back in January I came across a machine at the junque shop and brought it home.

Finally have it up and ready to run...

It's kind of small and unassuming when it's all closed up.  I'm thinking someone did a refinishing job on this.  It's quite nice and the stool has a nice quality vinyl on it. 

Here it is opened up.  It actually has quite a generous work space~ more than I'm used to :)

And a close up of the old girl.  I had the motor and light replaced - the electric cords were scary!  The serial number tells me this was made in 1948.  It's in nice condition.  Haven't sewn on it yet, need to find a project first, LOL.

Inside the drawers I also got the original instruction book, Two student handbooks, one about the machine and the other about the attachments.  That should be handy as there is a box of attachments, also!  I didn't take the time to see which ones I have, but another day!  Plus a few bonus literature items.

I really don't know what took me so long to get this back into the cabinet.  There was a grand total of 9 screws that I had to put in...

I need to work on my "start" button.  I think it's broke...

All for now ~ JULIE

A discovery

Mom, I think there is something back there!

What's this?

At first thought ~ mouse?  gerbil? 

 

It's a Weasel!

Sorry for the blur... he's a little bit fast :)

Unfortunately he slipped into the open garage, 

so now I'm needing to keep an escape route open for the little bugger.

They can make a stink when they feel threatened,

so I think I'll let him decide on his own when he wants to leave!

Not that I'd want to grab him at all.

They have some lethal looking teeth.

He churped and warned me that I was a bit close :)

All for now,  JULIE

PS  Cut some strips today.  Refinishing a vintage mirror today.  Relaxing a little after some overtime last week as well as the annual 4-H horse show.   Overtime coming this week, but Wednesday off! 

 

New Slogan?

My son tagged me in a facebook post he made today.

He took a photo of a billboard he saw while he was in one of the larger towns near here (2 1/2 hours away)...

I am considering using this as a slogan! 

Sorry for the blurry pic, it was taken by phone from a moving vehicle :)

Just in case you can't quite pick it out....  "BUY RUGS, Not Drugs."

It's followed of course by the dot com part, but I haven't even looked it up!  Just thought it was pretty fun, just like my son did! 

New Slogan?  I don't think so....



Julie