Finishing Finishing

I've been plugging away finishing up the striped warp of red/rust/natural.

I'm not getting alot of weaving time in....  Today was sort and work cows - it got hot by the end of the day, and the next two days are supposed to be really warm.  So glad we got it done.

I've also been dealing with vehicle issues.  My trusty rusty dodge pickup from 2002  is no longer so trusty.  And I ran into the dreaded auto repair situation where they say they will fix something and then do something else for more money and don't fix the original problem.  Got home to find the original problem still existed.

I've been putting it off for awhile - but no more -  I went and bought a new to me vehicle.  Almost too nice~  I'm not quite sure I know how to have something this nice :)

These aren't all that I've finished, but it gives you an idea what I've been doing.

Now I just need to figure out which direction to go next.  

Blues for more blue jean and random blue fabrics?

Or black/charcoal for some black denim?

Or maybe greens and tans?

Haven't decided yet.  I've gotten a little behind on prep materials and am picking my way through the bags I've thrown into the trailer.  I need to see what I've got the most of!

All for now,
JULIE

Good Weekend

View of my booth from this weekend.

I really liked my location.  There was a tree on my right side, so no booth!  Gave me a little wiggle room... and shade.

Show set up was Friday evening and the show was Saturday and Sunday. 

There was some liquid sunshine Saturday early, then again at 2:15 and at 5. 

The buyers were there Saturday morning, and then it steadied out and ended up being a really positive show.

I sold ALL of the red/white/blue Americana type items, and denim rugs were very popular.

At the end of the show, all of my inventory fit into my traveling suitcases (except for the oversize rugs that don't fit!)

I had come with a pretty good stack that wasn't contained.

I was satisfied with the weekend - altho very tired!

No vendor events until mid July - that one is local.  I'm deciding on future events to apply to.

All for now
JULIE

First Time Events

First time events are always a little nerve wracking.

Figuring out the process.

Not being sure of the market or the competition.

Prepping for the larger size event.

Tomorrow afternoon I will be traveling about and hour and a half to stay at my sisters and do the pre set up for the weekend show.

I've found someone to do chores, just need to make sure to have things ready.

Spent ALL yesterday finding and repairing where the electric fence was grounding out.  The bulls had made it known that the fence was not working by being out several mornings in a row.

I will be loading and going later afternoon so I can do an early chore feed - I'm hoping the weather cooperates!

I've not been stressing on producing, but I did get some finished.

This one is made from the southwestern style woven blanket....

 These are some fun bright rugs - the striped pattern in the fabric made a subtle pattern in the rug.

 This is made from wool blankets.

 Bed sheets...

 And another southwestern woven blanket....


I've got someone coming (a relative) this afternoon that needs a denim rug for a wedding gift.   Need to get to the trailer and find the appropriate suitcase!

All for now,
JULIE

One down, another to go

Vendor events this month, that is.

Last weekend was the annual Fort Sisseton Festival. 
This is an event I go to every year, and it rarely disapoints.

Beautiful weather this year -  that's unusual! LOL
It seemed quite slow this year, and then I had competition from another rug weaver, too.

But after adding up my sales, I found I had beaten last years totals...

Win!  Ha

The patriotic runners were a hit - sold about half of the stash I had produced.  I have enough left for my next event in 10 days.  That's a first time attending for me - it's a big show also - I'm # 92.

Here are some finishes from the reds 12 section rug warp that is on the loom now....

 First -  bed sheets from the stash
2nd - wool blanket rugs
3rd - a rug sized patriotic!

It feels like summer here... was 90 degrees yesterday. 
I'm a 72 degree and I'm happy girl. 

Makes the grass grow for the animals tho, so I'll suffer thru it! 

All for now,
JULIE

Never enough time or energy.....

I so want to weave, but many days, by the time I get to my loom I am just too worn out to weave.

Yesterday was such a day.

I finished up a two day project of preparing a pasture for my horses.  I had to put up a hot wire as a buffer next to the neighbors pasture.  There are horses there that last year was an issue.  This way they can see each other, but at most might touch noses if they stretch from both sides.   No butt to butt when sometimes legs fly and mess with the integrity of the fence.

Then I helped the brother clean the barn.  But first we had to move the herd bulls!  Everything that needs doing has about 3 steps before it that needs doing before we can do a project around here...

He manned the loader, I manned the pitchfork.

We quit at supper time and he went off to eat, and I showered and sat down for a bit.  Then went to check to make sure the horses were settled in their new spot, and hoped to weave for just a little bit.

The spirit was willing, but I wove about 10 inches and decided that was enough.

I had already cut off the first three rugs from this new warp - Needed to adjust the warp - a few small tension issues that were easier just to retie and move on instead of babying it along.

Here are the three that are done...

Top two are mainly bed sheets, and the last one is from a woven cotton throw.  I decided to try out one section narrower than my normal, so these are 24 inches wide.  Makes for a less expensive rugs, as well as needing not quite so much weft material to get the same length.  We'll see how this width sells. :)

This weekend is the annual Fort Sisseton Festival.  Always a little nerve wracking gathering up the outdoor booth pieces and parts to make sure I have what I need when I get there!

All for now,
JULIE

More of the same

I finished up the last of the blue tablerunner warp with more of the same.

A couple more denims....

More flag inspired...

And a sweet little runner with blue, purple and teal.

Promptly put on a new warp.

It's time to do some red themed pieces again.  I'm still into the stripes :)

I'm not sure what changed while warping the last 4 or so sections, but it looks like it has a bit different tension... Hope it isn't enough difference to cause headaches.  I don't think it will, but I like the whole beam to look like the sections on the left.  I did it all in one go, so I really don't know what changed!

Always an experiment it seems!

All for now,
 JULIE

Mothers

 Mothers are mothers whatever specie they are....

This mamma was grooming her baby - I tried to get a picture of the tongue working, but it was too fast!  This was my Mothers Day photo on my personal facebook page.  I think it's cute!

Not alot of weaving happening.  Lots of chores and spring projects going on that I'm trying to help with. 

I did finish up a batch from the blue tablerunner warp recently and took pictures finally.  Not much uniqueness here, I'm doing more patriotic and some denim to match the denim rugs in inventory.

The last is a unique one, made from fabric salvaged from a bed skirt and pillow shams donated from someone at some point.

I have about one more group to go on this warp.  Then? 

Maybe something in reds....

All for now,
JULIE