Great Granny Squared

I finished a quilt this week! One that was supposed to use up all my scraps of Bonnie and Camille fabrics. Well, that didn't happen, but it did turn into a really pretty quilt!

The pattern is in Lori Holt's book, Great Granny Squared.

I think it's always fun to mix different lines from one designer {or two in this case}. The fabrics work well together, but it gives you a different look than one line on it's own.

I really quilted this one. About halfway through I was having second thoughts about what I had gotten myself into. And maybe I was over quilting it... but after some positive encouragement from my Instagram friends, I quilted on. Now I'm really happy with how the quilting enhances the pattern.

The back is one of the large florals from Scrumptious...

In other projects... this quilt has gone on 2 retreats and the top is together. Cheerio by Thimbleblossoms.

Thanks for visiting!

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Looking ahead.

Then............2005........

And now...............

When this sale is over, I'm going to drag my old antique glider over to my new screened porch. I'm going to make a new colorful cover for it.  Put lots of new pillows on it.
Where I can sit with my morning coffee, and listen to Bart crowing over his girls.

Looking ahead is good sometimes.

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Hilary on Steroids

Yes, it's scary.  For real.

When I went to the ENT to diagnose some sinus problem OR rule them out as a causative factor of my headaches, he put me on a 5 day course of steroids.
He said if I got some relief, that would tell us a lot.

In the meantime, they do some other things.

They upset my stomach...........yikes.
They keep me awake at night.
And they enable me to be a virtual whirlwind at just about everything I do.
It ain't necesarily pretty.
But oh wow, is it ever productive.

 Here it is...........$1000 egg. 
I'm kidding.  It might be more, or less.  
You know: the chicks, the coop, the run, the automatic door, the feed.

 It does kind of feel like you've given birth.   Two eggs so far.  I see an omelet in my future.



While the steroids, and a good friend, have been instrumental in helping me get ready for the sale,
LOIS has been weaving porch rugs.

Over 600 cones of thread organized and ready for SATURDAY.

d

Wool. Cotton.  Rayon.  And a mixture thereof.

 Today we bagged up grab bags of fabric......5-10 bags, $5-$10 per bag.  WHAT A DEAL! 
I think we bagged up over 500 lbs. 
For all those people who have emailed or messaged me that they live TOO FAR AWAY, it's all going on ebay, or on my web site, or both, as soon as the sale is over.  So you will get a chance.
I am seriously downsizing, folks.  In my minimalist mode.  And loving it.

 And don't forget looms, and warping boards, and so much more.

Now here's the good, if confusing news.   Today is day 4 of the steroids.  Today is also DAY FOUR of a headache that is THREE or LESS.
Can you spell H.E.A.V.E.N?????????
Because it is. 
Speaking of which........here's my angel.
I love her more than words can say.

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Bursting Star and a Giveaway!

If you've been around for a while, you may remember my Bursting Star/Starburst quilt, published in McCall's Magazine several years ago. It's such a striking quilt and much easier than it looks! And if you missed it the first time, it's been recently republished in the latest issue {Nov/Dec} of McCall's.

I saw it on the newsstand this weekend - so here's your second chance to get the pattern! McCall's was nice enough to send me 2 copies and I'm offering one as a giveaway today {US only}! Just leave a comment on this post. I've seen the quilt made up in so many collections! Do you have a favorite new or old collection that you'd like to make it in?

I love that they are showing a few different color ways in the magazine...

Good luck and I'll pick a winner on Thursday!

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Saturday...

It's a sunny, but rather blustery day here today. A good day to get creative.

I have lots of choices! Hope you do too!

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Living in the country and blatant advertising.

.Today was chicken house cleaning day.  Seems like an awful waste of all those shavings, but I haven't figured out another way to do it.
It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining.  I love October.

 I realized that I mostly just want a simple life.   It doesn't have to be exciting, it doesn't have to cost much.
I just want a simple life in Kingsbury, weaving and getting old, with a headache that's manageable.
Why is that such a feat??

Getting ready for the Sale.......I never realized how much shit  CRAP I have.
I have a LOT.
So pass the word to all your weaver friends.

Crazy as a Loom Weaving Studio is having an Open House, and huge downsizing SALE.
Among the things to go:
Macomber loom, 32", 4 harness, with sectional beam.
Reed Ideal Loom with production wheel, 2 harness, 36"
Cranbrook loom, 4 harness, 60" wide, sectional.
Tapestry loom.
Inkle looms
Warping boards
AVL warp wheel.
fabric rolls,
over 600 cones of thread/yarn
and much more.
Saturday October 11th, 2014 10am-4pm
3835 State Rte 4 Hudson Falls NY
call me 518-747-4147, or email me crazyasaloom@aol.com for more information

 Oh, and there will be refreshments!!!

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Looking back.

As I am getting ready for my big OPEN HOUSE and SALE on October 11th, in an attempt to
downsize and streamline Crazy as a Loom, I find myself thinking about a lot of different things.

I am remembering how I started this business, and how I felt when I bought the studio.

This seems like a lifetime ago.  It was such a mess.
Thank God I had a vision.

I started today with one room, going through drawers and cupboards, sorting cones of thread, trying to get all the SALE stuff together.  I figure one room today, another tomorrow.....then we'll move on to the "old pantry" which doubles as a half bath, and fabric storage, and then the LOFT, which is a nightmare of goodies to be sorted.
I will putter with it the rest of this week, then on Monday, Lois and I will dig in.
Then my friends Sue and Kathy, fellow weavers, will come on Thursday to make the final push.......setting it all up.
I have over 600 cones of yarn/thread, so display will be a challenge.

This is just the TIP of the iceberg.

While at the show this weekend, a previous student of mine stopped by my booth, and told me that SHE will be teaching classes at the Adirondack Folk School in Lake Luzerne, NY.  The other weaving teacher at the school is also one of my previous students.
Wow.
I think that one of the most rewarding parts of my Crazy as a Loom adventure is that:  all the incredible passionate weavers out there that started with me.
Wow.

I should have kept track, had a list, but of course, I didn't.  Some of those weavers have become dear friends.

Then I remember how I started, taking an 8 weeks basic weaving course from a teacher with a bad attitude.
My salvation was that I was so stubborn, and learned on my own, and that I found a mentor, via the internet, my friend, Chris Gustin of Homestead Weaving.
I don't know what I would have done without her support.

In the end, my gratitude has translated into how I feel about teaching weaving.  I love that I have made a difference, even a little one.
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Hope you have all gotten my newsletter.....if not, I'll blatantly advertise here, and tell you that all rugs  (except the 4x6 and 5x7) are HALF PRICED through midnight October 7th.
Once you purchase, I will refund the 50% discount via Paypal.
Just in case you wanted to know.
Oh, and the baby blankets are on the web site, with more to come after the Open House.

And a mini trip to Maine.

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