Some exciting news!

 The quilt posts have been put on hold for a bit while bask in the joy of a new grandson! Little Sam was born early Saturday morning...

Healthy and so adorable...

He joins his 2 older sisters! {Wearing those cute little shoes!}

I had planned on writing a few posts with some new quilts for you to see while I was preoccupied. He came 2 weeks early - so that didn't happen. I'll be back soon with more ...
. . . Cindy

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Say it ain't so

I have great daughters.  I guess I've told you that before.
But they're not just wonderful when I'm down and out in the hospital and NEED them.
They are also there for me when I have harebrained  wonderful ideas that I need HELP implementing.

 

I have dragged DH all over the countryside to satisfy my loom addiction.    This time he was up for the trip as well, but it was a lot of driving.......at least 8 hours.   I knew I couldn't do it, and worried about him driving that much all at once, so I called daughter #1. 

Now I know you are all saying........"WHAT??ANOTHER LOOM?DID I HEAR THAT RIGHT?"

I know, I know.
And yes, I did just have major surgery 3 weeks ago today. And yes, I have .....15, 16.......looms......I lose count.
But this time there really is a 'method to my madness'.
I have wanted a "dobby loom" forever.  I have coveted an AVL dobby loom in particular.  But every time I saw one for sale, it was either more money than I could spend, or more likely just too far away to even consider.
Then, just 10 days after my surgery, while googling around......I found it.  It was perfect.  Exactly the loom I wanted.  Price.......doable.   Distance.....ack.......EIGHT hours.
But after lots of emails, and a couple of phone calls, a deal was struck............and an agreement with the seller to "meet me in the middle".
And THAT'S how it happened.
Sunday was a long day......DH and I left home at 7am.........picked up my daughter............finally got the loom back to the studio at 5:15pm, where L and her sister were waiting to help unload it.
Luckily, the front door at the studio is 36" wide, so with not much trouble, it arrived unscathed in the center hallway.
Here.
Even though it was made in 1988, it is really in beautiful condition.

Yesterday morning, L and DH and I somehow.......(I am still in shock)....managed to wiggle it through the door into the living room.......without taking it apart. 

 This is going to be a learning experience for me and for L.

I was a little overwhelmed last night, reading the manual, which is HUGE.
I kind of wondered WTH did I just do??  Am I nuts??

 But then today, after my first PT session...........L and I took a look at it.  She put things together while I read instructions to her. 
And suddenly, it started to come together.

 I had some questions...........but I think I have the answers.
And I think I can do this.

 You might be asking why?
And the short answer is:  I think this loom is going to be easier on my body. 
And I actually SOLD two looms that I love, to buy this one. 
It's all part of my downsized, redesigned, "new to me" reality.

Sydney says:   You're making me tired, Mom.  For real.

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You're not going to believe this one.

She strikes again.   That cat hater.  You know the one.

Seriously, L does not hate cats.  I just pick on her, because she is always saying what pains they are.
Although, I do not actually think any of the them "twisted" her arm to make this "cat house".

Yesterday Kizzy was on top of it, and Jinksie was investigating the bottom.

She originally made it for Next and Nuff.
They weren't interested.  They wouldn't go near it.
What disrespect.

They preferred a big cardboard box surrounded by bales of hay.
Go figure.

L was not to be deterred.

She got her sister to help her drag it upstairs, so she could position it in a sunny south facing window.
(she wouldn't let me haul on it, something about my neck)
She put carpet on top of it.

 

I think that Kizzy wants to lodge a complaint, though.

Uh, like.......what's up with these initials????

Shouldn't it say K&J???

I mean, REALLY???

 

 It even has carpet covered STAIRS.
Hmm.


And Kizzy says: I know how to use these stairs, too.

She says it is not finished.....what's next, a flush litter box?
Now there's an idea.

 I am very impressed.

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The only sunshine around.

Everyone I know is incredulous about the weather.
Are you kidding???
It's mid April.........can't we just catch a break???
You know, warm temps, sunshine?

Not here, not today.  Cold, sleet, rain.   Really, really nasty.



My hot tub is a blessing.  A life saver.  The jets hit the back of my neck and shoulders JUST where
they hurt, and my incision is healed enough for me to enjoy them. 
There is a mourning dove in the same spot OVER the hot tub, in the rafters of the porch, where she makes herself comfortable every spring.  I try not to bother her, but I am not giving up the hot tub.
She will have to get over it.



The yellow caterpillar rugs are on my web site, and there will be more coming in different lengths.
Lois rocks, don't ya think???  They are truly the brightest thing around here.

I asked her today how long she had been at the studio...........and her answer shocked me.........almost THREE years.
Wow.
Time apparently does fly, doesn't it.

I have three looms lined up to go......two of them have owners already.
I am somewhat in awe that I am doing this.........but if feels right.
Minimalism.
Just a little.
Streamlined.  Just a little.
Lots of chained loopers out of the closet, and on their way to new homes.
SALE rugs coming soon.
Getting down to what matters.
All because of a pain in the neck.
Ha!

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Blatant Retail

Raining now..........they are predicting SNOW flurries for tomorrow.
Remind me why I live in the northeast.
Good grief.
And as the TAX MAN is imminent, and the STUDIO is cluttered, to say the LEAST, we're having a SALE.  Another LOOPER SALE FOR ALL YOU WEAVERS.
Link HERE

But mostly, I am rethinking everything that I do.  Does that surprise you?
My brain has been rebooted TWICE now, and the world..........well, my perspective just keeps changing.
I bought this lovely, old house in March 2005.   It seems like it's been part of me forever.
It didn't look this good when I bought it.  It was pretty haggard.
Here it is getting painted for the second time since I've owned it.......the shutters are not all back on.

When I made the purchase, my intent was simple.  I wanted a place to put my looms, I wanted a place to work, to create, to evolve as a weaver.  I wanted quiet, simple, reflective.

But my gene pool is strong.  Dear Dad came through.  I found myself working harder and harder, and being more and more successful.
And I kept coming up with new products, and new ideas.
And those new ideas in turn created a whole new reality.

Suddenly, the serenity of the studio was a memory a lot of the time.  Work was the order of the day,  every day.
And that's not all bad.  Except that maybe it's time for something else.

All my profit has gone right back into the house.  A lot of the improvements and maintenance that had not been done over the years, got done.
There's more, as there always is with an old house, it will always be a work in progress.

But I am taking a more minimalist approach these days, even at the studio.
I don't want all this stash of "stuff" that I hope to use "someday".
I don't want 15, or is it 16? looms staring at me, like little lost souls.  Why don't you weave on me?
What's wrong with ME?
I can still operate Crazy as a Loom for now, and still downsize what I own, and what I store.

There's just me and L weaving.....and an occasional student, or friend.
I do not need all these looms.

So first to GO is the SEVEN FOOT WIDE TOIKA.
Yes, 7 ft wide.
It's a beautiful loom, and I have made many, many rugs on it, with Lois, and with Tammy.  It has been very profitable.
But I think 7 ft wide rugs are something I used to do.  Me and my new NECK.  If you know what I mean.
I have to tell you, there is ONE philosophy that I have trouble with.
It's this:
Just because I CAN do something, doesn't mean I HAVE to.

I think I may have a buyer for the TOIKA, and if not, I will be advertising it soon.

Changes are coming.  And I think they'll be good ones.

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YELLOW?

I wish it were warmer, and more spring like....but it's not.
Doesn't mean we can't bring a little sunshine into the studio.

This is what I was dreaming about the other night, and now L is busy weaving up some.
Different lengths.......runners.  In yellows. Then maybe some in white.

These caterpillars mean SPRING.
Please.

I have been taking it easy, short visits to the studio.  Walking the dog.   Doing a little sewing.

I am doing very well, only one bad headache since surgery, but hey........I just had a drill in the back of my head.

I think an occasional headache is to be expected.

I had my SKYPE appointment with my doctor.

He is very happy with the surgery, and pleased with my progress.

He says: no diving and no football.

Hmm.  Think I can deal with that.

Now I have a confession.   I got cards when I first got home from the hospital, and I have no idea where they went, or who they were from.
Drugs.
So if you sent me a card, please know that I thank you.
All that good energy had to have helped.   I just know it.

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Flowers - real and appliqué

Finally! Some real Spring flowers!

And I'm prepping some fabric flowers also. My color inspiration for Denyse Schmidt's Flowering Vine quilt is this piece from Honey Honey by Kate Spain.

I'm using a navy background...

And have everything prepped, basted and ready for some hand-stitching...

. . . Cindy

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