Monday, August 22, 2011

All Sewed Up and Know Where to Go!

This is what my bags look like when they are done. I put allot of love into each of them as I am making them so they have a glow about them. In this pictures the glow is because of the sun, but trust me if you are in your room at night and the bag is there with you and there is this weird glow in the room, that my friend is the love that I put in. I have know idea why it glow but it does so enjoy the light it give off. I also eat cheese every time I am sew a bag so take that into consideration. I love you guys!

I Heard "Sew What" To Meny Times In My Life

This is me sewing my straps together. I have this piece of wood strapped to my sewing machine table to use as a straight edge because I can't sew straight. I have to tell you that it looks professional when I am done and I would guess that is what I am working toward I think. I love this sewing machine, I think it would sew through cement if I would give it a try. I always whistle wile I work if you were wondering. I don't know the tune but I think it has entered my subconscious by osmosis from warm 103. They listen to that were I work everyday and the fact that every song is played 2 or 3 times a day may just be why. Who knows I am a music snob.
Here I am sewing on the strap to the bag. This part is not really exciting so if you feel like going and watching some Will and Grace reruns, please feel free because that is what I am doing as I am typing. I so own 4 seasons of that show on DVD. For some reason I have to watch a sitcom before I go do bed. I don't know why this is but I do. I hope you don't feel ill of me because of this little OCD thing that I go through every night but I bet you have a few little dark secrets. I have lots and I will reveal them as I move on in this blog. Excuse me I have to go pee! 

Crap That Flows From My Mind!

RUGS ALL AROUND!
RUGS TO EVERYBODY!
EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE A RUG!
DO YOU NEED A RUG?
GIVE HER A BIG RUG FOR ME!
I NEED A RUG!
RUGS MAKE THE WORLD GO AROUND!
RUGS AND KISSES!

sorry I am sorry for my behavior but I sometimes cant control it.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Out and About

I went to Mount Gretna Art show today to look at some really great stuff and catch up with some old friends. I was really amazed this year with the wonderful stuff people are making. I wish I could post some picture for you but I forgot me camera and I do feel bad about taking pictures of other peoples stuff. I was not a big fan of it but I did let it happen.
 First I ran into Deb, she makes wonderful wood and fused glass wall hangings and ornaments. She is a really a good person, she gives me home ground tomatoes that are out of this would. I really enjoy talking with her and the tomatoes.
  Then I ran into me rug weaving buddy Rebbecca. She is my main competition but we get along like best Buddy's. We always share weaving secrets and enjoy a milkshake. She makes some rugs that I wish that I would of thought of. Oh well they are in the back of my mind and I may use parts or color combos in the future but I will not copy. She deserves that respect.
  I moved on and look a some amazing art but my favorite work for the past 2 years was this guy that makes these characters out of steel that have counter waits and the pivot on a point and rock back and forth. The best ones he made were the cowboys and Indian's. There were 4 cowboys on one side and the same amount of Indian's on the other and they popped out from behind trees. They have this silly creepy whimsy that I just seem to fall in love with. I hope you get a chance to see them if you are every in his presents.
   Then I ran into a great basket weaver and friend Sylvia. She was one of the people that pushed me to get juried into the Pa Guild Of Craftsmen. For that I am great full. She is trying to get me to come back to the guild show and I promised her that I would give it my best to make it to the November show. So if you are thinking about attending it look for me because I just may be there because of her. THANK YOU SYLVIA!
 Then I went to Peggy and Scott's booth. She Is a terrific potter. She make these vases that have lots of holes in them that if you would put a candle in it it would make wonderful patterns of light on the wall. She was chosen one of the top ten artist of the show witch means that she gets to come back next year for free and doesn't have to go through the jury process.Give her a hand please!
  On to Phil and Lauren. Phil is also a wonderful potter. I have one of his mugs. it is really cool because he wrote some words about love really small and stuck it inside a little window one the mug. I love it! Lauren is one of my very best friends. We met at knit night at the first Lancaster Yarn Shop a bunch of years ago and have been close friends ever since. They are both wonderful people and I a grateful that they are in my life.
  Then there was a peasant surprise, running into Brain. He is one of my newer show friends and in fact I never really did a show with him. I met him when the band I am in played at a small art show In Chester county.  He is a painter and he also won top 10 artists of the show. Do I hang out with the best or what?
  All said it was a really good day. Had some really good conversation, met some new friends and ate some food that was out of this world. Now I have to go back to work in the morning, I don't think it will be as fun. But there is some good friends there also so it will be a goo week.  I hope your weekend was a great on also.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Strange Litte Man In The Studio This Week

Walk in the studio Saturday and this little fellow was standing there all nice and shiny like a new penny. Saw him a week ago and he was a algae covered mess with crack up his arm. It is almost like he was a drug addict that cleaned up his live, went to rehab and bought some new duds. Give the jockey a hand!

Straps From Scraps

Here is an old pair of jeans that I found at a yard sale. What I do is chop them up into quarter's, tear off the pockets and cut them into 3" strips. I can get 4 pair of straps out of each pair of jeans but this pair was a bonus because the waist was 44" so I got 5 pairs out of them. I guess I could go out and find new fabric for this and get alot more straps out of it but I do enjoy going out and finding my supplies for 25 cents.


Here is one quarter of the jeans cut up into 3" strips. You can see the out line of the pocket there that I leave in if I can because it is proof that I use recycled materials. I love those wood floors, don't you? I am so lucky in the fact that I am part of this creative atmosphere in the studio I belong to. I am the only weaver the rest are painters.

I like to iron them first before I sew to keep the fabric from moving. First I fold the ends together in the middle, iron the whole length flat then I fold it in have and put bonding tape inside to keep it folded till I get around to sewing it. I love that iron. I have had it for 4 years and it still streams up my glasses. I am a GEEK!

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Things I Have Done ( and they are not all bad!)






I think at last count I have woven a little ove 500 rugs, bags and table runners. For those of you who know me I bet you ar saying WHAT THE!!!!!! Yes it is true, for the last 7 years I have made my mark somewhere in this world. So next time you are at you friends house look down "ON THE FLOOR"  I might just be lieing there under your feet.  TELL YOU FRIENDS ABOUT ME!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

A Place In Maine


Here is a rug that I wove for my friend in Maine. It was fun and I wove a little barbed wire in this one just for giggles but I haven't heard if he found out yet. You see his feet are huge and I thought he would get a laugh out of it. Oh, and by the way those aren't banjo's they are just cardboard cut outs. It makes him feel better having them there.