OK its not perfection but sometimes thats OK too

After much advice from about 5 or 6 sources I think I have been able to use my own instinct and figure out what works on this old loom.  It is home made and doesn't seem to fit anything that "weavers" seem to recognize. So some of the help has not really been all that helpful, but I was able to take a little from each one to get to where I am.  I can live with the shed that I get now.  At least the lower 2 strands of warp are lined up nicely at the bottom and I can slide the waft thru with out much trouble.  I was excited to use the release trigger and crank the warp forward.  That is a big deal for me and to still have a tight warp after weaving 5 feet of runner and 2 table mats one right after the other before cutting it off the loom.  See I have used a little table top loom for 4 years!
So now I will finish weaving off this narrow runner set up and will warp on a nice width for a "real" rug.   Also I noticed that my runner was real solid, then figured it out.  My beater bar is so good on this loom that I get a really tight weave.   This is just some mixed gray and pink fabric that I made a rag ball from and I spaced in some selvage that is gray and black.  Will take a pic as soon as I have the ends tied off and trimmed.

My Nov. newspaper column

This is looking to be one of the most beautiful fall's I have seen in Missouri. Especially in our area.

I just returned from my get away to Iowa to visit old friends and breath in that familiar air of Iowa. Thats where my roots are so it is always a pleasure to go back and find out what has changed and what is still exactly like you remember. My special treat was the pork tenderloin that is still prepared like it used to be. About 12 inches across, hiding the bun under it. Deep fried till it is crisp and tender. The double treat was to have lunch with my old high school friend who has kept true to her roots and is well known for her beautiful pottery and hand woven rugs. I got some lessons to improve me weaving and hope to get my floor loom going soon. I will have rugs to sell in the book store if anyone wants hand crafted gifts.

The Granby First Wednesday Quilt Club has been allowed to meet at the Baptist Church in Granby. We met there for the Oct. meeting and it looks like a great place with lots of room. So if you are interested in quilting with a group, please join us at 9 AM on the first Wed. of each month. Skill level is not important as I am a novice myself when it comes to quilting. I have come kicking all the way for this as my sister Mary Funk has tried for years to get me to quilt.

My books for this month are a little mixture. The first is a children's book that I love. When I found it, I knew it would be perfect to give my 3 year old great granddaughter.

Guess How Much I Love You

by: Sam McBratney

Illustrated by : Anita Jeram

This sweet book is about a daddy rabbit (hare) and his baby rabbit. As daddy rabbit gets the baby settled for bed they start this competition to tell how much they love each other. The baby starts out by saying “ this much” as he stretches his arms out, and of course daddy rabbit can stretch his wider. So it goes on till the end when the baby thinks he as out done his daddy by saying “he loves his daddy right up to the moon” and as he falls asleep, daddy rabbit says softly, he loves baby rabbit right up to the moon and “back”. The illustrations are very cute. What makes it special is that when I was leaving my daughters house recently my little great granddaughter spread her arms to tell me how much she loved me and so I did the same. She said in a cute 3 year old way, “Wow, thats a lot!” This would be one of those books to go on-line to buy for that special little one. By the way, this one is taken.

Cell

by Stephen King

I have gotten away from reading much of Stephen King the past years. But this one caught my eye. This book will tap into any fear you have about the possibility of technological warfare and terrorism. It starts out with a wave of craziness as people get this signal from their cell phone and they either go crazy and kill themselves or who ever is close to them. Then they wonder away to form these zombie packs that hunt for food during the day time and sleep at night. Those few people left without cell phones ban together to try to survive. I have to warn you this one is pretty graphic and violent. Guess thats why I don't read his books very much. If you like Stephen King with all his crazy twists and turns that play with your mind, you might like this. As for me, I am sort of done with him for now till I find something a little less gory.

Sundays at Tiffany's

by James Patterson

Patterson has been writing books that are very sweet and romantic, instead of his usual mysteries . This one was recommended by my 14 year old granddaughter and I really enjoyed it. On the cover it says “What if your imaginary friend from childhood was your one true love?” So that sets up the story perfectly. The “angels” who serve as imaginary friends to children can only be with them till age nine then the go away and the children forget them. Except for this one little lonely girl who's mother is very busy and important in her career and has little time for Jane. Jane does grow up to be successful in her mothers shadow but has never forgotten “Michael”. In her 30's she meets “Michael” again even though it was seem as impossible from “Michael's” point of view as this had never happened before. You will have to read the book to see the transforming power of true love. This is an excellent book for those romantic teen age girls and girls of all ages who still believe in true love.

We better be ready!

Ole is the Pastor of the local Norwegian Lutheran Church and Pastor Sven is
the minister of the Swedish Covenant Church across the road. One day they
are seen pounding a sign into the ground, which said
TURN YERSELF AROUNT NOW
BAFOR IT ISS TOO LATE!
DA END ISS NEAR!


As a car speeds past them, the driver leans out his window and yells, "Leave
people alone, you Skandihoovian religious nuts!"

From the curve they heard screeching tires and a big splash.

Shakin' his head, Rev. Ole says "Dat's da terd one dis mornin'."

"Yaa," Pastor Sven agrees, then asks, "Do ya tink maybe da sign should yust
say, 'Bridge Out?'"

Close enough for Halloween

Foot stool finds new life for a 3 year old

This is the foot stool I mentioned yesterday.  It is done in a crazy stitch design with a honeycomb sewing machine stitching at each seam.  Very easy to do.  I made this from a bunch of drapery samplers that I bought at a garage sale too.  Did I mention that the stool only cost $1 at another garage sale. 
Love them garage sales!  Just never know what you will find!  I am sure she will get mac and cheese on this so maybe I should spray it with some scotch guard.  hmmmm  good idea!

Gotta fix this problem soon!

Have had advice from a couple folks on solving my problems with my loom.  I think I will order some more Texolv so I can rehang the shafts.  It just looks wrong to me.  Will be meeting with my weaver friend soon and play on her looms and really study them.  Also will go back to the college this next Wed and find that "nice" man.  Couldn't go this week as we had our First Wed. Quilt Club meeting.  Not sure what I am doing in there, as I am not a quilter.  I don't need another hobby!!  But if I can keep it small I will give it a go.  Here is a picture of my "quilting".  It is a little foot stool I found and refurbished for my great grand daughter.  She is 3 and loves little furniture.  I did a crazy quilt topping and put some padding under it.  Was easy to do.  Seeeee I love these small projects!
Well for some reason it won't let me post it today.  Will try later.

Loom troubles

OK these pictures are for MadCity Mike;  here is what I set up.  I know I didn't warp the correct no. of strands of warp but I don't feel it has anything to do with my problem.  Was just trying to get some warp on to see how the treddles would work.

The third picture shows how the warp does not lay to the bottom of the reed. And this is with it at resting position.    I am thinking I want to get rid of the metal headles and the steel cable for the counter balance part in the castle.  I think it is still doable.  Still plan to get that nice guy from the college to come make a home visit.