Magic in the Water

Today in the post came my own copy of Magic in the Water by Laura Fry. I had seen a copy 2 years ago from the library in England so I knew what it was like and just wanted my own copy before it was to late. The full versions are sold out now, just some available now with not all the samples in. But Laura is also working towards a pdf version of the book. So, the information will still be available, but without the real samples.
As a  bonus I also received a lovely towel. It is made with 50% cotton and 50% linen.

and here a detail

That was a lovely surprise to receive with the book.

Summer School

Today I was going to travel to Edinburgh to Summer School. I was booked in to the Digital Photography course. But I cancelled as I wanted to be near my family for special reasons.
It would have been lovely to get back to Edinburgh, the city where we married in 1969 and also meet up with friends. But hopefully I'll be able to get to Complex Weavers next year. Never been to USA.
Family comes first and I'm happy to have made the choice to stay at home. I took my grandson back yesterday, and the house feels empty after having had him here for 10 days but on Wednesday his sister is coming. I  just have a few days to recharge my batteries. ;-) School starts on the 22nd so she will have to get back home before than.

Weaving is going slow, but the end of the warp is in sight. I will plan a cheery new warp after this. But this warp was all about just being able to weave without thinking much. I'll be lucky if I get 4 towels out of this warp. Probably made the first 2 a bit longer than I planned. They have linen weft, I'm now weaving the 3rd with yarn from the warp.

Holiday almost over

Tomorrow I'll take my grandson home again. First time he has been away from home for so long, 10 days. If it was up to him he would stay longer but I need a few days on my own and will have his sister later in the week. We'll see how long she wants to stay this time.
We went to the Zoo yesterday, that was a big hit. Lots to see and do.

He loves climbing, and this was quite high up

We will go back there again.
Today was weaving day as he wanted to finish his scarf. I think it is great that he managed so much for a first project. Have to see if it stays with just this one project or that more will follow in the future.

Here he is with the scarf just finished fringe twisting but not yet washed.

Here it is after washing and pressing.

And here a scan of the middle part. Not bad for a first weaving for a 6 year old!

He liked my finishing here, so I added one on his scarf and also found the "hand made" hand. That will be a surprise for him in the morning.
Today was also baking time

Nothing better than helping and licking

Young Weaver

I have my 6 year old grandson staying with me. I asked him if he would like to do some weaving himself.
So, today we made a warp together and we got my first loom out for him to use.
The loom is now ready and he is weaving like he has done it many times before!

The colour of the warp and weft he choose himself.

Blue and red in the warp

and a multi coloured yarn as weft. All cotton.

Concentration

And after 15 minutes he has come this far and he is singing away whilst weaving.

Yesterday we went to the cinema. We saw Cars 2 in 3D. It was his first visit to the cinema as he usually sees DVD's at home. It was fun to see the film in 3D.

Cotton Warp

Here is my new warp, it is a stripy cotton warp and I'll be weaving tea towels. Never done this before. I need to be doing something very simple for this moment as a lot is going on around me. It will be nice to just get into the rhythm of weaving this warp and think of nothing else.

The first towel will be woven with white linen in a satin weave.

It's an 8 shaft satin and the sides are on shaft 9&10.

I think I'll be able to weave 4 or 5 towels from this warp and I want to make them all different. I hope they'll make nice presents to give away.

Blue Bayou

Today in the post I received a present to myself.

It's made by Sandra Rude and I'm very pleased with it. The photo shows it hanging in my bedroom. It will be really nice to see last thing at night and first thing in the morning. Sandra is showing the original photo here.

Above some details to show how this weaving is so different in parts.

My own weaving is slow at the moment through one thing and another. It has taken me over a week to warp and thread. Now threading the reed and hope to be able to start weaving tonight. Never woven tea towels and thought that this would be something easy and tranquil to do. A cotton warp on 10 shafts with a linen weft.

Proud Granny

Last Sunday Syb swam for his first Diploma A. Of course I had to be there and watch him!

And here he is

End of September he'll go for Diploma B.
Oh, and it's his birthday today!

After some nice sunny days it looks like it has turned into Autumn, lots of wind and rain at the moment.