tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38876701442162351072024-03-13T14:18:21.584-05:00Kris Peters....arranging piecesKris Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236590204524855797noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887670144216235107.post-74965268451360465382015-06-11T21:15:00.000-05:002015-06-11T21:15:32.317-05:00Mountains of denim . . . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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. . . . . okay, maybe more like molehills of denim! But I have lots of denim to cut and then weave up. That isn't a bad thing because I love the way denim strips look when woven into rugs, placemats, runners, coasters and even bags. So many uses! But I have a box of denim scraps taking up storage space that I need for other things. So . . . . .</div>
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. . . . . I am starting with a batch of coasters on my table loom. Inspiration threading, my favorite go-to pattern is my choice for this warp. I'm not sure if this pattern has another name but I have seen many inspired weavings done in this proven pattern and have used it over and over myself.</div>
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I had just enough fabric cut into strips for this small project. Now that we are back to warm weather I will be setting up the cutter out on the screen porch to strip out the rest of the denim in the box. Lots of cutting and lots of denim dust - a job best done outdoors when possible.</div>
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This coaster warp matches two denim runners woven earlier in the same threading pattern and colors. These runners are already listed in the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/FringeFiber?ref=pr_shop_more">Fringe Fiber shop</a>, so check them out there.</div>
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I have been putzing along at these but, in fact, they do really weave up quickly. I will finish these with a simple machine stitched edge. Hopefully, several sets of these coasters will be in <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/FringeFiber?ref=pr_shop_more">the shop</a> soon.</div>
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Enjoy your summer days . . . . . I will be checking back in soon!</div>
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<br />Kris Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236590204524855797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887670144216235107.post-78375536570505891842015-03-26T21:09:00.000-05:002018-02-07T16:56:37.574-06:00More transitions . . . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My parent's house sold this week, a sad event to be sure. But we have had some time to prepare for this transition because Mom and Dad have been living together in a care facility for almost a year and a half. My 3 sisters and I cleaned out their house, had a garage sale and put the house on the market this past summer.</div>
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I have been back in that sad house several times over the past months when I go to Nebraska to visit. I slept on the floor of that empty house, full of memories, one weekend. That was hard and I only did it once. I have said my goodbyes to our family home in the span of those months when we worked on it and when it sat empty with a "For Sale" sign in the yard. It has become just a building.</div>
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On one of my most recent visits I stopped but did not go inside. Instead I walked around the yard where my folks spent so much time and energy. Yes the yard still has a hold on me. I touched the little spot in the front yard that Dad had once helped me "garden" when I was 8 or 9 years old. I transplanted wild violets and though Dad warned me they might not survive the move, we nursed them to bloom. Then I picked the flowers for Mom.</div>
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I touched the clothes line posts, the cherry tree where our kids picked cherries for Grammie, the lamp post that stands where the old birch tree used to grow beside the swing set. I walked down the front corner embankment where once I jumped, on the run to Grandma's house, and fell. I still have a scar on my side! And, yes, our paternal grandparents lived on the corner across the street. Another reason our ties to this neighborhood are so strong.</div>
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But time stops for no man, or woman. My only connections to this place have been my birth family and my memories. My life has been somewhere else for a long time. I will always love my family and treasure those memories, good and bad. But the house is just a building now. A house that will hopefully be someone else's home someday. I have a family of my own, as do my sisters. We still have Mom and Dad with us in this time and space. And life goes on, as it should.</div>
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I hope the home that Patrick and I have created in our place in the world is rich with memories for our kids. And in the end it will be the memories that will help to carry them forward, too.</div>
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I have been thinking a lot about "place" and our connections to all the places in our lives, how we interact with place and are a part of place and can take comfort from those places we love. Here are some recent beautiful words from author, Mary Pipher. This is part of an<a href="http://www.opednews.com/articles/The-Psychological-Moment-W-by-Mary-Pipher-Culture_Information_Information-Overload_Moment-150131-723.html"> editorial </a>she wrote for OP ED NEWS.COM. Her thoughts on place have helped me. Thank you, Mary. </div>
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"Place by definition, is geographical. A real place is filled with stories and sensation, possibilities for action and engagement and opportunities for contemplation and bliss. Life has always been difficult but this present moment is difficult in entirely new ways. The craziness is in the culture, but each of us must find our own answers for how to be as happy and whole as possible. The place to begin is by being present where you are. Breathe deeply, look around your surroundings, touch something, and make something good happen in the place where you are." -Mary Pipher</div>
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<br />Kris Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236590204524855797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887670144216235107.post-75504697918472462562015-01-19T21:14:00.000-06:002015-01-19T21:14:20.646-06:00New items in Fringe Fiber . . . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am in my hibernation mode this month. The dark and cold weather just slows me down. I was meant to be a bear perhaps. I rallied all my energy and finally got photos taken of some completed weavings. These will be listed in the shop later this week.</div>
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I really think this soft but bright and cheerful table runner would be perfect for a Valentine's Day party. It is made with a mix of red and hot pink yarns and soft, knobby sock loops. Just fun! </div>
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This set of denim coasters has a blue and coppery brown warp and is woven alternating denim strips with a two plied chenille yarn. A nice warm touch with the blue denim!</div>
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Then I have several sets of these black with two shades of warm beige warp threads which are woven with a fabric strip that has the same colors. The fabric was not an animal print but the finished woven product definitely has that look - maybe leopard skin!!! </div>
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So I am weaving a bit while I basically hibernate through this month. I may come out of hiding in February and that would be a good thing because it is hard to be very productive when you are doing the winter bear thing!!</div>
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Hope it is sunny and a bit warmer than Minnesota where you are. Spring will come . . . carry on! </div>
Kris Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236590204524855797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887670144216235107.post-67017730326640060142014-12-30T22:15:00.001-06:002014-12-30T22:22:11.219-06:00Thoughts at a new year's beginning . . . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am thinking a lot about transitions with the approaching beginning of a new year. My family speaks to so many of life's transitions right now. My husband, Patrick, and I are 63 years old, our son, Joseph is 28, daughter Celia, 25, my mother is 82 and my dad, 86. What a span of years we represent! And with that span we are experiencing some of life's most challenging transitions.</div>
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Joseph and Celia are navigating those wonderful years of young adulthood -- new jobs, relationships, finances and responsibilities! Patrick and I are contemplating when and how to spend our fast approaching retirement years. And my parents have this past year been overwhelmed by advancing age and uncooperative bodies with health issues that have led to their move to a nursing home. </div>
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The emotions in our household are sometimes a bit over-the-top. Some days I want to step on the brakes and shout that I am not ready for any of this. How did we get here?</div>
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But of course, there is much joy and pride in watching Joseph and Celia grow and make the choices that are shaping their lives. Somedays we just cheer for them -- go for it! great job!!</div>
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Patrick and I talk a lot about our upcoming retirement years with a sense of optimism even if it is all a bit uncertain now. We have many decisions to make and we are fortunate to have options.</div>
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My parents' options, of course, have diminished. It is a hard process to watch and be a part of, but we feel lucky to still be sharing this time and space with them. We treasure each day.</div>
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Every day brings news from one front or another and we all just hold each other up when needed, cheer the victories and weather the defeats. In this new year we will keep moving forward together. Grateful.</div>
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Kris Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236590204524855797noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887670144216235107.post-48215877310323996402014-11-17T20:59:00.002-06:002014-11-17T21:05:45.418-06:00Mini Collection: Up North<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here is my tiny Mini Collection. I believe it is number 8, a collection of little objects from nature found on a short walk at Gull Lake last weekend.</div>
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We were staying at a cabin on the shore of Gull Lake near Nisswa, MN with our dear friends Bryan and Michele Kinghorn. It was our 2nd annual fall rendezvous in the Minnesota north country.</div>
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Bryan and Michele live in Omaha, NE where they own and operate a landscape business, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kinghorngardens">Kinghorn Gardens</a>. Because of the seasonal demands of their business we have taken our trips together in the late fall. This year was cold and windy. We had to cut our stay a day short because of an approaching snow storm. None of us could risk getting stranded at the lake, as nice as that sounds, or much worse, somewhere on the road.</div>
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But the time we had together was wonderful - relaxing but stimulating, reinforcing all the reasons we love them! It was good times with good friends.</div>
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Mini collection #8 was photographed on the ground outside our cabin and all the pretty little treasures remain lakeside. This is hard for me to do - leave those sweet things behind. So this collection will be mine as a photo only. Enjoy, it speaks of the lakeside in Minnesota in November. Awesome!!</div>
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Kris Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236590204524855797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887670144216235107.post-5041979607665418862014-09-06T20:57:00.000-05:002014-09-06T20:57:46.663-05:00I am still here . . . . . . . . <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yes, I am still here. We made it through the winter and I have let all of the summer pass without checking in here at all. The time has been filled with the ever-present distractions of our work-a-day worlds and taking care of hearth and home. </div>
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Our kids fill our hearts with the joys and trials of their busy young lives. Celia is now engaged to her young man, Jakob. They are planning a wedding in a little over a year and both are busy with demanding jobs. Joseph keeps our heads spinning with his musical adventures. He is just now off to Buffalo, NY to play with the symphony there after spending the summer in Vermont at the Marlboro Chamber Music Festival.</div>
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Patrick and I have both celebrated birthdays in the past 6 weeks and we are toying with ideas for retirement. Though it is still a few years down the road we want to plan ahead, check out lots of options and prepare for change. Change is good! Share your best ideas and advice, please.</div>
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My fiber life has been all but nonexistent the past 8 months! That may be contributing to my undercurrent of restlessness. So I am resolving to use the burst of renewal I always feel in the fall to get back to the fiber art activities that I love.</div>
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Here is the beginning of a new stitched piece. I have been playing with random stitches and color, just using sewing thread and designing as I go. Trying to be spontaneous on this little trial piece. I promise a picture of the completed work soon!</div>
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Happy fall . . . . . keep creating . . . . . I will be back soon.</div>
Kris Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236590204524855797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887670144216235107.post-89480053703745986782014-03-30T13:12:00.001-05:002014-03-30T13:12:52.693-05:00Getting through the winter . . . . . . <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At last today we have a promise of spring - warmer temperatures and some sunshine to help us believe we will truly see the season change! We are still feeding the birds to keep them going through this long cold time. Mostly our little winter friends visit the feeders here, chickadees, nuthatches, finches, juncos and cardinals. It is so nice to watch the activity from the kitchen window.<br />
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I am still playing with more paperweaving. This appeals to me and I am not inclined to resist. I guess that means there will always be little snippets of nicely colored papers littering my workspace. I retrieve "pretty" paper from many sources so that I always have a supply that can be cut. Sometimes this simple activity is just all that I can handle after a day at work in the office cube. But it is also just that bit of therapeutic weaving that soothes the body and mind.<br />
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The days are getting longer so we actually make it home in time to see the sunsets.They are very quiet and serene in color these days and oh, so beautiful! Enjoy.Kris Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236590204524855797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887670144216235107.post-88907846736668718662014-03-02T13:47:00.001-06:002014-03-02T13:48:14.302-06:00Mini Collection #7: paper weaving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have always loved to make paper weavings. You all must remember making construction paper weavings in elementary school, too. I was hooked on weaving from that time forward!<br />
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I often can't resist cutting scraps of paper into strips and weaving them into tiny mats right on the spot as I clean up from one project or another. This is a very zen-like activity for me and is inspirational, too. These small experiments have led to larger scales projects, some of which I will share here in the future.<br />
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This group of white paper weavings contains one of my favorites, the bottom example, which has strips of paper that have basically been "spun' into paper yarn by rolling them in my hands. I have also spun paper on my spinning wheel but I can't say that I really enjoyed that technique. Perhaps I just haven't found the right paper for the wheel.<br />
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There are the two pieces in this group that are technically not weavings but they serve the same purpose. The little notebook and the spun paper collage will lead to other projects in the same vein, I am sure.<br />
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I love the idea of not throwing all my paper scraps in the trash - instead, finding a use for every bit - reduce, recycle, reuse! I will be showing other paper weavings here because so many beautifully colored papers show up in the mail, in magazine advertising cards, and in shopping fliers . . . .who can resist those color exercises.<br />
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. . . . and, just like in elementary school, it is just plain fun!<br />
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<br />Kris Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236590204524855797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887670144216235107.post-34886980651865791662014-02-21T18:54:00.000-06:002014-02-22T10:08:07.946-06:00Winter goes on . . . . . but the weaving is good!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So much snow here in Crystal, MN. We had another ten inches yesterday and overnight. I am getting extra exercise from shoveling and I feel like my last two months of working on the weight circuit at the gym has helped me get in shape for flinging snow! We must be close to 60 inches of snowfall for this season! We are running out of room to pile it all.<br />
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February finds me in the midst of a flurry of placemat and coaster activity on my weaving schedule -- hopefully a time of finishing placemats and coasters. I was very slow-pokey about tying the fringes on the multi colored mats shown here. They have been off the loom for some time now (I'm not confessing to exactly how long that has been!). But they are finished now and will be in the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/FringeFiber?ref=pr_shop_more">Etsy shop</a> this weekend. Yay!<br />
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Going onto the MaComber 8 harness loom this weekend is this warp combination for rag placemats that should be warm and rich. These burgandy, rust and coppery brown warp yarns will weave up beautifully with the brownish purple rag. I am excited to see these take shape!<br />
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Poor Maxi-puppy must feel like he is in a maze in the backyard. He really cannot see over the sides of the paths that we have shoveled for him. He has lost sight of his favorite neighbors, Sandy and Brad, though he still tries to catch a glimpse. <br />
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These photos were taken before our additional ten inches of snow last night. Now we just have to hope for an early spring so Maxi can escape this claustrophobic backyard!<br />
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<br />Kris Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236590204524855797noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887670144216235107.post-70730630458310721992014-01-01T14:55:00.000-06:002014-01-01T15:00:28.928-06:00holidays again, already . . . . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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. . . . . and Patrick and I are grateful to have another season to enjoy our family. Joseph is here from Florida and we have seen Celia and Jakob multiple times during the past two weeks. We feel so lucky to have our kids here with us whenever it is possible!<br />
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. . . . . we have enjoyed time with friends and extended family, shared food and drinks and holiday cheer.<br />
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. . . . . if the weather cooperates we will see my Mom and Dad in Nebraska sometime while Joseph is here and Celia is available. This will be the best holiday gift for my folks as much time passes between their visits with our young people!<br />
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. . . . . wishing you all the joys of the season. I am looking with hope and optimism to the new year.<br />
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Happy 2014</div>
Kris Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236590204524855797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887670144216235107.post-540184380697332292013-11-10T20:58:00.000-06:002014-03-01T11:06:43.635-06:00Mini Collections 4,5 & 6<div style="text-align: center;">
Two weeks ago we spent a wonderful weekend "up north" in a condo on the shore of Lake Superior near Two Harbors, MN with our friends Bryan and Michele. We took in the sights, did some easy hiking, ate lots of good food and spent time looking at the lake from our condo window while catching up on each other's lives. </div>
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We spent some time on the beach at Flood Bay where we were hoping to be lucky enough to find Lake Superior agates washed ashore. We did find some small agate pieces but I was distracted by many other categories of pretties and here are three of my favorite little groups of finds.</div>
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<u>Spotted and textured</u></div>
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<u>Smooth and shapely</u></div>
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We hope to get a chance to go back again soon. It was inspiring, restful and restorative all in one. Can't ask for more from a weekend!</div>
Kris Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236590204524855797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887670144216235107.post-84609900694785595772013-10-24T22:04:00.000-05:002013-10-24T22:04:09.831-05:00Filling fall with projects . . . . . <br />
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The feel of autumn is definitely in the air here this week. Even the quality of the daylight seems different. The days are getting shorter and it is dark now when I get up at 6 each morning. All these signs of seasonal change bring little waves of apprehension, for as much as I love September and</div>
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I feel this dread of winter a bit more intensely each year. I begin to understand the draw of sunny climes and the migration of Minnesota elder snow-birds to Florida or Arizona for the worst months of snowfall and sub-zero temperatures. I am not ready to follow this pattern quite yet but here at our house we begin to speak of "a couple months in a warmer spot for January and February someday" - someday. Maybe someday.</div>
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But for now I begin to cocoon. The loom and the spinning wheel, the wool and all the yarn and fiber begin to pull me indoors. The distraction of the vegetable garden and the flower beds will be all tucked away for the season soon. The family room and weaving corner feels cozy and promising as a winter evening retreat. This is angora from a goat named Madeline, a large bag of lovely softness waiting to be spun - a gift from my friend Betty.</div>
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I am still working away at my ever present sock knitting. I do not really ever tire of producing these.</div>
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But I have promised myself a change of pace with a larger project for the early winter months. I am searching for the perfect pullover sweater pattern. I want something very simple, a casual look, probably wool yarn. I will decide within the next couple of weeks so that I can get started and have a chance to wear the finished product this winter!</div>
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I have strung the loom with a warp for eight placemats, a simple plain weave, woven with this multi-strand yarn filler pictured above. These will weave up quickly and then a warp of log cabin placemats is next. My plan after that is for something a bit more complex and challenging. I need that motivation to keep me from lapsing into hibernation mode as the snow looms ahead!</div>
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I am drawn to this draft for a halvdrall runner. Havdrall is a Swedish supplementary-weft structure that works a lot like crackle. It would definitely be a challenge. I will let you know how this goes! </div>
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Kris Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236590204524855797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887670144216235107.post-52508916773673177132013-09-05T21:47:00.000-05:002013-09-05T21:47:20.418-05:00Oh, the days dwindle down to a precious few . . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Life seems to go in fits and spurts of activity, then into the doldrums and hours of accomplishing nothing, with no predictable pattern. Some weeks are filled with much excitement or at least activity and then days of boredom, if not drudgery.</div>
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Onto this unpredictable pattern we try to overlay an actual schedule of work, meals, chores, precious hours with family and time for art. It is a wonder we can keep it all together as well as we do.</div>
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Our summer in Minneapolis was a strange mix of weather. And so we never seemed to get in a real summer frame of mind. I promised myself some evenings of spinning and blocks of time to get projects on and off the loom, but the summer slips away.</div>
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I have been far removed from any fiber work except for some sock knitting. I think because it is a project easily picked up for short bouts, I can always fit it into my day. I try to remember to carry a sock-in- progress with me to work for lunch hour knitting.</div>
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I have enjoyed working my way through a new (new to me) sock technique - toe up socks, one at a time. I used the <a href="http://verypink.com/2011/01/13/learn-to-knit-toe-up-socks/">pattern from Pink</a> which has an accompanying video instruction. The tutorial takes you through the whole sock knitted on #5 needles with worsted weight yarn. </div>
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They knitted up quickly, I liked the finished product and though I am sure the pattern is for teaching purposes I have purchased yarn for a second pair. These will be the perfect sock for Birkenstock sandals (alas, ever the old hippie!) for the cool fall weather that is just around the corner.</div>
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We shall see if September will bring the motivation and free time to fill with spinning, weaving, knitting and all things fiber. The early days of fall still do promise warm hours for swimming, outdoor grilling and soaking up the colors of the garden. But like this poor, fading daylily, the summer weather fades. </div>
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Relish it while you may.</div>
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Kris Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236590204524855797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887670144216235107.post-48623543783352450572013-05-07T21:09:00.000-05:002014-03-01T11:07:07.712-06:00Mini Collection #3 : Vintage Sewing Supplies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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These charming vintage needle folders and sewing supplies make me feel a connection back to all the women who hemmed and mended and replaced buttons for their precious families. . . . . </div>
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. . . . . . . a labor of love.</div>
Kris Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236590204524855797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887670144216235107.post-34681018394170143012013-03-20T21:48:00.002-05:002013-03-20T21:48:23.566-05:00Still on the loom!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Still on the loom! That is the only sad report I can give on the progress of the denim coasters. Sad and a bit embarrassing. I have had no motivation to work consistently on these. Three sets have been woven so enough warp for 5 or 6 coasters remains. I decided to add a fat plied yarn to the last 2 sets just to vary the weaving.</div>
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This also gave me an excuse to ply 6 strands of bronze colored rayon chenille into a nice thick yarn. I now hope to get two sets of coasters with this chenille alternating with the denim strips. This should be a nice pop with this particular warp of blue, brown and bronze.</div>
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The socks that could never be finished are finally finished! Honestly, I have forgotten when I started these but I have been knitting them forever. The second sock took an especially long time. I'm surprised that they match and that the first one hasn't faded while waiting in the knitting basket!</div>
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I started this new pair the very next evening. I love the feel of these already. I am using a 3 ply yarn that I made from 3 cones of yarn I found at a garage sale years ago - I believe it's acrylic, which is usually not my first choice, but I love the weight of the plied product, a little heavier than standard sock yarn and the knitted rib top has a nice hefty feel. I guess it is an experiment to see how this yarn performs as a sock. We'll see. </div>
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I am considering my next project carefully, scouring magazines and books for inspiration, I want to do a pattern that I haven't done before or adapt one I love to a new use. Celia set me on this quest when she suggested that I should weave something totally different! Change is good. Celia will recognize this mantra - she evidently will use it to influence me now!</div>
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So, all right . . . . . . Change is good!</div>
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Kris Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236590204524855797noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887670144216235107.post-71058750636592199282013-03-12T21:13:00.000-05:002014-03-01T11:07:34.220-06:00Mini Collection #2<br />
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I had so much fun making these brooches from all the little bits of yarn left in my stash. All those odds and ends of pretty little leftovers that you can't bear to let go. Heaven forbid that you would throw any scrap of yarn away! They all speak to me of past projects. Some even have the added bonus of a vintage button tucked into the center. Each one is a little individual piece of fiber work to be enjoyed on it's own. </div>
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But after taking the photos for their blog appearance I find that I love them all together. As a group, they make a strong visual statement. I think this would make a charming framed collection and a fun accent in any room. Here is t<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/126054540/crocheted-flower-brooches-collection-of?ref=pr_shop">he link</a> for this collection in my Etsy shop.</div>
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Think spring. Maybe if we all concentrate we can conjure up warm sunshine, spring showers and before you know it . . . . spring flowers! </div>
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Kris Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236590204524855797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887670144216235107.post-85469777110969481172013-03-04T21:59:00.000-06:002013-03-05T18:34:09.392-06:00Books,books and more books . . . . . <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have been reading some unusual book choices this winter based on suggestions from my family. I liked all of these very different books for very different reasons. Getting recommendations from trusted sources has led me to books that I might never have chosen on my own. So for the new year I started out with two big commitments.</div>
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First I read <u>1776</u> by David McCullough on the recommendation of my son, Joseph. He had recently finished it, really liked it and left his copy at our house. I started it shortly after Xmas. As you would guess it is about the Revolutionary War. Coming to this meticulously researched book with only a high school history based knowledge of the subject, this was fascinating. The campaigns and battles were brought to life by the descriptive details of the locations and the American and British officers. The descriptions of the conditions endured by the soldiers were heartrending and the quotes from their letters to families were touching.</div>
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It was a slow read for me because there was so much to absorb. But it was worth the time and the effort. A good read.</div>
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At the same time, I read<u> Cloudsplitter</u> by Russell Baker, recommended by husband, Patrick. This book of historical fiction was an account of the religious fanatic, John Brown, abolitionist and ultimately terrorist, told in the voice of one of his surviving sons, Owen Brown. An historically fascinating but sad account of how one man's obsession, though well intended, destroyed his whole family. An excellent read. </div>
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I just finished <u>Flight Behaviors</u> by Barbara Kingsolver, recommended by daughter, Celia. She gave this a 5 out of 5 star rating and Barbara Kingsolver is one of my favorite authors. So it was a no brainer choice! Very good read - climate change, monarch butterfly migration, love, loss, sexy scientist, and ultimately a coming of age story about a likable main character, Dellarobia Turnbull. Read it!</div>
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To the mix I added <u>Of Human Bondage</u> by William S Maugham. Looking for a next book to read I asked Patrick for suggestions and he tossed this out, I'm not sure why. It is one of those classics that I have always meant to read so it seemed about time to do it!<br />
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Wow! I loved it. It had all the old English charm of Dickens, the strict class divides, wealth, poverty, privilege, and great contrasts. But it was again a wonderful coming of age story about Philip Carey, a timeless tale of his journey to maturity and an appreciation of what life can be. Beautiful, moving - an excellent read.</div>
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I have moved on to some choices of my own, <u>The End of Faith</u> by Sam Harris about the clash between religion and reason in the modern world. This has been on my list for a long time.</div>
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I am also rereading <u>The Middle of Everywhere</u> by Mary Pipher about connecting with the newest members of American society - refugees, written from her volunteer experiences in Lincoln, NE.</div>
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And most recently, Patrick and I are both reading <u>Wheat Belly</u> by Dr. William Davis, an explanation of why modern wheat causes so many health problems and the science behind it. Patrick has just found that he is wheat sensitive so we are redesigning our diet to be gluten free. We may need the companion cookbook!<br />
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There is never enough time to read all the wonderful books on my list but if you have suggestions, please pass them along - a reading list can never be too long or too varied.<br />
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Kris Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236590204524855797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887670144216235107.post-42659389512622803082013-02-10T20:50:00.001-06:002013-02-10T20:50:36.898-06:00Cozy, snowy days . . . . . <br />
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As predicted, we are having a snowy day here in Minneapolis land. Nothing like the 2-3 feet of snow in the northeast part of the country but the snow here was preceded by rain and then lots of ice pellets. Now it has been snowing off and on most of the day so it is a day to avoid driving. It is a day to cozy in and indulge in your favorite quiet activities.</div>
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I have been spending some time glueing the liners into my black and white origami boxes and folding map boxes. This is such calm, rhythmic work - it is very Zen-like, it must be good for my heart and certainly my mind. </div>
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I also got a warp for coasters strung on the loom. I know this looks like overkill to put a 5" wide warp on this 42", 8 harness loom but my table loom, which is my go-to coaster loom, does not have a working home indoors. It is tucked away in the storage room until spring when I can use it on the screen porch. So, coasters on the big loom in the winter!</div>
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These will be woven with narrow denim strips making very quiet, warm looking coasters in this blue and brown colorway. They should weave up quickly and require only tying fringe knots to be completed.</div>
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Snow removal in the backyard for Maxi is complete. He really doesn't like the deep snow and we have spoiled him by always shoveling a path just for him! Patrick used the snow blower to clear the driveway so we are all dug out just in time for it to snow some more over night!</div>
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And here is Maxi in his favorite cozy pillow nest on a cold afternoon. Smart dog!</div>
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Now, time for tea . . . . hope you find your warm and cozy spot.</div>
Kris Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236590204524855797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887670144216235107.post-88002586555586737722013-01-31T22:58:00.000-06:002014-03-01T11:08:00.801-06:00and now . . . instant collection #1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am trying to take a serious look at all my stuff. It leads me to believe that I have the hoarding gene that is common among artists, crafters, collectors and apparently, my family. I truly am never very successful at getting rid of much from my stash of supplies and objects of inspiration. All of these things hold a power over me and have a special charm, especially as I group them into small collections, which is my tendency.<br />
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I have decided to share some of these mini collections. I will try to post a photo of a group occasionally. Some of these will warrant some words and others will stand alone. I hope you enjoy seeing these as much as I have loved gathering them.<br />
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As part of the reviewing and purging, some of these instant collections will be sold on my Etsy site but for now they are still mine!!!! </div>
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This first instant, mini collection is made up of the little totems that set in the corner of my worktable. They watch over my projects as I progress. I often wish they could speak, make a sound of some sort or at least change their expressions. I would welcome their critique of my work. We have shared this space long enough that they must understand where my head is, as I work here in this little space. As it is now, I am usually carrying on a conversation with myself!</div>
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I have had some of these little creatures for a very long time. Most were not originally mine, some were given to me, some were left behind by growing children and some inherited from the collections of departed loved ones. As a group they have become important companions in my work space. . . . and they do make me smile.<br />
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Kris Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236590204524855797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887670144216235107.post-65668908913095295322013-01-20T22:06:00.000-06:002013-01-20T22:06:54.822-06:00Starting a new year . . . . . . . <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here are the log cabin placemats in progress on the loom. In contrast to the <a href="http://www.krispeters.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-bonus-day-in-studio.html">warping prep</a> and stringing the loom for this project, the mats weave up very quickly. Very satisfying!</div>
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They are all woven and off the loom now. All that remains is to stitch the ends. I do this finishing step on the sewing machine to save time and to give them a secure finished hemline. I hope to have them listed <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/FringeFiber?ref=pr_shop_more">in the shop</a> early this next week. There will be a set of four available for sale.</div>
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Notice the cardboard pieces sticking out on the roll of woven placemats. This is an easy and accurate way to measure the space between mats, coasters or any multiple project pieces on the loom. It also gives you the correct length for the fringe for each piece as you weave. Cut 1 inch strips of light weight cardboard, repurposed cereal or cracker boxes are just the perfect weight. Then you simply weave in the correct fringe length of the mat that you have just finished plus the fringe length of the next mat that you will weave. Continue weaving and filling in the fringe strips until you have finished all your mats. When you take these weavings off of the loom cut between the appropriate strips and you will have beautifully straight fringes cut to the perfect length every time!</div>
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The beginning of a new year always sends me into an inspired burst of list making! I guess I am making resolutions but they take the form of sketches, rewritten versions of last year's lists and promises to finish half-worked projects. I love the feeling of starting fresh, giving myself permission to abandon work that isn't working and going down new paths.</div>
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Make your lists, your plans, your resolutions. It is 2013! </div>
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Kris Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236590204524855797noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887670144216235107.post-12113198185163714982012-12-29T18:58:00.000-06:002012-12-29T18:58:35.671-06:00Family and Holiday Update<br />
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Hurray, I am happy to say that Mom is much better. Her recovery from the flu has been slow but the doctor and common sense says that is to be expected when you are almost 80 years old. She promises us that she is taking it easy, not trying to do more than the basics and resting as much as possible. Over the phone she sounds stronger. Dad and Mom enjoyed a fun Christmas celebration with my sisters and their families.</div>
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I still have not been able to make the trip to see them in Nebraska. What with weather issues (snow & wind), work and holiday travel schedules, the drive has not been possible. I plan to go as soon as we have a weekend that promises safe driving conditions. Patrick will go along and we will celebrate a belated holiday with them. Hoping that can happen soon. </div>
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Our holiday season here in Minnesota has been perfect. Joseph arrived the Wednesday before Christmas and flies back to Miami tomorrow morning, Sun. Dec., 30. We managed to schedule a cookie baking day with Celia here, too. We ended up baking 4 of our "must-have" Xmas cookies: Sand Tarts, Smor Kringlers, Spritz, and Candy Bar Cookies. I will add these to my recipe pages in case you all want to try these Swedish favorites. ( Candy Bar Cookies - not so much Swedish!)</div>
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Christmas eve here was a warm, cozy, and low key family evening with Patrick, Joe, Celia and Jake = wonderful! And Maxi, the dog, had a great time with all his people here.</div>
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We hope all of you had your favorite kind of holiday, too!</div>
Kris Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236590204524855797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887670144216235107.post-88306809120507604002012-12-07T22:31:00.000-06:002012-12-08T10:07:50.149-06:00A very nervous, helpless day.....Just a brief posting about my horrible, no good, very awful two days of feeling useless.<br />
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By way of some background, I live in Minneapolis, MN and my elderly parents live in a small town 6 hours away in Nebraska. I have three sisters who live within 30 miles of my parents' home so I am the odd one out. Mom and Dad are struggling these days with a variety of age and health related issues. The primary factor in their story now is that Dad has Alzhiemers and is at a stage where he still knows all of us but he is unable to carry out any tasks and requires much assistance with all things day to day. My mother is his primary caregiver but has health issues of her own that are slowly wearing her down.<br />
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I'm sure many of you recognize the bones of this story - aging parents who need help from their grown children who have busy lives, jobs, kids and grandkids of their own, separated by distance - all the things that pull at families at this time in life.<br />
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Well, this week Mom had a bout of stomach issues, a bug perhaps that left her dizzy, weak, unable to eat or drink much - but still needing to care for Dad. I know she was scared, what would she do to feed him, keep him safe and take care of herself. My youngest sister filled me in and when I called I could hear the fear in her voice. And this is the week that Minnesota weather decided to kick into winter. Forecast of blowing snow, 4 to 6 inches, not something you can safely drive in across the wide open southwest corner of the state to go to Nebraska for the weekend.<br />
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My sisters all took over and took turns being with the folks. They called the doctor, cajoled Mom into eating and drinking as she could. They cooked, cleaned, and spent the night with them. But I felt helpless and useless and nervous here. The distance between my house and theirs feels very far at times like this. I know everything is being done that can be done but I still wish to be there just to see for myself, to talk to them face to face and to hug and be hugged.<br />
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I hope tomorrow will be a bit better. I will talk to Mom, I hope she will sound stronger. I know she will feel comforted by my sisters' attention. And I will tell her how much I love them both. <br />
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<br />Kris Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236590204524855797noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887670144216235107.post-49661167451796577062012-11-12T21:46:00.000-06:002012-11-12T21:46:10.267-06:00A bonus day in the studio......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A weekend of cold rain and a first little dusting of snow kept us indoors. Feeling just too cozy, Patrick and I did not finish the fall clean-up as we had planned. It is a task that really needs to be finished before serious snow flies but the weather was not cooperating. The bonus, of course, was that I took advantage of the wet weather on Saturday to spend the afternoon in the weaving studio. <br />
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I had a set of log cabin placemats waiting to go onto the loom. This is one of my long time favorite patterns which I have used many, many times. I have made runners, both long and short, placemats, coasters and even some rugs. Sometimes I use rags for the weft filler like this runner above, but these new placemats will be woven with a creamy, white cotton rug filler - very Scandinavian looking! <br />
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This very traditional warp-faced threading is 30 ends per inch and can be laid out in varying width blocks in the warp and weft to create endless variations. These mats will be patterned with a stripe and block border along both the ends and the sides, creating a solid color block in the center. The bonus of log cabin weaving is that the colors are reversed on the back side giving you two different colorways! I will post photos of these when they are complete.<br />
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Threading 30 ends of yarn per inch through 12 inches of heddles and a 15 dent reed in the beater can be a daunting task. My neck and shoulders get sore and my tri-focals are a focusing tricky- wicket!! So I have learned to break up the task with filling the shuttle spindles, winding the cotton filler onto the boat shuttles and a coffee break or two. But it is, oh, so satisfying to get a warp like this tied onto the loom, ready to weave. What a great afternoon!<br />
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I did also have a little time to play around with some paper collage - some fun stickers. And the never-ending, always intriguing boxes . . . . .more map paper cut to size for folding, black and white recycled envelope paper cut for the "take-to-work bag" to fold at lunch breaks. Then I put together white cardboard trays for the box sets and made an adorable "Cheerios" tray that just screams to become the first of a graduated size set! Yes.<br />
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Not a bad day's work! Garden clean-up . . . . . . another day.Kris Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236590204524855797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887670144216235107.post-1738598588522417392012-10-27T20:54:00.000-05:002012-10-27T20:54:49.107-05:00Fall fiber work . . . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have been playing with a messy project on my old spinning wheel. It should be a project for outdoors or at least the screen porch and that is where I started it. But the screen porch is filled with the outdoor furniture, tucked away for the approaching winter and the spinning has to move indoors. </div>
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I am spinning newspaper. This appeals to the recycle/reuse side of me and is an interesting experiment in readily available materials. </div>
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The plan is to weave this into paper mats when the spinning is done. Any suggestions for warp? I am thinking a grey-brown colored linen would look good with the newspaper color . . . or a black linen. Someone suggested crocheting baskets or freeform pieces, also very intriguing.</div>
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I cut these strips by hand, no measuring, as I don't mind a little thick and thin effect. The colored portions of the paper have a nice look in the finished spun product, creating interest and adding some warmth. It is not a soft yarn, definitely a little stiff and obviously will not be very durable.</div>
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There is a great deal of drag on the spinning wheel and because the yarn is very stiff, at times, it has to be "helped" onto the spindle. It is also very dirty - grubby black fingers from the ink, so I am sure the wheel will need scrubbing when this project is done. But all-in-all it is very satisfying to create something out of a throw-away material. I will let you all know what this yarn inspires! </div>
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I am starting another project on the table loom - denim coasters with a blue and brown warp, a nice fall into winter colorway! These coaster sets will make their way to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/FringeFiber?ref=pr_shop_more">my Etsy shop</a>.</div>
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So it is back to some evening fiber work. I will miss the long days of summer but it feels good to snuggle in and get my hands back to work at the wheel and loom. </div>
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. . . . . .and I do love the fall. </div>
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Kris Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236590204524855797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3887670144216235107.post-56359096477973048052012-09-05T21:21:00.001-05:002012-09-05T21:21:49.810-05:00Fading into fall . . . . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Time flies, cliche I know, but damn it, time does fly. This summer that just began is already waning. The days are transitioning from bright and colorful to softer, quieter colors, hints of shorter days to come. </div>
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The vegetable garden is past its prime production. </div>
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My babies are amazing young adults. And Patrick and I both celebrated 61st birthdays --- really, time flies, sometimes at warp speed.</div>
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A walk through the park on the beautiful first day of September was a reminder of the fleeting unknowns of life. My eyes were drawn to a brown, dried leaf falling from a tall tree. It drifted ever so slowly, gracefully floating down to a gentle ending to its life. It struck me what a perfect metaphor for the end of life this was. This leaf was not buffeted by winds, pelted by rain or shredded by a hail storm. It just let go and drifted to its end. That is an ending that most of us would choose if we could, the ending we might wish for - - no wind or rain or hail - - no disease or disaster or dementia, just a gentle floating through to our quiet ending. Seasons come and go, as do we all.</div>
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Fall has always been my favorite season. I will try to relish all it offers and not look too far ahead to the cold winds of winter.</div>
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Kris Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236590204524855797noreply@blogger.com1