My Corner Of The World - Jan 2012

It's January in China, New Zealand, Samoa, Japan, North Korea and South Korea.

Time for a new edition of "My Corner Of The World!"

Welcome 2012! We will welcome the Year of the Dragon and say goodbye to the Year of the Rabbit.

Tell us about the New Year Traditions in your corner of the world!

Have a joyful day!
Franco Rios
Sacramento, Calif, USA

Ah, but it's not Chinese New Year yet!  It will be another three weeks or so before the Dragon chases out the Rabbit.

But meanwhile, happy (Western) New Year! from the Chicago suburbs, where Mike and I are visiting with his family.

May your warps be serene and untangled in the New Year!

That's a good point Tien! We still have time to celebrate year of the rabbit!

I'll call the butcher and get a few rabbits ordered up. Marinate in spicy chili sauce and grill it!

I'm thinking of a dish we can call it Dragon Fired Rabbit!

Have a joyful day!

Armenia, Luxembourg, Macao are now in 2012!

I have about 5 more hours to go!

Have a joyful day!
Franco Rios
Sacramento, Calif USA

are shooting off fireworks. I have one dog cowering in fear at my feet under the loom. The other barking in fear everytime a loud noise goes off. Not fun in my house tonight. Only three more hours of this to put up with. It will be a long night! Happy New Year's everyone.

Here in southeastern PA, there are about 2 hours until 2012. I wish for much peace and more kindness to each other in 2012. I am alone with my dogs, but not lonely. I've had a delightful time with my children & granddaughters this past week. For 2012, I plan some projects on my harness loom and inkleloom. Are there any other inkle weavers out there?

Happy Weaving in 2012

Made it! It's 12:29 am in California!

Have a Happy New Year!
Franco Rios
Sacramento

and to everyone.  I didn't realize looms multiplied like rabbits, I guess it is the year for that!  A floor loom purchased on a whim by my husband has become a Harrisville floor loom, a union 36 rug loom, an inkle loom, a rigid heddle loom, a spinning wheel, and broomsticks with a sprang project on them, all within a few months.  I hope to find the time to weave on all of them!  A sunny day in the mid 50's' is dawning here in southeast Arkansas.

Our church had a New Year's Eve party. We had a great time! Food, music, comedy. That is DJ Praze organizing the music. Which reminds me of the old question "Can Christians dance?" The answer is "Some can. Some shouldn't."

Have a Happy New Year!
Franco Rios
Capitol Foursquare Church, 24th & O St, Sacramento, Calif.

2 Samuel 6:14 And David danced before the LORD with all his might

Here in central BC (Canada) the temperature is -17 C.  Winter appears to have arrived.  :)

best wishes to everyone for the coming year,

Laura

We had dinner with the family(our two sons and there girlfriend)last night;My eldest son was chef of the day.We had salmon as starter followed by a delicous pork roast ,and icecream cake for dessert..At midnight there were fireworks all over the village. Today we went to see our relatives from both sides; It was a rather wet new years day (8°C)here in Flanders (Belgium)

...that you should do on January 1st what you would like to be doing the rest of the year. So I went to the gym first thing, and then played with looms!

The folded up loom on top is my "wubby" (as Syne would call it, my very first loom.) It had been on loan to a family member in Vermont for many years, and this was the journey back home. You may notice it picked up a new friend along the way, a Structo 240 in the foreground. (I also picked up a huge blanket rack at Dan & Witts hardware in Norwich, VT, the wood thing at the very top of the pile!)

AND, as if the car wasn't loaded up enough, I happened to stop at the WEBS annual year-end blow out sale in Northampton, MA. For weavers, there was little variety of mill end, coned, or unusual stuff available in the back, like in the old days. The deal was 20% off of their regular stock, and I maximized that on some partial cones of Zephyr. (With partial cones, I didn't have to pay for the wind-off. Someone else had purchased ounces off the cone already). 

For knitters, it was probably an *excellent* opportunity to increase your stash! The selection of balled and skeined knitting yarns in the warehouse was astounding. I was enticed to pick up some Mission Falls, 100% cotton, 84 yard skeins for $2.99 apiece. In the past, I have paired this yarn with Henry's Attic cottons for really nice baby blankets.

Here's an overview of the back of the store where the bargains were, if you have never been to WEBS. The front of the store is nicely displayed, and there are two classrooms off from the main area. I have heard that some visitors don't know there was a warehouse in the back, so if you didn't wander back there in the past, be sure to do so on your next visit!

I can't wait to see what everyone is weaving in 2012! 

Sally

P.S. I like the new photo, Franco! Will I be able to meet you in person at Convergence in Long Beach this summer?

the extended New Year's weekend before heading back to work in the morning. I am slowly working on a double width throw - my goal is to finish 10 -15 inches today - not sure that will happen at this point but. . . I already know of one mistake that I will have to repair once it is off the loom but so far so good. The sun is shining and it is a balmy 56F outside this afternoon - not a bad was to start the new year.

Chilly here but good weather for weaving!

Sally,

I don't plan to go to Convergence. Can't it into the budget for this year.

But plans can change. It would be good to see Long Beach again.

Have a good day!

and I'll be going to Hambidge today for a few days. BRRRRR!!!
Tommye

Well, Sally, I think you have a lot to look forward to in 2012 if day one is your template! I spent most of 1st January eating and catching up with cousins - but sadly I don't think that's likely to be the pattern for the whole year.

No kidding, Franco!

Usually, a day pass is $10. That allows you into the vendor hall and all the juried exhibits. I think there might be an informal fashion show scheduled for Friday, and there are demos, and special interest gatherings, which are great to drop in on and put some faces to some names. So even if you don't come for the seminars and workshops, you can get a lot of inspiration out of a day pass! (For my first two Convergences, I only attended as a day visitor.) And the people who attend the conference are just as likely to be wearing inspirational stuff as what you'll see exhibited.

BTW Cally — will you be coming over this summer (and wearing another incredible pair of your handwoven pants?)

Sally

Seems I have developed 'weaver's elbow' - a combination of golf *and* tennis elbow.  :P~  Weaving for 35+ years and now I get this????  I really don't mind getting old.  I *do* mind getting decrepit!

I have a really pretty warp on the loom so I may not be able to stop myself from weaving on it.  :)

cheers,

Laura

Oh, Laura, I'm so sorry to hear that, especially on top of everything else!  I hope it heals up soon.

It's mostly annoying - the brace seems to be helping and I'll ice it and use anti-inflammory cream when I go to bed tonight.  

Just had to have a bit of a moan!  :^)

cheers,

Laura

still loving the new warp on the AVL  :)

Happy Christmas to our Orthodox brethren!

This year, Orthodox Christians will celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7, according to the Julian calendar, created by Roman Emperor Julius Caesar.

Other Christians mark their Christmas celebrations on Dec. 25, according to the Gregorian calendar, which was created by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, centuries after the western and eastern churches separated in 1054.

Have a joyful day!

This is Capitol Park in Sacramento. The big Purple Beech is bare this time of the year, usually is it full of leaves and dark rich color. Westminster Presbyterian Church is on the left.

This hawk eyes me suspiciously from its perch in West Sacramento.

This little hummingbird is usually in the same spot every morning on my way to work in West Sacramento. So I try to have the camera ready to take pictures as I walk. If I stop walking the bird flies away. On left bird is watching me. On right bird is stretching the wings.

Have a good day!
Franco Rios
Sacramento, Calif.

I'm not going to convergence either.  I agonized about it, because some of my friends are going, and I have friends in Long Beach.  I just can't buget the time.  Other fiber events I'm planning to attend: Conference of Northern California Handweavers, Black Sheep Gathering, Spinning Day on the Farm, Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival, California Wool Festival, The Natural Fiber Fair, and just possibly, Lambtown.  That ought to keep me plenty busy.

Pantone Color for 2012 is Tangerine Tango

http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/cat...

Have a good day!

Another grey dreary day here in central BC.  Just finished tailoring the workshop drafts for Durham, NC workshop.  Will start pulling yarns and winding the two warps I'll wind myself after lunch and stretch class.  Hoping to get to the loom today, too.  Really happy with current crop of kitchen towels.  :)

http://laurasloom.blogspot.com  The photo doesn't do the colours justice - may try again now that I've started the actual towels.

cheers,

Laura

Laura, how is your elbow? For the first time ever, I've had tendinitus of the wrist so no tapestry for me. However, I've gotten to the computer and started designing for my AVL which is very exciting! Working on some 3 block satin . Designing is One of my New Year's resolutions, , I guess being able to throw a shuttle will be another :)

It's much improved after wearing the brace for several days.  Haven't tried weaving today and don't think I will without it.  :}  Maybe tomorrow, Monday for sure.

The weather turned into an almost blizzard - nasty.  :(

cheers,

Laura

intorduction to floor loom class today. It was lots of fun. Made a scarf. My selvedges were a bit wonky but wet finishing helped. Now to start saving up money for a floor loom - in the mean time ti have several projects planned for the rigid heddle. A lovely day here in cnetral Texas tomorrow should be nice as well then rain coming for the first part of next week along with colder temps. Oh well.. .

I give up -  First it gets really cold & windy for several days - usual for January but sudden so everyone was suprised.  THEN - it warms up & crazy people walking around in shorts today - in the 60's.  This is pheumonia weather in DC - Ouch !!  I'm a bit behind with putting away Christmas (loom has to be folded up to get my tree up) so hoping to put all away tomorrow & open up the loom & get back to my next project. I have to shades of black wool warp, with weft of recycled silk sari yarn.  The silk is so colorful, I'm setting it off against the black.  Can't wait to get started.  My surgery in October went well & my health is greatly improved by the  64 lbs I've lost in the last 3 months.  Let's all have a creative and healthy weaving year in 2012.

Alas I can only afford one trip - at least I *hope* I can afford one trip - so Convergence is out, but CW is in! If I am lucky enough to get a place, that is... However, my aunt is arranging for the two of us to do fabulous textile things in DC around the seminars, so it should be a great trip whatever.

I was thinking not trousers but something else this year. I wonder what?

Cally

At the Saturday Jan 7 meeting of Sacramento Weavers & Spinners Guild Saturday focus group we focused on spinning in honor of St Distaff Day which comes after the 12 days of Christmas.

You can see more about our meeting posted over here
http://weavolution.com/forum/chat/sacram...

Some of you may remember my struggles to get a fiber group started that fit my hours as a 9 to 5 paid employee. This Saturday Group is literally a dream come true for me.

Have a good day!
Franco Rios
Sacramento, Calif.

If you liked the "Passion Flower" song from last October's discussion
youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QGIif4bDKU

You might like Madeleine Peyroux - The Kind You Can't Afford
a jazzy blues kind of song
youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44OelteKZ10

I heard on the jazz radio station tonight and looked it up on youtube.

Have a good day!
Franco Rios
Sacramento

gray and rainy days today was beautiful Sunny and bright blue sky and temps in the 60s - not bad for central Texas in January. Tomorrow is supposed to be in the 40s but still sunny. I am playing around with some weft faced samples on my rh loom - they will become coasters when I am finished.

Started a warp of plum cotton place mats.  Think I'll go wind the next warp as they weave up quickly.  :)  

After a lovely sunny day yesterday we were back to overcast, grey and dreary.  It's supposed to be colder here in central BC for the next few days.  A little 'real' winter for a while?  :)

cheers,

Laura

After several rainy days it is supposed to clear up for a few days, whivh means cold freezing night here in south east Arkansas.  It's 39 degrees now but with the wind blowing you would think it was a lot colder.  The goats don't like the cold weather, but the sheep don't seem to mind it near as much.

everyone. I am relaxing by the fire reading Mary Black's New Key to Weaving and actually understanding most of it. Hopefully in a few weeks I'll have my own new to me Mighty Wolf home and can put some of this knowledge to use. In the meantime I read, weave on the RH and wait for my next class. . . Have a good weekend everyone.

On a cold morning, a cup of mexican chocolate made with hot milk is one of life's simple pleasures. I will celebrate the ordinary and count my blessings. Location: Sacramento Capitol Park.
Have a good day!

Endorph,

Have you seen the Mary Black's New Key to Weaving photos on the internet?
http://www.gov.ns.ca/nsarm/virtual/black...

IN COLOR and you can zoom in on the pictures!

Have a joyful day!
Franco Rios
Sacramento Calif.

for the link - color photos enhance the experience of the book! 29F this morning in Central Texas - it was brisk walk I took with the dogs! Have a good day.

Tina

We needed to take some pictures of my lovely wife Tracy and her scooter. Here we are at the Farmer's Market. Yes, she has carnations and a baguette in the basket of the scooter.

And then we went downtown. She parked with some of the "big bikes" near the Capitol.

She also is using some pictures on her facebook wall.

That's my corner of the world.
Have a good day!
Franco Rios
Sacramento, Calif.

I am getting ready to enjoy a day off. Have some weaving planned, some knitting planned and I think a nice long nap come early afternoon. Have a good day all.

I fell in love with my Wubby loom all over again! I took the warp left on the loom and rethreaded to see how the loom would weave, since it had been in storage for a number of years. Woo Hoo, weaves beautifully!

And then I tried the new-to-me Structo with a 240-4 Atwater Whig Rose pattern in the original spooled 20/2 yarn. (Wow, like stepping back in time!) These were both "brainless" projects to weave while I am working on more original design-based ideas. These kind of projects are just plain fun!

We have achieved 'true' winter - the sun is brilliant (at last!) and the temperature is -24C.  I know many people will be very unhappy, but I'm a very happy camper.  

Today I hope to dress the Leclerc Fanny with the next place mat warp and weave a towel or two on the AVL.  I liked the blue/green warp of towels so much I've wound a mat warp with the left overs for place mats.  :)

cheers,

Laura

I am sure it will come, but today in south east Arkansas I awoke to 70 degrees and a light wind.  Unfortunately this means it will probably rain today.  I had to turn off the heater and open the windows.  I will have to get some outside work done before the rain comes.

Here in central BC (Canada) the temperatures have plunged - the forecast is for -35C tonight (F and C converge at -32).  Right now it's -27 but the sun is shining brilliantly.  A good day to stay home and weave although I do have a couple of errands to run.

cheers,

Laura

Whoa! While Sacramento Calif 48F for high temp today, it will be expecting 27F for low temps tonight, and up the hill at Donner Pass (7200 ft elev) will be minus 4F degrees overnight.

Not going there.
Have a good day!

a day or two to Central TExas - was in the 60s this morning with the temps falling steadily all day with a wicked north wind. Supposed to be in the 20s in the morning but back to the 70s by Friday. . . A nice night for a fire in and curling up with a book with an overview of the development of fiber arts in prehistoric times. . .

The winter "roller coaster" still keeps on. We just got through having a few nights in the upper 20sF and had 72F today with rain comming tomorrow here in north Florida. By the weekend it will be freezing again and mid 70s forcasted all next week.
Franco, 7200 elev. reminds me of when the family lived in Whitter for a few years and brother & I spend Easter Sunday 1971 on top of Mt. Whitney (14,000feet) playing in 3 foot deep snow wearing only long sleeves as it was relatively warm that afternoon.

Sally, you make "brainless" patterns look brilliant!

Well done!

Twilight in Sacramento. The docks at Old Sacramento on the Sacramento River.

View toward West Sacramento side of the Sacramento River.

My corner of the world.
Franco Rios
Sacramento, Calif.

Well the weather here in southeast Arkansas has even the daffodils confused!

We board a regional plane that is in pretty beat-up condition. We are shocked to see WORKING ashtrays in the arm rests. In the U.S., we stopped allowing smoking on domestic flights of less than 2 hours in 1983. I have 250,000+ frequent flyer miles, but I have not seen anything like this in many years.

We arrive in DFW, and no baggage. Alas, it is "delayed" (but not "lost") so no compensation for the items I need to replace for my meeting. And it doesn't catch up with me until about 6 hours before the conclusion of my 3-day trip. (No worries, Inky was safe in the carry-on!)

But, a happy ending to the trip! Inky discovers we have arrived in Peep Heaven! (Does anyone know if they give samples on the factory tour?)

Leaving the weaving school yesterday I spotted this whitetail nibbling on a cedar near the road. 

Here in Rhode Island we got 3-4" of snow last night and expect more of it tomorrow.  Seems like a good excuse to stay home and weave doesn't it?

Hi Sally

Is/was Inky in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania?  Just Born Candy factory was just a few miles from my first house. They used to give factory tours. You just have to try the coconut covered marshmallows! They are the best!  I was born and raised in Bethlehem, PA, Lived there for 32 years. My mother and brother are still there.

Sharon

January in Sacramento means poppies!

Have a good day!

I went to Sacramento yesterday, and I'm not surprised there are pretty flower scenes there.  I left home at 4 AM in a raging rain storm.  100 miles down the road I hit some snow mixed in with the rain.  A few hours later I made it to Sacratomato, and enjoyed sunny warm, maybe 70' warm weather, no wind either.  Headed back to the rainy part of the state.  It is pouring again right now.

Good weaving weather

We have had 72 degree and breezy today, increasing wind with severe thunderstorms moving in, I can hear the thunder in the distance.  Good weather for weaving if the lights don't go out.  High winds always make the lights blink and sometimes go out alltogether.  And while poppies in January might be normal for Sacramento, Daffodils in January are a little bit of a stretch here in Arkansas.

these look great!  How wonderful to have all your looms up a weaving again.

we had fog.  This week snow.  I'll post the snow as soon as I upload the pictures from my phone.  I think I'll move the smaller loom into the family room so I can weave.  The front room of the house is too cold to even sit in.:)

Weather change.

Rainy last night and today in Sacramento.

I had to wear the rain coat and the rain trousers!

Have a joyful day!
Franco Rios

Those are German plum and regular plum trees and left over plums on the ground. 

Gosh! Snow is defintely not something to springs to mind when I think of Jordan.

On this lovely sunny day, I'm threading my loom with a huck lace/plain weave draft and though people might be interested in how I approach the task  http://laurasloom.blogspot.com

cheers,

Laura

and ignoring the huge bag of yarn that arrived today - no where to store it!  :}

Saturday Jan 28 and there is a couple of ladybird beetles foraging on landscaping plants.

Have a good day!
Franco Rios
Sacramento, Calif.