Ready !  Set ! Go ! It's the day to start brewing up a big cauldron of magic ! We'll be weaving Tapestry together over the next month so let's make it a good one! When you post your projects be sure  to tag them Halloweave 2015 ! This is a place for experimentation, learning, having fun, asking questions, experiencing setbacks, needing encouragement, hoorays, and many more things! Please don't be nervous about sharing, no judgement here, expect celebration! One of the goals is to commit  to weaving Tapestry everyday! So let's get to it! Happy Halloweave!

Cathie

Comments

Sat, 10/10/2015 - 09:42

Artistry

Mutz, what a wonderful photo! Your tapestry is coming along nicely. I'm glad you were able to keep the creepy crawlers at bay, they probably wanted to help:)

Nakia, thank goodness for 4 leaf clovers, " Jen, Jen, LeDeaux " and Leprechauns! You are truly lucky!

I am making slow progress. I spend a lot of time thinking about the colors of the rocks, what they express about the theme of the tapestry. Ancient, strong,  extreme, awe, textured, wind, cold, sun, snow, ice, danger, forbidden, exciting,beauty. I tend not  to want to work in neutrals but realize sometimes they are necessary to bridge between colors and , sometimes, that's just how the objects are. However, the other part of me says , just because they look that way, doesn't mean you have to do them that way:) also I can " spice up " a neutral by adding a richer color to the weft bundle. Spicing up is what I've been trying, but it isn't doing it for me. However, perhaps, they'll look great that way with what else is going on in the tapestry ? So, because I'm not sure , I'm starting more contrast with colors. This may be o.k. , but I don't want the rocks to steal the show, so to speak. The point of interest will be the iceberg. 

it seems to me , that I will need to sample many more aspects of this tapestry, to make sure the elements don't overpower each other And look chaotic.

so decisions, decisions! I have 3 rocks done, that's all, but 4 X as much thought ( probably ) went into them , then doing them ! 

Will post pix soon, I promise:)

I keep humming Bette Midler's " I put a Spell on You" ,very Halloweave!

Sun, 10/11/2015 - 06:12

Mutz

I managed to finish another triangle on my mini cat tapestry I worked on at the campground. I didn't have too much time because I needed to get the warp setup for a birthday present scarf. The birthday is next weekend, so I really need to push myself.

Sun, 10/11/2015 - 07:10

Nakia

Your weaving is awesome Mutz! Keep up the great work. Sounds like you will be weaving non stop with two projects in the works & one due next weekend. LOL

 

Cathie I so know what you mean about thinking more than weaving. If one little thing doesn't look right on mine it drives me nuts til I go back & change it. I am super slow at any of my crafts. I tend to sit back and look long on it thinking how each aspect will come across to others. Youe weaving will be gorgeous once it is finished with the scene you have chosen. I know it will come together for you and knock us out of our seats when you show us the finished project! Laughing

 

How is everyone coming along with your weavings? louiseinoz & Caidanbi, have ya'll finished your weavings yet? I'd love to see what you have gotten done if not.

Sun, 10/11/2015 - 07:26

Nakia

Here is my progress I have gotten done so far. Not much to show at the moment. I was not pleased with the way the last warp was working. Was not weaving properly in my opinion.

 

Sooo, I took that all completely out and started a new warp with my 8/4 cotton carpet warp Friday. Took me til last night to get everything tensioned the way I wanted & start weaving on it. I am liking it just fine now and will continue with this one~~I think~~ Not traditional Navajo weaving, I didn't card & spin the warp or weft. It is as close as I can get with store bought supplies and a "make shift" loom. I'm not Navajo anyway, so it is in the style of their beautiful weavings. No where near the quality, but it is mine. Smile

 

The weft does have 30 % alpaca blend, so it does pack pretty well. Most of what I will use on this weaving will be this brand of yarn. It is made for knitting, I don't have any wool for weft suitable for it at the moment.

 

 

Sun, 10/11/2015 - 13:30

Artistry

Nakia, your loom looks great ! I like the tape measure at top and bottom to keep your spacing even! is that a stick on tape measure( which I've never been able to find! ) Or one you cut up?

thank you for your vote of confidence :) I doubt I'll knock your socks off , maybe make you say " what was she thinking?"  But either is o.k. , because it's about experimentation and reaching into what I've learned and applying it. 

i see my rocks getting progressively better in color ( pic today, as I finish the 4 th one). Next , I need to draw the shape well in grays, then weave it in tapestry in grays, then color. That will help me a lot :) the sampling will be so worth it!

so enough talk, down to the studio I go:)

always good to have a plan of action!

Sun, 10/11/2015 - 15:32

Nakia

Thanks Cathie, I have a really large Navajo style loom that can make a 45" wide rug hubby & I made out of 1" black gas piping. I don't currently have it set up and ready for a weave tho. I made a small rug a few yrs ago on it.

 

The tape measure on this loom is "Scotch brand" masking tape. I found it in our local Walmart's painting isle where their other masking tapes are displayed for painting uses. It is very low tackiness, easy to peel off when done. It is so much simplier than when I used to measure & mark with the metal and sewing tape measure. And like you say, it so helps to keep the warp threads spaced when working in this style of weaving that has to be worked out totally by hand. Not a quick warp by any means, but then I have not found any of my looms so far to be quick to warp.

 

All your hard work will be so fantastic. You have the ability to work magic with your weave. I will be waiting to see what you come up with. I know I can learn lots of key info from your expertise. Laughing

Sun, 10/11/2015 - 17:14

Artistry

Thanks Nakia For the info and compliments :)

the scotch brand tape measure tape , I will look for in the painter's isle! 

my little Hockett loom is fast to warp, but then again c'est vraiment petite! All the others, are slow, slow, it's a plot ! Lol !

i feel very bi-lingual today , ( though I'm not!) I will speak French to la  tapiserie and see if I can cast a spell of charm :) Very Halloweave!

Sun, 10/11/2015 - 19:44

Artistry

so far so good! Next up, to work on the shape of the rocks plus continuing on with color!

sample rocks Patagonia/ Halloweave 2015

Sun, 10/11/2015 - 21:32

Mutz

Mini tangrams tapestry

I managed to get a little Sunday afternoon time on my mini tapestry. I'm getting very close to fully capturing the tangram cat in my web. I wish all my diagonals were a little more orderly, but they did get better as I wove.

Mon, 10/12/2015 - 00:55

Artistry

Nice looking tangram cat, Mutz! You're getting a lot done !

 

 

Mon, 10/12/2015 - 11:42

louiseinoz

I am still here and having got the 2 items for the show into the mail today, I hope to now make some steady progress and catch up with everyone else in the group - you've all been working very hard.

Cathie asked about the image which I showed early in the month so here it is again to show where the design came from.  The next 4 pictures were all taken at the Getty Villa in LA, lots of inspiration there.

 Resulting in a cartoon of sorts.  I thought it was better to start with a single straight arch rather than the curved one above

And there really is some progress, the cartoon is marked on the warp and I've done the first inch.  

Bought a few extra yarns today as there are a few colours not represented in my stash.  I went to the LYS and just got small hanks of embroidery wool but realised later I could have bought them at the Tapestry Workshop where the value is much better and there are 370 colours .  I have worked out why I've never visited, they are only open on days I'm at work

 

Mon, 10/12/2015 - 15:09

Artistry

Louiseinoz, awesome inspirational photos resulting in a great cartoon! It's going to be so much fun to see it come to life as you weave it!

Mon, 10/12/2015 - 19:35

Erica J

You all have shared stunning work!

I'm still more in the thinking stages than eaving stages, but I'm getting there!

Right now I'm pondering chaining. I'm headed out to get my reference books to go over tomorrow, but I would love any advice on tutorials and to see examples of how you have used chaining. Do people use it much in tapestry. I think they do, but maybe not! :)

Tue, 10/13/2015 - 01:10

Artistry

Erica, I am not sure what you mean by chaining. Do you mean twining?

if you describe chaining to me, I may know it by a different name .

there are lots of kinds of soumac, that may be what you are looking for:)

Cathie

Tue, 10/13/2015 - 08:39

Nakia

Mutz your tangram cat is adorable! Love how he is coming out in your weaving. Your weaving is very tight & smooth. That's going to be a real stunner when you finish. :)

 

I really do like your idea on the arched windows louiseinoz. Very nice start to your weaving (I don't have much done on mine either). That will be a beautiful tapestry when completed. :)

 

Love those colorful rocks Cathie! Your weaving will be so bright & colorful. :) Your spells seem to be working. Keep them up.

 

I'm not sure what you mean either Erica about "chaining" as far as tapestry goes. I only know about chaining your warp when going from the warping board to the loom. That is mainly used when weaving on looms with shafts and reeds. Myself, I prefer to use Peggy Osterkamp's way of winding warp from the board onto a stick over chaining it. I have her video & book that I follow. :)

Tue, 10/13/2015 - 09:06

Nakia

Well all has been quiet in my house with the troll, demons, black widows and naughty fairy. None have shown their rascally faces in days. I'm thinking they are gearing up for a 'big blowout' jsut before Halloween. I so hope not since I will be working on Halloween and can't watch over my weaving. I will have to ask the Good Witch of the north to come sit awhile on Halloween to make sure all is well in my little weaving kingdom. Or just call in sick! LOL

 

I go back to work again tonight. Didn't get much weaving done this time off. Not for want of working on it. I kept not liking what I had done & taking it back out. Hmmm, maybe those pesky little imps were not being so nice after all. I feel I may have been the victim of troll ~*mind control*~ overload. Surprised Ok, that's my story & I'm sticking to it. Innocent

 

At least I do have a little color to show in this photo. Will do what I can on my weaving til I am off again for my 4 this coming Saturday.

 

De'Andrea~~

 

 

 

Tue, 10/13/2015 - 09:56

Artistry

De'Andrea, you too have gotten a lot done! Your weaving is wide so it takes longer to show progress upwards!! That red is so yummy, and the join so nice :) are you just winging it or do you have a design in mind? Both are good :)

I will gladly watch over your Studio and work! I have very good long distance vision; been known to bring sailboats into safe harbor during high seas, fog, and storms. Wicked ocean spells those were ! I also have 3 adult children who are ghostbusters ! They also catch other things too , like demons, ghouls, trolls, etc., they started at a very early age. People thought they were playing, but no, they were prodigies :) so, I can call them if I see anything creepy!

i'm going to order some additional colors today to expand the range I'm working with:)

keep on weaving everyone! Projects are looking good :)

Cathie

Tue, 10/13/2015 - 14:14

Nakia

Oh thank you Cathie for offering up your good spirits & spells to watch over my weaving and such while I am working. I am sure I will need need it knowing the impish tricksters I have lurking about here. Or could that be those pesky dogs of mine who get into things while I'm away? How awesome is that for your children to have inherited your abilities with spirits, ghouls and creepy things in the wee hours of the night. Laughing

 

If I hadn't taken out what I wove over the weekend so many times due to not liking something about it I could have gotten at least a couple more inches done. If I had left it I would have fretted about it til I went back to change it. LOL It is 14" wide, thankfully I didn't go with any wider!

 

I am doing both~winging it to a point and planning to follow a pattern of sorts. Meaning I am working it at the moment with what feels right in way of color and design. When it feels right I will add pattern from my tapestry books I have out for reference. My main book of reference is "Navajo Weaving Way" by Noel Bennett and Tiana Bighorse. This book along with the video "Navajo Weaving Sharing the Technique & Tradition" with Angie Walker Maloney are where I have learned what I know about this style of weaving. Both are excellent in teaching the art of Navajo rug weaving.  I'm not making a cartoon for this mainly due to time allowance in making one.

 

De'Andrea~~

Tue, 10/13/2015 - 17:58

Erica J

I'm not exactly sure what chaining is yet, it is part of my studies. I'll read up on it tonight and get back to you tomorrow!  :)

Tue, 10/13/2015 - 21:26

tommye scanlin

Chaining as well as twining and soumak of all kinds are described and diagramed there.

Wed, 10/14/2015 - 06:28

Artistry

Thanks Tommye! Will look it up today:)

i had a productive session last night! Finished the forth rock and started on the fifth, which is in greys. I'll polish that off today.

Today is Tapestry Drop In at my house, I wish you all could come! I expect just a handful of people, it will be motivating and good!

almost ready to move on from the rocks, do the pebbles, then the interesting marks at the top of my design.

keep casting spells everyone, I do believe we're about 1/2 way

Wed, 10/14/2015 - 18:14

Erica J

Yeah it looks like it is mostly a rug technique, it is one of the textures that is listed on the Certificate of Achievement Syllabus. I know there are other texture possiblities.

What are your favorites?

I did do a lot of weaving today, but as my tapestry loom is in the sun room here at home, I didn't do any tapestry today. :(

I do have several ideas brewing in my cauldron.

Thu, 10/15/2015 - 03:43

Artistry

Erica, I really like soumac. There are so many things you can do with it. It can be used for smoothing out edges when increasing or decreasing by running a small separate weft in soumac along the edge of the shape. You can use it to create lines and texture. 

I know that Kathe Todd-Hooker wrote about soumac on her blog not that long ago ( she also wrote a book, more than one in fact that talks about soumac) .Just google her name and it will take you to her blog, it's within the last year.

i bet Tommye has something written also about it on her blog. I will look up her blog address. 

of course Collingwood, will have some on the subject.

have fun stirring the idea cauldron !

i finished the grey rock. Tomorrow I'll do it in color :)

Thu, 10/15/2015 - 03:47

Artistry

Erica, Tommye's blog is http:tapestry13.blogspot.com

 great reading!

Fri, 10/16/2015 - 16:30

Artistry

Does anyone in our Tapestry House live in Australia? Or, is anyone familiar with Australian Tapestry Yarn ( Australian Tapestry Workshop) ? Trying to figure out how thick it is.

cathie

Sat, 10/17/2015 - 09:58

louiseinoz

Hi Cathie

I thought you'd reaised that I work close(about 3 miles) to the Tapestry Workshop but have never been there as they are only open when I'm at work.  That said, the place where we buy our bulk supplies of light globes is very close to them indeed and I feel a need to stock up on light globes coming on.  I knew I had one cone of their yarn in my stash, probably from a sale at the Guild and here it is with a genuine US quarter for scale.  It's around 7200 metres/kilogram, 3500 yards/lb.

There's nothing to show for my tapestry as I have been waiting to be home during the day to select the best colours for the coloured parts of the cartoon.  Got some of it done this afternoon, should finish it in the morning.  I've spent a lot of time looking in the stash for my only cone of brown yarn, says something about my colour choices I guess but didn't take long to find the yarn in the picture, unfortunately not a colour I need at the moment.  It's colour 144 but is a redder purple than it appears on my laptop or iPad screens.  I'm not sure if they have a colour card.  It's probably not a bad time to buy yarn from Australia, our dollar is worth about US$0.72 at the moment

Sat, 10/17/2015 - 13:20

Artistry

Louiseinoz, I thought you were from Australia! I didn't want to assume that you were near the Australian Workshop since Australia is such a huge place! thank you for posting the cone of yarn , I placed an order with them:) funny thing, I had been searching out Trena Coulter Studio in Vancouver, BC because she sells beautiful fine yarns , I have the sample book. But it looks like she's gone out of business, or retired or something. So I started to compare the the sample book yarns to the monitor screen of Australian Workshop, low and behold, that was what she was selling ! Exactly, the same # of yarns, # of values per color, etc. I am so lucky!

so I ordered yarns to compliment what I already have, lots of them:) I'm so excited! They are beautiful yarns!

so instead of working on my tapestry yesterday I picked out colors, which took several hours. Today I'll work:)

Sun, 10/18/2015 - 13:27

Artistry

On the last rock I'll be sampling, then the pebbles, then the marks at the top of my painted design.

what's everyone working on today? Cathie

Sun, 10/18/2015 - 14:20

Nakia

You are trucking right along with your tapestry Cathie. You have so much planned on it and getting there fast. Laughing

 

I have not gotten back to working on mine any since last I was on here. During my 4 days of work time I did not have time to do anything but look at it sitting on my table by my computer. Cry Yesterday, my first day off I did not take time to work on it (50 lashes with a witches broom for my laxed efforts). I never get much done on that first day past trying to catch up on sleep. Embarassed

 

I will be getting a little done on it some time today & and the next 2 days I have left til I go back to work. I am also going to attempt a warp on my new band loom I got in this week. It was made by an artisan I found on Etsy. I want to learn to work with Baltic and Sami` style of band weaving. I have orderd 3 books & 1 video for those styles. I also got my STOORSTALKA heddle to use on my band loom in this week. After researching tablet weaving and rigid heddle weaving on band looms, I thought I'd do better at working with the heddle.

 

I also have an Inkle loom on order from RiverDeltaDesigns. It is still being made & won't be in til some time next month or maybe later. No date on when it will be coming home yet.

Sun, 10/18/2015 - 22:40

Artistry

Nakia, every little bit counts, even if it's 5 minutes:) I can imagine you're zapped after that first day of work:(

i too, love tablet weaving! Again like tapestry, the potential for design and color is wonderful. I'll be googling that kind of heddle since I've never heard of it! I work on a used tablet loom. I still don't know very much about it and have successfully read the patterns backwards 3 times now, lol. The first time I did it correctly, go figure! I love to use 16/2 linen or finca 8/2 cotton, because it comes in so many colors. The 16/2 linen doesn't abrade!

Got a little done on the rock today, I was totally distracted by this wonderful fall day and went for a walk, then out for apples, yum:)

tomorrow I'll get down to business, I mean it :). Cathie

Mon, 10/19/2015 - 00:10

Mutz

I have been on the run from demons the past several days. My sister's birthday was yesterday and barely finished her scarf in time, but I did! I worked so hard that I wasn't able to pick up my halloweave tapestries once. But I saw Cathie's little Hokett loom and remembered that I almost bought one a couple of years ago at a fiber festival. I regretted not buying it and planned on buying one at this years fiber festival nearby. Sadly I learned that Jim Hokett won't be going to anymore festivals. So I broke down and bought a little 8dent regular sized one online. I love it!

And this morning, I finished a Halloweave Tangram cat. I'm pretty sure with these colors that this cat belongs to a very eccentric witch. I hope she does not retaliate after I trapped her cat in my web.

Hokett LoomTangram Cat

Mon, 10/19/2015 - 11:15

louiseinoz

I managed to get all the colours selected over the weekend and am now 2 rows into the coloured part.  It's slow going as there are about 8 different colours but I can see some progress.  The colours are actually brighter than they appear here.  I wonder if it's beacuse I took the photo on the iPad and sent it to the computer

Mon, 10/19/2015 - 12:17

endorph

lurking in the shawdows in this this house and I must ssay I am impressed at the projects been woven here. Great progress Tapestry House denizens!

Mon, 10/19/2015 - 23:07

Artistry

Tina, thanks for stopping by!

Mutz, your tangram cat is wonderful, full of character, I love it! I think cats in the witches world ( like elsewhere!) just do as they please! This cat obviously wants to be your cat, surely the witch will know this is the rule of the cat kingdom:)

also like what you have on your 8 dent Hockett loom. Isn't it easy to warp?!

louiseinoz, shuffling a lot of colors is fun and can be confusing, at least for me! I really like your weft bundles of color, very beautiful.

pix soon from me:)

 

 

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 12:52

Mutz

Thanks, Cathie. I'm pleased with my tangram cat. The Hokett loom is ridiculously easy to warp. I was up and weaving in minutes. It is a very small loom though, but I love it.

today I barely had time for tapestry, but did manage to start another square on the Hokett loom. 

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 15:24

theresasc

and back on the tapestry loom.  Playing with hills and valleys - looks way easier than it is to weave.

hills and valleys

I love seeing you folks using the Hockett looms - I almost bought one a few months ago and now am regretting it.  It looks like an ideal way to sample.

Mutz - your cats are coming out great - perfect for Halloweave!

Wed, 10/21/2015 - 12:26

Nakia

Mutz your Tangram cat is beautiful!! Laughing Glad youi were able to outrun those demons and get your sister's scarf made in time. I bet she loved it and the dedicated work you put into it in a hurry.

 

louiseinoz your weaving is taking shape very well! I like the colors you are choosing. I can relate to the slow going with many colors to work in. It will be a beautiful piece when you finish. Smile

 

theresasc you have gotten a nice way on your weaving. Welcome back from vacation. Cool I really like your weaving with the subtle blues and darker shade. Very well woven with sharp neat lines! You don't look to have too much more to finish.

 

Yes Cathie we need to see new photos of your work! Wink I know you must have quite a lot done already! I can't wait to see what you have added.

 

Not much more time left for this Halloweave. Frown It will be Halloween before we know it. I will be working Halloween night this year. I no longer have any little ghost or ghoul to send out to scare the neighborhood anyway. I so miss those days of making my son Jory into cute scary creatures. My favorite still to this day was his first suit when he was a yr old. My Mom & I made him a little red devil suit with forked tail & cute widdle horns. And the dinosaur suit I hand sewn out of green felt material a few yrs later complete with long tail & spines down his back. (I don't think at almost 37 yrs old he would be too keen to wear something like that now) I made my toy poodle into a sabre tooth tiger with kitty cat ears & long tail one yr way back in the mid 1990s for a Halloween party at the local V.F.W. I worked at. LOL

Wed, 10/21/2015 - 13:03

Nakia

I  must admit I did not work one single line of weaving on my tapestry these 4 days off. Embarassed Those evil black widows & troll were dancing about my head with visions of beautiful bands they told me I could weave on my new loom. Surprised Hmmm, not to self not to drink any strange concoctions impish fairy leaves by my bedside. What was I thinking when I downed that purple & orange sparkling brew? Yell

 

I did get my band loom warped and worked a few lines. I am going to take this all apart and do some "remodeling" on my new loom. I expected I would have problems with tensioning the warp since the beams were made with no way to attach the warp and keep it from slipping. This was just a trial run to see what I need to do to make this loom work it's best. I got it to hold after I added some tape and small dowels to hold the wapr on the front. I know what I need to do to remedy this and I also plan to add a holder for my heddle so it doesn't just dangle about on the warp when I am beating the weft with my shuttle. The back beam is not as smooth as it should be. The warp kept moving on me as I wound it on. This will be much better too after I remodel the beams to be more stable when winding.

 

Oh the laughing those spell casters were doing as they watched me search about for things to use. I however got the last laugh when I was able to weave despite their crafty attempts to stop my gleeful pleasure. Band weaving is new to me, I have not tried it before. My books will not be in until the first of next month sometime. I poured over as many videos & blogs Susan J. Faulkes has online as I could find. I have 2 of her books coming in and will really be glad when I can have all the info right at my fingertips as I need it. The internet is an awesome place to learn almost anything imaginable. But I am from the era before this cyber race to the stars became the norm and still love a good book in my hands as my "go to" for help. (Me throwing an evil grin toward the childish fairy who is cowardly hiding behind the band loom as I write this).

 

The heddle is the XL Sigga 17 from STOORSTALKA. I ordered it from an artisan in my home state of Texas on Etsy who sells them through her store. They can be ordered direct from STOORSTALKA which has an online store on Etsy as well, but I didn't know that when I first saw them.

 

 

 

 

Wed, 10/21/2015 - 14:38

Artistry

Keep on truckin' everyone!

thereasc, your tapestry looks great! Hills and valleys aren't easy, plus to think you had 7 wefts all going at the same time:)

down to the studio I go. Today is Tapestry Drop In at my house, I wonder if anyone will show up? No matter , it's open from 10:00 - 3:00, I better start cracking!

heddle for band loom, certainly makes it more organized:)

Fri, 10/23/2015 - 16:10

theresasc

work was that I walked past the tapestry loom to get to a floor loom - LOL

Mon, 10/26/2015 - 00:14

Nakia

Looks like the evil trolls & witches have invaded our Daily Spells House here. Everyone has been very quiet for the last few days. Surprised

 

This is my first night off for my 4 again. I have not done anything with my tapestry or my band weaving yet. Once I get some housework and rearranging in my weaving area, I hope to find time to wisk away the cobbwebs from my weavings & trudge on. Wink

 

How is everyone else doing with chasing away the trolls & witches from their weavings? Any new photos of progress? Halloween is less than a week away. Anyone going to have their weaving completed? I know mine won't be anywhere close to that point!

 

Anyone had to call in their Great Wizzard to hold back a powerful spell they couldn't handle by themselves? I almost had to, but I held my ground and good won out over their schemes. Who knows what they have planned for Halloween night. I will be at work & will have to throw my spells long distance to keep them at bay. I better keep my strenght up, I hear the ghouls will be out in forces. LOL

 

 

Mon, 10/26/2015 - 01:01

Artistry

I am not lost in the Michigan woods or stewed up in the witches cauldren !friday was our travelling day, yesterday was all rainy, terrible light in this cottage  during fall and winter, even though I love it so. yesterday all my colors looked droopy and dull, hmmmmm not good :(

however today was another story! Glorious sunshine everywhere! Finally finished the last rock, I really like it. It was worth doing the other ones to get here. Now, onto the pebbles and marks ! I will be done by the end of Halloweave:)

inspirational day, today. We went for a gorgeous hike in the woods with maples, elms, pines, sassafrass, birch turning colors, except for the pines of course! Stopped by several galleries and got a painting of the lake. Reading the artists statement "...I stare at my paintings more than I work on them in progress. They are hung in different settings , on different walls. They are turned against the wall and ignored. They sit for months sometimes , untouched. I live with them, thinking and looking, agonizing over the slightest change. I sit and wait for the moment to broaden into an inspiration, and then conjure the will to work. Sometimes the changes are quite sudden and drastic. One of the greatest challenges is to free from my own control, my own vision, to let the painting develop itself"  Christopher Strunk

where's the " like" button? Had to share.  Cathie

Mon, 10/26/2015 - 04:44

Mutz

Sorry I have been so quiet. I have not been able to sit quietly and contemplate my tapestry in days. I did work on the floor loom. I also cleared an ancient warp from an inkle loom (you can see that in active arachnids thread). But with the winds howling and the storms brewing, I've been more focused on keeping mud off dog paws and "dog business" outside. So lots of dog walks here in Texas. I have been looking at the stormy skies, the disturbed waters of the ponds, the branches waving their woes as they drop their leaves...and the colors are so wonderful. Such a fall cauldron of color churning in front of my eyes and I wish I knew how to capture it all in my web. At least this Halloweave I learned to capture a cartoon in my web. I had high hopes to do a huge tapestry, but honestly I'm pleased with my witches cat, and the little I've done on my flaming crow.  I do hope to find time Wednesday thru Halloweave to bind more spells with my threads.

Mon, 10/26/2015 - 06:02

Nakia

Oh super Mutz, you live in Texas too! You must be down in South Texas where it is really bad & flooding. Bummer on that one, hope it doesn't affect you too much & no flooding for you!! I'm up in the North West Central part of Texas on the edge of West Texas about 200 miles west of Dallas. We had heavy rain Fri morning coming home from work that lasted most of the day. Sat a little more & all total I think it was 4" in areas. Thankfully no real flooding our way. Sounds gorgeous out your way. I live in "cotton country", flat & boring.

 

You are so far ahead of me Cathie, you have yours almost done. !!Awesome!! We so need photos when you get it finished. That is a beautiful excerpt from an artist's view of their work and how they become inspired to do more. Cool I've been right there before needing inspiration.

Tue, 10/27/2015 - 23:17

Artistry

Ok you Super Spell Casters! This is the time to dig in deep and get as much as you can done:)

Remember, to post your projects on the general page , to be eligible for prizes and to show off your wonderful work! 

I'm going to post tomorrow although I'm not done, and then probably post again before the 31st.

today was our travelling day, and guess what was waiting for me when I got home? My absolutely lucious Australian Tapestry Workshop Yarns! They are soooooo gorgeous! I am thrilled with these awesome colors:) somethings make me so happy!

ok , see you on the project page:)keep up the good work everyone!

BTW, Mutz, Tangram Cat looks extra special , sitting both proudly and mischievously next to it's neighbors:)plus, Caidanbi, Owl looks awesome with beautiful feathers, and his wise expression makes him oh so wonderful!

Thu, 10/29/2015 - 07:28

Nakia

I bet those tapestry yarns you received are gorgeous, Cathie! I will be excited to watch for your future master pieces you will weave with them. Wink

 

I will be sitting this year's *prize snatching* efforts out. I have nothing to show for my Halloweave projects worth bragging about on the project page. I will strive for casting my spells on winning a prize in ~~Halloweave 2016~~! Cool I did not get any more woven on my tapestry. I did remodel my band loom and got it rewarpped. But alas I have run out of time to get anything woven. This is ~back to work~ for me and I won't be off again til next Monday morning. Frown So I am done for this year's Halloweave. Cry 

 

I have enjoyed being a part of Halloweave 2015 with everyone. And I have totally enjoyed watching the beautiful projects everone in each house, not just ours, have been working very hard on (yes I have been silently lurking in each house Innocent). All the beautiful excited zealous work you all have done is very inspiring to me to continue with mine long after Halloweave 2015 is over. Laughing

 

Weave On~~my Fiber Sisters & Brothers~~!!!! ~~**HAPPY HALLOWEEN**~~ (a few days early, I'll be at work Saturday night)

 

De'Andrea~~

Thu, 10/29/2015 - 09:27

Nakia

This is my last ditch effort to show progress with my Halloweave weavings. Once I quit 'arguing' with the band loom and came to terms with it I managed to get a few lines wove that look decent. Ok, a little pat on my own back since this is my very first band style weaving I have done. This piece will definitely be just for practice. Not the right kind of colored threads, they are not thick enough to stand out like they should be doing. Now I must go take a short nap til my birds wake. Feed them & back for another nap for work tonight.

 

The remodeling I did to my loom has paid off. I took the two fat sticks sent with the loom & split them. I then glued those 4 pieces to the back beam to give it angles for the threads to brace against. and added a small dowel to tie the ends on with a larkshead knot. That dowel fits nicely in a gap between the glued sticks. I also added a permenant raddle on the top beam at the back to keep the slippery threads more lined up with the heddle. At the front I drilled 2 holes on each end of the beam, added a cotton string and tied a small dowel to that for the front warp to tie to. Now as I tighten the warp it stays without slipping about like it did on the slick round beams before.

 

 

 

 

 

Thu, 10/29/2015 - 14:27

Artistry

De'Andrea, it has been our pleasure having you in the Tapestry House! Your creative writing skills have given me quite the giggle, you might consider writing a book! You're welcome to join anytime:)

Cathie

Fri, 10/30/2015 - 12:59

Nakia

Thank you Cathie for the nice compliment. I always loved creative writing in school which was over 40 yrs ago. EmbarassedTwas the only part of English class I liked or did well in. I'm sure I don't have what it takes to write a book tho. My English teacher would have heart failure at the very thought if she were still alive. LOL 

 

I do hope you take on the challenge of of being "House Mother" for us next Halloweave. I have enjoyed every minute of participating this year. And I will definitely be joining in on the fun when 2016 Halloweave rolls around! Cool

 

Good luck to all my fellow spell casters and in all the other houses too. Hope ya'll win plenty of goodies. Laughing

Sat, 10/31/2015 - 20:29

Nakia

~~**HAPPY HALLOWEEN**~~

To All My Halloweave Partners

 

 

Group Audience
Daily Spells 2015