Thank you Sally for the reminder. I have been swamped at work and at home and it finally dawned on me that it was December.  Everyone, as usual, is busy busy around here! I look forward t seing everyone's projects and Tien, I think I put on 5 pounds just lloking at the photos of your chocolates. Keep up the good work. And so not to miss anyone - I will wish you all a Happy and heathy holiday season. Weave on!

Comments

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 17:20

tien (not verified)

Finally, back to weaving! I spent a good chunk of time last night developing three matelassé designs. I used a Chinese paper-cut horse design, and since I had space, I put three horses side by side across the screen. Matelassé is basically a stitched double weave with a stuffing weft between the layers to puff out the unstitched areas. Well, it's actually more complicated than that, but I don't have a really solid grasp of all the variations. It produces a quilted effect, with the stuffing weft taking the place of the batting.

Anyway, I put together three variants and am planning to weave them up today. Will let you know how it all turns out!

Sat, 12/05/2015 - 11:35

ReedGuy

That's sounds interesting tien. I to am working on a quilted effect. I have two drafts I have worked on over the summer, to test, to see how they wet finish. One with floats and one with batton stuffing as it's woven. :)

Sun, 12/06/2015 - 17:32

theresasc

The last few years, I have been picking up looms for Christmas, how fun is that!  So now that my loft is full and I think I have all the major looms that I need (for now), I ordered a little Hokett tapestry loom from Rebecca Mezoff.  She has the Hokett loom in 8-dent and that is what I weave on the Tissart. 

The loom came on Friday, I warped it up yesterday and started playing.  I have always woven tapestry on a high-warp loom and I have to say, it is sweet weaving with this loom in my lap.  It really makes me want to try tapestry on one of my floor looms.  I have also been able to use a couple of tiny shuttles that I had picked up years ago for inkle on this loom.  The shuttles never worked for me on my inkle looms but they are perfect for this little lap loom - too much fun at my house these days!

Hokett loom

Sun, 12/06/2015 - 21:29

Queezle

Since late October, I've been super busy - and sadly no time for weaving. But I've had an idea in my head for using rope-weight supplemental weft to make, among other things, hot mats.  Wanting a quick & easy gift for my girlfriends, I've started experimenting by doing some dip dyeing.  This example used 1/2 inch cording from the fabric store - its the weight I want but too soft, and appears to be covered with a synthetic thread.  Nevertheless, my 20-yr old Procion dyes again worked (though not very brilliant).  Its probably pie-in-the-sky that I'll have gifts ready in time, but I will have fun trying.dip dyed cording

Sun, 12/06/2015 - 22:23

MJWallace

Now that the begining weaving class is finished for the term, I was able to sit down at the loom in the Textile studio at the art gallery and start weaving my summer & winter towel.  The 12 shaft jack loom has been setup for a guild's study group using a 8 block point design.  This fall I have been planning out a design based on Frank Lloyd Wright's wheat stained glass design.  

 

Mon, 12/07/2015 - 03:05

sally orgren

For our December guild program, we made needle-felted snowmen. I made the body at the meeting, but went a little rogue when I got home for the details. At my next guild meeting, we are having an ornament exchange...so I am nearly good to go!

Mon, 12/07/2015 - 07:02

Nakia

Began getting the warp on my TOTT loom last night. Finished beaming it and hope to get the heddles threaded some time later today. Probably won't get to start weaving til next time off since this is my last day off again.

 

Hopefully by next week my new boat shuttles will be in so I can use them on this project. They have been on backorder for 3 weeks now. Must have been a lot of weaving equipment bought this holiday. Here are a few photos of my warping progress.

 

 

 

Mon, 12/07/2015 - 07:42

Nakia

Everyone's projects look & sound great for this month. It's definitely a busy time of year for most of us. Hope everyone can find the time they need to get gifts made or just steal away to their looms for a little quiet relaxation. Cool I won't be making any of my gifts, couldn't find the time. Hopefully next year~~

 

tien your project sounds amazing! Will be anxious to see your progress photos. I've seen photos of some of your work. You are a truly awesome designer!! Laughing

 

theresasc your Hokett loom is so adorable and the weaving on it is very pretty! Nice gift you chose for yourself.  They are such cute little looms, I have thought about getting one for myself. 

 

Sally that felted snowman is the cutest thing! Love his accessories, especially his wire arms. I have been told by my NY friend tyhat felting is fun to do. I have not tried it yet, maybe one day when I find time.

 

 

Mon, 12/07/2015 - 17:39

theresasc

this morning.  Finished off one color & weave towel and started the second - these are a holiday gift so I need to get them done.  Wove a pirn off on the Cranbrook too and had warp sticks falling off the back, that is always a good sign.

Mon, 12/07/2015 - 23:00

Sue in VT

such an exciting time of year for weavers to create!  Love your snowman, Sally!  Right now I'm warping Dorothy for granddaughter Sarah who's coming for Christmas week from Kuala Lumpur!  If I put on an 8/2 cotton scarf warp for an infinity, I think she can manage, plus it will be denim blue colors so how can she resist!   Last year she learned to warp the Easy Weaver loom, but she's intimidated by all the shafts and heddles on a table or floor loom.  And I've rewarped the rigid heddle loom with a linen runner for my daughter's home.  Then there's the baking schedule.....Stollen, English toffee, date nut bread, each day something must get done, but a labor of love!

Tue, 12/08/2015 - 04:00

tien (not verified)

Lots of interesting stuff going on the last few days!

First, the matelasse horses:

horses in matelasse

They worked kinda ok - the best version is on the left, where the matelasse puffs out the white horse with two layers and a stuffer weft while the background is a single layer of cloth. The middle version works OK, and the right-hand version is barely visible. I think the left-hand version has an unfair advantage in the color difference between background and horse, but with my current setup, that was the best I could do for a sample.

Second, I've started working on my next major piece. This one will be a memorial to my mother, titled, "Goodbye, Ma". Here's the design sketch so far:

sketch of phoenix

The phoenix is actually rising from a cremation urn, but I hadn't drawn the urn before saving this version. I drew the urn this morning, along with some other modifications, but haven't gotten around to posting them online yet.

My goal is not to weave the digital image exactly as it appears - there will be changes as I translate it to cloth, but I'm also planning to embellish the finished piece with ribbons and beads from my mom's stash. My goal is to finish it in time for the entry deadline for Convergence 2016's exhibit Mixed Bag, which means it has to be done by Feb 1. So I'm not trying for anything structurally fancy, at least not in this piece.

Tue, 12/08/2015 - 04:55

sally orgren

Nakia - don't forget to take the warp *over* the back beam when you go to thread your heddles. (I could see *me* forgetting to do that in my excitement to thread a new-to-me-loom!)

Tue, 12/08/2015 - 05:53

Nakia

Thanks for the reminder Sally! I did get my warp over the back beam, but I can't take credit for remembering to do so on my own. Wink I got my trusty DVD of Peggy Ostertkamp's "Warping The Loom Back To Front" out and have been following it. I bought that video when I first started learning about weaving on multi shaft looms. She is my mentor, my go-to tho she doesn't know it. Cool 

 

Didn't get to work on threading the heddles yet. Had too many other things that needed my attetion. I will be anxious to start on that when I'm off again this coming Saturday. Laughing

Tue, 12/08/2015 - 05:57

Nakia

tien those horses are beautiful!! The left one does show up much better which does give it the advantage of being the best one.

 

I love your concept  of the Phoenix for your memorial to your Mom. That is going to be gorgeous and can't wait to see how it comes out when it becomes one with the cloth. Laughing

 

ETA: I just noticed something unique about your Phoenix photo when I scroll up & down on my desktop computer. The flames coming from it's wings flickers while the scrolling is in motion. That is beautiful!!

Tue, 12/08/2015 - 11:48

endorph

always doing such interesting projects, Tien. I look forward to seeing the progress on the horses - I will need to look into that process further. I sort of understand what you are doing but. . .

The phoenix rising is spectacular. What a wonderful tribute to your mother.

Tue, 12/08/2015 - 19:28

Jo Raymond

You are all so inspiring. 

I had never heard of quilted weaving before. Sally, the snowman is sweet. Theresa,  love the tradition of an annual holiday loom. I might take it up. Although this year I am thinking about an enameling kiln. 

Tien, your horses are gorgeous and the memorial to your mother is beautiful in so many ways.

Thank you, all. May your winter  holidays be all that you hope they will be. 

 

Wed, 12/09/2015 - 00:11

laurafry

for me today.

Spent the morning visiting with a guild member, looking at her loom, trying to figure out why it wasn't 'behaving' properly.  Gave up and helped her take photos and video so show the Loom Doctor (Tom Beaudet).

Errands in the afternoon - delivering bags of knitted scarves to St. Vincent de Paul for their Xmas hampers, bank, getting tea towels, taking pictures of them, posting them to my blog for my semi-annual sale.  Now it's after 4 and I think I'm going to go work on the latest jigsaw puzzle.

http://laurasloom.blogspot.com for photos of the towels

Thu, 12/10/2015 - 19:25

Erica J

I finished weaving this on Monday! I wove in the ends on Tuesday. I hope to hem and sew it into a bag tomorrow! 

 Dark and light purple checked taquete

Fri, 12/11/2015 - 17:08

sally orgren

Rapidly approaching - Registration opens on Tuesday, December 15th! Since 1998, this conference has always been one of the highlights of my weaving life. (I would love to see everyone from this thread in Milwaukee this summer!)

http://www.weavespindye.org/convergence

Fri, 12/11/2015 - 17:25

Dogmom1957

So excited!!

The 15th can't come soon enough!!

Think we need to Converge at Convergence!!!!

 

Fri, 12/11/2015 - 21:23

Queezle

...to convergence.  One question: if you don't register this far ahead, do you totally miss out on the good stuff? 

Fri, 12/11/2015 - 23:47

laurafry

I think I'm going to 'pass' on weaving today although I am anxious to get to the AVL and the shawl warp.  :-/  Had "Indian Head Massage" for the first time and, while it was quite wonderful for stiff and sore neck, I don't think weaving on the AVL is really recommended afterwards.  ;)

My energy is slowly returning though and I'm hoping by next week to be back in the saddle (so to speak) again.  Plus writing.  I'm going to try and write an hour a day - maybe more if it;s going well.  :D  Monday sounds like a good day to start - if I don't begin tomorrow...

cheers,

Laura

Sat, 12/12/2015 - 14:16

tien (not verified)

Sample for my memorial piece for my mom. The colors are looking great! I need to adjust the aspect ratio and fix one or two things technically, but I'm very pleased with how things are going so far.my mom's memorial piece sample

Sat, 12/12/2015 - 15:33

SusanBH

Tien, I'm in awe.  That is lovely and such a wonderful tribute to your mother.  I hope that weaving it is healing to you.

It's been slow going, but I finally got a dozen Christmas towels off the loom and finished, just in time to wrap them for the family Christmas party today.  I need a few more for gifts for the actual holiday, so I'm tying a new warp onto the old and hope to get the rest ready before Christmas.  Work has slowed down so I will have more time to weave (I hope)!

Red Snowflake Towels

 

Sat, 12/12/2015 - 15:34

SusanBH

Oops, I hit the "save" button twice and duplicated the post.  Sorry!

Sat, 12/12/2015 - 17:40

ReedGuy

Looking nice tien, lots of weft colors by the look of the shuttles. :)

 

 

Sat, 12/12/2015 - 20:32

Sue in VT

So many things to admire here!  Tien, the colors are stunning on your dark background.  You must be in heaven with your new loom and all it can do.  SusanBH, I just LOVE the crisp, wonderful look of your holiday towels.  What a treasure to receive!  I'm busy cookie"ing" every morning, and threading my first overshot runner, then there's the linen runner for my daughter on the RH.  What came today? The new Handwoven magazine, all about LINEN!  Just in time!  And both Joanne Hall and Laura Fry are featured!  Pretty cool!  

Sun, 12/13/2015 - 01:22

theresasc

the color and weave towels.  Hopefully will be able to finish them off tomorrow.  Redressed that loom with the side/bottom panels for my tote bags.  Have that weaving, one side is about 1/3 done.  My plan is to gift the towels in the tote bag, so I really have to get a move on.  I think if I really put some time into, I should be in okay shape to get them done.

Sun, 12/13/2015 - 08:45

Erica J

Here is my living room weaving. I finally got the pattern just right, now it is easy peasy!Grey and green dismond stripes in tablet weaving

 

Sun, 12/13/2015 - 15:07

Artistry

Tien, beautiful tribute to your Mom! I did one to , to my Mom when she passed, it's still my favorite piece:)

well, it's finally arrived, surgery on Tuesday ! They tell me it's the last one! my youngest son is coming up from Chicago to help hubby, because I'm so difficult :) I'll be down for awhile, but I won't be out:)

Cathie

Sun, 12/13/2015 - 18:37

laurafry

Finally fired up the AVL yesterday and wove a couple of shawls.  Been away from the loom for so long, I need to re-train my muscles!  Colour isn't quite true to life, but as close as I could get.

Sun, 12/13/2015 - 22:41

sally orgren

Doesn't everyone celebrate the holiday season with their favorite Santa-paca?

Mon, 12/14/2015 - 16:15

theresasc

tote bags this morning.  Still a ways to go.  Yesterday I wet finished and hemmed some towels.  Glad that is done.

Cathie - good luck tomorrow, I hope all goes well for you and you are back to Beauty soon!

 

Mon, 12/14/2015 - 16:31

Erica J

Thinking of you Cathie!

I think we should all celebrate witha Sanatapaca!

I wove about half a sample of textured cat tracks and snails trails with my own overtwisted handspun yarn! What a thrill!

Photos of the sewn tote bag after blocking and I should have a photo of the latest sample soon. I also got another diamond woven on the tablet weaving.

Mon, 12/14/2015 - 23:00

Sue in VT

Having a health issue to attend to really puts all this holiday business in perspective.  What else matters?  Thinking of you, Cathie, and hoping tomorrow comes fast so it's behind you.  Then it's all about taking care of you and healing.  

Tue, 12/15/2015 - 01:21

tien (not verified)

Good luck with the surgery, Cathie! I will be thinking of you tomorrow. May everything go smoothly!

I finally got all the samples woven and am about 1/3 of the way through weaving the piece! Here is what I've woven so far:

woven phoenix, partially complete

I had hoped to finish tonight, but my shoulders are complaining, so I will try to finish it tomorrow. ("Finish" is a relative term; I'm planning on embroidering and beading it, so the weaving is just the beginning.)

Tue, 12/15/2015 - 01:51

bjr1957

Boy do I want to get back on Mr. Putney!  Looking at all these beautiful projects just increases my want and need to throw my shuttles again.  My room is not ready.  I stlill have to hand my warping board and get all my stuff unpacked!  I need shelves for all the fiber (yarn not withstanding) and one of my wheels will live in the attic for the time being.  One is also going to be sold so that I can purchase the needed items for 2016.  Patience is a virtue but MAAAAANNNN!!!

bjr

Tue, 12/15/2015 - 04:34

Queezle

Cathie - I, too, am thinking of you and sending you positive vibes.

Tien - a little late, but my heart-felt condolences about your mother, and I am so in awe of your woven tribute. 

And all the rest of you - so productive!

I have been enjoying my little weaving exercize.  I dip dyed rope, and am weaving it into a white plain weave, with the thought that it becomes a set of hot mats for my girl friends.  This has turned out to be the sort of project that is fun all the way through, from the search for cotton rope, to dip dyeing, and then, of course, the weaving.  And when you use a piece of rope with a 1 inch diameter (actually cotton cording), the project moves quickly!  Very rewarding.

woven dyed cording for hot mats

Tue, 12/15/2015 - 16:00

theresasc

on totes (sigh).  Why does it seem when you really need to get something woven it takes forever, but when you are just playing around you fly through the warp.

Queezle - cool project, thanks for showing what the dyed cord looks like woven.  How fun!

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 01:50

Sue in VT

Your mats are one-of-a-kind creations!  A fun gift to make or receive!

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 02:33

sally orgren

I hope all went well, and she'll back with us shortly.

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 02:35

Artistry

Thanks all. Everything went smoothly, back home. Had a long nap, getting ready for another:)

Cathie

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 04:48

Nakia

Cathie, glad to hear you are back home & all went well. Now you just rest up as it sounds like you are doing a good job of already. :)

 

Everyone's projects are awesome and look to be moving right along. Love seeing all the different ideas ya'll all have and the beautiful colors ya'll picked. :) :)

 

I'm still not ready to start weaving yet. Had a few things get in my way of working on my loom. :( I did get a little more done this last day off, but now it is back to work again. Not enough progress for a new photo, but my shuttles came in yesterday and all my weaving books I have ordered in the last 2 weeks are in. I should be ready to weave as soon as I get finished warping. :)

 

De'Andrea~~

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 05:11

tien (not verified)

Yay, Cathie! So glad it went well. Rest up and heal fast!

I finished weaving the phoenix piece but the photos I took before throwing it into the wet-finishing bath really didn't do it justice. It's drying in the food dehydrator right now (I use it for accelerating drying in things that can't go into the dryer). So no photos of the finished piece until tomorrow.

I did, however, take a photo at the 3/4 mark - just as the phoenix was spreading its wings:

phoenix head, body, and wings

It's looking REALLY good. As good as I'd hoped, and even better. :-)

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 12:05

Sue in VT

Looking at your solid colored shuttles, Tien, and amazed at the masterpiece the "sum of the parts" has become.....ready to fly!  

Wed, 12/16/2015 - 17:44

theresasc

I have a naked loom!  Wove off the last of the tote bag sections, now hopefully will be able to assemble tomorrow.

Cathie, I am glad all went well - speedy healing!

Thu, 12/17/2015 - 14:43

tien (not verified)

Thanks, Sue! The shading is really interesting, structurally - it's basically shades of 8-end satin with various combinations of wefts on the surface. There are 9 combinations of wefts (times seven shades of 8-end satin =63 colors total) in the piece, which is one of the reasons the shading comes out so nicely even though the colors are solid.

And I finished my phoenix! Here it is:

phoenix, finished

More pix on my blog:

http://www.tienchiu.com/2015/12/finished-phoenix/

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