Tuesday, July 20th

Had a wonderful weekend.   Swapped my shifts, and attended the Midwest Fiber and Folk Art Festival this past
weekend.  Had a wonderful time.  Friday I took a dying workshop in the morning with Carol Wagner. It was great.
Then on Saturday morning had a workshop on drumcarding, also taught by Carol.
Went back on Sunday with my husband, and two older grandkids, ages 8 and 6.  They enjoyed the demonstrations on weaving,
and spinning. Janice from the Woodstock Weavers’ Guild,  showed my granddaughter how to use an Inkle Loom. And
also stick weaving.  Thank you Janice !   We came home and made some sticks right away.

Photo of a pouch my granddaughter made using stick weaving.  She loves pink !

 





Saturday, July 3rd

Hi,    12:58 AM    Happy 4th of July weekend!   Another week gone by so fast. 
I have  a skein of yarn to show.  I have a bit of fleece to wash  yet, then I'll be caught
up.  If I can only say that about getting organized!  But I'm working on that too.

This skein is made from Snowflakes fleece,  a Romney.  She is one of Sandy's sheep, from Homestead Wool and Gift Farm





Tuesday,  June 29th

It's already 12:42 AM,  and officially Tuesday.   Going to be a busy day once the sun comes up.

Yesterdays photo of a Finnish Slanty came from Belinda.
Last week this wheel became available, and Belinda asked who was interested, and she would go
check it out.  Me ! So,  she went and checked it out for me(it's all the way in Minnesota,  and I'm
north of Chicago, and Belinda offered to go look, pick up and ship,  which to me is an amazing kindness.),
and I'm thrilled about it.    She also told me it had a secret.  I looked and looked at the pictures,
and only came close to finding the secret!   She was so patient waiting for me to guess.  

Here are a few more photos Belinda took,  they are stunning.  I am so excited, it's a true beauty. So elegant!
Thank you Belinda!

This is the picture that contains the secret.   


A photo of the flyer, whorl, and bobbin.



And a view from the front of the wheel.



Monday,  June 28th

This month has sure blown by.  A lot of different things going on.  Enjoying things for the first time
in a long time.   Was feeling some what burned out on the creative side.   Feeling a crack in the wall,
and seeing some daylight ahead.   

a pretty picture of a Finnish Slanty ...........................



Sunday,  June 27th

Good Morning !   Off to work today.  My summer schedule,  is one shift on Saturday, and a
double on Sunday.   Away from the computor all day.  Haven't worked Sundays in a long time, they
seem to be pretty quiet.  Have a good day.  Ellen

Monday,  June 21st

My friend Diane and I went for a ride to Michigan today.  Went to visit Jill.   This is
the beauty I brought home today.  It was a nice day! Thanks Diane for visiting the
rabbit hole. Next it's your turn !    




The treadle is metal !



 
Friday evening ..............June 17th 2010

Today was a fun day.  Exciting and fun.   Found a little wheel, and went to pick it up.  Needs
a bit of TLC. She spins nice.  My third wheel.  Have a feeling there will be more to come.


















Look at this FANTASTIC wheel !   Thought it might find a home here, but not this time.















June 9th, 2010
Last day of school for the kids.  One of my part time jobs is crossing guard, so only will
be working at the high school over the summer.  Looking forward to more creative time,
it's been missing in action to long.  Make beads, my torch is looking a bit deserted.  Have
to get it fired up and ramp up the kiln.  

I have a not so great photo of my spinning wheels.  The Clemes and Clemes Traditional,
on the right, needs a bit of work, the uprights are a loose. Will need to work on that, and
some work on the finish, and will have to research that.   Sure does spin nice!   Just got it,
was made in 1975.  Deserves a much better picture, will have to wait till daylight for that.


 







June 1st, 2010

Worked overnights this past weekend.  My hat is off to those who do that all the time.
Sure does mess up my internal clock.



May 3rd, 2010

HI !    I can't believe how long it has been since I've posted.    I've been back to
working extra hours since April 8th.  Not sure how long it will last,  but it's great. I
enjoy working there. 

In the mean time,  I have been washing fleece here and there. 
Shearing season, and watching for some beautiful fleece.   CVM, Cormo, Corriedale, Jacob,
some very soft Romney and others.  Some have wonderful names too, like Lady Harriett, Bella,
Double Trouble, it's fun.  The big lesson I have learned from last fall is to never buy any fleece
that hasn't been well skirted. 

My youngest son is almost finished with his first year of college.  Finals this week, and he'll be
coming home this coming Saturday.  YIPPEE !  It's to quiet around here without him.

My oldest son and daughter in law are expecting their 4th baby!   It's very exciting.  The baby
will be my 6th grand child! 

One other thing for sure is I miss torch time.  I miss melting and creating.  

Stay in touch,   I enjoy your emails.   Ellen   


March 9th, 2010

Getting the glass studio ready for action.    Warmed up the concentrators too,  make sure
all is in working order.  Hoping to get some glass melted this week.  Have a good one !


March 6th, 2010

Good Morning !   I was just looking at the Gallery on LE.  Some pretty spectacular work.
Have been talking with some of my friends about going to the ISGB Gathering this year in July.
It will be in Rochester, New York.   Going to take the train from Chicago, it's going to be fun!


February 17th, 2010

Happy to see the sun last a bit longer every day.  I'm looking forward to mild temps and getting back into the studio. 


February 2, 2010

Hi,  I have been working full time hours.  Life has been fairly busy.   Been washing fleece, and spinning
when I can.  Been way to cold in the studio to make beads,  and I'm so looking forward to spring.