Chills and Twills.....

On my way to my fabulous diesel mechanic's shop I was completely surrounded by a frosted environment,  and my mind then went into winter twill land.  I am always looking at my surroundings in any case and recording future warps or designs that may play out into a structure of some kind. My husband then picked me up and we continued on to the studio - passing by the blueberry farm where the twill was so obvious in the regimented planting - Glen wouldn't stop for a picture, so will post one later if I manage to capture that image. It truly was a wonderful way to begin the season.

An 8 harness twill

detail from 'dancing leaves' - a straight 8 harness twill....

Later on the same day, I had a wonderful conversaton with a local guild member about the remarkable world of twills and how one can explore for a century and never exhaust the simple threading on any amount of harnesses (excuse my calling harnesses harnesses, I have never got into the habit of calling them shafts - after all my looms have horses........).

The Glenora Farm Christmas Fete was lovely and the weather was sunny and bright. Lots of textiles there and of course the Weavery had plenty to show. I bought yet another couple of handtowels and another tea cozy. Leola's Studio will be carrying some of their weaving, so if you cannot get out to the Weavery located at the four corners in Glenora, you can come to the studio.

Bucket bags, Deanne working hard as usual and incredible rugs.
My friend Ann runs the Weavery and the participants weave spectacular projects.

Lovely handwoven towels at the Glenora Farm Christmas Fair.


Our newest additions to the studio....



A tapestry woven with rags....

The studio has new weavers. Catharina has her loom set up and is weaving every day. The above tapestry is a study inspired by a card that she purchased at the Guild's show. It is quite lovely and from every angle we see something new. It is about 28" by 45" (I think) and quite fabulous. Catharina isn't sure that she likes using rags as her weft, but had fun anyway. Her husband Ray comes with her as well. I asked him one day if he would like to weave and he said he always wanted to try. He sat at the loom and it was if he was born to weave. His edges and beat are precise. Ray has diverse abilities and is challenged only by filling the bobbin. The studio is made richer by this couple. 

Catherina, originally from Belgium (she makes great waffles!) then Galiano and now in our warm valley. Lucky us.

Ray on handtowel duty!

Detail of tapestry

It is hard to keep up with all the goings-on in the studio. I have fifteen students from Shawnigan Lake School

that come every week, half on two afternoons and all of them on another afternoon. They are industrious with their knitting and very creative.....

Drinking tea is a must, felting, embellishment, knitting, quilting (with hand dyed fabric) and weaving are just some of the techniques we do.

The rag rug looms are busy every week and all one must do is book a day - it is fun. We have a new blanket warp on - very neutral and just calling for a weaver! The comfort shawls are warped up with a new bird feeder by the window, books with great writings and just the special private place to weave for some one that requires comfort. This project is by donation  - some kept for materials and the rest to Hospice or Care Givers. Please pass this information on. It is a win win project.

In January, tapestry will be alive and well in the studio. Ann Clark, a fabulous tapestry artist,  and I have joined forces and we will be initiating a community type tapestry. Our first design is in the works - a detail from a painting by a wonderful painter friend of mine, Lucy Schappy....the painting is called "Stepping Out" and is just so darn happy! The cartoon will be approximately 36 X 50 inches. We will be warping up in the next few weeks. I will keep you informed. Strangely enough, Catherina has come into the studio, Lynn brought her tapestry loom in to share and then another tapestry loom came in just the other day.....wonders will never cease!

I was having lunch with Gaye down in the Bay, and I got a frantic call from Ann that I had a felting crisis waiting for me! I came up to find my friend Evee with this gigantic felting project not felting so great....hmmm is about all I said (I remember Wanya expressing the same way, so now I actually know why..), anyway, the only thing I could think of was elbow grease with added hot water and soap - so we set off on a very cold but sunny day. The next day the whole darn thing was frozen, but we kept at it and lo and behold it felted rather well and the much smaller piece is being embellished as we speak - a floor mat for her son. I was kind of sore for a few days - a great work out.

May you have a wonderful new season, the light is coming and soon spring will be here. Happy holidays and please come and share the space - would love to see you.