Saturday, September 28, 2013

Weaving Lessons at Crooked River Ranch, Oregon



I was blessed with the opportunity to take a full week of lessons 
with Jolene Northup a few miles north of my home, at Crooked
River Ranch. I have never learned anything so well or quickly. She
is an especially gifted teacher. The class was lots of work, sprinkled with
fun and new learning opportunities. I had never woven anything in my
life! Not at least on a real loom. Now I have my beautiful Glimakra 42"
Countermarch loom, (Her name is Geirdriful- spear flinger), I would
do well to learn to use her properly!


Lovely studio with great light and FIVE looms!!!
this one is my favorite and is a Gilmore.



The famous Crooked River just minutes from the studio

700 foot drop off. I got a little scared just standing by the edge.


Color sampler woven by Jolene. Fantastic!!!

Huck Lace sample, example for our class

Overshot sample for us

Twill gamp for us to follow

My plain weave color change sample in progress


A wonderful Overshot place mat of Jolene's I think
woven at Madelyn Van der Hoogt's studio

Jolene's Color change sampler

Jolene's Overshot sampler

Jolene's twill gamp closer up

My color change sampler off the loom

My twill gamp on the loom

My twill off the loom with extra playful parts in black. I
was having a very fun time. There is at least one mistake in
every block! So what!!! This was after what? weaving maybe 10 hours!!!
(in my whole lifetime!!!)

My overshot... I think this may be my favorite type of design.

My huck lace. Much, much easier than it looks!
                  I certainly don't remember having so much fun in a class and am
 just thrilled that I will be able to use my loom. Jolene is even a member of 
my new guild and is around for questions, as are many other good weavers. 
I love it that I have a guild!!! for great support.   So... I am  buying books, more 
books, tools, warping board and waiting for a used bobbin winder from Sweden.
When next I blog, dear reader, maybe I will have Geirdriful warped!!!
Oh, and when our class was finished last evening, we had a celebration
with champagne, brie and pears!! Lovely end to the class.

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Fiber Arts and Farms





I was able to attend the Wool Gathering in Madras Oregon yesterday. 
The best part was spending the day with my friends, who are also fiber addicts. Fiber show, nice lunch then the farm. The drive there was beautiful, only 25 miles.
The major difference I noticed in Central Oregon, from the coast by Newport,
is there is way more alpaca and mohair here. Very many of my friends have animals.
Thunderhead Farm Mohair and Projects

    Thunderhead Farm : Exceptional luxury fiber.
                   Go to this link... great pictures. The scarves and
                    neck pieces from Toni Selk are just gorgeous.
                   She is quite a talented artist.




Shaggy Bears wonderful colors
Every show I attend, she is getting more breeds of wool and more great colors

Fleece, ready to spin

The Butterfly is because Debbie, on right, is a favorite teacher there!
(downtown Redmond: Butterfly Yarn Shop)

High Desert Fiberworks
Lovely yarns Web site: High Desert Fiberworks
                                  This site has wonderful pictures of bunnies and fiber!!!

From the fiber to the farm. Best sunny, not to hot, weather ever.
Can see for miles!!!


   

Sandra's donkey (one of many)

View to the east

and... to the west

Mt Jefferson from the east. At our house it is north

Trace the Border collie, super nice dog!!!
The horse that wouldn't look at me!
More donkeys. Didn't realize how friendly they are.
                                  Fun day in Central Oregon!!!!