Pierre, the Cat

I realized this morning that I have not introduced our cat, Pierre, to the blogging world.  He's been quite interested in my weaving projects and sustainable fashion books (see pictures below).  

I used to foster kittens for the Pierce County Humane Society.  A little over 4 years ago, I cared for two male kittens - siblings.  They looked quite different from one another, and my husband and I fell in love with them.  That was the end of my fostering days.  Unknown to us, Pierre was mostly a Norwegian Forest cat.  He developed tufts of fur between his paws and in his ears as well as growing a long bushy tail, somewhat like a squirrel's. His brother, Whiskers, was a short hair with beautiful markings and a quiet, shy personality.  Sadly, at 15 months, Whiskers was diagnosed with cancer and didn't live much longer.

Pierre has been the most affectionate cat I have ever owned.  Actually, at times he acts more like a dog.  He greets us at the door when we arrive home, flips over, and wants his stomach petted.  He frequently takes naps with me; or maybe I do with him.  It seems that whenever I am reading one of my required course books, writing a paper, or working on a project such as weaving, he decides it's lap time.  Recently he decided that the cubby hole of my desk was a suitable area for viewing my progress.  Why the name Pierre when he's Norwegian?  As a kitten, he would come running and stick his face in any wine glass that happened to be placed on the coffee table.  We thought a French name suited him perfectly!


Pierre viewing table loom

Pierre in the cubby hole

Latest pin weaving progress

Final NFC Meeting

Tuesday was our last Needlecrafts for Charity meeting for this school year.  We reminisced about the past year, reviewed all we had accomplished, and bounced around some ideas for next year.  Lee generously provided pizzas and pop.  Of course, we did get a little knitting done.  Kim taught Jacob how to knit - yay!  a new knitter in our group.  Next year we plan to have a serger, so we can easily create many more projects.  Cat mats (sewn or knitted) and stuffed animals were mentioned as favorite projects for 2012/2013.

I've finished my last book (of 10) for this quarter. It was a fascinating read on eco-fashion.  It's quite sad to discover what is involved in the supply chain for producing a garment. 

I'm continuing to weave each week.  The pin weaving has proven to be quite labor intensive; it's difinitely a good movie watching project.  I'm very curious to see how it will look when finished.

More later......



Needlecrafts for Charity Members: Kim, Lee, Jacob, Heather
                                                         Jackie, Charlotte

Kim teaching Jacob to cast on

Pin Weaving - May 2

Finished Sampler

I just finished my woven sampler yesterday!  It's by no means perfect, but I like the different colors and stitch patterns.  My next project will be a woven necklace worked by pin weaving.  This is done by placing a paper pattern over cork board, pinning the silhouette, then warping the thread between the pins.  It should be an interesting project and another method to learn weaving. 

I've been reading sustainable fashion books for my other portion of my quarter contract.  The mass production of clothing didn't begin until the mid-1800's.  That's the time when sewing machines and factory looms were invented.  Fabric was so precious before then, that many individuals willed garments to future generations for the purpose of reconstruction. 

Our last (so sad) official Needlecrafts for Charity meeting of this school year will be next Tuesday.  Fortunately, several club members will be in Tacoma this summer, and plan to keep meeting. 

Have a great weekend!


Finished Woven Sampler

The Work Continues......

What a great week it's been!  We have 5 individuals knitting (and 1 crocheter) on the kids' chemo caps.  I love experiencing all the excitement with this project.  We moved to the Student Union Building on campus and it was so much more lively than the old classroom setting.  One tip for circular knitting: when casting on, cast on an extra stitch and then knit the last and first stitches together on the first row.  This will allow for a much stronger join.

Weaving has been fun.  I'm experimenting with different yarns, colors, and stitch patterns.  It's a very relaxing activity and I've gotten a rhythm going.  I love to play classical music while I work the shuttle and heddles.  My cat is enjoying the time, too.  I think he's become a classical music lover!

Enjoy your weekend!


Kim and Heather knitting in the SUB

Latest Weaving Patterns

The Loom & Chemo Caps

It's been a very busy and productive April for me!  I began my final quarter last week at The Evergreen State College.  Got my loom warped and started attending Needlecrafts for Charity.  I managed to pick up a nasty cold, too! 

I'm so excited to be working with the students in NFC.  We began knitting chemo caps for children at Madigan Hospital (our local military hospital).  Everyone seems to enjoy the colorful yarn available, as well as learning to use circular knitting needles.  I must say, circs. are my favorite to knit with.  We will meet until May 1, so we'll see how many we can knit by then.

The tabletop loom has been an interesting contraption to work on.  It took almost 6 hours to go from start to finish with warping the loom.  My professor, Gail, taught me to design a pattern for the weaving.  See pictures below.  I also have some weaving projects to do that will involve using handmade looms.  The projects are in the book Small Loom & Freeform Weaving.  It's a really informative and interesting book if you'd like to learn a little about weaving.

It's finally spring (the weather is cooperating) here in the Pacific Northwest. Yay!


Heather, Kim and Kirah discussing our budget.

Lee and Cody working on chemo caps

Pre-warped loom

Threading Chart

My first weaving

Back in Washington

Well, after two weeks here at home, I am almost caught up with my long to do list.  My trip to Ohio seems like a dream now.  I remember during many days I felt kind of bored while there.  Now I'd love to feel bored for even an afternoon!

I'm looking forward to spring quarter, my final quarter.  It doesn't begin until the first week in April, but there is much prep work to do since I will participate in an independent learning contract.  I'm really excited about this contract.  I'll learn to weave, study fabric dyeing, and study sustainable fashion.  My instructor is a master weaver, and she agreed to teach me this skill. The only weaving I've done was years ago on a square metal loom which enabled me to make numerous potholders as gifts for family members.  Did you remember those small looms?  Actually, I think they're still available. Anyway, I'll post pictures of my samples and projects while I progress through the quarter. 

One last thing......it's been confirmed with the recent and upcoming weather here, why we drink so much coffee in the Pacific Northwest.  It seems that the midwest and the northwest have switched weather this month.  Snow is predicted here for this coming Saturday and Sunday evenings - wow!  Oh well, definitely a good reason to warm up with a nice brew on St. Patrick's Day!

Lori

Holmes County Ohio

 I had such an incredible trip last weekend to Holmes County Ohio, that I'd like to share about that for this week.

I spent four days among the Amish and Mennonites in Sugar Creek, Walnut Creek, Kidron, and Dalton, Ohio.  I've never seen so many horse and buggies!  We visited fabric stores, quilt shops, hardware stores, a tool expo, and of course, too many bakeries. 

I think my favorite pictures are those of clothes hanging out to dry.  The Amish wash clothes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, using a pulley system that goes between the house and the top of the barn.

This is a shorter post than usual because of the pictures I'd like to share.  Enjoy!


Ready to plow the field

Outside auction at Kidron, Ohio

Quilts for sale at Millers Dry Goods- Charm, Ohio

Crafts at Millers Bakery

Amish clothesline

Bakery purchases