New England Weather

As most people know, 9 days ago we had a horrific ice storm. Almost a million people lost power.

In the Monadnock Region, there are still more than 20,000 people without power. So many folks tell me how they are getting through it: wood stoves, cooking on the grill, using generators which are not such a hot commodity that they are being stolen, etc. Check it out at http://www.wmur.com/.

This photo is atop Manning Hill in Winchester, NH where the houses around it had no power until today. Fortunately, I was not directly affected.

To add insult to injury, we had 12 inches of snow in the last twenty four hours. It is still snowing. Another 18" is on its way. Thankfully we are going to Jamaica on Thursday morning!

This was a terrific day to finish my loose ends. I am swapping cards which have some thread painting through the Thread Society elist. Perfect opportunity to test my skills. I really loved this card. I freehanded on the machine the word Peace which is hard to read but it is there!

The process I used was needlefelting yarns both by hand and on the machine. I did my thread painting, added some beads, etc.

Here is the result.

Next: The card to the right is a little quote about taking some time to enjoy the tea, live life now, etc. This is for my special friend in Delaware. And here is another I did using my canvas, old sewing patterns, scraps of painted fabrics, metal wrapping paper and paint.

And so all my gifts are done. Now to pack for our trip! That is of course, in between, snow blower and shoveling time tomorrow. Sure wish I had time to snowshoe!

Fuller Craft Museum

Last Saturday I took my friend Janet to the Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton, MA. She is a crochet artist extraordinaire.

The gateway to the actual museum is lovely. Even in the brown mud season of this month!

We both wanted to see the Crocheted Prayer rugs by Xeonibia Bailey. Three exhibits were breathtaking.

This is Janet creating a crochet Mandela to add to the crochet exhibit.

The teapot exhibit was fabulous. My friend, Irene Reed, created two of the teapots in this exhibit.

After we visited the exhibits we shopped the Wearable Art Sale. Such gorgeous and reasonably priced things. It was a very inspiring visit.

Following our museum tour, we ate lunch at the "Not our Usual Joes". Then on to Boston.

Our destination was the Fort Point Arts Center. After riding around South Boston and within 1 mile of the same area for an hour looking for it- yes, we asked three cops and no one knew where it was - we parked the car.

The Children's Museum was very busy. We checked out the recycle shop. No great finds that day. Headed off to Trader Joe's and home. It was a very fun day.

Fair Isle KAL

Very often I do not have the time to follow a Knit-A-Long (KAL) with an e group but Elizabeth Lovick is a such a master of stranded knitting that I had to join her group.

Traditional knitting has an egroup which Elizabeth feeds us with her creativity. I chose to use worsted weight yarns – some from locally raised sheep – to follow the pattern that Elizabeth posted. Thus far, this is my creation and I think it will make a wonderful purse.

Of course I will post a photo when it is complete.

Witch's Tea

Sunday, the 26th October, 2008, my friend Charri Hendricksen invited me to a Witch's Tea.

Here is Liane Wiley, owner of the Knitting Knook.

Doesn't she look like a natural witch!!!

The food was pot luck and as usual terrific. Charri has a lovely view of the Surry Mountain Dam area from her house.

Here are two photos of Charri's fabulous decorations. Each room is better than the other!

Teaching Textile Arts for a local Quilt Guild

Textile Arts is my passion. Can't you tell? On October 19 I had 10 marvelous students of the Cheshire Quilt Guild learn about dyeing and printing fabric, without a washing machine!

Look at these beautiful results. Printing, stamping, monoprinting, sun resist dyeing. Nancy Whitney created these fabrics for quilted and she claims to be not creative!

Yes, I am available to teach more quilt guilds. Inquire within!!

NYC - Madison Avenue

Everyone should spend a day in the Big Apple as a reality check. Do I live as a New Yorker? Sometimes! I am after all a native!

But a long walk on Madison Ave is so much fun. The New York socialites dress to out do one another. Most people wear black. But the highest fashions and most expensive everything is on Madison Avenue. Here are two photos of the scarves in Searle. Note that the scarves are either knitted or shibori - design wise, right up my alley!

After a delicious salmon salad at the Nector Cafe - which set me back about $30.00, I spent an hour at Annie and Co knitting store. There I found a fabulous selection of knitting books.

Yes, I bought two with kids patterns. Afterall, I am the expectant grandmother of twins!


Lastly I went to the Whitney Museum of Art. Crowded!!! My peaceful life in NH has eased me into liking no crowds. The Alexander Calder exhibit was terrific.

It was a long day but very invigorating. I am looking forward to my next trip!

NY Sheep and Wool Festival

Economy in the tank? Hardly! On the 18th October I took a bus trip to the NY Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY. I have never seen so many people on a buying frenzy. The lines for shopping, eating, driving, etc were never ending.

It was a great way for me to save money because I could not get into the booths to buy anything.

I so much wanted a philosopher's wool sweater kit. But I couldn't get waited upon. Therefore, I will work on my stash. The best thing was a sign which said that Yarn Stock never crashes!