BACK TO MY LOOM AGAIN...RUGS IN THE WORKS

Well my brace is off, physical therapy is going good. I still have weight restrictions on what I can do with my arm. But on July 20th I can start strengthening the wrist, finally. I have been able to weave, but can only beat with my right hand. But it works. I finished a lodge rug and started another. I would like information on a Mechanical Dobby loom, if anyone out there has any info. I have an AVL and would like to start using it. I do have the manual. But any pointers and words of wisdom are welcome.
Today started out nice and sunny then we got hammered by more thunder storms. It was the first time I saw the weatherman show black when tracking the storm. Right in the middle of the red and magenta on the screen they had the storm center as black. When will the rain stop. I don't mind having rainy days now and then but this is nuts. The ground has not yet dried out. Well I guess it is time to go weave some on the rug.

On the mend

Well the doctor removed my cast. Yeah... now I go to physical therapy 3 times a week for an hour each time. They work you hard, but I see progress. I was surprised how much movement I lost being in a cast. And how much it hurts to get it moving again. But I keep plugging along. My loom keeps calling to me, saying "Finish my warp." So I think I might give it a try this week to at least get the warp through the reed. It may be a small goal but a good one. At least I'll feel like I accomplished something. And it might be good excercise for my wrist. Have to think positive.

Fell and fractured my wrist, no weaving for a while

Well it was a really nice Sunday morning, early only 6 am. I took one of my dogs out to the back yard. Had this great idea of sitting down in the hammock for a while before going back in. So much for that idea. I think as soon as my butt hit the hammock, I hit the ground and fractured my left wrist. So off to the hospital, and then orthopedic MD on Monday to reset my bones. Talk about pain, resetting bones hurts. I'm not a screamer but I think I scared everyone in the waiting room. Well resetting was a 50/50 chance of it working. And of course it did not. So the following Tuesday I had a plate and screws put into my wrist to put my bones back together. So far so good. Had the hard cast put on today. 2 weeks in this cast then I get the stitches out and a brace and start physical therapy. So I'm making progress. But the weaving is on hold till it is better. So I guess I'll be looking for a good book to read. To keep me occupied. I have to keep my left hand elevated has much as possible, I feel like I'm constantly waving. But it keeps the swelling down, so what ever works for a speedy recovery.

Jesus Christ Superstar

Tonight my husband took me to see J.C. Superstar. It was am incredible show. Well worth seeing. I remember years ago I bought the album. Yes album, they did not have cd's then. I used to listen to it all the time. So when we saw that the play was playing here in Waterbury CT we decided to go. So a play and dinner was a nice night out.
It is finally warming up. The leaves are starting to come out. Can't wait to start a garden now. Been buying some garden books. Not that I haven't gardened before. Just all my life. But its nice to look at new ideas in garden design. I'm going to try to be more organized this year. Last years garden won the weed battle. Could hardly find the veggies.

Warps on the new beam & Cactus Show

Today was a beautiful spring day in CT. I finished putting the warp on the new sectional beam, which was a breeze. Loving these sectional beams, makes this part of the set up so much faster. This morning I received a call from my best friend. She wanted to go to The Cactus Show in Waterbury. A girlfriend of mine is selling her pottery there. So we decided to go surprise Carol. I started taking pottery classes with my friend Carol about 8 years ago. I stopped doing the pottery and became interested in weaving. And am glad I did. Though there is not much like being able to throw clay on a wheel and creating your own bowls. But now I don't have to scrub the clay off and have a much cleaner craft.
So it was nice to get the loom together and the spool rack and get it warped. Had the warp on by 8 am. Then at noon Michele and I set out for the Cactus Show. Now I have never grown Cactus and did not intend to come home with any plants. But 11 little cactus plants just decided to follow me home. And of course I had to buy a Cactus Care Book, have to give them a fair chance for survival. So I'll let you know how they do. They have a nice sunny window spot.

Time to put the looms together ;-)

The sectional beams arrived. So this weekend I will put the beams on the Macomber looms and get them ready for weaving rugs. Boy they do nice work at Macomber. Can't wait to try them out. Weaving is a little easier now. Less time warping more time weaving.
It's been a rainy cold day here. But signs of spring are all around. From peepers, robins, the buds on the trees, the grass turning green. Can't wait for the weather to stay warm and the flowers to come out.

Story of my first Macomber Loom.

I told my husband a long time ago that I would like a loom. He was always going to antique auctions at the time. One night he went to a auction by himself and came home and walked into the house and said, "I think I bought a loom." I heard the word "loom" and was pretty excited till I remembered the word "think". What do you mean think you bought a loom. And my reply was it is in 5 boxes in the back of my truck. I went out in the dark with my flash light to take a look. Some things did resemble what parts of a loom could be. But could all the parts be there?
The next day I carried all the boxes into the house and started sorting it out. I saw it had a name tag of Macomber and a serial number. Model B No. 2 So I called Macomber and asked if they had an instruction manual. They didn't but they where real helpful. Told me it was built in the 1940's. But for that old its in good shape if its all here. I then started going to weaving guild sites, that is where more help then you could imagine came from. I had one woman mail me photos of every part of her Macomber loom and another sent the manual for an old Macomber loom. With that I was in business. I started putting it together and it took 3 days to finish it. To my surprise the only thing missing was a couple of bolts and nuts, washers. And the hardware store solved that. And even if this loom only cost $25 and a little effort it was well worth it.

I think its finally spring.

It is finally spring in New England. The robins are here, the peepers are singing in the pond. My daffodils are up about 4 inches. The crocuses are in bloom. And all the birds are singing. I think thats a good sign. Today the sun was shining and it is finally warming up. Have not woven anything, still waiting for beams. Hope they come tomorrow. I have several projects in mind. One loom I will set up for my stair runner. The other for lodge rugs. They feel so nice on your feet. And have such character. Well its been a long day. Tomorrow will be a great day also.

Thursday in the briar patch.

Well its a rainy night in New England. And puppies will be puppies even if they are 1 yr old. Tonight Rusty decided to jump the 5 foot fence and go look at the cows in the pasture. The only way to get him back is to jump the fence and walk him through a briar patch. Not fun in your pajama's in the rain. Thank goodness the neighbors don't see the crazy lady jumping the fence and chasing her dog. I did buy a electric dog fence to prevent this but did not finish hooking it up. Guess this will give me incentive.
Still waiting for my sectional beams for my looms, Macomber called and said they are on there way. Should be here tomorrow. So I am in wait mode till they get here. Then I can get started weaving again. All in all a good day.

Loom room updates.

I went to Crazy as a Loom Weaving Studio for a weaving weekend. I spent the weekend weaving rag rugs with Hilary and getting lots of good tips. I had the chance to learn how to put on a sectional warp. And let me tell you that sure makes warping a lot easier and faster. We worked an warping up 2 looms. I made 2 rag rugs. I had a chance to try different looms. Hilary had a large selection of looms in her studio. Her studio is a lovely restored farm home. You stay right in the studio, she has 4 bedrooms upstairs. It was like staying in a Bed and Breakfast. But you got to weave also. Can't beat that. I really hope anyone who can take advantage of taking a weekend and weaving with Hilary does. Please check out her Blog and website at crazyasaloom.com you will see all the beautiful rugs Hilary makes and she also does custom rugs. This was good experience for me. It helps keep me motivated toward finishing my loom room in my home. I have 8 floor looms myself. My first was a Macomber (now I have 3 of those), AVL, Newcomb, a farm loom (don't know the name on this one never saw one like it) and a couple of others. So my goal is to finish the reconstruction in my home and set up looms in 2 rooms. I'll probably weave out the looms I don't need, and keep the ones I like the most. I prefer weaving rugs, but have made towels, table runners.
I have to tell you I returned from my weaving weekend and bought 2 sectional beams for my looms. The folks at Macomber are real helpful. I still am surprised they don't have a website, but the phone works well. So I am waiting for the delivery of my beams then I'll warp these 2 looms for rugs. Its good to have something you really enjoy.

Rosie , Tiggy, And Rusty