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.