Grade 3 Here I Come!

I got a really interesting email this winter asking me to be a part of the new Grade 3 Social Studies text book in New Brunswick. I thought it was spam. But then it turned out to be legitimate! How cool. So, after I realized I'd need a photo of me in the studio - something I just didn't have at the time - I called Dad and asked him to use his new found photography skills to help me out. It didn't take long to do and was fun to get new shots of the studio with me working away.
They emailed me last week to say it goes to print in June! How exciting. Students, and maybe someday Connor, will learn about craftspeople in New Brunswick and I will be one of them.

I can't upload the page from the text book they sent me, but I'll share the photo that I submitted.

MORE *unbeweaveable blankets

fringe detail

I just found some photos of other blankets that I've made in the last few years. I want to share them. I love making blankets because there is no reason for any two to be the exact same. I've redone only one blanket pattern in the last five years. And have never repeated any others. There are too many options!

birch and khaki blanket

birch and khaki blanket detail

blue and brown blanket

blue and brown blanket detail

vibrant green blanket

vibrant green blanket detail

Customers can choose the colors (maximum 5) for their blanket and then I get to choose the pattern. They are all 40" X 75" woven (finished 38" x 72" plus fringe). If you would like one, they are $250 CAD with a $75 CAD materials deposit.

Bound weave

I've recently acquired a new camera and have been snapping photos of my studio and my work left, right and center! I thought I'd take some pictures of the work that hangs in my studio as inspiration. Most of it is work from my student days.

Bound weave was a stressful learning curve for me. Mostly because I prefer to weave items that I can get off the loom quickly. That's why I'm a production weaver. But I had to learn patience to do bound weave.

Bound weave sampler

Bound weave rug sampler

Next was needle felting. I really enjoyed needle felting. It's dangerous if you don't know how to use the super sharp needle, but I survived! I enjoyed the 3D possibilities as well as how you could paint with yarn on felt. So many lovely ways to use fleece!

Sunset on the Kennebecasis

Before I can even think about a new project, I find myself staring at my yarn closet. I've recently "spring cleaned" it and now it's more organized to style of yarn. It used to be by color, but I had too much of certain colors for that to work and not get tangled. The sad thing is that I'm not supposed to get more yarn until I use up what I've got. But at least I've got lots of good stuff!!

Across the Ocean

The bulk of my work for the last year has been in blankets. Here's the one I did last spring for a friend from high school. Her brother commissioned it for her birthday. Nice brother! It's now living in her home in Ireland.

This blanket is called "Oromocto Lake". It was first woven as a commission for a wedding gift. The woman who ordered it lives at Oromocto Lake in New Brunswick. She asked for blues. This blanket is more than blues, it's bliss.

Hooray!

After almost a year, yup a year, I have completed the project that was on my loom. It's a beautiful blanket woven in tan, burnt orange and brown heather yarns. It's for a friend and I'm so glad that I will get to deliver it in person rather than by mail. Much more fitting indeed!

I don't have a camera to snap a full length photo. However, I used the web cam to shoot a close up detail of the blanket.

close up detail shots

Now that the loom is empty, I don't know what to put on. I think it should be bath mitts. A local store, Botinicals, has been asking for them and I didn't have time. They're also a fast project to weave off - but they do require sewing. I guess I could do that after the babe is sleeping for the night.

Or I could put on another blanket....the choices are endless! It's nice to be motivated to weave again.

bad blogger

I've been super busy being a first time mom, that I have completely ignored my weaving studio for the last few months. On the bright side, I have a lovely son. On the downside, I'm struggling for creative balance so I can do some fun stuff too.

The only weaving project that I've worked on was to be a participant in the new New Brunswick Grade 3 Social Studies Textbook being printed this summer. I will be featured in the text book as a New Brunswick artist, along with two other artists - a glass blower and a sword maker. Very cool.

I'm hoping this week to get into the studio after the babe is in bed. Fingers crossed!