New Stuff :)

Well, folks, I've been a busy little weaver and completed some new ornaments.  They are holiday - not Halloween - but Christmas!

A sampling of the 2012 Owl Ornaments!

 red/charcoal wool felt

 tan/light blue/chocolate alpaca and wool felt

The introduction of the 2012 Wool Wreath Ornament:

 red/ivory/green

green/red

How to make this better?  I'm offering free shipping for all Canada and US purchases in my Etsy shop: Sarah's Handwovens until Oct 31/2012.  Click on over and see the entire collection of Owls and Wreaths - and other *unbeweaveable goodies!!

New stuff...

Bed rest has resulted in new merchandise added to Etsy.  Check out the shop and let me know what you think.  There are six new scarves in stock to check out.  Some wool, some chenille/wool and some that are no wool.  Something for everyone!!

Sarah's Handwovens

On the mend.

This week took me by surprise when I ended up in the ER in the middle of the night Sunday/Monday with what was identified as gallbladder issues (stones and infection).  By Monday night, I was gallbladder free.  YAHOO!!  No more pain.  Well, no more gallbladder pain...now it's healing pain.

SO...while I spend countless hours in bed resting this week, I'm going to work on owls.  You'll remember them from previous posts...found here.  By tomorrow, I expect I'll have a dozen or so finished.  Photos will come up once they're done and then they'll be for sale in the Etsy shop (found here).

Happy healing to me!!

This morning, the family and I embarked on our first visit of the year (we're lazy on Saturday mornings) to the Fredericton Boyce Farmers Market.  Wow!  We picked a great morning.  No rain, but also no blistering sun.  We found chocolate ice cream (and Connor loved eating it at 10:30 am), chicken souvlaki pitas (yummy McYummy), and a clown to make a monkey balloon.  Overall a great trip.  We came home with locally grown peaches and cream corn for supper and baby carrots fresh from the ground.  It will be a good eatin' day.  Not bad for the first day of vacay.

As for the weaving world...have you been to the Etsy Shop yet?  If not, check it out.  Make it a favorite of yours so you can find out when new items are added.  And thanks, as always, for stopping by.

Do you "like" me?

In case you were unaware, my work is featured on a Facebook group page.  You can access the page here and like it.  Then you will be kept up to date on new products (yes, I update Facebook faster than the blog), sales, promotions and other stuff I feel like sharing on a more frequent basis.

For those who are new to this blog, I'm now selling my work on Etsy and you can visit my shop by clicking here.  I'm working away at more new products to add.  Keep checking back.

It's a beautiful day in my neighbourhood.  My family and I are getting ready to head out on a camping trip for a few days - I love organized procrastination from studio time.   I'm sure I'll see many treasures along the way that inspire more work.  Much like these Mermaid's Tail scarves were inspired by our trip to the Fundy Bay last summer (and currently available for sale in my Etsy shop).  Enjoy!

 Mermaid's Tail scarf - dark blue

8" x 60" plus fringe

 Mermaid's Tail scarf - light blue

8" x 60" plus fringe 

 Mermaid's Tail scarf - olive

8" x 60" plus fringe

Mermaid's Tail scarf - white

8" x 60" plus fringe

Etsy, here I come!

I have jumped, both feet, into the world of Etsy.  I've looked and enjoyed the site for a long time.  Many friends have asked, "Are you on Etsy?".  Well, now I am.  The shop is called sarahshandwovens or *unbeweaveable by Sarah McIntyre.  Either should get you there...and so will this link:  Sarahshandwovens.

I invite to you visit, look around and shop away.  I'll be adding new inventory as it comes off the loom and is finished.  You'll find scarves, table runners, owls (large and small) and bath accessories.

This is an adventure.  I'm 10 years in and I wonder what I'll be doing differently?

Why are there so many songs about rainbows?

I have finally - yes, finally - completed a project that I put on the loom oh so long ago.  The rainbow warp has been woven, sewn, fringed and washed.  It is now many different items.  All different from what I had thought they would be originally - I love being surprised by fabric off the loom!

So without further ado...

 small table runner - cotton and cotton chenille

 hand towel and face cloth set - cotton and cotton chenille

 scarf - cotton and cotton bouclé

 scarf detail

 scarf detail #2

 woven pouch or bag - cotton and wool

bag detail

This feels like it's the beginning of something great.  A bit like Christmas!  There is a small piece of the cotton and wool fabric that was too long for a bag, so I'm thinking it will become two large pillows.  It's lovely too.  After a wash and dry in the machines (thank god for them) the fabric is very soft and cushy.  Perfect for pillows!!

The next warp going on is the Zebra Wood warp.  Click for a reminder ;)  It's all gorgeous too!  

Here's another runner that I made a while back and thought I'd post now.  It was the remnants of a commission warp - love having extra!

 table runner tan/yellow - cotton and cotton chenille

table runner tan/yellow detail with fringe

As always, if you see it and like it, contact me about buying it!  'Tis the season to be thinking about gift givin'.

Things I learned this week....

1. An overdue book that is also a good read is worth the $1 or so in fines.

 

2.  A day spent at home with my wee sidekick means that I can clean the cupboards, rearrange cookbooks, clear off the counter tops and the dinning room buffet - all while enjoying his company and playing stickers.

3.  There is balance in not finding a day of work (the double edged joy of being a supply teacher).

4.  I really love my babysitter (and also that I love that my wee sidekick also loves her)!

5.  Sometimes, frozen pizza IS the answer to "What's for dinner?"

6.  I enjoy working half-days because I pay for a full day sitter and that means MommyTime (aka studio time).

7.  The best part about a YMCA membership is having access to a heated pool.

8.  Dollarstore chocolate imported from Turkey is JUST AS GOOD as the American made stuff.

9.  All purpose flour is not created equal.  Although the label says "All Purpose Whole Wheat Flour" it does not make cookies taste the same.  They are heavier.  So much for trying to be healthier....Bring on the white stuff.

10.  There's nothing like a 6:00 AM dance party to the Indigo Girls on a Monday morning! 

Gotta love the internet!

One of the participants in my Art workshop took photos and put them online.  And now I can share too!  Thanks, Kali :)

It was a super fun afternoon and these baskets were a real treat to share with others.  The possibilities are endless as far as materials go.  If you want to make one, let me know and I can send you the info.

Making newspaper strips.

Putting the base together.

Adding string to lock it in.  String comes out later.

The chaos of beginning the weave structure.

Clothespins make up for humans only having 2 hands!

The bottom of the basket.

Finished basket - string removed.

Everyone hard at work.

Making a basket with bristol board.

Finished bristol board basket.  I love the finish at the top!

On the left:  A pizza box basket.  On the right:  A newspaper basket.

Basket miniature - using 75mm strips.  Teeny tiny work!

Drama, Drama, Drama Fest! and some other PD

For the last two weeks I've had the pleasure of doing workshops with students and teachers about all of my passions: drama, music, and art.  I feel blessed (and exhausted, really) to have the chance to share my knowledge with others.

 First I did a stint as NB Drama Fest for High School and Middle School students and teachers.  I got to share singing techniques and tips as well as creative story time theatre ideas.  Watching students try new things is one of the reasons I teach.  What a treat to do it at Drama Fest (the largest drama festival in Canada, just so you know).

Then I capped off the two weeks spending a day with NB Teachers at their provincial PD day.  We did art and it was awesome.  I taught basic basket weaving skills.  It was new to everyone who attended and we had a such a great time turning newspapers and packaging boxes in to lovely baskets.  Again, a real treat to share my skills with others.

The plus side to all of this?  I'm now super inspired to get back at the loom which is currently still has the rainbow project warp on it.  I know, I know.  It's been ages since I put it on.  But I took advantage of every teachable day I could get.  I'm a supply teacher, and I need them all!  However, summer is just around the corner.  I have Nana and Grammie coming closer for the summer and have also found a lovely teen who loves to babysit.  I will weave, my friends and get my many warps on and off the loom and photographed to share with you all.

How do you keep a weaver busy?

How do you keep a weaver busy??  Warp!!

Today I measured off four (4) warps - future projects, if you will.  Each one is destined to be table runners.  Or at least that is the plan.  They are colorful, cotton and ready to go on the loom.  Now, which one will I choose to go on first??

From left to right:

Peacock (turquoise, royal blue, emerald green)

Sunset (framboise, red, light orange)

Zebra Wood (chocolate, honey, vanilla)

Des Colores

The colored pathway down the center was warped in the rainbow colors using red, light orange, warm yellow, emerald green, royal blue, turquoise and framboise.  It is flanked by natural cotton.

All of the runners will be woven with cotton chenille.  Photos to come as they are finished!!