Happy Easter & other ramblings!

Happy Easter! Here's two of the grand kids back in Michigan enjoying their new 'shades' the Easter Bunny gave them today! Kids are off to meet Auntie and Uncle Jeff to have brunch at Kruse & Muer. They do have a wonderful brunch and all the kids love it!

Amber and her mom were busy yesterday baking cake and cupcakes! I took all three of these pictures while we SKYPED this a.m. Not bad for taking them from the webcam.

Yum...

So yesterday I attended my last Weaver's meeting for the winter! I will miss all the ladies! Our show and tell was started off actually with me, but you can read my other blog posts to see my 'stuff'.

Dianna didn't have show and tell but was quite excited from attending the FTWG conference the end of March. She said she's so psyched and can actually read some of the patterns from her weaving magazines now! I can't wait to see what all Dianna produces this next year! You go girl!

MaryLou didn't have show and tell either but did share her excitement at attending some opera's that are simulcast in Gainesville! That's one of the reasons we haven't seen her at our meetings recently.

Queen of Purple was up next and before I get into her fun time at conference...here is a beaded bracelet she made. Not sure I heard her correctly, some of the teachers stayed after school or was it at the conference? anyway, it was a really pretty bracelet. Click on the picture to see it up close.

Here is a beautiful shawl Jan made from one of the workshops at the FTWG conference. Very soft and a different yarn (at least to me!). And in purple, go figure!

Of course, Jan was given her own personal name tag at the conference. Each lady rec'd a name tag. You'll see Pat's later. A classy touch I think.

This is a sample from a mini workshop Jan attended called a Dragon Boat. It's open just to show how it's made. The teacher gave Jan the sample. A project for next winter for our guild??

Here is Jan's finished Dragon Boat. Note the colors and pattern.

This is a bowl (I think that's what you would call it) Jan made a few years ago and do you notice the pattern and color of the paper? In the mini workshop the instructor ended up using some of Jan's papers she had woven before! Small world isn't it.

Last month Jan showed some of her towels she made for the FTWG towel exchange. We were lucky enough to each receive a copy of the instructions for Jan's towels she made. Each person in the exchange made a copy to hand out with their towels. Jan brought her book with all the samples in them to show us as well.

Here are some of the towels Jan received in the exchange.

Pat K. (who was our host for this month! Thank you Pat!) also attended the conference and had a great time at the weaving workshop. sorry I don't remember which class Dianna and Pat took.

Pat did also take a bracelet class but that didn't turn out so great only due to lighting and because she was a bad girl (not really!) and was put in the corner which complicated learning/seeing/doing that much more! But Pat does have the instructions so I'm sure we'll see the finished product at a future meeting!

We all know that Pat K. is an angel (you need to read further down on why I know this a fact!)...and she was also an 'angel' at the weaver's conference and was given these really nice note cards with woven fabric insert on each for helping out in one of the workshops.

You have to see these in person to really appreciate the woven inserts. Click on the picture to get a closeup.

This was Pat's name tag. I'm still impressed someone made all of these name tags. I think Jan said there were over 100 made! And she thought by one lady! Whew!

These are some really cool earrings Pat bought at the conference.

This is some silk/alpaca yarn Pat purchased. Really nice. I could see knitting a few hundred lace scarves with it! At least I think there's enough yarn for them!

Pat McL. brought us goodies and the blueberry/orange bread was delicious! I didn't stay for lunch so i don't know how good the cookies were but they sure looked good!

Pat has been busy making place mat's and a table runner. These are the colors and different patterns she ended up doing.

I believe the one of the far right is the table runner. They are really cool together! Quite nice and I love all the different patterns.

Our Theo had busy hands giving away some books (which I did take one! Thank you, Theo) and other items. When she was finished with her handouts, her hands were busy making gloves!

Theo just got back from France (if I remember correctly) and is now off for 3 weeks to India! Is this a busy lady or what!! Have a great time, Theo!!

So now to talk about my 'angel' Pat K.! During our meeting, Pat mentioned that she saw some wood blocks for printing at an antique shop in Dunnellon. Well, I could barely contain myself and sit through the meeting! but I did..I just didn't stay for lunch and had to head out to see these wood print blocks.

I wasn't sure where I was going and I did call once to say "am I going in the right direction", which I was. Turns out I knew exactly where the store was at! Carol and I have gone to this store and the other antique shops in the downtown area just about every year! But not this year!

I was also lucky enough to spend about an hour walking around the rest of the town and looking at all the sidewalk vendors. What fun! Too bad I didn't have one of my gal pals with me but I enjoyed myself.

For those who might want to go, here's address.
And here is where I found the wood blocks!
I bought two of them. One a fish block...
And a butterfly!

Aren't these great! I was going to stamp with them today but don't think I'll have enough time. Now you know why Pat K. is my angel! If she wouldn't have thought of me when she saw these & remembered to tell me about them I'd go home without these prize possessions!! THANKS, Pat!!

Bob should be home from golfing early and we have things to do, places to go and people to see! OK, not all that but an enjoyable day to look forward together. He golfed early (8:15 a.m.) so he'll be home early. So I'll hold off on my art work until tomorrow.

Anyway, see what you ladies miss when you don't attend a meeting! FOOD, FUN and FRIENDSHIP! Again, Happy Easter to my family and friends!

Another weekend

A busy weekend as usual. Sat. was weaver's meeting, Sunday was running with Carol to Michael's, JoAnne's and THEN to the library where I got Under the Dome on CD! Now I can listen when I take my walk, sew or clean! Then, if I have time and just want to read, I go to the chapter where I left off while listening. Works great!! I think I'll be able to get this book finished before we leave! I did finish the outline beading on my kite BJP! Now on to make the string and kite tail!
I made these peyote triangles that I'm going to use for my kite tail! At least that's my plan! I'm also working on making a peyote tube to hold the string for my kite!

Our weaver's meeting on Saturday was so much fun! My friend, Susan, brought her stain glass applique she's working on. She's getting close to the end then just needs to hand quilt it! Just! I can't show pix until she's entered it in a show! The items I brought are on my blog already so I'm not including here.

Onto some of our show and tell from others. This is a flag Mary made for the conference the end of this month. Isn't it a fun piece! Plus, you have to look for the 'word' or initials she included in the piece. FTWG (Florida Tropical Weavers Guild). Mary is so clever and a fun lady.

Betty showed this cool purse she was given. We were all trying to decide how to make one! It slips over your shoulder and across your chest. One of those really comfortable purses to carry all those goodies from the shows we attend or other shopping we do.

Betty showed a heart bead she made. I think this was a technique one year at our meeting but I must have been in Michigan or I would have made them for sure.

Betty's better half gave her this very cool necklace with the little charms in it. She has some more charms coming..they are so tiny! The first pix I took was too dark and this one the flash makes it hard to see the cute charms. There was a heart, ying/yang, a dog and I forget what else. Very nice present!

Our own Queen of Purple was busy weaving some towels with matching dish cloths. The dish cloths were made with the same yarn as the matching towel! Interesting! Jan also brought a really cool bead she made but I can't find the bugger! I was moving pix and now it's gone! When/if I find it I'll post it. It was really cool too.

This was our project for the day! A woven pouch. Betty was so nice to make us all kits. We had a great time weaving our little hearts out. I should have mine finished tonight and I'll post my picture then.

The 1st video shows how to take the woven pouch off the board. Thanks again Betty!!! The 2nd video should be first! I'm not able to move the video's around now in blogger. Betty shows how to put the tie in the pouch! Again, THANKS so much for an interesting day, Betty! So nice of you to prepare our kits to make the pouch. And to all the other ladies, thanks for a great afternoon of friendship!

More Weavers Works!

Ladies enjoying some time before our meeting started. Theo (on the left) was kind enough to have us at her house this month.

Show & Tell started with Betty showing some of her weaving from the past few months.
These towels were from a weavers exchange. Each person made three and you got three in return.

Some more weaving Betty did. check out the sail boats! If I remember correctly, she had some trees on another side.
Yep..I was right...here are the trees!
and some woven trees on Christmas cards Betty made this year.
another unique woven piece
these were so soft and just beautiful!
and more....yes, Betty was busy!
I want some of these!
Caryl brought a doll making book she purchased to show the group.
Caryl is really getting into making dolls and doing a great job. check out one of her latest creations! Her skirt is made with the chalk/milk soaked fabric we did last winter.
I love her hair and the little flower! And her smile is so sweet!

Dianna makes board games! All with recycled materials! They are really sturdy too!! Very clever and nice job for recycling!

This was a fiber post card one of the members received. It has a slot for a note too. Very clever.

Theo enjoyed our 'zentangle' lesson last month and went to town making cards! I think she made at least 10-15 cards! some were even colored in with gold ink. Check out a close up of some of Theo's cards further down on my post.
some weaving Theo did this past month or two!
i just love seeing all the woven items these women make!
The colors are great and some were made with sock yarn! Who knew!
Here's a closeup of Theo's zentangles! Aren't they great!!! You are good student, Theo!
These are some of Theo's cards she has made in the past! She's quite clever and nice too!
My buddy, Susan, showed her stained glass piece she's working on. I won't post anymore pics of it since she'll be entering is some of the larger IQA or AQA shows. I can't wait to post a picture of it with a blue ribbon!!!

I love seeing what everyone does at these meetings. They are all so talented and it's certainly inspirational seeing what they do month to month!

I had my peyote bead class today and it was GREAT! I'll post pics by the weekend. Tomorrow Susan, Verna and I are off to Trenton to a quilt shop, lunch, walk the town and maybe have some dessert!