Sunshine / Sunburst Fabric

Whatever I name the fabric it's finished and I really enjoyed weaving it. Since I did as Lynn suggested and warped my inkle, I don't feel the project grief, I'm loving it and the weaving mojo is at it's peak. Mr. Deepend said he will finish my warping board this weekend and I'm going to try to warp for the Structo. I have to do some calculations and consult my book on how to get this done, but it's an adventure I'm looking forward to.

This is the 3x1 pick up I did for the first two sets of beads, the last was a 1x1 pick up. I cut a length of yarn strung the first set of beads, did the pickup in the down position and scooted the beads in place. I took some finagling but I got them in place (this is not a quick throw of a shuttle and some patience is required), shot 4 weft picks and strung on the next set of beads. I repeated the process until I had three rows of beading and run out of patience, This portion of the fabric will be incorporated into a summer tote for this year, I am looking forward to putting that together.

The three sections of beads under tension.

The finished piece is 14" x 10' before washing and drying. I plan to wash in it in the delicate cycle and hang dry. I 've started to worry about the wooden beads in the wash but canl hand wash it, I have to see what I'm comfortable with.

There's a long stretch of plain weave, textured weave, the beading weaving ending with plain weave again. This is the final pic showing all the textures and beading together for comparison. All in all I really enjoyed this project, I surprised by the textured portions prior to washing and like that the beads settled into place off loom and off tension.

Project Journal Notes

Yarn - Handspun Cotton -Oregon from Yarntopia I know I had 8 hanks but can't find yardage.

Pisgah Yarn - Peaches and Creme 4 ply - Red -1 ball, White - 1 ball and Orange - 2 balls

7.5dpi Heddle

2x1 =texture 1

3x2 = texture 2

3x1 = beads slots

1x1 = beads slots

Beads Wooden from Joann's Fabrics

14" x 10' before wash.

Albondigas (Meatballs)

Albondigas (al-bun-dee-gus) Meatballs
Traditionally these are served inside of Cuban Bread or on top of rice, the sauce is the traditional tomato sauce as I did for the picadillo dish, but my family doesn’t really like them in that sauce and I wanted to incorporate the meatball recipe into a pasta dish. So I removed a few items, added some and came up with the sauce to compliment the flavors of the meatballs the only switches to the traditional meatball are the basil leaves, ground basil and oregano. The original is garlic powder, onion powder, ground bay leaves the rest would be exactly the same. Either choice of ingredients and you come up with a great dish.

The Meatballs:
1 ½ pounds of lean ground beef (turkey or chicken can be substituted)
1 tablespoon each of ground basil, parsley and oregano
3 cloves of garlic minced
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon of ground Cumin
½ teaspoon ground pepper
2 tablespoons all purpose flour

10 fresh Basil leaves chopped
1 egg
7 kalamata olives minced

Take the ground beef and add all the dry ingredients except for the flour and mix. Add the egg, basil leaves and olives ( take these and put them in my mini chop and beat them ) mix again, and then sprinkle the flour on and lightly mix so that all the mixture is incorporated. The mixture will be soft and the meatballs a bit sticky but they will be juicy and taste great. Most meatball recipes add breadcrumbs, my grandma never did so I don't, I have tried it and found that they get hard and dry with it so that's the reason for the flour. Form meatball about 1 1/4” diameter (I eyeball them so that you could fit a whole one in your mouth, I guess appetizer size)
In a large skillet pour some olive oil and brown the meatballs on all sides carefully handling them, after they're brown drain them and start the sauce.

The Sauce:
1 small green pepper chopped
1 small red pepper chopped
1 small yellow pepper chopped
1 small onion chopped

4 cloves of garlic minced
1 12oz can of Chopped Tomatoes (I had the basil and oregano flavored can so I used that)
1 tablespoon each of ground basil, parsley and oregano
1 16oz can of Hunt’s Traditional Spaghetti Sauce
1 16oz jar of your favorite pasta sauce, I used Barilla Roasted Peppers
½ teaspoon of sugar
1 cup of white wine (I drink Riesling so that’s what I used)
2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
Grated Parmesan Cheese and Mozzarella to taste
In a deep pan sauté the peppers, garlic and onion in the olive oil once they are soft add the can of tomatoes, once incorporated add the two sauces sugar and wine. Let it simmer for about 10 mins. Then gently add the meatballs and push them into the sauce once they're all in there, let it all simmer on the stove for 40 mins carefully stirring them a few times.

Make pasta according to the box instructions, drain and plate, scoop some of the sauce and meatballs on top, add the cheeses and enjoy - your tummy will thank you for the effort.

Wood Pile

Can you tell what these are for??

One trip to Home Depot and I got the making of a small warping board. I'm in the process of sanding all the pieces so that I don't have any rough spots. I hope Mr. Deepend can put it together on Saturday, so I can warp on Sunday for my Structo. I'm really excited about the whole thing because I've never warped on a board before nor dressed a loom with that type of warp. I've been reading Learning to Weave, and I think I have the idea how it's done. I know this will be really different than what I do to warp my RH. ** happy dance**

On another total different subject, my garlic bulbs aren't they great. I got some garlic that sprouted and put it in water, can you believe that this is only after a week and a half?? I planted them this weekend in containers and hopefully will have a good crop of garlic soon. I've never grown garlic before but I've read up on some info and hopefully it won't be too difficult or disappointing.

Pick up Sticks

I'm reaching the end of the warp and started playing around with some hand manipulated weaving. I have Betty Davenport's Textures and Patterns the old copy and the new one, this is 3x1 window pane I can't remember which page but it's from the newer book. You pick up 1 warp thread and skip 3 down the length of the loom in the down position (heddle) where all the slot warp is exposed and able to move freely. I don't have proper pickup sticks but I do have shuttle sticks and long painter sticks that you stir paint with. Both work adequately for the purpose of picking up warp threads, I only make this point because I've been asked where can I get this gadget and that, but sometimes you can improvise, see if it's something you really need before you spend the $$ for it. I don't use the pick up sticks IMHO enough to purchase a few , especially since I can make due with what I have.

I'm enjoying the weaving and have done a long stretch with this weave structure, once off the loom I would like to wash and dry this portion to see how it looks. Under the tension on the loom you really can't tell what the structure is when you look at it straight on, but on the side view you can see the structure's bumps and valleys.

And then just because I couldn't stop myself I decided to start on a 2 x 2 pick up and see where that would go. I haven't woven it yet but will tonight and then have a comparison pic just for fun.

Finished Sampling

I've finished sampling on the Structo, I think I have the hang of what I can do with this little toy (as Mr. Deepend has name it). I would like to come up with a project for it, but given the small width, I'm having some debate on what I should do. The finished sample I cut off is 7.25" wide, but I haven't washed it yet, I figure since it's cotton it will shrink down to 7". So then what to do with 7" width?? It's a challenging width and I have tossed about some ideas to do coasters (mug rugs) but 7" is rather large for those, I think 4.5" x 4.5" is a good size to warp on for a finish of 4.25"x 4.25" or 4" x 4". I've also thought of lining the backs with cork so that they don't slide around and the condensation doesn't seep through. I think I would like to do them in a Bird's Eye Diamond pattern, I'm going shopping this weekend so I will see if I find some colors that I like in cotton.

I've been weaving my sunburst colored fabric and warped my inkle loom for some straps or trim, not sure just yet, but it was fun to get it going.

Thoughtful Thursday

So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains And we never even know we have the key.

Lyrics from Already Gone, performed by the Eagles for their 1974 On the Border album

Blue Ridge Mountains, VA.

WHINING GAVE WAY TO WARPING

I'd like to say thanks those of you with the great suggestions and for being a sounding board, I appreciate it. Lynn, I'm taking your advice, I'm warping the inkle so when I'm done weaving fabric that's the next loom, then I'll warp the RH and that will be the next project. If I keep that up then I will have a project on the go with no lapse or down-confused time for whining.

This is my new warp for the RH, I'm going to weave fabric, with the intentions of making another tissue cover and maybe a summer bag, and my inkle for some straps with this same yarn. It should be fun to try and weave on it with 4 ply yarn. Easy tabby, simple and colorful, I want to play with some hand manipulated weaves towards the end.

And because I now know how - a close up.

I don't know why blogger uploaded this one sideways, but more practice on the Structo. I love this one and also enjoy the concentration I have to put into weave on it. I've also learned that I don't need to beat hard, a light tap and the weft is in place. After this sample I want to re-threadle the yarn and weave some other pattern getting some mug rugs done. Has anyone put cork backing on rug mugs? I'd like any opinions on trying that out.

Confessions and a little whine.

I haz a nekkid loom, actually I have three eeeeekkkkkk..... My poor neglected inkle, the Tri-loom and my RH. Why, I don't know, I've not been inspired to start warping. I have a ton of ideas of things I want to make and no inspiration to warp. Why does this happen, I finish one and can't seem to start another? (yes I've discussed this before and can't break the cycle, need to just vent).



I hate lists always have hated them but I think I'm going to breakdown and make a list so that I can get my tukus to work and my creative mojo moving.



Tri loom
Ruana, with the damn chenille that doesn't work on any other loom, good use for that there.
I have my book that I need to peruse and come up with some technique to try.





RH


Kleenex covers - Mom day gifts
Table runners - gift
Place mats
Throw Pillows
Tote bags
Rag Place mat or rug - rip jean strips
Wall Hanging - tapestry -still researching this concept



Inkle
Straps for tote bag
Want to try some hand manipulated weaving researching this method
Want to try thicker warp

Painting
Need to paint a new mural in bedroom.
Door series

And just because no post should go with out a pic, I guess I'll have some cheese to go with my WHINE!! LOL..

Thoughtful Thursday

1 Corinthians 13:4 -8
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.


Happy Valentine's Day!

Camarones Enchilados

Camarones Enchilados (Ca-ma-rone-es En-chee-la-dos)
Shrimp Creole

1 bag of uncooked Shrimp
1 small green pepper chopped
1 small onion chopped
3 cloves of garlic minced
2 bay leaves
1 8oz can of tomato sauce
½ teaspoon of sugar
1 cup of white wine (I drink Riesling so that’s what I used)
½ teaspoon of Kosher Salt
1 packet of Sazon Goya with Culantro and Achiote ( I don't have a substitute for this it's sort of a paprika mix with culantro and achiote)

1 lime
2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

Hot sauce to taste

Peel shrimp and divine, if you can get them peeled and divined then you’re ahead of the game.

In a sauté pan over medium heat pour olive oil, garlic, green peppers and onions sauté until the onions and green peppers are soft and the onions are almost translucent
Add paprika, tomato sauce, bay leaves, salt, pepper and sugar and wine.
Simmer and reduce the heat.

Make the rice; once the rice is ready you can add the shrimp to the saute pan, it really doesn’t take long to cook shrimp and if they get over cooked they are tough and chewy.

Let them cook until they just turned pink, turn off heat and cover let them cook for about 5 more minutes. Squeeze the lime over the shrimp mixture before serving.

Log Cabin Scarf

I finished up the log cabin scarf, there are two mistakes in it. One was on the treadling, I had (2) too many brown ends between the shift of color and I didn't follow the lift plan as closely as I thought I did. Once I discovered my mistakes I was too far in to correct it all and didn't have enough extra warp to cut and redo. I just kept going until I finished. I understand what I did wrong and am planning a new warp for a table runner to do another log cabin.

I've also been playing around with my Structo, I've downloaded some drafts from handweaving.net and am working on
No. 5. Herring Bone.: J. and R. Bronson. I'm still working with the cotton warp that came with the loom and a darker beige cotton I had. It looks good and I'm learning to follow the lift plan as I go along. I also checked out of the library "Learning to Weave" by Deborah Chandler. There is a ton of info there that is great for new weavers, especially as I come from RH weaving, which I'm finding is totally different to weaving on the 4 shaft tiny loom. I'm learning and having fun with it and that's what's important.

GARBANZO'S FRITOS (GAR-BAN-ZOES FREE-TOES)

Fried Chickpeas is the literal translation of Garbanzo Fritos.



This is a Spanish appetizer that you could order at any Tapas bar, but of course with the Spaniard's colonizing Cuba, the Caribbean influence and spices made it's way into the dish. I've had this dish in Tapas bars and the taste is really different than what it's hybrid Cuban version is, for one they don't add any meat, we Cubans always add some kind of pork product to beans it's just a rule at least it was in my grandma's kitchen. If it didn't get fried in pork fat, there was pork in the meal somewhere hidden or visible but it was there.

1 onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

3 tablespoon olive oil

1 green pepper, chopped

1 red pepper, chopped, if you don't have red pepper, substitute with 1 small jar of roasted red peppers sliced

1/4 pound ham, diced

1/4 pound chorizo, diced

1 (5-ounce) can tomatoes sauce

1/4 cup dry white wine

2 15 ounce cans of Chickpeas - garbanzo beans

1/2 tablespoon of Badia Complete Seasoning if you have it if not then 1/4 teaspoon each of cumin, garlic salt, onion powder, oregano .

In a large skillet saute the peppers, onions and garlic in the olive oil until soft.

Add the meats and and spices saute them until for 5 mins.

Add the tomato sauce, wine, and chickpeas turn the heat to low and let it simmer for 20 mins or the time it takes to make rice. You could eat this on it's own and that is how it's serve in tapas bars, but we always make rice to go with it.

Serve over rice and enjoy! (I think this can be a Rachel Ray 30 min meal, I wonder if she's interested in the recipe? hum.. Ooooo... maybe a guest spot, nah I love the girl but the constant talking would make me crazy I'm a quiet cook, concentrated and quick but definitely quiet LOL).

Thoughtful Thursday

I received this email last week and thought I would share it with you!

I Am a 'Kept ' Woman You see, there were a few times when I thought I would lose my mind, But GOD kept me sane. (Isa. 26:3)

There were times when I thought I could go no longer, But the LORD kept me moving. (Gen 28:15)

At times, I've wanted to lash out at those whom I felt had done me wrong, But the LORD kept my mouth shut.. (Psa. 13)

Sometimes, I think the money just isn't enough, But GOD has helped me to keep the lights on, the water on, the car paid, the house paid, etc.., (Matt. 6:25 -34)

When I thought I would fall, HE kept me up. When I thought I was weak, HE kept me strong!

(I Pet. 5:7, Matt. 11:28-30)

I could go on and on and on, but I'm sure you hear me! I'm blessed to be 'kept ' Do you know a 'kept ' woman? If so pass it on to her to let her know she is 'kept ' I'm ‘kept’ by the Love and Grace of God Have a Blessed Week !