The Tail End

One warp comes to a happy end (as evidenced by all the tail wagging)

and the next one has begun.

That's an all white warp, 146 ends in a variety of textures, thicknesses and sheen. The warp is 6 metres long and destined to become an article of clothing.

You'd think all that white would be boring to weave, but it's anything but!

I'm finding the draw of this warp to be almost a compulsion. I'm in there weaving in every spare moment.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I finished weaving the red yardage and had a rare urge to do some crocheting.

Trixie received a Valentine's Day dress from my efforts. 

I used a pattern for a real baby dress as a jumping off point, but heavily modified it to have separate, contrasting ruffles and a channel for a pretty ribbon. Of course I also miniaturized the pattern by using size 30 thread and a 1.25mm hook. I then added a teeny, tiny crocheted heart. 

Flame never received any new clothing but he still worked hard to make a Valentine for you.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

A Surprise Ending

That there is another "warp as weft" cowl/scarf is no big surprise,

I enjoy weaving them and they are a good use for little bits of this and that in the yarn stash.

But when I wound the warp for this cowl I intended to weave a hat from the same warp. That is not how this warp ended. Although this warp made a pretty cowl with a light, spring like look, it just didn't seem right for the intended hat. I also had more than enough for just a hat.

When I cut the remaining length into three pieces and sewed them side by side they made a piece exactly the right size and shape to become upholstery fabric for my loom bench.

I backed the handwoven fabric with heavy fusible interfacing and padded the seat with 1" foam layered with a little extra in the middle.

It makes a super comfy and very inviting place to weave. 

The Aftermath

Ventured forth today to walk the dog and survey the storm damage around my neighbourhood.

Shocking how many trees sustained heavy damage.

The crews that attend to Townsend Park will be busy once the ice crusted snow clears a bit.

Some of the trees there will need heavy pruning or complete removal.

There isn't much left of the tree in the above picture!

But for now I don't think too many people will be walking the non-existent paths through the park. To step off the beaten track is to invite shin skinning! About 70 pounds (the dog's weight) seems to be about the limit before breaking through the very hard ice crusting the deep snow. 

My shins can tell you that one or two steps is more than far enough!

It's not just the parks of course. All around the neighbourhood there are downed trees and fallen branches.

 

Looks like some narrowly missed vehicles. 

Ice falling from overhead lines and branches must have been dangerous! Luckily now it's just crunchy shrapnel underfoot.

Ice Storm of 2017

I'm sure this will be a day that Chilliwack residents remember for a long, long time.

The ICE Storm of 2017!

As if the incredible amount of snow we've had this winter weren't enough!

We were expecting more snow last night, but instead we got freezing rain. MUCH more dangerous.

All day long I've been listening to the loud cracks and bangs of branches breaking and huge limbs, or entire trees, coming down in the neighbourhood. 

Looks like we are going to lose two trees and two entire rows of Pyramid Cedars ourselves. We've even had sections of a neighbour's trees fall into our yard.

My poor dogwood tree looks sadder by the hour. I don't think it will survive.

Everywhere we look

our world is covered in ice!