Scarf a Day, or week, or month...

So My weaver friend Janet at  scarfaday.blogspot.com politely challenged us crazy fibre types to weave a scarf a day... now, to be fair I enjoy a good challenge, but I know my body can't take that much weaving. so, I have joined in at a scarf a week. 
It will be a challenge for me to get that done since I spend my days making pots. But as a further challenge to myself I will attempt to meet this challenge without purchasing any new yarn. It will be the ultimate stash buster, methinks!
The scarf pictured here will be my first, and there is one more on this warp. I will then move on to make warps of four scarf lengths each. That way I only have to warp once a month. Lets see if I can make it happen...

Monkeying Around

For those of you who are familiar with my kids, you will know that they have a minor obsession with monkeys. Over the years this obsession has taken many forms, there have been monkey pajamas, monkey paintings, monkeys in a barrel, random monkey impersonations-even a breakaway pop hit written and performed by my children and the kids at One Thread Two Thread, entitled, "dancing with the monkeys" All has been quiet on the monkey front recently. I was thinking maybe thay were outgrowing the monkey obsession, when suddenly over dinner one night India said "Do you know what's really cool?"
"No" I replied, "what's really cool?" (this is a frequent conversation, and the cool thing is ever changing)
"Sock Monkeys"
"Sock Monkeys?" I query.
"Sock Monkeys" she said again
It is true, I cannot deny that sock monkeys are cool.
"You should make me one" she says
"you should make yourself one" I say.

That conversation took place before Christmas, we bought a five pack of socks while out shopping and I never heard a word about the sock monkeys again until a couple of days ago when Miss India asked me to source out the instructions for said monkeys. Last night My monkey started her sock monkey production. I have to say this kid worked diligently on her project and nearly finished him before bed last night. I have no doubt she will get the finishing touches done before dinner tonight.

She is doing a great job with it, and plans to make many more.This first sock monkey is to be called Cecil, and he is a gift for a friend.

Gettin er Done

This past year and a half has been full of change. Moving to Cape Breton, setting up my Pottery, and getting back into the teaching groove has certainly been a life altering set of events. It has been quite an adjustment! I have learned a lot about myself,some of it seemed to be a natural sort of realization and some of it really surprised me.
In the land of natural realizations, I have discovered a love of the country life. Sure, I miss walking down the street and grabbing a coffee with friends at a coffee shop, or going out for beers with the gang. But all in all, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. The quietness, the beauty and the solitude have done marvelous things for my spirit, and my work.This may surprise those who think they know me well. But I always suspected I was a country girl at heart. I love the sound of the chickens in the yard, I love looking above my bed through the skylight and seeing a blanket of stars. I love that I can walk to the end of the driveway and jump in the canoe. Life is good.
The surprising realizations come in that I can't believe how much I love teaching. Sure I always enjoyed giving workshops now and again, but last term I taught three full term courses and LOVED it. It was a bit tiring but all in all it was a great experience.
My introductory weaving class made some fantastic projects, I was really impressed. Two of my students were veteran knitters, some might even say they were HARDCORE!!!!! Two twenty somethings carrying knitting everywhere, they made some really cool stuff (and had stashes that were mouthwatering).
My other two classes were both pottery classes. I have to say, I enjoyed these most of all. I have more confidence with clay, more of a natural communication with it and I think this translates well into teaching. I am looking forward to the start of term tomorrow. I'll be dusting off my teaching hat and delving in to the pottery Studio at the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design at the crack of noon.
Unfortunately I have given up my weaving class. I was stretched a little thin last term, and it was the one thing to many on my plate. I am hoping however to get some weaving done at the centre this term. they have eight harnesses calling my name.....
ttfn Lizzie