The sun seems to have disappeared today .... the rain is lashing down...so, this is a good opportunity to stay inside and write this blog.  I hope to start cutting out the weaving for the coat today!  It's a bit nerve racking, but hopefully it will work.  I'll let you know and show you what results!!   As you can see from the photos, I had a small person 'helping' me to spin the other day.  In the end I gave up and went off to my local Guild yesterday to spin in peace.  For anyone reading this who doesn't follow me on Facebook, I have great news!!!  (well, not really great, but a new experience for me).  Thanks to Jack, my computer whizz grandson, I am now on You Tube - and more videos are planned.  Simply go to You Tube and search for fibrefrenzi....and I should pop up!  Have a good week x

Here's a selection of this weeks photos which will hopefully convey the vibrancy of our summer.   The Coat came off the loom, as you can see.  I have measured up and have estimated how much more I need to weave for the sleeves.  Unfortunately, for some unknown reason, some of the best pictures haven't transferred themselves to my computer, so I am unable to put them on this blog.  But these should give you some idea of progress.  It has been a good week and I have been out and about (just come in from good pizza meal) and I have continued to be obsessed by spinning, dyeing and weaving. The days are just whizzing by.  Indeed the years are whizzing by.  Today my grandson has left junior school and goes into year 8 at secondary school in September.  It only seems 5 minutes since he was in nursery!!..Hey ho....that's why I value each day and use it to the full.  Hope you all have a good and peaceful week x By the way, the lady in bottom pic is a good friend of mine.  We had tea and cake this afternoon!!!

Here's a selection of photos taken during the past week.  As you can see, I continue my love affair with fibres and colour.  The Coat weaving is coming along. I try to pace myself otherwise I would finish it too quickly and I want to savour the process!!.. I have managed to do lots of dyeing and tomorrow I have a friend coming over who wants to learn to dye...so we should have a good day.  The summer is going quickly and next week we start the school holidays - so everything changes.  Different young people coming and going over the next few weeks.  Talking about going, it's only about 6 weeks till we go West.......my daughter is taking me, and two of the grandchildren on a Caribbean cruise!!  We've been talking about it for so long (my grandaughter has been sending updates re. months/weeks/days/hours/minutes/seconds for the past year!!)  So....I must get my act together and think what creative things I can take with me!

I think perhaps I should write my weekly blog on Mondays and not Sundays.....!! In other words, I forgot again yesterday....probably next week it will be moved on to Tuesday!!  Anyway, back to the blog:  I have had a really productive week.  It's certainly the knock on effect of the summer weather.  I always feel energised by the sun and of course I am making the most of being outside and dyeing - both fabric and fibre.  My spinning wheel has been going pretty constantly.  I have discovered that I can almost lie in the garden with eyes shut, and gently pedal away ... and hey presto!  Another ball of yarn! I am really pleased I am building up my stash for the winter...... must be turning into a squirrel!  I have also warped up the loom and am now on a roll weaving the second length towards The Coat.  I think I shall probably line it, so I have started to paint some silk that I found in my cupboard.  I think this should finish it off well but at this stage I've absolutely no idea whether or not I shall be able to make it!   I keep being asked if I could do some weaving workshops (I've only been doing it myself for 5 months!!!)  The trouble is, that to teach weaving it would be necessary to have another loom ....so .....I'm thinking......This afternoon two wonderful weaving hours in the garden .......  I have finally found my true passion

This afternoon I suddenly realised that I forgot to write my blog yesterday....I am trying to discipline myself to write it every Sunday.  A day late...sorry...but here goes.  I have had a full on week in all sorts of ways, but creatively I am on a roll.  I think this wonderful weather helps.  I finished my first length of coat weaving.  It is now washed and dried....I have yet to warp up the loom to start the next piece.  The weather has been too good for me to go inside and warp...I have been outside spinning and dyeing.  My wool stash is growing....more pics next time.  Yesterday we went to our local 6th form college to see their art display....the textile work was superb.  Also, a local artist, Mitzi Brown paints these amazing figurative paintings.  I just love her colours....all very inspiring!  This morning we cleared out our shed (have been going to do this since Christmas!!).  I feel so liberated now...and have found some amazing fleeces which I didn't realise I had.  So there should be plenty of raw materials to keep me going throughout the winter.....And of course, every day dog walking has been an absolute pleasure!

 I've had a very busy and enjoyable week....and have only just realised that another week has gone and it's time for another blog!  As you can see, I have started weaving The Coat.  Gosh - it's good to be back at the loom after a few days without any warp on...I'm also really enjoying the spinning as it's very relaxing and good for sitting in the garden!!  Yesterday a few of us from our local Guild demonstrated spinning in a local traditional craft day.  It's always interesting to note peoples remarks and comments.  Old and young always seem interested.....a great day to spend a day, and more yarn ready for the loom!  I also ran a creative design workshop  on Thursday which was fun.  When I got home I splashed around and sprayed on to some calico - and hey presto - I have now made an apron and cushion cover....more to follow....So, as ever, life continues at a pace and is never dull.  Summer is whizzing away too quickly.  Today is mid-summer day - but it feels as though summer has hardly started.  We could certainly do with some more hot sun!!  Have a good week x

I got the paints out.....and am experimenting before I lead a workshop next Thursday.  Tomorrow I shall get my plans finalised for this. I am hoping to free people up......a lot of stitchers (of course not all!) put so much effort into "getting it right" that they can easily lose spontaneity and creativity.  I have never been technically brilliant but I am happy to go for it and experiment.  At the end of the day, if something doesn't work well - it's only fabric!! I really do think that often the best results come from a happy accident!  During the week I have been enjoying the outdoor life, particularly gardens.  I met an old friend for coffee on Friday....she tried on The Jacket and has put in a definite order!!! (Hopefully before 2016!)  Meanwhile I have started on The Coat....I shall be interested to see how the colours work.  I am trying to push the boundaries and use a different palette, but knowing me, it will probably end up with my favourite hues!!