This began in fall of 2025--actually, this began way before 2025--the spinning of the fibers takes many moons--

warping the loom with hand spun natural colored cottons--MY Hand Spun--

This was the second batch of hand spun towels to be warped on the loom.

It takes awhile to spin all the fiber needed for six yards of warp!

And there is the weft that needs to be spun as well

                                             

Warp has been measured on the warping board, brought carefully to the reed

Tied onto the existing warp threads from previous towels warp--

through the reed dents and haness heddles, tied on and ready to weave--

WEave away for weeks, months and until 

you have reached the end of the warp!!

Drum roll please!!

The greatest sign of relief and happiness!

woven warp has been pulled off the loom

it seems like miles and miles of cloth

but such a great reward has been achieved!

warp ends--such lovely fibers!  there should be something excellent happen to these thrums!

stached this way--pretty good selvages, if I say so myself

Oh My!  I'm doing the happy dance!

the next task--measure, cut, hand stitch the hems, add labels and little heart charms to let the receipent know--this was done by  Love!

In the mean time, spinning continues on those cotton fibers--we'll need more warp to place on the loom!

 

Giving In!

I declare!  What am I doing?  Time to analyze my thinking process--

First, let's brew some cold fruit tea--I love this little pitcher that daughter gifted me--It's so dainty and makes the best decaf tea.  It comes from a company that makes Tea Forte.  The tea bags fit in the top of the smaller pitcher, pull in hot water, fill the bottom pitcher with ice and wait---just 5 minutes!  Then pour the tea over the ice--perfect!  Refreshing!

Now, that thirst has been quenched--the thinking can begin.  At the beginning of 2026, I made myself a promise--I WOULD NOT begin any new quilt block patterns.  Not necessary a resolution but a way to target and finish other quilt blocks ready to be assembled.  It was a GOAL!  I really need to finish those other tops!!

And Now here I sit, working out a way to get around the goal of finishing because I scroll through soooooo many new patterns!  First, I need to stay off social media; second, I shouldn't listen to my friends when they talk about new projects they are  beginning and third---I should just give up! and begin a new!!  Whose goal was it anyway??  Mine!  I can push it aside and work on other things--I haven't been at my sewing machine for months!!

Drum roll please.........................................new projects starting now!!

• Meadow Mist--a friend said to me "did you see the new mystery that is beginning this month?"  Well, that piqued my interest!    The finished top is hidden--BUT, you can get a sneak peek!  Okay--this will be fun to make!!
  
• A Quilting Life  blog has always had a BOM (Block of the Month) every year.  This year I skipped it--then my brain kicked in and said this one would make a great quilt of valor!!  I went back to print off all the blocks I've missed  since January 2026 and I'm ready to cut and sew.  
   Oh My what great blocks!!
  
  
•    Jolly Jabber            Here are the first wo weeks--looking super great!  a wonderful Christmas hanging.  
  
• And of course, I can't forget about lender--ender project from  Bonnie Hunter.  Every year she gives us the beginning of a quilt pattern we can sew all year along as we sew up our other projects.  
  So, I've been 'brain washed' "twist my arm"!  Off I go to paw through my stash!   

• 

  
  Can't find a prettier applique to make then "Pretty Kitty Princess"  Of course, I'm behind 8 blocks but these should be easy to play with and catch up quickly.

Fat Quarter Shoppe is sponsoring the Make A Wish charity Quilt pattern--make your donation and grab the first block of the quilt for 2026

 

   

 

 

Tour de Fleece Update!

Watching and pedaling with the Tour de France bikers is the delight of my day!

load my wheel with necessary bobbin, gather my spun yarns,

grab a cup of Joe and begin the process of  pulling ends from two different

bobbins to ply with the wheel!

and we're off.......

the scenery along the way is beautiful--oh, look at that 14th century built--church--unbelievable!  How was that done with just hand tools; no power equipment at all--it's amazing!

the Mountains are lovely; the people along the route cheering on the participants-- all the caravans parked nearby--

Here is my progress the first few days on the tour

Several more bobbins to ply

The reward is finished yarn to use on the handwoven towels on the loom.

Happy treadling!  

 

Spin Those Wheels!

 It's that time again!  TOUR de Fleece! kicked off July 4th.  What will you spin during the time of Tour de France--as fiber spinners, we use this time to encourage the TdF riders while we spin the perfect fiber.  

Here is my challenge for the tour--all these bobbins and cakes are singles! Singles of brown cotton that were spun last tour de fleece--best to let them rest and age!

Now, it is time to ply these lovely fibers

perfect time is NOW!

The purpose of the Tour de Fleece is to challenge yourself and have fun.

The concept is simple:

• Challenge Yourself.
• Spin.
• Have fun!

Dates

• Tour de Fleece (TdF): This year, the Tour de France starts on
  Saturday, July 04, 2026 and runs until Sunday, July 26, 2026.

• Tour de Fleece Femmes (TdFF): We will also spin along with the Tour’s women’s race, Tour de France Femmes. This year there will be a week between the two, with Femmes starting on Saturday, August 1, 2026 and runs until Sunday, August 9, 2026

Guidelines (NOT RULES):

Spin every day the Tour rides, if possible. Rest on the days they rest. Challenge yourself on their toughest days. Unexpected collapses, ambushes and twists of all kinds could be on the cards, so remember to have fun despite the unexpected!

• Spinning Days: TdF Saturday, July 04 through Sunday, July 26. TdFF Saturday, August 1 through Sunday, August 9.

• Rest Days: Monday, July 13 and Monday, July 20.

• Challenge Days: Spin something challenging on the challenge days (or pick your own Challenge Day to suit your needs and schedule). TdF: The first one is Stage 9, on Sunday, July 12. The second is Stage 15, on Sunday, July 19. TdFF: Stage 7, on Friday, August 7.

• Colored Jerseys: Wear yellow on Sunday, July 26 and/or Sunday, August 9 to announce victory. Why not wear yellow on any day you feel particularly successful?

Yellow is the color of the race leader in the Tour - but here we are all ‘race leaders’.
Green: sprinter - think FAST.
Polka-dot: climber - as in uphill.
White: rookie.

Join a group on Ravelry or spin alone   Let's turn those wheels!!