Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Did I mention bloggers are the BEST!!

I have been pondering for the past couple of days on a blog post. So many things about this country are getting on my last nerve, and I feel them spilling over in my brain, but I am really trying to stop having crazy rants on my blog, so I have just not posted anything, if you can't say something nice, blah blah blah.....  but today I got manna from heaven, blog material!Last month I got several nice surprises in the mail from bloggers. It is always fun to get unexpected mail, and even better when there is treasure inside. I am still glowing from those packages and then today another one came!

 Hollis Engley, you are the BEST! Many of you know Hollis and Hatchville Pottery, and probably know that we stayed with Hollis and Dee on our trip home from Maine a couple of years ago. We barely knew them, but they kindly invited us to come for a visit and we took them up on it. Hollis has a beautiful gallery on Cape Cod and has a pretty nice life up there, yes he does! a little cold right now, maybe...

 Today, after a very cold and shivering day in my own studio, I came in to a package waiting for me. Hollis sent me his mother's weaving materials, I know, are you gasping?! did your eyes open wide, mouth drop open?! Me too!
I am beyond excited to have these beautiful tools, I am a tool- alholic, especially if they are beautiful and useful, and these are both. I only have one shuttle, and now I have many many. And they are so special, because someone's mother used these to weave, Hollis' mom. There she is in the photo he included with a note explaining that she started weaving in her 50's, ME TOO! Also included was a bowl to add to my growing collection of Hatchville Pottery. I have bowls on the brain right now, so this is a great inspiration to make some good ones. Except now, I only want to weave.......
Hollis, thank you so much for your kindness, and I have a little something here that I might just send as a big thanks for this very special package. Just know that I will use every one of these items with love and will treasure them, just as I am sure your mom did!!!
xoxo
One last note, Happy Birthday Tyler, he is twelve years old today and this patch of sun by the back door is his spot in the afternoons to warm those tired old bones. I delivered Tyler 12 years ago today, his mom had already pushed out 8 puppies and she just couldn't get her strength back to get this last one out, he had just started to exit and she gave up, so I had to pull him out. I had no idea what I was doing, I had never seen an animal birth before, but I had given birth, so I sort of got the idea, haha!

If that patch of sun had been by the door today, I think I might have laid down there myself. It was a cold and rainy day, again! more psycho weather. We really need some spring time don't we? Much like when we are bitching in August that we need some cool weather. Never satisfied........
Hope all of you are dry and warm and making beautiful art or if you aren't an artist, go buy some!
Thanks again Hollis, much appreciated, you made my day!!!

15 comments:

Dennis Allen said...

What a wonderful gift for you and for Hollis too.I'm sure he is very happy to have a talented friend using his mother's tools. Tools are made to be used and don't like to sit around idle.

Unknown said...

Great post Tracey and beautiful objects/tools. Tools need to do what they were made for and it's so great you get to take them forward. Now go weave some magic!

June Perry said...

Those are beautiful - such a lovely, generous gift and I know you will treasure them. Can't wait to see more of your weaving. My mom took up weaving for a few years when she retired, and only stopped after it became too difficult. But I was the only person I knew for a while, who had hand woven dish towels!

Hollis Engley said...

You're welcome, Tracey. I know you'll put all that stuff to good use.

Gloria Freshley Art and Design said...

An awesome gift, indeed. Cheers!

Trish said...

Jaw dropping, I did!..what a wonderful treasure gift..weave away, weave away those cold weather blues...T.

Vicki said...

Yep, my mouth did drop. Beautifully crafted tools themselves that create beautiful craftsmanship.
What a joy it'll be for you to use those much-loved items. From one artist's hands delivered into another artist's hands - the way they should be. Handed on/down to those who'll love and care for them.

And happy birthday to your gorgeous boy Tyler :)

Anna M. Branner said...

Bonanza! That is a fantastic package. It's fun to hear how many people out there know or are related to a weaver. (More then people think!) Happy Birthday Tyler! Welcome to Layla's 12 year old club. :)

Lori Buff said...

Those are truly beautiful. What a special gift. I don't know about you but when I use something like that I feel a connection with the previous owner and a sense of history. Do you do that?

Michèle Hastings said...

wow... that is an amazing gift.

and a happy birthday to Tyler! I often miss having a dog, they are such faithful friends and good companions. I am over the top in love with my cat but I know she isn't over the top in love with me!

Laura Farrow said...

what a meaningful and supportive gift to receive!! so sweet, Hollis.

cookingwithgas said...

what a thoughtful gift.
Giving someone something that they will love is priceless.

Susan Wells said...

Wow Hollis! You sure know how to get the water works going! Thanks Tracey for sharing the pictures. So beautiful. Friends! tools!

Sandy Miller said...

Love, love, love the beautiful tools worn smooth by hands moving over a loom! But even more beautiful .... To my eyes, you dog laying in the sunshine spot. (and the story!)

Life is sweet :)

Tracey Broome said...

Hi all, thank you so much for the comments and the birthday wishes for Tyler :) I was a slacker yesterday and spent the day with Gerry so I am just getting around to reading everyone's remarks. Some days its so hard to respond to everyone!! But I do love your comments and read them all xoxo