Thursday, July 25, 2013

Back to Basics


This week I got my loom back to work. I have all these pretty yarns that I need to do something with, so I stopped messing around with the rags and I went back to a basic weave with a cotton/linen yarn. I have found my new weaving yarn love! It doesn't tangle or buckle or ravel or get fussy with me. It's a dream to weave with. I decided I needed to quit experimenting for awhile and just get a basic technique down. I have been jumping all over the place with total lack of focus, which was fun for awhile, but ended up keeping me from even touching the loom because I had no direction.


I have also discovered that I think differently than most weavers. There's a surprise! Everyone keeps telling me to put more than one project on the loom to save time dressing it. Well,  I get antsy when there is still a whole bunch of undone on the loom. I'm ready to get the project off as soon as I start it. So I figured out that I can do one project at a time right now. I put on enough warp for one scarf, and I am happy with that. It was easy to get the warp on, and in a day, I have made a scarf, easy peasy! This scarf is not as baby blue as it looks, it's more of a gray blue and very soft and pretty. I'm thinking of sewing some antique buttons on that my mom gave me....
Practicing some consistent patterning while I'm at it, instead of random selection. I kinda like the repetitiveness of it.


I have also been rustying up some sheets a friend gave me and thinking of what they will become. I like this process so much....


And we started the process of moving Wesley into her new house this week. Her room is very tiny, but very cozy and I think she will be much happier living in a house with friends than living in the dorms. Just about three more weeks, and I will be here alone much of the time again. Gerry has already started back to shooting sports, ugh. can you believe he has football practices to shoot this month? Already?
and baseball. and basketball will be back soon. What a sports obsessed society we live in. Wouldn't it be nice if people were that obsessed with art? There was a good mention of that from Suzi (smartcat) this week. No truer words.....

So it's weaving for me for a bit, and clay is still waiting for me to get inspired..... it's coming..... soon....

Weigh in is tomorrow, I'll let you know!

17 comments:

Anna M. Branner said...

Believe me Tracey you are not the only weaver to think that way! I have an old weaver friend (she is 90 I think!) who LOVES warping. Once the warping is done, and she has woven about 2 inches and can see what she imagined in real life, all she wants to do is finish and move on to the next thing. :) She threads very short warps. I am so glad you are enjoying yourself!

Tracey Broome said...

Yep, that's me! I really like the whole warping process, except the MATH! Nice to know there are others thinking this way, haha!

Dennis Allen said...

Very nice texture on your scarf. It's hard for me to have my head in too many places at once so I'm glad the heating system changeover is pretty much under control.I'm finally able to at least get some firings done for a show I have in a couple of weeks.

Tracey Broome said...

Hey Dennis, thanks. Normally I can multi task like crazy, but lately I seem to have a one track mind!

Susan Wells said...

I have visions of people paying hundreds of dollars for the privilege of watching art being created. It's such a turn on you'd think the masses would go for it. Your scarf is beautiful.

Tracey Broome said...

Hey Susan, I know, right?! Thanks, the scarf is kinda nice....

cookingwithgas said...

To me this suits you so well.
I love that you are enjoying this art.
And tell Ms. Wesley - yeah! House will be good, I hope!

Amy said...

Tracey- so glad you're doing it the way that works best for you. What's wrong with breaks from clay? Nothing. Weaving sounds like a wonderful world. Good point- how our world would be different if there was less sports and more art. Less anxiety, for starters!

Tracey Broome said...

Hey M., yep, I am enjoying this weaving thing. I love the pace and the quietness of it. I hope the house will be good too, can't be any worse than the tiny dorm/ roommate situation, that's for sure!

June Perry said...

The scarf looks lovely Tracey. Love the colors in the basket too.

Tracey Broome said...

Thanks June!
As with pottery, I seem to be attracted to blue:-)

Lori Buff said...

I can see where having multiple projects on the loom would be a stressor but one project could also add some inspiration to the one next to it.

Tracey Broome said...

Lori, absolutely, that's the problem. When I put a lot of warp on so I can weave more than one project, I am already thinking of something lease I want to do, and can't wait to get the current project off the loom. Much like when you are throwing on the wheel and thinking of a new bowl while throwing a mug....

Michèle Hastings said...

Dorm life is not easy for many only children. My girl really hated sharing space with the masses... especially the bathroom.
I worried that I had spoiled her, but my sister-in-law put a better angle on it... she said that Danielle had been "well cared for", and that's not being spoiled.
Those kind words made me feel better.
I think your Wesley has been "well cared for" as well.
Best of luck to her on this new adventure in her school career.

Tracey Broome said...

Michele, very true. Wesley is spoiled in that she eats well, has a safe home and two parents that love her and watch out for her. But she is not spoiled in the brat way :-)
Dorm life was rough, especially first year, the house will be much better and she has some fantastic room mates.

cindy shake said...

Happy to see you working in fiber sister! Like with all the arts -it always should be personal and thats the beauty of it. Let your process and voice be your own and it will show. I've also had to let go of creating "within the rules!"

Vicki said...

Beautiful texture in your scarf, Tracey - it must feel so lovely.

I'm sure Wesley will thrive in her cosy space and make it her own. What wonderful memories she'll create!

I agree, it would be so great if we lived in a world where art was more appreciated :)