Setting Up The Weaving Studio

We have been so busy! 

First we needed to paint inside and outside and lay a new floor in the Garden Studio. 

Exterior wood preservative in forest green, interior white with a splash of red to give the place a zing and energy. We kept the shabby chic look of the roof and windows. I chose a grey Oak laminate flooring which will be easy to clean and reflects plenty of light.

It has been so good to be unpacking all my craft equipment and arranging the studio so as I can work on the looms. I have added large scatter rugs for warmth and comfort. Everything is so easy to move around, I can bring my table looms to the grey desk or my sewing machines to the centre of the room- just adjust the room for how I wish to work. 

Since this photo, I have bought myself a little kettle to have on the grey ladder shelving, great for a cuppa!

Also since this photo I found some extra shelves for this corner to store all my colourful cotton cones.

I'm sure you will see these things as I take more photos of weaving in progress.

I love that I can now

view and select all my yarns stored on my "Wall Of Wool" and that the warping frame is set up for use. 

The natural light in here is really good. I have two windows which look out over the garden and the woods and fields beyond. 

My new studio will be an inspiring place to weave and spin.  

 

A Little Different This Year...

A View of Quarr Abbey Bell Tower and Lovely old Tree Stump

Usually a this time of year I am telling you all about our  Exhibition and Christmas Craft Show at Quarr Abbey, but unfortunately the dates we were due to be at the Gallery coincide with England being in a 2nd Lockdown (due to Covid 19). 

The good news is we are hoping to be there for 2 weeks in January 2021, so all being well we look forward to welcoming you at the beginning of the  New Year and hope you will enjoy viewing and hopefully purchasing 😊 some of our lovely new stock we have been busy making.

Hand Woven Colourful Plant Pot Mats

At the end Of the Day in my Loom Room.

My loom room is only small but I love it! I have set up things in there so as I can pull out a loom and start weaving. The Rigid Heddle looms hang on the wall, the Saori loom folds, my sewing machine  slides out on its small table and the David 2 loom is positioned so as I can work at the back and front easily with the warping frame on the back wall and my "Stash" stock stored in boxes on a shelf that goes all around the room, arranged as one big colour wheel of inspiration.

After a particularly busy day in there I sat in my little sofa chair where I also knit and spin and took this photo before I turned out the lights, yes its messy but its good happy mess from a creative day and it makes me smile.

 

 

Mini Knitted Christmas Stockings

 

This year's version of my Mini Knitted Christmas Stockings.

My daughter-in-law is a teacher and every year I knit mini stockings for her to give to every pupil in her class. It has become a little tradition and as the youngsters move up through the school each one has a keepsake to hang on their tree for the festive season.

I enjoyed hand knitting these in a lovely mixture of yarns and colours with all the same matching white mohair top trim. 

I usually try and get some more knitted to sell at my exhibition At Quarr Abbey next month.

They make an ideal gift for a loved one, fill with sweets, chocolate. My customers often tell me they are just perfect to fill with some money for the teenagers in their family.

There will be some in my online shop soon.

I designed these mini knitted Christmas stockings many years ago for a magazine publication. 

"Making Gifts Magazine" which is no longer in print.

I will be adding the design instructions for you to purchase from my online shop shortly - download a PDF and start knitting up your very own!

~sitting knitting in an evening working on a small project is a relaxing mindfulness activity~