Moving to ??

Yes, its been a long time since I've posted anything but the reason is...finally I'm moving. I was sort of thinking I'd go ahead and move this Fall anyway. I wanted to find a place, settle in and get busy living again. Suddenly--along came a couple looking for a house with trees, water (pond) and all the other things my house has. YAAAY! It went fast. I remember the last time I walked down the road with Biscuit, I stopped and talked to a neighbor and told her "no, no one has bought my house yet" and now, here it is a couple weeks later and I'm moving!

So how can I move when I don't know where I'm going? Easy! Things are going in storage in Greenville (SC) until I find the perfect place. I'm looking at duplexes, so that I'll have a yard for me and the dog, close to town...I'm really tired of driving 30 minutes to get a gallon of milk. Close to parks and events and all the stuff one has close to them when they live in a city! I would like a kitchen with lots of cabinets, fairly new if not new...new stainless appliances, wood or laminate floors (hate carpeting, its just too much work to keep clean). 2-car garage so I have room to store stuff. 2 bedrooms so I'll have a working room as well as a bedroom. Most 2 bedrooms these days have 1 1/2 bath which would be nice. Decent size living room. A dining room isn't important if the kitchen has room but small DR would be ok. Ability to put my own touches in it would be good too, sometimes a new light feature or paint or something like that would make all the difference in your house vs their house.

So I'm not asking for a lot I think. I've lived in a lot of places in my married life, some good, some pretty crappy. This one hopefully will be the last place I live in so I want it to be right. Luckily I don't have a husband who always looks for "cheap" if you know what I mean. He was happy in a "cheap" motel, "make-do" house, etc. Not that this house is a "make-do" but this is his dream house, I didn't have a lot to do with the details and had to fight for what I got, the rest wasn't worth a divorce so I kept my mouth shut. Building a house together, I've heard can definitely lead to a divorce I know why. This time I get to do what I want. Yaaay!

Best-Best of it all, I'll have cable computer internet...WOW! You don't know what a treat that will be.

Pictures above show the work I did last week. I can't say I did it all alone though. Saturday a friend called me early in the morning and asked me how I was doing and did I need help. I BEGGED her to hurry over and over she came. She even brought lunch. We worked all day, finishing up the kitchen, dining room, and starting upstairs but by around 3:00 I was totally pooped, although she would have continued. We stopped and agreed to continue Sunday. So Sunday she came back and another friend came over with her husband, daughter and daughter's significant other. The guys went upstairs and hauled down all the heavy boxes for me. I gave the daughter my dining room table and a glider rocker I had that I was going to take to the dump simply because I didn't think it would survive a move and the table is a bit too big for what I have in mind. I had 2 of the gliders at one time and when one fell apart, beyond repair I took the cushions and put them on the porch chair outside. I loved that chair with the cushions and wanted the other chair's cushions for my new front porch (add front porch/and/or deck to my "want" list above). Their hard work made the rest of the day an easy one. We sort of finished up the loft and quit for the day. I had bought us a veggie Kashi pizza for dinner, we ate dinner among the boxes and yesterday was finished.

This week I'm going to clean up the house, vacuum and all the stuff one has to do when the furniture leaves. If it dries up outside I'll mow the lawn, if not I won't but it really needs to be done. Am going to go around and label the light switches for the new folks if I get time and leave them some notes about the yard. Other than that, I'm finished.

Friday the movers come, Saturday my son and grandaughter are flying in to help me finish up, Sunday we should be able to relax a bit and Monday we close on the house. After the closing, we hit the road. If we can get on the road fairly early we can make it to at least Kentucky before we have to crash. We'll go to Traverse City and then later I'll go over to Wisconsin. So that's it for now. I'll post again when I get time. Final picture shows a tired dog this morning, among the boxes. Lucky for him I left him some room on the bay window ledge which is his favorite spot anyway.

2nd Weaving Project

I decided to hurry up and warp the loom before I forgot everything I learned at R&M Yarns. Well, got out the warping board and put it together, got out my beginner book and figured out how much yardage I needed and how many ends. Got that all worked out but it ended up too short so I didn't add enough for waste (or whatever weavers call it). I honestly think I would have had enough if I hadn't tied on the back beam a bit too much yarn. I know, I know...the teacher told us to use as little as possible to tie on. Oh well, it went fairly fast really and I only made one mistake, twisting some yarn as I was putting it through the heddles. I was impressed with myself. Maybe I did retain more than I thought. Before the lesson, I totally messed up the yarns before I ever got it warped. I even managed to do the "Reed Substitution" because my yarn was 20 WPI and my reed is 12 dents per inch. So the book says to sley 0-1-1-1. Doggone, that worked although I wasn't so sure after I looked at it on the loom.

The weaving went fast really. In two days I had finished another table runner. There was one mistake I couldn't have known unless someone had mentioned it to me before hand, the yarn is a linen blend, really pretty stuff but it tends to fuzz a bit. I thought I'd be cute and do a twill pattern about an inch up from the header. It doesn't look like a twill, it looks more like a mistake. Then around the middle I decided to get cute again and that looks even more like a mistake. Oh well--live and learn.

Next, when I took the piece off the loom, I got out the beginners book again and learned how to do a hemstitch. I wasn't thinking straight, I was so excited to get this off the loom. Deborah Chandler says to read through the first part first and then do. Well, I read a little and jumped in (typical for me). If I had read farther, she says Linen doesn't make a very nice fringe. My thought was to take it off the loom and use the linen blend for my fringe rather than the plain old cotton. Well....I cut the cotton too close to the end of the work and if you're a weaver, you know what a mistake that was.

In the end, it didn't really matter, this was just the first practice piece without the teacher standing over me banging my hands with a ruler (wait---that was in school when I took typing). I luckily realized what I had done wrong before I cut the second end. I went ahead and made my fringe with the cotton and it looks great on the second side but the first side is a bit rough. Lesson learned!!!

Next I decided to see how machine embroidery and weaving do together. So I embroidered a design in the middle and on the 2 ends. Doggone--that looks great if I do say so myself.

Here's the pictures of what I've done.



I love how the embroidery turned out and since its my goal to combine all the fun things I do, machine embroidery and/or machine knitting along with weaving, I can see that its going to work just fine. Naturally I don't mean I want to do all 3 on everything, but its definitely do-able.

Weaving-new to me

On June 9th I went to Chattanooga, TN for a weaving lesson on the Schacht Wolf Pup. It was sponsored by R&M Yarns (www.rmyarns.com). I bought a Schacht Baby Wolf (next step up from the Pup) from a lady in Greer, SC, advertised on Craigs List. It was a 2-half day lesson, teaching beginners, how to figure your warp length, how to warp the loom and how to weave. Stuff I sure didn't know although I have woven on a rigid heddle loom it is the same in some ways and not the same in some ways. Here's a picture of the loom I was working on during the class after I had it warped and started weaving: And here's the finished table runner I made in class:
I was thrilled with the class, we really learned a lot and I was anxious to get my loom up and running. So when I came home, with a huge cone of cotton yarn I was all set to start. I knew I had some linen blend yarn at home so I was all set to make myself a linen table runner. I got out my notes, my book (Learn To Weave by Deborah Chandler) and gathered my tools. I suspect I made a huge mistake in the size, but that's ok, I'm learning. I also screwed up the warp but managed to fix that. I have a lot to learn but I learn best by my mistakes.

Here's the result of what I learned (so far)
My loom Room:
Almost done:


OK, you're saying, gee her work doesn't look all that even, is something wrong with the warp? Well, I hope not. What happened is, I don't have a 10 dent reed and so according to the book, you can make do with a 12 dent reed if you skip every 4th heddle. The author says it will even out in the wash. It makes sense to me but I don't really know how much it will even out and it doesn't matter, I've learned a lot in this first project. I've ordered a 10 dent reed, I ordered a pin to hold the beater bar steady, I found all my weaving tools and put them together in a box so I can find them next time and I'M WEAVING!!!!

I suspect this first project is going to be too short but I don't really know how much too short and that doesn't matter either, I'll use it anyway. I wish now I had warped the loom with the linen yarn but that's OK too because I have tons of this linen blend so I can make another one. This is turning out to be a pretty nice fabric and I'm thinking I'm going to do what I love to do the most---combine my hobbies. I think I'm going to embroider something in the middle of it and use it as a dresser scarf. Next I'm going to rewarp the loom--doing what my teacher taught me, tie off the warp that's already on so I can easily rewarp using what's already been done...yaaay for her for showing me that and yaaay for me for taking the work off early the second day of class because a storm was coming and I had a long drive home.

I've notified R&M Yarns that I'm definitely interested in their intermediate class and I already know I want to make towels. I always wondered why weavers loved towels so much but now I suspect I know. Its fun doing different patterns. Same as knitting :-) There's so many comparisons between weaving on a loom and knitting on a machine, its very, very similar and just as much fun I'm learning.

So--that's what I've been busy doing since my last post on this blog. I'm having a blast. I love learning new things.

Walking Early This AM

This is a Guardian Gear Roadster stroller (just in case you are wondering) Its so easy to roll down the road I can steer it one-handed which I do when Biscuit decides to walk on his leash. OK, laugh if you want but Biscuit has decided he doesn't want to walk. He jumps around all excited when I tell him we're going and makes me carry him to the road, he refuses to even walk when we go out the door, and then when we get out to the road he refuses to move. I've wondered, did the pavement burn his feet? Does he have a foot problem? He sits there like a lump! I want to walk for my own health and he should walk for his health too but what can you do? So, I stick him in his stroller and we go down the road (actually faster than if he walked so that's ok). Look at the 2nd picture of him looking out the side, that's how we go down the road, he looks at the landscape, back and forth, as we plod along. Funniest thing, when we get to the place where I decide to turn around, he stands up as if to say, OK, I'm ready to walk, and I let him out. From that point to home, he runs all the way home. Now---its uphill. I'm not a young chick, I can't run up hills. So I have to halt him occasionally to get my breath. Isn't it the funniest thing. I pray for him to stop and relieve himself so I can rest a minute. (whew). I've been known to ask him, "Don't you have to go potty"?

Anyway, today we went for a 2 mile walk and I rode him down as usual in his stroller then he walked home. During one of our "stops" I noticed a rhododendron was starting to bloom so I picked one of the smaller blooms. According to a web site where I looked this up, they only grow in the wild in 2 counties in South Carolina, Pickens and Oconee. They're all over our road, this was the first busy I've noticed actually blooming though.
Then when I got home I decided to take a picture of the Hydrangea in my yard. This is only the second year this bush has bloomed since I "trimmed" it a few years ago. I figured it was never going to bloom again and told the landscaper to take it out when he cut down trees and leveled the ground but he told me no, leave it, it will bloom again some day. Well--as if it heard him, it did bloom that next summer, more beautiful than ever. That was last year and now its just started blooming again this year.
Later when both flowers are in full bloom I'll take another picture of the bushes. I just love summer in the mountains, every week something new blooms. AND the hummingbirds are having a blast. I should go out and picture of them, they are fighting over one of my feeders and I have 3 in the yard. When they start running each other off the one that flees, hides in the hydrangea bush right next to their feeder. When I went out and poured some new liquid in, one little guy almost sat on my hand he was so close, watching what I was doing to his feeder. WOW! Close up and personal that was!

Knit A Nylon Twine Bags

A few years ago someone came up with a brilliant idea. She bought some nylon twine at a local hardware store and knitted it on her bulky machine. She started something. Lots of us thought it was so clever we ran out and bought twine and got creative making our bags. People decorated their bags, made different shapes, whatever, they were fun. Its great, its washable, its strong, in fact I have a full package of #15 twine sitting here waiting for me to make another one. According to the package, tensil strength is 117 lbs. (Tensile strength measures the force required to pull something such as rope, wire, or a structural beam to the point where it breaks --Britannica online encyclopedia--)
Imagine what you can throw in one of these bags with that sort of strength.

Nylon Twine is sold in hardware stores for mason lines, chalk lines, gardening, boating, etc. You can buy 1 lb 2.5 ozs of # 15 twine (1400 feet) for $8.25 (at least that’s what I paid for mine a couple years ago). Some hardware stores like Home Depot have smaller tubes of it in neon colors. You can buy a thinner twine #9 (2200 feet) for $16.41 on-line from fnt industries http://fnt-victory.net/fnt-victory.net/rosary.html, they sell it for Rosary's but its the same nylon twine we used for our bags except they have #9 twine which is thinner than the # 15 I used but I notice they have a waiting period to ship. There are other places on line if you want to Google for it.

If you buy white twine you can dye it with Rit dye or koolaid. For directions to dye your twine go to
http://www.fnt-victory.net/RosaryTwineDyingProcess.html
Scroll down for Kool Aid Dye or Microwave Dyeing. I prefer to dye the bag after its knitted. Make sure it rinses clear before you use it.

Be sure you line your bag if you want to put anything like a pen or keys in it, you don't want to lose something important that might fall out between the stitches.
Now, get creative and make yourself a bag. I gave mine away to my grandaughers but am seriously thinking of making myself a new one. Natalie made one for the beach using neon colors. It was huge and must have held towels and suits for the family.

I came across the notes I wrote when I made my bags so decided to share them here. These directions are for the 2 pictured above.

I used my LK 150 (6.5mm hobby machine) and #18 twine for my bags. (higher numbers would be thicker twine, #9 twine at fnt above would be thinner). The bags need to be lined if you want to put things like keys or pens in them or they’ll fall out through the stitches.

Yellow Flower Bag with # 18 Nylon Twine knitted with every other needle. The bag is 20” long and 8 ½” wide.

Cast on 60 stitches
knit 16 rows and hang your hem
Knit 3 rows white eyelash yarn
Knit 70 rows twine
Knit 3 rows white eyelash yarn
knitted 16 rows and hang the beginning of the 16 rows for a hem.
Decide how long your want the handles to be and twist 2 strands together. Sew the sides of the bag together, leaving an opening at the top of each side for the twisted handles, pull them through and tie each one in a knot to hold the twist.


Cherry Bag 17 ½” long and 9” wide
Using every needle
Cast on 39 stitches and knit 132 rows
Fold the top over for a flap (closure isn't necessary unless you want to use one for decorative effect.
Knit an I-Cord or twist the tie and sew it to each side
Dye the bag with Cherry Kool Aid.

If you have an embroidery machine, you can embroider on organza and sew to the front of the bag. Another option would be a free standing lace design sewn to the front.

Get creative, these are fun to make and go fast.

Still Packing and Sorting

Why is it taking me so long to sort out my stuff and pack it? Well, I know I have to get rid of some of it and I hate to do that. PLUS its such a chore to sort the stuff out and pack it. BUT I finally made myself do one of the hated chores. I sorted out my machine tools. What happened was, I gave away some of my husbands tools and kept a fairly new tool box for myself. I decided to put my knitting tools in that tool box. So, I poured out all my machine tools onto a table and sorted them by machine, the Bond, the LK 150 and the Brother 970. Each machine has its own set of "stuff". I have been saving little plastic zipper cases that things come in, you know, the kind that maybe slippers or curtains or whatever come in. So I labeled the bags and put each machine's tools in a separate bag. Some things, though are for all the machines, weights, for example can be used on any machine. Clips, definitely for any machine. Ravel Cord once again, any machine. I also put all my scissors in one bag (I didn't know I had so many pair of scissors, where did they all come from? Did I buy a pair every time I needed one?

So, here's the result all nice and neat and the tool chest. If I can now just take out the bag for the machine I'm working on and then put the tools away when I'm finished, I will never again have to do this horrible chore. I highly recommend the tool box idea, the bonus is you get a tray in the top that has a handle, easily carries to the machine you are working with at the time.

I also when through every drawer, cabinet, the garage, etc and got out the tools I knew I'd want to take with me if I ever move and put them all together in a tub I forgot I had, sitting out on the back porch. Its perfect, it even holds the plastic case the drill came in and the plastic case the Dremmel came in. Room for more in this box but believe me, I don't see me buying more tools.


Next, I'm going through the tubs of fleece I bought for spinning. I haven't touched the spinning wheels in 2 years. I still want them but I sure don't need 8 or 10 big tubs of fleece. Probably 2 would be reasonable (although I can't see me getting rid of all but 2).

As I sit here and contemplate going back up to the loft to sort stuff, I think I know why its taken me so long to do it all. When I'm finished, it will sort of mark the end of me living in South Carolina and sort of saying goodby to my husband who I was married to for 48 years, and his family who I've grown to think of as my family. I know I don't have to say goodby to them but leaving this home is closing a chapter in my life. I know its necessary but it sure is hard.

Still, I'm looking forward to the next chapter and can't wait to start it. Mixed feelings? You bet!
Now, before you think I'm sad and, perhaps crazy, I'll close with a picture of my pretty azaleas and the hibiscus that has bloomed only twice so far this summer, today was the second time.
Hibiscus won't winter over at my house so every year I go buy myself a new one. I could take it in and it will survive the winter but I did that one year and decided it was a mess, its easier to buy a new one.
I don't know what kind of azalea this one is, its the last to bloom every year and its a short little bush that stays right down on the ground. Every year I find a branch under the mulch that has grown roots so I move it to a new place and now I have about 5 of these little bushes growing around the edges of my flower gardens.
And finally, the petunia's that are growing on the deck rail. Yes, that's my sweet little dog sitting there watching the world go by while I take pictures. He's sitting there watching the hummingbirds that are flitting around between the feeders.

M.J. "Dolly" Cooper Veterans Cemetery Anderson, SC

Howard was so proud that there would be a VA cemetery close to his home. A month before he died he went to the VA office to see if this cemetery was finished or when it would be finished. He was so proud that he was eligible to be buried there and he wanted to make sure the VA office was aware of that. We kept saying that we would go look at it but he was never well enough after that to make the 40 mile trip.


Howard received the Air Force Commendation Medal for his work after Hurricane Camille in Biloxi, MS. This medal was authorized by the secretary of the Air Force on March 28, 1958, for award to members of the armed forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force after March 24, 1958, shall have distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement and service. The degree of merit must be distinctive, though it need not be unique.