January 4, 2012

Happy New Year !

So happy to be back and able to access my website.   My desktop died, and I now have access with
a new laptop.  

What is new?   Drop me a line if you have time, would love to hear from you.  What have you been
working on?

Been having a very unusual winter here in Chicago area.  No snow.   For me that is okay.  But for the kids,
and people who enjoy winter sports, not so good.    I have to admit, would have been nice to have a bit of
snow over winter holiday's. 








November 15th, 2011

I want to thank Florence Feldman-Wood for including a story about Earl Oman in the current Issue,
#74 of the Spinning Wheel Slueth. I’m so happy that his story is being shared.
Thanks Florence !





November 9th, 2011

My daughter Hillary sent me a photo.   I hadn't seen this photo in a long while.   It's a
picture of my oldest daughter,  Hannah Lee and myself.   It's a lovely little photo. 
Sometime soon, I'll talk more about it.  






November 6th, 2011

First day of the time change.  Nice to have the daylight in the morning.  Beautiful day
today.   Going to reach 60 they say. 

It's been two weeks I'm home now.  I kind of feel like I was on vacation the first week,
but as this second week ended, it started to sink in.   I'm happily still working as
crossing guard, and my double shift at another job on Saturdays.

What else?   The holidays are coming.   My favorite is Thanksgiving.   I hope we don't
rush that holiday away.  Time goes so fast already. 


So, instead of showing one of my wheels,  I thought I'd post this photo.
I can't imagine her being upset with her wheel!  I can't  remember where I snagged
this picture from,  but LOVE the hand crank.




October 18, 2011

Starting off to be a great week.  The sun is shining, it's windy, and just beautiful outside.

This is supposed to be my last week working during the week at the school.  Next week
I'm looking forward to doing some organizing.  Washing fleece, spinning, ramping up the
kiln, and who knows.  Like to spend sometime outside also. 

Keep in touch,   I enjoy getting your emails.  Ellen



October 4th,  2011

I can't believe a whole month has gone by.   My temporary hours during the week will be
coming to an end soon.  Last day will be on October 21st. 

So,  I have visions of finally getting some studio time.   Clear the bench, wash some glass,
check hoses and connections.  Ramp up the kiln, and switch on the fuel and concentrators.

Mean time,  I'm enjoying this beautiful time of year.  Looking at the small things, like a leaf that
has turned ochre, and crimson.   The chestnut trees have made fun times for the kids to collect
there chestnuts,  fearing not the prickly outer shell. 

Our backyard is full of walnuts that I need to  collect and boil to dye some fleece.  

I been spinning each morning before work,  a great way to start the day. 

This past Sunday I had a beautiful road trip to Indiana.  Got off the interstate and drove through some
back roads, seeing lovely colors on the trees, crossing bridges. Saw a pair of older fawns, as they still
had their spots.   Beautiful little  ones that ran into the road right before me, and I came to a complete
stop to allow them to cross the road safely.  

Picked up this Canadian Saxony along the way.  



September 6, 2011

Chicago area temps as usually can be surprising.   Last Thursday and Friday the temps were
about 95 degrees.  Labor Day it was about 60 degrees.  I myself enjoy the cooler weather.

I thought by now I'd also be making beads down in my studio.  Instead I find myself working a
temporary job. I'm very happy about that.   And I know I'll have some studio time soon.




August 22, 2011

Seems my fall will be more busy than I had thought.  That is good.  On the other hand,
less creative time than I had thought.  




August 8, 2011

School starts next week for my youngest guy.   Can't believe it's almost the 15t already . 

I'm going to be working at the high school part time this fall, and I'll be back to crossing guard, starting
on the 23rd. 

Been such  a very hot summer.   I'm not one to wish time away, but I am looking forward to
fall temps, cool breezes.   I think fall is my favorite time of year. 

I enjoy posting photos of my wheels.  I do spin on them.  I also do simple repairs, and if in need
and the original finish is beyond help, I get them cleaned up.   Keep as much of the original story
as I can.    I think someday I'll have to open a wheel museum !




July 29th, 2011

Last night I finished a 2 ply, 448 yards.  I'm pleased with how it turned out.   DeAnn gave me some beautiful
Polworth.  Thank you !    It's so soft, and was lovely to spin. 

Have a good weekend !




July 25th, 2011

Hi,   I'm working on getting my glass studio organized a bit.  Checking hoses.   Been so long,
want to be sure everything is nice and safe, and running properly.  Need to do a test run on the
kiln too.

Been spinning and washing fleece. 

Hoping you are having a good summer.




July 14th,  2011

Been so long since I posted.   Lots going on with family the last few months.  Things have settled down a
bit though. 

The good and bad news is that I didn't get the job I was hoping for this fall,  and that means I will be able to
get back into my glass studio.   I'm very happy about creating again. 





May 3rd, 2011

This is Vern.  Vern has a HUGE flyer !  I to have to work on the tension, seems
to be stuck.










April 27th, 2011

Bisson !  





April 3rd,  2011

Probably my last wheel rescue for this spring last Sunday.    A double treadle
Canadian wheel. I rescued it in Iowa.  A bit more than 600 miles round trip.    Solo trip.  
My music and the open road.   I love road trips as you know.   Here is a picture of the wheel.
The drive wheel is just shy of 29 inches. 



and the other side



This past week is been a very hard one for my mom.   She fell again.  She was in the
hospital for a few days, and now in a rehab center till surgery this coming Friday.
They will need to put a rod into her upper part of the leg as the femur is very bowed, and 
do a hip replacement.   Recover is a difficult, and long one, she is 82.  I hope it relieves the pain
she's been in for so many years.   Also she has just been diagnosed with the onset of dementia.
Just taking one step at a time right now,  get past the surgery and hope a smooth recovery.

March 25th,  2011

Still happily working  6 days a week.  Spring break is next week
and the school will be a lot quieter.  But, still there will  be activities going on.

Been spinning.   Also watching for spring shearings.   I just rec'd two Shetland fleeces.  Some Polypay
on the way, and a Wensleydale named "Woods".  His fleece weighs in at almost 6 pounds of
beautiful curls. Rambouillet too. So lots of scouring and prepping to come.

San from Homestead Wool and Gift Farm sent me some very cute picture of Sara's  lamb that is
being bottle feed.  




January 16, 2011

Hi,  sorry for being so laid back about writing.  Thought I might just post a couple of pictures.

The first one is of a  Canadian wheel.  I name my wheels, well most of them.  This one is Anna. She
is a beauty.  I have the flyer for  her, but the leathers need replacing.  Her flyer was laced onto the
maidens.



The next wheel is a 30 inch Canadian Production Wheel,  named her LuLu.




December 20, 2010

Happy Holiday everyone !   

Wednesday, December 1st, 2010

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and it was real nice.  My kids and grandkids where all there.  
Very nice ! 

On Sunday we road up to Pawaukee, Wisconsin.  Brought home a Rio Grande Spindle Wheel.




Also,    thought I might re post some beads.   I was going through my files.   It feels like it has been ages since I have melted glass,  and I'm missing it. 
Hopefully this coming year,  I'll be able to get more creative time.   Glass is still one of the most exciting mediums I have ever explored.  Also
Polymer Clay is something I hope to further explore and be able to put my own creative spin on.

I wish everyone a happy holiday season.  Thank you !   Ellen

    

          



Saturday, November 6,2010

Well,  I have typed and deleted todays little posting several times now.  I been thinking about the fall.   And the
memories that come with this time of year.  




Monday, November 1st, 2010

Just back from a round trip drive to Rochester, New York.  Took 44 hours there and back
with stops along the way.

Picked up an Aram Paradis spinning wheel I had bought a few weeks ago.  Will have to put some
history here with this wheel.  The couple I purchased it from were very nice.  They live in a very beautiful spot too.










On the return part of the trip,  stopped in Ohio to pick up another CPW for Veronica.   Her wheel is just
gorgeous.   The maidens, and the spokes on the wheel are charming.   Also it has a sliding tension system.
A rare find.   

It was a great adventure all in all.   Been a long time since I have done this long distance of  a drive.  Hope
it's not as long till the next time.      ttyl   


Friday,  October 8th, 2010

Finally getting two wheels finished.   I enjoy getting them cleaned up and ready to spin.




Tuesday,  October 5th  2010

New addition to the family last week !   Very exciting !!!  I'm a happy Grandma !

 
Thursday, August 26th

10:47 pm...............just finished giving my dog a bath.  She got skunked really bad tonight.  My first mistake was bringing
her into the house at all.  Just by the side door while I collected what I need to give her a bath.    Not her favorite
thing. Probably will have to do it again tomorrow. 

I am pretty much working full time this month coming up.  I enjoy it.  

I have been spinning a bit.   Some fiber that I dyed myself. Turns out so different than I expected.   Pretty nice.
Bought some supplies to do some more.  

By the way,   this wheel is from Denver.  Dorothy rescued her for me.  Dorothy is from Wyoming,
and she had a wheel she was picking up in Denver, and offered to rescue this one for me.  And
as it happens, she was visiting family about a week later right near St. Louis.   So I drove down
there, and back in one day.  650 Miles.  But not near as far as Dorothy drove.  It was good to
meet her and talk awhile, but it was to short as I had to take off to drive back home.  
This wheel is named Dottie,  she is a charming little wheel. Just need to replace the leathers and give
her a spin.  



Dottie's flyer and bobbin............  just a little chip in the whorl, which wont' effect a thing.    




Tuesday, July 20th

Had a wonderful weekend.   Swapped my shifts, and attended the Midwest Fiber and Folk Art Festival this past
weekend.  Had a wonderful time.  Friday I took a dying workshop in the morning with Carol Wagner. It was great.
Then on Saturday morning had a workshop on drumcarding, also taught by Carol.
Went back on Sunday with my husband, and two older grandkids, ages 8 and 6.  They enjoyed the demonstrations on weaving,
and spinning. Janice from the Woodstock Weavers’ Guild,  showed my granddaughter how to use an Inkle Loom. And
also stick weaving.  Thank you Janice !   We came home and made some sticks right away.

Photo of a pouch my granddaughter made using stick weaving.  She loves pink !

 





Saturday, July 3rd

Hi,    12:58 AM    Happy 4th of July weekend!   Another week gone by so fast. 
I have  a skein of yarn to show.  I have a bit of fleece to wash  yet, then I'll be caught
up.  If I can only say that about getting organized!  But I'm working on that too.

This skein is made from Snowflakes fleece,  a Romney.  She is one of Sandy's sheep, from Homestead Wool and Gift Farm






Sunday,  June 27th

Good Morning !   Off to work today.  My summer schedule,  is one shift on Saturday, and a
double on Sunday.   Away from the computor all day.  Haven't worked Sundays in a long time, they
seem to be pretty quiet.  Have a good day.  Ellen

Monday,  June 21st

My friend Diane and I went for a ride to Michigan today.   This is
the beauty I brought home today.  It was a nice day! Thanks Diane for visiting the
rabbit hole. Next it's your turn !    




The treadle is metal !



 
Friday evening ..............June 17th 2010

Today was a fun day.  Exciting and fun.   Found a little wheel, and went to pick it up.  Needs
a bit of TLC. She spins nice.  My third wheel.  Have a feeling there will be more to come.

















June 9th, 2010
Last day of school for the kids.  One of my part time jobs is crossing guard, so only will
be working at the high school over the summer.  Looking forward to more creative time,
it's been missing in action to long.  Make beads, my torch is looking a bit deserted.  Have
to get it fired up and ramp up the kiln.  


June 1st, 2010

Worked overnights this past weekend.  My hat is off to those who do that all the time.
Sure does mess up my internal clock.



May 3rd, 2010

HI !    I can't believe how long it has been since I've posted.    I've been back to
working extra hours since April 8th.  Not sure how long it will last,  but it's great. I
enjoy working there. 

In the mean time,  I have been washing fleece here and there. 
Shearing season, and watching for some beautiful fleece.   CVM, Cormo, Corriedale, Jacob,
some very soft Romney and others.  Some have wonderful names too, like Lady Harriett, Bella,
Double Trouble, it's fun.  The big lesson I have learned from last fall is to never buy any fleece
that hasn't been well skirted. 

My youngest son is almost finished with his first year of college.  Finals this week, and he'll be
coming home this coming Saturday.  YIPPEE !  It's to quiet around here without him.

My oldest son and daughter in law are expecting their 4th baby!   It's very exciting.  The baby
will be my 6th grand child! 

One other thing for sure is I miss torch time.  I miss melting and creating.  

Stay in touch,   I enjoy your emails.   Ellen   


March 9th, 2010

Getting the glass studio ready for action.    Warmed up the concentrators too,  make sure
all is in working order.  Hoping to get some glass melted this week.  Have a good one !


March 6th, 2010

Good Morning !   I was just looking at the Gallery on LE.  Some pretty spectacular work.
Have been talking with some of my friends about going to the ISGB Gathering this year in July.
It will be in Rochester, New York.   Going to take the train from Chicago, it's going to be fun!


February 17th, 2010

Happy to see the sun last a bit longer every day.  I'm looking forward to mild temps and getting back into the studio. 


February 2, 2010

Hi,  I have been working full time hours.  Life has been fairly busy.   Been washing fleece, and spinning
when I can.  Been way to cold in the studio to make beads,  and I'm so looking forward to spring.