Weaving and Christmas Gifts

I always look for someway to do something a little different for Christmas gifts and running into this half-grown alpaca from The Old Oaks Ranch and seeing the weaving demonstration at the Pound House Fall Festival gave me the idea of doing handwoven scarves.

These animals have the sweetest face and are so soft.

Old Oaks Ranch Fiber Arts Center just happened to be on the way to the Wimberley Market Day, subject of Straight Out of the Camera Sunday, October 3. The shop is so inviting.

Take a look at this fabulously colored fiber. I think it is silk; I'll ask when I go back for the scarf session.

I chose these two colors because my youngest son and his wife wear black leather when riding motorcycles. Both are members of a motorcycle club and he rides his bike to work quite often to save on gas. Jennifer, my son's wife, has trained two dogs to do search and rescue. The weather is not always very nice when she gets a call. This is Peruvian alpaca; and while using the same fiber, I'll do different designs. The weaver sets up the loom and it will probably take about 16 hours to weave two 7" x 60"scarves.

If I really like weaving, hubby will get one for Christmas too. And, then, I may give myself one.

More alpaca in such rich and vibrant colors.

This piece is being done on a hardwood triangle with nails about 1/8 of an inch apart.

The loom studio.

Old Oaks will set up the loom. I really haven't the foggiest idea how to weave but woven fabrics and rugs have always fascinated me.

I think this is a rug in progress.

The rug is incredible.

This is an example of needle felting on a silk scarf.

The finished scarf is an exquisite piece of wearable art.


Fabric wall hangings.

Since I retired, I've taken silversmithing, lost wax casting, and art welding classes at the local community college, jewelry design, wire wrapping classes, hand-formed pottery classes, glass fusing classes, scrap booking and stamping classes, and gad, I may fall in love with a new craft, weaving. However, we'll see after two scarves. I'm doing everything I've always wanted to do whereas before making a living seemed to get in the way. Retirement has been a gift.

Last week I made jars of apple butter for little gifts and have been searching out unusual recipes for a variety. I bought some pears Saturday to make an orange-pear butter with ginger. And, I have a plum butter or jam recipe which I may try. I've never canned so this too is a new experience.

Life is so good. Are you doing anything special for Christmas gifts? If so, please tell us.

Until next time, God bless.