🦞 Locked down no longer but still firm friends 🦞

The sun isn't shining but at least it ain't raining. DH birthday - would have been, so I'm taking American cousin to visit his grave and his mum's.
We are meeting another cousin at the cemetery gates.
Don't I have fun ideas! 😄

Afterwards we'll deliver pottery to the gallery.
*The Scottish Potters Association is 50 so there are 5 exhibitions this year. Some Potters have their own studios, from Orkney to Dumfries. Others fire their work in a communal kiln.
I fire 8 people's work in my kiln, but just 2 of us are exhibiting this time.*

I was watching the sewing bee and switched over to see that winning goal in stoppage time! ⚽️
Jammy English is probably what the Scots are thinking. Nice for the manager. He's had a lot of stick.

*I made an awful gaffe at my sewing class yesterday. We got talking, as you do, about having neighbours bad and good. Well I found myself telling someone else's story of the neighbours from hell.
Ofcourse I forget where I am and who knows who and it turns out that particular neighbour was in the class and recognised herselfin the story which she hotly denied*.

Is it a pussle Doodle?

I often lose posts NotSpag
I don't have word on my phone

Goodness we won. How amazing. I wish you hadn’t jumped up like that Cherry you made me drop my crisps and ixion spilt her drink on me in all the excitement
Goodness, we’re on again Sunday. Ok extra supplies of Pringles needed.
Kaimoana I will look up your weavers know sounds interesting. *
How lovely to have a visit from your dear son and Gubbins. Your meal sounds lovely. Crumble and custard now my mouth is watering.
Grammaretto is it still hard for you when birthdays and anniversaries come around.
Whereabouts is the gallery your exhibiting in?
i would have watched the Sewing bee as I love it but Cherry and Ixion wouldn’t let me turn over from the football. Can’t think why.
Ooops , oh dear if the person in the class recognised herself as the bad neighbour there must be something to it.🤣

No it’s not a pussle it’s actually a lovely Gibsons puzzle of The Corner Shop. Beautiful and only 500 pieces.

No problem, Doodle. I recorded the Sewing Bee and am watching now. Pop round and join me - apols for the squelchy carpet and ground-in Pringles from last night. Must clear up for Sunday's onslaught meeting. But don't sit on Barney - he's had a busy day. One field mouse and a great tit, to be precise😥.

Hope you had a lovely day, Kaimoana, with DS and She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed. It must seem so quiet when she departs.

Have been wondering how your Joint Classes are going, Grammaretto? Perhaps you should all form a Protest Group against waiting lists instead. Strength in numbers. Any light on the horizon for an op date? I had my shoulder injection this morning and am now milking it for as much as it's worth resting up, waiting for salvation.

Ah, the Witches Hat, Kaimoana. How I remember that! As with all the rocking equipment of the day (boat, horse), it would always be spoilt by the Big Boys who would come along and terrify us more genteel participants. That's when my mum would get me down and cart me off home.

I found this article you might find interesting and/or nostalgic!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-48774070

Well I'll go to the foot of our stairs! It seems as if the Weavers' Knot I was shown - by weavers - isn't the knot I've been tying for 50 years, which is far simpler than the version on YouTube. I wonder what my knot is really called then.
Description in another post so you can skip if not interested.

I can't believe you had Pringles left at the end of the match Doodle clearly your hosts are not providing enough

Yes, we had a wonderful day with Gubbins playing games and laughing. She's very good at catching and throwing a ball so DS and I spent at least an hour pandering to her whim playing this game How come 3 year olds never get tired?

I'm a little less apprehensive about the proposed move to UK. DS is a good planner and agrees that once accomplished they will rent as they'll need to evaluate how everyone is settling for at least 12 months.

Then, if they are all happy to stay, he'll come back and help me pack what little I have left and escort me to my next home.
That'll be in 2027 at the very earliest. I'll be 80. With any luck, none of it will be neccesary.

Phil's anniversary this week too.

ixion What memories of the Hat! Can't see Gubbins being intimidated by anyone, she already wraps her teenaged brother round her little finger.

Can someone test this to see if I've made it clear?
Feel free to share


Here we go with the New Zealand Weavers Knot.
May sound complicated but once done a couple of times is easy and guaranteed to hold even the slippiest thread.

Place the 2 threads you want to join, crossed between finger and thumb with abour 2"/5cm of each sticking out above the thumb.
For clarity of description I’ll call these tags.

You'll have the long thread you want to join hanging down.
Wind the right-hand thread across the front of the thumb and round the back bringing it forward between the two crossed tags.
With the index finger of your right hand, push the left tag down over the thread and hold it with your left index finger (reverse if left handed I suppose ).

Thread will be behind the left hand tag but in front of the right hand tag which is still sticking up.

Gently ease the loop across your thumb upwards, pulling the right hand tag forward so the loop catches it.

Do this slowly until you get the hang of it, then you’ll be able to whizz through in a trice .
Pull everything tight.

I usually wait until my slipper or scarf are knit up before trimming these ends but if you make the initial tag longer, you can use a big-eye wool needle to weave them in.

e Voila!

This makes sense to me - but then I'm a weaver...

I lost another post grr!!

Me too. Long post with pics on knotting prowess, with email notification that the thread had received a post at 16.10.

BUT IT'S NOT THERE🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

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Don't know what happened earlier, the site seemed settled and not jumpy so I risked a direct type into the box. Some evenings you can just sense that things will go wrong by the constant page refreshing and time delay in the typed words appearing on the screen. I have returned to typing into a blank email and cutting and pasting to the thread when done.

Thank you for the knot discussion, Kaimoana.
I have done your knot as per instructions. Had you said that it was the same as a sheetbend, I'd have done it in one. First perfected for my Brownie Knots proficiency badge! I am also attaching a picture (d.v.) of the Weavers knot as per Mr. Compton. Due on Day 164/365, so plenty of time to perfect it!

Do, please, tell us more about your weaving fraternity. I'd love to hear more.

ixion I promise not to sit on Barney (don’t want claw marks on my posterior 😮)

Ixion’s book is all about knots
It’s clear she is really besotted
The Weavers knot may be, or, may not
The knot Kaimoana had spotted
Cross the thread here and wind it round there
My copybooks really been blotted
I’ve made a mistake and gone the wrong way
And now I’ve got myself knotted

Notspaghett are you really a weaver? What do you make?
Kaimoana 3 year olds have boundless energy don’t they?
What a lovely time you must all have had together
i remember your friend Phil too
Seems like a plan is in place for you, your son and family
Grammaretto is the exhibition on now? How many pieces do you have on display?
Been for lunch with old friend today then popped round to see ‘other’ grandma. DS 1 back from holiday tomorrow. I will be relieved

I see we have lobStars tying themselves up in knots here then 😆. Joking aside, I admire the skill involved as I'm useless even with the simplest of knots, I'm so cack handed 🤭. Probably why I'm hopeless with any crafts --nothing to do with lack of perseverance^ 😉 but I find others fascinating to watch, I used to be almost spellbound watching my DSiL. Yes, please, tell us more NotSpaghetti and keep us up to date on how you are getting on ixion.

I've missed so much of everyone's goings on this week as I've been busy with belated birthday get togethers. Your visit from your DS and the delightful Gubbins sounds just that Kaimoana - delightful 😍. I didn't know you were going to a knit & natter Doodle, I hope you had a good natter -- and did a bit of knitting-- . I hope today has been an easier day for today Grammaretto, I might be wrong but wasn't it today that you were setting up the exhibition?

I have the last, and the best, belated birthday get together tomorrow as I will be spending day with my three not quite so little anymore great nephews, nephew & his wife (neice2) who are coming up from England and neice1. I can't wait 😍.

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I don't know why you are always so modest Doodle it's clear to everyone that you produce lovely, creative and today, hilarious proof of your many talents.

A sheetbend eh ixion? But that photo doesn't look anything like the knot I do. It's loops, mine's ends.

NotS I’d love to know about your weaving Do you have a loom?

The picture shows a version of Maori weaving. This depicts weaving for receptacles or ornaments.
When making garments, the green surface of the harakeke/flax, is scraped away to reveal the muka/fibres beneath. Depending how they are then processed they can be tough to make rope, or soft and silky for dresses or this delicate lace collar.
www.alibrown.nz/the-fibre-in-flax/

Birthday get-togethers sound jolly Cherry

Well, for the third week running, the two hours support and essential shopping and bed changing didn’t happen. This last vitally important for anyone with diabetic nocturnal hypoglycemia.

My son rang the agency onThursday and was told I’d be getting care this week: Mepa at 2pm. In fact they’d known for more than 8 days Mepa was very sick and not back until next week, so this was a blatant lie.

Karen is nipping down to get me some milk so at least I can have a cuppa.

I anticipate a quiet weekend of knitting and knotting .

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Yes, Kaimoana2 I have two looms.
One is an 8 shaft 2 beam Harris loom and the other is a 32 shaft 2 beam Louet. The louet is electronic and the Harris has levers.
Here's some of my work:

Oh goodness me! Since losing my last post the conversation has been all about knots.

I once was in charge for the evening of our local Woodcraft group. Like cubs and brownies but perhaps less Churchy and more outdoory. Boys and girls all under 11.

I tried to teach them knots but we weren't at all advanced. Some of them struggled to tie a bow and I felt it was a form of torture!

Sticking to pottery or making shelters was infinitely safer.

The exhibition got off to a great start and the weather and comments were all kind. After the preview we sat, cousin, df and I, by the river and ate chips.

I also ran a Woodcraft group Grammaretto with two friends. It was quite a lot of organising and I was always relieved when I had a week off!

I’ve been out with a friend today for coffee which was nice. My son and family are home now so I can relax a bit, I missed them while they were away.
i was just sitting here with my iPad when there was a loud thump of something banging into the glass of the balcony above and a bird dropped like a stone straight past my window
I rushed out onto my balcony expecting to see it out for the count on the floor but couldn’t see it anywhere. A few minutes later a slightly ruffled pigeon staggered out of the bushes fluffed its feathers and walked off none the worse for wear.
Cherry I have only just started knit and natter. My knitting is such that I either knit or natter but not both at the same time.
How lovely you’re having a meet up with your niece, nephews and great nephews. I hope you have a wonderful time
Kaimoana I’m so sorry you are being messed around by the agency. I’m sorry Mepa is ill but they really ought to arrange cover for you. Hope your knitting and knotting goes well. I am jigsawing without much success
Notspaghetti 😱😱😱 wow that’s amazing. Your weaving is beautiful. The looms are obviously quite large do you have a studio or somewhere?
Grammaretto glad the exhibition is going well. Fish and chips by the river, wish I could have joined you it sounds lovely

Thank you Doodle. One loom is old and quite small - it will fit on a table. The other is quite large for a modern loom and takes over a bedroom which I use for my studio.

What a talented lot we all are

Bravo Doodle, I love your poem 😆.
It's lovely to know that you've been getting out and about and seeing friends and paying a visit to the other grandma. I'm pleased that your DS is home now too, I know you've missed him and it must be a greqt reassurance for you to know that he's back.
Poor pigeon, young 'un I expect. A lot of the fledglings that frequent our garden fly straight at (and into) our windows 😟🤣. They always seem so bewildered by what has happened but they shake themselves down never seem the worse for wear.

Wow, NotSpaghetti, what a talented weaver you are, I really like your work.

Kaimoana. I think you mean what a talented lot you all are, for I don't have any 😂. I 've been thinking what an amazing exhibition it would be if you all exhibited together.

I'm pleased that your exhibition got off to a great start Grammaretto. It's good too that you had nice fine weather, eating chips by the riverbank on a fine day sounds good to me 👍 😋.

I had a fabulous day yesterday. The weather was glorious, the Goldilocks zone. We spent time in the village, wandered the seafront and played in the park and it was lovely to be able to take advantage of outdoor seating on such a nice day when we went for lunch. My three great nephews are an absolute delight 🥰, and my 😲, how they have grown since I last saw them. I had a tear in my eye and a smile like the Cheshire Cat on my face at the end of the day 😁.

Anyone ready for this football final then, ixion, Doodle 🤔. I've got plenty of Pringles, cheese and wine 🍷... and Prosecco on ice just in case 🤞🍀.

We're on our way, Cherry.
Bringing reinforcements- can you spot Doodle?🤔

Ah yes, I think I can, ixion 😂.

I'll just have the prosecco thanks Cherry. I may watch the footie out of the corner of my eye

I left my cousin at the airport on the first really warm day we've had. Such a shame for her.

Your weaving looks wonderful NotSpag 😍 and you are a Woodcrafter too.

Gubbins is a clever clogs at the top of the metal tree. It looks scary.

I have been trying to get more things sorted today. My lodger's washing machine has stopped working. The kiln has been fixed but there's another thing wrong.
The roofer is coming tomorrow to have another try to find the leak.
I may not be here though as I hope to go on a coastal walk.

I am invited to tea with an old friend who moved into sheltered housing when her DH died so I want to see it and imagine living there.
It sounds far too sensible for me. 😂 🤣

Thank you CherryCezzy and Grammaretto. I do love weaving when it's going well - not so lovely when I'm unpicking mistakes!

I have also done some jacquard weaving which is quite exciting as once you have sorted out your weave structures you can just watch it weave off (like a printer almost!!).

On Instagram I'm following a traditional weaver (using an old loom) in vermont
I would love to visit him
linktr.ee/theburroughsgarret?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=5fc35a7c-2b32-40e1-9cbf-ac3e20af38d5