Crazy as a Loom

This is some of the warp I have been using lately. It is 50/50 cotton poly, a little heavier than 8/4, put up in 1 lb rolls. I mix it with some solid colors, and it makes a really vibrant warp. I have been using it for gumball rugs, and for the Mimi's vintage rag rugs. I better like it, because I have 500 yards of it on the Reed Ideal. And just so no one thinks I always know what I am doing, that warp of 500 yards has its problems. When it was all on the warp beam, it was quite evident that one section on the far right, was "a little light" shall we say......I figured I miscounted, and there was only 400 yds on that section. So not being faint of heart, I decided we could tie on the 36 threads, and continue winding on the 100 yards that was missing.......and we did, and it seemed to work smashingly......until we started weaving rugs....and found that after every single rug, we had to cut the warp, and retie, just to keep the tension tight on that section. It was actually a very valuable lesson, as most lessons are. And once we get past the knots that will signal that we have woven off that last 100, it should be good.
I am also selling this warp on my web site. It comes in the variegated colors shown above, and also in off white, and white. I have yet to measure it, but I think it has about 1200 yards.
I know it sounds crazy, but despite the cold and all the inconveniences that come with it, I like January. It is like a blank slate, a new start, another chance to get it right, or to at least improve on what you do. For me, it is a time of reassessing what I do, how I do it, and looking for new ideas about all of it. I get a little crazy about throwing things out, organizing my stash of fabric and threads, regrouping and getting a new vision.
This year, I have resolved to streamline the business part of Crazy as a Loom Weaving Studio, trying to simplify it so it is easier to deal with, and so it doesn't make me quite as "crazy". It is no secret that I don't like any part of it......but it comes with the territory. If I am going to weave rugs, and sell them, I have to keep track of them. And I have to know what I spend, and what everything costs. There is inventory, accounting, web site maintenance, promoting the web site, packing, shipping, advertising, paying bills, and more. Who knew? It is a bummer, but it is what it is. I have Quick Books on my computer, but even with the book, Quick Books for Dummies, I still don't have a clue. So that is my goal for this year......to figure it out. I wish I had a Quick Books guru, but I don't.
Another project this year is my Secret Garden. I got the fence put up to shield it from the road......and the labyrinth is built. I planted a couple of high bush cranberry bushes, and in the spring, I will plant perennials inside the fence. The field behind the labyrinth needs to be turned over so I can plant wildflowers. Last year, I mowed a path through that meadow, into the trees in the back, and the kids loved it. Even though it is only an acre and a half, it has some big trees, some crabapple trees, pear trees, and lots of great rocks. I love rocks.
But what is most important to me this year, is having a better schedule. I am intent of having days off to spend with my grandchildren. Gabby wants to come for an "ova night", and with Ava, we will have a girls' night at the studio.
I love January.