Wow, Sue, I really love what you've done. Those PBNs of your dogs!!! What company did your DH get these from? Really awesome. I would love to do a couple of my cats. Of those two weaving projects, would any make 2x3 rugs? Guess it depends on the loom size?

Where are you taking these classes? I'm jealous.

Those pnb pieces are fantastic! Is that a paper woven basket? All of these projects look professionally created!

WOW! Love it all, but especially your pups!

Wow! impressed on all counts! Do you mind sharing the PBN company?

Love the paintings of the dogs. The weaving isimpressive!

Sue, you continue to amaze me! I'd love to take those classes myself and do a PBN too! Right now I'm trying to paint a ceiling ugh!

Weaving is an awesome art form. Your pieces look AMAZING! Love the pups!

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This morning, I restrung a rice pearl necklace I made when I was 14. My craft project for the day. My mothers name was "Pearl". I made us each a necklace after attending a jewelry "show" in CA.

Aww, thanks for the kind comments! I will find out where DH got the kits.

Bunny, I would think you could do a small rug on the bigger floor looms. I find them intimidating — I have taken 3 classes on the big looms but only one where we had to actually warp the loom ourselves, and that took many hours and I could never replicate it. When I took the rigid heddle loom class, the teacher set up the looms ahead of time. Later this month I am taking a class with the same teacher and will learn how to warp the loom. It is easier than the big looms. After that class, I might buy myself a rigid heddle loom.

All the classes have been in the Boston area. I have also taken tapestry weaving classes on a small portable loom, which is fun. I took a 3 day class at Snow Farm last summer and that’s what got me started. (https://www.snowfarm.org) I have taken a weekend workshop there every summer for the past 3 or 4 years.

Friday, yes, paper. I really like doing that. Looking forward to part 2 of that class next month (just 3 sessions). The paper is cut into strips using a pasta machine.

I will say that all of these have not been easy on my back. I need to work on my posture, I think. I don’t usually have back issues.

Pretty necklaces, Nicole!

Info from DH:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TextureOfDreams

Sue I love all your projects - nurturing your creative side and keeping your nose out of the news is smart. This is so timely because I just started a PBN today! I'm going to need better glasses ;-)

Wow, Sueb! You’ve got some great skills in the art department! The PBNs are wonderful and I think you did great with the weaving. Nice pieces.

Great looking projects!

Sue, how long did each PBN take?

Yay for weaving! Your weaving looks great! I started 5 years ago, and I love it. For me, weaving was a way to play with data and patterns. Do not let yourself be intimidated by warping. It requires time and is just part of the process. Posture is important, and different types of looms work better or click better for different people. I have both a swedish floor loom and a table loom, and both types have their advantages and disadvantages and I have had to adapt to each in different ways to use them ergonomically :).

Bunny, several hours. I can’t tell exactly because I did them in short shifts.

Daki, yes, data and patterns — weaving is quite math-y, isn’t it? And I am not. But I have definitely caught the weaving bug! Do you have any pictures to share of your work?

I want to try this, too. Weaving baskets with linen thread.

So impressive! I love your weaving and painting. I wish I were half as productive. I have the components collected for a number of artistic or crafty endeavors, but have lost the gumption lately. One project has a before-Easter deadline so I need to get going! I am also taking a ceramics class the next two weekends to make "bookshelf slugs." They sound weird but are really cute. The artist sells out of her ceramic slugs all the time at the art markets.

Sue, those look great. I'm very impressed.

This winter I, ummm, played a lot of solitaire.

(Honestly, a lot of was happening life and family wise. Nothing bad but I didn't have the head space for projects.)

Wow! Great job, Sue. The paintings in particular are amazing! I especially admire that you continue to try new things creatively. It is so needed these days.

Jojoco

I thought about your shells from the GTG a few weeks ago and wanted to share but Houzz deemed me unworthy to be able to start new threads...

I saw these in Charleston, SC. She sells the single shells for $30. I think you should start a business. Yours are eons nicer. Maybe you and Sueb20 could open a shop online.

Love all these projects -- but weaving, especially, has always drawn my attention. Love the woven linen thread piece also.

I miss having art/craft projects -- as I reinvent what my 60s (and 70s, etc) look like, I need to be sure to include these artistic ventures. I love the quiet solo time and the discovery/expression of artistic projects.

Thanks for sharing!

Daki that is really impressive!

Sue, I have always admired your artistic eye. And now I see that you also have very artistic hands!

Sue your dog portraits are wonderful and capture their likenesses so well—- what a thoughtful gift from your DH! You’re far too modest about those as PBN can be very tedious and painstaking work.

The woven pieces are also beautiful with their depth of color. i think you did a great job on the runner even though you were restricted to the colors available from the class— your edit was perfect! I’m so impressed by all your work!

Love your rugs and textiles. Very inspiring, need to see if I can find a class near me.

Daki — beautiful! I am impressed!

Your work is beautiful, Daki.

Your work is lovely, Daki. Your colors are perfection.

I know exactly what you mean about seeing the irregularities. I sew garments and always see only the single top-stitch that’s less than a mm off in an otherwise (almost) perfect job. Maddening!

@Sueb20 I love all of your projects, especially the PBN. Very impressive. I used to be very crafty. Maybe I should take it up again as I really enjoyed it.

Oh my gosh, Sueb! I love the dog paintings, and everything else you've done. What fun!

What gorgeous towels, daki!

I took a pottery class last year and really enjoyed it.... until the third class when my inner ear decided it did not like the spinning wheel. I did what I could that day, but the next class the instructor had to help me finish. I enjoyed the glazing process. I have five pieces, all small, mostly flat, but I do have a decent small bowl. I might give hand clay pieces a try once medical issues are resolved.

In the past, I have done various needlework projects, but not interested in doing more.

Last year purchased a letterpress tray on Etsy. Using shells DH has found since moving to FL, ones I found as a child and purchased shells, I made this for our house. It's been on our DR table for months, but I finally decided to hang it last week.

I decided to make another for our recently remodeled beach cottage rental, and had our handyman screw it into the wall. It was done with mostly purchased shells. It is (screwed to the wall) in the kitchen bar counter area, a bit higher than I would in my own home, to (hopefully) keep little hands off.

Such a talented group.

Sue- love your dog paintings and agree it was a very thoughtful gift from your DH. Equally impressed with your woven runner! I love textiles and fascinated by the process.

Daki - wow, your work is so impressive. Love those tea towels and would buy them in a heartbeat. Please tell me you have an Etsy shop or you and Sue are starting one :)

Allison - love, love your unique shell displays. I used to collect but mine live in containers. I am inspired.

My only crafty efforts have been my decoupage matchbooks and the embroidered pillowcases I have been working on for 20+ years. Oh, and the knitting I wanted to learn 15 years ago but never did. Need to step up my game.

Love the shell displays, Allison! I am visiting a friend in FL now and she has a similar one, but only about half full so far.

Thank you. DH walks daily at dawn and finds the best shells. He purchased one of the metal scoops since he cannot bend down. People seem to always ask "which ones did you find?" and are surprised by some. We have small bowls in our bathroom window full of finds, and my Willy Guhl bowl in the bunk room is filled with soft colored finds.

Allison, I love your letterpress beach/shell display. I have an empty one sitting in the garage that I've had no idea what to do with. You've inspired me to fill it with a collection of natural objects, although I'm not lucky enough to have access to such gorgeous shells!

That's great! I was inspired by one a couple owned that did just what you're going to do. They lived in a lakehouse not far from ours on another lake. We were suppose to be able to purchase theirs in one year, but when the year rolled around, they had changed their minds.

We have a very old property in the Adirondacks. Over the years I've gathered porcelain/ceramic pieces and old bottles from the area where things were tossed out along with some beautiful birch bark and tree fungus, rocks, etc. I've also got some old Adirondack ephemera. It will be fun to start with these, and have family add to it when they visit.

Oh! Please post as you're going along, or when finished. Mine both stayed on the DR table until I had all the pieces I wanted before securing.