A snowy Christmas? Maybe!

How fast time flies when one is having fun. An old saying but I find it very true in my life. This month has been made even more busy since Doreen has experienced trouble with her "good" knee. She will have replacement surgery in January and then she will have two artificial knees, just like her mother. At least it doesn't keep us from doing knitting and weaving. And now to the weaving. As some of you are aware I really enjoy doing purses when I can felt the product. There are several that I feel are unique and some of you wanted to do a purse of your own. Therefore, in January I will be holding a class or two to teach you how to put your woven pieces together to create your purses. I will have the patterns for you and will help you assemble them. If you can get into the shop early in the month I can help you select the yarn and pattern you will use. I hope to have the samples for you to see. Most of the purses will require thirty-two to forty pieces woven of 100% wool.

I plan to be in Cincinnati over Christmas weekend and on Saturday will even be by myself in the hotel until David's family get there in the evening. Hopefully I should be able to work on the purses. Doreen is not going because she can not ride in a car that far so she will be by herself though Denise and family and friends will keep her out of trouble. A different kind of vacation for each of us.

If you want to see a recent picture of me go to google at a tangled tale llc on this weeknews.com. This appeared just last week as you can see. It was totally unexpected and much appreciated. Free publicity is always good.

Well, the end of the year is close at hand and we can only pray that 2010 will bring some good news for those who need jobs and health care. May those who have been given the power to bring this about be wise in doing so. We pray also for those who are in other countries trying to end strife there. Are we as a country able to do this, only time will tell. I really doubt if there will ever be peace among the nations of that area of the world during my lifetime but can continue to pray for those who are serving there. And though we know that the poor and needy will aleays be among us, we also know that it is within our power to help alleviate their need. So as we do for our family and friends here at the Christmas season let us also give to those who are without the necessities that we take for granted. Love all of God's creation and those who dwell therein. Pray for peace and keep smiling. A smile is a simple way to pass God's love to others. Elaine :)

Almost Christmas!!!

What a beautiful December morning, the sun is shining and the air is crisp. I really do like this time of the year and look forward to the snow falling outside the window and the fire glowing in the fireplace. I can wax poetic about the winter weather but also realize that there are many who are not as fortunate. Thankfully we live in a community that has many groups who are trying to help these folks. As knitters, etc. we are able to see that some of the needs are met. We have sent off the scarves and more are still coming in. We were gifted with some knitted table skirts used last year by Starbucks and though they did not fit into our scheme of decorating they have made lovely afghans by taking out the elastic strips that held them in gathers.

Wonderful news: I now have three lovely Bakelite four-by-four looms on hand. They are a little more expensive than the other vintage looms. We are selling them for $45.00 and the others go for $30. We also have a good supply of two-by-two and the new rectangular looms. The books of textual patterns are still not coming but I can provide you with some copies of the patterns for your four-by-four looms. These are from the old booklets and loom kits.


The first picture is of the purse I had been working on for a couple of weeks and was pictured in the last blog. It is now felted and grommets added to allow for the braided handle. It is a nice size and easy to carry. Do you like it?

The next two pictures are of another purse made using the Paint Box yarn. I have used it before for felting and like the soft finish it acquires from felting.
I have planned to line it and hopefully will dig out my sewing machine and proceed to do so this week. My sewing machine was a Christmas present from my husband the year Doreen was born so you know how old it is. Hopefully it stills works, haven't tried it since I moved down this way.


One of our customers brought in an afghan that was in her family to show us. It is lovely and has held up quite well. What a great heirloom to find and I am glad that she brought it to share with us. I really like the idea of you sharing your projects with me just as I share mine with you.









Do not allow yourself to get too tired or frustrated this month. Share your love and give only what you are comfortable doing of material things. Hey, bake some cookies and take to the neighbors or shut ins. But always, remember to smile. Elaine