I love a good birthday that comes two months early
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Day Two of the Madre Visit 2008.
Today started of with a bang a the Textile Center of Minnesota. Oh man am I in trouble now that I know this place exists. I had actually signed up to take a class here later this month, but thought we’d stop by today to see the newest exhibit in the gallery. Fantastic! Everything was so inspiring. And the items for sale in the store were just gorgeous. If only I had an extra $225 to buy a beautifully embroidered bag I would be scared to use… I ran into real trouble at the Hand Weavers Guild of MN store in the next room over. Luckily my mom decided to buy me a few new early birthday presents to help out with the monetary damage I was getting ready to do.
This book is meant for weaving on rigid heddle looms, but the pictures were just so pretty and inspiring it had to be mine.
Both books seem to contain some really basic patterns, but using really interesting novelty yarns. Of which I have lots. And lots. We’re talking like 4 tubs full of yarn from knitting projects that never went anywhere. Just sitting, waiting, DYING to be used. Now if I can only decide on which project to start first!
The last purchase of the day was a small, foam kumihimo kit. Kumihimo (the Japanese art of braiding) is something I’ve wanted to try for awhile, but some of the equipment is rather pricey. A good marudai (the thing you braid on) runs $50-$200 and that’s more than I care to invest in a hobby I’m not too sure of yet. So when I saw a beginners kit for $5, I was sold. I started messing around with it during the Opening Ceremonies tonight and much to my delight, found that it was really quite simple to make a cute 7 strand braid rather quickly.
And sure sign your project was a success – kitty approval!
I also picked up quite a lot of literature about classes and other offerings at the Textile Center. I already have four classes circled for this fall. I sense an addiction coming on…
Themocracy