Allow me to introduce you to the latest member of my sewing studio, delivered by none other than Santa himself! It is my new Mirrix Loom, It is the 12 inch Little Guy with shedding device. It will allow me to weave tapestry as well as beads and I can't wait to get started. What do I see in my loom future? Weaving my own cloth trim for Chanel style jackets out of the same fiber as the jacket , weaving beads to make pocketbook flaps and gussets, jewelry, of course and so much more. My creative juices are running wild. I have TONS of yarns and threads that I can play with and lots of beads that I have been hording in anticipation. Did you know you can get silver perle cotton and it is gorgeous? or that beads were fifty off all last week at JAs? Or that there are numerous purveyors on line with enough beads and ideas to tantalize you for a lifetime? This is tapping right into whatever it is that triggers my fabric addiction and creativity, some sort of frontal lobe issue or right brain left brain thing-y?
DH and I are downsizing our stuff for various reasons, one of which could be building a new home in the next year or two far from this one. We will see how it all falls into place. I can see this aspect of my hobby not taking up much space and being highly creative but at this point we are just putting our toes into the waters regarding the move. In the meantime it is full bore here on simplifying. I've done this before and in ten years of renewed accumulation need to do it again. I can see some give aways in the future as well as donations and gifts. But you all know that sewing and all things fiber are my passion and that will always be a very important part of my life. In the meantime, I have signed up for a couple of beadweaving tutes on Craftsy and this Monday will start taking the beginner's course offered by Mirrix.
It is a great women owned company by the way, made in the USA, and I have no affiliation, yadayada other than Ms. Chase, the inventor, lives very close to where I lived for many years in New Hampshire, purely coincidence. Leave it to a woman to fulfill a need for something and do it so beautifully with such high tech materials. These looms come in all sizes and do all sorts of things, most of which I couldn't explain to you at this point as I really don't know anything. I have a bag of attachments and goodies that go with it but I don't have a clue. I am the proverbial newbie sponge who wants to try it all, do that fast, and make something very complicated right out of the gate. But I am making a conscious effort to take all the classes I can and give myself a good foundation before going all fiber artist on you.
My first class is tomorrow night and hopefully I will get going happily after that. Did Santa bring you anything good for Christmas that will encourage and make your sewing life easier or more creative? Would love to hear! I have a feeling 2015 will be a wonderful year for all of those in the Sew/Blogging Community. It is maturing and culling and growing, a natural evolution, and it is exciting to see what the next year will bring. Happy New Year to all of you!....Bunny
I am so glad to see how happy you are with your loom! Me, I have no idea how to use such a thing or how it works. I look forward to seeing your creations. I know they will be beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAll I know is that I love anything fiber and not much else at this point. I did enjoy the first Craftsy class but have to replay it before I think I really start getting all the new lingo and such.
DeleteI look forward to seeing some creations! And I do hope that any newly built houe will have a purpose built studio for you - I recommend a minimum of 250 sqft. ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt is already being discussed and the nice thing is hubby is the one who said we needed to make sure I had a good studio space. He knows how to make me happy!
DeleteWoo Hoo! I recognized your loom right away! Lucky You! I have taken a Craftsy bead looming course, and just thinking about it now gets me all fired up again. In fact, I have a partially completed beaded wrap bracelet on the go! My loom isn't a Mirrix, at least not yet! :)
ReplyDeleteGeesh...I'm looking so forward to upcoming posts Bunny! Happy New Year!
What is intimidating me and I feel so lacking in knowledge is hot to finish things. The actual weaving looks relatively simple compared to that. There are just so many different ways to finish things and there is a whole lingo just for those pieces that is totally foreign to me.
DeleteOh I agree completely! Particularly with beading projects. I'm so afraid everything is going to come apart....I fear that I get a bit messy because I'm knotting too much, instead of just weaving ends in. I find it so ironic that my fine silver chain necklaces do nothing BUT knot, LOL.
DeleteIt's always so nice to get a gift that you really wanted. So glad you did!
ReplyDeleteSanta was good. I hinted to my daughters that Amazon gift cards would be a greatly appreciated gift and they listened. They always ask what I want. I do know that Mirrix had a layaway program before the holidays as well to make purchasing easier. I sound like such a shill, but I am happy with my product and their service.
DeleteLove the loom as frame for your 2015 smiling portrait. Very fitting!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elle!
DeleteI'm very intrigued by using the pillbox I see there for needles. What a great idea. I'm going to have to try that.
ReplyDeleteIt works great, Cidell, but I had to bring a pack of needles with me when I shopped around . Most are too small for the Schmetz packs. I think I ended up with one from Rite Aid.
DeleteEach section gets a different needle and I labeled them as well. It's now pretty easy to see what I need when a sale comes up. Wow, do I go through those size 12 Microtex needles!
DeleteHappy new year Bunny, Looking forward to what you are going to make using that loom.
ReplyDeleteThe same to you, Sigrid!
DeleteHappy New Year! You and your loom look prepared to have a great 2015!
ReplyDeleteSanta husband brought me one of the hand-turned wooden seam-rippers from the Thread Theory website. With the wooden lid on, you can't even tell that it is a seam-ripper. It is even more beautiful in person than on the website and so much lighter-weight than I would have guessed.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely gift!
DeleteHow exciting! I can't wait to see pretty beading and oh gosh the idea of diy trim for a Chanel jacket <3
ReplyDeleteSo glad Santa came through for you. You look so happy with your loom! I can't wait to see what you create with it. And how you create with it.
ReplyDeleteI've planned to make 2015 a year of exploring surface design. I'll be trying lots of new-to-me techniques with paint and trying some dying. But my first foray is into the world of needle felting using my embellishing machine (which has been in its box for 2 years). I've started a couple of pieces already, with wool roving, hand embroidery and beads. I'll be needle punching fabrics, yarns and who know what else with the machine also - "felting" smaller pieces to larger background fabrics. I'm having a blast so far. I hope you enjoy learning to use your new toy!
I love your goal, making 2015 the year of exploring surface design. Sounds like you are on your way!
DeleteI've really enjoyed my felting machine as well. It is such fun to explore surface design and so creatively satisfying. There is some amazing inspiration on Pinterest. Here's a link to my surface embellishment board if you are interested. http://www.pinterest.com/bunnypep/surface-embellishment-and-dyeing/
Bunny, I first fell in love with this loom when I was taking a Craftsy class and the instructor used one. I did not give in to the Siren call of beading at that first class, but I can't wait to see where this takes you. With your talent, I'm sure you'll inspire.
ReplyDeleteI must have been pretty good last year because Santa brought me a Juki straight stitch machine. I haven't had a new machine since I bought my (still perfect) Bernina 25 years ago. My Santa gets a very specific list. Most years he loses, it and that's fine, too.
Sometimes Santa needs some serious direction. Glad he came through for you!
DeleteI've never even heard of such a loom, Bunny & am excited for you...can't wait to see what gorgeous creations you come up with!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of you, BTW...you look lovely.
Thanks, Rett. Great to hear from you.
DeleteI've never seen anything like this loom. I look forward to all of the interesting projects to come!
ReplyDeleteI've heard only great things about these looms, enjoy! Next thing you know, you'll need to learn to spin so that you can weave with your own handspun yarn. :)
ReplyDeleteOh Bunny, I have seen many looms, but not like yours. All shiny and gorgeous!! Cannot wait to follow your latest journey and I know t.hat you will create some beautiful items with your beautiful gift from Santa.
ReplyDeleteI still have much to learn and explore with the gift Santa bought me last year...........Serger - Brother 3034d. I am happy to mess about with the tension etc, but haven't seemed to have had much time to learn about all of its capabilities.
I think some late santa gifts along the year will be more patterns to add to my stash!!
Have fun with the loom, and excuse the pun, but please keep us posted.xx
That looks like fun. A few years ago, I bought a Klutz (the kids' crafts line) loom. It gave me an idea of the craft, but the beads, being cheap, were hard to use. I looked at Mirrixes.
ReplyDeleteLove your photo framed by the high-tech looking loom! Yes, Santa was good here, too. The only thing I asked for and received was my Oliso Pro iron. It is amazing! I love how I don't have tilt it up and down while ironing as it saves so much for my arthritic hands and wrists. More importantly, of course, is that it also irons like a dream. Lots of steam, lots of power; it puts my old iron to shame. (I named it Buttercup because that is its color:) I am a very happy woman, married to a man who would do pretty much anything to get something he thought would make me happy. I have to be careful what I ask for, to be sure he doesn't go overboard here. They only thing he has ever refused me was a goat, but I wasn't serious about it anyway. Now it is a private joke when I bring up getting a goat. He gets all serious, as if he doesn't realize I'm just yanking his chain
ReplyDelete