Proud Mum

Last evening we got an email from my son Josh, a Marine in Okinawa. On Monday last he put on Corporal! Here are some pics he sent.... does he look like a Marine, or what! The Capt and FSgt are two that he looks to as role models. They are doing a great job! He will go out with 31 MEU, a deploying unit, but we don't know where he will go. I hope he stays safe... when my husband was with 22 MEU in '93-'94 I learned he would go to Bosnia on the radio... not my preferred method of obtaining info! We can find out after he deploys, the movements are classified before execution of orders. Yup, I am a proud Mum!

Mmmm, Fiber!

So the power outage in my studio had one good result... I spun up one of the fleeces I got at Montpelier. A beautiful chestnut cria hogget, it spun like a dream, just an easy singles, spun a little tightly to ply. It is about 1000 yds per pound, and about 10-12 tpi on average. I have found a beautiful wimple pattern, and may have enough left to make fingerless gloves.

Today I spent several hours at G Street working on the needlefelting attachment. I did a sampler, and a landscape. Gee, the back of the landscape is beautiful! Bernina's attachment fits on any of the newer machines, it simply has to have a wire thread guide, the metal hook kind doesn't let it attach well. It works like a champ, much easier than the very lightweight felting machine I tried at a friends house, I can't remember the brand, but it was a whole machine that cost roughly the same as the attachment for Bernina. Having a heavyweight, mostly steel interior really makes the Bernina easier to use. I haven't tried them all, but will write my opinions as I do. I am so strongly pro Bernina, I won't ever buy another brand, unless it is an antique. The DC motor powers through everything. Okay, no more free ads for Bernina, but I do love them.

The sampler and landscape both have a variety of fabrics on a felt background. I used silk, nylon, cotton, poly taffeta and organza. Even a tissue lame! I could learn to love this!

Since I now have power in my studio ( a short in the light fixture in the hall), it is time to take the tower of stuff off my cutting table and reorganize my studio. Again.

In other news, my Marine son is currently living in a villa (very small) in Clark Airfield PI, manning the satellites in pursuit of bad guys. You go, Josh! Meghan is slogging along in retail, persisting in paying off her debts and hoping to go to design school when she is flush. More power to you Meg, you make me proud!

The simple little woven paper heart is a wonderful project, possible even for youngsters as long as they can wield blunt scissors. It was far and away the favorite Sunday School activity. With a little planning, they can get really intricate, so can hold the interest of adults too.

The next pic is a little wallhanging I am making. The handsome Marine is my son. With the announcement of an additional 3000+ Marines being sent to Afghanistan, I imagine he will be assigned to on of the units going, but who knows. As soon as this one is bound, I have everything for a hanging with my daughter's mementos, except the background fabric.

The last pic is of a Dhali Fetish doll, made from a series of patterns by Debbie Tong Gray. If you are out there Debbie, I love it!

Now, the only thing I have left to do this week is to make my Theme Thursday Challenge piece... it will be my first! I meet my sister this weekend to exchange Christmas gifts... yes I know what day it is. But it is so much nicer to meet than to ship, and the actual day is arbitrary. Hope she and her hubby like them.