The Beginning of a Cushion

 

Above at left are the supplies needed to start making a Cushion top. Also the frame put together using the rubber mallet. At right a close up of my tool/thread box and the pattern designed by Kit Gates

 At left is the canvas with masking tape around the cut edge to "seal" it. this protects the edge and keeps threads from becoming caught. At right is the canvas attached to the frame using tacks. To the right of the frame are the tack pusher which saves your thumb and/or fingers and the tack remover.

 At left are the threads which will be used to create the ribbon border. They range from a very light Lilac to a rich dark Eggplant. at right is the tracking row completed using the lightest purple. The next colour I will use is on the pattern.
For me the hardest part of a project is the getting started. So now it will be the joy of laying down stitches and watching the different patterns grow. I am looking forward to seeing how the colours I have chosen will look together on the canvas.

Spinning in Progress

 

These are the hand painted Polworth locks I got from Rovings  quite some time ago. 

The colours are much richer jewel tones than shown above.

I am flicking small portions open with a slicker brush before spinning. 

I am spinning ,fairly fine singles as i would like to finish with a fine 2 or 3 ply yarn for shawl knitting.

Pottery from the Kiln

 

I finally got to the Stoneware Studio to pick up the pottery I threw and glazed last winter before returning to ELA.  

I still have more pieces to go into the glaze kiln, but they probably won't be done until summer is done so I will check for more finished pots in September.