Western NC landscape is aflame with beauty!

I arrived late in the afternoon at Noel & Patrick's but had a little bit of time before dark to see the new view of the falls from the top.  They've had vegetation cut back that had grown up near the top of the dam and the falls are so dramatic to be seen from that vantage point; there's been quite a bit of rain this year and that increased water adds to the drama of the falls.

  

Here's the falls from a level near the top                   .....            and from a point near the bottom.

I only had time for a few photographs on Thursday afternoon before dark--and it was overcast that day.

 On Saturday morning before I left I was able to capture a bit of the intense blue sky of fall since the day dawned bright and clear.

 

  

Friday, Noel and I went into Asheville to SAFF where we picked Rita Buchanan up after her class ended for the day.  In spite of the rain we had a good meal at Earth Fare -- here's Noel and I each toasting with Rita and endless cups of coffee... Rita was taking a look at my portfolio as we chatted. 

I got back home on Saturday, wove for a couple of hours and put another couple of hours in yesterday... here's the tapestry as I start with it today.  I've probably got at least 12 more hours before the end, if things continue at this pace.  Fingers are crossed!

Looms for sale -- NOW SOLD

Recently two people have asked if I could help them get out the word that they want to sell their tapestry looms. I usually don't post these kind of requests to my blog but I know both loom types quite well since I own one of each. They're good "work horse" types of looms and excellent tools.

First one is a 45" Tissart tapestry loom and is near Greenville, SC. It's been modified with extra treadle set and with a custom-built device to hold the shed open, if desired. Contact Rickie Wesbrooks at gobelins49@yahoo.com for more information about the loom.

Second one is a 21" Hagen tapestry loom with floor stand. It's in Athens, GA. It's also been modified to use string heddles--don't know if the original shedding device is with the loom but it probably is. Contact Karen Hamrick at khamrick@negia.net for price and other information.

I had e-mails from both Rickie and Karen that both these looms sold right away.  Hope they are happy in their new weavers' homes!

Now--about my life and times--after all, what's this whole blog thing about if not that, huh?!!

The big tapestry is just eency inches from the top. I'll be working on it again on Sunday and still plan to have it finished by my self-imposed deadline of the end of October, God willing and the creek don't rise.

It will be Sunday before I'm weaving again because later today I'm leaving for Sapphire, then tomorrow I'll be going with Noel for my second trip to a Southeast Animal Fiber Fair near Asheville, NC. This year, a good friend of hers, Rita Buchanan, is teaching several spinning classes at SAFF, so on Friday afternoon we're going to meet up with her, take her to dinner, and maybe to a few Asheville locations for sight-seeing. Rita is the author of many books and articles about dyeing, spinning, grass cloth, and gardening; in fact, Interweave Press has published a collection of some of these. In the past few years she's been doing incredible pieces in hooking technique--several of her pieces were exhibited at the Tampa Convergence a couple of summers ago. Her expertise in every area in which she works is absolutely impeccable in design and craftsmanship. I'm hoping she has some things with her for her workshops so I can see more of work, first hand!

I'll have my camera with me and will be immersing myself in the woods at Noel & Patrick's place near Sapphire later today. Rain's predicted for tomorrow so I'm hoping for some fall photo ops today.

Kate Campbell concert -- and more weaving

We went to a fantastic concert at The Crimson Moon last night--Kate Campbell  played to a small house (traffic was blocked on the square so booths could be set up for this weekend's Gold Rush Days so the normal crowd for a concert wasn't in).  We were right up front this time (not behind the post like at Jonathan Byrd's last time there!).  I'm spending today weaving listening to the six CDs of hers that we bought.  Wonderful voice, evocative lyrics, beautiful  music... give her a listen.

the end is near--how many more days?