Tuesday, April 28, 2020

This week's Fiber Arts post

It's Tuesday again....time for another "virtual" Fiber Arts group.
I'm looking forward to getting more pictures from folks. Here's my latest project, another scarf!
I got the yarn several years ago in trade and decided to break it out for this project. It is wool (BFL), silk and cashmere and it's PURPLES. It's a skinny, slippery yarn and the pattern calls for smaller needles than I usually use, so out of my comfort zone......



Rebecca says: This is a shawl pattern by Kate Davies called FANTOOSH! According to her blog: " In Scots, fantoosh means “fancy”, or a wee bit “over the top”. "

I'm doing nearly as much un-knitting as I am knitting but am slowly making progress. 



Ani says: I'm knitting my project flat, and will seam it after, as it's not big enough to knit in the round comfortably.
I'm almost done with Sebastian!  He did so well today!




Penny sends this picture: 


Thursday, April 23, 2020

Opossums with Susie Spikol

Opossums and Their Marsupial Ways

Saturday, May 2
11:00 am
to 12:00 pm

Join teacher-naturalist Susie Spikol for a talk on North America’s only marsupial. Discover how the oddball opossum survives and thrives, learn about its prehensile tail and how it plays dead, and leave this program with a new understanding of this oft-misunderstood mammal! 11 a.m. to noon via Zoom.
Registration is required in order to get the Zoom login info. For more information or to register, please contact Miles Stahmann at (603) 525-3394 or by emailstahmann@harriscenter.org

Co-sponsored by the Harris Center for Conservation Education and the Harrisville Public Library.

Monday, April 13, 2020

Creativity Abounds!

In addition to poetry, knitting, spinning, weaving, felt-making and sewing masks. Harrisville residents are using there time at home creatively.

This is from Doug Miller, who says: You asked for art projects etc, so I’m sending along a project Diane and I have been doing.  Diane takes a photo of my paintings then mounts a smaller version on boards.  I touch them up with paint and color pencils, then she frames them.  This is our finished product. They can be hung up or set on a table or mantle...Fun little project while quarantined!
Doug and Diane Miller 


Friday, April 10, 2020

Masks!

I've been sent some amazing pictures and patterns for masks, so I thought I'd share them with you.

Lida is making these and is happy to give them away to people who need them. She made some for my husband and I and they are very nice, indeed! Contact her if you'd like one.




Rebecca is in Canada, but she, too is making masks.



Mandy doesn't sew, but she found a really cool patterns for knitting masks here



Thursday, April 9, 2020

National Poetry Month April 2020


We often have poetry programs at the library in April to celebrate National Poetry Month. This year we are doing it on the blog. It is National Poetry Month for Kids too!  Write a poem and send it to the library  via email (sweaver@harrisville.lib.nh.us). Or let's create a Harrisville Community poem together. Send to the same email address, one line or more about what you like about Harrisville, and we will put it together.  If you want to be included in the list of poets , include your name or pen name (an assumed name used by a writer instead of their real name).

 I am encouraging anyone who is interested in sharing a poem here to send it to me via email (sweaver@harrisville.lib.nh.us). You can type it out, record yourself reading, or do a piece of artwork to share. I'd like to encourage people of all ages to contribute!

Our first poem is from Sarah Kendall:

dawn’s 
snow 
caught.
safe 
hemlock
fronds.
lunching
goldfinches
launch.
forsythia 
smiles.

sbkendall
spring 2020

(17 syllable haiku,
japanese vertical style)







Hillary Kingsbury sent us this poem: 

He mourned the passing of his mom.
His best friend lost his second one.
We knew it wouldn't be long.
Grim Reaper took their pain away---
miss them till our dying day.
Circle of life is the prophetic phrase,
will we get over this grieving phase?
Hospice stays they hold our hands.
Do they respect our silent commands?
Mom and dad, wishing they knew
where their health was going to.
Cry, rebel, return, cling, respect,
insult, love, hate, love, love, love, hate
Grim Reaper took their joys away---
miss them 'til our dying day.            Hilary Kingsbury
Abigail sent us Stone Pond (epic) Haiku.
Stone Pond
A. Abrash Walton
At dusk, on water
Loon calls to the coming night
Owl replies, starlight
Pearl moon full and round
Casts long shadows trees to ground
Insects chorus, loud!
Rain pounds hitting leaves
Dawn arrives as forest breathes
Mist hangs in between
Mushrooms rise, endless
kinds, lift umbrella heads below
Here and there a toad
Chick-a-dee-dee-dee
Peewee’s call slides up and down
Nuthatch trumpet sound
Great blue heron lands
Newts scoot, crayfish hide
Tadpoles wriggle side to side
From flat, sliced globes
White yellow-centered spikes rise
Over green-gold eyes
Salamanders swim
Haphazardly toward brook
Sands shift to deep muck
As dragonflies buzz
Across sun-dappled water
Wind blows, breezes ramble
On filigreed wings
Iridescence announces
Damsel fly’s presence
Pileated drills
Cedar waxwings whistle by
Buzzard soars on high
Clouds wispy, giant, puff
Against blue expansive sky
West to East they fly
Freshwater mussels
Grey-green husks crack open wide
Opal white inside
Fish flit in shallows
At rare moments, a big one
Jumps aloft alone
Waves tumble and lap
Breaking the shore, lying prone
Pine needles and cones
Branches low dipping
Laurels pink blueberries bound
Stones the cove surround
Turtle basks on log
Neck and legs craned to the sun
Painted, wrinkled one
Beaver chew, wet leaves
Mud-tamped dams, sticks, fern fronds
Water fills new ponds
Mown path meanders
Grasses high on either side
On the edge, hawk cries Flush startled turkey
Jewel weed and goldenrod
Field, seed, plant and pod
On high horizon
Sits Monadnock watching all
Large life towers small
Marylou DiPietro sent this one:
Silent Journey
Stand by a window
for as long as you are able.
Try to recall
the first time
you looked both ways
before crossing the street.
Or the time you tried,
with all your might,
to put a stop
to eternity.
When asked:
Where are you going,
let only the light
in your eyes
negate the answer.
No one has ever
lived i your dreams.
Forgive the naysayers,
they are the ones
who led Christ
up the hill at Calvary.
At each bend in the river
lose yourself
in the Book of Hours.
Never change horses
in mid-stream.
Be prepared to cull
your stockpile of
forgotten strengths.
Remember,
you once believed
you could dig your way
to China. Be vigilant.
Bring only the essentials.
Repeat after me:
I came into this world
knowing how to swim.
Empty your pockets
of breadcrumbs.
Breathe
Marylou DiPietro



Monday, April 6, 2020

Fiber Arts/Knitting Group

We usually meet every Tuesday late afternoon (5-6:30) at the library. Since we are staying safe at home, we all have time to work on our projects.

I made a scarf last week. I started with fleece from my sheep, Eliska, then I spun the yarn and knitted a pattern that I found on Ravelry. It is called "Be Simple" which seems like a good name for the times we are in.
Below are pictures of the process:








Penny says:
 Finished this recently 
Pattern from One-Skein Wonders.  I cast on 80 stitches and it came out bigger than I anticipated
Working on a Knit Poncho





Rebecca says:
I've been watching videos on how to make facial masks, sorting through different techniques, materials and styles to figure out what is likely to be most effective...all with materials I can find at home. 
On the fun side and dreaming of more relaxed days, I'm planning to start this Fantoosh shawl, a pattern by Kate Davies...if I can decipher the instructions. 

This is from Mandy: In my typical style, I put down one project when another pattern caught my eye! 
This one require a lot less attention as my brain doesn’t seem to be able to focus on details right now. I’m obviously dreaming of summer on the beach while I work on this cute linen silk blend. You may recall that I made my mom a top with this same yarn last summer. I absolutely loved the way the grey linen (that had been in my stash for a decade) blended with the demon silk my mom had picked out. When I saw this cardi, I knew I had to make it!

Hope all is well with everyone!



This is from Lida: Here is a Christmas present I made. Looking forward to something feels like work right now so thought Christmas presents would work!
Red Jared Flood Ptarmigan Cowl in Cascade Venezia Sport and a German glitter yarn. 
I have another started in Shibui cotton with Malabrigo Baby Silkpaca. 
Guyer Shawl started in Miss Babs Sojourn. 
Best to you all!
Lida 


Lida is also making masks! Bless her! She is willing to share.


Ani says: I have started shearing Felix!  Emphasis on started.  If he'll sit still long
          enough, I might be able to finish!  And such a beautiful
          fleece!  Ani is getting wool off her sheep in preparation for a project.



From Claire:  This is my latest creation, a triangular scarf.
Getting ahead on Christmas gifts! I am also working on a patchwork wall hanging - photos to follow.
We are so lucky to have crafts and projects on the go during this time when we are home alone, together. 
Kind regards 
Claire 
Claire just sent in another beautiful picture. She says: Inspiration for this comes from my frequent trips back
to Africa. Being at home from work during the shelter in place order gave me a chance to dust off my materials. It’s measures 75cm x 100cm.
In the departure lounge at the airport are the most amazing quilts.  Many of them are enormous, about the size of a double bed. This is my small interpretation. Many of my favorite animals and the woman of Africa who carry such a heavy load. Literally and figuratively. I am pleased with the outcome even though it’s taking me about four years since it’s inception. 
Regards Claire 
Kate K. sends this: I had a rigid heddle loom sent to SC so I can work as my free time allows. I’m also putting my weaving designs into PDF form for download. And, of course, I am knitting. 





Saturday, April 4, 2020

Coffee Hour

Here we go! I'm here with the appropriate mug of tea...just trying to figure out from one day to the next how to do my new version of being a library director.
 Sarah K. sent this: thinking of everyone. Best wishes!

Catherine W. says:
 Hi Susan:
Miss seeing you, and thank you so much for keeping us all "in the loop".  It is much appreciated.  I'm attaching a picture of our kitten, Alan.  He is 4 months old, and keeps us entertained with all his antics.  He is so much fun to have around; especially in times like this.  

If you would like to post his picture (even though he's not exactly drinking coffee), that would be great.  His name is Alan Welch-Davidson.


And Connie B. sent a video of hummingbirds.
She says: This was last August. Could not count how many there were. They were very, very busy. I know it's not what you wanted for coffee hour, but it might serve as a reminder to get our hummingbird feeders out now. They'll be arriving any day now. Thank you, Susan for all the info you've been sharing.

And Claire G. says: Hi Susan
Thanks for keeping us sane and reading. Appreciate all your input on books for kiddos and adults. Resorted to reading my Kindle. Making the most of this down time to read sew and knit. 
Enjoy coffee hour. 
Kind regards 
Claire 

A comment form Edie and Peter: 
Dear Susan,
We think you're doing a remarkable job of ameliorating the situation through your kindness, creativity, intelligence, and communication.  Thank you for everything you're doing.

Stay safe and well.

We send our very best wishes,
Edie and Peter

Maury and Martha enjoying a cup of tea!

Here are some nice photos from outside the library taken by Leslie V.  She says:  Here are photos of April 2nd in the afternoon - indicating spring is really coming now that the ice is breaking up. Also in my back yard was the Great Blue Heron fishing that afternoon as well.



And here's Maria C. who says: Hi Susan, missing coffee hour in the library with our Harrisville friends this morning. Thanks for sharing good information to us, while we are hunkered down at this time. - Maria



Friday, April 3, 2020

DIGITAL Coffee Hour Saturday, April 4th 10:00 a.m.....

Well, we can't meet in person, but we CAN take pictures of ourselves, or our coffee cups/mugs. Please send me your photos and/or comments and I will post them to the library blog on Saturday morning. I am the admin of the blog, so I am the only one who can upload content, but anyone may make a comment. If you want to post text, but wish to do so anonymously, please let me know. Thanks and lets all have a grand time (kind of) together!