A Gift Given, A Gift Received

Good Day Bonnie,

3 1/2 years ago you offered up on your blog the President's Horoscope. I got one and held onto it. I finally wove it in Bambu 12. I added your "Almost Ikat" (that I picked up from your You-tube instructions) to add a Southwest flair and 3 inch purple boarder. I, then, donated it to the local county Democratic Party for their fundraiser. It was a huge hit and raised $750 in their auction. Must say the warping took a lot of time, but the weaving was a breeze even with a rag shuttle for the doubled weft yarn.

The whole concept is such fun!!! I really loved working with the colors and seeing the combinations. Just that alone has given me some ideas of color choices for other projects. Thank God for digital cameras to record which ones I like best and add them to my notes.

Louisa

PS. I have really enjoyed your published work over the years. Your website gallery is terrific and inspirational to me. I am, and have been, a fan of your work. Thank you for reaching out so openly to weavers like me.

I am a Bonnie Inspiried Weaver!

Hello Bonnie.... I am so pleased with my shawl and have had lots of compliments. I always credit you...Bonnie Inspiried!

"This was a lovely gift to myself and I am very grateful to Bonnie for

developing this idea. I have never warped anything without knowing how

it was going to turn out. Each new color was eagerly anticipated to see

how it would blend in. Like Bonnie promised, it all worked out."

Information about my shawl.....

I basically followed Bonnie's directions; they were very clear. I used

Bambu 7 for the warp...sett was 20 ends to the inch and I used Bambu 12

for the weft. Weaving with this fibre was a delight and I thought it

was some of my best weaving...I have been weaving for 35 years. Must

have been because I was weaving me!

The hardest part was keeping track of the colors...your instructions

were very helpful. One thing I did was xerox the chart and tick off

each thread as I warped it. I was amazed when I checked things that I

made several errors and had to go over the whole warp 4 times! Maybe

that says something about me though. I also added 3 inches of solid

black to extend the width.

I wanted to make a shawl with a "V" back rather than one length of

fabric.

I ended up with piece of fabric that was 21 x 121" after

washing. I cut one piece 64 inches long and another 43 inches long ( 43

+21= 64) and then hand sewed them in an L shape to get my desired

shape. Hope that makes sense. I am a tall person and wanted ample

fabric to drape over my shoulders.

The fringes were hand plied; they

ended up being about 6" long after being plied.

I have 8 inches of fabric left over and plan to make a little frame and

hang it on the wall.

I am a Bonnie Inspiried weaver!

Happy , healthy and a hearty 2010!

Hugs to you,

Shelley Hamilton

It's Never Too Late

Hi Bonnie,

Remember me? I am a member of the Blue Ridge Spinner’s & Weavers Guild. I signed up for your horoscope weaving workshop back in 2007 but unable to attend. You sent me a packet with beads for a horoscope necklace and a horoscope threading draft. I ordered a Bambu 7 kit from Cotton Clouds. With the nudging and help of our guild president (Beth) I completed the shawl over the Labor Day weekend. I enjoyed every minute of the weaving! This is my first experience with Bambu. I really like the drape of the finished garment. Thank you. Terri