A Michigan Summer of Traveling and Teaching

This summer in Michigan has been a full summer teaching weaving at yarn stores and quilt shops in Western Michigan. And the back roads aren't boring either.



Summer Storm somewhere between Newaygo and Muskegon



Scarf Class at Apple Knits & Purls in Muskegon

Beautiful scarf and a happy new weaver

Shabby Chic Table Runner Class at The New Ewe, Newaygo



I taught a version of my Fringy Cowl using Sari Silk at The Michigan Fibre Studio in Grand Rapids.

 

I traveled to Albia, Iowa to The Fiber Arts Shoppe where I taught a weekend of workshops. One of which was my "Weave A Rainbow/Color Theory for Weavers Workshop."

Warp for the Color Gamp Scarf

Weave A Rainbow Color Gamp Scarf

 

I made them work for the Chocolate they found in their packet

I stayed with my hostess, Sherri, in her beautiful country home. She gave me a tour of their natural pasture land for the deer to feed, and introduced me to their alpacas and homing pigeons.

 

 

I took a week to travel to Pittsburgh to be with my grandkids.

Last day of school and a ride in the Grandmom bus
otherwise known as the old Volvo Station Wagon.

An afternoon craft activity with my yarn thrums

Moon rising over the neighborhood my last night in Pittsburgh

And finally I traveled to Mississippi for a family reunion with my six siblings, their children and grandchildren at the campground of my childhood.

And all of this travel was just me, alone in my good old trusty Volvo station wagon. I wish Carl could have joined me, but he had family responsibilities to attend to.

In spite of my busy schedule of teaching and traveling, I was able to work in a bit of weaving for me and some local activities and time with Carl and Jujube my dog.

  

New Bonsai Vest made on my 15" Rigid Heddle Loom

Muskegon Farmer's Market. Just Amazing!

July 4th hike through the sand dunes to Lake Michigan

 Lots of morning and evening walks on the bike path

 

And so much beauty in nature

But our main reason for spending this summer in Michigan was so we could be here with my Mother-in-Law as she was in failing health and in hospice. She left us in July. We will always be grateful that we were here with the family this summer.

One of the last blooms on my Mother-in-Law's Bird of Paradise Plant

Another Summer in Michigan

If anyone's been "trying" to follow me, you'll know I haven't been keeping up with my blog. Writing is not one of my favorite things. New plan - Less words, more pictures. And pictures tell a story so much better. Now maybe I'll do it more often.

Spring Lake, Michigan. We arrived here in April. After a warm and lovely winter in Arizona, Michigan in April felt like going back in time. It rained and sleeted and snowed. All I could do was work on small loom projects as I looked out my RV window at the snow and rain.



Early April snow outside my RV window





Zoom Looming as it rains
outside

But it's spring here now with green grass, spring flowers, and bird songs. I've missed this kind of spring since living in the West.

I got here just in time to do Western Michigan's Yarn Quest. I visited 15 yarn stores in two weeks. Now I have many new fiber friends. And through those contacts I'm scheduled to teach more classes. Check my Schedule Tab to see where I will be next.

Learn to Weave and make a Scarf/Infinity Scarf
One of my beginning classes at yarn stores

For now I've rented a studio in Muskegon on Lakeshore Drive. The RV is way too small. How did I get so lucky. So much light and that view . . .

View across the street to the Marina

Looks like it will be a busy summer mixed with work and fun and enjoying the short summer season while I'm here in this beautiful part of the world. 

 

Lake Michigan with singing sand

It's About the Journey

Transitions, moving into the unknown. This is my life and my work. I moved my studio from Virginia to Denver in 2000 and ended up traveling around the West in an old RV for a year or so, taking my studio out on the desert to see where it might lead me next.

Transporting a rented loom in my little convertible.

Weaving on the desert somewhere in
Southern California 2002

This has been the story of my life, following the "invisible thread" wherever it might lead. And then I landed in Roswell, New Mexico with the perfect little stucco studio.

Orange flag was my open sign

Warm and cozy studio.

And it's here I learned to spin

And I faced my fears and taught my first weaving class. Which opened up a world of new opportunities!

Thank you Roswell for encouraging me.

It's been a great five years with lots of good memories. But the time has come to move on. To where? I don't know. I'll be traveling once again in an RV with my husband and dog. The RV is a much newer model this time towing a Smart Car instead of a convertible.

For awhile my studio will travel with me until we find another place to land. And there will be many more adventures along the way. So the journey begins again. After all, it's not about the destination, it is about the journey. 

Follow my journey on Facebook ZoZo FiberArts