Seeing Sparkles

The rainbow clutch is done! Because I assembled most of the pieces along the way, the final assembly went a lot faster than I thought It would, and honestly I was not ready for it to be over. I originally planned to sell the clutch,  but the little details I put in along the way gave it character, and those details have made it precious to me.

I learned that my purse frame used to be a part of a chainmail purse, and it used to have a small metal rod to hold the fabric to the frame. Although the rod is no longer there, the holes that held it in place are, so I threaded some strong yarn through the holes, and around some beads to "replicate" the rod.

I found some brass bead spacers from some old bracelets to use.

Then, there was the problem that, also because the frame used to be for a chainmail purse, there were no holes in the frame to secure the fabric. I decided to improvise by wrapping some silk yarn scraps from my weaving mentor over the sides of the frame, and then secured the fabric from there.

And finally, the last piece. I went to the local craft store to pick up some bronze chain for the purse strap, but the only kind they had wasn't strong enough. So, I used about 80 tiny 4mm jump rings to connect two lengths of the chain! The new and improved chain is VERY sturdy, but I think I don't want to see another jump ring for a week or two. Let's just say that the tinier they are, the more frustrating they become to work with.

I know that this all sounds like I was just making life more difficult for myself, but once I had all of the pieces I knew exactly what I wanted the finished purse to be like. I love all of it, from my crazy yarn, to the tiny little jump rings. I wouldn't change a thing.

Smeagol is FREEE!!!!!!

Or rather, the Leclerc is!

 Ok, I know that I said I would finish the rainbow clutch first, but I really wanted to get that overshot warp done, so I finished it! Ladies and gentlemen, the most annoying warp in my (considerably short) weaving history IS DONE. I did weave through all of the warp, and once I fix the many, many mistakes, it will actually be a nice looking piece. Maybe then I will post some pictures of it... maybe.
Also, I have decided what to do for the scarf. It will be in dark and light green with some sparkle added in. Also, I have decided against the crackle pattern. I finaly found it again in a handwoven magazine, and it was just as gorgeous as I remembered. But there was a bit of a problem... just looking over the pattern made me seriously in need of some chamomile tea. I will get back to that one in a year or two, but for now it is way out of my league. So, for now the scarf will be woven in a M's and W's pattern. Which brings me to one of my favorite parts of the planning process.
Which pattern to choose?

Ah the possibilities!
Meanwhile, I did finish sewing all of the squares together for the rainbow clutch. I want to lightly felt it before I finish sewing it together.

And lastly, my supervisor (aka my cat) decided to add a little cuteness to my "photoshoot". I decided to take the picture of the rainbow clutch on my loom bench, so I had to move the sheepskin cushion. I folded it up, placed it on the floor, and proceeded to take photos. When I turned around to put it back, well...

It is good to know that I'm not the only one that appreciates MY sheepskin!

Weavette

(sorry, the sparkles don't show up in the picture too well)

The rainbow yarn is finished! I love how it turned out, and it has a ton of sparkles!  I decided to weave it on a Weavette loom to showcase all the colors. I originally envisioned to making a tote bag or a table runner, but since I only have 116 yards the options are placemat or clutch. I am still not sure which one would be best. I am leaning more towards the clutch.

In other news, I am almost done with my "spring cleaning", and the area around the Leclerc is slowly looking less like a tornado hit. ;-)   Once everything is cleared up I will weave off the rest of the infamous overshot warp. I think my next project will be a scarf in a crackle pattern, but I will write more about that when I get there!