Friday, July 26, 2019

Large Round Reed Flowers





During the July Central Pennsylvania Basket Weavers Guild meeting, members wove a simple square basket with a handle for this years service project.  The completed baskets will be filled with toiletries and delivered to the VA  Family House in Pittsburg.






After lunch member Marilyn Julius lead us in making large reed flowers for outdoors.  We used dyed #7 round reed to form the petals  and #3 round reed to create the flowers center.  The flowers were attached to a 1/2" dowel to serve as the stem.    It was suggested to seal the reed flowers with a poly spray before "planting" them out doors.  I also painted my stem green.

Saturday, July 6, 2019

A Month of Basket Classes

The past 4 weeks have been a busy, fun time of basket weaving.





I lead a Rib Key Basket with a group of outdoor women at a picturesque lodge retreat in Hancock, MD.  We sat on a wrap around porch over looking a breathtaking vista as we wove the key baskets.  Participants selected their individual color schemes, resulting in a wide variety of key  baskets.  








Once again I taught two week-long basket classes for Common Ground on the Hill at McDaniel College.   It is a time to catch up with old friends and make new acquaintances.  Week one students learned to weave a rib hen basket starting with a Josephine Knot.  We also had time to make a hair clasp featuring the same Josephine Knot.



















The second week students wove two baskets featuring a cat head bottom.  Emphasis was placed on perfecting the cat head "ears" and shaping of their basket.  One basket included a handle and one did not.   Color choices  made each basket distinctive and their own.







I so enjoy sharing my craft with other basket weavers, both beginners and experienced weavers.  There is nothing better than weaving baskets in the company of others.  I invite you to join a basket guild, class or casual group of friends and take time to fellowship as you weave. You will end up with more than just a basket!