Getting It Done

I crawled out of bed this morning with the realization that I had to make yet another batch of soap. I swear the part I dislike the most is making the origami paper liner for the mold. I intensely abhor that task, so once the liner is in the box, the rest is all downhill.
I hate making soap in the winter because it's cold in the garage and that's where I store my soap oils. The garage thermometer today read 40 degrees, not quite freezing, but the oils were solid. I had to cut them in order to weight them, so the pot I put on the stove looked like this. That's oil you're looking at. I made Nevada Bar today and it smells fantastic in our kitchen.
After the soap was put to rest, I went back upstairs to play more with my sample warp. I had quite a lot left so decided to pull out Anne Dixon's book and see what I could get from my twill threading in a direct tie-up and 1/3 twill. Nothing looked like her book, it all looked like rosepath. I pulled out my workshop notes and saw that the threading was for rosepath. Doh.

So I decided to get silly. I treadled right side up, upside down and you know - it does make a difference. You have to look close. The bottom of the sample actually is different than the top.
This was so much fun. I had planned two more samplers before allowing myself the fun of dish towels, but I'm not sure I can wait for two more samplers. Stupid addictive hobby.
Complicating things, i.e., my interests - Benita just sent me another box of her reassigned cottons. I have wanted to replace my first rag rug which was too loosely sett, Lautrec - sorry - I couldn't help myself. It was woven in twill, an unfortunate learning experience. I'd like to have that on the floor by Christmas Eve. I am a champ at setting unrealistic goals. I can do it. More to follow.

The placemats were another unfortunate experiment, though I have sold some. People apparently don't sit at a table to dine. I've been emailed for kitchen sized rag rugs. I seemed to have missed the cue. I'll give those a go in the new year. There's a whole new realm of craft fairs in the horizon.

I am a complete flash mob junkie so will leave you with this: