sue orton

floor loom

Excitement today as I put my first warp on my floor loom she is a Glimakra Standard loom and I’ve named her Frances. I’m learning the language of lams, apron strings and threading up. Today I’m hoping to complete a universal threading to allow me to weave on 4 shafts.

South Downs Way 4

A cold wind accompanied me on my fourth day of my walk from Southease to Housedean Farm. Parking in Stanmer Park, I took the train to Southease. Two walkers alighted one going East and one West along the SDW. Coffee in the YHA cafe set me up for the 6.5 mile walk. Over the River Ouse first and into Southease village and then gradually up onto the tops. Gloves and hat on – it is November – past Rodmell and onto Swanborough Hill with views north to Kingston and Lewes and south to Newhaven, Peacehaven and an occasional glimpse through the clouds at Seven Sisters. A quick lunch under a hawthorn as it was cold sitting still. On, joining the Jugg’s Road – used to transport fish by Donkey from the fishing town of Brighton to the market in Lewes – before descending past the autumn colours in Newmarket Plantation to Housedean farm. Two miles walking along a busy A27 to my car at Stanmer ended a very successful day.

South Downs Way: 3

Alfriston to Southease on 23rd October, a chilly damp day. I enjoyed Alfriston both arriving and departing. The walk out of the village is up Weavers Lane and a steady climb brings you out onto the top of the Downs. Full waterproofs were soon on both for the drizzle and wind chill. I made good progress and arrived in Southease in time for lunch.

South Downs Way: 2

I was pleased to get back to walking after my operation in September: slowly does it.

Starting from Seven Sisters National Park Centre I walked just 3 miles through to Alfriston on a gently glorious October day. Lighter and fitter with increasing energy, the autumn colours soothed and invigorated me. Kicking through the leaves with a song in my heart I was very pleased to be on the trail again.

Project 4 reflections

Choosing inspiration from either Turner or Henry Moore to design accessories for an imaginary shop; I explored Turner. My approach was to explore colour and texture taking each of the paintings and then focusing in on a line of colour, following the energy and light in the picture. Here are some of the results including design sheets.

Glimakra Standard floor loom….

This is my autumn project … a gorgeous second hand counter-march floor loom to assemble and get to know. It will take me a while but I hope to be using it into the winter and for my final weaving project due in the Spring 2015.