Author Archives: vairarenbeth

About vairarenbeth

Just another person on the planet earth. My name is Claudia, but I am also known as teacatweaves, and teacatweaver. An escapee from the corporate grind, my husband and I are in a new phase of life. Now I read, weave, spin, urban hike, knit, make bread and pasta from scratch, and discover new and exciting things to my heart's content. One sweet dream is a reference to the Beatles - "...Soon we'll be away from here, step on the gas and wipe that tear away. One sweet dream - be true..."

Flutes and Feathers

Posted on March 22, 2017 by vairarenbeth

Starting last year, and continuing into this year has been quite an interesting journey so far, with many new roads and offshoots demanding my attention. Most of all, I find it hard to write about this subject without feeling like I am being a bit pretentious. After all, I am descended from immigrant Italians. I have […]

Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Native American Flute | Tagged | Comments Off on Flutes and Feathers

Deflected Hand Dyed – Double Fluff!

Posted on August 25, 2016 by vairarenbeth

This all started with the scarf that Katniss wears in the second movie of The Hunger Games series, Catching Fire. She is hunting in District Twelve, her home district. It’s a really cool design. But the pixel level was not … Continue reading →

Comments Off on Deflected Hand Dyed – Double Fluff!

Study Group Recovery

Posted on July 19, 2016 by vairarenbeth

Study groups can be pretty tricky, no matter what the discipline. Of course, you’d think that creating a group that is smaller than the larger group (or guild) would be able to get some in-depth structure study. The problem is that, over time, … Continue reading →

1 Comment

Colour and Design – Another Jane Stafford Textiles Adventure

Posted on June 21, 2016 by vairarenbeth

Hey Salt Spring Island in British Columbia, Canada – we’re back! My friend Laura and I returned once more for another weaving adventure with a favorite weaving teacher, Jane Stafford. Colour and Design was offered at the beginning of April, so … Continue reading →

Posted in fiber arts, Travel, Weaving | 2 Comments

Crossing Borders – A Visit to the U.K. and the Republic of Ireland

Posted on June 18, 2016 by vairarenbeth

Documenting our April 2016 bus tour which started in London and ended in Dublin. Continue reading →

Posted in Travel | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Crossing Borders – A Visit to the U.K. and the Republic of Ireland

Huck Lace Gamp with Tom Knisely

Posted on April 19, 2016 by vairarenbeth

This year is certainly the time for local workshops – and in March, I was able to attend, courtesy of the Telarana Weavers Guild in Mesa, Arizona, Tom Knisely’s Huck Lace Workshop. Tom provided drafts for both four and eight harness looms.  Since … Continue reading →

Comments Off on Huck Lace Gamp with Tom Knisely

Linen and Hemp

Posted on March 14, 2016 by vairarenbeth

There are so many weaving drafts out on the internet, whether through social media or dedicated websites it’s overwhelming at times. Some people like to “design” their own weaving drafts – and I have weaving buddies that do some incredible … Continue reading →

Posted in fiber arts, Weaving | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Linen and Hemp

Dye, No Tie, Oh My!!!!!

Posted on March 9, 2016 by vairarenbeth

There are so many ways to dye fabric and yarn these days, that it can be overwhelming in picking any one method.  My preference is to handle as few noxious agents as possible. And sometimes that is close to impossible … Continue reading →

Posted in fiber arts | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Woodpeckers Don’t Get Concussions

Posted on March 1, 2016 by vairarenbeth

Sometimes small truths put life in perspective and help us get through the day.  For Leo Kottke, who played a smoking concert at the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Phoenix last night, the title remark was his concert opening. Leo … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Commentary, Observations | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Woodpeckers Don’t Get Concussions

The Weaving Adventures Continue….

Posted on June 18, 2015 by vairarenbeth

For all my weaving enthusiast friends, I’ve written about my recent trip to Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. Great place for a weaving retreat, and a fabulous teacher, too!

Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The Weaving Adventures Continue….