My niece, Lia, was my inspiration to make the first crocheted afghan. She loves purple. I love purple. A girl after my own heart. Two weeks (and many granny squares and other designs) later Lia's afghan was finished and I was bit by the crochet bug. I spent every extra minute with yarn and a hook, making gifts for friends and occasionally selling an item.

At a church bazaare I set up a table with some hats and scarves I made. Visitors were happy to tell me, "I can crochet, I can make that!" My first challenge was apparent: How do I make an item that cannot easily be made by most people? I love helping others learn to crochet, but the items I was making weren't unique enough to be appealing to my market.

I needed another inspiration. I visited a local yarn store in a nearby city looking for beautiful yarn and there it was - the most beautiful fabric I had ever seen. Not crochet or knit. Woven fabric. The store had classes that included a loom, but the classes were not available until the next month. (Sigh) Hurry up and wait.

Christmas day came and there it was...a beautiful loom given to me by my husband. I have been weaving ever since. I hope you enjoy the look and feel of the items as much as I enjoy making them.