Weekends are for..

We had a good time at dinner with the Chimenyville Weavers and Spinners Guild. One of the members has a brick oven built in the back yard and she used it to make pizza for everyone! It was wonderful.

Then late last night, Ben had a major allergic reaction with little bitty hives all over his body (something that never happens to him) and we were up most of the night. Then this morning I had a major reaction, complete with giant wheals all over my legs. Since this is not particularly unusual for me, I wasn't alarmed until I started having respiratory trouble. So I took some benedryl and ended up going back to sleep. I was still scratching, even with all that anti-histamine on board. Now the hives are gone, but I feel like a truck hit me. LOL For me, I think it is related to holding Omar the cat while Ben gives him his pill and puts drops in his eyes, but we have NO idea what the trigger was for Ben. I sure hope we don't have a repeat tonight at bedtime!

I also learned that the Vice President of my local EGA chapter is resigning because she is moving back to Bristol. I will really miss her.

So now I am sitting on the sofa, watching TV and wishing I could get my act together. I have about a million things I need to do, but my guess is that I won't even get off the sofa.

Look to the Cookie

Okay, I bought 3/4 of a pound of this funky natural brown and white mixed roving. I dubbed it "Look to the Cookie," a not so obscure reference to Seinfeld. Well, when you are using Wilton's Black, they recommend that you start with dark icing, such as chocolate. So when I was going through my roving and saw "Look to the Cookie," I knew that it was destined for the dye pot! I love the way it came out. I used Wilton's Black and Violet. While I was at it, I also dyed a skein of wool in straight Black.

I also got one of the new Swan Hook Sleeping Beauty Spindles from SimpleMarketFarms in the mail! :-) So of course, the very first thing I had to do was spin up some wool. I really like the look of these spindles and I think they are wonderful and economical. I really think that Jeanne and Paul are on to something.

Blogthings - Your Personality

You are dependable, popular, and observant. Deep and thoughtful, you are prone to moodiness. In fact, your emotions tend to influence everything you do. You are unique, creative, and expressive. You don't mind waving your freak flag every once and a while. And lucky for you, most people find your weird ways charming!

The World's Shortest Personality Test

Okay, I thought this was so cute. The freaky thing is that except for the popularity part, it was deadly accurate! I am weird, moody, emotional and dependable.

On the fiber front, I was able to get a little spinning done at lunch. I have the Sherbert Surprise on my Sleeping Beauty spindle and I like it. I wonder how it will appeal to me after it is plied.

Speaking of plying, I had trouble plying the second spindle full of the green mystery fiber. My yarn kept breaking, which was strange, because I had thought I had too much twist. But I guess I had some places that must have lost their twist. This was the first time that I had a centerpull ball get totally out of control, but my dog jumped in my lap, it came off my thumb and I never regained control. Go figure.

I bought this mass of tangled wool from someone on eBay who bought it and could not deal with the mess, so she sold it at a loss. It took me forever to wind into balls and I had to use my dining room table as sort of giant swift. I plan to skein up the rest of the wool I have wound into balls so that I can dye some more! Now that I have seen PugKnits latest dyeing adventure, I definitely have to try Moss Green and Teal together.

Another Long Weekend

Okay, Cynthia and Rodger came up for a long weekend and helped me with the house. They painted and fixed sheetrock and worked so hard...and it was a pleasure having them here...and make no mistake, we did take some time out to dye wool! Several of these are wool I bought on eBay and one is a skein of Lamb's Pride Bulky that Cyndy brought with her.

We did teal & royal blue...brown, moss green & brown...burgundy & rose & kelly green & black,... and finally black and violet on the Lamb's Pride.

I hope that they were as comfortable staying here as I was having them. It was so much fun to have someone to play in the fiber with me! Even Rodger thought the whole process was cool and that the wool came out great.

What a long strange trip it's been

On Spindlers, Nanette posted about her piercings and Sharon wondered if she would go for a tattoo next. Well, it is time to admit my secret, I had some trouble with turning 30 and got this:



It's a custom job...I went to Biloxi to get it...I figure any place with a Navy Base is a good bet for decent tattoo artists. LOL My mother still doesn't know about it and my father used to lecture me about Hepatitis C every chance he could after seeing it. Oh, well. :-)

On the fiber front, I had trouble plying this last spindle of green mystery wool...it got out of control and broke several times. It might have been a case of bad timing...I was pretty pooped from working on the other house...I used a dremel for about three hours straight...so maybe it was just a bad time to be using my hands!

My friends made it into town and we all ate dinner together, then came back and watched Monk. :-) Our very first house guests. LOL In a few minutes we will head over the other house and to Home Depot and get to work.

A little help from your friends

My friend Cynthia is going to do some knitting for Tibet and she found out that they love bright colors like saffron and red, even though those are the colors of monks' robes. She has also been interested in the dyeing and said she was going to bring up some Lamb's Pride with her when she comes up this weekend!

She and her DH, Rodger, are coming up to help me work on the house. He can do the sheetrock work and we can paint. Woo hoo! I have so many things scheduled between now and next week, it just isn't funny. I am going to have to take some personal time to get all the repair people over to the house, and some of that is just to get estimates.

I call this Sherbet Surprise and it really looks good enough to eat.

Then I decided to try some moss green. It did not split nearly as much as I expected it to, but I do plan to try again!

By the way, this wool is what came with my Sleeping Beauty from Simple Market Farms. I also discovered that you need to fluff and separate the roving before you dye it if you want it penetrate all the way through. It really can get compacted between the processing, the packing and she shipping.

Almost there!

Wow, most of the house is cleared out and the floors are for the most part vacuumed. I am so ready to go back to work and get some rest. LOL One more solid day of working on the place and it will be ready to go on the market.

Last night I plied a small skein of the Wilton's Black and I was very pleased with the way it looked. I will definitely dye more of this. I already have a project in mind! This was photographed on a quilt with a light blue background, so the color is pretty accurate.

Maybe I will have time to do some more spinning next week.

More of the same

Okay, the master bedroom and walk-in closet are cleaned out and mostly clean. LOL Both bathrooms have been given a once over and now need a little more intensive cleaning. I got most of the stuff out of the kitchen, but I just have no idea where I am going to put it all. The house here already was a wreck, not it is boxes stacked on top of a wreck. I am beginning to wonder if this was the smart thing. I have sorted, thrown away, donated and sold a ton of stuff...and yet I am struggling to find a place for what it left in my husband's home. :-/

My former neighbor who is getting the huge deep freezer said she thought they could get it tomorrow or Monday. Maybe she wants the washing machine too. I just paid to have a new pump installed. I am really going to miss it, because that was my felting washer.

On the fiber front, I have not been able to spin at all, but on the bright side, my eBay auctions are going to end tonight. Maybe I can sell enough to end my fiber diet. :-P

Another Long Day

Okay, why did I pick the hottest, most humid days to do this moving and cleaning? LOL I emptied out my last closet and realize that I have way too many clothes in way too many sizes. I work for a major university, but I am a techie and get to dress very casually. The few times I have worn hose and heels, I ended up on the floor checking cable connections. But, I used to have a PR job and amassed a huge collection of suits and shoes.

I have come to the realization that I will never wear any of these things again, I do occasionally wear a nice dress, but I just don't wear the suits. Plus, I have a lot of things that are too small for me, some still with the tags in place. I am thinking I will donate some of it to Goodwill, but I was thinking I might sell the best of it on eBay. Is that strange?

I generated a lot of trash and dragged it all to the curb. Hopefully the garbage collectors will pick it all up including the furniture. I have also run about six loads in the dish washer. Don't ask me why it was clean in my cabinet at old house, but I can't put it into a cabinet here until it has been washed. I did manage to get a lot of the clothes put away and a lot of the kitchen odds and ends...but it is clear that I really did give up a lot of kitchen and closet space in order to get the studio! I do have about the same amount of storage in the master bath, but I haven't been using it appropriately, because the contractor still has not delivered the doors. :-D

I did have a nice break at lunch when I went out to eat with my husband's cousin. She is a really nice lady and I am glad we got to know one another, even though the circumstances were abysmal...the funerals of both of my husband's parents in the last three months. It was a very nice diversion.

Now, I am going to kick back, watch Monk and try to go bed early. I have a lot more work ahead of me in the next three days and not much help with any of it.

Okay, so I took a long break to cool off and ...

Here are some photos!

First, here is the black on the spindle *and* with the wrist distaff I made using what I had spun yesterday. :-)

And here is the Wilton's No Taste Red over-dyed with Violet.

And this is Violet alone:



And the Violet mixed with Royal Blue:



And finally for Vee...Bronze with a little Golden Yellow and Brown.

Oh, my aching back...

I took a few days off from work so that I could clean my old house to try to get it ready for sale. I am going to do an "as is" sale and price my home for less than it is worth...just to get out from under the additional mortgage. After a three year long remodel from hell at my husband's house, I just can't face dealing with contractors and trying to get the cosmetic stuff done. My loss is going to be someone's gain...that's for sure. LOL

It was horribly hot and humid today and then it started raining. Just my luck. LOL This place is already full, so I am not sure where I am going to put things. I guess some of it will get stacked up and some of it will go in the garage. I need to have it ready for the real estate agent to put out a sign and start showing it on Tuesday. Wish me luck, cause I am so going to new it!

On the dye front, I overdyed the red with violet and I like it MUCH better. When I get enough energy, I will try to post some pictures. :-)

More fun than a chemistry set

Wilton's Black:

I decided to try Black first, because popular opinion is that it really splits well. This color way is just FABULOUS. I can't wait to get this on a spindle.

Then Wilton's Brown...

Another FABULOUS choice. I will be repeating this color for sure.

Then Wilton's No Taste Red...

This was the only one that did not split. I used a merino roving and it did not wet well, so I am not sure if one of the other rovings would have reacted differently. I presoaked two more hanks of this merino and it really was difficult to wet completely through, even though I left it soaking while I was at work today.

I think I will overdye this to get some variation...but it did turn out a nice strong color in parts. LOL

Now I have to ask...is this infomation useful or at least interesting to you all? Please comment or send me an email!

Dyeing Wool with Wilton

The experiment continues! :-)

Okay, for those of you who need recipes to get started, here is how I dyed this wool using Wilton's Delphinium Blue Icing Dye. I put 4 quarts of cool tap water into a stainless steel dye pot, added 3 tablespoons of citric acid and stirred vigorously, then I added 1/4 teaspoon of Wilton's Delphinium Blue to the dye pot and stirred again. It looks like a peacock green when mixed in the pot, before the wool.

I put 4 ounces of dry wool roving into the pot. If you prewet the wool, the color will be less intense.


Notice the teal color...nothing like what I would have thought of as Delphinium Blue.

The color splitting actually occurs in a logical way. The pink/violet is binding on the bottom of the wool and the aqua on the top.


Washing it in warm water with a little dawn detergent.

And the final product...

Tomorrow I'll post the pictures for Brown, Black and Red Wilton Icing Dyes.

Penguin Dreams and Stranger Things

Okay, someone posted this link and I thought these were too fun and funny not to pass along. Short-toed Socklet (pdf) Now, mind you, I would never in a million years wear these, but they sure are cute. LOL

Last night after all the chatter about Wilton Icing Dyes on Spindlers, I just had to go get some and experiment for myself. Using Joan of Mississippi's suggestions, I put regular tap water into my dye pot along with two tablespoons of Citric Acid. Then I screwed the top off of a tub of Wilton's Delphinium Blue and realized it had a foil tab cover. The tab had quite a bit of dye on it, so being thrifty, I decided to stick it into my dye pot and swish it around with a pair of tongs until the water was a fairly uniform aqua green. I was sort of surprised by the color, but since this was just a test, I pulled off a hunk of roving (probably two ounces) and dropped it into the mixture. Joan's post stated that dry wool produced more vibrant results, so I thought I would give it a try.

Next I set the pot on the stove under medium heat and just let it go. I came in routinely to peek at it and the color split was evident after just a few minutes. When the water got closer to boiling, I turned it down to a very low simmer and walked away. I came back after a while and noticed that all of the dye had bound to the wool and was exhausted, so the water was clear once again. The roving was a very nice variegated bright blue/aqua/purple/pink.

Here is a photo:

Tonight I am going to make a photo journal of the process as a leaping off point for those of you who are afraid to just wing it.

Slower by the hour, faster by the week

I read that in one of my books extolling the virtues of the handspindle. I think it was the SpinOff HandSpindle Treasury, but it could have been another one. LOL I think that really is true for me. I mean, I could produce more on a spinning wheel, but I can't take a wheel to work! I even spun for a little while at my Embroiderers' Guild meeting. I was so excited to show off my improving skills to Lisa (the person who is the reason I learned to use a spindle) and to demonstrate my wrist distaff in action. :-)

I really am enjoying getting more proficient on my drop spindle, but what am I doing spinning such thin yarn when I *hate* working with anything that small?

I am on a fiber diet...I just can't spend any more money on hobbies until I can counterbalance my PayPal spending with what sells on eBay. So far, it was less than $30 for pounds and POUNDS of Lustersheen. But then I saw this site on Spindlers and the wanting got worse! Left Handed Pinkie.

Green Mystery Fiber

Here is the first plied skein of the mystery fiber and a serious close-up of this skein. This is a different table, not the oak I usually use for photos. I have a second spindle going and almost full. :-)

Just a note about that table...it was made by my friend Shay's husband. It was in her sewing room until she remodeled, then it went home with me on my last visit to Dallas. In fact, my station wagon was filled with goodies when I left their home. Jim has a lathe and is wood worker, so of course I tried to lure him into making me a spindle, but so far no luck.

Oh, and here is a scan of the wrist distaff, so you can see a little more detail. I used it last night and today and have really enjoyed it. I am making one out of Cebelia (size 20) and some special plastic beads that were a gift from a dear friend. I'll post photos when that one is done...but since I have to teach tomorrow, it might be a little while before I am done.

Wrist Distaff

Okay, today I decided that I *had* to have a wrist distaff. Even though there was an article in the latest issue of SpinOff and a pattern in A Handspindle Treasury, I saw a bunch of blogs referred to making this one Urban Spinner's Wrist Distaff and I had to have one. One of the cool sites I stumbled on to was W o o l f l o w e r s. The problem with Google and blogs is that I can waste so much time! :-)

Right after dinner I pulled out some of the brown variegated hand-dyed wool I had spun and a palette of faux pearls and made this.


I decided on the faux pearls because they are plastic and very light weight. I think I might make this again, but next time I will use fewer strands and prettier beads. But it will be hard to resist loading it up until it is too heavy to be comfortable.

And now for something completely different....

A few weeks ago when I first discovered handspindles, I thought I would make my own, so I bought some toy wheels and dowels on eBay. Several of the wheels I bought were spoked models, but I had problems with each of them. It looked great, even after I went at it with my Dremel, right up to the moment I cracked the dowel which was already glued in place. That was when I first saw the Sleeping Beauty at SimpleMarketFarms and decided to buy one. I really like Jeanne's spindles...they look wonderful, spin well, and are reasonably priced. Besides, what was I going to do with this?

18 WPI = Lace Weight?

I spun about half of this mystery fiber from my trade. I got a lot done at work during lunch and on break. Here it is on the spindle:

Here is it plied on my Rapunzel Spindle from SimpleMarketFarms.com:

The Rapunzel has a wraps per inch (wpi) mark on the shaft. This wool came out to about 18 WPI, which my handy-dandy card says is Lace Weight yarn.

Oh and I came across this site "Monster Crochet" and discovered that I am a Hillbully Knitter, because I crochet. What a scream! I do think it has a wonderful ring to it. LOL

Double Monday

Why is it that the Tuesday after a long weekend is like a double Monday? It was a busy and crazy day at work!

I scanned a sample of the beautiful mixed purples I knit up last night. :-) The photo doesn't do it justice, it is just YUMMY.

I was able to get about thirty minutes of spinning in at lunch, which was the only peace I got all day! I have almost of spindle full of the green variegated fluff from the swap. The staple is really long, but I am getting used to it now. Joan was trying to get me to correct my drafting to prevent balling the roving, but it felt good, so I did not want to change anything. But I did break the roving up a little so that it would not get caught up into my spindle. I think I need a wrist distaff. I have the last issue of SpinOff, so there really is no excuse. Time to make one. LOL

I also took all my eBay packages to work with me this morning, all stacked neatly onto my rolling cart, then finally made my way to the post office substation at afternoon break and $25+ later, everything was shipped. LOL I am starting to remember why I quit selling a few years ago...I was losing money!

Stitching instead of spinning

This link came up because of a controversy over The Forbidden Stitch being mistakenly equated to the French Knot. The Forbidden Stitch in Chinese Embroideries It really is a nice site with some wonderful illustrations.

I have been working on a special nametag for an upcoming EGA event. I never enter contests, but I decided that it was time to take a risk. I have my overall design, but I decided to do some wired stumpwork and it has taken me way longer than I expected to shape and stitch a few items. I spent two hours with some wire and a pair of pliers and was still not really happy with my end product. LOL I am not going to share photos of my progress, because I don't want to jinx myself.

I sold a BUNCH of yarn on eBay, but it brought in less than $30. Regardless, I will press ahead and put some more of my overwhelming stash up for sale. I spent too much on eBay buys in the last six weeks and I am trying to even things out, but I also need to reclaim the space in my studio! My yarn has hit overflow and my spinning wool has migrated to the cedar armoire in my living room and I still have not moved all of my yarn stash from my other house. I wonder if I should offer it up in BIG lots of similar stuff or small auctions by dye lot...hmmm.

Anyway...for the rest of the day.

My co-worker, Frank, helped me get the last few pieces of furniture over here today and I helped him load up the refrigerator. I hope he found someone on the other end to help him unload it! I also talked to my across the street neighbor at the old house and her daughter is interested in buying my deep freezer. I think I should be able to the whole place emptied by next weekend.

Chimneyville Weavers and Spinners Guild

Well, I almost did not go to the Ag Museum to sit with the guild as they did a demonstration for the public, but I sure am glad that I did. Okay it was hotter than Hades, but this is Mississippi and it *is* July, so what else would you expect? We sat on the porch and I got the chance to use my drop spindle in front of not only my teacher, but everyone. I was so excited about being able to be there and contribute something. I was also excited to show them two of my first tiny skeins of yarn. LOL

Even though I could not talk my regular running buddy Lisa into going, I knew that Joan from Grenada planned to be there. By the way, Joan is the previously mentioned *nice lady* who taught me how to use a drop spindle after the CWSG meeting on May 21, 2005. Can it really be that short of a time? I double checked my calendar and it REALLY was. Amazing how fast I became a total addict.

It was great to see so many people spinning and weaving. I really am glad I went, even if it was hot and miserable outside. LOL The first thing I did when I got home was take a long cold shower to cool down. I knew I would love my custom built shower, but I never dreamed how much I would enjoy having a bench in there, but on a blistering hot day it is even better than the whirlpool tub.

Now I have some reading to do. Spinning books of course. :-)

Drop spindle heaven

First, I had to do a test to see how the incredible brown variations merino from Kae/FaerieLady would look as yarn. I plied it, washed it, and wound it into a ball. I really love this wool.

Well, the last few drop spindles that I ordered came in the mail today. I spun up a little of the wool that I got in my trade with Melissa on the Kokovoko. I was surprised how much I liked it. I also discovered that there is a right way and a wrong way to wrap your yarn on the spindle, so I am more careful now. I also spun up a little "muppet guts" and put a little of the brown variations onto these new spindles. The walnut burl spindle is beautiful, but it is a little heavy, even for me, but the teak one is much ligher. They are both well-balanced and spin for a very long time. I am very glad that I bought several different spindles, especially now that I have several different fibers that I want to spin at once!