Fibery Photos

I just thought that I should add some fiber photos. These are the three bobbins full of wool that I spun on the Reeves.




And here is a close-up of the two batches of wool that were dyed together. The lighter one was put into the dye pot dry and the other was pre-soaked.

Painting is done!

Well, it wound up costing me more than a really expensive spinning wheel and more than two mortgage notes, but the painting is done at the old house. I made sure they pressure cleaned the whole house and caulked everything before they started painting. I hope my real estate agent can get it listed very soon.

One of my neighbors wanted to talk to me about why I working so hard to get it fixed up for sale...well, duh. I know that I lot of people would do it as cheap as possible, sell it and let it be someone else's problem...but that would keep me up at night. LOL

I need to get to work on birthday presents for a group of friends. I managed to fall behind already in this project. As if that were a surprise! Time to get back to working on them, I have a couple almost ready, but not quite.

Where are all the kids?

This is my first Halloween in this neighborhood and I was warned by a neighbor that we would get hoards of children, so I really stocked up on candy. I know that Halloween is not until Monday, but they said on the news that the Mayor of Jackson designated Saturday night as the official night for trick-or-treat. Ironically the rest of Hinds County will be doing it on the regular night. Maybe the kids are rebelling and they will come by on Monday.

The painters got to work on my Ridgeland house today. They pressure washed it on Thursday and got the first coat of almond on the siding, white on the trim and green on the doors (to match the new shutters). They should be able to finish it tomorrow! I am so ready to get it sold.

I am still looking for a good used spinning wheel, a more portable one than the Reeves, but since I just got the expensive wheel, I am looking for a bargain. Speaking of which, I have almost three bobbins full of spun wool! It is very exciting, but I still want to be prepared for meetings and demonstrations. I have looked into a few portable wheels that interest me...but if I don't happen upon a used gem...I am seriously considering a Babe. Karin, a fellow guild member has one, so I have seen one up close and personal.

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Update: A load of kids on a hayride finally came by the house, then another couple of groups on foot. There were plenty of kids, but not nearly as many as I expected and most of them were not in costume. I did hand out four bags of candy and several glow necklaces.

Hot tea & videos

I drank about six cups of tea, most of them Peppermint Cold Remedy variety. I also watched Spinning and Weaving The Ashford Way and Spinning Wool - Basics & Beyond: Wheel, Fiber Preparation & Spinning Techniques. Both videos were borrowed from my guild. I also borrowed Paula Simmons' Spinning & Weaving with Wool. I have them checked-out from our library until the next meeting.

I did spin for a while on the Reeves, but the truth is, my left thumb hurts. LOL

I am feeling better...thanks to those of you who sent me well wishes.

Some days....

I am home today, yet another sick day. I tried to fight this thing off, I even drank peppermint tea last night. Alas, it did not work. LOL My coworker was sick too, we have a tendency to pass germs back and forth in our office.

I am starting to feel better as the day wears on and I have tried to get a few things accomplished. I did take a photo of the wool I Kool Aid dyed last week. I used a slew of flavors and combinations and did not record a single thing. Well, I did use the hot pour method, a large Pyrex dish and microwave instead of my dye pot. It was strictly an walk on the intuitive side! The orange/yellow one was a combination of Mango, Orange & Lemonade.




And I also took a photo of the merino blend on the Reeves right now. It came out much softer in tone and color than the top I pre-soaked and dyed in the same pot. Yes it over-twisted...as if that were a surprise.

More about the wheel

Since some of you asked me the details of the Reeves wheel, I asked the owner. She said she bought it in 1998 directly from Rick Reeves at Convergence in Atlanta. It was her production wheel when she spun for sale and now that she has changed her focus to sewing, she thought she should sell it.

I have spun on it for at least an hour nearly every night since I got it.

I did get through the increases on my sock toe last night a Knit Night, but that was as far as I got. I need to close the toe to make it look more visually pleasing. But right now, I am procrastinating. Actually, I have just been in a reading mood.

I finished The Mermaid Chair today and started The Secret Life of Bees. I know I did that out of order, but apparently I am the only woman alive who missed her first book. It took me two tries checking out the Mermaid Chair before I actually got around to reading it. Things have just been so crazy. I go through phases where I read everything I can get my hands on. I come by it naturally, both of my parents are also voracious readers.

No sock

Okay, Cynthia and I were talking about the socks and she mentioned that it is easier to adjust for unknown amounts of yarn with a toe up sock. I have always knitted them cuff down...but she is right, I really don't know how far my homepsun will go...so I frogged all my work. hehehehe

I also finished my first full bobbin of Merino on the Reeves and moved it over to the Lazy Kate. I then put on a fresh bobbin and started some soft wool blend.

My husband and I ran some errands this weekend. We took my station wagon up to Sam's Club to for gas and decided to do a little shopping. We picked up two oversized camp chairs from Mossy Oak for the back yard.

He also took me to the book store and bought me three interesting new books. I usually grab a bunch of books, sit down in a comfortable chair and eliminate most of them. But yesterday was different. First on deck is the third installment of The Knitting Experience by Sally Melville, Color! I also got the new Nicky Epstein book, Knitting on the Edge: Ribs, Ruffles, Fringes, Flora, Points & Picots. I loved her Embellishments book, so I could not resist this one. Then the last one was Felted Crochet by Jane Davis. I think I own every felting book, but this one had some really cute projects. I need to dye some purple wool for the grapes in the grape pincushion. Of course, then I need to find some time to be able to make it! LOL

The most amazing part of the weekend so far is that I finally got my painted bedroom furniture into the bedroom! Of course, it did not go smoothly, but it is done. I have most of the hardware back on and despite needing so touch up painting, today I should be able to get my clothes out of the bags and baskets and into my dressers. Woo hoo! I also got most of my prints and paintings put up and the walls. It is finally starting to feel like home.

Goodnight Nobody

Okay, it isn't craft related, but on Thursday they let me know that the book I reserved before it even arrived was available. I have been a big Jennifer Weiner fan since Good in Bed piqued my curiosity several years ago. I really see a lot of myself in her work. Maybe because I am zoftig, maybe because I am Jewish, maybe because I am a frustrated writer.

When I took all those playwriting classes, my mother used to say "you could be the next Wendy Wasserstein." Oh, please, as if. But how funny that she chose her and not August Wilson, Sam Sheppard or David Mamet...my three favorite contemporary playwrights. I was so sad to learn that August Wilson passed away....Fences moved me in a way I can not explain...especially with James Earl Jones.

Oh and back to the reason for this post! I finished Goodnight Nobody and it was a great read. I really enjoyed it.

I also managed to see Cynthia after work today!

Twisted Sister Sock Workbook

Okay, as a spinner and knitter (but not a big sock maker) I have to give The Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook by Lynne Vogel....a great big thumbs up! I learned a name for my style of dyeing, it is called Dyeing in an Intuitive Manner. The book covers dyeing (Lanaset/Sabraset & Kool Aid), spinning (including color ideas) and customizing your socks. It also has a lot of great tips along the way, especially for color combinations in dyeing. My copy is dog-earred and full of sticky notes.

I really enjoyed Color in Spinning by Deb Menz, but a lot of it went over my head. The Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook was a good read and I really enjoyed it. In fact, one of the coolest things about this book was that it inspired me to actually "want" to knit a pair of socks, something I have not done in years. Goodness knows I have the needles for it! I have lots of Brittany DPNs and several small sets of vintage circular needles.

Lovin' the Reeves Saxony

Okay, I have to say. I am enjoying the spinning wheel more and more. I sent the seller an e-mail telling her that I am ready to buy it and make arrangements to pay her for it. Let's face it, this thing is really pretty and sometimes I just have to admire it's beauty.

Oscar has been nosing around the new wheel for the last two days. I took a picture of him with the wheel and of the merino I am currently spinning. I managed to get about an hour of spinning in last night, despite working on the house.





I picked up my car this afternoon after work. They charged me $135 to *diagnose* the problem then over $350 to replace the alternator. If the stupid thing is actually fixed, it will be worth it, but I won't hold my breath. The problem is this has been going on for nearly a year and no one seems to be able to solve the problem for very long. It just surprises me periodically by completely discharging the battery in just a few minutes, then refusing to start or hold a charge. I have been through three batteries and yet I end up stuck somewhere (Hattiesburg, the driveway at my other house, Lisa's driveway, the grocery store, etc...) and having to call a tow truck.

Next I really need to replace the windshield, then the tires. Ah, the joys of everyday living.

Taking a Test Spin

Well, one of the members of my spinning and weaving guild wants to sell her 30" Reeves Saxony wheel. It was way more than I planned to spend on my first wheel, but I took it home for a test drive. I know it is worth the asking price and my husband has already offered to buy it for me for Chanukkah, but you have to love a wheel to spend that kind of money on one! I have been doing a little spinning and trying to acquaint myself with it. I am sure I will end up letting my husband buy it for me, but I have to feel a little guilt.



I spent a lot of time and effort cleaning the yard (it is still a mess post Katrina) and trying to sort and unpack. I have so much to do and there really just are not enough hours in the day. I did get a slew of my prints hung in my bathroom. It really is the most pleasant room in the house, even though the contractor never actually finished it. There are no doors on the closet and the fixtures are not all mounted. The irony there is that it was the most disgusting room in the house when I met Ben. It really has had a huge transformation and I am very pleased with it.

I did go back and forth to the dye pot all day, so that I could get several large hanks of wool dyed for a upcoming charity event. I plan to donate it for the silent auction.

Anyway, the car is still in the shop and the phone still does not work. Life is always a full tilt Ferris wheel ride.

Day of Atonement

As of sundown, it is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. I will fast and stay home from work, but I doubt that I will attend services at Synagogue. I have always observed this holiday, even when I was uncertain about things spiritual. I just wish I had brushed my teeth and taken a shower before sundown though. :-)

Life happens

I went to knit night at Borders. Lisa was not there, and I had some Citric Acid for her...so I decided to drive over to her house and deliver it. We talked for about five minutes and when I got back into my car, it was dead. Lisa and her husband jump-started it for me, but it died in the driveway. Then they tried again and it died while I was accelerating and trying to drive away. So I just gave up, had them help me get it parked in their cul-de-sac and let Lisa drive me home.

I'll call AAA and deal with the dead car tomorrow. It really is annoying, because no one can seem to find the problem. Good year put in a new battery, but it died a few days later and I had it towed to Saturn. They did not find anything wrong with the alternator and they recharged the battery and sent me on my way. It was okay until tonight. :-(

It is seven years old, but it only has 47,000 miles on it and I rarely ever drive. My dear, sweet husband takes me to and from work. It really is frustrating.

A good weekend for spinning

First, muppet guts has all been spun and plied using the Ashford Traditional! I have washed it, soaked it, wuzzed it...and now it is on a hanger drying. Maybe I will be able to post a photo tomorrow.

I also learned to Navajo ply on the wheel! If you can finger chain, you can Navajo ply, so just try it. It did not take me very long to figure it out, although I did discover that I had to use my left hand to control the looping. The hardest part is keeping the tension on all three plies while spinning and controling the twist with your right hand.

Now I have some green wool that I dyed on the wheel. :-)

I am actively seeking a used wheel, so if you hear of a good deal, please let me know!

Small turnout for dyeing class

It was a record low turnout for my Dyeing with Wilton's mini-clinic at my EGA Chapter. There were just three people interested in learning to dye their wool for needlework. Okay, I was a little disappointed, but it is okay. I know I made at least one convert.

Next week is Chimneyville Weavers and Spinners Guild and I will drag my mesh bags full of hand-dyed wool to Show and Tell. I am hoping that Cynthia will be able to visit next weekend and maybe even go along to the meeting with Lisa and I.

Oh, yeah, I finished the second spindle of Muppet Guts on the wheel. Next comes the plying! At least my inspiration to create is back.

A few new additions

These are the two latest additions to my hand-dyed roving basket. Pink Grapefruit is Lemon Yellow, Golden Yellow and Orange on merino. The other is the as yet unnamed straight black on the same merino. It splits pink and blue with gray. Both turned out well, but the Pink Grapefruit is softer than the unamed black. I did discover that rewashing some roving after they dry will help dislodge any insoluble and undischarged dyes. All of the reds seem prone to clumping. I try to pour off the clumps before I strain and wash the roving. Agitation helps, but never agitate wet wool in warm water or you might end up with felt.


Maybe I can post a photo of the basket tomorrow.

Just Dye Already

Okay, I have had all together too much fun dyeing. Really. I have dyed pounds of roving and I really need to start spinning some of it up. I was so excited by this last batch that I took a photo of it drying and I draped some of my favorites on the spinning wheel for another photo. LOL

I think that I am ready for the class and I hope that I can inspire people to just try it. Take a chance, get out the Wilton's and a pot, and just experiment. Next comes some needlepoint and crewel wool...especially since that will be the focus of the class I am teaching.

A word about wuzzing

Wuzzing is when you put your wool into a mesh bag and swing it around, using centrifugal force to evacuate the water from wool. It is a good way to spin your wool without putting it in the washing machine. My front loader will not spin without putting some water in and sometimes I am too lazy to turn off the water.



I did a lot of dyeing this weekend. I had so much fun with it. I did a bunch of Falkland, a bunch of Merino/Targhee/Ramboulette, and even some Wenslydale. I did take some time out to take care of things and even to go see Serenity. Which was great, by the way.

It was a great weekend for fiber.

Today is a good day to dye

I am planning to demonstrate dyeing wool with Wilton's Icing Dyes at my EGA guild meeting next Saturday...so I had out the dye pot and the Wilton's. I also found the Falkland I ordered before Katrina came into my life. So I have dyed some. I have about a half pound of roving in various states of dyeing, washing and drying. I'll try to post pictures tomorrow.

I also was going to send some wool to Jeanne at Simple Market Farms as a trade. So I was going through all of my hand-dyed wool this morning. I am sending her some of my own hand-dyed wool in addition to purchased wool from Kae/Faerylady. :-) But since I had most of my roving out, I thought I would stick it all into a basket and take a picture.




I was surprised that I was having trouble parting with some of it. I really have enjoyed the dyeing almost as much as I have the dyeing.