Tag: fiber

Knitting

Better Handle

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ON MY WHEEL

I’ve been throwing up a storm this past week, with about a 50/50 satisfaction rate, which is about par for the course.  Unless I’m really really happy with the finished pot, it goes into the reclaim bucket.  My mug handles are definitely getting better — they should be with all the practice!

I’m running a full bisque kiln this morning and have ordered a few new glazes.  Hopefully by the end of this week they will have come in and I can get the newly bisqued pots glazed and into the kiln for the final step.  Several have gift potential, so I’m anxious to get them finished.

ON MY NEEDLES

I’ve made a pact with myself that there will be NO NEW STARTS until I finish my current WIPs.  That’s all I want to say about that, as several of these also have definite gift potential. 🤫 Anyone else who will be working down to the wire on holiday gifting?

A goal without a plan is just a wish.  Larry Elder

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Knitting

Now I Get It

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NOT SO BLACK FRIDAY

I don’t go shopping the day after Thanksgiving.  Standing in line in the middle of the night, in the cold, in a crush of strangers doesn’t appeal to me, not even a little bit.  If they were giving stuff away I might think about it, but only for a second or two.  Is it the thrill of the hunt, like spending hours in a duck blind or a deer stand, to bring home a trophy or two?   Just curious.  I like to know what makes other people tick.  Turning it around, though, I bet people are totally flummoxed by my yarn/knitting obsession and the lengths I’m prepared to go for THE PERFECT FIBER.  Wait, on second thought, I totally get the Black Friday standing in line in the cold, in the dark to bag the perfect whatever your heart desires. Never mind.

THE DOCUMENTED LIFE

Just a few more weeks left for the 2014 The Documented Life Art Journal/Planner Project.  Here’s a look at the Week 48 challenge, Depict Gratitude in an Artful Way –

Hand drawn and colored flowers, fabric cutouts, Copic markers, watercolors, washi tape

SOMETHING NEW

I’m starting a new Wednesday meme called Whatcha Workin’ On Wednesday, a place for crafters/artists of all kinds to show off what they’re working on.  Stop by and add your link – I bet I’m not the only crafter to loves to see what others have going and always looking for inspiration!

I am a part of all that I have met.  Alfred Tennyson

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Knitting

A Spinning Sunday, July 4

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INTO THE DYEPOT

I’ve finally gotten around to dyeing the last bit of roving that’s been hanging around Violet, looking so sad.  It’s been so long since I started spinning it that I can’t remember where it came from or even what type fiber it is.  I know it’s wool, but what kind, no clue.  Maybe when I get in there I’ll get lucky and figure it out.  Wish me luck!  Found it!  It’s superwash merino.  Meanwhile, here is a look into the dyepot.

imageJacquard Acid Dye

Sky Blue

INDEPENDENCE DAY GRANDS

We had a big cookout for the holiday, unfortunately, I took no pictures because my camera was kind of inaccessible, in the same room that JosiePug is banished to whenever the little ones visit.  Unhappily, she’s not good with the kids – not because she doesn’t like them, but because she loves them TOO much, jumping and running and just generally being way too much pug for them.  She still outweighs the two littlest grands and 20 pounds of Josie goes a long way.  We still hope for the time that we can ALL enjoy each other, but until then, we keep them apart.  I do have some photos from the concert and fireworks at the river that night that Bigmommy and Babymama were nice enough to share.

Lots of dancing and flag waving!

PARTING SHOT

Hand Study

Albrecht Durer

If A is success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z.  Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut.  Albert Einstein

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Knitting

Already? Terrarium Imaginarium

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WHAT GOES AROUND

The Phat Fiber sale has rolled around again; luckily, I checked my e-mail on an account I seldom use and saw the heads up e-mail they send a few days beforehand.  I’m excited to have scored a wondrous box again this month and so will be obsessed with checking and rechecking my mailbox looking for said wondrous box.  The theme this month is Inspiring Women, I wonder what this month’s goodies will be…..

A NEW FIXATION HOBBY

Terrariums!  I’ve fallen in love with them since seeing some at a garden show a few weeks ago.  I saw some lovely containers at Hobby Lobby yesterday that were perfect and the tiny plants!  OMG, the tiny plants are so cute!  I put a couple together today –

Darn glass glare!

I love the different shapes of both the containers and the plants, it’s easy for my imagination to run away with me!  I want at least one of every shape and size – containers and plants.  Save those pickle jars!  : )

Growth itself contains the germ of happiness.  Pearl Buck

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Knitting

Still Not 100%, Spinning

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Still enough under the weather to forego treadmill time today, so I decided to show off a couple spinning projects.

ON THE BOBBIN

Corriedale Cross Roving from Eweniquely Ewe Fiber Creations, dyed with Jacquard Acid Fast Dye, Lilac

More Corriedale Cross from Eweniquely Ewe, dyed with Jacquard Acid Fast Dye, pink

Great fiber, great customer service!  Two thumbs up!  I still have some undyed roving, I’m thinking green this time.  After all the gray weather, I need some Spring!!!

Never grow a wishbone where your backbone ought to be.  Clementine Paddleford (is this a great name or what??)

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Knitting

Shutdown, Spirals and Festival

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YOU CAN DO THAT?  REALLY?

Mr. Iknead and I woke up this morning still wondering about the predicted government shutdown, even though we pretty much knew from last night that nothing had changed or had been agreed upon.  This hits pretty close to home for us – Mr. Iknead works for the State of Arkansas, which in turn is contracted by the Feds, so we’re sort of up in the air.  I feel very, very fortunate that at this point in our lives we don’t have to worry about our finances and if Mr. Iknead is furloughed for a bit, it’s not a crisis situation.  I know others who are not so fortunate.  Thank you, Mr. Iknead, for the austerity program, even though I gripe about it sometimes.

GONE TO POT

Pottery class is going well.  Teach told me yesterday that I definitely had gotten the hang of using the wheel and with practice, I’ll get better at it.  Still have nothing post worthy, but I’m planning on going in to work on the wheel more this week and hopefully, I have something at least minimally postable.

Here’s the spiral bowl I glazed this weekend with shiny black.  Can you tell that I totally didn’t check the background when I whipped out my phone to take a pic?  This one cracks me up.  It looks like it’s drinking out of the bowl –

LOOKING AHEAD

The first Diamond State Fiber Festival is this weekend.  I’m really looking forward to it and I’ve already got some extra money budgeted for whatever strikes my fancy (up to a point, of course).  Hoping to come home with enough fiber to keep me spinning for a little while, at least.  Violet, yeah, that’s my wheel’s name, is making the trip and hopefully, I’m going to learn a lot in the beginning spinning class I’m taking. I’ll take lots of pictures.

The goal of life is living in agreement with nature.  Zeno

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