Dye Day

Sending out prayers for those that lost someone on 9-11, and also for this country. REMEMBER

So, yesterday I spent the entire day dyeing BFL, and superwash merino combed top. These are the fibers I use for carding. They are mostly solids/semi solids. Still to do are the merinos, superwash bfl, and also silk for the shop. This was an all day process. I usually have three pots going and also a microwave if I am painting fiber. It's hot and sweaty work. The family hates dye day, the smells :). I was always told citric acid crystals do not smell, the stock takes up less space...yada yada They smell, the wool smells, the entire house smells. At the end of the day I am sure I smell. But here is my work only about 8 pounds of fiber. Coming to you in the form of batts for the shop. Have a great one

Fleece Scouring

I finally received a fleece worthy of the title....gross. Oh the family was real happy with me. The house smelled like barnyard. After 3 washes in Kookaburra wool scour(which I love), I was still getting mud. So, i decided to soak the other half of the fleece in a cold water bath till the next day. I still had to wash this fleece 3 times, 2 rinses, dye pot, another rinse. And finally a clean, dyed fleece. I do believe I have been spoiled with coated sheeps fleece. This one has beautiful locks, and it is very soft for a long wool. Although, I am not sure if it will be worth the cost, effort, time, and product taken to clean this one. Just as soon as the fleece is dry, I will weigh and see how much weight it lost in grease and mud. I do have some pictures for you...
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Busy, Busy

Summer is sailing along. Busy seems to be the word. It's always like this towards in the end. The gardens are full of weeds (too dang hot) . So, I have been spinning, weaving and dyeing. Here are a few pictures...







These were all spun using scraps from the carding table. I love core spinning and have to fight myself to ply lately.

I also have been learning to weave with a rigid heddle loom. My first bag, made with handspun and a few commercial spun yarns. I used a 5 dent reed on my kromski harp rigid heddle loom. The warp is bulky lambs pride in an olive green, and the weft is many handspun and commercial spun yarns. It has made for a lovely tote. Of course my DD has claimed the bag and has many girls at band camp requesting one. lol

Carpal Tunnel a pain in ...well the wrist

I know I was missing for a while. Carpal tunnel is heck on a fiber artist! You do good to brush your hair. Spinning, carding and dyeing is totally out of the question. I read a lot of books. lol I really need one of those kindles so that the DH has no clue how many books I'm reading. Anywhoo the shop is back up and I will be filling the sections gradually. I am thrilled. Creating is good for the soul.

My son graduated from High school while I was gone. Wow how does that happen so fast? It seems like yesterday he was wanting juice boxes out of the fridge... Now he is 18 and going off to college. My advice to ya'll is don't blink.

I am weaving a new bag for my DD. Its an annual ritual to start school with a new handmade purse. As soon as its done I will post some pictures.

ta-ta for now