What's to come?

Well this week will be full of busy. This past week brought some unexpected time off. So this coming week will bring at least one shop update, lots of dyeing and lots of spinning. I have some new base yarn to try out. Some merino/silk roving that I dyed up a few weeks ago to list in the shop. Some more merino/seacell roving to dye. And I want to spin up some roving from expired listings that I'll then re-list in the shop. I started this expired listing spinning tonight. I'm spinning some merino/tencel that is super soft and very easy to draft. I forgot how much I really like merino/tencel. I might also pull a couple of current listing to spin up for future re-listing. I'm not going to lie, I'm really considering pulling a merino/seacell listing, it's so soft and fluffy and really really hard to resist. If I don't pull a current listing, I might just just dye up some for myself.

On a personal note: I wanted to take a moment and thank everyone for there support and well wishes over the past week. Paul is doing much better and getting better every day. He'll go back to the doctor tomorrow and really hopes to get release to drive and released to do more activities. I must admit, I've had several surgeries in my life, but didn't realize how serious an appendectomy could be. I guess it just never dawned on me the amount of infection your body has to fight. I know better now.

get back to the normal

"It's probably just a stomach virus or food poisoning. You just have to wait it out."

Ummm. WRONG!!!

"Mr. Husband, you are going to have your appendix out...tomorrow" He had the appendectomy and now is recovering slowly but steadily.

Is this explanation enough for why I've been absent lately? So I will not ask forgiveness for my absence, and I might take a while in getting back normalcy. But I'll get there.

am i a photographer yet?

Decided to try out the "shoot first. ask questions later." approach to photography. I feel like I got a few good shots. I had to turn every shot to B&W simply because of the horrid lighting in the studio. To the naked eye it looks great, but as recorded by the camera, not so good. I'm really trying to find a new freedom in my photography. Let's face it, we no longer have to concern ourselves with how many frames we have on a roll of film. 24. 36. It's now a matter of 1g, 2g and more of memory. I can take as many pics as I want and if I get a few good pics, bonus. Otherwise if I don't get any good shots, I still have a great time.

So here's the question. When can you I call myself a photographer? I can pick up 2 pointy sticks some string, cast-on a few stitches, knit few stitches and call myself a knitter. So...when? I've developed my own film (many times), printed my own photos (many times), and had a darkroom at one point. Photographer yet?

About these pics

top: Gaylin

bottom: Paul (foreground) and Jim (background)

This was band practice last night. You can check out the rest of the pics on my flickr page.

You spin me right round baby

Handspun yarns. What can I say except that handspun yarns totally excite me. I mean like really excite me. Especially since casting on for what I'm calling the Spring Weaver Shawl. It doesn't hurt that this fiber from BMFA is simply fantastic. The depth that handspun creates is so stunning. And I'm not a perfect spinner. My finished yarns are by no means balance and even, but that's okay too. It's another reason I adore handspun so much. And really you can start handspinning with minimum funds. My first spindle was made by my husband for under $5. Roving prices can very but I would say average is about $15. Twenty bucks and you are ready to spin. Hours of enjoyment for $20. Not only do you have the spinning that will be so satisfying, you then turn around and knit or crochet with your handspun. More hours of enjoyment for $20. Now granted I did spin this on my wheel, but that doesn't negate the fact that it could have been spun with a spindle.

Here is a list of my fav flickr groups that might inspire you to start spinning, and they may inspire you even if you currently spin. This list is a mix of spindle and wheel spun.

Bobbin Porn?

from fiber to yarn

Handspun
Handspun Mosaics
handspun, handdyed, handmade
Spindle Shots

Hope these groups help to get you excited about handspinning.

weee! a full bobbin

Wonderful Chapman Springs. Yum! Yes, I have a little obsession with this colorway, it is my fav from BMFA. Since the first bobbin is plied and has now has the twist set I will be knitting this Weaver's Wool Mini Shawl Ravelry Link)with the stitch pattern from this Textured Shawl Recipe. I think it will be freaking awesome.

Etsy Update

Tantalize Yarn update. This is a wonderful BFL/Nylon blend with deeply saturated colors. You'll be sure to love it as much as I do.

second

The 2nd bobbin of the Chapman Springs BMFA Sheep to Shoe Kit is done. I'm currently plying them together and trying to ply them pretty tightly. This is hard for me because I'm afraid they are going to be too tight and not have a good balance. We'll see what happens.