Stasia's Place Of Grace

Friday, May 12, 2006

 

Here are some of the fibers I dyed recently:

Wensleydale

Wensleydale

Bluefaced Leicester

Not Sure On Left, Wensleydale On Right

Bluefaced Leicester
These rovings are color-coordinated,
to be spun for two-color knitting. Wait and see...

And here are some handspun yarns I just finished up:

Brown Sheep Roving, Dyed By Me
Two-Ply (top) And Navajo-Ply (bottom)

Handspun From Sandy Sitzman/Woolgathering's "Apple Blossom" BFL

I clearly need to be practicing my spinning more. >:-P

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Monday, May 08, 2006

 

We have been so busy now that we know we are moving for sure. My brain and body have completely fried. This is what I've been doing to keep me sane...

Knitting: I'm working on the purple baby sweater. The front is finished, the back is almost finished. Pictured below...

Spinning: I spun up two complete dyed rovings - I think that is a first! They were probably eight ounces each (normally I just fiddle with a bit, dream about a potential project, and then get distracted by some other yummy thing. I don't think I've ever finished spinning an order of roving in my life.)

One was Wensleydale by The Fleece Artist (did you see their ad for yarn and roving in the new IK?) The other was by Sandy Sitzman of Twisted Sisters/Woolgatherings.

I'm anxious to start on some Chameleon Colorworks BFL now. The dyeing job is wonderful, and the fibers are soooo soft and crimpy.

Here's the new spindle I wrote about in my last entry: an Olivewood Midi Bosworth. It's so light, compared to my other Midis, and really lovely. Thanks, Sheila!

Dyeing: You would not believe the rovings I have drying in my basement! I'll post pictures when I arrange them for storage. I went nuts over the last few weeks, due to Nannette and the Spindlers fiber exchange. I just received nine pounds (!) of three types of roving I'd ordered, and am expecting some more One Shot dyes via FedEx soon. If I have any time left over this week, I'll definitely be playing with color.

Moving: We Freecycled all of our unused exercise equipment (treadmill, rower, weight bench and weights) and our garden tiller. I love Freecycling! It's like taking things to Goodwill... except you don't have to pack them up, and you don't have to drive them anywhere.

I've contacted a local living history museum about donating the great/walking spinning wheel I found at a farm rummage sale last summer. It needs to be in a museum. I feel lucky to have rescued it, and I've enjoyed looking at it and touching it this past year. But I will not be taking it all the way to Eau Claire. I was meant to care for it but not to own it - I felt that from the start. There are some wheels that speak to you, and this one says that it wants many people to appreciate its history.

We have a month to find a house. EEK! I have not had a good night's sleep in days. The gutter repairmen are coming tomorrow, so no nap to catch up tomorrow afternoon. Perhaps if I pack enough things in the morning, I can have some guilt-free dye time instead?

I have put away all of my fiber and yarn and accessories that were in a holding pattern on top of the piano, in preparation for packing them up with the rest of my stash. Now I have to focus on selecting just a few spindles, a bit of nice fiber, and some easy knitting to keep handy for any free (or exhausted) moments in the next few months, and get the rest "tubbed" and labeled for the move. Who cares about the dishes and knickknacks - those movers better not smash any spindles or wheels!

Gardening: If you think weeding isn't much fun, imagine having to weed knowing that you will not be around to enjoy the fruits of your labors.

Wouldn't you know it, this is the year the pear trees have finally bloomed. The apples are blooming as well - so many blossoms you can't even see the branches or leaves at all. I hope the new owners will enjoy all the fruit. New little columbines are popping up in the woodland garden - they've spread like mad, as have the mayapples. The lavender in the sunny garden is huge already. Sigh! Well, at least maybe I will get to enjoy my lettuce and radishes, since they got a head start and are doing well.

The things I will miss most about living here are the birds and animals and plants that I've come to know so well. I keep repeating the mantra, "Impermanence... impermanence..." It doesn't help. I wish I could pack up the cardinals, and chipmunks, and the nest of rabbits in my wild strawberries, and the bluebird babies now in Jeff's nest boxes, and take them all with me. The kestrel flew alongside me yesterday as I walked the dogs on the back grass path. This has been an amazing place for experiencing nature. I hope the new owners will keep it organic, and that they will let the little oak tree in the prairie continue to grow. But I must learn to let go. They aren't mine, and they never really were.

Vicarious Enjoyment: The lovely Claudia posted adorable sheep from MD$&W. Thanks for that!

Have a good day! If you are so fortunate as to have some time to relax today, please enjoy it for me!

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