tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78577712024-03-07T07:56:11.557+00:00Carol's BlogI love hand spinning and many other aspects of fibre art. I enjoy taking photographs, even if I am not all that good at it. I love words and arranging them pleasingly on the page. Cats, theatre in many incarnations, reading - these are a few more of my passions. Oh - and I am older than you might think. And hopefully, wiser.Spindlers2http://www.blogger.com/profile/18391437211767303805noreply@blogger.comBlogger771125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857771.post-85127229019374046402015-05-02T16:20:00.000+01:002015-05-02T16:20:06.172+01:00So much for blogging regularlyA few weeks ago, we were teaching a workshop for Avon Guild (lovely day, had a really good time, by the way) and I was roundly taken to task for not blogging enough. I promised I Would Do Better.<br />
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Yeah, right. That went well, then.<br />
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But I am not going to give up. I like the "sound" of my own voice too much to do that. I could make a load of excuses, indeed have done. They are sort of true. But that gets boring for us all. All I can do is refocus and try harder, ok?<br />
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After Bristol, we went on to Cornwall to see the DSM's mum &etc. We took my sister with us - she is in a really good place at the moment, so is trying to get out and about as much as possible while she can. A gorgeous few days, the weather was fabulous and the cottage we stayed in a really nice one. We visited a few favourite pubs for meals as per usual, and did a run down to St Ives because my sister wanted to go to the Hepworth house. We are definitely not averse to doing that!<br />
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We left on the Friday to go to London for the Association AGM. These things are much better these days, and it is always good to catch up with people. We ran into an old Guild friend that we hadn't seen in years, which was lovely; and indeed, the meeting wasn't too bad either (although the very expensive sandwich lunch was rubbish. A pack-up next time.)<br />
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Meanwhile, my sister was spending the day with a very old friend from her childhood who she hadn't actually met in over 40 years (P doesn't exactly have a formal bucket list, but this sort of thing is figuring in her thinking.) Apparently, they had a wonderful time, a full day of chat and exploration, which may even be repeated. And she still had the energy to go to a nearby Turkish restaurant that we had found on a previous trip and like very much. Seems most odd having a "regular" eating place in London!<br />
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Since then, life as usual. I am still working on the same things, so nothing of any great interest to report. The Vortex shawl is very nearly finished, I am actually casting it off, but as I am doing a picot cast-off, it is taking quite a while. I have cast the lace pygora scarf on again, and the DSM has very kindly volunteered to talk me through the four rows of pattern to get me established, because being me, and even though it is a very simple patter, I do my usual lapse of concentration thing and go wrong almost immediately. Once the pattern is established and I can"see" it, I can either put mistakes right or fudge - but I have to get to that point first! I do though need another easy or tv-watching project, but I have no inspiration at the moment......<br />
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Studio time is still somewhat of an endangered species, but again, there - Must Do Better. There, I mostly work on Summer School stuff and spinning for the sample of colourwork that I have in mind, which is kind of the same thing.<br />
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I am trying to resist distractions - I am getting a yearning to try tapestry weaving again , but that must definitely wait until after SS. And, when at Avon Guild, a friend introduced me to a wonderful book of crocheted animal toys called Edward's Menagerie. With a new great niece coming up fast not to mention the already very much with us great nephew, I want to make a zoo full of these, and I think maybe I can be allowed that small diversion, eh?<br />
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Oh - and I have done something rather daft. All my own fault, I got myself in to it, no-one else to blame. I signed up for a drawing class. The DSM and his lovely art tutor have been trying to persuade me to do an art class for the last couple of years, and I really didn't want to. But drawing would be useful in a number of ways in fibre work, plus I did used to rather enjoy it many, many years ago. The first class was last Thursday, and I nearly turned and ran within the first five minutes. But I forced myself to stay by sheer will power, and actually managed to produce something that whilst not brilliant is not total rubbish. Considering I hadn't touched a pencil in that way for over 25 years. Next week though I have been threatened with charcoal, which I am really not sure about. But I will do it.<br />
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Yes, I will.Spindlers2http://www.blogger.com/profile/18391437211767303805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857771.post-22825891407817596712015-03-10T13:38:00.000+00:002015-03-10T13:38:05.331+00:00Coming up for air.......The age of miracles is not yet over - I have actually managed to get in to the studio, on my own!, again. So time to squeeze in a quick blog post before getting down to anything else. In my personal reckoning, that counts. It is surprisingly difficult to manage to do it at home, given the large numbers of kittens trampling about on the keys and husbands who decide to make marmalade just as I am about to get the lap top out.<br />
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Last Saturday, we taught a spinning workshop at the studios as part of their regular programme. It went very well - we had seven participants, which is counted to be a good number for a newish class, and they all thrived, enjoying their day very much and making excellent progress. I always seem to feel very apprehensive before a class. This is in part because in order to make one viable, we have to be prepared to take all levels in one group and then deal with them appropriately, something made much easier by there being two of us. But you never can be quite sure just what you are going to be faced with, and there is no denying that it can be quite tiring!<br />
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We had the usual mix, I suppose, from the "whee! this is great, I'm getting it!" to the "I will never ever ever get this I am so useless (but she did!) via the one with the unstated problem, perhaps having had a stroke, but sticking to it gamely and getting to a good place in the end. This was a particularly rewarding group, that will have given birth to some real new spinners, I am glad to say.<br />
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I have talked before about the "tribe". There are different but overlapping groups within the tribe, and the class situation is one. Not quite the same as the "family" tribe of Guild, or dare I mention it, SOAR, but equally important to me. We shall see in August how the DSM and I get on with a class of twenty five! at Summer School. I am sure that I have said before that doing a week-long class is so particularly rewarding, and I am really looking forward to it. Although I still have a mountain of work to do before then in preparation.........<br />
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Of late - little bit of spinning, little bit of knitting. The Spiral shawl is growing and has moved on to a longer cir. It remains my only live knitting project at the moment. Must do something about that.<br />
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The kittens are gorgeous, affectionate little beasts and really, not too naughty. All four are getting on pretty well, we leave them together when we are both out now, and this weekend, they are going in to the cattery together. We are off to Cambridge for a few days.<br />
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And, my sister - has finished chemo. Quite where that leaves us, I don't know. I read an interview in the Guardian yesterday with a GP who said that she liked being one better than working in hospitals because a hospital doctor treated a condition, a GP a patient. Yes! It is very frustrating, especially as the bystander, not the patient. We see a different member of the team at each appointment, sometimes someone who has very obviously only just read the case notes. They tell us what we already know, or rather, some variant of it. Each time, we are promised a fuller review - next time. I am not doubting the standard of the medical care one bit, but yes, my sister has a condition and is not a real person. As exemplified by her being given an appointment to an 8am blood transfusion the day after the last clinic appointment, despite a plea for it being a bit early when it means a two hour+ drive through rush hour traffic. And not explaining that a first ever transfusion has to be done very slowly, and then a second unit given rather faster, so that it is going to take all day, sending us home just in time for the afternoon rush hour.....A five minute explanation would have been nice! However - it did a good job, and she is feeling much better. Fingers crossed that this is the start of a good bit.<br />
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Onward and upward, eh?Spindlers2http://www.blogger.com/profile/18391437211767303805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857771.post-42029814503876434372015-02-16T15:31:00.000+00:002015-02-16T15:31:01.082+00:00I'm not doing too well at this blogging caper at the moment, am I? I do keep meaning to get down to it, but like the fibre crafts, I'm not being very successful!<br />
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So, a bit of a mixed bag coming up.<br />
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To the usual chaos, add a filthy cold! I was supposed to be joining the DSM on the visit to Cornwall, but had to cancel, partly for DMIL's benefit, partly mine. That was over two weeks ago and I am still not completely free of it' which seems very unfair. Still, it did mean that I could really buckle down to the Landscape shawl and get it finished. In the end, I only managed three stitch patterns with the amount of yarn that I had, but it looks ok and is a generous enough size. It is washed, but would be better for a light steam press which I suppose means that I should do the rest of the ironing, too, dammit.<br />
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So then I cast on the Spiral shawl with the gradient three-ply. Quite how I managed to make a fundamental error in such a straightforward pattern within twenty rows I really do not know. But I did - suddenly the repeats weren't working, the DSM had a look, and seemingly I had achieved ten repeats instead of the eight that the pattern called for. Oops. I got back on track last night and so far, so good, but until I start to see the colour changes and do enough to get on a circ instead of dpns, I won't be able to really know if I am going to like it or not. But I think I will, ok?<br />
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So, the great big thing........well, two little ones. Yes, crazy old cat people ride again. Two more snowshoe brothers were collected last weekend. I was really quite worried by how Barni would be, but in the event, he is actually being very good, with very little display of bad temper. Ferdi has taken to them immediately - I had rather thought that he might - and they are already quite friendly. They arrived with toys, including some catnip ones. We have shared these with Barni, but we have to ration his exposure or he goes too completely doolally. A little nip has helped to reconcile him to the interlopers, though.<br />
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They are of course, monsters. In one week they have learned to jump up on to the kitchen counters and one of them can get through the inner cat flap with ease. In all other respects they seem totally at home and as if they had lived with us all their lives, which I suppose is a compliment to us as well as their breeders. Just as soon as I can find my camera, I will put up some photos - the ones I have done with phone or iPad are not very good, the shutter delay is too long and the beasts move too dam' fast. Oh - Bruno and Madoc, by the way.<br />
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One very nice thing that has happened is that at last the UK copies of Ply magazine arrived, having been delayed in the Christmas posts. So at long last I got to see my Worstead article in print. Very nicely laid out, with some of the photos that I took, it looks very well. I feel very proud - Ply may be fairly new, but it hit the ground running when it came out and has since gone from strength to strength. Now I need to watch for another opportunity to pitch an article!<br />
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What I really need to be doing now is to get stuck in to putting words down on paper, so to speak, for our Summer School course. It is all in my head all right, but not all out there for all to read. I do know it will not take me long once I really get down to it, but that part really needs to be done before gathering the actual materials. There is a lot of really good buzz about this Summer School, I am looking forward to it, and I do enjoy the planning stage, too. Of course, I still have a fair few samples to do as well.....please can I have a bit more mojo and a few more hours in the day?<br />
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OK, the cancer bit.<br />
So, we had something of an alarm and excursion a few weeks back when we heard from my sister that she had gone to A&E. The side effects of the chemo got rather worse and she had to have a transfusion of platelets. After having her next regular appointment with the oncologist her dosage was reduced, and the next round went so much better! And the other piece of good news is that her scan results came back, and her tumour has reduced - from what was said, not massively, but satisfactorily. The chemo this week is the last one, after which things should revert to something quite comfortable for a while, and we are all hoping that she and we and have some good times as the Spring comes on.<br />
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And I should have said - our snowdrops are out! one of my favourite landmarks in the wheel of the year.Spindlers2http://www.blogger.com/profile/18391437211767303805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857771.post-76703479807647977622015-01-14T13:43:00.002+00:002015-01-14T13:43:53.919+00:00OofIndeed. Where has the last month and a bit gone?<br />
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Oh, but first, fair warning, practically zero fibre content in this. It has been like that. I have knitted, often in a state perilously close to slumber (and therefore immediately frogged) and that it about it.<br />
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What has happened? My sister moved out of her old house and then in to ours temporarily. We took her for her third chemo. Huge fun. Because of some adverse reactions she is infused at half speed, and as they are often very late starting, it isn't finished until early evening. Then she moved in to her own house in HB at long, long last. Then it was Christmas - everybody to us, which was lovely. Then it was the next chemo, an even slower and longer day. We are all in recovery from that at the moment.<br />
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It has been almost impossible to think much at all about fibre, spinning and whatever. But slowly, it has begun to happen, a bit like the shoots of the first snowdrops. First of all, a few things previously scheduled decided to rearrange themselves. A non-fibre trip to Cambridge, off again - on again. A workshop cancelled at a month's notice, about which I probably should have been cross, but am not as they couldn't help not getting the numbers and it gives me some extra unexpected time.<br />
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And Woolfest. We have with great sadness decided to withdraw our application this year. Too much family stuff around, with part of it centred pretty much directly on the fortnight in which we would have been in Cumbria. We could have left it awhile to see how things went, but if we had cancelled down the line it seemed to us not to be fair to others, like the show, the people we rent accommodation from and so on. If things work out ok, we will try our damndest to get up there for the two days of Woolfest itself. After all, I shall need to replenish my stash!<br />
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I did spend some time over the holidays having a very good look at the Knitsonik book on inspirations and techniques for working out colour schemes for stranded knitting. It is fabulous and indeed inspirational, so much so that I have brought it down to the studio together with a coffee table book of David Hockney paintings and a book on Fairisle patterns to get working on some samples. I lighted on Hockney because I love his use of colour, and the Yorkshire woodland series of paintings in particular. Anyway, if I can get you-know-who to ever stop wittering when we are here, I hope to start on that very soon.<br />
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And yes, we are in the studio today for the first time since the beginning of December. I knew I had to do it soon, or I would lose the habit, and not really start doing anything very much at home either. First few visits will be a case of Keep It Simple Stupid, no high-flown ideas of anything grand, it is getting back into the groove that matters. Hence this blog post as first on the list (nearly time to tick!) And I have a huge bobbinful of gradient yarn that I finished spinning ages ago on my Hansen, and could not face winding off on a niddy noddy. So it is down here to be done on the skein winder, much easier. Then I shall just spin - such simple words, but they do sound good.<br />
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In a couple of weeks time, we are going down to Cornwall to see DMIL for a couple of days, then when we get back, there will be an announcement, and finally some photos, I promise. I am not making resolutions, intentions or whatever exactly this year. Principally just one foot in front of the other, but maybe also to do what I am doing that little bit more mindfully. (Sorry about the buzz word du jour, but it works.)<br />
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Onward, eh?Spindlers2http://www.blogger.com/profile/18391437211767303805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857771.post-62684508325264275102014-12-06T14:02:00.001+00:002014-12-06T14:02:24.665+00:00Open StudiosOK, so we have got round to 6th December, and it is the weekend of Open Studios at Northlight. This is primarily intended as a selling event for all the real artists who are attempting to wholly or partly make their living here, but it is also a showcase for what goes on and to advertise the fact that you can rent a studio or take a course chosen from the education programme.<br />
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So what we get is a lovely two days of sitting and spinning and chatting to interesting people, which can't be bad. We do occasionally even get the odd student.<br />
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I know we live in the fourth funkiest little town on the planet (at least according to BA we do) and several former mills have been transformed in to artistic/craft ventures of one sort or another. But I do really think that there is still generally a strong tide of interest in crafts running, even if it is only an interest in or awareness of existence of such things. So the conversations are good - someone just now actually knew about mordanting in natural dyeing, even though she had never done any herself, and I had an informed discussion with a knitter on the appeal and nature of Noro.<br />
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Whoah! And a short interruption while I sell three batts!!)<br />
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And just had a conversation with someone who has been studying Alchemy in the States. H'mm.<br />
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And I don't think this is just the rosy glow of the mulled wine I am drinking influencing me unduly! The fragmentary nature of this post is due to blogging whilst openstudioing.<br />
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Nothing else all that exciting to report, really. Well, apart from a lovely weekend in Cambridge celebrating a friend's 70th birthday. (Yes, we are all getting to be that old - the next one is next week......) It was a super do, in a typically Cambridge pub (which is a bit like HB but a bit more up-market. And the entertainment came from a busker, playing Dylan and Leonard Cohen. Too cool.<br />
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The Landscape shawl was frogged as I had made a massive error in the construction, but it is now back on track. I am totally surprised at how boring a knit it is. I had thought that with increases, different stitch patterns and a picot edging that there would be sufficient interest, but somehow, not quite. It will be lovely when it is finished, though, and it does make good TV knitting.<br />
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Everlasting alpaca and silk at the studio - I have been plying this morning, and got a broken end that lost itself, much to my annoyance - had a crowd of people in as well, I did NOT look competent. Back to that grindstone soon. At home, some decent cashmere. I had to make a run to World of Wool for class supplies last week, so decided to get some more. About half spun now.<br />
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I am going to draw this to a close, too many people around to concentrate. Back before Christmas, I hope.<br />
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The Cancer Journal<br />
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Good and bad. The latter, Pennie's hair has gone. it started falling out after the first chemo and was shedding so fast, she shaved the remainder off. She was very self-conscious about it, but I was able to reassure by saying that it would look perfectly normal for HB. That is a good - the house sales have finally, finally gone through, at least on the property she is buying not completed until tomorrow, but that is not a problem. She is coming to stay with us next week until the bit of work she wants doing is finished. The other good is that after the second chemo, she didn't feel quite as wiped out, and was eating better. Dare we hope that this could indicate that the tumour has indeed started to shrink a bit? Fingers crossed. We journey on.Spindlers2http://www.blogger.com/profile/18391437211767303805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857771.post-31185927420097704182014-11-18T12:56:00.000+00:002014-11-18T12:56:07.192+00:00I'm busy!But I haven't forgotten that I am a blogger again.<br />
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Just been (ugh) having my photo taken for publicity for the Christmas Open Studios event. If you know me, you know I loathe this process, even if part of a group which this was. A vain, I fear, attempt to hide behind other people and a spindle. I am, though, looking forward to the weekend, I get to spin for two whole days and talk to interesting people. We don't usually have stuff to sell, but I have even had people begging me to sell them some yarn, although I have to admit, not often!<br />
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Saturday was a Guild day. These meetings of late have been really, really good. We have a whole gang of new and enthusiastic members, and frequently have visitors as well. This all makes for happy, noisy and vibrant meetings. The last couple of ideas, we have been following an idea that one of our members pinched from another Guild, which has to be uncredited as even she can't remember which it was! You have "four corners" (although this can be variable) and something takes place at each station. It is a kind of skill sharing, taster day, which generates in our experience a grand buzz.<br />
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This one was fibre prep, and I did combing. I don't know about the people I demonstrated to, but I had a wonderful time. I love combing, especially with English combs, but rarely make the time to do it. And I used a gorgeous Shetland fleece that we had got from Jamieson and Smith last year, an additional pleasure.<br />
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We have been trying hard to do a good job for our newer members recently. It is very easy to forget that there are things that we, as veterans, take for granted but they may be less familiar with. So we have organised a few beginner/refresher spinning sessions at ordinary guild days, and these Four Corner days, all of which have been popular and useful. And us veterans can learn a thing or two as well (as is always the case in any teaching situation, or should be!) This time, one of the areas ended up being blending boards, with people who had made their own. Now, the DSM bought carding cloth back at Woolfest, which was languishing somewhere or other.........as we speak, he is manfully wielding a staple gun, and will soon be blending away with the best of them, having been shown again how to do it.<br />
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To continue the mish mash of this post.........a cautionary tale. Recently, I wanted to spin something very soft and luxurious, so rootled in the stash and found some cashmere. Well, I think it is - it could be bunny fluff, but the former is more likely, and the same point holds for both. (Plus the extra reminder to LABEL YOUR STASH.) Cashmere seemingly does not have a long storage life. Whilst most other fibres take little harm from being kept for a good while, cashmere, being so very fine, compresses. Because it is more expensive and precious than most of our stash might be, we don't want to waste it, so have to go through a truly tedious process of returning it to a spinnable state. There is no quick fix, whatever method you use - I normally open it up over and over again, but you can card it (don't particularly recommend drum carding, myself.) I have had a somewhat similar experience with mohair, but that is easier to fix, it tends to open up enough to spin reasonably by just stripping the top down into thin strips. So, be warned!<br />
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The Cancer Journal<br />
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Time passes, slowly. My sister has had her first cycle of chemo. The first few days afterwards were hellish, but the next few better, and now, in the run up to the next session she is feeling quite reasonable and able to get out and about, so is happy to keep going for the time being. She will have two more, then the oncology team review progress - or not - and decide accordingly. That is going to be another difficult time (amongst many.) Reasonable progress on the moving front, as well. Doing it is not going to be fun either, but things will be a lot better afterwards. So, not so much to say at the moment.Spindlers2http://www.blogger.com/profile/18391437211767303805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857771.post-84936102225935297992014-10-30T16:06:00.002+00:002014-10-30T16:06:38.222+00:00Back again, still without photographsThe afghan is finished. I really like it, after fearing that I might not. But I still haven't managed to photograph it, sorry.<br />
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I attempted an attached i-cord edging, and it looked absolutely ghastly. So, remembering that I was supposed to have this interest in blending crochet with knit, I did a simple double crochet (single if you are from the USA) for four rounds, and finished off with a crab stitch round. Crab stitch is also double crochet, but worked in the opposite direction, which gives the stitch a nice little twisted bump and a more defined look. I had thought I might make tassels for each corner, but they looked really naff. So I managed to find my pom-pom maker and did four in each colour, putting one of each on each corner instead. It makes me think of a camel blanket, or something, but in a good way. An actual Finished Object!<br />
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The orange-tawny Landscape shawl is progressing, but I am having to ignore at the moment that I have as usual gone awry with the moss stitch section. I am waiting until I have done a bit more of the next, stocking stitch, section to have a good look at it and see if I can get away with leaving it. I know I shouldn't, but..........<br />
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Spinning - continuing with the alpaca and silk, which has given me an excellent (well, I think so) idea for a "module" in the Spin to Knit class. I have even written up a first draft. Sometimes I amaze myself. Unfortunately, I have just realised that probably we should really have a Mission Statement, and dare I say it, Outcomes. As a matter of fact, I always do have these, but they tend to be in my head rather than set out, and take on their life during and after the actual workshop. Maybe it is time I grew up.<br />
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I had a great thrill this morning. One of the things that has happened whilst I had my blogging absence was that Sam, one of the two younger Snowshoes when missing and never returned. Today, their breeder emailed me to say that she has not one but two new litters of kittens, too young to give colours yet, but they look very well-sized, healthy little pink things......and are we still interested.<br />
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What a silly question. We shall go and see them in December and hopefully fall in love with two to come live with us and Barni and Ferdi. The former is not going to be too impressed, but I think that Ferdi will enjoy having galloping kits to play with, which will take the pressure off B. Those two are still hunting like crazy as winter refuses to descend. I am so glad that the DSM gets up first!<br />
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Ok, update on my sister.<br />
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Yesterday, she had her first appointment at Christies. We didn't really learn anything new, except that they are going to try palliative chemo. The long, long list of side effects and terrible things that can happen was daunting, but she fully appreciates that it is worth trying. The doctor was quite clear that if at any time she feels that it is not worth continuing, then that is her decision alone to stop. We were both very impressed by that - it puts a little control back in to her hands in a situation where there is practically none. All the medical people we have met have been very straightforward, although the word "death" has not been mentioned once. It is left hanging in the air. No false pretence, but nothing explicit.<br />
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I did sort of ask the question (another thing that is greatly appreciated, that it is taken for granted that I should be there, and am included in the consultation and can ask questions too), not "how long" but "presumably you can't give any sort of timescale. Seemingly, they really don't like doing that. Pennie didn't want to, but he did offer to speak to me alone. I refused, not fair to her, but I might later on if an opportunity presents itself. However, he did tell her that he was certain that she would still be around for a particular event a few months down the line, a relief in many ways, for me because I had uncharacteristically stuck my neck out and told her that yes, she would be there, I promised. So not like me, that......<br />
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So, chemo starts for her next Wednesday, and I don't think I shall be there as we are going to Cornwall for a few days - you can't ignore a 99 year old MIL totally, after all. But Pennie has very good friends who are more than willing to help too, so \I shall try not to feel too guilty.<br />
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I know really that I am not going to wake up and find it has all been a dream........Spindlers2http://www.blogger.com/profile/18391437211767303805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857771.post-9380366606696508462014-10-17T16:02:00.001+01:002014-10-17T16:02:54.666+01:00The Zombie ApocalypseBit dusty in here, eh?<br />
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Well, that was a long pause. I have been thinking for some time that I didn't actually want to give up blogging, but not getting round to actually doing anything about it. So many reasons for the hiatus, so many for starting again. So I shall kick off with explaining both as best I can. (Minus photos for now.)<br />
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Last time I wrote, we were about to set of for Mexico. Which was a highly enjoyable and mind-blowing experience, which maybe I will document one of these days. When we got back, I was totally knackered, then overwhelmed by the wealth of bloggable material that I had. I procrastinated. <br />
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One of my problems (yes, I have many and many excuses.....) was that our desk top pc was dying. I had been using mu iPad, and wasn't finding that completely satisfactory for writing stuff. OK, so we finally get acts together and buy ourselves lovely new laptops, yeay!! Except that nobody warned us about Windows 8. Do I really need to say more? It took me weeks and weeks to feel anything like able to use the thing and actually be creative, and by then I had two or three articles to write so blogging fell lower and lower down the list of priorities. And we were teaching, vending, travelling - all seriously good fun, but....distracting.<br />
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Anyway, the articles are done - in fact the first of them has just landed in glorious technicolour on my doormat, about the silk spinners in Oaxaca, in the brand new Yarnmaker. There are more to be published and more to write, which I am very happy about as contrary to what you might think given the non-appearance of this blog, I do really like writing!<br />
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We still have our studio, and long may that continue so. In fact, I am there now, as it is much easier to find a little peace and quiet there than at home. You wouldn't think that one husband could be quite so - well, not disruptive, maybe the right word will come to me! Let us just say that he and I have different modus operandi.<br />
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We have taught some at the studio, both in our own space and a weekend workshop for the education programme. There should be another such coming up next year, which is great, and we have a few Guild workshops booked. The two big ones should be Fibre East, if we can persuade people to sign up for the homegrown tutors (we visited as vendors this year, to give us the excuse to catch up with SOAR friends, which was just lovely). And then there is Summer School, that I am greatly looking forward to. When we first taught a Summer School I was hugely apprehensive about keeping interest up for an entire week. I have come to relish the in-depth experience, and am really glad to be given the opportunity to teach our Spin to Knit class once more. I am working on a revised version, and that is going to take up quite a bit of my time, not only the course design, notes, etc bu also the samples, and the examples of work both for that and for the tutors display. My work is so very utilitarian. Still, there are ideas, and stuff on the go, and the studio is going to really come in to its own.<br />
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At the moment I am finishing off an afghan, natural brown Polwarth and silk, edged with what was white similar, dyed bright scarlet by me. I have a pygora lace scarf just about on the needles, but it has been frogged a few times and I am a bit scared of it now, to be honest. It will be something, though, the yarn is lovely, and also dyed by me to a rather nice royal blue.<br />
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I must, it seems, have been on a bit of a dyeing jag, as number three project is a shawl - the Landscape shawl, one I have long wanted to do - in a tawny orange overdyed BFL/silk blend. Simple, but is, I think, going to be nice.<br />
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In sitting down and writing this, I can see that the feeling that I sometimes have of not really doing/achieving anything is baseless! I am not putting the half of it down here. This gives me hope that I can actually manage to get back to maintaining a blog again, although I think that I shall try to be realistic and not aim for more than perhaps every other week, every week at most.<br />
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And it is, I think, going to be good to be back. If there is anyone out there to read this, not all driven away in disgust by my shabby treatment, please do let me know!<br />
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OK, so that is all pretty much in my usual vein. When I started blogging, I did not want to do a baring my soul, all my innermost thoughts type of thing. Mostly fibre, spinning, dyeing, knitting, my cultural interests, travel and so on. Only occasional personal stuff. So I give warning now that I am about to write about something very personal and emotional that is going to be dominating my life for a while and so cannot be ignored. If you don't like that sort of thing, stop reading right now. (I will always put the updates at the end of posts, so they can be easily avoided.)<br />
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I have a sister, eight years younger than me, and originally a huge nuisance in my life, as I am sure that those of you with younger siblings can imagine. As we grew up, we became good friends, and for the last umpty years living only an hours drive away from one another, we have met frequently, gone out together, gone on holiday together, moaned about the state of the world together. Been sisters.<br />
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Two weeks ago, she was told that she had inoperable, terminal stomach cancer.<br />
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Even writing that here, I still do not, at some level, believe it. Although at another, it is the only thought in my head, a constant background chatter in my life, it is the bell deep in the Tardis tolling away, minute after minute, second after second.<br />
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There is not much else to say at the moment. She is being taken to Italy for a holiday, to celebrate a special birthday, by her daughter and family. When she gets back, she has an appointment at Christies, which I will also attend, to set out......all that has to be set out. Which will include some chemo, for various practical reasons.<br />
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There are one or two other things thrown into this chalice, but I will get to those as and when. I can't actually write any more just now.<br />
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Spindlers2http://www.blogger.com/profile/18391437211767303805noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857771.post-14653650808441418162013-12-21T18:44:00.001+00:002013-12-21T18:44:13.881+00:00A Solstice PostI love the Susan Cooper books, 'The Dark is Rising' sequence. So why have I never come across this poem of hers before? Well, at least I have now!<div><br></div><div>The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper</div><div><br></div><div><p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So the shortest day came, and the year died,<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Came people singing, dancing,<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">To drive the dark away.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They lighted candles in the winter trees;<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They hung their homes with evergreen;<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They burned beseeching fires all night long<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">To keep the year alive,<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">And when the new year's sunshine blazed awake<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They shouted, reveling.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Through all the frosty ages you can hear them<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Echoing behind us - Listen!!<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">All the long echoes sing the same delight,<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">This shortest day,<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">As promise wakens in the sleeping land:<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They carol, fest, give thanks,<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">And dearly love their friends,<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">And hope for peace.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">And so do we, here, now,<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">This year and every year.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Welcome Yule!!</span></p></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Happy Solstice, happy Yule!</div>Spindlers2http://www.blogger.com/profile/18391437211767303805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857771.post-60047315201429697012013-12-15T16:51:00.001+00:002013-12-15T16:51:35.441+00:00A grab-bagI don't know where time goes, these days, I really don't. And I don't even seem to get that much done! To be fair, we are in to what passes for the Christmas gadding season at the moment, and, confirmed introvert that I am, one social event tends to equal one day recovery time. That's one excuse, anyway.........<div><br></div><div>I do gently chug along with all the usual fibre pursuits. It is just that at the moment, there is nothing particularly noteworthy in the pipeline. I did manage to finish the Guild Challenge project (although not to actually photograph it, and as I am writing this with Barni on my lap, I don't want to disturb him to go and do it now. It is unremarkable, but somewhat to my surprise not only functional but I actually quite like it. </div><div><br></div><div>The project was "something for the head"; the fibre was some less than remarkable White-faced Woodland, made even less appealing by being drum carded. I dyed his deep burgundy, mine a bright mid-blue. I looked at the yarn, and thought, well, what the blazes am I going to do with this.....</div><div><br></div><div>But I also had two lots of very nice yarn spun from blends I had been given at SOAR, one a beige plus a little glitter, the other cream. Those two managed to salvage the project. I decided to make a long cowl that would pull over my head when needed, and just did stripes, mostly of one row of colour with a few blocks for variety. It worked!</div><div><br></div><div>I can't remember if I ever recorded the fact that the AH class has been ailing. Lots of reasons for this, I think, and difficult for me to address. Over the recent months, quite a few classes had been cancelled, and it was getting to be quite a problem planning the class, gathering supplies and then not being able to go ahead. Did I skip that topic, or just move it over to the next month? Keeping the programme, and our diary straight was becoming a bit of a logistical nightmare. So, rightly or wrongly, in conjunction with TPTB, we decided to reduce the frequency of the class and go to one every three months.</div><div><br></div><div>Looks like that was the wrong decision. December has always been a favourite one on the calendar, but numbers were way, way down, with a distinct dearth of the usual suspects. (Although it is fair to say that the Hall was empty apart from us and in the afternoon a group of ladies in for some event and afternoon tea....such a sad and worrying state of affairs.)</div><div><br></div><div>Don't get me wrong, we had a good day! Lots of productive sampling, enjoyable chat, and a good Festive lunch of the usual, with a goats cheese and cranberry tart for the veggies. We even had a mince pie at tea time instead of the biscuits we have been reduced to!</div><div><br></div><div>Now next up - one week tomorrow, we are off on our travels again. To Mexico. Coincidently for Christmas, which will be very unusual and interesting, but mostly to meet up with dear friends from California and to explore the weaving dyeing and other traditional crafts of the Oaxaca area. We should have internet access while we are there, so I hope I can do on the spot as well as retrospective reporting. I have to admit to being a bit nervous about it as it is rather outside our comfort zone. We don't speak Spanish - fortunately, our friends do!</div><div><br></div><div>And finally. One other small FO. I had designed a cowl/neck warmer/whatever on the needles, found it rather too big, and thrown it in to the washing machine to see if I could reduce the size a bit. It also worked! I like the basic idea, but both the design and the execution need a bit of work. This would have had a phot on Flickr, but Flickr refused to co-operate, so .......</div><div><br></div><div>Next post, the Festival of the Radish, maybe......<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mFIeZjx0dyDOMT5g_Mvplk_kAUHAITs_3QV-oy-z7k2JWq5Bpwx5DnBj6F2RVj_ZIEcoscciiWi7aWsAP_E0Bs8Sdm2yv7QndCkAyX_GTKMKq84NsXF0i32HjniSmpMHJwKU/s640/blogger-image-1332832265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mFIeZjx0dyDOMT5g_Mvplk_kAUHAITs_3QV-oy-z7k2JWq5Bpwx5DnBj6F2RVj_ZIEcoscciiWi7aWsAP_E0Bs8Sdm2yv7QndCkAyX_GTKMKq84NsXF0i32HjniSmpMHJwKU/s640/blogger-image-1332832265.jpg"></a></div></div>Spindlers2http://www.blogger.com/profile/18391437211767303805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857771.post-20813312963371602872013-12-02T23:22:00.001+00:002013-12-02T23:22:55.874+00:00Open Studios WeekendThis time last year, we had just applied for a studio space, and thought it would be a good idea to go down and have a look around when everyone opened up for the Christmas event. In the summer, we were happily ensconced in our own space, but could only do one day as we were coming back from Cumbria on the Saturday. (There are two open weekends per year.)<div><br></div><div>So this Christmas event was the first we could participate in fully. I have to say, it was fun. It was actually fairly quiet, but that meant that we could spend time with family and friends who dropped in, and also enjoy meeting the visitors. We even managed to collect half a dozen names of people expressing an interest in a fibre crafts weekend that it has been suggested the four of us who are spinners and weavers (and dyers and felt makers) could organise some time next year, which was an encouraging thing!</div><div><br></div><div>We got the studio space looking very colourful and cosy on a rather chilly weekend, and settled in to do a lot of spinning (plus a few other bits and bobs.). Our aim in having a studio is not to make lots of stuff to sell, although I had intended to have rather more yarn available for purchase than I actually managed. Best intentions and all that. Will try to do better another time.</div><div><br></div><div>I have to be honest and say that I have not yet got to where I want to be with my use of the studio. I recognise various reasons for this (I do not intend to go in to them all here, could make things go a bit whingey!) I can address most of them, and will do so. One of the beneficial side effects of this weekend was getting myself considerably refocused, so that is good.</div><div><br></div><div>Part of the trouble is having too much going on in other areas of my life, which us of course basically A Good Thing. So I need either to get a bit more efficient, or not to worry about any of it! (I think I might go in the latter direction......)</div><div><br></div><div>Oh, I am wittering. Probably because it is nearly 11.30, and I should be thinking about bed. Though that us something I do try to avoid doing - one of the impediments to efficient studio yes gas been the insomnia, which had been better recently but made an unwelcome reappearance last night. So I tend to do something that needs doing, or I like doing or similar so at least if I am lying there all wakeful I can console myself with some small achievement!</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXOwLPYrPc7BgeaGlhREgexWV0V5lvooLsxH_lu7wEJcN98r0KUfvgPlxpfpF1BOLmNFz6vBmEog3ojVQyWgK2Q92G7pKgBK4Wp8NO_ZVDDq_pihIiVKPBw_FDwhjrvG8CypJ/s640/blogger-image-287268354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXOwLPYrPc7BgeaGlhREgexWV0V5lvooLsxH_lu7wEJcN98r0KUfvgPlxpfpF1BOLmNFz6vBmEog3ojVQyWgK2Q92G7pKgBK4Wp8NO_ZVDDq_pihIiVKPBw_FDwhjrvG8CypJ/s640/blogger-image-287268354.jpg"></a></div></div>Spindlers2http://www.blogger.com/profile/18391437211767303805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857771.post-85007739387112230062013-11-17T16:43:00.001+00:002013-11-17T16:43:32.007+00:00Time to cut my lossesI do believe that I have blathered at some length about some silk I have been spinning. I found it in the stash, so I only have an inkling of where I might have bought it. A near-perfect match to a lovely merino and silk blend.<br />
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I struggled. With a silk top or brick - this was the latter - I would normally pull off a chunk, fold it over my finger and spin with an extended draw. With this prep, I very quickly learned that this technique simply would not work. It was full of, well, for a better word, clumps. If I did an extended draw, these would obstinately refuse to draft out, leaving a huge and unwanted slub. I found that if I did short draw, sometimes I could catch this as they came through and manage to draft them, or if they still refused to co-operate, remove them entirely.<br />
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I still don't understand what was going on - sometimes the dye job was implicated, sometimes it was the silk prep, presumably badly prepped, all on its own. One of the most frustrating spinning jobs I have done in a while, and quite painful, too, hard on the hands.<br />
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We come to plying. I had spun all the fibre on to one bobbin, and deliberately chose, knowing all the risks, to ply from a centre pull ball. I REMEMBERED TO PUT A PAPER QUILL IN THE CORE. I start to ply.<br />
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The singles is much more variable than I had thought. Even though I had tried hard to mitigate the thicker, clumpy sections, I still had far more slubs than I liked. Ah well, soldier on. Maybe it would not look so bad, be a useable yarn.......the paper fell out of the core.<br />
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Quick as a flash, I stuffed my thumb approximately into the middle of the centre pull ball, and continued. All was going quite well until the phone rang, and the DSM seemed to be having problems with something. I stopped plying, and TOOK MY FINGER OUT. (Sometimes, extracting ones digit is a Good Thing. Not this.)<br />
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Almost immediately I started plying again, disaster struck. Trying to sort that out, disaster was piling upon disaster. I got the scissors, and cut myself free, took the time to look closely at the plied yarn.<br />
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It was horrible.<br />
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I not only cut the yarn, I cut my losses. I should have done it sooner. Just means a slightly different project is all. With no silk yarn.<br />
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No doubt I have learned something from this, right? <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnulItPvuCT4tk2BqiCCh-NvbKKrPfZR4Mv4zKAUsM-Uz_wDYzT2WFDQeyAUBKUfCeI20v2qQhZ9itpczh9bEtsLuM0k21q74v9KxCcjrFW8RBdbZ7FJGxBXCxUORIimON4fM/s640/blogger-image--1174772635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnulItPvuCT4tk2BqiCCh-NvbKKrPfZR4Mv4zKAUsM-Uz_wDYzT2WFDQeyAUBKUfCeI20v2qQhZ9itpczh9bEtsLuM0k21q74v9KxCcjrFW8RBdbZ7FJGxBXCxUORIimON4fM/s640/blogger-image--1174772635.jpg" /></a></div>Spindlers2http://www.blogger.com/profile/18391437211767303805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857771.post-81069258091170805702013-11-09T21:57:00.001+00:002013-11-09T22:33:14.981+00:00November: Take 2By which I mean starting the writing of this blog post all over again, as I had nearly completed Take 1 when I was interrupted by a person from Porlock (actually the DSM) and in the kerfuffle, I closed down Blogger on my iPad without saving to draft.<br />
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Such a shame. I had waxed poetical about the meadow and woodland outside our windows turning to golden shades of autumn almost over night plus various other lyrical stuff. All gone. Can't remember anything much of it at all. I shall just have to be more pedestrian.<br />
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After a week back recovering from our travels, and in my case the minor ailments that each travel gifted me, this week has been all about the studio. I cannot tell you how good it has been to get back in there, even though this had meant studio duties as well as work/play. Because this is a co-operative we belong to, we have to share a cleaning rota (public spaces, not just our own) and have other responsibilities. Himself grabbed something to do with website, IT or whatever, whilst I was a bit slow and got Health and Safety. Not, actually, that I mind too much. As far as I am concerned, H&R gets a bum rap, and is really just Common Sense. I don't have to do much. Although filling in our own studio's risk assessment form might be a good thing........<br />
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But we are coming up to the Christmas Open Studios weekend, so had to have a Meeting. This, I have to say, was very much like a bazillion other meetings that I have been to for various groups over many years. In other words, I a) glad when it was over; and b) glad to have a nice straightforward job like making soup to feed the masses who will visit.<br />
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However, it did turn my attention to what I intended to do about the event. Although the main import is simply to be there, talk to people, show what we do, &etc, with no compulsion to sell anything, it did seem to me that I could kind of kill two birds with one stone and combine what I felt like working on at the moment with producing some cute little skeins of ooh shiny! yarn that wouldn't cost too much.<br />
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When at SOAR, I had been in the right place at the right time and acquired a couple of goodies in Deb Menz's yard sale. A hackle and a pair of Viking combs. I love producing multicoloured yarns on a hackle (which is all Deb's fault, anyway). I do a class on creating multicoloured yarns without dyeing, hence being so pleased to pick up some extra tools. And I hadn't done any of it for a while......this definitely seemed like a good time.<br />
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So, first go.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80204767@N00/10709353943/" title="Untitled by maryplain, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3683/10709353943_efeb3b5b3f_n.jpg" width="320" height="240" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
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The tops set up on the hackle (in this case, my Peter Teal.)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80204767@N00/10709858013/" title="Untitled by maryplain, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3746/10709858013_ea75c12a9d_n.jpg" width="240" height="320" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
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The fibre dizzied off, and ready to make a smooth, worsted type yarn.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80204767@N00/10709874383/" title="Untitled by maryplain, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5522/10709874383_4183fdc998_n.jpg" width="240" height="320" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
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The short stuff left behind on the hackle. I did actually get more off after this was taken, but as I had packed it down rather to much, it was a but hard on my hands and I ended up with a blister! Deb advocates re-combing (I think - need to refer back to the book!) the top before hackling, which might prevent this, and quite so much waste. I will try that, but in this instance, I want two small co-ordinating skeins, one smooth, one fluffy. Photos of those later.<br />
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Now to think of some more colourways.........<br />
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Footnote: in moving between Flickr and Blogger, I may have got the photos in the wrong order. In which case, just use your intelligence...........Spindlers2http://www.blogger.com/profile/18391437211767303805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857771.post-91965502175779341072013-10-31T19:31:00.001+00:002013-10-31T19:31:16.000+00:00The end of a long roadSo, we were barely back home from Shetland, than we were off again.<br />
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I had been intending to wait until I had some photographs for this post, either borrowed from the DSM or taken of my shopping haul, but then I thought, no, get it done.<br />
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I took no photographs myself. Well, only one or two with the iPad. I actually find this really interesting. I think, in hindsight, that I just wanted to be right there in every moment. That worked well, too. I had a wonderful time.<br />
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The DSM and I did have some rest time whilst classes were going on, for a couple of days at least. We used the little pool - very nice and relaxing. Sat around with our knitting chatting to whoever walked by, got to meals early for long lunchtime chats, joined one or two groups for pre-dinner.......nibbles.<br />
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We did have a bit of a blip on Wednesday, when one of our compatriots was unwell, and we went with her to Urgent Care. We still got to knit and chat! We had some small experience of the system, which was a help.<br />
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Thursday, of course, we shopped. Not the best market ever, but the places I wanted most to see there were, so I have come home well-equipped with Fiber Optic and Abstract Fiber fluff. Both of these do fabulous rich saturated colours, and FO specialise in graduated colour preps. We also got Muga and Eri silk preps, not available in the YK as far as I know. And fresh supplies of Socks that Rock yarn.<br />
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And we bought a Hansen minispinner. We had not intended to do that, the thought had never crossed our minds, but somehow we ended up with one. The thinking went, probably, a bit like this: we are not getting any younger; one day one of us might need an electric spinner; buying it in the US had to be cheaper than having it shipped; it would fit easily in to our luggage. Done! I will report further at a later date.<br />
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Both of us really enjoyed our Retreat sessions. Finally someone got me to understand the threading and weaving paths of a weavette/ZoomLoom, by patient teaching and a really neat teaching aid. And the nuno felt scarf class was super. Nicely paced, just the right amount of instruction to actual felting time, and a great, useable product at the end.<br />
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Before that, though, on the Thursday evening, we had a lengthy session chaired by Anita Osterhaug, editor of Handwoven. A very, very brave thing for her to do, I must say. No one was aggressive, but there was not surprisingly a certain level if, shall we say, hostility. Fortunately not directed at her, but at F&W, the new owners.<br />
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It seems that the plan is not after all to end SOAR, but to reinvent it in a new and improved format (sounds like one of those old soap powder ads!) maybe hotel accommodation, no meal package, lots of classes with no preset number you have to take, and not in the Autumn. (Spot a small problem right there!). We were asked what we would like to see. Well, um, everything that SOAR already us, including time of year - duh. Lots of time spent on...well, I forget the buzzwords.<br />
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Call me an old cynic, do. I am not feeling sanguine about it. For a start, it is extremely unlikely that anything will be arranged for 2014, so impetus will be lost. For a second, diluting the spinning focus, as we are told will happen, will lessen to attraction to many. For a lot of us, spinning is the primary devotion - we know we need to actually do something with the yarn we create, but we love being with our spinny kind. Yes, I do quite accept that things change, things come to an end, there is a natural evolution. But I suspect that this is more of an execution...........we shall see.<br />
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Then on Saturday evening, we had the Fashion Show. Sometimes of late years, this has been a bit of a tame event, but this year, stops were pulled out. There was a feeling, I am sure, that tribute had to be paid to what we were likely losing, so many did retrospectives, included the event itself in their scripts, all sorts of things. It was lovely.<br />
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Followed by the not so. Warning, I am going to be negative, and I know that not all will agree with me. We had a talk and a slideshow given by Linda Ligon, the founder of Spin Off, and hence SOAR. And for that, we owe her a huge debt. But what she gave us that evening was essentially, her holiday photographs, with very little commentary. These were, to my mind - and this may be a cultural thing - slightly voyeuristic. Interesting in a way, but we learned little or nothing of the real lives of those depicted, or how the old textile traditions (which should be respected, cherished and supported) blend with everyday, more modern and changing lives. And she did not mention, even obliquely, the fact that SOAR, a textile tradition, even if only of thirty one years standing, was coming to an end. I found this....very strange, amongst other things. Ah, well.<br />
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Am I glad I went? You bet I am. It was a great week. It ended with sadnesses, of course it did. Some of those people I spent the last week with, I shall never meet again. But I have had the chance to add a few new memories as well as talking over old ones, and to make a few new plans for replacing something lost with something found.<br />
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And to replenish my stash a bit.........<br />
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Before I finish, there is one more, very sad, thing to say. The very first time I went to SOAR, I met a woman - and I can remember the moment now - who became one of my friends outside of SOAR. We visited one another, went to Convergence a couple of times together, talked on the phone. Whilst in St Charles, I learned that during that very week, she died. So, my blog commenter 'anon', or 'me', one last spooky coincidence, eh? Rest in peace, finally, lady. I shall miss you.<br />
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(Because she never wanted to be public on the internet, I shall respect that here. Some of you may know who I am talking about, or contact me if you wish. CarolL on Rav will find me, or info at spindlers2.com)Spindlers2http://www.blogger.com/profile/18391437211767303805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857771.post-8292925408915299282013-10-08T15:46:00.001+01:002013-10-08T15:46:56.119+01:00A moment of peaceNot everyone will understand this. After a few days of intense experiences - teaching, seeing wonderful new places, meeting and chatting with lists of lovely people, all compounded by a few nights of less than perfect sleep and some early mornings - I decided to take a day off. The other three have driven off for the best fish and chips evah! and a look around the more northerly parts of the Shetland mainland, but I have elected to stay behind, rest, read and maybe spin a bit. I will also cook them a version of my cauliflower casserole........<br />
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The two teaching days were great. Perfect students, who listened, and who threw themselves into whatever they were offered with gusto. Some comparative newbies to spindles who progressed in leaps and bounds, two of the least experienced at the outset ending up with spinning cotton, no less. We had some interesting conversations, and I do believe all learned a lot. I do so hope that they all enjoyed it as much as we did.<br />
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Yesterday, we went down to Hoswick in the morning to a drop in spinning and knitting clinic with Elizabeth Johnson, and, we knew, a visit due from a SOAR friend of ours. Deborah Robson, in fact, one time editor of Spin Off, now well-known and revered for her wonderful book The Fleece and Fiber Source Book. (I apologise for the lack of links, but I find these a little clunky to manage on the iPad and I am still somewhat tired!). Check out Deb's blog, The Independent Stitch for her island adventures.<br />
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The photograph below shows one of Elizabeth's spindles, which was found in a cottage or croft near her after the death of the elderly lady who lived there. Sometimes when you pick up a spinning tool, I get a strange but very good feeling from it, and I did with this. It felt smooth, satiny and warm, it also gave a sense of peace and calm. Very good. I also learned what the Shetlanders mean by driftwood - I had been told the day before of wheels made from driftwood, and my brain had put my usual southern interpretation on it, with so what bizarre results! But apparently, ships from Russia and Norway pass the islands laden with timber, which as it cannot be containerised, can sometimes be washed overboard. This fetches up on beaches, and is claimed for making all the usual things that would be made from wood that is not found in any other way here, as there are (very very few) trees!<br />
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Anyway, it was a splendid visit, with several other friends and acquaintances appearing, lots of terrific information from Elizabeth, and a warm welcome from the organiser of that event and the classes taking place there that day including an excellent homemade lunch.<br />
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We then set off back to Lerwick to pick up the bus for our trip to the Jameison factory up at Sandness, meeting another friend at the same time. Very interesting tour, with an excellent wee giftie at the end of it. But what impressed me most was that one of our friends had a bit if a diabetic wobble and had forgotten to pick up her emergency banana. Asked if there were any staff biscuits that could be raided, we were told, after a search, no, but someone had been dispatched to the shop in the adjacent village to buy some. And we were very firmly told that payment could not possibly be accepted. <br />
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All our interactions with people in Shetland have found them courteous and friendly, but this was extremely so, and we were all very impressed and touched. Such a good day all round! Finished off by a very nice meal in Lerwick before driving home. <br />
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I am including a photo of my sister, knitting. Even though you can't really see her face, she will kill me if she ever sees this. Fortunately, I am pretty certain she doesn't read this, or any blogs...... <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusGb0NUtBtuWQgkmGS9hCq69l020riafw7LHlOQgiTpmyhPZU7Sa47irXZJzUiRxPHvuDi4kpjo1ZcAr3xNrFCcecLBiSvib-dr3MJTk3PIjSsIHesiZuIl_a_kvQLuho6mRl/s640/blogger-image-63692608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusGb0NUtBtuWQgkmGS9hCq69l020riafw7LHlOQgiTpmyhPZU7Sa47irXZJzUiRxPHvuDi4kpjo1ZcAr3xNrFCcecLBiSvib-dr3MJTk3PIjSsIHesiZuIl_a_kvQLuho6mRl/s640/blogger-image-63692608.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPznuDqu6UWKdrpfcVHgJMx6QdqVE0xA1l7ipPZVGhBSMpwcJnLSkM_jyVIELM_XN17_WksWg4OgSDXqOxm_rwFJrpL9pG_PfTJ6WwMnUNTIXCbve-kjaUYmcJRRvdwkZD74ZB/s640/blogger-image-127411705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPznuDqu6UWKdrpfcVHgJMx6QdqVE0xA1l7ipPZVGhBSMpwcJnLSkM_jyVIELM_XN17_WksWg4OgSDXqOxm_rwFJrpL9pG_PfTJ6WwMnUNTIXCbve-kjaUYmcJRRvdwkZD74ZB/s640/blogger-image-127411705.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPgvg2GAdk9z-iWmd43spe1PA98c66vbP1IO3U9Ge3sGETykmlyDsqyKaCkC25N2DdKLzF-oBW3Job_o0KybEBHvVALcP5pMyfNKZNyhEtutb39bEuJoFt5RlyUwKmTbJdVZ5/s640/blogger-image--367682856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPgvg2GAdk9z-iWmd43spe1PA98c66vbP1IO3U9Ge3sGETykmlyDsqyKaCkC25N2DdKLzF-oBW3Job_o0KybEBHvVALcP5pMyfNKZNyhEtutb39bEuJoFt5RlyUwKmTbJdVZ5/s640/blogger-image--367682856.jpg" /></a></div>Spindlers2http://www.blogger.com/profile/18391437211767303805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857771.post-56199412685090487512013-10-02T21:07:00.001+01:002013-10-02T21:07:43.266+01:00ShetlandIt has been a long time in the planning, but we are finally here!<br />
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We had an easy drive up to Aberdeen, staying overnight at the hotel in New Lanark. We didn't look around much - there was just time to settle in and have dinner when we arrived, and it was raining the next morning. Ah, well, another time.<br />
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First objective ticked off the next morning, by visiting a distillery very near to our route. Called Tulliebardine, it is apparently the youngest of them, and is making something of a resurgence by specialising in single malts with a 'finish'. We chose Burgundy and sherry, both lovely. Yes, they did let you taste! We are going to have to go to a specialist whisky shop in York to restock, or alternatively buy it from Amazon. The modern world, eh?<br />
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Our ferry trip was amazingly calm and uneventful. We had an unthreatening meal and a glass of wine, and I crawled in to my bunk just in case, whilst Pete went off and knitted somewhere. I even slept quite well. I am far, far less sanguine about prospects for the return trip though, unless the current gale blows itself out!<br />
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After being wet and foggy when we arrived, the weather turned positively brilliant. We have had three days of mostly sunshine during which we decided to see as much of Mainland as possible. And it is all all amazing as we had been lead to believe, quite stunning in fact. Of course, being stuffed to the gunnels with fibre on the hoof does help endear a place to you. I have seen some white fleeces that I could have leapt out of the car and snipped off with my scissors, the quality was so good.<br />
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Lots of coloured sheep, too. We did actually screech to a halt at one point when we drove past a pen full of all the colours that you could imagine. We spent so long gawping that the farmer came out, and I fully expected to be politely or otherwise asked to move along, but just the opposite! He described all the varieties there for us, told us who was related to who over several generations, explained the different numbers and types of horns depending on the breeding, and loads more stuff I sadly can't remember. So friendly and even better, he is happy to post fleece off to people who email him. A real treat!<br />
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So, sheep, Thelwell ponies that I wish I could take home in my suitcase with me they are so ridiculously cute, ravens and mergansers - nothing more exotic yet. Signs by the roadside saying, beware, otters crossing, but no otters. The DSM did spot a seal, but I didn't. Still, there is time yet. We did come across the caravanserai of the crew filming the next series of 'Shetland' but saw no action - maybe they will be including Wool Week? Who yarn bombed the Kirk? I think not........<br />
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We are going down to Sumburgh to pick up the other two tomorrow, and would like to have a look at Jarlshof. Somehow, I fear that it will be too windy for such an exposed site, but I might be wrong. There is so much to see, even without WW, I somehow don't think we shall be bored.<br />
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We have a reasonable internet connection, but it is taking the DSM ages to upload each days batch of his photos. I will wait to do mine till I get home, and make do for now with iPad ones. Which have been harder and harder to take as the wind has got stronger and stronger!<br />
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<br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZIUzmIhdPQZ5tSBTxnmzeyqSUnDgp5LvWRF1E1ceiO9CXNND8XOgx55Mj8OFrDUfH18_BOU1HSJL1ZfrzX6__vTpMA547b1KkNwuoNz6C4scdeMyqdEa92qZi5WL2IAgkVC0/s640/blogger-image--1685388786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZIUzmIhdPQZ5tSBTxnmzeyqSUnDgp5LvWRF1E1ceiO9CXNND8XOgx55Mj8OFrDUfH18_BOU1HSJL1ZfrzX6__vTpMA547b1KkNwuoNz6C4scdeMyqdEa92qZi5WL2IAgkVC0/s640/blogger-image--1685388786.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULrFHZPAKNd-7IUNp47pFjeUSwlKqIDaZRqrFZzxgxbNvHXFTpEeZuKmsgDM-iMOJDNCjQ8SxOE-rVI6xahcwtuLV2Nbb01WIV4-K2UsBfMFTgm73ud7SD7KVVjGF1kyAHNvE/s640/blogger-image-850146803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULrFHZPAKNd-7IUNp47pFjeUSwlKqIDaZRqrFZzxgxbNvHXFTpEeZuKmsgDM-iMOJDNCjQ8SxOE-rVI6xahcwtuLV2Nbb01WIV4-K2UsBfMFTgm73ud7SD7KVVjGF1kyAHNvE/s640/blogger-image-850146803.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia344cQQFkYRsuflwkxRy1TOYeRBA2iUHcOtIr5roSxOJTmtclGFefQllVavP7mho3EE5292DMOQVrLLJBi3dAupHNu53tnDG9gq5wPfRAy0ABWyeTxG89BhznTBh-2Ksswvoy/s640/blogger-image-379419215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia344cQQFkYRsuflwkxRy1TOYeRBA2iUHcOtIr5roSxOJTmtclGFefQllVavP7mho3EE5292DMOQVrLLJBi3dAupHNu53tnDG9gq5wPfRAy0ABWyeTxG89BhznTBh-2Ksswvoy/s640/blogger-image-379419215.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRX9akgf796ncc8pycvd-0wq6KXdiDDoVH-k0Iu519KbGTfYKKmxNgyAEMXX5W_fK4DHvKlMMZl4-ayfA0yE_0qtPiEtgvK83rZBbECy5zWs_DbDZgZjcG9nqbGKD1Yz2e3eKM/s640/blogger-image--1123553766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRX9akgf796ncc8pycvd-0wq6KXdiDDoVH-k0Iu519KbGTfYKKmxNgyAEMXX5W_fK4DHvKlMMZl4-ayfA0yE_0qtPiEtgvK83rZBbECy5zWs_DbDZgZjcG9nqbGKD1Yz2e3eKM/s640/blogger-image--1123553766.jpg" /></a></div>Spindlers2http://www.blogger.com/profile/18391437211767303805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857771.post-55538894203426088922013-09-20T01:09:00.001+01:002013-09-20T01:09:18.230+01:00Wake me when September comes.......Well and truly here, and I am certainly awake. At one o'clock in the morning, when I have an AH day tomorrow. Damn.<br />
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Anyway, among the various thoughts that were flying around in my head - those that are repeatable, anyway - was that if I had to be awake, maybe the best thing to do would be to get up and actually so something. And this time, instead of spinning, I could write a blog post. Just by way of a change........<br />
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I have been spinning. I have been knitting. I have even been dyeing. I have also been having a stupid but fortunately relatively mild case of labyrinthitis, which not only made me feel very seedy for a few days, but meant we had to cancel a trip to Cornwall to visit DMIL, as well as a workshop down in the South West. Deeply annoying in so many ways. Still, it does seem to be over. I saw our gp today, and he said - seriously - well, there is a lot of it about. I didn't know there could be a lot of labyrinthitis about, but apparently there can. The only small good thing that has come out if it is that the medication I was given can also be used to prevent seasickness, so that is me all set for the ferry to Shetland next week. Next Week!!! Wow.<br />
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So, I have been doing stuff. Two knitting projects are going well. The silly long thin strip if knitting to go around my neck that isn't a scarf is nearly finished, although I may well ornament it with some beads. The silver grey alpaca and silk sweater has a back completed and the front nearly ditto. The yarn is lovely to knit, and works up - obviously - quite fast.<br />
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Spinning. I labour on with some silk. I would abandon it, but it is a splendid match for another yarn I have spun and I need the silk to do the project I have in mind. But it is a horrible prep. I am very disappointed in it. I am pretty sure that it came from a very well know, well regarded and expensive supplier, a dyed brick, but the quality of the silk is poor. If it were wool, I would describe it as neppy. I keep having to stop and remove slugs of short stapled bits that won't draft out properly, and because of the, I find I can't do a satisfactory extended draw which would be my preference, so it is proving quite hard on my hands. Ah, we'll, nearly done. The end result is going to be far from my best spinning, but I will finish it!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80204767@N00/9771529884/" title="Untitled by maryplain, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7299/9771529884_90ef5b8380_n.jpg" width="240" height="320" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
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This is a lot better, though. It is a three ply yarn intended for socks spun from a dyed Shetland top. It had been in my stash for a while, and had got a bit disheveled, but still drafted ok and I really like the yarn. It is going to be a travel project.<br />
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Then, I suddenly felt inspired to dye the white Polwarth and silk that I finished quite a while back. I have about a kilo of Aran weight, plenty for an oversized probably cabled waistcoat. The colour is slightly more towards a raspberry red than the photo might appear.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80204767@N00/9771340342/" title="Untitled by maryplain, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3809/9771340342_787edd3ba1_n.jpg" width="240" height="320" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
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I do hope that these photos work. Flickr has been totally revamped, and I find myself struggling with it. Perhaps not too surprising at one in the morning!Spindlers2http://www.blogger.com/profile/18391437211767303805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857771.post-32960594214157692932013-08-24T15:38:00.001+01:002013-08-24T16:14:55.795+01:00Once upon a time.........There were two little spinners named Pete and Carol. They enjoyed their craft, enjoyed their monthly Guild meeting, enjoyed reading the odd book and especially reading the only spinning magazine, from America, called Spin-Off. (This is pace the Journal for Weavers, Spinners & Dyers, because - not just spinning, duh!)<br />
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And in the pages of this magazine, they read every year of a gathering somewhere in America called SOAR, when all those lucky American spinners got together to - well, spin!<br />
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Gradually, they became aware that people from other countries were allowed to go as well, and our two little spinners idly dreamed that maybe, one day, maybe.......<br />
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And then circumstances swirled together the way these things do, and all of a sudden, miraculously, the grand Trip of a Lifetime came about, and our two little spinners were off to Oregon for their one and only visit ever to SOAR. And the States, btw. (Followed by a drive down the coast to San Francisco and then back up again, after all if you are going all that way for just the one trip of a lifetime, you have to pack in as much as possible, don't you?<br />
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That was in 1994.<br />
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And this may sound really goofy, but it was a life-changing experience, for many, many reasons. Some years later, another first time attendee was heard to say that in going to SOAR, she had found her tribe. That is a pretty good way to describe it. You got to meet a grand bunch of people, many of whom became good friends. (One of the bonuses since those olden days is, if course, the Internet. Gradually, we could keep in touch both individually and through things like Ravelry forums for those long months outside the one week if the year when we actually met in person, making the friendships deeper.). You also got the opportunity to take great classes with great teachers, and to really extend your skills. Not to mention exposure to a huge range of tools and fibres, the like of which had not yet fetched up on our shores. (This again is something that changed with the development of the Internet.)<br />
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So now here we are in 2013, and P&C - here comes the great and presumably not totally unexpected confession - have been to SOAR no less than seventeen times. The trip of a lifetime became a standing joke with friends on both sides of the Atlantic. (We missed twice, once because of insurance difficulties after an illness, once because of a clash with an important family birthday. We have also been to the States on other visits, but that is another story.<br />
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This story takes us from our first meeting with upside down spindles to becoming teachers of top whorl spindling amongst other things; to getting in to selling some of those spindles and thence in to the wonderful world of Woolfest and other events; to so many good things that have flowed from that first visit as at the same time the fibre world has changed out of all recognition in this country. We have done so many things both personally and 'professionally' that just simply would not have happened if we had never gone to SOAR.<br />
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So here we are in 2013, and in a few weeks, we are off to Shetland for the first time ever, where we have been invited to teach two workshops. We only get back a few days before SOAR, so quite reasonably, we took the decision that this would be another year that we would miss. We had regrets; but after all, there was always next year.......<br />
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Except that there isn't. It has just been announced that 2013 is to be the last SOAR ever.<br />
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This is one of those things that manages to be both a complete shock and not what you might call unexpected. Changes have been creeping in over the last few years, as changes do. Change is often dreaded, but in many ways it should not be, it can be a very positive thing. But what is going to be lost here more than anything is the opportunity to connect with the tribe. Some folk we shall no doubt meet in the future, but others, most likely not, without the most convoluted effort. The will would be there, but the logistical ability, not. These people I shall miss tremendously. <br />
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The fibre world is flourishing and vibrant. There is no lack of opportunity for learning or simply gathering. But I shall miss SOAR and I shall miss my friends. I think we are allowed to mourn some changes a little bit.Spindlers2http://www.blogger.com/profile/18391437211767303805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857771.post-61358513011463626682013-08-09T16:53:00.001+01:002013-08-09T21:36:51.938+01:00SummerWe have had one. At times, over the last few weeks, it has been by my standards very hot indeed. As a consequence, normal service has been considerably interrupted. Often by sloth, sometimes by indulging in summery activities like having a day boat on a canal, or visits to gardens.<br />
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There was one extremely warm and enjoyable weekend when we had the regular annual weekend shindig at Alston Hall. I didn't do a class, though, just spun a lot and chatted even more.<br />
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Visits to the studio have been few and far between as well, unfortunately. We did try it once or twice, and found it.....steamy, and not conducive to much real work. So, overall, little blog fodder and a lot of absence!<br />
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Now, whilst summer is not over,and indeed the weather is really rather pleasant still, we are back in the studio and very pleased to be so. Oh, we have been spinning and knitting at home, but it is going to be very nice to be more focused, at least as much as we ever are. And with Woolfest over for another year, and no more batts in desperate need of being made, the DSM and I lugged the Schacht Baby Wolf out of the house, in to the car and eventually up the steep metal staircase to get it in to the studio. And as I write, he is working on completing warping up for the project that has been brewing for more years (and I am quite serious!) than I would ever dare confess to. Who knows where this will end!<br />
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I am returning to the spinning project I was already working on. There are many more in the pipeline, and when I am a bit more organised, I will hopefully get something about them here. Meanwhile, I will leave this with a photo of a recently completed small project spinning some Bluefaced Leicester roving that I picked up at The Wool Clip. Deliciously soft, and even though it was a tiny bit neppy, it spun up into a lovely soft and even yarn that is going to make a super scarf.<br />
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Yes, it is good to be back! Summer is lovely, but so is us doing the things we enjoy so much. There is quite a bit to recap on, if I ever get a Round Tuit. But for now, it is off home to make supper from some of the Veggies! Growing! In! The! Garden! Another benefit of a proper summer......<br />
<br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSq28HokI1Ye7hyphenhyphendFNi81VH4TQSKDocOl_AtCul5nLQHF6BFkM9RoVQ0PwEJSALq6r2UcU0plhIIk4KTm0X6KbpFZLahX5x6LSav4aegFe92bEehIP5K385425SqW02-WaMrEg/s640/blogger-image--768416129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSq28HokI1Ye7hyphenhyphendFNi81VH4TQSKDocOl_AtCul5nLQHF6BFkM9RoVQ0PwEJSALq6r2UcU0plhIIk4KTm0X6KbpFZLahX5x6LSav4aegFe92bEehIP5K385425SqW02-WaMrEg/s640/blogger-image--768416129.jpg" /></a></div>Spindlers2http://www.blogger.com/profile/18391437211767303805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857771.post-64420220310571116622013-06-21T12:59:00.001+01:002013-06-21T20:01:12.409+01:00TA DA!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80204767@N00/9100531114/" title="Untitled by maryplain, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2819/9100531114_1460c1f2db_n.jpg" width="240" height="320" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
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(Fingers crossed.....)<br />
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Look what has arrived, just in time to be packed up and taken off to Cumbria. I am being very, very restrained and not diving in to either. Just a little toe in the water, I am not that strong-minded. But we are hoping to have a few days R&R around the delicious madness that is Woolfest, and these are ideal reading material.<br />
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By being away for the next two weeks, we are missing the entire Arts Festival, which is a bit of a bummer. And all but one day of the two Open Studio weekends at Northlight. The DSM is down there as I write, starting to get it organised for public perusal. We shall be back for just the final Sunday, but better than nothing.<br />
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Whoops, interruption to take in another parcel, this time of our new business cards. Nearly forgot to order them, and being so much last minute had to pay for express, dammit. Still and all, they do look very nice.<br />
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Projects are all lined up - the scarf/shawlette, some extremely vibrant Jitterbug yarn for the next socks, a couple of spindles and the Sidekick is coming with me. Enough? I hope so, but if not, I can always find more at the show!Spindlers2http://www.blogger.com/profile/18391437211767303805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857771.post-59802743643205629852013-06-12T16:01:00.001+01:002013-06-12T16:01:36.371+01:00Plying as meditationSummer may be over. The last couple of weeks have been gorgeous, and I took the decision to spend as much time as possible sitting out in it. Knitting did come with me, and a fair amount of sock was done,but not all that much else. The shawlette I had cast on in an Araucania multi did not please me, so it got frogged. The next incarnation is much better. I particularly like the neck edge, described as 'I-cord' - it isn't, quite,but slipping the last three stitches of the pearl row, then knitting as normal on the knit row makes a fair representation of and a nice firm edge.<br />
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I did manage a few trips in to the studio, but at least with a return to cooler and damper weather I am doing a bit better there. Hence the title. I have finished spinning the very fine pygora, which then needed plying with quite a bit of twist. Even with the Lendrum fast flyer, a slow job.<br />
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I often listen to audiobooks when spinning/plying, but for some reason this time I didn't. For one thing, it was pleasant to tune in to the hum of people working and chatting in the other studios around me. We have all the space we need to get on with our own thing, but every one is quietly friendly and there is non-distracting companiability (is that a word?). And then, I just kind of drifted off. I had to concentrate sufficiently on what I was doing to achieve enough plying twist, as consistently as possible, but otherwise, I wandered.<br />
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Don't ask me just what went through my mind, though! A certain amount of just how not-consistent my singles was (no doubt being over-critical of myself!). But mostly just good useful rolling thinking stuff. Do not knock it - very good for one.<br />
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Only a week before we go to Cockermouth, and two until Woolfest. For once, we are not down to the wire on stock, spindles arrived a coupe of weeks ago and fibre on Monday. Plus the DSM, courtesy of the studio, has a good array of batts carded. It will be interesting to see how those go.<br />
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To finish, some random photos. Cats, and the boy Toby, who is now three months, and growing like a good'un. Oh, and the pygora.<br />
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<br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2MuR7FCWPhiuVt6eCDq0bLbSCayDFFFRAbFxCSDoyO0TuIa41-AgKZrBxkJZYDUWwbourwgbjYyuC-B_1jnrOuhzdyHAR4EC3UAhjrMoOLw44eUAdr5lgnyoYRicaK56Mw9T/s640/blogger-image--558223496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2MuR7FCWPhiuVt6eCDq0bLbSCayDFFFRAbFxCSDoyO0TuIa41-AgKZrBxkJZYDUWwbourwgbjYyuC-B_1jnrOuhzdyHAR4EC3UAhjrMoOLw44eUAdr5lgnyoYRicaK56Mw9T/s640/blogger-image--558223496.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9E8p0bFp989KUDN7uFbEd2fb82S8vDF0aYCS18yudI8qs8bhCbnVBbv51KQbD3E-pP-MUH02jqlLfgfp4JB56RrBFWEa8-_ftW2u8RxdMU1eU0zEq7hPIIa5eHd1g15QcWBbC/s640/blogger-image--572562650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9E8p0bFp989KUDN7uFbEd2fb82S8vDF0aYCS18yudI8qs8bhCbnVBbv51KQbD3E-pP-MUH02jqlLfgfp4JB56RrBFWEa8-_ftW2u8RxdMU1eU0zEq7hPIIa5eHd1g15QcWBbC/s640/blogger-image--572562650.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JgkhJSBHg_pg4g5LD2vYRNsr1Uvi9VNuoAU7VuGMArL1U_d7hZmTmnmxS2SK4h5Zw635UTLB00Z5H0j-zt8_NDcjZ74qxKfKdfVqdpUEVpxWnR1gNyPCvOQHZACCZSbG0aJZ/s640/blogger-image--2084094278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JgkhJSBHg_pg4g5LD2vYRNsr1Uvi9VNuoAU7VuGMArL1U_d7hZmTmnmxS2SK4h5Zw635UTLB00Z5H0j-zt8_NDcjZ74qxKfKdfVqdpUEVpxWnR1gNyPCvOQHZACCZSbG0aJZ/s640/blogger-image--2084094278.jpg" /></a></div>Spindlers2http://www.blogger.com/profile/18391437211767303805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857771.post-74097917680253906792013-05-22T12:07:00.001+01:002013-05-22T12:07:46.556+01:00Phew!I have just landed in the studio for the first time in a few days, and am treating myself to a rare latte. Life is conspiring to gift me a series of late nights and early mornings, plus plenty to do. I suppose I really shouldn't grumble!<br />
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We had a lovely weekend down in Bedfordshire teaching a spindle spinning workshop. We felt this went very well, and feedback has so far confirmed that at least some of the participants felt the same. They all worked very hard, and we crammed a lot in, but there was much chat, laughter and cake (excellent lemon drizzle) as well.<br />
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We had to stay two nights because of the distance, but our lovely hosts, who we did already know, treated us royally. Good food, just the right amount of wine, and lots of extremely varied chat.<br />
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How did I get to be so lucky, eh!<br />
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Now I need to buckle down to some work in the studio. The 'Pygora Project' needs working on and documenting as I go, as I intend to get an article out of it. Any knitting with hand spun is somewhat stalled, which is frustrating, so I must address that, too.<br />
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Knitting at home has seen me finish the afterthought heel Wollmeise socks. The Wollmeise was lovely to knit and looks great. The afterthought heel? Not so much. I am reinforced in my hatred of anything other than a top down sock (which admittedly this was) with some sort of proper, turned heel executed at the proper time. Old Fogey, or what!! So that is what I am now knitting, with some gorgeous Socks That Rock, another of my favourite sock yarns. A slightly thicker one, so I am already on to the foot, the instep decreased.<br />
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I tried knitting in public with it last night, but got some really funny looks, so as I was already quite a way out of my comfort zone gave up the attempt. There is a Working Men's Club just over the river from us, been there for all over 100 years, and struggling to survive on weekend passing trade and locals. Which we are, and via the neighbourhood Readers Group are now members and bar duty volunteers. H'mm. Not really sure about this. The people involved are great, no way a problem there. The building is grim. Or even Grimm. I don't like the beers. This needs thought....especially if I am not knitting!<br />
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The DSM is playing chess all weekend, which will leave me without the car, which makes it difficult to get to the studio. No matter, there are both projects and chores to keep me busy. The weather has just about warmed up enough for me to feel that I can more or less abandon boots and thick sweaters - in late May! - and swap to lighter gear.<br />
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Watch for snow storms........<br />
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And as there hasn't been one for ages, and I have nothing else for now - a gratuitous cat photo. (Sam.)<br />
<br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1WMQ7fGSvRH0aRYVHfIpYnMrdn7P49baBCP0JMYP5GdFi7StKRRN7QY6nHSI7Xzd-5YpqndRmxFo1tJSzQugDGETLpoXNT7NIng4XEPg83dzJ5S0RQAOy3EdNt_YWeduPBRP/s640/blogger-image--916827905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1WMQ7fGSvRH0aRYVHfIpYnMrdn7P49baBCP0JMYP5GdFi7StKRRN7QY6nHSI7Xzd-5YpqndRmxFo1tJSzQugDGETLpoXNT7NIng4XEPg83dzJ5S0RQAOy3EdNt_YWeduPBRP/s640/blogger-image--916827905.jpg" /></a></div>Spindlers2http://www.blogger.com/profile/18391437211767303805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857771.post-92215724563162244232013-05-12T22:03:00.001+01:002013-05-12T22:03:33.725+01:00StudioWe have been spending quite a bit of time in the studio. (Well, duh!......that is what we got it for!). So far, so very good. We are both being quite productive, and it is great to be able to allow the time and space to begin to focus better.<br />
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I can't say that it is easy. Oh, enjoyable, very, but I am not used to either the discipline or the luxury.<br />
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This afternoon, we went to our first members' meeting. These are held, I think, four times a year, and there is an AGM as well. The studios operate as a Limited Company, hence the requirement for an AGM and for properly designated officers. Other than that, it works as a members' co-operative, about which I am very pleased. Just like the old days........<br />
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Everyone has assigned themselves to a role, or as in my case, been - thankfully - assigned. I would have volunteered for social media duties, I can tweet with the best of them if I have to, but that was grabbed. The DSM upped for keeping the website regularly updated - I was inveigled into sharing Health and Safety duties! Actually, I am perfectly happy with that, someone has to do it, after all.<br />
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We all of course share the cleaning, quite right too. There is to be a rota.<br />
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I am not mocking. There was amusement to be had from the meeting, with talk of such, and if providing cream teas at the Open Studio event coming up, and a few other very "committee" items. But actually, there was a lot of useful, sensible stuff under discussion in a very creative and orderly way. No problems there, then.<br />
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Well, actually there were. But they are mine, all mine. I am going to have to do a lot of work on myself to become totally comfortable sitting there with all those proper "artists". Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with considering myself a more than competent spinner in the first instance, and to have a fair bit of knowledge and expertise in various other areas of the fibre arts. I am also quite comfortable regarding myself as a good teacher.<br />
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But after that it all goes a bit pear-shaped. I am not an artist. My ability to produce objets of artistic merit is limited, to say the least. Oh, it has happened. But rather more by accident than design. So to be cheek by jowl with painters and ceramicists, and silversmiths and conceptual artists and mixed media interactive installation creators is......challenging.<br />
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And that is, I suppose, the point. To be challenged. Oh, to enjoy myself, and to keep myself occupied with things a bit more exciting than dusting. But I can do that behind my own closed doors. Out there, oh, much harder, but much more...well, more.<br />
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I could just fall flat on my face. Or I might not. Finding out which, if indeed either is going to e good.Spindlers2http://www.blogger.com/profile/18391437211767303805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857771.post-15316632660938584592013-05-03T14:12:00.001+01:002013-05-03T14:16:17.172+01:00Well wellwell well well........<br />
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Just where the heck did April go?<br />
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I AM still here, just not getting round to blogging. Too much stuff, mostly good.<br />
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Started off by, having moved in to the studio, buggering off for a week. But it was a pre-arranged trip to New York, so not sorry, and worth it. I will do a blog post about it, but I haven't even uploaded the photographs yet, so when I have..........<br />
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Been doing lots of other stuff, too, but bedding in to to studio has been the main thing. I do have wireless access down there, but I am trying hard not to spend time on the internet for the moment, as I don't want my addiction to get in the way of fibre stuff! So I want to get the good, solid work habit established first.<br />
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I spent a while sampling some fibres. First up was a very nice blend of Jacob and bamboo from Adelaide Walker. Not a soft fibre, but very characterful, and should be hard wearing. Socks, definitely, but I have a great pattern for a jacket that would look great in it. Unfortunately, I think that to get the look of yarn that I want, I will probably have to do a three ply.<br />
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Then I spent a little while sampling the first of the DSM's new batts for Woolfest.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80204767@N00/8659991693/" title="Untitled by maryplain, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8122/8659991693_97875c5007_n.jpg" width="240" height="320" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
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This one is called "Smaug", and is gorgeously bright. I did make a request for some for me, but was told I would have to wait. Not exactly a hardship, as I have, shall we say, a more than adequate stash. Have been excavating it, and am at present spinning some rather lovely Pygora I got at SOAR a couple of years ago. It has started to compact, as that kind of fine fibre is prone to do, so I decided to save its life. It fits in to the plan for shawl(ettes) for studio activity.<br />
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As does the stuff I am spinning at home (and, yes, I do seem to have my spinning mojo back). I was given some lovely merino and silk by a friend in California last autumn, always intended to be a shawl. Going through stash sorting, I found a silk brick that I at first thought was another hank of the merino/silk, but wasn't. Just almost exactly the same colourway, amazingly.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80204767@N00/8704688670/" title="Untitled by maryplain, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8440/8704688670_4c35390b48_n.jpg" width="240" height="320" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
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Merino/silk on the left, silk brick on the right. One from the US, one from the UK!<br />
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So, the body will be the one, and the other will enable me to try out the idea I had for a shawl with a free form crochet edging in lieu of lace or fringe. Might be quite cool, eh?<br />
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Quite a bit coming up including a workshop down south. The DSM has prep to do for Woolfest mainly, and we have stuff on order/in transit. Should be some great Greensleeves spindles arriving soon. MIT to mention that as the weather is finally improving, there is gardening and outside work to be done!<br />
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I'll do me best!<br />
Spindlers2http://www.blogger.com/profile/18391437211767303805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7857771.post-3348171136013058582013-03-25T19:54:00.001+00:002013-03-25T19:54:03.630+00:00Spring? Winter? Who knows!We had thought it was Spring. Snowdrops nearly over, crocuses blooming nicely, likewise the hellebores. One or two daffs opening up.<br />
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Then, whoops! 36 hours of teeny flakelets of snow, biting winds, zero temperatures....we crossed the river to the Pig on Saturday and felt we had made an arctic expedition!<br />
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We were peeved because we had to cancel an essential trip to Adelaide Walker for fibre and Bettys for tea (if anyone's supplies need replenishing, give us a shout out as we are rescheduling for later this week and could post from New York.). And we couldn't do the second (aargh) run to Ikea...would you believe, on the first, they had shelf unit side pieces but no shelves; a table top but no legs. We then thought we would order on line but that works out more expensive than going back. <br />
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This is for equipping the studio cheaply and effectively. But it worked out ok in the end a the weather meant that carrying stuff up the outside staircase would NOT have been fun, so never mind. We will get installed one day very soon, now. Then there will be photos, not to mention work actually done.<br />
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Sitting in by the blazing wood fire had been productive as well as cosy. I actually have an FO.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80204767@N00/8588872099/" title="Untitled by maryplain, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8369/8588872099_f15366908e_n.jpg" width="240" height="320" alt="Untitled"></a><br />
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This is Lucky Spirale, a free pattern from Ravelry. It is called a shawl, but in my book is a scarf of a rather interesting shape. Started narrow and widening as you go, the wider end stretches out to kind of balance the thing when wound around your neck. The yarn is from a very nice alpaca and silk that I got from Toni at the Fold a couple of years ago. More or less dk, nice flecks of silk, warm. A small thing, but I am pleased with it.<br />
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I have plenty more yarn, so have cast on fingerless gloves, very plain with a simple cable. Ah, yes, so simple! I have only had to frog once, having got my cable forwards and cable backs confused.......I still have time to finish them, if only on the plane, for the trip to New York City, so nearly upon us - nearly time to get excited........<br />
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The extraordinary weather is likely to be with us for several more days. I nearly walked in to this on my way out the door this morning. Again, totally unusual, at least so close to the house.<br />
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<br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoXLkpeMWL84JrJT-1Q8McFgnhmPDBx98XdwXSkdti-OPjcympO18uGOVt0xpdLZf4-tP6-UgONpCgYdn-LJ2hJllUQrVWOEWudj_9I66oDlSjgQSit8DjEY6MWBe5c7Xk9ow/s640/blogger-image-112179586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoXLkpeMWL84JrJT-1Q8McFgnhmPDBx98XdwXSkdti-OPjcympO18uGOVt0xpdLZf4-tP6-UgONpCgYdn-LJ2hJllUQrVWOEWudj_9I66oDlSjgQSit8DjEY6MWBe5c7Xk9ow/s640/blogger-image-112179586.jpg" /></a></div>Spindlers2http://www.blogger.com/profile/18391437211767303805noreply@blogger.com0