Done...

I finally cut and spun the vintage wedding dress. This has to be the most painstaking, but ever so worth it, spin I've ever done.

I still have plenty of dress left, primarily the top front and back. I used the skirt and sleeves so I was able to preserve the front for the photo backdrop.

I spun the entire yarn on a spindle, parking and drafting one or two inches at a time. Sometimes I had to spin on my thigh and add it later to the yarn on the spindle. This was spun on several spindles as I changed sizes frequently.

I am pleased with the outcome. My next major project has just started. I planned it out a few months ago. I sketched it and started the spinning. It's a surprise so if you want to see it.... have patience! Hopefully it will turn out as well as it looks in my sketch.

Otherwise, I am trying to establish a relationship with my vacuum cleaner. I stare at it across a crowded room, face to face, we stare. I am compelled to run to it and grab it, but my shyness sets in. Instead I run to the kitchen and drown my yearnings in chocolate cake.

Ahhhh, spring cleaning and I aren't a match made in heaven, for sure.

My new spindle...

My newest Golding spindle arrived today. It is truly a work of art. I was so excited to come home for lunch to find it waiting for me. Generally my mail comes at dinner time.

I am going to attempt to post a picture of it on Raverly. For you non-spinners/knitters, Ravelry is a website with anything and everything you wanted to know about yarn, fiber, spinning, knitting, crochet and everything else in between. I am the administrator of "The Golding Girls" forum, for those of us addicted to the art of Tom and Diane Golding. Back to work now...

Trying again...

I have been away from blogging for so long I have to see if I remember what to do.

Sometimes life gets in the way. It really did for quite some time. I have been cleaning out closets (this is a major feat for me), rediscovering watercolors, cross stitching a major piece of art (yes, it's one of those change of color every block kind of hair-pulling charts), learning digital art, spinning, thinking about knitting, woodburning, thinking more about knitting... the list goes on and on.

In between all of this, of course, I am still working on that best-selling novel that I started all too many lifetimes ago. I've been working a lot too.

There's really not a lot new to report on from this end of the USA. The weather is getting warmer and I am waiting the arrival of the bats so I can see if all this bat proofing works! Those who read this blog last year know I had two bats get in my house last summer. One in June and the other in August. They were far from welcome guests.

But you are welcome to pop in anytime. I may actually keep this up for a while!

Thanks for stopping by...

A little catching up...

I've been so busy knitting and spinning that blogging has fallen to the wayside. So to update you all....
Knitting has kicked into high gear as Christmas approaches and everyone expects handmade goodies from me. Not only that, but the babies are arriving in leaps and bounds, to friends near and far. Hand knit sweaters and blankets are a must.
With the economy the way it is, sales are plentiful and quite good this year. It's always refreshing (and interesting) when you can get something for almost nothing.
It's been snowing here daily but I can't complain. It's not hot and humid and the bats are all in hybernation. At least they better be....
Must get back to knitting now. See ya soon!

Inside looking out ...

This is how I feel lately... just can't seem to find the time to get anything done. So I look out at the world with my nose squashed against the glass.
Soon I will be the proud owner of a weaving loom. I have always wanted my own. I've always had to beg, borrow and bribe to do any weaving.
When not working, which seems like never lately, I've been making something special for Diana at Payne'sgrey. She's in for a surprise but I can't tell because she reads my blog. I love surprises and I love making others happy so I'm all about getting this finished and off to her. I have made some wonderful friends at Etsy. Snitterdog and I have exchanged goodies. She's made me some beautiful paper. I met her in the forums when she was going to bite my little sheep!
My spinning lately is from these batts I get from Phyllis. Talk about softy lofty... these are incredible and so well priced.
The wedding went well. I was frozen but there's something warming about two people taking the eternal plunge...

A spoonful of sugar ...

I've sold so much yarn this past week that my shop looks pretty deserted. Blogging time has been at a minimum as well. Work is hectic this time of year.
I spun this yarn by combining a bunch of batts with no rhyme or reason. I like how it turned out.
I need to spin more and get back to reading my daily dose of blogs but this weekend I have a wedding to attend. My best friend is getting married... fool that she is. Outside none the less... bigger fool. The weather is predicted to be cold, heavy rain and wind. The perfect elements for an outdoor wedding.
I have been busy picking out an outfit that will hide my long undies. Something that will match my umbrella. The combination of the wind, my weight and an umbrella make for a Mary Poppins kind of day.
I'm going to wear blue, to match my lips and my hands. If only my friend had listened when I told her outdoor weddings and late October don't mesh...

Fiber and kidney's don't mix...

Last night was filled with all the excitement a girl can take. I rushed home from work so I could get everything done that needed to be done so I could stalk loop's etsy shop for her 9 p.m. update. I was ready to go at 8:30. I wasn't sure if I needed to keep refreshing, so I did just to be sure I didn't miss anything. Around 9:20 the first fibery goodness popped up. I hit the buy button, dashed to the check-out and hit the submit button. Gone already. Back to the shop, I waited and waited for the next batts to show. When they did, I moved my fingers as fast as I could... but since I never emptied out the already sold item from the first attempt, I had to do that first... too late again.
My bladder started screaming from all the Diet Pepsi but I didn't dare leave the computer. Another batt... another loss. Dancing with the excitement of possibly scoring just one batt (and a bladder that was growing painfully uncomfortable) the next batt appeared on the screen and with the speed of light, I snagged it. By this time I was so excited, I had to hang around to see if I could do it again. All my remaining efforts failed... as did my bladder.
But I was equally as excited when I listed this yummy yarn and sheep in my shop today. My photography skills are improving, don't ya think??