Still Spinning

Even though the first few tries at spinning on a wheel didn't turn out so hot I kept going. This one is better. The first image was taken outside while the other two were taken under studio lights. The true color is somewhere between. This yarn is 2ply, 80.5 yds, 2 oz. The gray single is bamboo and the other one is a mix of silk, milk and bamboo. I still had some trouble plying but I like this yarn.

Beginner Spinner

I have been practicing on my wheel since I got it. Most of the stuff sucks. Here are some samples. They all have slubs and are plyed pretty bad.

This is ingeo(corn) and nylon, 24.5 yds, 1.5 oz, 2ply.

More ingeo, nylon, green-silk hankie, and gray is bamboo. 34 yds, .75 oz, 2ply.

Gray is bamboo again the other strand is a mix up of silk, milk, bamboo and maybe soy? 32 yds, 1oz, 2ply.

Orange Post

My Lollipop is still putting out cute flowers.

Zinnias, not mine.

Looks like this is a Pyracantha of some kind. I am wondering if this bush would be a good dye plant? I need more info on this plant.

Colossal Coleus

They started out as little leaves and grew bigger.

Since I didn't keep them trimmed back they continued to grow and take over the whole area.

They also started to bloom. For some reason I didn't think they had a flower. They do!

I have been trimming them back and giving the clippings away. These are obviously low maintenance plants. Just ignore them, give them some water and BAM!

Spinning Wheel

Well, guess what showed up on my doorstep yesterday afternoon?! A spinning wheel! A Louet Julia S-11 to be exact. I had to put it together but it was super easy to do. It even came with real tools. Not some cheap dinky thing that doesn't work. I spread out all the parts and put it together in little over 10 minutes, with Abby's help of course (see upper right hand corner of image for proof).

Finished. (with flash)

Finished. (with out flash)

I spun some sample fibers up last night. It is a great wheel! The treadles are smooth and everything feels good while spinning.
Along the lines of fiber addiction...I am gathering information and supplies to dye some fiber with natural dyes. Last weekend I harvested a basket full of marigolds. I dried the petals but I am also going to be using fresh flowers. The vivid color of them may have blown my sensor out in my digi cam but they are just so pretty!

Cicada Shell

Look what I found outside my door. I was lucky to have gotten to it before Abby. She has a thing for bugs. Dead ones are her favorite but I assume she would like a shell too.

I turn around to find this sad face. So sad, only a walk would help.

Abby gives me the "fascinating, fascinating, really...can we go for a walk now" face.

I also got the "puppy" face from Jazz.