My Spinning Circle

Yesterday I got to leave work early, because the power was out again, so I came home and spent some time at the spinning wheels. I set up my spinning circle. I really like how it is set up and that I can spend some time at each wheel with different fibers.

The first picture is of the Crosspatch Creations fiber which I picked up in Logan when I was there in July. It is being spun on the Scholar.

This fiber, the vibrant reds, greens, and golds, is silk which I am spinning on the Lendrum. There are two ounces which I am hoping to get balanced bobbins and ply two ply. I am thinking a scarf or shawl with it, but am leaving myself open to ideas. There isn't much on the bobbin yet, but it is the fifth bag in my own personal fiber club. This means there are only two bags left and I should have them done before the fiber fair in Montpelier. At least I would like to have them done before I bring in too much more fiber.

This is my spinning circle. Clockwise from the back right to the front left: the Lendrum (silk), the Kiwi (Polworth), the Scholar (Crosspatch Creations), the Hitchiker (my own batt preparation), and the Traditional (Yarn Pirate, Heart of Gold from her last Booty Club). The circle has worked really well. I just turn my chair when I want to change to a different wheel. I am trying to spin at least ten minutes each day on each wheel. I'll see how long that lasts, but I've been having fun with it so far.

Happy knitting and spinning.

New to Me

Today was a good day. I knew there was a reason why I would remember 8-9-10. I have missed having a piano in my home and have haphazardly been looking for a keyboard/piano since we moved to Virginia. Last night while browsing Craig's List, I saw a keyboard which had just been listed at a price I could afford and it looked like it would serve my purpose. I called and we arrange to meet today. I got to bring her home and have had the chance to sit down and play with her for a little bit. I don't play very often and very seldom in public, but now my desire to play sometimes can be met. She doesn't have the weighted keys, but for me to relearn hymns it will be just right. Besides there is a whole slew of songs on there, I can use it when I want music to spin by and don't want to use the MP3 player.


I also had the opportunity to purchase a used Kiwi, about two weeks ago. I really like how she is spinning. The Kiwi is a little harder to cart around than the Lendrum or the Scholar, but she fits really well in my spinning wheel circle. I am working on my second four ounces of fiber on her. The first fiber I spun on her was a bump of fiber from Notlwonk Springs (second section down on that page). I think it was the last bump of prepared fiber I have from them. The second four ounces is some Polworth I purchased from Misty Mountain when I went up there with Sue three weeks ago. The Polworth is spinning up very nicely. It's that pretty blue on the bobbin right now. It's called Water's Edge and I'm pretty sure I know what I want to make with it.

I have been pretty consistent at sitting at one of the wheels each day and getting some spinning time in. It has helped relax the tension in my shoulders to spend that time at a wheel and on top of that I am getting a lot of spinning done. Before I know it I will have spun up all I had set out to accomplish in my own personal fiber club. There are only three bags left.

Happy knitting and spinning.

8-9-10

I have been looking forward to this day for a few days. There isn't anything really special planned, but who can pass up a day that will never come again. It's 8-9-10!! Have some fun today!

This plant was hanging right above me the last time I went to the Botanical Gardens. I love that place and is a must see each time I go downtown.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Missed Ten on Tuesday

Yesterday's Ten on Tuesday topic was 10 Things to Bring on Vacation. These are the things I just took on my vacation:

1. Knitting project.
2. A book to read.
3. Back-up knitting project. The first one could be finished, you know.
   
4. Camera. You never know when you'll see the Blue Angels flying overhead and need to get a picture or two or three.
5. A Sudoku book.
6. The GPS.
7. A back-up, back-up knitting project. You'll never know when you'll be stuck in an airport.
8. Water bottle with my favorite drink packets.
9. Gifts for the grand-babies.
10. Patience and a happy attitude.

Why yes, all three knitting projects came into play during my last trip. It did help that I had layovers and flight delays on both legs of my flights. I just relaxed, knit, played sudoku, and watched people for the ten hours I was at different airports. I was ready to come home though and sleep in my own bed.

Knitting content coming soon. There are some finished projects that need to be blocked and photographed.

In the meantime, Happy knitting and spinning.

Ten on Tuesday

Today's topic.....10 Things to do Instead of Watching TV. I really don't watch a lot of tv and when I do I'm knitting or it's late at night. But here's my list:

1. Knit. What did you think would be number one?
2. Spin. There is a LOT of fiber in the storage room.
3. Walk the dog. The Dr called and said I need more exercise.
4. Start exercising more.
5. De-clutter something in every room. We've lived here for two full years and I still haven't gone through all the boxes.
6. Spend time with the family. Game night anyone?
   
7. Travel to visit family.
   
8. Visit a different museum.
9. Read a book. My summer reading program isn't moving along very quickly.
10. Water the plants inside and outside.

I thoroughly enjoyed my week visiting the kids and grandbabies. I even spent time with all my siblings and my mom and have the pictures to prove it. Now it's back to reality.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Ten on Tuesday

Today's topic is 10 Things to Bring on a Camping Trip which would be a lot easier to do if we actually went camping very often. The last time ES and I were camping in a tent was five years ago. Our camping involves going to the vacation spot and renting a hotel room. Given that fact here is what I brought on the last camping trip:

1. A book to read.
2. Good hiking/walking shoes.
3. A swimsuit for floating and wading in the river.
4. A good flashlight for those evening walks when there aren't any streetlights around.
5. My knitting!
6. Favorite drinks. It's too far to the local store, you know.
7. Dinner ingredients for our night to prepare dinner. We take turns preparing dinners.
8. Spinning wheel. There is nothing better than sitting by the river and watching people wade, float, and fish while I get to spin.
9. A comfy camp chair. I don't like sitting on the ground.
10. My willingness to go with the flow. Just relax and enjoy the family time.

What do you bring on a camping trip?

I am visiting the kids and grandkids this week and enjoying the chance to spend time with my family. I have completed a shawl project. It helped, in completing the shawl, that I had a flight delay on the way West. I will have pictures of the shawl when I get home and can use my own computer to download the pictures.

This week is my birthday and I'd like to do a contest for some hand spun yarn. Leave me a comment telling me what your favorite birthday memory is and I'll have a drawing for the yarn when I get home next Tuesday. I want to know what you remember about your birthdays. My favorite memory is having angel food cake, homemade by my Grandma Wheeler at her house, when I was about 10 years old. It was the best cake that I remember ever having.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Happy While Waiting

The other night as I came home from work, the gladiolas had started blooming. I love this picture. If you enlarge it, you can see the ant on the middle bloom.

I have been busy the past few days getting ready for my trip out to see the grand-babies. I am so excited. I started packing my bag two days ago, as I was getting laundry done. No waiting for the last minute for me. No sirrry, Bob, or in this case, ES.

With my week off of work, I have been sewing, two skirts for work. I have been spinning, completed the Lambspun fiber on the Hitchiker and started some Yarn Pirate fiber on the Traditional. I have even done some knitting, but nothing finished to show yet. This week I've even taken C and myself for physicals. I'm doing my bloodwork this morning then heading downtown to have lunch with ES. All this just ties into the ending thought from TUT this morning.........

Learning to be happy while you wait, Laura, is worth learning. And to help learn this, just keep yourself busy.

Happy knitting and spinning.