Posts from — June 2009

corriedale roving from Slackford Studio

I got a nice new business laptop (no more running downstairs every time I need to print something!!) and it’s got vista on it. I’m still an XP gal, but some of the utilities (like this, windows live writer) could save me a lot of time if it works well. We shall see!

I’m inserting a photo just to check it all out. **fingers crossed**

Eh. The live writer didn’t put in the caption or photo border. It will be good for super fast updates but it looks like I’ll still have to go into wordpress to post. Ah well- can’t have it all now, can we?

the first finished skein from my new matchless

The first-ever completed skein of yarn from my matchless is done, and I’m very pleased. The colors have blended nicely, it’s super-soft, shiny, and has wonderful drape. It will soon become the weft of my third-ever weaving project.

I’m enjoying my wheel so much, in fact, that I already have a new bobbin full of some superfine superwash merino top that I dyed earlier this spring. There’s 8 ounces, enough to use as the multi-colored yoke of a faux fair-isle yoke sweater. I really love the way the colors are blending up on the bobbin. I think I may even make it a cardigan and try steeking just for the fun of it!

I’m still hammering out the details of the sock club, but at this point it’s looking like it will be set up by yarn base and there will be one colorway for all clubs each month, at least for the first round. I love the idea of doing clubs but I don’t want to burn myself out the first try!

The clubs will have a limited number of slots so if you want to sign up, make sure you’re subscribed to the newsletter. I’ll be announcing sign-ups there first, and I expect the slots to go fast!

my new spinning wheel

Wow.

They don’t call it the matchless for nothing- this is one amazing wheel. Everything seems to go faster, smoother and just plain more enjoyably on this wheel. It was love at first treadle.

I have one bobbin of merino/bamboo spun up and will probably have the other done tomorrow. Then I think I’ll use my first-ever skein from the matchless and weave it into something on my lovely Schacht flip loom.

I am so smitten with this wheel I can’t imagine ever wanting another one. Except, some day, a walnut Kromski Sonata for travel. But this is definitely my forever wheel. To prove my commitment, I even have a woolee winder and some high-speed bobbins ordered.

I am officially a Schacht convert. Now all I need is a baby wolf loom…

6 PM. My new matchless is supposed to be here today- the website says it’s out on the truck but no UPS guy yet. Have I mentioned I’m not the most patient person in the world?

I promise pictures if the dang thing ever arrives!

oatmeal with strawberries, flax seeds, almonds and maple syrup

At last, the warmth and sun return. Looking out my window now, it’s a bright, sunny day that is getting warmer as the sun rises. Yesterday was a different story.

Yesterday was a blustery, cold day that never made it over 50 degrees. Last night, around 6pm, our power went out. This wasn’t alarming, as every time the wind blows even remotely hard around here, the power goes out. We assumed that power would be back in an hour or so, and went about our business cooking dinner on our propane stove and putting the kids to bed by candle light.

When 10pm rolled around and the power was still out, we became a little worried. It was getting very cold (it ended up getting into the lower 30’s last night) and the house was getting below the comfort level. Since we had our chimney fire this spring, things haven’t been re-connected and we had no source of heat. We weren’t worried about ourselves (we have lots of blankets) but we were worried about our chicks. They hadn’t had their heat lamp for hours, and they were huddled together in the way that indicates that they are working to maintain their body heat. They are still very young and cold can be deadly for young chicks.

We got the idea to use two of our tall water glasses, that are about the same height as their brooder box, as hurricane lamps. We put tea light candles inside the glasses and put them in a corner of the brooder box. With the cover on, the glasses came right up to the chicken wire that covers the top of the box, so there was no way for them to tip over. It quickly got warm and as we watched, the chicks seemed to relax and weren’t so huddled.

Luckily, the power came back on around 4am, and our chicks were completely fine. Our garden is fine as well, despite the light frost we received. Life goes on today for all of us at our little homestead. It’s a good day.