Starting a New Blog

Find me and other BFFs from Best Friend Fibers at http://bffibers.blogspot.com/

Where Have I Been?

Hi there,

It's me. Yes, I'm still here. I just haven't been posting to this blog. What have I been doing instead? Well! I'm glad you asked, 'cause I've been busy.

First there was all the extra inventory that needed to be dyed or spun for upcoming events: the Tomato Festival is next Saturday. We're doing a pop-up at New River Fiber Company the following weekend. And Wilderness Trail Festival the beginning of September. Lots of venues lots of yarns needing to be dyed and spun... and I wish I had time to find the batteries for the camera take some more pictures and get them uploaded so you can see all the new stuff!

Then, last weekend I was demonstrating spinning and carding at an 18th century encampment. So there was also much sewing of things to wear that would be period appropriate. Do you know none of my 18th century costumes still fit.... something to do with making them when I was still a teenager and having learned to cook and bake really yummy fattening foods since then. Oh well. Good thing I can still sew. Now, I also wish I had a photo of that to put in here -- but do you know? I forgot my camera. Still, I know at least 3 people took video of me spinning, and more than a dozen asked if they could take pictures ... maybe I'll run across a photo of myself somewhere online someday.

And then (I said I've been busy) we've been working on the website. It's not done yet. But I'm pleased to announce that Best Friend Fibers is officially online at bestfriendfibers.com. So exciting!

Later this month I will be looking into getting myself cloned so that the housework doesn't get as neglected as this blog.

Indian Corn Yarn

When creating yarn I play. I start with something that has fun
colour combinations, like these kernels of Wade's Giant Indian Corn.
[Seeds from Baker Creek, my plants got gnawed down by squirrels
though so I'll have no ears this year.]

Lined up 4 oz of the fluff in the steaming pan to look like corn on the cob.
Applying the dyes from the top, there will be areas, on the bottom, that
only get enough dye penetration to turn pastel or may even remain white.

Hand application of various dye batches mixed up from Greener Shades Dyes.
proportionally it looks like I could have used more of the yellow, but ...enh.

Wet wool hanging on the back porch to dry, as the fiber dries the colours will lighten a little
but once I could see how they played against the white
I was finding the colours very bright. and it occurred to me that maybe
that second bump (hanging in the background) dyed in
muted purpley, bluey, greeny, greys might make a good ply for it.

Separated into slivers, dry and ready for spinning.
I am loving the colours more now. Look how they play!

I decided to spin it up a little heavier than my usual weight for the first single.

And then, spin the second single for plying in really thin, cobweb lace weight.

Plying the two together should create a slightly bumpy "Thread plied" looking yarn.

Like this! Yes! That's how it looked in my head!

The play of the bright colours, softened by the grey tones,
but still with a lot of movement and colours playing off each other.

Just like an ear of Indian Corn, but yarn!

A Natural Combination: Greens and Purples

"Blue Coco Bean" Pole Beans

Comfrey

Sage and Lavender

Sage

Pole Bean Blossoms -- and Polwarth fluff in "Grapes of Wrath" coloured fleece.

It's a really close match!

Crown Vetch, Lady Bells, and spinning up the Polwarth   

Spun singles on the bobbin... to be chain plied later

Inspiration From Flowers

Foxgloves, Roses, and Daffodils inspired colours for yummy lace weight yarns in silk and wool blend.

Green

Rose In Bloom

Red rose twining over the mailbox.

Wild rose over the back fence.

Sweet smelling roses to scent the June air,

This might be Apothecary Rose, I don't have a label on it.

Tropical Sunrise Rose at sunset.

White rose like a puffy white cloud.

Practice Makes... It Obvious When You Need More Practice

Everybody online suggested that Practicing your booth set-up at home first would make it easier to set up when you got to your event. So I practiced for this new direction that my life is taking. A table full of wool, hand-dyed. some handspun even, yarns and fluff.  

I registered my business as "Best Friend Fibers" and my logo says "BFF"

It looked pretty good at home, I thought.

Of course, in the end, I did things a little differently.

P.S. Tomorrow is World-Wide Knit In Public Day, and I'll be setting up at the Farmers Market again for that.

Among the Iris

Are You My Mother?

Simon found a baby bird in the garden. I was mowing the yard and he was "on point" pointing to the bottom rung of a tomato tower where this little guy was chirping away.

 

The poor little thing seemed scared, stunned, and a little wet. I 'm not sure Simon hadn't already tried to eat it... or lick it... or eat it. He was quite sure I shouldn't have anything to do with it though.

This is Simon's barking face. He was not ready to share his mommy with a bird. As far as he was concerned, I was giving aide and comfort to the enemy and he repeatedly ordered me to leave that baby bird alone. Now! Mommy!

The bird meanwhile seemed quite at home on my finger, on my shoulder, even on the camera. When it fluttered to the camera it had a sort of "Are you my mother?" vibe. (Anyone remember that classic kids book? Good stuff.)

So  safe resting spot was found, where the little bird could rest and recover.

By afternoon it had moved to the hammock rope, and by evening it was gone.

Be well baby bird.

Bathroom, Part 4

Indoor plumbing. I have proven one can live without it, but oh by golly, I so much prefer living with it.

Flush.

And the sink next.

A wiser person might have painted the whole room the night before instead of painting just what had to get done and then going to bed. I was not a wiser person -- but I thought I was pretty clever to figure out I could put the ladder half in the tub.

A few more finishing touches.

Even the bath shy Simon approves. He's a huge fan of the new bobbley bath rug.