Independence Day 2012

Happy Independence Day, everyone! 

I certainly hope that everyone is having a wonderful day. Although there are a few states prohibiting fireworks displays, it is not the end of the world. Well, at least not for my family. We're being kept safe by our local governments during this big drought. I do not want a fire destroying my personal property because common sense isn't that common. Unfortunately there are people who do not watch the news, and cannot think beyond the tips of their noses. For instance, a gentleman in Colorado threw a fit because he was not allowed to have a camp fire. Yes, ladies and gents. If this man would walk down a few miles, then he'd  have the largest camp fire in the world. There is always the hope for this man to win a Darwin Award for deciding to camp overnight there.

Our state, Wisconsin, is one of those banning fires, fireworks, and other fire related activities. Our last date of rain was June 16th. This truly a very dry place. Anyone can see where the water runs out from our house. It's the only green grass around. We are diligently watering the garden every other night. Our onions, lettuce, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and gourds are doing very well. The weeds are loving the water, too. In the back of my mind I hear, perhaps this wasn't the year to start a garden. Oh, well. Not much I could have done to predict this drought.

The last time we had a drought of this magnitude was 1988. I was six years old at the time. My father had just moved to Lake Geneva, WI, while my mother, sister, and I stayed in Hebron, IL. It was a dismal summer. I remember this summer because the trees were wilting and turning brown. All of the grass turned golden brown. Of course, this was way back before we had air conditioning, let alone central air in our homes. We played in the sprinkler a lot that summer. Even where the sprinkler was being run was still brown. I'm surprised our dog, Bo, didn't die of heat stroke. Bo was an American Sheepdog with very long hair. He didn't mind running away in all this heat. I swear that dog lived to run away. In some ways I believe Bo was reincarnated into our second dog, Sparky. May they both rest in peace.

Today our temperature is supposed to reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat index extends the temperature to 105. This is the second straight day of these triple digit temperatures. My hope is to have 100% humidity. This is where the temperature and the dew point temperature are the same. For those readers living in the Southeast states, you'll understand why I want this. It means rain and a small cool down. I'll never forget seeing sunny blue skies while it rained in Pensacola, Florida, at NATTC.

While the temperatures soar I intend on spinning. It is the fifth day of the Tour de Fleece. I haven't been very productive this TDF. In fact, I did not spin on the first day. Our family had an emergency. Dear husband's step-mom was in ICU. We went to the hospital to visit and support my father-in-law. I spent time knitting, deciding what to do for dinner, shopping, and then dinner. After dinner our family did a lot of gardening after dinner. I was drained by all this activity. (Yes, these are excuses, but very valid excuses.) Yesterday, I did not spin either. I've been babysitting for our neighbors, and start before Peter comes home with the vehicle. Rather than walking half an acre with my wheel and accessories in terrible heat and humidity I brought knitting. In truth a whole lot of knitting didn't get done either. For some reason, my body is not getting enough sleep. I kept fall asleep while knitting and watching television. So, after I got home it was nap time. From there it was dinner, shopping for ice cream, eating ice cream, college orientation, and zoning out while spending time with the family. The best part of the evening was probably eating ice cream, which was closely followed by my bedtime reading. I simply adore All Wound Up. There are definitely parallels in our lives. Sometimes I wonder if we are distantly related.

Day 2 spinning and plying - 400 yards of BFL/Silk

Pictured above is the pre-fulling and twist setting four ply yarn from Day 2. I had to finish spinning some singles and then ply my arse off! There are some left over singles from my first four ply yarn. Those are being navajo plied today. Yes, today. I fully intend on spinning some new singles today.

This is what I plan on spinning. It's some gorgeous stuff. I also intend on drinking some of that yummy yummy tea! Thank you Kathy for this lovely swap package! I am truly in love.

I hope that everyone is having a lovely day away from the heat. May it be full of fun fibery projects!
<3

TDF: Team Phat 2012

 Hello!! If you're joining or have already joined Team Phat for the 2012 Tour de Fleece don't forget to pick up the new Ravatar:

 

What do you have in your stash that you're going to bust this season? 

I'm busting some white Cormo roving, Cloudlover stash, and some of the unseen yummies my stash swap partner is sending me. I love swaps! There are so many fun yummies that are so unseen. I plan on sending my swap buddy a second installment of just locks in the middle of the tour. She's going to be a lucky lady. 

What are your obstacles on the course? Are you planning on learning a different kind of spinning? Do you have a technique you're concentrating on? Perhaps you'd like to learn how to navajo ply or spin in scrap yarns? There is so much freedom and fun involved in this lovely event. 

I'd love to hear more about your ideas and excitement! 

<3

Angry Birds Club

The craze of Angry Birds continues to spread throughout the world, and I'm adding to it. Yay! Welcome to the LMS Studio Arts Angry Birds Batt-acular & Yarn-aganza!

5 spaces available

smooth & semi-smooth batts
various fibers

2.5-3 ounces

5 spaces available
various diameters & fiber content including, but not limited to MCN Sock, Polwarth/Silk DK, and Superwash Merino Worsted
4 ounces







Spaces will be available on Tuesday, May 15th at 8 PM (Central).

Common Questions

At spinning demonstrations, fairs, and even at the coffee shop people ask, "Why spin your own yarn when you can buy it at the store?" At first I felt belittled and offended by this question. Now, it just comes with the territory. Also, I feel more empowered to answer this questioned in a very upbeat and positive sense. 

The first response is, I have total and complete over my final product. Whereas, commercial yarn does not offer an explanation of how the yarn was spun. It is important to have that information when designing a custom piece for your loved ones and customers. In addition, my products are therefore unique or one of a kind items. They are in their own form a piece of art. 

Secondly, I can ensure that my product is 100% made in the USA. Acrylic is no longer manufactured in the USA, yet is the most readily available commercial yarn on the market. There are many local shepherds in our area that wish to sell their wool. I am more than happy to take it off their hands, wash it, card it, spin it, knit it, and wear it or sell it for a 100% USA item. It gives me great pleasure to create such a one of a kind item. 

Furthermore, my art is completely independent of electricity and petroleum. Lanolin from poor spinning quality fleeces can be extracted and used to oil my wheel. If it comes down to it, dyeing can be done with the heat of the sun and canning jars. Whereas, commercial yarn is done by machines that require electricity and petroleum products. Synthetic fibers like polyester are made with petroleum resins. Chemicals used to make such synthetic yarns are toxic. Check out these two links Six Wise and Green Living. So, even though it may be cheaper, it isn't worth the trade off of illness. 

With all of this being said, why would I want to go to the store when I can do it for 100% control, 100% creativity, 100% energy independence, and being 100% made in the USA?

Challenge Complete!

 

This is the Cormo/Alpaca/Dog fluff that was spun and plied yesterday. It's about 240 yards of fingering to sport weight yarn. I'll be knitting a neckerchief over the next few weeks after the twist is set. 

I hope everyone had a splendid St. Distaff's (ROC) Day!

What's going on?

Here's a small recap of the past couple of weeks: 

I'm feeling a lot better about my life, and where I am emotionally. 

It's a wonderful feeling.

I'm finally finished with the Pea Coat Debbie, my step-mom, commissioned.

That was a strange pattern, but it's done! 

Now, the tam on the other hand has just started. 

It shouldn't take more than a day or two to finish. 

Expect pictures in another day or two. 

Our local weather should be good enough to take pictures outside. 

The yarn for my sister's socks came. 

Yes, I still buy yarn from time to time. 

Spinning sock yarn is a bit difficult, yet. 

Practice makes perfect. 

On the wheel is some Decay in Merino by Cloudlover. 

One of the ladies that works for Weight Watchers in Algonquin, IL, knits.

So, we are doing a knit-a-long together. 

I might make this a Ravelry thing, too.

Also, once my portfolio and grammar are up to par, I am going to start looking for work at home moms. 

I may not be a mom by blood, but taking care of my step-daughter is a full-time job. 

I would like to keep doing the fiber thing, and take care of my household. 

My conditioning has taken me away from what would really make me happy, to be a stay at home mom. 

Once I am pregnant again, and to a certain point in pregnancy I no longer wish to work outside the home. 

There is a joy in a clean house, dinner on the table, and a loving family. 

It is a joy like no other, and I am at peace. 

Never have I been at peace than being at home with my family and projects. 

Another rather drastic decision was made by both parties.

We claim to be pagan/Druid, but we still celebrate the Christian holidays.

This is mainly because of family ties, but no more.

This phase of our lives is over! 

We will continue to celebrate it in other people's homes out of respect, but not in ours. 

There is a time when you realize you're not living life in the manner you have chosen, and this is it. 

More than likely I will be destashing our non-sentimental Christmas decorations

The next big holiday we are celebrating is the Summer Solstice. 

I am recommending our next Grove ritual be held at our home as well. 

It will help us get over a hump that is preventing us from holding our own rites at home.

I do hope to update the shop very soon.

There is still some carding do be done. 

Also, I have to make another run to the local shop for some colored wool. 

Until I can get a dye day in, this is how things have to be. 

Sad, but so true. 

The wedding planning, Grove planning, and work don't leave me with a lot of time to just dye a lot of things. 

Peter and I have both been drained. 

It could be the weather affecting us, as well. 

Thankfully the weather has been kind to us over the past few days. 

I managed to clean up the garage because of it!

Hooray! 

Now, to take the clothes, old toys, and other things to charity. 

So much done, and yet so much more to do. 

Isn't that always the way the cookie crumbles? 

Until next time, have a great week!

<3

DIY Friday: Plying

This Friday I'm introducing two different plying techniques.
The first will be Navajo or chain plying.
Miss Brie of Bug & Nomad and Fall Creek Fibers has picked up this fantastic technique, and doing a great job with it!
This is the tutorial both of us have used to learn this technique.



The next technique is creating a coiled art yarn.
There are several ways to doing this.
However, I am intrigued by this particular method.



I hope you enjoy DIY Friday in all its glory!

Naughty Medication

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. It's been a fun week of a whole lot of not sleep. One of my medications is excellent at producing insomnia and unusual dreams. Isn't it fantastic? I don't think I've had one decent nights sleep in a week or so. Unfortunately it makes waking up to get Stephanie ready for school a pain. There is never enough sleep, yet when it is bedtime I'm not tired. ::sigh::

After doing much research, I've come to realize it is a reaction to Diclofenac. Apparently this is one of those rare side effects, 1% to 10% of people reported having these side effects. Last week I had a giant headache, which the Pharmacist told me, Diclofenac would take care of it. Nope, it's a side effect of the Cyclobenzapr and Diclofenac. However, I can take a dose of Tylenol as needed if the headache does come back. That is great to know. I wonder if Tylenol PM will work for the insomnia? One can only hope.

All of this insomnia has not affected spinning or knitting. I'm almost finished plying a five ounce Superwash Merino braid from Cloudlover called Meadow. It's turning out rather nicely. It barber poles a lot in the single, but when it's plied you don't notice it as much. Fiber Lady has become my source for bamboo roving. It's really some neat stuff. I spun up some of her Hibiscus colorway over the weekend as well as some Creatively Dyed Seawool in Iris. Uncle Glen's socks are coming along rather well. I put the cuff on a large circular needle, this way I can use the Magic Loop technique. It leaves me free to begin the next sock with DPNs (Working toe up socks). Depending on what kind of dress code Walmart has will determine what color yarn I will be spinning for a cowl and headband for my sister. She is a cake decorator for them, and is constantly in the freezers. Laurie is also one of many people that are always cold. She picked up that trait from our mother.

Have a good week!