Fleece to shawl
Jul. 22nd, 2007 07:32 pmSo this was the weekend of the Midwest Fiber and Folk Art Fest in Crystal Lake. The spinning guild to which I belong, Hollow Tree Spinners, had agreed to do a demonstration on Sunday by spinning the yarn and weaving a shawl "while you watch." This can sound terribly impressive, but it's not actually difficult as long as you have a large enough team. Though several folks who had originally signed up did back out at the last minute, we still had at least eight spinners and a weaver. The loom was warped in advance, and we began spinning the weft at 10 am.
The setting was pleasant. Weather was nice, we were in the shade, there was enough breeze to keep mosquitos and flies from pestering. Things went along very nicely. In about four hours, we had finished the shawl, which went up for auction. Many people stopped to ask questions or to watch us work, and Barb, who was weaving, was especially patient about explaining the weaving process to innumerable children.
Afterward I put my spinning wheel back into the parked car and went on a tour of the vendors' tents. Over a hundred sellers of wool, yarn, dyes, equipment, and assorted other craft items were registered. While I enjoyed my quick tour, I managed not to spend money, which is pretty good considering.
Came home, put Tess out in the pasture since she hadn't been out yet today, picked more berries. Did mosquitos evolve to hang out around berry bushes? Inquiring equines want to know. I think I got more berries than bites, but it was close. By the time I brought Tess back in two hours later, I was covered with both my own and her blood from squashing the pesky insects. No, it wasn't berry juice.
Advisory to Australian kitties: berry pie is in the oven again.
The setting was pleasant. Weather was nice, we were in the shade, there was enough breeze to keep mosquitos and flies from pestering. Things went along very nicely. In about four hours, we had finished the shawl, which went up for auction. Many people stopped to ask questions or to watch us work, and Barb, who was weaving, was especially patient about explaining the weaving process to innumerable children.
Afterward I put my spinning wheel back into the parked car and went on a tour of the vendors' tents. Over a hundred sellers of wool, yarn, dyes, equipment, and assorted other craft items were registered. While I enjoyed my quick tour, I managed not to spend money, which is pretty good considering.
Came home, put Tess out in the pasture since she hadn't been out yet today, picked more berries. Did mosquitos evolve to hang out around berry bushes? Inquiring equines want to know. I think I got more berries than bites, but it was close. By the time I brought Tess back in two hours later, I was covered with both my own and her blood from squashing the pesky insects. No, it wasn't berry juice.
Advisory to Australian kitties: berry pie is in the oven again.
no subject
Date: 2007-07-23 09:37 am (UTC)Well, I, too, have been doing artsy-craftsy stuff. Making Arabian pirate headdress for Steed. Messing with a bunch of inexpensive wooden, glass and plastic(fake gold and silver) beads tied in various kinds of knots along colored, hemp twine. Adding tassels and bits of color and flash here and there. Trying for good-looking not too gaudy (very easy to go too gaudy with these bright beads). Even though this is Michael's cheap beadworking stuff (did buy a five dollar - ooo) glass flower teardrop thingy for Steed's forehead. NICE!
No berry pies though do love 'em.
Imperator
no subject
Date: 2007-07-23 11:11 am (UTC)The pie is good: apple-rhubarb-raspberry-blueberry-blackberry-strawberry all together.
no subject
Date: 2007-07-24 03:04 am (UTC)Sounds like the festival went pretty well, and I'm sorry the mosquitos wanted to feast on you.
no subject
Date: 2007-07-24 03:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-24 03:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-24 03:55 am (UTC)