Well! What happened to this year??

Hi Folks

I bet you're wondering what happenned to me between June and now. Well not a lot really, apart from spinning and dyeing and getting along with life in general. Why I forgot about my blog I don't really know, as I was really getting in to it. Since I last spoke I have got my car from Motability, which is really nice, very comfortable and quiet and gets me from A-B in style.



We haven't used it a great deal but it does allow me to pay people back for the lifts they have given me especially to Spinning Weal in Clevedon where we meet up with other like minded folks and have a good old "Spin In" for about 3 hours. 'Tis great fun and we are thankful to Sarah and David for their time and premises.
Our weather has not been so good of late and I think summer is well and truly over, but I don't mind as it brings in Autumn which is always a good time of year with plenty of colour and hopefully a little late sun. We haven't had a holiday but are going away in late October, just to get away from the 4 walls, hopefuly I will have some nice pics for you to see.
Well that's all fo now folks - sorry I can't be more interesting.

Keith x

Fleece, Fleece and more wonderful Fleece !!!!

Oh boy what a day!
We went to the Somerset Guild's annual Fleece Fair at Hatch Beauchamp Somerset. It was a fantastic collection of wonderful fresh fleeces, the perfume (definately of sheep) was breathtaking and within just a couple of minutes you had enough lanolin on your hands to keep them soft for a year.
So what did I buy?
Well first on the list was a Black Blue Face Leicester (shearling ewe). This wasn't my initial choice as the one I wanted on display was sold. But the farmer went and got me this one from his van, and beautiful it is. There will be a need for some work, but hey that's what it' all about.

The next buy was 750g of Coloured Romney ( a beautiful dark grey to black). Very soft and open, with loads of lanolin.

Then I bought some taster of Kerry Hill about 300g, something I've always wanted to try. White and open when washed should spin quite easily.

Just around the corner I noticed some Shetland fleeces displayed by the Shetland Sheep Society. They were all in separate paper carrier bags ( good presentation) and the two reps could tell you anything you wanted about the fleeces. I picked up a bag of Moorit Shetland that had been rooed not shorn. It's beautifully clean and soft and the owner of the sheep Jean Curtis was there to tell me all about 'Princess' whose fleece it was.

We decided as a group Gill, Chris and me to buy a fleece for the group, and so I bought a 3kg Shropshire fleece to share. Nice and open and soft. Probably good to dye too.

We had tea and cake while we were there and who should suddenly appear but Anj, Shirley and Erin. Anj still suffering from her car crash, but still able to enjoy her hobby and shopping for fleece.
On our way back we stopped in Clevedon by the park and seafront for tea and cake again, but this time to chat about our purchases and get over the "Fleece Fever". It was sunny and warm and it wasn't until later that I realised that I had caught the sun ( or rather it had caught me ) on my head - not too bad, but it will be tender for a couple of days.
I get my car this week - yes I am excited, all I need is a long sticker saying "driven by the Babylon Whore"! as it is coloured Babylon Red......

Well that's all for now folks, will speak soon.

Byeeee

Keith

The Link Age Event our mid month meeting too!

Hi Folks

Well what a day I had -busy or what!
The run up to the big day meant regular meetings and then meetings almost daily. I went over and secured the area for SpinDyeWeavers and sorted out the whole room for the others too.
On the day in the workshop areas we had Christine Hales, a lovely American lady who paints 'icons', using traditional pigments, egg tempura and gold leaf. Pauline Cook an artist, who not only did a starters drawing class but did some old time dancing too. Mark Newman from Woodwork 4 Men, completed the line up, with his beautifully made childrens toys, bird boxes and handmade wooden items. Quite a select group and soo friendly.
In the long corridor there were, some displays of quilting from the Golden Agers an Afro-Carribean group, also some wonderful photo's from two local groups and watercolours from two local gents.
In the main room there was constant action from food, Somali Lamb in tomato, Somali fish, Curried Goat, loads of cakes and desserts. There was singing from 2 choirs, keep fit dancing, Tablah drumming and singing from India and stalls showing various items. Art from various people decorated the walls.
SpinDyeWeavers was of course well represented by Chris, Gill and myself. We had a good day, and were asked by very interested people about spinning and weaving, the fibre we use and also the mechanics of the wheels. I had two young Afro-Carribean brothers, one who had a go using my wheel, and both very happy wearing 'wristlets' of wool.
All in all a great day out, very tiring and I ached all over, but very pleased for the groups that it all went so well. Here are some photo's of the day.

That's all for now folks.


Hug

Keith

What wasn't wrong with my Pc

Hi Folks

All better now, the doctor had a look at my Pc, upgraded my working memory, de-bugged everything (no viruses tho') and here we are again.
So the next blog will be after the 12th June - Link Age Event Day.
Bye for now

Keith

Oh dear what can the matter be?????

Hi Folks

Well, thank goodness my DH Andy has his own Pc, mine is having great difficulties.
It all satrted last week when I tried tomdownload the latest version of Pc Guard (virgins own anitvirus/firewall etc:) It is very good and free to virgin members. It would not download properly and then all hell was let loose with other things going wrong aaarrrrggghhhhh!!!!
I have another firewall and antivirus prog to cover me but my poor old Pc just doesn't want to play properly. Looks like it's gonna have to got to hospital and be seen by the experts. Still I am able to use Andy's
Pc to keep up with things. So if I'm slow in responding to emails and other requests I'm sorry.

Hugz

Keith

Spring is here at last in all her glory - and so is the HAYFEVER

Hi Folks

Well what have I been up to since my last blog on May Day.
Spinning, spinning, spinning - well it's what I do!
I've been spinning up the yellow/green Spring is Sprung roving and I'm almost there. And of course we had our May meeting of SpinDyeWeavers. It was a lovely day plenty of sunshine, so it was windows open and away we go. I was spinning only, but Chris and Nina were going to use their natural dyes from Tintoria, that they bought at Wonderwool. They had done the wool mordanting at home so got off to a flying start. Why is it that the dyes always look so uninteresting when you first put them on. Brown, more brown and another nondescript colour went on - how could this possibly work. But boy oh boy the results are wonderful, it's definitely something to have a go at. Also the Landscape dyes from OZ are something we are going to have a bash at and I've ordered mine via Gill (Sassy Spinner), plus a bit of Merino DK yarn via Nina, we will see what we can create.

HAYFEVER : something I have never had before, has decided it's my turn to suffer, so it's nose spray and eye drops for me this year, unless of course it's just the tree pollen that is affecting me (we are right opposite some trees at our flat level) I can oly hope it is. I've been a gardener all my life and have inhaled all the pollen there is before, so why now??

Birthday's, it is my huzbear Andy's BIG 40 this weekend on the 23rd May. We are having a party at The Old Market Tavern on Saturday and sharing the party with Sylvia his workmate. It will be chocolate fudgecake all round and to hell withe diets.

Well that's about all folks, I expect the next blog will be after the 12th June as we are taking part in the Link Age's - The Art of you Life exhibition, which is a project that aim's to encourage and support people over 50 and the elderly to take part in Arts and Crafts and be part of the community. We at SpinDyeWeavers are putting on an exhibition of spinning, weaving, dyeing and felting. Encouraging people to watch and take part in these activities. There are also dancers, singers, films, paintings, and restored film of old Bristol.
Food from various cultures is also being displayed with a chance to taste too. So all in all a good day out.

That's all for now folks.
Speak soon

Keith

Wonderwool! oh wonderous Wonderwool!!!

CVM Romeldale
Manx Loaghtan
Jamaican Very Berry Coulis
Possum Fur
Citrus Zinger

Hi Folks

Did I mention I was going to Wonderwool??? Well I did go and what a great time I had. I could spend all day telling you all about it but I dare say quite a few of you went anyway.
So off I went in the company of the fab Anjie P, Shirley and Erin (Shani couldn't come because of work and we missed her loads). We had a lovely journey to Builth Wells - with a minor detour through Monmouth (such a lovely town), so nice we went there twice.
We stopped off for a fresh cup of tea and coffee in what was a former car showroom now a cafe. Lovely drinks but they really must do something about their fridge, which did a pretty good impression of a banshee, despite having had a good kicking earlier on. As ever, we made somewhere popular - other people came and spoilt the show. Time to move on.
We arrived at the show in good time, parked in the disabled car park (very close to the action) so at least I know I'm good for something. Everyone should take a crip when they go somewhere.
We got inside the show and went our separate ways. I thought I would see them quite often, but only caught up with them twice.
First off, I met Jon Dunn from Easy Knits and bought some handbalm Vanilla Latte well at least I smelt nice. No honestly it's very good. I did the rounds taking in all the stalls and then went round again doing a bit of shopping. I met Longdraw James @ Woodland Turnery while I discussed a faster whorl for my Timbertop wheel. In fact I met so many people old friends and new I would be here all day naming them. Suffice to say I had a good time. I didn't overdo the spending so I've got a bit left over for later.
What else has happened. I sent away for some CVM Romeldale from Lilac Ridge Farm WI USA which has arrived (see photo) it is lovely and soft and springy. Also I ordered some Manx Loaghton top from Dickies. It too is lovely and soft - so much nicer than the fleece I bought years ago and threw on the compost heap as it was sooo coarse. Since Wonderwool, I have done some dyeing with Kool Aid dyes bought while I was there (see photo's) Jamaican Very Berry Coulis and Citrus Zinger. So now I've caught up on the goss and will have to get down to some hard graft to spin my stash.
I hope everyone is ok and I'll speak again soon.

Hugz

Keith

Wonderwool here we come.

Hi Folks

So what have I been up to, well last night I went to Spinnning Weal in Clevedon again (my 2nd time) and thank goodness I did.

Prior to that I had spent 5 hours at Southmead Hospital seeing 2 doctors. It seemed to go on for ever and by 5pm when my transport finally turned up, I hadn't eaten or drunk anything for 9 hours - yep I was very hungry tired and fed up and panicking because I had to be home by quarter past five for my lift to Clevedon (courtesy of the Fabulous Anj P.) The taxi driver was rather yummy and managed to get me home in time-just.
Yet another great night at the Spinning Weal, it gave me a chance to chill out and spin in the company of some lovely people. So with cheese and tomato rolls (provided for me by my DH) and Dave's tea, life returned to normal.

We are having our main meeting of the month for SpinDyeWeavers on this Saturday and next Saturday we are off to Wonderwool, I can't wait.
We did sort of promise Dave last night that we would have a group photo taken of us at Wonderwool displaying our Violet Spinning Weal Bags, I'm sure that we can.
I had a good go at my Timbertops wheel which sits in the hallway looking beautiful. I gave it a good clean and oil, so I think I will use it to spin up my last dye job "Fire Glow" as I haven't used it for a long time. Other than that I must continue spinning my 'yellow stuff' as their is loads of it. It has gained an admirer (we won't say who on here) but suffice to say this person wants my wool and wants it preferably ready spun. Gonna keep a close eye on my stash in future.

Week 2 of the general election and I'm sick of it already. When will they understand, that I'm a grown up now and I'm quite capable of making my own mind up, without them mailing me in person or slagging each other off on the tele'.

My poor huzbear has hurt his back and is unwell - lucky for him he has a disabled nurse to look after him LOL.

That' all folks
Speak soon

Keith

OMG where have I been?

I can't belive that it was in March that I last blogged. Where has all the time gone?
We had our meeting on the 27th March and had a great time. Dyes everywhere and everybody looked as though they meant business. We started off with a bit of a show and tell and then decided to get on down and do some work. I decided that I really should try using more vibrant colours in the reds and browns and add a little black to tone it down. So I did and the result is "Fire Glow", a lovely mix of reds, oranges, browns, bluish grey and black. It does look like the glow of embers in a fire. Well see what you think, I'll put the pics at the end.
We had some great colour combinations with, Gill taking inspiration from some Iris's and Chris producing her own version of 'fruit pastilles'. It was yet again a good day, with time flying by and it was 4pm before we knew it.
I bought a "fishermans bag" the other day as I wanted to have a bag that would carry everything for spinning, including my 'niddy noddy' and 'lazy kate'. And it does the job well.
It's very "manly" - green canvas and has loads of pockets.
It came complete with 8 plastic boxes that would normally hold 'flies and weights' etc. What I'll do with these I do not know.
Well Easter is here and I must carry on spinning my yellow fleece, we wont be going anywhere so it will be a quiet affair. But I have had confirmation that my car has been ordered and may well be with me in May, that will allow us to have some nice days out this year and I think my huzbear deserves some nice time out.
Oh well that's all for now folks.
Speak soon
Hugz
Keith

Dyeing Days

Hi Folks

Well I dyed the Portland- in Shades of Blue (see pics) and then spun up some BFL in pink, which came out a nice colour- Strawberry Crush. Then I had the idea of dyeing some Merino in daffodil colours, coz they are sooo nice and the colours have really brightened up our sitting room. So I got on with it yesterday morning and the result is - Springtime. The weather over the past few days seems to have brightened up the people and there are 'smiles on faces' in town. I must admit Spring is on of my 2 fave seasons. The other? well it's Autumn, I just love the Autumn sun and the colours. So here are some pics, see what you think.
Speak soon

Keith

Busy busy busy!

Hi Folks

Well we had a good day spinning on Saturday. I spun and plied the Portland whch is currently on the stove kettle dyeing, and I spun all the dyed English 56's which has come out quite nice. it looked as trhough it might be a bit Khaki,but it is showing flashes of caramel, greygreen, grey blue and some heather purple. So I'm quite pleased. just need to wash it to ste it and it should be ok. have attached a pic for now.
It's a beautiful day today sun shining and birds singing. Hope it keeps it up all week but I doubt it.

Speak soon

Keith

Spinning on the Spot

Hi Folks

Well I've been spinning like a good'un this week trying to reduce the stash of un- spun goodies. I started with spinning my Cormo and California Red in the grease to make some samples for my folder ( I'll spin the rest later to make a small amount of yarn of each for use in something). I have almost finished the Portland which I bought @ the Spinning Weal and next I must tackle the English 56's that we dyed and I called Hartland Moor We have an ad hoc meeting this weekend, so we know what I'll be doing then don't we. I have spun and plied the batts I won in an earlier raffle, I've called it Autumn Heath and it is the pic shown.

Oh! the budgies decided they don't want to have babies at the moment (despite me providing them with a top class nest box), so they are all back in the one cage and the bitching goes on. I think Reggie is trying to show Ronnie who is boss as she is sick of being bullied by Ronnie. Poor old Charlie, he just keeps out of the way ( if he can).
Our outdoors birdies (Robins and Blue Tits)are still coming round for food and in this colder snap are noshing like piggies. I noticed a large group of Goldfinches playing in the tree outside the front window. Well I say playing it was more a case of 'who gets the girl' 4 boys trying hard to attract 1 girl.
Well that's all for now folks

Speak soon

Keith.

Mixed Feelings??

Hi Folks

Well I'm feeling very disappointed today, as those of you who follow this blog will know I won some yummy silk thread on Ebay. Unfortunately they have not arrived (all the way from Southampton 60 miles from here)nor probably ever will. I contacted the seller and told her they hadn't arrived and she has put it down to the postal service. Had a nice chat with my postie and he says he didn't leave anything on the doorstep, so that's the end of that. Now what do I wrap my 'Pumpkin' yarn with?

On the other hand my EFG Sock Loom arrived from the USA as these pictures show.

Bye for now :0(

Speak soon

Keith

I'm in Wonderland

Hi Folks

Went to see Alice in Wonderland this afternoon, no change in the story but beautiful in 3D, thank you Tim Burton, a wonderful surreal experience - and I'm still there.

Speak soon

Keith x

Customize a free slideshow

Latest Dyeing using black

ONDINE

HARTLAND MOOR

Hi Folks

What a day I had yesterday, great fun and messy. it was like 'kindergarten' only with good results. I dyed some roving and some yarn (cashmere/silk), using 'home' mixed colours and the microwave.

Getting the right shade of the colours is very interesting, mainly thro' trial and error, using a paper towel as your palette and great fun.

When we had dyed 'n' fried our wool it was interesting to see the results thro' the clingfilm and I must admit I had grave doubts about the roving, a muddy mess comes to mind.

The yarn looked beautiful - very clear distinct colours.

After they had cooled, I washed and rinsed the fibres and was pleased to see that the roving had distinct areas of colour and some great areas where the colours have blended. The yarn had absorbed all the colour and looked wonderful.

A great day was had by all at SpinDyeWeavers.

Speak soon

Hugz

Keith

Yummy Silk

Yippee I won.

Hi Folks
Yesterday I won on Ebay for the first time. I won 12 skeins of Thai silk each one 250 yds long.
This is what I'm going to use to wrap the Pumpkin skeins with.

Our Monthly meeting of SpinDye Weavers tomorrow, should be a good day, I'm looking forward to it.

Speak soon

Keith

Waiting for a delivery

Hi Folks

Well, having previously bought a set of knitting looms for chunky wool, I've been having a quick practise every now and again. it is quite relaxing once you get the hang of it.
So I thought I'd better chase up my order from the USA, and yes it has been made and is on it's merry way to me - an EFG* sock knitting loom. *Extra Fine Gauge, eg: laceweight and sock wool. I'll put up a pic when it arrives.
Not such a good day today, feeling a bit (sicken in a bucket) maybe picked up a bug somewhere, anyway it will go when it's ready.
I think I might try spinning up a little of the merino/wensley from the locks, just to see how it goes.
OK that's all

Speak soon

Keith

Hi Folks

Another day another blog, well after dying the pumpkin I decided to have a go at dyeing the silk/cotton mix I have had for ages. Not a problem all went well, I did it in the microwave ( I know I shouldn't use the house one) to save time and it wasn't a big skein - just a little one for practise. It came out quite well - but I'm not happy with the colours. They just don't stand out enough against the pumpkin. So I going to send away to a site on Ebay that sells lovely jewel coloured silks, that will brighten up the whole thing.

I also completed the Navajo Plyed yarn Candy Twist, and was very surprised that after a wash and a good thwacking the yarn has relaxed (it looked sooo overtwisted) and looks and feels good.

Our monthly meeting is the end of this week and I'm looking forward to that, but it seems Shani and Brucie may not be able to come so, we will have to postpone the big dyeing project we had planned. No probs, we'll still be here.

Winter is still with us and has shown us a liitle snow, but it doesn't settle and maybe it's for the best. No more falling over pleeeese. I must admit I can't wait for Spring tho'.

That's just about all for now.

Speak soon

Keith

Dyeing day

Hi Folks

Well on Tuesday I decided to dye my welsh X yarn. It is a chunky single that I was hoping to wrap with some dyed silk/cotton yarn I bought years ago. The aim was a cornfield colour - corn coloured base with a wrap of red splashes and green lines. On dyeing I found I didn't have enough of the summer yellow, so I added some bits and lo and behold we have 'pumpkin' as per the pics. So - it's going to be Pumpkin Patch with green lines and blue and red splashes for the 'weeds flowers'. Wish me luck!

Hi Folks

Well Argos didn't have Xbox in stock, so we went to Currys online and got one a pound cheaper. Ta daaa.....
I got a stockpot for dyeing from Wilko's and wondered if the Somali shop up the road sells large pots ???? Will go and have a snoop around.
I'm definately dyeing this week so will post pics of my efforts.
Byeee
Keith x

Hi Folks

Well it's Monday again and this time I've managed to get through the washing cleaning, without doing a treble salko and a dying duck and hitting the floor - hooray!.

What a lovely afternoon we had on Saturday, spinners doing their thing, in a relaxed, happy atmosphere, enjoying each other's company and having a good natter.
Tracy, having some problems with the spinning wheel is now getting to grips with a spindle, Chris was patiently plowing through her camel mix. Nina was ablaze with her Blaze tops - a striking colour mix. Shani was whizzing through her stash at a rate of knots - what ratio was she using?? Gill finished her yarn, and gave us a masterclass on how to Navajo Ply and then skein from your bobbin using you hands only. I tackled the merino/bamboo and Rosie sat and spun with a serene smile that would outdo the Madonna any day. As usual time flys by when you having fun and all to soon it was time to pack up. In fact the whole day whizzed by and I was amazed to find the late evening arrive so soon. Yesterday I completed spinning the merino/bamboo and will have a bash at the Navajo plying.
Andy's Xbox has crashed again for the umpteenth time and we are off to Argos to take up their offer. Speak soon.

Keith x

A new year a new blog...

Hi Folks

Well here's my first blog of this year 2010.

Great start to the week, I was sooo busy doing the washing and trying to get a lot done in the morning yesterday, that my speedy little self came a cropper in the bathroom. I was putting out clean towels etc. and had dropped the toilet surround on the floor, I turned around twisting the toilet surround and slammed to the floor like a sack o' spuds. Ooh that hurt! Fortunately I had almost finished the washing/drying, so it was eventually off to bed with a heat pack and some serious painkillers. Spent the night heating the area and bed with my heat packs and today I'm up and about with some trepidation ( I gave the toilet surround a good telling off)!

So whats new on the woolly side of my life, not a lot really. I need to get a load of vinegar to help dye my welsh X yarn (I'm gonna call it corn field)I think. Then it's the continuing saga of flick carding my merino/wensley and finish off making batts of my Zwartbles.
I had a go at spinning some of the merino/bamboo roving from the last Spindyeweavers meeting, a blue and white confection, I have called Spearmint Ice. A beautiful colour too.

We lost our Zebra finch last week (Fern), she too was very old, so that is goodbye to Patsy (Kakariki) and Fern. Both were elderly, but had had comfortable lives.

Now we are left with our budgies, Charlie, Reggie and Ronnie. Do those names sound familiar to you?? Remember the Krays. Well it's one male and 2 females, Charlie is the male and the other 2 were given names not knowing what sex they were. Spring is here according to them as they are in prime bonking condition. Do we put nesting boxes up - NO - not until we get another male. They have got to have a husband each, as poor old Charlie has enough to put up with at the moment, they run him ragged as it is.

Well that's all folks for today, speak soon.

Hugz

Keith