As the world spins, we spin and spin....

I have been so busy knitting things for the sales that I have not taken much time to spin lately and it is starting to show as my homespun stash is dramatically depleted!  A job for this winter.  My wonderful friend Karen  came over last Saturday, even though she has been a little under the weather and we spent some time spinning and critiquing each other's plying methods as we watched the dvd "the gentle art of plying" by Judith M.  We concentrated on spinning colors although Karen had spun some wonderful green roving into a beautiful two ply heavy yarn.

The above is some of my colorful border leceister locks that I was just picking open and spinning from the locks after I dyed it all of cource.  Below is some of Karen's lovely spinning and her beautiful wool socks.

 We had been going to do some eco-dyeing on Saturday but just weren't up for the task but she did bring along some of her beautiful scarves that she did eco-dye and she sells at the Minnetonka Art Center I believe is the place.  I think they are quite lovely with the natural dye colors and then the maple, oak, and rose leaves.

Karen is a great lover of shibori also and has done some of it on the edges as you can see.

It was so great to get together and feel the loose fibers run through my fingers again...such good therapy.
One last sale on Saturday in Delano and then I am ready for lots and lots of "therapy"...hope you all had a good holiday!

MAKE HAY...I MEAN DYE WOOL WHEN THE SUN SHINES

We have had the most wonderful fall making it seem like summer is taking forever to come to a close...which is great as winter will then seem shorter but then rather than get into the hibernation mode we just keep doing more things outside.  I am getting tired but will just keep pushing on as I know that winter will appear one of these days.
I have a wonderful friend Karen R. that is an expert in natural dyeing and if you can ever take one of her classes, I am sure you will enjoy it.  She teaches at several venues in the state so you may get that opportunity.  I even had a natural dyeing day at the farm a couple of years ago and as anxious as I get over "entertaining" she helps keep it real and natural.  Thank God.
I also do fiber dyeing with koolaid when the grandkids around especially as it is safer.  As my little honeys are becoming older we have switched to doing some acid dyeing when we have some time together at the farm and we are not petting sheep and cats at the same time...love that multitasking!

My grandson has become a tall young man and is able to capture the sheep with my encouragement and hold him while I snap a photo or two.

I love getting the kids to the farm so they get a chance to keep in touch with animals and nature.
The littlest granddaughter has become old enough to climb on the fence as you can see her tennies and legs in the photo.
The last time I did a lot of dyeing however my sister was here from Wisconsin and we dyed lots of colors to use in yarn and fiber art.  Such pleasant surprises to see all the beautiful colors.

 Lots of color for fall and winter projects.  I do vending at several craft events and was at one in Hutchinson this last weekend and have one in Howard Lake and one in Delano coming up in the next few weeks.  Stop in and say hi if you know of these and are in the area.