Still Life with Handspun Yarn Skein

Still Life with Handspun Yarn Skein, originally uploaded by confections.

One of the last bouquets of autumn sunflowers reminded me of this Navajo-plied handspun, hand-dyed skein of merino wool and I had to photograph the still life.

The merino wool was Ball jar-dyed a few weeks ago as part of my ongoing experiments in handpainting and hand-dyeing fiber and yarn.

I'm busy packing for a getaway with family, so my posts may be sparse over the next few days. Happy Autumn (and Happy Spring to those in the Southern Hemisphere)!

Needlefelted Butterfly

Needlefelted Butterfly, originally uploaded by confections.

Another in my series of Warholized images, this one depicts a stylized needlefelted butterfly I made originally for my youngest niece. I'll be seeing her again (for the first time in a year and a half) very soon. Hello, Gracie!

Autumn Gourds Colorway Hand-Dyed Superfine Merino Wool Roving (Collage)

Autumn Gourds Colorway Hand-Dyed Superfine Merino Wool Roving (Collage), originally uploaded by confections.

More goodies from the jar-dyeing studio....autumn gourds colorway hand-dyed superfine merino wool roving.

Tropical Liqueur Hand-Dyed Superfine Merino Wool Roving (Three)

Tropical Liqueur Hand-Dyed Superfine Merino Wool Roving (Three), originally uploaded by confections.

The blue and green colors in this hand-dyed merino wool roving remind me of Midori Melon and Blue Curaçao liqueurs. This will be available in my Etsy shop soon. The superfine merino wool is next-to-the-skin soft and would make a great scarflet once spun up. It needlefelts beautifully, too.

Be Happy (two)

Be Happy (two), originally uploaded by confections.

Sage advice from some neighbors near the beach....

Basket of Wool (two)

Basket of Wool (two), originally uploaded by confections.

Just a quick Warholized photo post of a basket of wool in my studio....

Rapunzel, My Lendrum Spinning Wheel (two)

Rapunzel, My Lendrum Spinning Wheel (two), originally uploaded by confections.

Here is a Warholized collage of my Lendrum spinning wheel, Rapunzel. I've had this faithful versatile wheel for thirteen years. I traded with a local weaver who was interested in a Bond knitting frame; she was planning to knit mohair yarn to make teddy bears. I've lost touch with the original owner, but may try to find her to see where her fiber journey has taken her over the last decade and a half.

Rapunzel came into my life around the same time I became enamored of quilting, so she languished for a while before I really focused on spinning. But since I started treadling, I have rarely stopped.

I will close with some words by Gandhi on the subject:

♥The call of the spinning wheel is the noblest of all. Because it is the call of love.

♥I believe that the yarn we spin is capable of mending the broken warp and woof of our life.

♥The music of the spinning wheel will be as balm to your soul.

♥My heart is drawn backwards and forwards between spinning wheel and books.

Apples of Autumn

 

The crisp air of autumn is upon us in the Northern Hemisphere. This is the time of year when I get homesick for Pennsylvania and apple cider and flaming maple leaves. I was Warholizing some of the images from my archives with fds flickr toys and found a few that represent this season to me. Enjoy!

Hand-Dyed Wool Roving

Hand-Dyed Wool Roving, originally uploaded by confections.

I've been experimenting with Ball jar dyeing this week and here are some of the vibrant results. I used a combination of techniques and added my own twist. Fellow Etsian Blonde Chicken has a nifty video featuring Easter egg dyes. I had purchased thorough jar dyeing instructions from Castleman at Etsy as well.

It's relatively simple to do and a lot less messy than my usual handpainting techniques. You'll have fun if you give it a try!

Starbucks Patio at Liberty Station, San Diego, California--TtV (through

Starbucks Patio at Liberty Station, San Diego, California--TtV (through the viewfinder), originally uploaded by confections.

Continuing my latest fascination with the "pencil sketch" application available at this website, here are a couple made from photos shot "through the viewfinder" of my vintage Kodak Duaflex camera. The original TtV (through the viewfinder) photos are below as well for comparison.

Handspun Blue Face Leicester Wool Yarn with Angelina Fiber and Cotton

Handspun Blue Face Leicester Wool Yarn with Angelina Fiber and Cotton Binding Thread, originally uploaded by confections.

I spun this yarn from roving handpainted by Lori Lawson a few years back and gave it to my mother-in-law who took a shine to it. She suffers from a form of senile dementia and is in a nursing home. Periodically, I would take my spinning wheel to the private home where she was living and spin some fiber. The tactile quality of the wool and the colors and sparkle of the angelina delighted my mother-in-law. I hope in some small way it brings her comfort.

My Mom (on the right) and Her Childhood Friend Dorothy

My Mom (on the right) and Her Childhood Friend Dorothy, originally uploaded by confections.

Today is my Mom's 83rd birthday. I'm popping the cork by sharing these photos of her and her childhood friend Dorothy. The first photo found its way to us through a contact on ancestry.com. Amazing serendipity. Thank you, Libby!

Her friend Dorothy is still alive and kickin' and a few years ago shared a photo of the two of them as high-schoolers ice-skating on Bull Creek in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. My Mom, on the left in the photo below, made her green corduroy skating skirt. It had a gold satin lining.

My Mom exudes the Venusian energy which is a hallmark of her Libra sun sign. She is a social creature and loves beauty in her surroundings. She is witty, loves a good joke, and has an infectious laugh. She'll beat you at any card game, but especially at pinochle.

She is an excellent cook and baker (oh, I'd love a home-cooked meal and a slice of her apple pie right now!) and reveled in the joys of marriage and raising a family of seven children. I developed my appreciation for the charms of tea and conversation over the kitchen table with my Mom.

Happy Birthday, Mutti!

Welcoming Pot of Tea

Welcoming Pot of Tea, originally uploaded by confections.

I've been sifting through my archive of photos lately and turning some of them into pencil sketches with an application available at dumpr.net. Not all of them convert well; a few do. It's all a matter of experimentation.

Some of the more successful conversions are the images of tea cups and tea pots. The better to entice me to the tea table....