Spinning Outta Control

 First of all, I would like to thank Sara for keeping you all busy and entertained while I have been on vacation. She has a delightful way with words and always makes me think about why I am doing what I do and the spiritual connection to my soul seems stronger after one of her introspective posts. Sometimes it is uncomfortable to examine our process as closely as she asks us to but the resulting clarity is worth the pain involved. 

Those flowers are for you.
Second, I would like to say Thank You to all of you who come here to be inspired or see what new project is being made. I appreciate all of you who link to my Blog or take a moment to comment. That is what this is all about. Connecting with other creative folks who want to live artistic lives- even if the only thing you paint is your toenails, you are still playing with color. It's all in your perspective.

That flower is for you!
So, what have I been doing for the last 2 weeks?
Well, one of the things I have spent a lot of time obsessing, er, learning about is spinning.
Yes, that's right, spinning wool into yarn.
I purchased a Lendrum Spinning wheel from Picasso Moon Yarn Shop (the best yarn shop in Sarasota, Fl)

Mr Lendrum lives in Canada and makes these fine wheels with maple that is so pretty! I decided to name her Luna. Well, actually, Bella Luna because she is like a beautiful moon, spinning in my twilight sky.
We went to see Harry Potter (6) and then went back and watched #1-5 again because there were some we had missed or forgotten and the character Luna (with the white blonde hair and lilting whimsical way) is one of my favorites. Remember her?

Maybe this jogs your memory?

See how her hair is almost the same shade as my new wheel?
Bella Luna Lendrum has a very nice ring to it, don't ya think?

I need to find a few moon charms to tie on to front of the wheel so that I won't ever lose her in a crowd!
I don't have pictures yet of any of the yarn I have spun because I still need to soak it and dry it. I am gradually learning control of the diameter of the yarn but all I really want to spin is funky art yarn.
I know that I need to learn to spin right before I spin funky but it's not nearly as fun!
Debra  of Picasso Moon Yarns is having Jacey Boggs of Insubordinknit come and do a Spinning Workshop on May 1st and 2nd of next year at the Sarasota Wellness Center.  (part of the proceeds from this event will go towards  Breast  Cancer support ) I recently purchased Jacey's DVD "Sit and Spin" and was amazed and thrilled to watch her teach coils, cocoons, beehives, core spinning and trapping foreign objects among other spinning techniques. I love thick and thin and funky fibers added into wool and hope that I can get good enough to eventually sell some of my art yarns.
I realize that the time I spend doing this takes away from my quilting and sewing time but I am just going to start getting up earlier and sleeping less- like maybe 6 hours instead of 8 and I'll be tired, but happy and productive!
Yesterday I found an image of an old Irish woman and her spinning wheel and after printing it on fabric (Hp 8250 Inkjet printer on June Taylor Colorfast fabric sheets) I stitched it up and started a moleskin journal cover to keep all my spinning notes and sources in.

It still needs a few more stitches and then a binding.
I just am in love with textiles and fibers and find spinning to be relaxing and soothing to the spirit. As long as you learn to "let it go", that is! I was holding on so tight and my yarn was twisted and coiling up on itself like a phone cord!
Isn't that always the way it is?
Ya just gotta let some things go in order to have peace and tranquility in your soul.
Here's wishing you a wonderfully, magical and creative day.
Happy Back from Vacation Day!
xo,
calamity kim