Spinning Progress

This past weekend was a whirlwind of G&S rehearsals and family fun. Sunday afternoon and evening were spent at my parents' house. There was yummy barbecue, rock band and fireworks. A very enjoyable way to spend a holiday. Last night was our first dress rehearsal for the run. It was nice to be able to put scenes and costumes to the music. So fantastic!

I haven't spun as much as I would have like to, but I've made some decent progress. I finished singles of the 'Kentucky Derby' colorway. Definitely spun thicker than the first 4oz. (Two bobbins on the right, then on the left).



I've also gotten most of the way through the first 4oz of 'Rubber Grapes'. This is the softest, nicest fiber to spin! I really hope I'm not overspinning it because I'd love to keep that softness.


I'd better spend the rest of the week plying to free up some bobbins. I'm going to need them this weekend!

A Little Backstrap Weaving

I stumbled across an article about backstrap weaving in Weavezine on a slow day at work some months ago. I was fascinated from the very beginning. It's amazing what you can create with just some sticks and strings!

This is the article to start with: here.
This is the author's blog where she goes into more detail and talks about different techniques: here.

And this is my rough attempt to try out the technique. I definitely had problems with the edges early on, but I think I've finally straightened it out.


Here's the rather awkward tie-up I've got going. The house has only hardwood floors and I have trouble getting furniture to stay put anyway so I'm having a hard time finding somewhere to tie-up to that doesn't move. This is a support bar on my loom and I have to brace against it with my feet to keep it tensioned.


Here's the most recent, the heddles and the shed loop. Because I can.


I should finish this up so I can try some new designs. And I would love to find somewhere better to setup shop. Have a good weekend!

Yard work

I spent the morning doing errands today. I have to say, summer really makes it annoying to try and go anywhere. Way too many people out and about, getting in the way. Maybe it's just that this weekend is a holiday, but I've noticed it when there's nary a holiday in sight. *Sigh* Oh- and nothing better than a bunch of whiny kids after story time at the library to make you not want to reproduce!

Of course, it just might be the bit of a bad mood I've found myself in this week. I know why, but now I just need to get through it. Try and stay calm, that sort of thing. I'm actually surprised that I've been doing as well as I have getting things done and keeping up with blogging. It often goes in cycles, rather brilliantly illustrated here. Now I'll just wait for the crash...

I spent some time yesterday afternoon working in the yard. That doesn't sound so bad, but I seriously dislike weeding! I'm finally feeling like the front yard is mostly under control. Finally. Unfortunately a large chunk of the back is a jungle. With blackberries. Arg.

Here's what it looked like when I started yesterday:


And after I finished. Not perfect, but SO much better!


We really need to spread some new bark here soon too. I would hope that it would help with the weeds, but I'm not sure. It hasn't seemed to deter them in the past. I'll wait to show you the jungle that is the backyard until I've done some work and can prove I've made it better. Gotta be a little nice to the ego.

Now I'm going to go curl up with a book and try to avoid people for the rest of the day.