Originally uploaded by Malago WI
I had a super birthday party to attend last week, it was the first year of the Malago WI.
As you can see I dressed for the occasion and managed to interract with some very nice people - and I got a pinny for my trouble...
Seriously enjoyable.
thanks for all the queries about my NaNoWriMo... have been beavering along over the last few days and it is panning out well.
Have some stuff to blog about - to capture your imagination - waterfalls and squeaks !!
SDWOctober
Originally uploaded by StrandedYarnsUK
What a brill day, in the centre of this picture is Rosee's first handspun yarn on her new spinning wheel. I have chosen this as the central piece, because I think this demonstrates the concept and the vision of the group.
When she started in August, Rosee had absolutely no intention of learning to spin, because she loved her knitting so much, within three meetings, she has gone from being an amateur dyer, to an accomplished spindle spinner, and now a proud owner of an Ashford Traveller.
The other highlight of the day for me, was two new members both spinning away, one accomplished the other producing her first plied yarn. In fact thinking about it there were two - one lady showed me her first plyed spindle spun yarn.
We also had a drop in from some Somali tenants, and the grandmother, whilst not speaking any english, demonstrated to us her techniques for weaving from roving. Her daughter telling us that this technique used to be used for weaving houses back in their native land.
What impressed me, was with just the use of her finger and thumbs, and some nimble manipulations, she was able to produce corded thread, which closely resembled that which was being produced on our spinning wheels, having gone through the complicated processes of spinning and plying. Simples...
I do hope she comes back and shares this with us at another meeting, because it certainly was an eye-opener.
Finally, Sally went to a lot of trouble to sort out a batik session for us, which was thoroughly enjoyed. I am not sure I have actually achieved anything recognisable, but their were certainly some shapes emerging on my project bag...
What a lovely day... my world moving in a series of short journeys, and my craft journey it seems reaching a destination yesterday... I shall now pause and work out where I am going to next...
The October day of the SpinDyeWeavers went down amazingly well. One of the members brought along a Batik vat, and this was the first time I have ever done this – with cotton that it is, I have done silk dyeing before… and I have made a project bag. Not sure how it will turn out, as I wasn’t very generous with the wax, but I will be happy !!
I also was given a nickname – which I am happy to take on board as mine… I was told I looked like a muppet behind the counter, and then it was decided that I ought to be named Red from Fraggle Rock…
I have come home, looked this up and I accept the renaming with love and gratitude – Red I have now become !!
According to the website, she
Fraggle Rock freaks, gather 'round. Red is here for you!
This energetic Fraggle Rocker knows where she's going
and what she wants to do! And Red never stops moving,
except maybe when she's asleep
So fair enough… !!
Photos of the day and dye production later, now I need to sleep, nope… actually off to do some spinning and chat to my son.
It is really very special and precious to be in the presence and company of so many talented and creative people…
