Wednesday, May 20, 2009




I have been keeping myself busy carding and spinning wool. I love the new carder...it keeps me supplied with wool batts and rovings...ready to spin at my wish and whim.

This picture shows some 'painted' wool roving. I painted it with kool-aid for dye and was delighted with the results. As it goes through the carder you can see how very blended it became. The color is gorgeous but the corriedale wool used here was not a good quality. It had become wet at a dye workshop and brought home in the trunk...and ended up with the wool becoming matted together. And...a spinner told me on Saturday...Kool-aid 'dye' will wash away gradually until not much color is left. Oh, life is a learning experience!

Isn't this fun? When we were down South at a flea/jockey market I spotted this charming little end table. My husband brought it home with us for only $7.00



This is the first Shetland wool that was carded and blended on my Pat Green wool carder.After spinning it I was so pleased...I just loved the results!

Here it is after being wound on the 'ball-winder'. I was so proud of my idea to make my regular size ball winder into a jumbo one...I taped a tp tube on to the spindle and was able to wind up higher than usual.

This little 'skinny' scarf I'm knitting from the wool is almost done. Its knit on a diagonal pattern and is just dreamy. It actually self-striped itself at the beginning. I'm learning as I go and having a ball.

Right now I am reading this delightful, restful book...'Chestnut Acres' by Carrie Bender. Even though this is a children's series, I love them. This particular book is about the marriage and first farm of newlyweds, Joe and Arie. I just took a Cranberry Prune Cake out of the oven. Only mine is a Prune Cherry Walnut Cake. Sounds good, doesn't it! I've never tried this recipe before but it sure smells good. The sun is shining in, spilling over the keyboard and tabletop....I love this time of day for the sheer beauty of sunshine and shadows. Hope you've had a nice day....

"Lead me in thy truth, and teach me; for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day." Psalms 25:5

7 comments:

Patsy said...

You are having fun, the wool is beautiful.
Nice table, you will sure know the time. So happy you are having a blessed day.
Patsy

Ann said...

I haven't been blogging much either! but I hope to get back in the grove soon. I'm so glad you are enjoying your new carder. It's over my head! LOL A while back you had asked me about the book for you to read. It's called
The Gurnesey Literay and Potato Peel Society. My sister read it and loved it! you can find it on my Shelfari.

Mrs. Mac said...

Aaah, Maggie Ann, I like the yarn you have spun and the small striped scarf. How great to have spun and knitted with your own tow hands !!! Your book selection looks nice too. Sometimes I enjoy reading the American Girl books, and of course, the Little House series. The Boxcar kids books were my favorite when I was a young girl. I seemed to be drawn to more 'outdoorish' adventures ... and even preferred the Hardy Boys over Nancy Drew :) Have a nice long Memorial Day Weekend. Any plans? We're supposed to attend a service with the local VFW.

Hugs,

Mary said...

I have so enjoyed catching up on your posts today! I wish to somehow understand the joy of a spinning wheel and the thing you call carding. I love to crochet, but alas,it's all I can do with a skein of yarn. It does bring me great pleasure, though. I love the feel of it sliding between my fingers and the amazement of seeing a "super long string" turn into a scarf or afghan. On a different note, I have finally remembered to nick and soak my morning glory seeds. I'll be planting them tomorrow. I'm kinda sad that my forget-me-nots spilled and died. Did you ever get yours to grow? We have planted a row of four white lilac bushes to bloom next year. Our purple one with white tips bloomed just last week after only one year in the ground. The blooms are just striking. Our peony plants are prolific this year with ants crawling all over their plump, sticky buds! Last year, there were no hydrangeas. This year will be different, I hope! Have a wonderful weekend, dear blogger friend! Someday, we will meet in person :o)

Saija said...

i love how you always enjoy those simple pleasures in life ... which bring the greatest richness to ones soul ...

blessings on you this memorial day!

Unknown said...

Hi Maggie Ann! Thanks for the sweet comment on my blog! You mentioned something about Ravelry and I don't spend much time there anymore! I am on twitter, though! Do you tweet?

TO BECOME said...

Great post. I love the look of the Kool ade dyed wool. It is so pretty. That must be fun and yet so satisfying to be able to do the things you do with the wool. The book sounds good. Have a great day. I loved the verse. connie