First hand-spun skein of yarn

I am learning to spin and ply my first 2 spools of handspun into a 2-ply skein. I made a 'Lazy Kate' with a box and a few straight metal knitting needles. My first skein came out...not perfect...but, not to bad either. I've been reading Maggie Casey's book--Start Spinning...

Creative Juices are flowing with the process of Plant Dyeing

First of all dying with plants entails that I gather enough quantity to dye a skein or two--and/or a handful of roving(raw wool used for spinning or felting). So, I drive a short distance to find beautiful places...and on the way I find enough plant material (mostly on the roadsides). I am drawn to the mountains and forests and this has given me more excuses to go out into nature! I gathered sorrel, goldenrod (large quantities grow on highways), bark from lodgepole pine(dead from pine-beetles) and a small amount of lichen from ground.

I had made a batch of Iron mordant and that is what I used as a mordant before dyeing with Sorrel. I used copper mordant(not sure the recipe for making my own with copper pipe worked)and alum. I bought another yarn from Currow Hill Ranch (Actually purchased at Local Harvest)a local farm in Shasta County. It is nice light worsted perendale yarn. Much of what I dyed was raw wool from the local shearer-I plan to spin. Anyways, the Sorrel dyed the same color as sorrel example in Rebecca Burgesses' book, 'Harvesting Color'. It is a khaki green. Alittle bored with all the yellow greens--so I thru the golden rod dyed yarn into the sorrel to see if it will darken. I used the recipe for copper mordant and GoldenRod in Rita Buchanan's book.

High Desert

Spent Labor Day weekend in the High Desert.

Herd Dog Heaven--as Pema demos here ability to fly thru the grasses.

The dogs are sticky from walking in the grass. They smell so yummy!

Also, found a dye plant called 'Rabbit brush' near the Little truckee off 89.

It produced another lovely yellow dye.

Garden

Gardening this year has been fun!

I planted later...due to late frost...

My Nieces made this years garden extra special by painting signs for me at the beginning of the season. This got me thinking about how if I left the easel, paint and canvas out in the garden...I'd be likely to spontaneously paint! It's worked. I've finished several paintings I enjoy! I also planted a Goji Berry last year-which gave me fruit for my pancakes...and mostly I eat them(and strawberries and cherry tomatoes) while I'm watering in the morning. I was inspired to plant dye plants. Now this is really fun! And they are really pretty! I have been more tied to home due to the garden(and the timer/water system is challenging me!)

Summertime in the Sierra's

I have really gotten very behind in posts! So, I will play catch-up.

I have done several small trips this summer. My home garden tends to make me more of a home-body. We have taken the Four Wheel up to the local access of the Sierra Nevada's, Mendo and Olema beach trips and more of the backyard camping.

Also....

Bought an Ashford 'Traditional' spinning wheel. I plan to spin local fibers. (I want to do so much in this life-time.) I have washed 3 fleeces I bought from a local shearer. And have begun to use a prepared roving to practice. I'm not to bad at spinning. BJ Forester is teaching me some. As well, as I am gathering information with 'Start Spinning' by Maggie Casey.

By the way...

By the way....I'm a Grandma now. Izaiah is 4 months old. I'm still not sure of being a Grandma already! However, he is the cutest little cherub a Gma could ask for! When I see him...it makes my day. When my daughter shares her experience with me I feel much joy! It is beautiful to witness love!