SpinIn

It may have taken me over a week to get round to posting about the SpinIn, but that is by no means a reflection of the awesomeness that was that weekend.

Having been a relative newbie to camping, I was surprised by just how much I enjoyed it.  Being out in a field with such clear skies.  I can't remember the last time I was under such a clear stary sky.  I've missed that experience.  I may be an utter city girl, but there's certain things like a star filled sky that just make my heart sing and provoke such primal feelings in me.  I could just stare for eons, completely lost in it, even if I can barely point out two constellations.  Just shear beauty.  And I love being cosy around a campfire, cider/wine/gingerbeer in hand, and good, even if a little abstract and random, conversation flowing. It kind of goes with the primal thing. It's definitely a reason to do it again.

However, those lovely clear skies which lead to me getting sunburnt during the days, and such beautiful sights at night, lead to very chilly temperatures at night.  I was really glad to have my snuggly Ryeland handspun shawl to wrap around my nose.  The first morning greeted us with a thick fog, which was certainly atmospheric before it burnt off.

I participated in several workshops, so there was plenty of fun shared experiences and chances to learn.  I was pretty tired following an eleven day stretch at work, including a week of long days on call, so I also really enjoyed just sitting back and soaking in the atmosphere.  I didn't get to take my wheel as there just wasn't enough room in the car, so I spindled a bit on my new club spindle, with my new club fibre, which is just the yummiest neutral stoney shades.

 And a dabbling dyer's dream - getting to play with a professional's palette:

This was the product of the the dying session.  It was so much fun and utterly fascinating to be around some many varied expressions of creativity and to see how differently people approached it.  We all got to do three things - mine were a random choice of "ooh, they look like pretty colours" on BFL, an experiment in gradient dying on Falkland, and a fun crazy rainbow attempt on some silk hankies.

There were trips to see the sheep:

And times of just admiring the scenery:

And just plan ol' sitting in a circle of crafting:

It was so much fun and such utter temptation!  My bags came back over flowing with goodies, so much fibre, I think I've pretty much replaced what I spun up during the Tour this year, which is a nice thought... now if only I had the time to actually use some of it up!

Tastes of the exotic - TdF 12 Days 2 and 3

Aw, I love the Tour de Fleece over on Ravelry.  I'm always so inspired by it and end up spinning so much.  I'm also more inspired to experiement, try new techniques and fibres.  And I love the friendship and chatter on the forums, all the cheerleading and support, and of course everyone else's very scrummy spinning.  Lots of spinning envy and lust - spindles, fibres, wheels, expertise - it's all there in bundles for me to sample.

So my efforts for the last couple of days.

This beautiful fibre and colourway is from Fluff-n-Stuff, is called Esme, on the fibre Darling - a luxury blend of merino, cashmere and silk.  It's one of my favourite ever spinning projects, I love the colours, love love the elegant beauty of the fibre and just want to stroke it every time I walk past.  I spun it as a single, 495m, and have been inspired to make a shawl.

And another shot, because who can resist!

This tweedy appearing yarn is a 3-ply spun from batts, with a mix of merino, shetland, silk, yak and sparkly bits.  I'm still not a brilliant spinner of batts, but the results are interesting.  Everytime I walk past this one, I furrow my brow and think "mmm?".  I usually strive for smooth eveness in my spinning, and this goes against all that.  I love the colours, but struggle to love the "character" of it - all squishy and uneven and fluffy in places.  I think this 195m of texture is destined to be a cowl of some sort.

And finally, this is the single of what is now the most delightfully squishy and loft 2ply yarn, spun from a merino/possum blend.  It's hard to describe this spinning experience.  The fibre was an impulse buy at Wonderwool.  The top was a lot of small broken bits, and totalled 109g.  The top felt almost like it was felted or some sort of pre-felt (first picture below).  It felt quite dense.  So I decided to try teasing it apart.  It practically fell apart on me.  It's a short staple.  And with just the slightest of teasing became this fluffy beautiful prep, almost like it had been carded or a broken up batt (second picture below).

I love the finished yarn - it's not perfect spinning, there's a couple of fluffy/unspun bits, but it is the most balanced yarn I've made (no twisting at all!) and is so utterly squishy.  I haven't finished it yet, so finished yarn pictures at a later date.  There is no walking past of this yarn - the others, in case you are wondering are hanging up in my bathroom drying, hence me walking past them and contemplating them.  Instead, it's all skeined up and sitting on the cushion next to me.  I have to stop typing with alarming frequency and **squish** it!  It's so lofty and squishy.  I think it will end up being either a hat or a cowl of some sort.  It will be the warmest and snuggliest of all winter accessories.

So there you have it, a very eclectic bunch of fibres over the last few days - including cashmere, yak and possum.  Randomness from all over the world.  How awesome is that?  And here is how the Tour inspires me.   Being motivated to explore these new fibres and their properties.  Spinning is such an adventure!

Catching up (aka. procrastinating)

I'm supposed to be packing.  I hate packing.  And I'm bunged up thanks to the tail end of a mild cold from the weekend.  My ear is popping like mad and I feel not quite of this planet... somewhat floating.  It's hard to concentrate on anything serious.  Just wanna sleep and veg.... but oh well.  I decided I'd make a start on a catch up post.  My poor little flat has been so deliciously crowded and noisy over the last couple of weeks.  Such a change from just me wondering round.  It's also a bit of a tip, because it's a tad bit packed, laundry everywhere (I want everything to be clean and fresh before it goes into storage), knitting/fibre everywhere, new books (on sock knitting, natural dyeing and spinning), I've been to lazy to doing the dishes (made a start this morning, they're drying naturally before I do the second batch).  Yup, it's a mess and chaotic, and right now I really just couldn't be bothered, with any of it.  I just want to sit here and ignore it all.  But soon time will pressure me into it all.  I have a provisional leaving day of Thursday, so I REALLY need to get a move on!... but not now.  Let me share the last few days.

I've mentioned the important things.  Yes, I am now a doctor.  Apparently.  It's a strange anticlimax.  It was this stressful build up and to be honest, I don't really feel any different.  I *know* that things are about to change, and I seem to be getting on with the planning, but it doesn't really feel like it's actually happening.  I think that when I start the job, this might be different.  But for now it's this surreal daze of "okay... now what?"  Maybe part of this is to do with the fact that I have so many distractions.

The Clarks arrived on Wednesday, after my morning nap to get over the night shifts.  My tiny one bed flat was very quickly childed!  My teddies were claimed, corners explored and things got into that I thought were suitably out of reach or at least temptation way.  After their long journey and my mucked up body clock, we mainly settled for a lazy afternoon at home.  As it was starting to cool down, we headed to the park, to burn off energy, to get some fresh air and to have a little picnic the the beautiful weather.

Unfortunately, our trip to the park was marred by Morgan falling over.  Sarah decided it was best to get her checked out as she fell onto a rusty nail and there's always a worry of tetanus with things like that.  Fortunately she was fine.  And made it back for a rather late night of cramming on my little sofa and having cuddles.

On Thursday, we went to the Suspension Bridge and the camera obscura.  I love the camera, it's such old, simple technology, but so effective.  Unfortunately, I forgot my camera, so no photos.  After we got back, there was the tense wait for the results email.  Then celebrating, swimming, more friends round for champagne and fun.

My Bristol friends on the whole don't spend much time around little people, but they were all so gentle and sweet with the kids.  I really couldn't ask for more amazing friends with which to spend such a special day.

Friday was another very long busy day.  Since I am now officially leaving Bristol, I thought I should try do some of the things that I've been meaning to do for the last seven years, but never quite got round to.  SO we caught a ferry, went to @Bristol and the aquarium.  @Bristol was amazing, so much fun, and so interactive.  And the planetarium was awesome!

 Exploring a veggie bed whilst waiting in Castle Park for the ferry

s

We rushed round the aquarium at breakneck speed so we could see the imax 3D screening, which rocked!  And then we attempted to go around again but didn't really go much slower.  We did manage to catch up with one of the feeding times which was really well done.  The girl who did it was really informative and told us lots of things about the various fish and turtles in that tank.

Afterwards, we descending on the fountains in the square outside the museums to cool down, relax and have ice creams in the late afternoon sunshine.

Paddy very kindly invited us round for dinner, and let the girls play on his wii, the baby had fun climbing into the washing machine and waving at people walking past down below from the balcony.

Saturday was a lazy, more self-indulgent day.  After all the long days and late nights, and my cold rearing it's ugly head, I think us grown ups were feeling less and less motivated.  Sarah and I abandoned small people with daddy and headed to Get Knitted to indulge ourselves in all things yarnie.  And we totally didn't buy over 20 balls of on sale Sublime...

Sunday was a slow day at home, with a roast dinner before my visitors headed home.  And now it's back to the quite of my flat and the hassle of packing.  But before I do... some of the new pretty colours and toys in my life:

My absolutely beautiful new spindle from Wildcraft.

And I think it is officially the first time my Dad has actually written me a card.  That sort of thing is usually left to my mom to sort out.

Now really must get on with some somethingness.