More pictures from Camp Pluckyfluff

Here are a few more photos from Camp. I have included yarns spun by various members of the group. There is also a photo of Lexi demonstrating a technique for us. You can also see the little SpinOlution Hopper in the background working away like the big guys and turning out some fabulous yarns.

The Urban Craft Center in Santa Monica is a really unique crafting space with supplies for papermaking, quilting, sewing, spinning, felting, knitting and crocheting as well as polymer clay and other things. They also have equipment that can be used and an extensive library available to members. Great concept for a crafting center. Anghered (the owner of the store) joined us for the spinning event and created some fabulous yarns herself.

Camp Pluckyfluff

OMG, what a fantastic weekend! Two intensive days of spinning art yarns a la Pluckyfluff! It was held at the Urban Craft Center in Santa Monica. This is a unique teaching space and crafts store. I highly recommend this store.

Lexi Boeger (Pluckyfluff herself) brings a wonderful spirit and immense talent to her uniquely individual yarn and has a relaxed easy teaching style that is inclusive and encouraging. If you ever have the opportunity to take a class from her, it is worth every penny and you will come away with a new appreciation for what goes into creating art yarns and mad new skills. Everyone was tired but totally delighted by the end of the second day and left with armfuls of fabulous yarns. This was my Christmas gift to myself (I was a really good girl, honest!)

A few photos are attached so that you get a taste of the atmosphere and the yarns created.

New SpinOlution wheel - the Hopper

Here is a little info on the brand new spinning wheel from SpinOlution. This one is called the Hopper. These photos represent the first prototype wheel and in photos it is shown in relationship to SpinOlution Mach II, Bee and Echo. On Sunday, I took it to the spinning group at LisCat in Long Beach to share with other spinners and see how they liked it or had any suggestions. The photos were taken by Jamie Badore on his new camera phone because I forgot to charge my digital camera.

I will be adding more information to this post about the wheel in the morning but at least here are some pictures to tempt you in the meantime. One of the ladies trying it out stated that the wheel just made her feel happy, kind of like you did when you rode your tricycle as a kid. That is an apt description.

New Projects - finally working again!

Now that I am feeling much better, I have been trying to finish up some projects that were interrupted when I got sick. Yesterday, the blue fantasy flower felted bag was completed. Some of the photos turned out pretty good but still have to get a good full size pic. I did knit and the full this bag in the washer. Afterwards, I ended up embellishing further with needle felting using handspun yarn, felted balls, beads and embroidery as well as adding a set of exotic La Beana handles.

After that, I started embellishing another felted bag which looks like it is going to turn out well as I love the colors. These are going up on my Etsy shop as patterns soon.

The current issue of Haute Handbags features an article on two of my freeform handbags as well as another needle felted bag in the Salon section. It has been a busy year. Also, the 2010 Pattern-A-Day calendars for knitting and for crochet are featuring five of my patterns. So cool! Be sure and get one when they are available in your local yarn shop.

Off to make brownies for my husband and cook him a lovely dinner. He has been such an angel taking care of me while I have been sick. He has definitely earned it. The only down side is that he was "in charge" for a while and now I need to shovel out the house as housekeeping is not his forte. LOL.

Homage to Painted Spinning Wheels

Finally, I am emerging from my bout with flu and pneumonia, hurrah! Still a little weak but definitely improving! Therefore, I elected to celebrate by paying homage to some gloriously creative painters of spinning wheels. These are just a few that I have come across recently on Flickr. In the future, I will re-visit this topic. The two Celtic style wheels are by Northwoods Dyeworks. The Flower wheel is by Magee* and the multicolor wheel is by Princess Froglips. These are their user names on Flickr where I found these lovelies.

In a way it reminds of Olympia Dukakis in Steel Magnolias when she made the statement that what separates us from the animal kingdom is our ability to accessorize (I know I am seriously paraphrasing here but you get the idea.) Each wheel was such a wonderful work of art in its own way that it made me smile as I looked at each. I thought you might enjoy them too. I know they brightened my day.

Now that I am feeling better will be working on some new designs and getting ready for a big photo shoot for new patterns. This year has gone by so fast, I feel like I need to catch up!

Congratulations to Harpa!

My friend Harpa has won the 1000 Fabulous Knitted Hats Competition! Her blog is called No Patterns, you can click on it in my list of favorite blogs and see more of her incredible work and photos of her beautiful homeland (Iceland.) She is a lovely person and such a talented artist and so deserves this recognition!

Congratulations!

Spinning wheels, yarns and knitting

Finally, the weather is beginning to cool although there are still a few wild fires burning in Southern California. The chilly mornings make me want to huddle with a great cup of coffee, wool, spinning wheels and also knitting. It is a lovely thing and as I have been spinning up a storm, I have put several baskets of my plied and art yarns at LisCat for sale.

One of my little neighbors has shown an interest in spinning and I have started her out with a drop spindle and some fibers. She is doing really well and her next thing is to learn knitting. So, I think I have a new member of the fiber world on my hands.

A lovely antique wheel belonging to my friend Jamie has come to visit at our house for a while. Louie has been working on the wheel and has gotten it working again. The wheel is not warped and treadles very nicely now. The only part left to replace are the little hooks which appeared to be made of tiny little finishing nails bent into a curve. Along with it was an incredible skein winder that has hand-cut wooden gears and expands and contracts. It is an amazing and lovely object just to admire, a true work of art.

Additionally, another SpinOlution wheel has come into the house which will be for sale when the painting is finished. It was painted with lovely lilacs and still has more to be done in terms of the finishing touches but will be a lovely addition to anyone's stable of wheels. If you are interested in this one, just contact me.

Furthermore, I have begun designing new patterns and am showing a small portion of a new design incorporating Cha-Cha ruffles. I am also working on some new flower designs which can be knitted and crocheted. It is wonderful to feel the creative juices flowing again.