Sunday, February 26, 2023

T Stands for Spinning and Fibers

  We are approaching our last T for Tuesday in the month of February. I am ready for March-as Spring will be arriving. I am so ready, although here in this area it can bring allot of strong winds with tornadoes.  I am writing this post early Sunday evening and we are all bracing for very high winds coming in tonight.

  To join in for T just share a drink related post, visit with friends--find link in my sidebar-hosted by Bleubeard and Elizabeth.

  If interested, in my previous post I shared photos of the fibers I got in the mail for spinning-they are all soft and wonderful.

  I have been spinning most every day this past week. It has been too chilly or raining to work outdoors.

   I have spun up quite a lot of this lovely tweed. I have enough on my spindle to fill up this niddy noddy and then spin almost another full spindle. I had just a little bit of that pretty brown, so added this merino-bamboo green tweed to the same niddy noddy. My spinning is finally improving-although I don't get those very fine spun yarns-however I do like this size of yarn to use as the weft in my weaving so I can really see the yarns. (the weft is the one you wind on to a shuttle and hand weave with that) I feel I have finally progressed to an advanced beginner spinner. My yarn is still not totally the same through out-but that's ok for my weaving now.


I also spun up allot of this very nice white wool 

      I have a full niddy noddy  now These need to get sprayed down with water-let dry and then I repeat the process. This will set the twist 

    information here about a niddy noddy 


 I will dye this white with my left over black walnuts that I dried a couple years ago when I  made the ink. Should give me a lovely brown.

It was a bit late in the day today, but I wanted to play with my blending board. I have not done that since my last trip to Fiber U.  I will need to watch some you tube videos this week as I wasn't able to get the roving off all in one piece. I think I added a bit too much fibers.



Below are tools to make the roving-you choose the size hole and pull the fibers through to make a roving that you spin into yarn. Of course I couldn't buy just one smiles-These are called Ditz All handmade by craftsman that I bought at different times at Fiber U The bear and the buffalo are by the same artisan


I bought this buffalo first I love it-but this has a couple very sharp points on it so I don't use this one often


I thought I would look for a video now to share with you too, on how to do this-ahhh I see what I was doing wrong now She is calling this Dizz and from the video I did not have too many fibers down I just wasn't doing it right.


I ended up with short pieces but that's ok-anxious to see how the colors spin up


 You can see my Yellowstone cup with green tea, and and my Ice drink-which is carbonated water no sugars with flavors
  This is a ranch oak coffee table that was my parents. Two sides pull up to make larger-this sits in front of the couch and then also in front of the tv-I have books piled up on this table along with what ever craft I am working on.


My husband has been asking for homemade pancakes for breakfast. I add fresh blueberries, and we still have maple syrup from Pennsylvania that a friend gifted us years ago. From the gift of a gallon we are now down to less that a quart My coffee in the back, as this plate is my gluten free version-they turned out sooo good no wonder he has been requesting these pancakes-I forgot how good these are. smiles


I bought this book back when it came out in 1970. This is my all time favorite bread book. I used to make all of our breads before I found out I had celiac. This has the pancake recipe in it


And my coffee was made in my French press I figured out a really easy way to clean out the loose grounds-fill up with water and pour through a fine strainer-so much easier and faster this way


That's it from me this week. Stay warm and safe 

  We have a dove pair enjoying the seeds now-perhaps they remember from last year




Happy T and New Week

52 comments:

  1. That colourful one looks really beautiful! I need to make some pancakes too :-) Yum!

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  2. Oh, yes,Spring, please!!
    This is a lot of work with your spinning! But it must be so satisfying, too. The Ditz are beautiful and unknown to me.
    Interesting video, but I am too hectical for that ;-)
    We have such a table, too. Burning hole included as my Brother did nonesense and Granma went after him. It´s from the 1950´s and serves us well ever since!

    Pancake is on the list (with cheese etc though).

    Haha, funny you. It´s ccccold.... And I have to walk to the far away bakery.

    To you and the lake, happy T-day, hugs!

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    1. If I would take the time to figure out my spinning wheels the spinning would go much faster-I think something needs to be adjusted on my ashford wheel that I haven't figured out. I do enjoy the simple spindle though.
      good memories to have a family piece of furniture.
      Happy T hugs

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  3. I am always impressed at the amount of things you do. And the pancakes look wonderful. Have fun, happy T Day, hugs,Valerie

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    1. thank you, I like to explore new things The pancakes were really delicious hugs

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  4. Niddy Noddy, love that name! It would make a neat blog name.

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    1. I always loved the name too-yes it would make a great spinning blog name

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  5. There's so much to learn! What's a coat for a sheep is a long way from becoming a coat for you or me. :~) At least I now know about a niddy noddy! When your fibers are spun you will have some beautiful yarns.
    We had some very strong winds in the wee hours which kept us awake. I may need a nap this afternoon.

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    1. You are right about the sheep's coat--we had the strong winds all night last night and then ended early this morning-perhaps they moved on to you, just finished our 2 pm dinner I feel like a nap too-hugs

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  6. I wrote this LONG post and it evaporated in the Ethernet.

    I was delighted you shared your rovings and your spinning. I would LOVE to felt those rovings you had on that board (grin). No spinning for me, but felting is fun. I love that bear. I can see how helpful it would be to keep the roving at a consistent diameter.

    I also like Ice. I have several bottles that I have yet to drink. I am so glad you found an easy way to clean your French press. I am not sad I got rid of mine because I still prefer my perked coffee.

    Those pancakes look delicious. Pancakes are so easy to make, yet I never think to do so.

    Thanks for sharing your rovings, your Ice, your French press coffee, and your yummy pancakes with us for T this week, dear Kathy.



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    1. Yes this would be a great way to mix fibers and colors and then felt it-I should try that-something I have not done yet.
      I keep packs of the Ice for Larry since it has no sugar in it-I like it for something different, for some reason I can not drink too much carbonated drinks.
      Yes pancakes are really easy to make with ingredients on hand usually. I don't make them for me too often. Happy T

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  7. FINALLY! It published. Lots of problems with this comment today.

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    1. so glad it published. that happens to me sometimes just sits there and says can't be published-so I copy my comment-refresh the page and paste the comment back in-seems to work that way

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  8. Your "roving" (is that the right word?) with the white and all the colors will form some beautiful yarn. I love the color combo Kathy. And you can't go wrong with pancakes, especially with blueberries. They look yummy. I hope your new week has started off in good way, and that you have a great T day too. hugs-Erika

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    1. the fibers are formed into a roving and then spun into yarn. I am trying to make roving from my blending board and so far can't get it to work-will try again soon.
      Larry loves pancakes for something different for breakfast-pretty quick and easy to make for him hugs Happy T

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  9. Your yarn is simply amazing, Kathy! The colors are gorgeous together! I love various color blends and think that yarn of one color is boring. Can't wait to see the finished result and what you decide to use it for.
    I added that bread book to my library list. I have a gluten sensitivity but I make bread for my family and love the smell of it baking. I am intrigued by bread books and recipes.
    The pancakes look yummy!
    Happy Tea Day,
    Kate

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    1. I really love color blends too, and they spin up pretty. This is really my favorite bread book if you like to make breads for your family. This is the original edition I saw a few years ago there was an updated or at least a republished version. I also have the authors veggie book too.
      Happy T

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  10. your fibers are beautiful. I can't wait to see how they spin up. Is that how you say it? LOL We like blueberry pancakes. I buy them in season, freeze them, then we have blueberry pancakes and blueberry muffins all Winter. Happy T Day.

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    1. Thank you Sharon yes spinning up fibers. I used to freeze allot of fresh fruits too, moving here I had to downsize to just one small chest freezer instead of my two -so I buy them fresh now if they look nice. If you see this comment, google won't let me visit your blog
      Happy T

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    2. I tried to email you, but it wouldn’t send. Anyway, I have read this. Sorry you can’t get to my blog.

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    3. Hi Sharon-I have a contact form on my blog here that should get to me. did you see the comment from Divers?

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  11. These pancakes look delicious, and I like coffee with good aroma too. I hope your French press allows you to make a cup of coffee with good aroma. Love to see all your creative work and details about natural inks.
    Thanks for all such details and have a happy T day!

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    1. Good morning, I do like my french press especially if I just want a couple cups of coffee. Happy T

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  12. Your fibers look great, lovely colors. I love that you spin and dye it yourself. Happy T day.

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  13. Kathy, I get the same not safe thing with Lisca at times. To leave a comment to Sharon, just go to my left sidebar and click on her post. That's what I do when I get warnings from anyone. I get a couple at Sami's murals, so I go to her sidebar and click on their names. I assure you. It works.

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    1. bummer still won't work-It went her page then clicked over to that all red page-dangerous blog blocked. that happened to me with Divers blog for a month-I finally was able to email her and she was able to fix it-don't know what she did -if that happens to me would not know how to fix it sigh

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  14. Kathy - the spinning you do is amazing! Wow. The food and drink all looks yummy. Your home looks so comforting inside and how - I am always amazed by what you do and see. Lovely. Happy T-day and hugz - I have missed you and will catch up soon.

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  15. Interesting post. I like hearing about your spinning. It reminded me of my friend, Lambie.. She used to raise sheep to spin and weave her own wool. Watching how the niddy noddy (such a fun word) was used was fun, too. I've been thinking about pancakes, too. Maybe one night this week. We love breakfast for dinner. Happy T Day

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    1. I always wanted sheep when we were living more rural-but decided against it since I only wanted a couple-and allot of work too. the niddy noddy is a fun name for sure. I make us breakfast for dinner too especially when I am in the mood to make biscuits and gravy Happy T

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  16. Fascinating projects you've got going. And such a lovely setting you've settled in :)

    I did a google search for a way to request Norton to review the category they had placed my blog in so they would reconsider their ruling about it being a dangerous site.

    This Norton page offers the opportunity to request a review:
    https://safeweb.norton.com/

    If you hadn't given me the heads-up I would never have known Norton had misclassified my blog. I continue to be grateful {hug}

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    1. Thank you sooo much for this information at Norton I appreciate it. I am back to spinning and weaving mode now-I am getting older and really want to do more spinning and make a poncho or rauna with the yarns I enjoy it to

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  17. I asked Sharon to visit you. I don't have time to pass messages back and forth. I have NEVER had that happen to me when I visited from a sidebar.

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    1. thank you Elizabeth-yes I don't want more work for you-here in comments Divers mentions how to fix it-and down below here I made a comment to Sharon if she sees it

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  18. Kathy i love to see you working with fiber. You say its your first love and it shows. I don't think i would have the patience you do working with fiber. I have a sewing machine that sits on a shelf because something tells me i won't have the patience to learn it.. lol BUT i want to make pillows so i hang on to it. Your pancakes look yummy! We make them at home occasionally but to be honest i enjoy them most out at IHOP with some bacon and eggs and coffee! Glad your ok with all that wind. Its been blowing here too.. But we've been warm! too warm really for February but i'll take it.. :)Happy T day! Hugs! deb

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    1. Hi Deb, my weaving and spinning I have always put on the "back burner" and done other things which I have loved and enjoyed too-but time to get some serious spinning and weaving accomplished haha.
      we are going up to 70 today but it takes time to get there-late afternoon usually.
      I grew up with a sewing machine as my Mom sewed almost everything for her home-curtains-drapes-most of our clothes etc. she forced it on us so I have had a mental block against sewing clothes since I left home in the 1967 never was good at math or figuring out things like how to adjuct a pattern but you can make pillows-straight seams and I can show you how to make a pillow cover that the pillow just fits in to-so no szippers etc-I don't like zippers at all smiles Happy T

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  19. Kathy what an inspiration you are! Your yarns are gorgeous and they look so soft as well. Bet there is a great deal of wonderful creating that goes on at that special table of yours. Pancakes look excellent...makes me hungry for some. Well take care friend and hope your weather is not too bitter today. Hugs!

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    1. thank you so much-I am really enjoying spinning and happy I got out the blending board-that is allot of fun too.
      You take care too-hugs

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  20. Sharon in comments see Divers and Sundry-he has link on how to fix the issue

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  21. Hi Kathy, I have the same Ashford blending board! I haven't used it for a while as I had to put it out of reach of crazy kitties who kept getting stabbed by it lol. You would think they would learn but no, so I had to put it away. It's a lot of fun to use isn't it? Happy T Day! Elle/EOTC xx

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    1. That's awesome-I haven't used my blending board either for quite awhile and forgot how much fun it is. I am now making the rolags with it and spinning that way-so much nicer than what I was doing before-tearing of roving to spin-I like it much better with the blending board and it is a very long piece of yarn in the end-much less joining.
      yep that would not feel too good on the kitties paws ouch
      Happy T

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    2. Yes it's great fun just to make the rolags lol. The cats however just won't leave it alone.

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  22. Hi Kathy, another full and beautiful post. I love seeing your fibers. The colors are just luscious. We got another 2 inches of snow and it is supposed to snow the rest of the week. Seriously? Can't wait for this to move on. Hope your day is a good one.

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    1. thank you so much, I am really enjoying getting back to fibers.
      wow I can't believe you go all that snow with more-I won't tell you about our spring like weather than hugs

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  23. How wonderful that you have gone back to spinning. I love reading about that. And such beautiful colours too.
    I enjoyed learning about the niddy noddy (video) and the ditz.
    Happy T-Day,
    Hugs,
    Lisca

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    1. good morning Lisca, so happy you enjoyed the videos I have now changed up and making rolags off the blending board instead of making roving with the ditz my spinning is improving now-will share that next week hugs Happy T

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  24. I loved seeing all the fibres - I must get back to doing some needle felting! Hmm....and I might have to make pancakes for breakfast tomorrow.....with coffee of course, belated Happy T Day, Chrisx

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    1. Hi Chris-yes needle felting is very fun too-Ihave made a few needle felted pictures-one I liked so much I have it hanging in a wooden frame-I can combined my hand dyed fabrics and wools with lots of needle felting.
      Larry request pancakes once a week now-they are a really nice treat for breakfast and coffee-hugs

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