Some things I'm working on

I've been working on some cotton that I have ignored for some time. I started spinning it with a vengeance since I've been home with the kids over the holiday break.

Variegated green cotton! Photo is not so clear and doesn't show the colors too well. The colors on the spindle show pretty well though. Spun directly from the hand ginned bolls.


White ginned cotton carded on wool cards


Progress on the CVM wool
Here is my progress on the CVM wool I posted on before. I've rolled 3 plying balls as I'm planning on making a 3 ply yarn.

Cool Socks!

Cool Socks!
Originally uploaded by nkosit1968

Finally finished my socks. These were knit with Red Heart superwash wool and nylon with Aloe! Pretty good stuff. I love the colors.

Freecycle finds

Today, I scored well on Freecycle ( an organized yahoo group in your local area where people list things they have to give away, and people request things that they'd like - all for FREE!). Yay Freecycle!

I went to meet a lady who offered a small antique table. It had been stripped of paint, as she had intended to fix it up, but never got around to it. I got it and painted it. Should have taken some before pictures, but didn't think of it.

From this same lady, who was apparently cleaning out her apartment, I got a large, old, wooden frame that was gold in color and detailed with flowers or something. I painted that too, and put an old corkboard I had in it. Since the corkboard didn't fill the entire frame, I used a bit of burlap to cover the area . Now it's a message or picture board! I also forgot to take before pictures.

I also got a large potted plant and an old sign.

Here are the pics:

Pretty Things!

I just had to share these really cute items I scored recently while thrifting. Generally, when I go to the thrift stores, it's to seek out hand made pottery and ceramics. But, I think I did well to find these really pretty cups. I love to drink tea, and drinking out of a pretty cup just makes you feel oh so pretty! LOL!


Mikasa "Ivory China"




Unnamed yellow teacups with flower print and gold rim

Cotton grows in Brooklyn????

Yay! I'm doing a happy dance!

Folks, I love spinning cotton, and so, I wanted to experiment with growing it here in Brooklyn. Now, last year I tried growing some cotton (from seeds I ginned from purchased cotton bolls) when we lived in an apartment. I put it in bright sunny, west facing windows with no luck. An online friend said she had gotten some to grow in her south facing window in Ohio! So, this year, when we moved into our home, I decided to try it out in little pots in my north facing back yard. Well, let me tell you...cotton takes a long time to grow! I had two pots outside all summer long. One plant flowered and grew a boll. The other didn't. When the weather gold cold, I brought the pots inside and placed them in a very sunny south facing window. The boll grew and grew until finally, today, I noticed it had popped open! Inside is really some white cotton! Can you tell how thrilled I am? The second plant flowered and has a tiny boll growing on it. I never thought the plants would last long. They were showing signs of death. Leaves were drying up and falling off, even with watering almost every other day. But, those little plants are survivors!

Enough with the talk.... Let me show you what I"m talking about.


Well, well, well! I'll be......! Cotton can grow in Brooklyn! And I did it! Yes, sirree, I did it!!

New Projects

Well, it's been a while since my last post! I've finally made some time to list some of the projects I've been working on lately. My life has been so stressful lately, and these projects have helped me maintain my sanity. I can't express how good it feels to work with fibers. The feel of the fiber in my hand; the smell of it; the look of it - it makes me feel happy! I love the process so much. The finished yarn and project are secondary for me. Anyway, here are a few of the things I'm working on currently. There's one finished item also!


Merino/Viscose pencil roving on spindles. This wool was gifted to me by a good internet buddy and handyed by me.



Dane Shawl made from handspun, easter egg dyed corriedale wool fleece. Can't wait to finish this!



CVM wool on spindles. I love this wool!



Crocheted Hat for the man! Made with my handspun superwash wool.



Socks for the man!


I'll try to be a good blogger and update more regularly. I'll also have some more pics of my thrift finds! Love, Love, Love.
Peace!

I'm back!!!!

t's been so long since I've blogged. So much has happened since my last post.
We moved into our house! That was a nightmare. I've put away just about everything and just have to figure out where I'll hang the pictures. I have some storage issues, so i'm looking for a solution to display some cherished items in the kitchen. I realize it's going to take some time to acquire some just right pieces. We didn't have much furniture in our apartment, so the house is sparsely furnished. That's actually fine with me, as I am trying to stay away from the clutter that was our apartment - mainly my crafting supplies.
I'm still getting accustomed to 3 floors plus a cellar. It's a lot of house to clean and there's always something to be done. I am trying to enjoy the house, but it's hard when you don't have all the things you want. I must nevertheless take time to give thanks for all that we do have. I'm very grateful.

I'm still spinning, knitting and crocheting. A bit less than usual though. Trying to get back into my grove. What I've been doing quite a bit of is thrift store shopping. Finding cute, functional things to decorate the place. It's a lot of fun, and looking for the bargains is a blast. Whether alone or with a friend, I'm totally enjoying myself.

I have some photos of some things I've accumulated lately that I want to share. Photos were taken with my blackberry, so excuse me if they don't look too hot.

Small trinket box made of colored glass, with a mirror insert


Inside of a pea pod - bowl?


Milk glass planter


Two soup bowls - Hull pottery


Another milk glass planter


Milk glass bowl -flower





"This old house" canister



Clay pottery - lipped pot


Old "Farmhouse" milk bottle