Wee Hours Once Again...

It's been awhile since I last posted.  Truthfully, I haven't been doing as much spinning as I would like.  I have been sidetracked by family issues.  This past weekend, I had to make an announced trip to Arizona to help my brother and sister-in-law move my mother from her Assisted Living to a 'Group Home.'  Here in California, a Group Home or Board and Care as we call them here, is a small residential home that cares for 6-10 residents.  Well, the group home my mother moved into is quite the Taj Mahal!  It is 26 bedrooms where everyone has their own room; 4:1 nursing ratio; and equates to 22,000 Square Feet!  ...all one level mind you.  The place is HUGE!!!   I have never seen a home that big before.  You should see the surrounding homes in the area, they are double the size... talk about MASSIVE.  Anyway, it's a beautiful place and I know my mother will get the best care there.

I know that I would barely have time to sit, so I did not take my wheel with me this trip, nor did I have any time to visit any fiber shops.  I did take a new knitting project Cat Bordhi's Mobius Cowl  using Noro cotton that I have had laying around for awhile.  I was going to use some hand spun that I had made, however, I needed something quick in that I had to leave pronto.  Anyway, here's a pic of my progress.  Once you understand the cast-on, it's a fairly quick knit.  Just don't get distracted, or you will be froggin' like I have had to do on a couple of occassions.  BTW, I swatched the yarn first to get the appropriate gauge.

I have gotten back on track with spinning.  I finished up the Hand Dyed BFL that I got last time I was in Az in August.  I think it turned our real nice.  It is super duper Lace Weight.  I have yet to decide if I want to two ply or Navajo ply.   Most likely, I will two ply it, for I have my eye on a pattern already.  I would share that with you know, but it is in the wee hours of the morning and I can't recall the name or where I have put the crazy pattern!  LOL

I almost forgot to mention that my beautiful daughter Briana got her braces off her teeth just in time for the first day of school of her Junior Year!  How time flies.  Here are before and after.  Doesn't she look pretty?

Ok, I've been up long enough, time to get back to bed.  Until Next Time... Buenas Nochas!

All Things String Beach Picnic 8/29

All Things String (Yahoo and Ravelry group) hosted a picnic at Heisler Park, Laguna Beach this past Saturday.  It was a wonderful, very warm day at the beach over looking the ocean.  My intent was to dive that day, but beaches had been closed the day before due to high surf.  Surf was still in the 2 to 4' range, so I opted to play in the water and surf with fellow Raveler Lemurdillo aka Brenna who came down to join us from Santa Cruz.  I also brought my knitting and Ashford Joy to the picnic, but between swimming, eating, and chatting, I really didn't get a whole lot accomplished!  

Also, those that know me, I LOVE Sea Turtles.  There was a young stud nearby that had an amazing 'Hawaiian' Turtle Tatoo on his back.  I politely asked if I could take a picture of him, and he was more than pleased to obliged.

Here are some pics from the event.  My only regret, is that I didn't get enough ocean shots of this amazing site.

In addition to my knitting and spinning friends, Renata who is the founder of the group, also invited some of her juggling friends to join us as well.  The following pictures are of Renata teaching Gwen's husband how to juggle batons!

.....and last but not least, My Ashford Joy Spinning Wheel with the Pacific Ocean aka Heisler Park behind it.

A New Journey Begins....

I recently posted about camping at Lake Cachuma and visiting Village Spinning and Weaving in which I bought two pounds of Merino.  A new journey begins as I start to spin for a shawl called Sleeves in Your Pi.

I have chosen a Pumpkin and and Nutmeg Merino Top that I plan on blending together to have a slight variation throughout the shawl.  I hope that I am not biting off more than I can chew!!!

Also while I camped, I was able to complete 4oz of a Merion/ Silk Blend and Navajo Plied it.  This is what it looks like now that I have washed and thwacked it.  I have just under 300 yards.

Not sure what I am going to make, perhaps some house slippers for the fall/ winter would be nice.  I plan on swatching it this evening.

  

My *NEW* Treasure

Those that *know* me, know that I love to shop at Thrift Stores.  You never know what you might find.  I usually shop for antique sewing machines, sewing notions, quilts, spinning and fiber related items, and early American furniture.  Some I keep, others I will resell on Craigslist for a profit.

My recent trip proved to be a worthwhile stop.  Upon entering the store, I noticed a very small chair.  It was in great shape, no scratches or cracks.  Not sure the maker, I presume it to be hand made by a craftsman just from the detail and workmanship that went into it.  What attracted me to it most, was it's size.  It is wide enough for an adult to sit on, but low enough for a child to sit on as well... or perhaps, to be used in conjunction with a spinning wheel!  It also has a high back, which was very appealing to me at the time.  

As you can see, it goes perfectly with my Ashford Traditional Spinning Wheel.  The best part about My *NEW* Treasure, it was ONLY $5.00!!!

First Spinning Project finished....FINALLY!!! Whoo hooo!

Remember way back in May when I spun my first Shetland yarn 'First Born'?  Well, I FINALLY finished knitting it up just last night into a wonderful Icelandic looking cap in which I used a free pattern from Ravelry called In-Between Seasons Cap.

Here is a recap of the process:

I am really happy with the results of my first spinning attempts and the cap.  It will be perfect for those chilly days working and diving off our local dive boats.  As a matter of fact, I will be DMing the Great Escape this coming weekend to Santa Barbara Island.  What a perfect time to show off my new cap!!!

Keep on Spinning! ...and Diving!

Jan in Cali

Happy 'Spinning' Anniversary to me!

Relaxing, Camping, and Spinning at Lake Cachuma

Today marks the third month that I have been spinning!  Whoo hooo!!!  The addiction and the craze has taken a stronghold on my being.  Today, marks Ashland's 3 month and Grace's 1 month Birthday!!!

Grace and I just returned from camping at Lake Cachuma here in CA.  We were camping on a beautiful bluff that overlooked the lake.  During our 4 day stay, we completed the 4oz of Merino/ Silk and even Navajo plied it.  It is now ready for the niddy noddy.

The Navajo Plying did not go as smoothly as it did on Ashland, but hopefully after streatching it out on the Niddy Noddy, washing and 'Whacking' it will become what I intended it to be.

We were going to visit the alpaca farm 'Ranch of the Oaks' however, due to traffic and the fact they had out of town guests, we weren't able to visit.  I did not leave the area however without fiber.  We managed to go to Solvang for a couple of hours where I spent some time at Solvang's

Village Spinning and Weaving.  I came away with not one, but TWO pounds of Merino Top.  One pound of Nutmeg, and one pound of Pumpkin to make myself a nice fall sweater.  I certainly hope that I'm not biting off more than I can chew.  LOL  I tend to do this with all of my hobbies.  I don't just dabble, I jump in Head First!

Burning the Midnight Oil.....Once Again

You would think that I would be tired.  My daughter and I drove 6 hours today returning to California from Arizona.  Upon arriving home, I did the usual household chores; then it was off to sewing, quilting, and then more spinning.

I took my Joy with me to Arizona.  I started to spin a Merino/ Silk blend that was hand dyed by Fluff Fibers (Etsy).  I hope to Navajo ply and to have enough yardage for a pair of socks.  i continued to spin this evening, for it's' too hot to go to bed (no AC).  Mind you, it was hot in AZ, but at least it's a dry heat, unlike here in California where we tend to get some humidity.  Ugh.

Anyway, here are some pics of what I have done so far:

While visiting AZ, my daughter and I snuck off to the Fiber Factory in Mesa.  Very nice shop with wonderful friendly staff.  Outside there shop is an over sized stuffed pink chair.  I couldn't resist taking a pic of my DD Briana.

I came home with 4oz of hand dyed BFL.  Not sure what I will spin to make, perhaps more socks or maybe a nice pair of fingerless gloves for winter.  Project TBD.