Did you ever want a fireplace mantle cover with a little pizzazz??? Look at this. It is fresh and exciting.

 New dresser scarves, buffet covers, or fireplace mantle covers with little fiber locks.

The beginnings of my buffet cover.

After I got this far, I decided to purchase a felting machine.  It is like a sewing machine, but it does not have thread, just felting needles.  Felting needles resemble fish hooks on the ends.  This allows for the wool to be felted or small amounts to be pushed to the other side of the fabric. 

https://www.amazon.com/Janome-Needle-Felting-Machine-Exclusive/dp/B015YCBBRO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1533079677&sr=8-
3&keywords=felting+machines

I tried the edge of a decorative pillow with the new felting machine.  It worked very well and goes much faster than by hand with 1 to 3 needles.  

The recent accident in Branson, Missouri where Tia Coleman lost 9 family members on a Duck Boat that tipped over, really got to me. I have been on vacation in Branson and have ridden on a duck boat. After reading that her deceased husband was found with all 3 of their deceased children and about the promise he made of always taking care of her and her children.  This family must have been remarkable!  Can you imagine the love and compassion this family had for each other! 

These are the quotes from the KAKE news article:"Somebody told me that when they found my husband, he had all three of my babies," Coleman told Anderson Cooper on "Anderson Cooper Full Circle," a daily interactive news show on Facebook Watch. "So the reason I couldn't find them is because he was protecting them."

"That right there will keep me fighting for my family forever," Coleman said. "To know that he did (was) exactly what he always told me when we first met: 'I will always take care of you and our children.'"   

I challenge each and every one of us today to stand tall and take responsibility for our children and grandchildren.  Model the correct behavior and show them the right way to care for family. 

My new powder puff.

I found a use for vintage broaches.

https://www.joann.com/how-to-make-a-rit-dye-room-refresh/30913745P3.html#icn=inspirationLP&ici=Nav&start=1
Interesting roving wall hanging

Fermented Suint Vat Wool Cleaning Method

There is a method of cleaning wool that is becoming popular, even though it is not a new method.  It is where wool is placed in water and allowed to ferment.  Sheep make suint which is their sweat.  This is a natural cleaner. One of the best places online to view this method is at: 

https://mozfiberlife.wordpress.com/fsm/


Thanks for viewing!  Dawnie

Sparkle and Fiber

Newly spun fiber.  Merino and sparks from Paradise Fibers'.

 fiber club.  (That is not the name they have for it)  I didn't quite make Independence Day.  (Black, teal, green, orange, pink, and sparkle)   

I also painted my electric spinning wheel a pink and white.  It has a chalk or milk paint look. 


I don't like to use fiber that is not natural, unless it is nylon sparkle, Angelina, Mylar, etc.  I just like using wool, silk, cotton, etc.  It is just a personal preference. 

In case you need more fireworks!

                         

More fall-like colors, except for the pink.

Thanks for viewing!  Dawnie

Dying Wool

If I purchase wool or yarn at the yarn store, I miss out on a lot of fun.  I like to purchase wool directly from a farmer.  I scour the wool.  Then I place wet scoured wool in a pot of water treated with vinegar or salt, depending on the type of dye I plan to use.  This will allow the dye to activate and stay on the wool.    I like to place a stripe of powdered dye across the pot on one end.  Then a couple inches away I place another stripe of powdered dye.  I usually make 3 to 5 stripes of dye.  I keep in mind that blue next to yellow will make green.   Yellow next to red will make orange.  Green next to red will make brown.  Too many colors will make a big pot of muck!

Drying freshly dyed Shetland.wool.

I also like to purchase a whole fleece.  It is usually a little less expensive that way.  My favorite wool to spin is long, white,  kid mohair,  It costs as much as $65.00 per pound in some places.

Happy day!  Dawnie

SPINNING WITH THE USE OF A KANSAS PHOTOGRAPH

The Wichita Weavers, Spinners and Dyers' Guild is displaying our work for an upcoming event.  The instructions are to spin fiber, (I used Merino, bamboo, and tussah silk.), and make a pair of fingerless gloves to match a framed photograph of Kansas, color wise, using the handspun yarn.  I work at an apartment community and one of the residents took a picture of the lake the apartments surround.  I thought this photo would be a great photo to use for the project.  I purchased the wool roving to spin the wool.  I prefer to card my wool and make a one of a kind batt, but occasionally it is nice to buy fiber which is ready to spin.  This weekend, I spun the wool for the gloves.  I will keep you posted as the gloves progress. (They are over half done at this time.) I plan to make gloves like the gloves I crocheted a couple of years ago.  The photo is not in the frame shown above, but I will show you very soon.  I like the use of the photo as an inspiration piece.  What do you think?  Will it help inspire you?

My old blog posts are:

http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8166745332559091209#editor/target=post;postID=7680099103286704909

http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8166745332559091209#editor/target=post;postID=3145938961653381811