In Case You Didn't Know - I Like Pink

Hiya from a.,

So with all those big projects that I've been working on, I decided to whip up a couple of other things and here is one of them.  I did my first cowl.  Though it actually isn't a cowl as per definition, but what is called a cowl on ravelry, which means circular scarf/neck wrap/neck warmer thing.  Anyways it came out super cute and neat looking, in James Brett marble, which is a nice changing colour.

I think that it came out really neat.  I also made a pink hat, but I'll show you that another time.
Take care.

Stupid Big Projects

Hiya from a.,

We're sorry we aren't keeping up with the weekly posts, but r. is busy trying to secure our future and I decided this fall to take on big crochet projects, which means it takes a long time to show you our faithful readers (hi to the moms and woolwine) completed items.  I'm in the middle of two sweaters and three blankets, and I've run out of yarn for the blankets (a standard happenstance) and well sweaters in fingering weight yarn take a really long time.  I know I could show you projects in media res, but I just can't roll like that.  Instead I did take time out to make a couple more spindles.

These are a heavier version, it is a wider dowel and more sculpey.  Also, I'm pleased with the progress on my colour blending.
The other thing I have to show you is a new skirt I sewed:

It's nothing fancy, but I am pleased with how cute it came out.  It is some denim fabric with side panel insets and some circular cutouts.  Here is a close up shot of the pink fabric:

It is fairly cute skull fabric, that I found on the clearance wall at Joanns.  In all I think this skirt cost about 6 dollars to make, so that is a definite win!
I should have another post in the not too distant future (maybe even next Sunday AD [anyone who gets that has a chance to win a toy surprise]) as I decided to take a break and whip up a couple of quick projects to break from the big ones.

That's all.

Never Let Me Loose in a Hardware Store

Hiya from a.,

As you know from previous posts, I have taken to spinning, like a cat to an empty lap.  The problem has been that I really only have two drop spindles (the third really functions best for plying, not spinning).  There are a lot of gorgeous spindles out there, some wood, or resin, funky or classic looking.  The problem is that they can start to run pricey, and I (as you well know dear readers) have a limited crafting budget.  Thus I decided to make my own.  There are a fair number of tutorials out there on how to do this, so I read some basics, but didn't want to use a CD or a toy wheel, and then I realized an inexpensive, but potentially really pretty option - polymer clay (aka Sculpy III).  I was able to get four colours at the local art store for 9 dollars, and then I went to the hardware store to get dowel and hooks.  I actually left the hardware only buying what I needed, but I did get distracted numerous times, by wire, screws, and awls.  So at this point my investment (okay not so much my, as our patron's investment [Hi Mom!] ) is 19 dollars.  The advantage to making your own drop spindles is that you can also kill an afternoon playing with clay.

Here are the results (there were 4 prototypes, 2 were successes and that is what you are seeing):

So here we are: modeling clay, cut up 4 foot dowel, and some ceiling hooks.  The other tools involved were a blade and sand paper, which I already have.  I got the circle shape from the lid of a canning jar.  They have a small bit of wobble, but seem to work.  I also bought a slightly wider dowel, and I'm curious what will happen when I work with that.

I know I have mentioned them both (I think) before, but I have to raise a glass to my dad and grandfather, for passing onto to me, the utter conviction of capability.  I come from a line of people who like to tinker, putter, and figure out how to make things, and I kind of love that.   My grandfather liked to play with finishing furniture (and building outdoor stuff with telephone poles), my dad likes to move walls and build backyards, finances and space have me making spindles (though just wait until those two restrictions are removed).  This leads r. to being a part of an elite group (with my mom and grandmother) who get an eye twitch or just shake their heads as a Dafoe walks by muttering "I wonder if..." or "I bet if I just...."

That's all.