I am quite jocund today. I read the book: This Is How I Go When I Go Like This by Linda Collier Ligon. I felt like I was in her livingroom having a friendly chat, reminiscing and comparing stories.

Here is a tidbit of the book. Do you relate to this?

Quoted from: This Is How I Go When I Go Like This by Linda Collier Ligon

1. I will not buy any more little bits of fiber (unless they're really wonderful).


2. I will finish spinning each bunc of fiber before I proceed to another bunch (unless I can't help myself)


3. I will rearrange all my yarns and fibers, currently organized by color because they look so lovely that way, by utility. No more fuzzy mohair in with the dish-towel yarn (unless they look made for each other).


4. I will ruthlessly dispose of any yarn that i've had more than ten years and will surely never use (unless it has sentimental value).

Linda writes about her local spinning and weaving guild: "and found my local spinners' and weavers' guild, a hodgepodge of ages, backgrounds, lifestyles, skill levels, and tastes, all tied together with a tenuous thread of interest in an unusual and somewhat obsolete pursuit, that I felt the whole me was completely at home, completely accepted. The only thing the members of my guild had in common was a love of fiber and a love of potlucks."

Can you hear me chuckling LSWG guys and gals? Sound familiar?

And for the real smile breaker that I am 99.9% sure we have all done. "When I feel the urge to weave, I survey my hoard and, more often than not, go out and buy more." :-)

I really felt at home reading this book, and a rejuvenated inspiration to keep "passing it on"; the love of fiber arts, history, tradition, etc.

Definitely a recommended read.

Spring Planning

Visions of herbs and vegetable plants growing in the garden. Anise Hyssop, Chamomile, Oregano, Rosemary, Stevia, Chives......sun glowing down warming the earth. Sunshine warming my face......energizing my entire being...... The smell of fresh lavender wafting through the air.

Visions of sitting on wrap around porch of an estately sized victorian home near the ocean. Sun beams warming my being as I sit rocking and knitting with my friends. The sounds of waves lapping onto the beach, clicking needles, and the creaking of the rockers. The smell of salt water, lemons and wool. Comfort...peace.....friendship....

The stillness of winter, the white snow, warmth of the fireplace, enjoyed once again eventually to wake up and bloom again. The great circle of life. Each season to be savored for its own beauty...not to be rushed.

Woolen.....Worsted....Confused?

It's been a while since my last post. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday. May the New Year see you healthy, happy, and prosperous. So Woolen....Worsted.... Let's keep it simple.....

• Worsted PREPARATION of fiber is "combing". Usually performed on longer stapled fibers. Fibers are kept in a parallel formation.
• Woolen PREPARATION of fiber is "carding". Usually performed on shorter stapled fibers. Fibers are NOT in complete parallel formation.
• Worsted SPUN or SPINNING - also known as the "Short Draw". Usually performed with longer stapled fibers or worsted PREPARED fibers.
• Woolen SPUN or SPINNING - also known as the "Long Draw" Usually performed with shorter stapled fibers or woolen PREPARED fibers.
• Worsted WEIGHT yarn - #4 - Medium Weight yarn. Most common WEIGHT yarn. For knitting: Needle US 7-9 Gauge 16-20sts/4" For Crochet: Hook I-9 to K-10 1/2 Gauge: 11-14 sts/4"

I use the word USUALLY when giving definition. I use it for the reason..........SPINNING though at one time very necessary as a way of life is also an ART form.

"Art is the process or product of deliberately arranging elements in a way to affect the senses or emotions. It encompasses a diverse range of human activities, creations, and modes of expression, including music, literature, film, sculpture, and paintings. ..." Wikipedia

Be open to spinning freely.........spinno liberado......

Will speak on yarn weights here shortly. Have a great evening.

Hey I like that SPINNO LIBERADO!!!!!!!!!

Brisk It Is

What can one say. It is downright cold outside here in Holtwood, PA. But though it was cold outside, my day was a warm one. And though this is not fiber related, it is well worth sharing. You know, it's the little things in life that make the world a better place. I stopped at Darrenkamp's to get a few items. It's freezing out, it was a long day, kind of feeling a little blue, and when I returned my cart to the cart return in the parking lot, Ted (Darrenkamp's Outside Services)(and I looked at his name tag) said "Thank you for returning your cart". That kind word actually made me tear up. He took the time while working out in the cold to say "THANK YOU". I got in the car and thought, if he can take the time in this cold weather to say "THANK YOU", I can surely take the time to let him know I appreciated that SMALL ACT OF KINDNESS. So, I pulled up to the front of the store, said "excuse me" and explained to him that his "thank you" meant a lot, and gave him a small token of appreciation (to get a cup of hot anything for working outside).

How different the world would be if we can remember to use our manners, talk nicely, and be kind to one another. Even in tough situations, it can help to be the calm, kind one.

That's it for tonight. Yes I am going to go play in the wool. Got some pickin' to get done.
Stay warm, stay safe, stay dry.............

Tea for Two

Listen to the wind crinkle outside. Cold, crisp, and a good day for tea. Went to a wonderful tea room in Delta, PA and had tea with Santa, and my mother and my daughter. Enjoyed a decafeinated chocolate mint tea, and my little girl had Candy Cane tea. Santa gave each little girl a gift (teacup and saucer, and crayons and goodies). We also delighted in finger sandwiches, cookies and scones. The house we were in was built in the 1890's. It had beautiful wood floors, large or should I say LONG windows and a beautiful staircase. The original owner also owned the bank which still sits across the street, but is boarded up. He also owned a theatre, livery stable, and I believe the slate quarry. It was an enjoyable day.

Washed up some Romney X fleece. It turned out absolutely beautiful. Snow white.

BeforeAfter

Oh how good it felt to touch and smell the wool. A nice lanolin to it, and soft after washing.

Just absolutely beautiful.

Creative Flow

Do you ever have those nights or days where you just can't shut your brain off? My brain has been on overdrive with creativity and I don't have enough time to do it all.
Wool, Roving, Washing Fleece, Studying Fleece, Playing with Fleece, Spinning Fleece, Knitting, Crochet, and all the other ideas I come up with. Oh and I can't forget making my homemade lip balms and soaps. Can you smell the Lavendar? Oh and many more scents.........

I have just finished a CVM fleece, and will be working on 2 Romney Fleeces. The smell, touch, texture of the fleeces. I'm in heaven.

See, my mind is just flitting from here to there.

I really just finished updating my website www.folklorefibers.com Updating the Education page. Offering lessons, and the new Wool/Fiber Study. Also put together an order form to purchase products. Now I just have to get the products posted.

Hope everyone had a Wonderful Thanksgiving. It's only 22 days away from Christmas. Like I said in a previous post. It's here.........whoooosh..........it's gone.

Have a good night.....see ya on the flip side.

It's Here............whoosh It's Gone

Holidays/Christmas...............they are here...and they will be gone. How do we slow them down? Or, how do WE slow down to enjoy them? Well, in my structured, organized fashion, I map out the calendar for what I want to get accomplished on what days. I make lists....gift lists, meal lists, chore lists, project lists......then set out to get one item done on a list at a time. To truly enjoy the holidays though, I make sure I set time aside for me. And being the fiberholic that I am, yes, it has to be fiber related. Yes, I even plan that spare moment. I sit and knit or crochet or better yet, spin........hhhhuuuuuummmmmmmm..........yoga for the brain.........whirling whorl....which gives off a nice breeze.......softness flowing through my fingers as the roving passes through it.........and oh yes, a little exercise as I treadle. Enjoy the Holiday Season as it is upon us. In my mind, the Holiday/Christmas Season is a lifestyle I try to keep all year long with a short celebration November/December. We have family, friends, people in need, all year long. Why not be kind to them all year rather than for 30 days from November to December?

Okay, brain shifting gears. This weekend is the SAFONA Fiber Show. Saturday 9-5, and Sunday 9-4. Lancaster, PA http://www.safona.org/ for more information. I will have christmas gifts available. Rovings, Batts, fiber related odds and ends, teas, tea pots, tea cups, books, patterns, etc. I will be available to accept fleeces for processing. Or, just come and join me as I spin and enjoy all the fiber.