Sunday, November 22, 2009

Getting ready ..... phew ....

.... seems to be the mode of things now a days.  Fiber in the door, weighted out, then into the pots.  No time to get all enamored by all the color possibilities -- I just wants it all!  There is always that 'what if' niggling at the brain -- you sometimes experience it when you are making the second of a pair - socks, mittens, sleeves, earring --do they really have to match?? ;)

This next batch is scheduled for hand-painting -- only do it over some solid vats dyes instead of painting the undyed fiber - to get even more variations.  Chestnut and indigo give a brilliant mallard green -- like I need a reason to get into the indigo pot.

Last Wednesday Debbi (Twisted Sunshine Designs) and I went to the Treadles to Threads Guild meeting.  They are currently doing a fiber study by having different members study a fiber then report to the group.  The fibers discussed were Perendale (wool) and Inego (plant based fiber).  Even if you do not know this longwool chances are you have walked on it.  The carpet industry uses this wool because of its resilience - springy carpet you like to wiggle your toes in.  Cheviot rams crossed with Romney ewes gives best of both wools -- "crisp springy fibers, high loft, good staple length and low luster" Clara Parks in The Knitters Book of Wool.   The Ingeo is made from the sugar in plants such as field corn, wheat, sugar beets and sugar cane.  Paradise Fibers carries this in top form.  The presenter said she spun some up and her pet promptly ate it -- with no ill effects.  You can find this is 'fluff' form at Jo-Ann's and Michaels under fake Snow that you put under your tree AND it is not flammable like the other fake snow is.  :)  I think I prefer the wool besides there are too many cats here to bring in 'edible' yarn - that would be too much opportunity for them to get into trouble.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Lambtown Pics


Lambtown was great fun. Maughra is busy making crazy batts!

The booth was so 'stuffed' with all the fiberlicious goodies, she had to literally stand in the back corner just to have space to work!  You can see one of the lovely cormo fleeces from Sue's booth next door at her elbow.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Where to begin. This particular spelling of Faerie is the one that refers to the magic surrounding the Fae Realm. This magic is most evident in the colors found in the dyed goods of Faerie Mountain Fibers.

The Faerie Realm is very colorful and we try to follow that in our color selections..... everything under the rainbow just about sums it up. From natural dyes to acid dyes we color our way through the fibers, dyeing anything that stands till long enough. At times it appears as if the faeries got into the acid before they started dyeing the fibers when the riot of colors are revealed in the dye pot!

First and foremost I am a certified silk junkie and a fiberholic. We at Faerie Mountain Fibers all share this addiction to its fullest. It is hard to keep track of the number of fleeces that are hiding in the corners - I know of at least 6 in my possession -- 3 of which are still in need of soap and water - lots!! There have been comments about the lack of room in my house because it is filled with fiber. I do not understand, there is enough room for me to spin, sleep and eat - what more is there?

Our first show was Lambtown, USA. It was great fun. Sue Reuser /Cormo Fleeces was one of our booth neighbors. A friend of hers brought her chinchillas. While working the booth we all took turns going over to pet both the chinchillas and the fleeces.

Excitement abounds as we get ready to do our first Stitches in Feb. 2010. That is a big step and an even bigger event. As I look at all the dyed fiber waiting patiently for its adoption to a new home sitting beside the plain fiber awaiting the soothing color baths I can't help but wonder if we do indeed have enough fiber -- but you can never have enough fiber, besides the one who dies with the most fiber wins or at least that is what I have heard!

I hear the dye pots calling ...............