It's been a while, and although I am supposed to be primarily on Blogspot, I must admit I miss the look and feel and folks of LJ. I've been blogging her for over five years (almost 6!) and some things really get to feel like home. LJ is one such place :).

This month's endeavours have been heavily weighed towards art batts. Boy are they fun to card up and spin up. I have some dyed silk and firestar drying, and some sari silk waiting to go into my next batches. I'm hoping the folks at Almonte's Fibrefest like them! Now, if only I could find the battery charger for my camera battery, I could take some more pics!

Any of you have art batts to share for inspiration?

I have looked at the demographics of my community and there seems to be a better fit with blogspot. With sadness (since I have been an LJ user under other profiles since 2003)  am migrating the blog component of Ottawa Valley Fiber Arts over to blogspot, but will see how I can cross post here...

Check out the new blog at ottawavalleyfiberarts.blogspot.com/

It might not be a good sign when you walk into a cafe and realize that it is the first time you have been out socially in the evening since your two year old was born. *sigh*

Not only was spinning the absolutely right thing for me, but clearly its people are too. I spent the evening with a bunch of knitters, spinners, weavers and generally cool people. I haven't felt more at home with mostly strangers in a very long time.

After an almond roca latte I spent the evening working on my scarf, woven with Mermaid's pleasure thickly spun from an art batt by stellalunag on Ravelery. Ana had spun up the "mystery fiber" confirmed to be wool/silk blend by hilltopfiber in a beautiful shade of lime green. I must spend more time spinning in order to approach that level of skill.

Meeting hilltopfiber was nice. It is really all her fault. I picked up her drop spindle kit earlier this year, which is what sent me into the upward spiral that resulted in Ottawa Valley Fiber Arts.

Serendipity meets at the local coffee house.

Oh no. Not another wonderful thing that feels right.

I chose one of Ashford's Knitter's Looms as a demo model for OVFA (Ottawa Valley Fiber Arts). I had spun up some Dorset singles in peacock colours, and decided to try my hand at weaving. Today, I realized I had not saved enough singles before plying to finish my scarf. *le sigh* So, I have part of a scarf.

I can weave! It is relaxing, like spinning, and rhythmic. And for someone a little impatient like me, more gratifying than knitting. Here is a picture of my first woven item. I anticipate more in the future. I think ragz or anabanana from ravelry had suggested a need to focus on projects and not just spinning. Or was it knitgeekery. Too many cool ladies to tell...



So here's my goal for the next while: Projects from fiber to finish...one step at a time. Prep, dye, spin, weave, share. Rinse, wash, repeat.

PS I may order a large loom as a model for the business. I want to support local weavers as well, and to do so, need to learn myself. Tempted, very tempted. Any suggestions?

Because spinning, knitting, mothering, working and running a business aren't enough, I opened the Ashford Knitter's Loom that is earmarked as a floor model last night and put it together with *help* from my two year old.

I can see that weaving might be addictive like spinning. I have woven a few inches of a very fine scarf in the peacock Dorset that I spun up this week. It is beautifu!

The Loom comes with a carry bag, so I can take it to work and weave at lunch. I think sitting under a tree and weaving will be a fine way to spend time until I am able to take a wheel into my office.

I have a large corner cubicle, so I think I can sneak a compact wheel in. I am sure it will start conversations if nothing else!

Totally tired tonight.  Our youngest was up late, our middle up early.  Not enough sleep.

Need to find time to call AnaBanana and ragz!



But I have a hug box-o-fiber, books and knitter's looms in my kitchen. I just updated my inventory with gorgeous silk merino sliver from Ashford on the shop site. This blend is to die for. I have three huge bumps now! I first found this in little gift bags at Knitch in Seattle. Lovely LYS if you ever are in the area.

Can't wait to try the Knitter's Loom. Should I take the 12 inch or the 20 inch for the store? *sigh* Decisions, decisions.

But for now, to finish up my peacock colored Dorset roving. The singles are coming along nicely.

Poll #1417630 Which Fibrefest to attend?
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 1

Which Fibre Festival should I attend in September

So this week I have started totally  redeveloping my site in anticipation of a relaunch in July and the addition of new products, and more stuff!

Yikes. Far too much computer time, far too little spinning. And my jaw hurts from getting my wisdom teeth out. The most exciting thing is that I will be adding a studio section. Yes, creation by me! Hand dyed top and roving, fleece, and handspun yarn.

My Knitter's Looms from Ashford come this week -- one as a floor model for the business, one for stock. I am looking forward to weaving something up for show and tell. If only there were more hours in the day, and I could do everything -- website work, dye, spin, weave...and care for my family, myself and my day job!

You've gotta love www.keepthefleece.org/. Their goal is to raise a $250,000 for the largest fiber flock in the world for Heifer International, a charity that aims to end world hunger and poverty and care for the earth. Ottawa Valley Fiber Arts is gathering a team to contribute to knitting the world's longest scarf.

Want to join us? You can contribute in one of three ways:
1. Spin up some natural fiber and drop it off/send it in.
2. Knit up the handspun into a 9 inch wide scarf.
3. Spin and knit a part of the 9 inch wide scarf.

Contact me and let me know how you want to be involved. I'll provide two ounces of natural fiber for you to spin if you join us! Our scarf needs to be completed by mid-September in order to be mailed to New York, where it will be joined with all the other scarves from this initiative.

Ottawa Valley Fiber Arts will donate $1.00 per knit row to Keep the Fleece, which will be used to purchase animals for the world's largest fiber flock.

( Scarf Requirements )

 

Yesterday we went to Lamb's Down Park Festival at the Canadian Sheep Grower's Cooperative. Watched a sheep shearing, and got a fleece. Mmmmm...yummy, lanoliny fleece. Can't wait to scour it and spin it up!
Met with a very nice gentleman from Ontario Sheep Farmers Association. Nice people, and I hope to help the local sheep community through my business. In Ontario (or elsewhere?) Need a fleece? Give me a shout, and I'll try to get you the breed you are looking for. This might be better organized next year than this year...As a younger spinner (i.e. 34 ish), it struck me that we need to get out and spin in public more. Spinning is NOT a dying art (well, it is a dyeing art, as evidenced by the two hours I spent dyeing this morning...) and there are many of us who will carry on the craft .Spinning and weaving week is in October. www.weavespindye.org/pages/ I encourage everyone to do something radical, like spin in public that week!One more cute pic under cut...( Dorset Lamb )

Hello all! This is my new LJ to chronicle my fiber and handspinning adventures. I discovered spinning by hand this year after yearning for yarn with more texture for my knitting. I picked up a drop spindle by happenstance, and the rest is history. Recently, I started Ottawa Valley Fiber Arts. I hope to share my passion for spinning by hand, and to share great information and great products with others.