Friday, August 27, 2010

I finished the wool and silk felted scarf I had been working on.  It turned out very pretty.  I just might have to keep this one, since I don't have anything red!  It was easy to do and maybe I will make up some kits to sell so you can make your own.   I've got my tencel nepps dyed red and plan on blending a few of them with some beautiful dark brown yak fiber.  Maybe this week.

Summer is winding down, at least in north Idaho.  We had a dust and wind storm yesterday as a cold front dropped in for a visit from the north.  Lots of fires fanned by the swirling winds.  It would be nice if we could get some rain too. 

We had our front yard somewhat landscaped over the past few weeks.  I had a water problem in the back of the house I hope is finally solved.  After the yard was planted with new grass, we had the front porch screened in.  We may not be able to use the porch much longer this summer, but next summer it will be so nice not to fight the moths and bugs every time you go outside.

Our sky is normally so blue, but this picture was taken right in the middle of the wind and dust storm.  You can see how gray the sky was yesterday.  The inside of the house is now covered with a fine brown dust that seeps into every crack and crevice.

Friday, August 13, 2010

How busy can one family be?  We've had eight baby kittens for several weeks now.  Three different litters, all with no momma kitty.  Its so sad how things happen that way.  Last week we were asked to take in another single baby.  He is very thin but so sweet.  He's all white with one green, one blue eye.  My daughter believes he is completely deaf.  Not surprising with the eye colors.  She's finally got him on the right track eating and drinking on his own.  Quite an appetite!  Then this week she was asked to take another litter of five.  They are about three weeks, mom was killed by a coyote and they are all being bottle fed every couple of hours.  She has such dedication and love for these little beings.  After they are a few months old she returns them to Priest River Animal Rescue shelter to be adopted.  Here is a picture of one of the white Siamese babies.  Three white and one gray.  Kitten anyone?

While she is busy with the kitties, we are also having a portion of our property landscaped.  I'm so excited about that.  Its something that's been needed for several years.  The guys work hard and are doing a wonderful job.  I can't wait to post a picture once its all done.

So ... who has time to spin or weave?  I got out some beautiful, soft Yak rovings this week but wanted to dye up some tencel or cotton nepps in a contrasting color before I spin it up, but just haven't had a minute to do it.  Hopefully after Labor Day things will calm down and I can get some 'fun' stuff going on again.  We're going to Blanchard Daze tomorrow, parade then a craft type fair.  Always a good time with good food.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Carding is not hard ... my 10 year old niece carded her first batt all by herself.  I showed her how to do it, gave her some hunks of fiber and turned my back to work on something.  Pretty soon she had this beautiful batt ready to remove from the carder!  Beautiful.  This is a blend of alpaca, mohair locks and some odds and ends of different wools.

This has been a very busy month and it looks like there's no end in sight.  We went to the Art on the Green last weekend.  Didn't buy too much but its always so much fun.  I love the street craft show and the food.  We've had so much wind today we can't get much done outside.  The lawn and flowers are drying out but not much we can do.  Hopefully it doesn't last much longer.

I have a carpenter working on the front porch, screening it in at last.  At least we will be able to sit outside without being attacked by moths and mosquitos.  Also have a landscaper scheduled to help with the drainage situation, which is a winter-time worry.  The ground freezes, then the snow melts and no where for some of the runoff to go.