PICKING AND CHOOSING

This week I have been choosing fabrics from my stash that will represent pages that I have worked on in my sketchbook. Some were hand-dyed to work with my sketchbook and others I have collected along the way.
....interesting how we are drawn to a particular palette over and over again. My husband will often comment on a color scheme as we are out adventuring. It might be a fall field, an apple orchard, a bright rain jacket or a wild sofa cushion. He can pick them out and always says "It's you".
And he's right. I keep going back to my colors again and again...

MY LITTLE PETUNIA

Carrying on with my window box series, here is my latest rug. This was hooked with hand spun yarns for the most part. I spun from a natural roving and then carried on with the dyeing. There is a wee bit of both silk and cotton fabric in this rug as well. I'm having loads of fun with these new designs and have several more in various stages of production.
I've joked about this series before. Because I have issues with my vision these gardens give a glimpse at how I see the world. Still colorful and joyful, just different.


My little Petunia

Geranium Window

HAPPY YEAR 15 TO ME

Coming up on the 15'th year of London-Wul's existence I decided that it was time to treat myself to a new addition. Very timely of Richard Ashford to create a special Edition production wheel this year!
I am so impressed with this wheel. It is a piece of equipment that I settled into immediately, which is not always the case.
It churns out fine yarns with an economy of effort, silent and graceful. Though I do not have a tendency towards ornate wheels I can't help but appreciate the beautiful balance of line on this substantially sized machine. The Elizabeth Limited Edition supports a massive 30" drive wheel, this being the key to her fantastic capacity to produce quickly and efficiently.
And, what the heck, she's incredibly beautiful as well :)

I'm very happy. Happy to still be in a business that I love after 15 years.

ENTHUSIASM IS EVERYTHING

On Saturday Anna drove down from Fredericton and picked up her new spinning wheel.
Saturday evening Anna assembled her new wheel. On Sunday morning Anna had a lovely new skein of yarn. Enthusiastic and fearless. I love it....

NEED A NEW KNITTING PROJECT?

Here is a pattern designed by my friend Bill, from Toronto, who visits the shop each and every summer.

This is "Arsenic and Old Lace". Here's what Bill has to say about the shawl:

"I have turned to one of my favourite movies for inspiration. I’ve looked to the recipe for the poisoned wine the 2 old aunts use to release elderly gentlemen from their lonely lives - “For a gallon of elderberry wine, I take one teaspoon full of arsenic, then add half a teaspoon full of strychnine, and then just a pinch of cyanide”

Is that not brilliant?

You can find this pattern here:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/arsenic-and-old-lace-shawl


Here's Bill's Sea to Sea Shawl:


Bill says, " This circular shawl has motifs inspired by a cross-country trek across Canada. From the center out, patterns reference the Rocky Mountains, the prairie’s grain elevators and wheat, central pine trees, the fleur de lis and quaint east coast churches".

Amazing!
Find this pattern at: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sea-to-sea-shawl

SKETCHING ON FABRIC

SKETCHBOOKING

RECHARGE

Arnold and I spent the afternoon at our new getaway. This is our first summer on the property. We have walked it many times through the fall and winter. Now we are getting to know it in a different light. Best of all are the sounds. Waves, wind, gulls, ravens, sparrows and nothing more.

RELAX

Angus is our constant reminder of the power of relaxation.
Here he is assuming the position in prep. for family night. Yes that is a very large chair - not an illusion!
Happy Long Weekend everyone! Hope you enjoy some down time ...

NOT A BAD PLACE TO BE

.... spent the day at the shop, working in the dye pots.
Not a bad place to be.