A weaving prodigy, a volunteer and dreams of spinning

Yesterday's Textiles and Tea presented a prodigy! Astrid Tauber, brilliant weaver and dress designer, who looked to be in her twenties, great poise, but I kept having trouble understanding her speech patterns. I thought she's talking like a teenager. 

Turns out she's thirteen! Homeschooler, learned to crochet then weave when in fact too young for the classes, but was allowed to continue, I'm guessing when they saw her work. 

She's now doing online coursework in fashion design, but hand weaving is her driving force, including shoes,  she loves handwoven shoes. I loved her!

I really urge you to check her website for videos of her cheerfully weaving. She's lovely, and it sounds as if her brother is equally talented but with other forms such as wood.

Anyway, her weaving and design speak for themselves even if I can't follow teenspeak!

And last evening, longing to spin after seeing the latest newsletter from Sarah Swett, but worried about the pain that would ensue, I did a bit of research into e-spinners. Electronic, compact little things. Saving a lot of the movements that cause me trouble.

After I recovered from learning the $$$ cost, I watched a few enthusiastic videos, and realized nah, my objection to machines, that people end up in service to them, applies. Also they're largely plastic. And the servicing, and workarounds, I think I'd be in a different sort of pain! 

So I knitted a few rows of the current sock and felt much more cheerful. It really is a hardwired need, to handle fiber and make things.

And, since I don't have a really lightweight bathrobe, this hot summer indicating I'd better do something about that, I watched a hilarious video about simple tunic making by a cosplay historic designer, very skilled but really easy going in approach. 

This is ASH LG,  a very knowledgeable designer,  history, sewing, the lot, but not solemn about it.

I got some great tips which I'll put into action, after I've laundered the plain muslin I plan to use. For once I'm preshrinking. 

See the influence of the ironing board already? It's a miracle.  The muslin is some of that fabric I used to line the bedroom curtains. I can stamp it, or dye, or something, depending on what I'm up for at the time. It's a multi purpose kind of natural cotton muslin.

And a volunteer balsam flower suddenly showed up

It's a descendant of the seeds I collected on the sidewalk down the street a few years ago and gave to Gary because I had no space. His grow fine, and seem to gave decided to move here, too.  The original bed of balsam was torn out by a subsequent owner, so we conserved it.

And here's more info on that great orange fungus, thanks to Chris

Food happened yesterday, too, a new batch of yogurt, and salmon and parsley fritters

Happy prodigious day everyone,  enjoy whatever crops up.