Tuesday I dropped off my ballot in the dropbox
Then on to the knitting group nearby in the library, only two today, but here's the table set up with books to borrow.
Talk ranged over making hats, embroidery, Maryland Sheep and Wool last weekend, freezing weather, gardening, Misfits market, local farm CSA and more.
Home to Textiles and Tea with a spinning wheel restorer, John Sturtevant. Not being at all into spinning wheels, I was surprised at how interesting I found it, largely because of his love for what he does and his love of learning. And what a range of wheel designs.
Here's a trolley wheel, really unusual, which he demonstrated on video.
His website is on the id slide, for more info.
Then I got back to my embroidery, which is my happy place just now
A range of stitches, some improvised, and I'm starting to see what I'm doing here.,and what needs to happen next. Wednesday is always quiet, so it may be a stitching day.
Happy day everyone, do your own happy stuff if you can. Sometimes in hard times it can be only a fleeting experience, but worth looking for. I know this is true right now for some blogistas. I see you. Been there too.
Looks like a very interesting Textiles and Tea episode. I've never spun (except for a try once with a simple drop spindle), but think spindles are fascinating things. I'm really liking the flowery embroidery at the base of the tree.
ReplyDeleteI'm a confirmed spindle spinner, don't like the wheel for myself. It was surprisingly interesting to see John's workshop.
DeleteYet another career I had never even imagined. I bet Mr. Sturtevant enjoys every unique challenge.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you keep showing up to the two knitting groups. It would have been lonely for the other knitter had you not. I hope attendance picks up again. Well done on dropping off your ballot, and YES to flashes of happiness.
Chris from Boise
It's his retirement career. He worked in manufacturing all his life, understands tools and machines. Groups tend to come and go, and I'm tenacious.
DeleteSpinning wheels are attractive in their own right. Being productive with one must be so satisfying. The rhythm and song of the work is calming, I would think.
ReplyDeleteQuite a lot of people like wheels as decor, even non working ones. But I prefer the closeness of the spindle. It's more personal.
DeleteThe more I see the more I love your gardenscape. We had a friend who lived in a 1721 farmhouse in rural Connecticut. She had a spinning room with a refurbished antique wheel. It was magical.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a fairytale! I wonder who restored the wheel for her.
DeleteThat is an easy way to vote. We don't seem to do much mail-in here, but the actual polls are numerous enough and the procedure is quick.
ReplyDeleteI started using mail in as soon as I was able to, to keep Handsome Partner company while he filled out his ballot at home as a disabled voter. Then I continued, even campaigning for universal access. In a town where people commute before the polls open and return after they close, it's very useful.
DeleteSpinning wheels are little technological marvels, aren't they!
ReplyDeleteThey're clever inventions.
DeleteI love the fact that John is barefooted in the picture of him demonstrating the trolley spinning wheel. I had no idea there were so many different types and designs. They are quite clever, aren't they?
ReplyDeleteDo you suppose that your brain already has its design in mind when you begin to stitch? Or at least a basic beginning that it tells you about as you go?
I think he may be barefoot because this is a valuable museum specimen, maybe not wanting to put shoes on the treadle.
DeleteThe ideas come as I work, usually suggested by the materials, in any medium. The ideas before that are neither words nor images, just a kind of energy. Hard to convey.
the spinning wheels kind of remind me of the windmill museum in Lubbock. didn't sound all that interesting until you got there. your next page is coming along nicely.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think it was his enthusiasm and expertise that got me interested.
DeleteI also am enjoying your embroidery. I really like the style of it. I'm surprised at how different those wheels are. Who knew? Not me.
ReplyDeleteI've seen a couple of different styles but some of these were a revelation. I'm glad you're liking the stitching process.
DeleteIt's so cool that there are people out there restoring and using spinning wheels.
ReplyDeleteSo niche!
DeleteThe knitting group always fascinates me. People bring so much to the group! And it’s not all material.
ReplyDeleteYes, ideas and support and fun all happen.
DeleteWhat a variety of spinning wheels.
ReplyDeleteThe trolley one cracks me up. It's huge!
DeleteI have never done any handicrafts, Boud, so find it interesting when you highlight many aspects of textiles and their production. Ironically, I live in a former mill that produced flannel blankets on very large mills.
ReplyDeleteYes, new England has a significant textile history. I'm glad the woollen mill was reused for housing. The structure is certainly sturdy enough,built to withstand the weight and percussion of heavy looms and other equipment
DeleteI'm glad you like the few insights in here.
I’ve wanted to learn to spin but I keep telling myself
ReplyDeleteI don’t need another hobby lol
They all look beautiful
A quiet Wednesday sounds great.
ReplyDeleteSpinning wheels are a complete mystery to me but they sure do make beautiful pieces of furniture. If suspect, if you know what you're doing, that the act itself would be quite meditative.
ReplyDeleteYes, spinning when it's done for pleasure rather than to clothe a family, is a mind calming activity.
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