Friday morning
This was lovely, since I was up in the middle of the night trying to get cool and having an early breakfast while I was up. It cooled off while I slept, much later than usual, and wondered if I'd missed my walking window. Seemingly not.
So I walked to the pond and saw the first turtles gliding into the water as I got close. Frogs are all splash, scream, swim, while turtles are slide, leisurely, under water and away. They're the sophisticates of the pond.
and home again to the plying process.
I had made a two ply yarn from the singles you saw earlier, blending a green wool with the silvery sparkle yarn.

More plying is planned because I have quite a few singles and I can make a warm two-ply from them, so I'll have a good supply for probably warm socks. So many ideas, so little time.
I needed to set up the plying better, because I was getting the yarns tangled. I can do this easily using yogurt containers. It's better than my usual Ready! Fire! Aim! approach. Of course there are beautiful craftmade plying thingies, but sometimes cheapo diy does it.
So here's the set-up. Yogurt containers with a hole punched in the lid for the yarn. The tp holders of spun yarn fit inside, one per container. This way they can't tangle. Then the two threads are fed through the lid and attached to the spindle. Then they're spun the opposite way from the original spinning. This is how you set up the ply. Then I made the plied yarn into balls ready to use.
There's a sexist name for this plying setup when it's a fancy tool, so I'm replacing it.
This is a brainy Kate. Just sayin.
Ply is an interesting word, from the Latin for fold. Seen in plying yarn, making plywood where the folding is lamination, and other meanings. Complicated is an offshoot, and you can see why, layers of meaning or activity. It's an economical word, containing many meanings in one syllable.
And some drawing happened again. Cool enough to sit outside with a cup of tea and peacefully draw the hibiscus. Just as a point of interest, there are different meanings around drawing and sketching.
In my usage, a sketch is a preliminary form of notetaking, not the final artwork. A drawing is the freestanding artwork, not a preparation for anything else. So I'm drawing here, not sketching.
I do sketch ideas for things I'll make, because they're the preliminary ideas for something yet to happen. None of this is a big deal, just a thought.
A neighbor who's been away came to visit and make sure all's as well as it can be at this point. This is a nice neighborhood. I gave him a bunch of sage to take home.
Happy day everyone, enjoy what you can.
Very clever how you put that together. Along with being an artist you have a bit of engineer in you.
ReplyDeleteI do like figuring out how to do things from what's available, that's true.
DeleteThe two ply wool is nice. I like your drawing too.
ReplyDeleteI have to get going spinning again, running out of thread to ply.
DeleteThe pond looks nice, and very relaxing. Humans and water go so well together.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a small pond, but so powerful in its way.
DeleteI love your drawing, plying, and brainy Kate. Your yogurt container, tp tube factory is very clever. Woke up to 72˚ this morning. Only getting up to around 95 today.
ReplyDeleteFor you 95 is moderate at this time of year. I like using very humble materials, as you see!
DeleteIt's a relief when fierce heat gives way to gentler temperatures. The body and mind respond with greater energy. Nice neighbours you have - ours are pleasant enough but we don't keep eyes on each other.
ReplyDeleteTo me, having grown up in the North riding, it's common to look out for neighbors, so this feels right.
DeleteThe photos of the pond are wonderful, reflection of clouds and blue surrounded by the ambience of green. No wonder the animals love it.
ReplyDeleteIt's small and very rich.
DeleteYes to inventive women getting the job accomplished! Love your hibiscus drawing...the fencing lines set off the blooms so well!
ReplyDeleteI do like to figure things out. Thank you for the nice words about the drawing.
DeleteYou've been so productive. Well done. I didn't realize you were such a wonderful artist as well. The plying is very clever.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I taught workshops for over 40 years, and I'm still exhibiting -- invitation to send a piece in to a Fall group show. I haven't decided what to submit yet.
DeleteI enjoyed the plying. Now I have to spin more.
Thanks. It is a will be a nice day here.
ReplyDeleteGreat for your walking and picture taking.
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed by your drawing and how you get so much detail into your picture. How long does it take you to produce something like that? Really impressive.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll answer that great question in the next post I write. Thank you for asking it.
DeleteYou have reminded me to draw.
ReplyDeleteDo it!
DeleteVery creative! Both the yogurt containers and the drawing. You do seem to have wonderful neighbors.
ReplyDeleteI heart my neighbors! And my brainy Kate.
DeleteYou are so clever. A very nice post. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteI really admire your drawing talent. The hibiscus is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm glad you liked looking at it.
DeleteThe yogurt containers was a brilliant solution!
ReplyDeleteI just love your drawings! They could be framed, lady! :)
Where'd my reply go? Anyway I thought the yogurt containers was a funny as well as cheap and handy solution! Checked several boxes.
DeleteQuite a few of my drawings are in collections, and you reminded me that need to send something in for the fall group show. Hm. Maybe a drawing. Thank you!
Your pond is a little gem. Our river used to be until some 'wise thinkers' decided that planting some sort of scrub bushes all alongside would stop the Canada geese from using the park as a bathroom. Sadly the bushes are an eyesore and...wait for it...geese can fly OVER said bushes. Wouldn't have been so bad had they at least chosen bushes that flower but no - just sticks with a bit of greenery that do nothing but block the view.
ReplyDeleteWho knew geese would fly?? Those decisions drive a person bonkers.
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