Spinning Au Natural and Dyeing for More Blue

The past week I have been spinning a little bit almost every night, and this is the result.

"Au Natural"
150 yards Polwarth Fleece

I also did more dying on Monday. The following 2 batts are from the shetland fleece that I bought on Etsy a few months ago.

Adding a bit of blue

2.25 oz Shetland Fleece

The second batt:The blue was the left over dye from the green batt

You can never have enough blue...

2.5 oz Shetland Fleece

The lovely couple:

The colors are a bit darker in real life.

I really enjoy the method that I used for these batts. I just soak the batt in water and vinegar before it goes into the pot and then just drop the color on the fleece once it's in the pot and let it work it's way through. I really enjoy the color variations that I've been getting.

Also,I haven't come up with any names yet, so if you have any suggestions, please post them in the comments section!

I dyed last week...

but then I was brought back to life to share this with you ;) hehe

"Mossy Oak"
61 yards - 2ply Shetland Fleece dyed with Food Coloring

It's hard to believe that the first picture of the Shetland fleece in the pot turned into the last yarn picture. It started out so bright, hahaha.

"Rainbow Cotton Candy"
Approx. 5 oz. Wensleydale Fleece dyed with Food Coloring

Finally finished!

I have finally finished warping up my loom! This has been a long and arduous process because when the loom was brought to my house the warp strings were still on the back beam. Being a novice weaver (at this point I have never woven in my life, at least not on a loom, but definitely when I was a kid, with paper, to make a place mat) I just unrolled the back beam, and this created a big mess of yarn tangled amongst itself.

(This is only a fraction of the warp mess)

But, I finally stopped procrastinating and finished warping up! I am sooo happy that it is finally over and I have learned that unrolling the back beam with all that yarn on it was a bad idea.

Update: Inspiration...?

I have been working a lot lately. I'm sure you have noticed with the lack of posts. hehe... With working so much, I have lost a lot of my inspiration. I didn't realize how lucky I was to have so many great people around me at school to inspire me. Now, I have turned to the internet, as I'm sure some artists/designers do. I have pulled a few pictures that I have found, to share with you, dear readers, in hopes that it will inspire you as well.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Websites:
This is an amazing painting by an artist named Benini. I stumbled across it while I was looking up Rococo art on Google.

As I dive deeper in to my Textile Arts Program, I learn more about myself. Especially what I find esthetically pleasing. I didn't realize I liked floral prints and Rococo furniture SO much! lol

Inspirational Website

I stumbled across this website when I was searching for medieval textiles. It has some beautiful pictures

Side Note: Sorry I haven't posted in awhile, I've been super busy with work. My textile arts have suffered unfortunately.

"Barbie's Prom Dress" Yarn

WOO! Another yarn for the week. This one is a Corridale/Perendale (I'm pretty sure..lol) Blend. It is approximately 50yards and plied with a white wool yarn. The pink is hand dyed by me, and the blue/periwinkle is commerically dyed.
The pink is a lot brighter in person. I'll have to take better pictures when the sun comes around to the back of the house ... hehe

"Unicorn Tea Party" Yarn

I am in LOVE with this yarn! Not only is it super soft and squishy!, I love the name I came up with! *laughs*
This yarn is a blend of Merino and Soysilk that I purchased from the Fibers West Show I went to in March. There is approximately 131 yards with a W.P.I (wraps per inch) of 8. It is a bit of a thick 'n thin 2 ply but overall is fairly consistent thickness.

Update: Tapestry

I have finally taken the time to take a few pictures of my tapestry that I blogged about here. This tapestry was inspired by a picture of an ancient German tapestry that my teacher had. Unfortunately I do not have a picture of it, at this time. So, here it is... my tapestry. *drumroll*

7-1/4" x 10-1/4"

This picture is the truest version of it's colors. The picture below is a close up of the curls. (I have very poor lighting in my house).


This tapestry took a long time to weave and there are a few things I would like to change about it (i.e. the face) but I am very proud of it, and it is currently hanging on my living room wall.

Etsy Shop Update

I have taken my etsy shop off of "Vacation Mode" and I have added a few new hand spun yarns. So, make sure you stop by and check it out!

Quick Update

I have officially finished my winter/spring semester at school! That means I have 4 months off, well... I'll be working of course, but it gives me more time to create things for myself and my etsy shop. I have already started spinning the Merino/Soysilk blend I purchased at Fibers West in March. I'm trying to spin it fairly thin, so I can ply it into a DK weight/12w.p.i. (I'm hoping). Well, like the title says, this is just a quick update. Hopefully I will have more blog posts over the summer.

P.S.
I'm picking up a drum carder from school tomorrow for the summer! I am SOOO excited!