No I haven't, but I've just been busy beyond words. I've taken on a second parttime job in admin to smooth things over and I've been commisioned a few projects, am also learning to spin (started that at the Rotterdam Crafts fair about a month ago), which I enjoy immensely (not on a wheel, but for now with a spindle). Maybe I should just show you some of the projects I've finished? Pumpkin has not been born yet, but can be here any minute. Other babies have arrived safely and there are more on the way. Still fighting (and losing) with the yarn addiction, but thorougly enjoying it! The shiatsu school is promoting kidney warmers especially for women, as the kidneys and the tummy hold the essential ki and need to be pampered. I'm using alpaca wool for these projects. The prototype was handmade, but due to the rush in orders I'm afraid I will have to switch to machine made this week...................boohoo! still fun though, cuz the material is so beautiful, soft and warm.
Dineke from the Hague Spinners taught me how to table batt (so I don't have to buy an expensive carding drum yet), Ineke from Tissien in Haarlem taught me to make pencil roving or pre-drafting thru a buttonhole (very useful skills I must add). I'm now just starting to spin silk with a lovely little spindle made of purpleheart wood (my favorite ofcourse as it is you guessed it purple!). I have very lovely silk hankies painted in purple and turquoise, I want to mix that with something soft and squishy into a 3 ply thread, so one thin purple silk, one thin turquoise silk and then one, maybe merino or camel with silk or something nice in off white.
There is a big storm raging outside, were are caught between autumn and winter in Holland now. It's pounding on my house. And if I didn't have to go out today I wouldn't!
Have to get my day started so I'll see you again in a few months, or hopefully sooner!
