I'm still working on a banner, but I'm so busy with my book project and attempting to remain sane as the end of the semester draws ever closer, that thing's won't be pretty around here until after December 14th (and then, of course, the might could blog will be competing with the might could Christmas gift making for top priority). But one day, precious few readers who may actually see this, one day.
Despite the construction, there's no reason I need to postpone blogging about all the crafty goodness I've been up to. My compulsive knitting has yeilded me two half-finished christmas gifts (which technically means I've finished an entire christmas gift). I'm knitting my little sister Ann Budd's Tyrolean Stockings. I went cheap and chose some patons classic merino in gold for the job, but it does really show off the cables. I'm also working on the labyrinth scarf from Lynne Barr's Knitting New Scarves. I plan on knitting several patterns from this book; the scarves are deliciously sculptural and evocative.
On the book school front, I've nearly finished two of the four complex leather bindings I have to turn in before then end of the semester, and I'm over halfway done with my book. I'm actually in the middle of my final papermaking spree right now -- an edition of overbeaten flax, linen, and cotton that will be my endsheets. When it's dry I'll post pics.
I have hopes for this blog. I'd like to use it as a place to write about my arting and my crafting, but I'd also like to provide tutorials and links to interesting art and craft sites. In that spirit, I'll end with a link to Aimee Lee's website. She's a recent graduate from the Columbia College Book Arts program, and her work with hadmade paper is fantastic. Check it out!
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About Me
- Heidi
- A budget analyst by day and a knitter/just-starting-off knitwear designer by night. As a new Mom, I have come to deeply appreciate nap time, when baby-wrangling gives way to knitting and designing time.
My Favorite Things ... Right Now
good places to get lost on the web
Blog Archive
HHHH survey answers
I kind of post a lot these days, so I'm keeping my answers in the sidebar. Here goes.
1. How long have you been spinning? What skill level do you consider yourself?
I've been spinning since April, so I'd say I'm a beginner.
2. What kinds of yarn do you create (singles/2-ply/3-ply/art yarn)?
I spin singles, 2-ply, and some art yarns. I need to get another bobbin before I can try 3ply, and I hate navajo plying.
3. What do you spin with (spindle/wheel/both)?
Usually my wheel, but sometimes I pull out the spindle for a whirl.
4. What are your favorite fibers to spin with? Anything you don't like?
fine wools, alpaca, and silk, mostly, but I really like spinning just about anything. Except for really, really course stuff. I don't mind romney, but I'm not much of a churro girl.
5. Who are your favorite crack dealers fiber sources (etsy or otherwise)?
I like it raw, from whoever's got some good fleeces or blankets.
6. What kind of fiber do you want to try? I'd like to try hemp and cotton.
7. Is there any techniques you would like to learn?
spinning from a distaff, supercoils, (am playing with corespun)8. Do you dye fiber? If not, would you like to learn?
yup. I use natural dyes and wilton/koolaid. I haven't tried acid dyes yet.
9. Do you have fiber prep tools (and like to use them) or would you prefer ready to spin fiber?
Except for the next couple months, I have constant access to a drum carder.
10. What do you do with your handspun? What projects have you completed?
I sell some of it, and I knit with the rest. I just finished a handspun baby surprise jacket, and I'm knitting handpsun enclosures for my book.
11. Are you in need of any spinning gadgets (WPI Gauge, threading hook, etc)?
A WPI Gauge would be awesome.
12. What colors "fall into your shopping basket"? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love deep, rich colors, like dark olives, baltic blues, rust orange, etc. But I also like most other colors.
13. What is on your wheel/spindle right now?
some alpaca in the process of becoming 2ply worsted yarn for my sister.
14. What other crafts/hobbies do you have?
I'm a book artist. I also like to embroider, sew, and knit.
15. Other than crafts, what are you passionate about?
Community education. Both through teaching book/fiber arts and teaching about the value of handwork. I know that's sort of crafts, but I'm (en route to) making a living as a teaching artist
16. Do you have an online wishlist?
nope.
17. Is there anything that you collect?
vintage buttons, but otherwise, I try not to collect too much.
18. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Intertwined. A Fine Fleece. In Sheep's Clothing.
What magazine subscriptions do you have?
none. I try not to amass too much stuff, so I just buy the issues I like.
19. When is your birthday?
January 26th
20. What book or movie character do you most resemble in personality? Well, my personality is bold and brassy(say the people who know me best). So I guess whatever character fits that description.
21. What is the climate like where you live around this time (need to know for careful shipments of anything meltable)?
warm in the summer, but not too warm.
22. Tell us one weird fact about yourself!
I played rugby in undergrad. And I loved it.
Favorites
Candy: I'm not a candy person unless there are cadbury chocolates in the room.
Food: turkey burgers stuffed with spinach and feta. Yum.
Drink: tamarind flavored mexican soda pop.
TV Show(s): It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Arrested Development, Venture Brothers
Book(s): The Secret History by Donna Tartt, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, by Barbara Kingsolver, Anything by Margaret Atwood.
Guilty Pleasure(s): I have no guilt about my pleasures. Is that weird?
1. How long have you been spinning? What skill level do you consider yourself?
I've been spinning since April, so I'd say I'm a beginner.
2. What kinds of yarn do you create (singles/2-ply/3-ply/art yarn)?
I spin singles, 2-ply, and some art yarns. I need to get another bobbin before I can try 3ply, and I hate navajo plying.
3. What do you spin with (spindle/wheel/both)?
Usually my wheel, but sometimes I pull out the spindle for a whirl.
4. What are your favorite fibers to spin with? Anything you don't like?
fine wools, alpaca, and silk, mostly, but I really like spinning just about anything. Except for really, really course stuff. I don't mind romney, but I'm not much of a churro girl.
5. Who are your favorite crack dealers fiber sources (etsy or otherwise)?
I like it raw, from whoever's got some good fleeces or blankets.
6. What kind of fiber do you want to try? I'd like to try hemp and cotton.
7. Is there any techniques you would like to learn?
spinning from a distaff, supercoils, (am playing with corespun)8. Do you dye fiber? If not, would you like to learn?
yup. I use natural dyes and wilton/koolaid. I haven't tried acid dyes yet.
9. Do you have fiber prep tools (and like to use them) or would you prefer ready to spin fiber?
Except for the next couple months, I have constant access to a drum carder.
10. What do you do with your handspun? What projects have you completed?
I sell some of it, and I knit with the rest. I just finished a handspun baby surprise jacket, and I'm knitting handpsun enclosures for my book.
11. Are you in need of any spinning gadgets (WPI Gauge, threading hook, etc)?
A WPI Gauge would be awesome.
12. What colors "fall into your shopping basket"? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love deep, rich colors, like dark olives, baltic blues, rust orange, etc. But I also like most other colors.
13. What is on your wheel/spindle right now?
some alpaca in the process of becoming 2ply worsted yarn for my sister.
14. What other crafts/hobbies do you have?
I'm a book artist. I also like to embroider, sew, and knit.
15. Other than crafts, what are you passionate about?
Community education. Both through teaching book/fiber arts and teaching about the value of handwork. I know that's sort of crafts, but I'm (en route to) making a living as a teaching artist
16. Do you have an online wishlist?
nope.
17. Is there anything that you collect?
vintage buttons, but otherwise, I try not to collect too much.
18. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Intertwined. A Fine Fleece. In Sheep's Clothing.
What magazine subscriptions do you have?
none. I try not to amass too much stuff, so I just buy the issues I like.
19. When is your birthday?
January 26th
20. What book or movie character do you most resemble in personality? Well, my personality is bold and brassy(say the people who know me best). So I guess whatever character fits that description.
21. What is the climate like where you live around this time (need to know for careful shipments of anything meltable)?
warm in the summer, but not too warm.
22. Tell us one weird fact about yourself!
I played rugby in undergrad. And I loved it.
Favorites
Candy: I'm not a candy person unless there are cadbury chocolates in the room.
Food: turkey burgers stuffed with spinach and feta. Yum.
Drink: tamarind flavored mexican soda pop.
TV Show(s): It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Arrested Development, Venture Brothers
Book(s): The Secret History by Donna Tartt, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, by Barbara Kingsolver, Anything by Margaret Atwood.
Guilty Pleasure(s): I have no guilt about my pleasures. Is that weird?