This and that

I've taken delivery of a new spinning wheel, another Ashford Traveller.She tells me her name is Tallulah:)
Lulu the Lendrum has gone to a new home because we were not getting on at all.
I've decided that it was mainly because of my health problems. Having one leg and ankle that are very much bigger than the other side affects my spinning on a wheel that is not a true double treadle. I seemed to push harder with the bad leg which affected the balance and made the fibre jerk as it was taken up by the bobbin.
Total nightmare to spin which kind of defeats the relaxing object doesn't it?

So Lulu went and Tallulah arrived.

She came yesterday and Mr Mog waxed her and put her together for me. I started spinning as soon as she was ready and it is so comforting to be able to spin once more.

It has been a while since we spoke, what has been going on chez Moggie?

We house and cat sit for a friend for a few days. great to have a coal fire once more and having furry friends was a real delight.

Had lots going on with the aged aunt. Sadly she was very ill and ended up in hospital with acute renal failure and various other things.
She is still there but improving a little. She will hopefully be going into a nursing home in the next few weeks as she has accepted she is not able to cope on her own.
It doesn't seem as if she will be moving up to a care home near us but that is ok as it is what she prefers.

MiL is doing really well in her care home, better than we have seen her for many a day. The good food, company and health care are working wonders on her.

Spring is here with a vengeance, lots of warm days and sunshine.

Mr Mog planted potatoes in bags today, peas and beetroot.
Flowers are everywhere adding their colour to the place.

I am very sore but trying to do without my pain relief as much as I can to give my body a rest from all the chemicals.

Looking forward to a trip to Wonderwool next week, a chance to meet up with friends and like minded people.

Working with new tarot cards, waking the wild spirit tarot from Poppy Palin.

and there you have it:)

How is the world with you?

And so the add1ction grows, even to the extent of tempting others.

Why did no one tell me how addictive spinning could be? Why did they let me walk into it with eyes closed, not knowing the torment that would ensue? Who knew just those few short weeks ago that I'd be addicted? What is more not just addicted but forcing(VBG) my husband to take up the self same craft.
We went to the local guild yesterday morning and there was an ad for an Ashford traddy from one of the members.
Yes I know, I have one already BUT I want to put a jumbo flier on it for plying yarns because I can't put one on my double drive traveller. Then said husband pulled a face and said "But I want to learn to spin" After all we had tentatively agreed this was going to be his wheel to practice on.

The upshot is we are now a 3 wheel family, 2 for me and 1 for him. Well 1 .5 each if we are being exact as we will both use the jumbo to ply on.
Meet Claudia the newest member of the family. Why Claudia? Do you remember the song Laudy Miss Claudie? That is exactly what I thought when seeing them posing so prettily for their picture to be taken.
So we now have Myrtle the original traddy, Claudia the new one and Tilly the travelling one:)

I have warned him that he needs to keep his hands off my fibre stash though.

Berries indeed:) and Tilly joins the family.

I started with this, dyed to reflect the colours of the fruits that are in abundance at this time.


I finished with this which I am so thrilled with. I love the way the colours blended as I knit it and I love the richness of the finished jacket.



It blends perfectly with the fruits, don't you agree? A memory of Nature's abundance whilst wearing it throughout the winter.

I do love this pattern as you can probably tell:)
Back view, just as full of berry stains as the front is.

So what will be next on the needles?

I'm imagining the colours of the trees as they fade slowly in preparation for their Autumn splendour. The bright greens and acid limes fading to a more muted palette. This will be my next project.
In an Elsewhere jacket of course:)

Currently on the needles is a silky shawl in purples and jewel shades, named by a dear friend as Checkers as it reminded her of her Chinese checkers set as a child. I always find it strange what things and smells can evoke memories for us all.
A lovely day with good friends yesterday. We were going to go to our local knit group but became waylaid and didn't actually get there. It may have had something to do with Mr Mog and Megs Man putting a new wheel together for me. It may also have had something to do with Laal Bear having to help them make the finishing touches. You would be proud of me I am sure that I selflessly allowed her to have first turn on the wheel.
She is an Ashford traveller and her name is Tilly. I'll post pictures once I take some.
She has a double treadle and a double drive band , she will be a little easier for me to treadle as well which will help with this rotten health stuff I am having at the moment. Plus side also is that she will travel:)
We had our first day of sunshine yesterday in many days. Laal Bear and I took the opportunity to sit outside for a while and enjoy the warmth of the sun. You can smell and feel Autumn's touch now though. Not just in the morning and at dusk but throughout the day. She moves ever nearer as each day passes.I see where she has travelled when I look at hedgerows and trees. Lots are showing their colours now. I feel a trip to woods will soon be in order to take part in the colourfest.
There is nothing quite like sitting among mature trees and looking up into their canopy. To see the colour progression. You can tell which way the wind blows by how coloured each tree is. The more sheltered areas still have rich verdant leaves. The more windy spots are turning fast.
What will you do to celebrate Autumn?