Wool Clip, spinning guild and bags

Yesterday was our final guild meeting before Yule.
I was hoping to be well enough to attend and thankfully I managed it. We didn't stay all day but really enjoyed ourselves. The guild has a wealth of skills within it and there were people spinning, weaving, knitting and nuno felting. Everyone brought food to share and there was a great variety on offer to eat. From prawns and salmon to veggie to meat based and as for the desserts chocolate roulade, tarts, vanilla cream and much more. It was a beautiful frosty day and everywhere had the glisten of icicles.

Cecilia was spinning some sock fibre in a luscious heathery pink you can just see the colour if you click on the picture.
There were a good crowd of us, this shows one view.
Mr Mog was spinning merino, when he wasn't drinking tea:)
Cecilia is a member of the Wool Clip which is a cooperative of crafts people based on Caldbeck Fell , for anyone who hasn't been there do check back on my older posts and you will see some of the stunning work they produce. A great place to visit and some lovely work to purchase. There is also a yummy tea room on the floor above. Sadly due to the floods in Cumbria things have been very quiet lately and I am not sure everyone knows that these super places are open and would love to see you. Not just the Wool Clip but the rest of Cumbria. Do come and visit, you won't be sorry. You can always take home some handspun yarn, fibre, knitted items and much more.
Mr Mog and I always enjoy visiting, the food is a bonus:)
When we were at spinning group last time I wanted somewhere to keep all the bits of fluff and felted fibre that come off the tops as you spin, after all you can't just throw them on the floor:)
I decided to make us both a dainty bag to hang on the wheel.
Here you see the results.
Both made from my own hand dyed yarn, remains from an Elsewhere jacket and a shawl.
Here you can see how they look on the wheel.

This top one was my first attempt and I didn't quite get the handle how I wanted.
The blue/purple came out much better.
Plain knitting and then thrown in the washing machine with Mr Mog's jeans.

What do you think?

Intelligence from book of Qualities

This was the page today from the Book of Qualities by J Ruth Gendler

Intelligence

Sometimes Intelligence is safe and sometimes intelligence is dangerous.
When he is in a reassuring mood you leave his house walking lightly and singing to yourself because everything makes sense.
Other days you go to see him and he tears up your notes or sends you back on the road even though you really want to stay home.
If intelligence is in the mood for facts he may interrogate you for hours.
Intelligence does not go to parties much. He is very popular when he does show up. Everyone knows him but no one knows where he will turn up.
You may find him in the upstairs bedroom talking to the children or outside on the back porch telling bad jokes. Intelligence listens well. He is no stranger to silence.
Intelligence is Intuition's favourite lover. It is thought that theirs is an attraction of opposites, but they are more similar than they first appear.
Other people tried to keep them apart for years by telling each of them vicious stories about the other. When you see them dance it is clear they have been through the fire. They like to make up stories together.
Intelligence knows how to use words to make music and how to use words to make pictures. He thinks in black and white, but he dreams in colour.
Intelligence takes photographs with his inner eye. He paints with logic.
Intelligence loves surprises and he is not afraid to change his mind.

In memory

10 years ago today my mother died. We didn't have an easy relationship at all until the last few years before she died. It was Mr Mog's influence that reconciled us somewhat although it was hard for me after my dreadful childhood at home (and indeed even beyond that) which was all down to my dad mainly but some to my mum if I am honest. No matter we did make peace and I think had some sort of relationship prior to her death. Although thinking back, when she was ill in hospital and wanted to come home before she lapsed into the somnolent state prior to death she said I'm not coming to your house I'll go to one of your sisters:) Guess we both had an uneasy wariness around each other.
You are remembered mum and tonight I will light a candle as always for you, after all without you I wouldn't be here so some good came from it all.

I'm still very wheezy and very sore but did have some sleep last night propped up on a mountain of cushions. These chest infections always sap my energy and take a lot of getting over, I'm drinking lots of fluids and that helps.
I did win 2 games of Scrabble last night against Mr Mog so the brain is in no way impaired:)

Spinning pictures and new boots

As promised pictures of the spun yarn now it is dry. Firstly the Yarn Yard Shetland fibre. I spun 300 yards out of 100gm so I am very pleased with this:) I love the feel of the Shetland and the colours are very subtle.


Secondly the fabulous glittery batt from Laal Bear, I spun 320 yards from this which is the finest I've managed to spin:) Pictures don't really show the glitter but it is there.
This was some Winghams red merino that I wanted to try thick and thin spinning, I plied it with rayon thread.
This I can't remember the name of, I know it is Falklands though. I've forgotten the yardage it will be somewhere written down but my brain is not working today sorry.
The statutory picture of them all together:)
Then as the title said I received some new boots today.
I asked Tracey to make them mismatched again as I love my first pair.

What do you think? Too subtle perhaps?

As you can see they don't match.

They are comfortable though.
Last night was even worse then previous nights, I felt so ill I didn't manage much sleep at all. The antibiotics will take a little while to work I know so it is a pajama day today.

Of this and that and giveaways.

The lurgy still lingers and is worse if anything. I rang the surgery today because I can feel it has gone on my chest, after many years of flu etc turning into pleurisy and other chest infections I know my own body and I know when I have to seek extra help.
Now bear in mind all the notices in the doctors regarding swine flu etc and not coming into the surgery. I telephoned to get a prescription for antibiotics, Got told the triage nurse would ring. This was 8am, 9.40 no call so I rang back. "Oh she has not yet started" Was told she would ring after 11.30/ Almost noon came a call, and after explaining the symptoms and how the change in temperature makes me cough more, I have to go in at tea time for appointment. Wonder how they know it isn't swine flu? Obviously not bothered I'll be infectious are they?

Enough of the whinging:) These pictures are of the park recently and then sheep and knitting to tempt you to read further. Yes I know you could scan ahead but you won't will you?
The park is looking lovely in its winter plumage, some of it bare trees but some like the bamboo above still very much green and lush. The way the stems are I think something sleeps in here.

Then the pheasant berry or Chinese nutmeg always looks at its best this time of year. The mixture of flowers and berries remind me of the decorations in my nanny's hat:) Where we used to live the pheasants loved this time of year and were always helping themselves to berries. There was always a deep blood red stain under the bushes where berries fell and were trampled.
This little fellow was meandering along the path enjoying the winter sunshine. He obviously wasn't ready for total hibernation yet.
Neither was he at all bothered by our presence, his nose to the ground looking for food.
Despite the faded glory of many of the trees, lots of them also had new growth on show. A link between decay and life, new growth ready to blossom come the warmer days.
Isn't it lovely when you get the place to yourselves? Although not long after these pictures were taken we were surrounded by dogs and their owners going walkies.
This little chap and many of his relations were busy looking for food, a long while since we have seen so many in one day.
I love the flow of oak leaves across the bench, stopping for a while before resuming their flight on the wind.
Even the chestnut had big fat buds on show.
Don't you like the idea of the moss colonising the concrete here? Threads travelling along meeting up with others as they travel.
Then I did say knitting I believe? Here you see the first sock from my own hand spun, I am so proud of it, like a new parent showing off her baby in the pram:) It reminds me of sock yarns like regia etc with their painted panels but also the colours are very reminiscent of Noro don't you think?


A close up of the garter stitch heel, notice that there aren't(many) visible lumpy bits.
We also have a new sheep joining the moggie homestead. Our last tea cosy is around 10 years old and getting a little sad now. This seemed like the perfect replacement.
Haven't they got cheeky faces?
Now on to the giveaway. I'm giving away 1 skein of hand spun, spun by moi and 1 shawl to celebrate the winter Solstice. If you would like to win leave a comment before 21st December.
Haven't decided if it is 2 prizes or both to one person yet.
Pictures of what you can win in another post. This is by way of being a thank you for reading my meanderings:)

The lurgy continues apace

I'm delightfully perfumed with eau de eucalyptus oil, who needs Lush Karma when you can smell so wonderful with oil? I'm afloat with hot lemon drinks and added occasional spoons of honey, dosed up with paracetamol and still snotty:(
Another dreadful night, not much sleep and violent temperature changes. I slept almost upright to see if that would keep the stuff off my chest, it has at the minute. I don't know what hurts more as of course having this makes my other health stuff worse, well it would wouldn't it?
I have had a very short trip out to get fresh air and then home again. I am a firm believer that some fresh air helps , at the least as my nanny used to say it blows away cobwebs.
Not a day for doing much I shall retire back to my hot water bottle and latest book.

Of bobbins and bugs

The title says it all today, lots of bobbins to show you and I am full of some bug or other. Typical ENT, sore throat, bunged up nose and sore ears. Oh and a head that is full of cotton wool with it all. I'm dosing myself up and have lots of vitamin c and lemon drinks. Didn't sleep well night before last and last night didn't sleep at all it seemed. Every few minutes blowing nose isn't conducive to good sleep.
But, I'm awake the sun is shining in between the rain showers so it isn't all bad.

Mr Mog is busy planning the design on his Kiwi wheel, I've design ideas for my traveller now, something to do with cats I think but not too many. They would mess with the yarn and fibre if I had too many I think.

I have quite a bit of yarn spun and awaiting plying and I thought you might like to see it.

First up 2 more bobbins of Yarn Yard Shetland roving. You can't see from the picture but there is a subtle shading in this.

Next 2 bobbins of glitzy fibre from the Laal Bear in my colours. Very much amber moggie colours these and the touch of glitter in the batt adds a sparkle to the yarn

Finally Falkland tops from Mandacrafts on etsy. I've another bobbin of this almost ready on the wheel. I like to have several bobbins waiting to ply and then enjoy the way the 2 bobbins turn into 1 hopefully lovely yarn:)

Then a picture of all the bobbins together, I love the colour contrasts here.

First December full moon

This was the first full moon for December, the next will be on 31st December making it a blue moon.
The light that came from her was so bright and almost warming despite the frost on the car and path.

The more I gazed at her beauty the larger she became until I felt I could almost touch her.

Full moon lady shine your light upon us
bring your beauty into each person's heart and soul.
Bring light, love and joy to all who behold you
thank you for the light you give to this world and to us.

Moss witches

Have just been listening to a fabulous short story on BBC podcasts called Moss witches by Sara Maitland. A very good story:)

Bl0ggers are wonderful and current spin/knit status

I love this blogging world we live in, there is so much inspiration but also help and advice when needed. A favourite read of mine Blue Witch posted yesterday about helping friends with their utilities and insurance bills. She suggested that it would be worthwhile anyone checking their usage and current tariff via several comparison websites and how to go about it.
I find her advice very useful so this morning I duly followed her instructions by ringing my utility company and getting my annual KWH usage which is useful for checking costs. Then it was off to the comparison sites recommended.
ALL of them gave my current utility company as the best for dual fuel, but ALL of them also said I could save £220+ per year. Very strange methinks so back to the telephone and ring the utility company I go.
"Oh yes" the girl said, "that tariff has just been released today" When asked why they don't tell their customers she said they never do when they change. I wonder why?
The upshot is I am still with the same company but on a capped tariff for 12 months with no tie in should I choose to change. I save £20 per month in doing so.
Have you checked what you are paying lately? If not then do go and read BW's enlightening post from yesterday. It may save you money also.
Now I promised pictures of the current work on the needles.
Here you see the Solstice Shawl, 3 strands of assorted yarns that change occasionally as you can see. 1 thread is always glitter to celebrate the return of the light at solstice.
The next is a sock in my own handspun:). I am so proud of being able to say that, silly but there you are.


These will be for me I think.

December arrives with a very heavy frost

First of December and it arrived with a very heavy frost. The moon last night was so clear and bright, you could see the frost rime around her. we were glad that the winter duvet had come out of store on Sunday. This morning everywhere was white. I love the light you get on days like these, it shimmers.
Mr Mog has almost finished his shed fitting out, despite the very cold weather. Maybe the work is keeping him warm?
It has tried to snow a few times this afternoon a true sign of winter me thinks?
The spinning is going well I am really enjoying seeing the fibre turning into yarn. I'm around half way on the solstice shawl and pleased with how it is coming out. I've dried the latest lot of hand spun and I think I am going to attempt socks for me out of it. Several people have told me that knitting and wearing hand spun socks is far superior to the sock yarns you can purchase. It intrigues me so I want to try the idea.
Haven't felt like going too far in this weather, it is far too cold for me. I'm wearing extra layers in the house to keep warm. We are having lots of what I call comfort food, mashed potatoes, soups and occasional pudding. I don't have puddings too often as I am not very active so don't like to overeat. However an occasional treat is fine:)
This past week we have enjoyed pear cake with custard and rice pudding with dried strawberries.
There is some pear cake left for tomorrow when my son comes to visit, he has a sweet tooth and as it was his birthday this past weekend I'm sure he will enjoy this instead of birthday cake:)
Winter Solstice draws ever near and the turn of the wheel towards the light. I am always a little pleased when November is over and we trip lightly into December. November depresses me for some reason, it always has done. I think the adjustment to the clock makes it worse. Short wet days, as we have had this past month make the month longer.
Today's full moon is one of 2 for December which gives a Blue Moon, I always think of these as special magical times. Normally a blue moon occurs around every 2 years.