Preparing

I am preparing my wool now for spinning. I carded it up on the drum carder and have some more yet to do but there is enough for me to work with now if I want to. Plenty. So I have a little something different in mind.

I have been on some spinning boards where the topic has been on adding beads to handspun. Many thoughts, ideas and ways to do it so far.

Here is how it works. You handspin your yarn as usual. Then taking thread, you string the beads of your choosing on the sewing thread. Next, you ply the yarn with the threaded beads, working slowly. You arrange or space the beads how you like. Next you take another ball of handspun yarn and ply again. Sounds simple enough, but I am sure it will end up being a headache. LOL But it is something I REALLY want to try. I think it would add a whole new dynamic element to my work. I love the sparkle, texture and magic of beads. It must somehow appeal to the woman's love of gems; for I know of no other element that will make a woman gasp with delight when she discovers beads on a garment or textile.

I once did a batik in college of Mayan gods on a teal blue silk fabric. It was pretty in and of itself, but then I made it into a blouse and sewed tiny seed beads of silver to just the eyes of the little Mayan gods that patterned it. The effect was quite awesome and I gave it as a gift to my Mexican Art History teacher. She was in love with it but what really got everyone's attention, was the sparkle of those tiny little seed beads. The beads were not added as an after thought to try and save the fabric, design or color; it was carefully planned out before hand. I NEVER use the added elements as an after thought. I don't look at the finished product and say, "It needs help, I know! I'll add beads." LOL

Well, again it looks like I have a busy week. The next 3 evenings will be Hunters Safety for my 2 oldest children. Wednesday is Cub Scouts for my youngest son in the afternoon then church. Friday is my husband's birthday (he'll be 41) so he'll be taking the day off. My oldest son has an ortho appointment, then we have to drive to Memphis to pick up my daughter's friend. She will be staying the weekend with us while my hubby and son go on a camping trip for scouts to Shiloh, TN. I am praying that during that time I can get plenty of spinning and carding in. I want to wash and dye some more wool too. I want to dye some green and purple wool. Blue too. I have beads strung and ready to ply.

I will be giving some lessons and demonstrations in December for the Home School Group. There is a wonderful program called Keepers at Home. It is an idea from the scripture Titus 2:4-5.
Titus 2:4
"That they may teach the young women to be sober,to love their husbands,to love their children,
5 To be discreet, chaste,keepers at home, good,obedient to their own husbands,that the word of God be not blasphemed."

Ok don't get all feminist on me about this... it does not imply that women are to be abused and subservient and the men to be bullies. Look up Ephesians 5:25, 28-29
Ephesians 5:25 "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave of himself for it;"

5:28 " So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord of the church:"

Translation? Though the husband is supposed to be the authority, the focus moves to the supreme responsibility of them loving their wives with the same unreserved, selfless & sacrificial love that Christ has for His church. A Christian husband is to care for his wife as he would himself, even more so, since his self sacrificing love should cause him to put her first!

So, as I was saying (before that become a sermononette), this program is really wonderful and they have certain things that they do to earn merit badges or charns for the girls. They learn Bible verses as well as life skills. This is a "hands-on" type program that teach a child those practical skills not normally learned as academic endeavors. Yes, this means sewing, cooking, baking bread, handspinning and a whole lot of other things.

Apparently, when they discovered they had a handspinner in their midst, they decided to go with that subject. LOL I told them, if they could hold off until December 13, I could help them out. Now, I need to brush up on my drop spindeling. I guess they each need to spin 16 oz. of wool. That is a pound! That is a lot. Where are they going to get that much wool for that many kidos? I guess I need to give my friend Patty a call. LOL She raises wool sheep so I should be able to purchase it from her. (I hope, anyway.)

Well, I have to go and take care of some friends animals while they are out of town. I am "goat sitting" LOL! I just have to make sure everyone has hay and water, dogs fed and chickens have water and feed. Ahhhh...reminds me of when we had our small farm. I guess I need to get over there.

Have a great day and God Bless!