It has been a while since I posted. I celebrated a birthday and both of my sisters came out to California to spend time with me. We had a great day in San Francisco with one of my daughters and a friend.
It has been an odd summer that was cooler than any other summer I remember. Only a few days broke 100, while the rest of the country was experiencing heat waves we had a temperate summer here in the SF Bay Area. Unlike San Francisco, the East Bay usually gets pretty warm in the summer, but the heat waves only last a few days and then fog creeps in to cool us off. Then it burns away and we get warm again.
Anyhow, the lazy days of summer have come to an end and it is the time for the falls shows. I have discovered my love for the 50/50 merino silk roving that I am know dyeing. It seems like everyone else loves it also as I am selling a lot of it. The silk gives it a beautiful sheen and it is easy to spin. I worked with this type of roving in a class that I took at the CNCH (Conference of Northern California Handweavers), taught by Judith M.M. Spin Off Magazine also had an article about spinning this type of roving earlier this year. It is fun to spin in a bulky single that you full after spinning. I made some and gave it to my friend Gabrielle.
Speaking of Gabrielle, when she worked with me at the Indie Mart, she told me that I needed to work on my warm colors, especially the reds. I took her advise and apparently, that is what everyone else thought, my reds started selling before the vendor area opened to the public and were sold out mid way through the day. Thanks for the great advice Gabrielle!
I have started a fan page on Facebook for Twisted Sunshine Designs, please join us and feel free to post any photos you have of our products or your projects, whether they are underway or complete.
I recently bought a used Silver Reed LK150 knitting machine, joined the SF Bay Area Machine Knitting Guild and went to a meeting. Today I am picking up an instructional DVD and will be setting up the machine, wish me luck! At yesterday's guild meeting I learned a lot about hand manipulating stitches on he machine to make beautiful patterns. I am excited to get started and am hoping to incorporate my hand spun into projects just as I do on the loom and in hand knitting.
Due to selling at shows, I have temporarily closed the etsy store, please email me with any order requests you may have.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Summertime Blues
Anyone who knows me, knows I am all about blue. Any shade of blue, just check out my acid dyed rovings and batts. I am branching out to purples and greens, but then again, they also contain blue. I have had some fun with color saturated 50/50 merino silk blend rovings. Unfortunately, I did not take photos and sold out (which is great) at last Sunday's Indie Mart on Wisconsin St. in San Francisco. More about that later.
I haven't posted in a while, it has been a busy summer, a lot of traveling, visiting with friends and working. Regretfully, not much picture taking. June started out with the Spinning at the Winery which was fun for all. Beautiful weather, fun people, good food and wine and silk/merino to spin. Who could ask for anything more! Then it was off to Columbus, OH for work and to visit with some vendors in town for the TNNA. Then back home and off to the Spinning on the Farm event in lovely Healdsburg. Twisted Sunshine had the opportunity to vend at this fun event situated in the vineyards of Sonoma County. Low key, spinning in a beautiful setting and a great pot luck. Met friends, new and old and Twisted Sunshine rovings, fibers and earrings were well received. The booth next to us was operated by Sue who raises BFL sheep, which one day I hope to visit. Of course I bought some fleece, when I got home I washed it and dyed it purple and violet. Then used some of it to make some core spun yarn wrapped with glitz. I will post some photos soon. Judy and I had a great day up in Sonoma.
Last Sunday was a total blast at the Indie Mart. I recommend that everyone check out this event, you can follow them on facebook. My great friend, Gabrielle, and I went into SF to set up early in the morning (some might argue that 830 is not early). Starting at the Parkside, at 17th and Wisconsin, and continuing to 16th Street there were many indie craft and vintage vendors lining both sides of the block. There was music, food, beer and plenty of DIY projects. We even had a surprise visit from Alison and Maryam who, looking very tired, came to visit after working since 530 AM (now that's early) at the AIDS Walk.
Gabrielle has convince me that I need to branch out from blue (green and purple) so look for warm colors in some new projects.
Now for the Blues - going to Memphis this week - Blues, BBQ, Beale and Elvis!
I haven't posted in a while, it has been a busy summer, a lot of traveling, visiting with friends and working. Regretfully, not much picture taking. June started out with the Spinning at the Winery which was fun for all. Beautiful weather, fun people, good food and wine and silk/merino to spin. Who could ask for anything more! Then it was off to Columbus, OH for work and to visit with some vendors in town for the TNNA. Then back home and off to the Spinning on the Farm event in lovely Healdsburg. Twisted Sunshine had the opportunity to vend at this fun event situated in the vineyards of Sonoma County. Low key, spinning in a beautiful setting and a great pot luck. Met friends, new and old and Twisted Sunshine rovings, fibers and earrings were well received. The booth next to us was operated by Sue who raises BFL sheep, which one day I hope to visit. Of course I bought some fleece, when I got home I washed it and dyed it purple and violet. Then used some of it to make some core spun yarn wrapped with glitz. I will post some photos soon. Judy and I had a great day up in Sonoma.
Last Sunday was a total blast at the Indie Mart. I recommend that everyone check out this event, you can follow them on facebook. My great friend, Gabrielle, and I went into SF to set up early in the morning (some might argue that 830 is not early). Starting at the Parkside, at 17th and Wisconsin, and continuing to 16th Street there were many indie craft and vintage vendors lining both sides of the block. There was music, food, beer and plenty of DIY projects. We even had a surprise visit from Alison and Maryam who, looking very tired, came to visit after working since 530 AM (now that's early) at the AIDS Walk.
Gabrielle has convince me that I need to branch out from blue (green and purple) so look for warm colors in some new projects.
Now for the Blues - going to Memphis this week - Blues, BBQ, Beale and Elvis!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
natural dyes - rovings
I just love the soft colors that are achieved when natural (plant and beetle) based dyes are used.
project bags
project bags in a basket with hand dyed silk roving. The bags are a great place to store all your projects so they are ready to grab when you are on the go!
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