I forgot about this project. I started making every square in the book Granny Square Flair with fine alpaca yarn from Peru back in March. I was hoping it would be a travel project, but it requires way too much concentration as every row is different and I need to refer back to the pattern frequently. So I designated it a home project and it has sat next to my chair for a few months.
Photo description: completed “Ianthe” square made with teal alpaca yarn, laying on a calico cat
This is another forever project that will sneak in the gaps of other projects. I have no problem telling people my age, but asking how many open projects I have going will get you a flippant answer.
I purchased a Wyze door bell camera because it gets a camera at the front door, the old door bell doesn’t work, and I already have other Wyze systems.
Photo description: Wyze camera door bell installed in place of the old door bell
I’m pleased with the installation, for I was able to hard wire it with the old door bell wires, following the instructions. The hardest part was finding which breaker turned off the electricity to the doorbell. With it hardwired, and an SD card installed, I have continuous footage without a subscription, so I can see which neighborhood critter keeps marking the front door. I can also check and see if the sound I just heard is Sophie the cat wanting to come back inside (she is not the one marking).
Photo description: the real reason for having a camera, to check on Sophie the cat
The doorbell now makes a doorbell sound, which has been absent at our house for a number of years. The best part is that I did not buy an inside chime, so the noise is just for visitors to feel like they’ve accomplished something. Yes, I’m that kind of introvert. The dog tells us there is someone at the door, and I don’t answer the door unless I know who is there and I knew they were coming over.
The Black Welsh Mountain Sheep is also on the Livestock Conservancy’s Shave ‘Em to Save ‘Em list as a threatened heritage species. I have finished single spinning my 4 ounce sample. It is very nice to spin, and I was able to achieve a nice thin single. My challenge for myself in this spin was switching direction half-way through, so I now have half the wool spun in the S direction, and half in the Z direction.
Photo description: spun Black Welsh Mountain wool on two spindles and one center pull ball, sitting on the original bag from Camaj Fiber Arts, and another bag with a lock of unspun wool
My plan is to do some parallel experiments with the two different spins in weaving, knitting, and crochet, until I run out of wool.
In December 2017 I was very much into my Zentangle doodle phase. I found it paired well with scratch-off art.
Photo description: general shapes etched and doodles started on rainbow backed black scratch-off paperPhoto description: finished doodle with a different pattern in each section of the drawing
The original is long gone. I’m glad I take pictures because I think I enjoy viewing this more now than I did at the time. I’m farther away from the process and don’t remember the “errors.”
Critters and Craft 