Month: October 2020

Yes, I still do needle craft

On By CarynIn Craft

With virtual learning and a puppy to watch it has been hard to find the time and energy to do any needle craft, but I did find some space to get back to a nålbinding project now that my youngest is F2F (it probably dates me that I am using this abbreviation for the first time). Not only did I get to stitch, I did so outside in beautiful weather. Bliss.

This is drop spindle spun undyed alpaca and the plan is to make many small spirals and stitch them together to make … something. The plan is in flux, but if the technique works, I will probably make many things using the method. I like spirals, and I dislike making large boring blocks that never end. Somehow a large stack is different than a big rectangle.

Nålbinding spirals with a grapevine nål and hand spun alpaca yarn

Nomenclature

On By CarynIn Flora

I was at an outdoor amphitheater for a school event and someone yelled out that they needed all the kids to go grab a crab apple and put one per bag to keep the bags from blowing away. Being a northerner, I was completely confused, as one crab apple wouldn’t hold anything down. But the kids didn’t blink and they all went to find one. They came back with huge green heavy fruit, which I have been calling osage oranges. Putting one of these rock hard monster fruit in the bottom of a bag of balloons makes complete sense. It also demonstrates the need for scientific nomenclature when identifying plants when species is critical. Although I’m not sure yelling “go get Maclura pomifera!” would get the same reaction.

Two Osage orange fruit, locally known as “crab apples”

Hot dog

On By CarynIn dog
Splayed leg pup

After having a good solid romp out back, little miss decided to cool off on the concrete floor, belly down, legs splayed for maximum contact. I could say that she lies like a rug. I could say she looks like a very small trophy rug, but that would be lyin’. She could reply that these puns are awesome, but she’s lying. The lies lie heavy on my shoulders, I think I need to go lay my head down.

I found the puppy

On By CarynIn dog
Puppy under blanket

Missy likes to crawl under blankets and curl up. I’ve never had a dog that does this, on blankets yes, tolerant if covered yes, but not an active burrower. It will be interesting to see if she keeps the behavior as she gets older.

Acorns

On By CarynIn dog, Flora
Post Oak acorns

I took this picture because I liked the arrangement of the six acorns. The leaves are still green down here in Texas. We’ve had a couple cool nights and some of the day time temperatures have been pleasant (it has to be under 80 degrees F to remotely qualify for me). I saw fireflies in the woods, which I don’t remember seeing at this time last year, but then again, I’m spending more time outside with the puppy. When all those acorns fall it is going to be a nightmare keeping them out of her mouth. Time to work on “drop”!