Embarking on a new journey

On September 7, 2022 By CarynIn Craft

I have been reading from many sources that to improve spinning skills, a spinner should spin many different fibers. Twist my arm. I have also read that keeping a record of each spin is helpful when evaluating fiber for future projects. Writing about fibers isn’t a problem, but putting together what is essentially a scrap book of fiber information is a little more daunting. I tend to think about saving bits only after the project is finished and most of the fiber is gone. That is going to change. I’m starting a fiber spinning book. I’ve designed a standard 12×12 scrap book page to hold a bit of unspun fiber, “spools” of yarn, and swatches of fabric made from the yarn.

Fiber study page made to fit a 12×12 post scrap book

This first page is about the fiber from an alpaca named Sugar Plum. The spine is made from paper my sister bought in Italy (look, I finally found a worthy project!) sewn onto two sheets of card stock and the holes are reinforced with metal grommets. The top sheet has slots cut using an electronic cutter to hold the information card, spools, and fiber drawer. The spools are cut from card stock and have slits one inch apart to make estimating wraps per inch (wpi) easier.

I made a clear fiber drawer so my fibers could be seen and not be flattened down. I used heated laminate sheet and card stock with some hot glue to make the box sturdier. That is the only type of glue in the whole project since adhesives can degrade over time; all the other connections are mechanical.

Fabric swatches lifted up to reveal further information about construction

The fabric swatches are held on with metal brads, and information written beneath.

I used two sheets of card stock so that the back page can protect the next sheet from the exposed brads, but still allow access to the brads.

Page installed in store-bought scrap book

The journey has begun! I’ll blog about fibers as I complete pages, and I’ll do a tutorial on how to make this type of page (I was too excited to get started to properly document this first page.) And that plain scrap book cover needs some ornamentation and improvement. This should keep me busy and blogging for awhile!

In preparation

On September 6, 2022 By CarynIn Craft

I finished spinning the alpaca fleece from Sugar Plum that I washed over a year ago. I had a brief moment of panic that it was the last bit, but then I found a half bag more unwashed in the closet.

I’m thinking of starting up another long term project, but that is worked in small sections. I’ll give a big reveal later. For now, here are alpaca swatches drying over the tub to give you a hint (or thoroughly confuse).

From left to right: crochet, stockinette stitch, lace stitch all done in alpaca hand spun yarn and blocked on netting stretched over the bath tub

Upcoming will be a post detailing the project. Not the completed project, because it will take years and may never be “finished”, so maybe instead of a grand reveal, it will be the announcement of embarking on a journey.

Where’s the cat?

On September 5, 2022September 5, 2022 By CarynIn Cats, dog

Missy the dog would like to know what happened to the cat

Ok, no, Missy knows exactly where the cat is, her senses of smell and hearing are quite good. It is more likely that she is looking at me to see if I will throw the ball at my feet (not pictured). It is common for Izzy the cat to “hide” in the laundry basket given any opportunity.

Izzy would prefer to stay, thank you very much

Izzy is most definitely a basket cat. What is remarkable is that the dog doesn’t pester her in whatever basket she choses to occupy. Smart dog.

Strap repair

On September 4, 2022September 4, 2022 By CarynIn Life Hack

My trail cam strap broke due to degradation of the webbing. It has been out in the wind, rain, and sun (although not much sun because we usually tuck it under a tree) for nearly five years. Time for a new strap.

From left to right, trail cam, broken strap, new webbing

I removed the old strap from the buckle, and cut a piece of the new strap to the length I wanted. I made is a little shorter because the old strap was designed to go around trees, and I have a stand with a much smaller diameter that I use. I sealed the ends of the new strap by passing them in front of a flame to slightly melt the fibers together.

Protecting the ends of the strap from unraveling by melting them in a candle flame

After the ends were sealed, I sewed one end onto the buckle, and threaded the other through the trail cam and back through the buckle. I gave the camera a good clean up with a microfiber cloth as well.

Hm. I wonder if coyote urine will cause damage to fabric straps.

Mr Tom Roll

On September 3, 2022August 31, 2022 By CarynIn Cats

The trail cam and I have been photographing Mr Tom, the neighbor’s cat that hangs out with his buddies in our meadow. So I’ll share the best ones with you here.