Tag: paper

Flax page

On By CarynIn Craft

I finally finished my flax page. This is internet-sourced combed top flax, which is an unusual preparation. It is the short fibers left over from processing the long fibers, combed together. This particular sample was also dyed, probably with nettle dye. There was very little information from the seller (buyer beware). I did manage to spin it in on a drop spindle, using a sponge to wet my fingers. Linen yarn needs to be boiled to set the twist and soften the fibers. When I boiled mine, I used tap water, which has traces of iron. The soft green color turned to a soft orange. The picture below shows the color change especially across the paper bobbins.

Photo description: 12×12 page with floral paper binding; the original fiber label top left; paper bobbins holding the yarn as a single, a two ply unset (green), and two ply set (orange) top right; unspun fiber in a paper drawer middle left; plain weave sample middle right; knitted sample bottom left; weft-faced weave bottom right.

I did a knit swatch on size 4 needles. It isn’t precise, probably due to the variations in yarn thickness, and has a bias, probably due to over twist of either the single or the ply. Still, it isn’t as rough as I thought it would be and has some nice drape.

I obtained a Clover brand mini-loom to make the woven samples. The first weaving (bottom right) I followed directions on warping the loom and ended up with a weft-faced weave. Interesting, but not what I wanted. The second time (middle right) I wrapped the warp completely around the loom and doubled the number of warp threads. This brought the epi (ends per inch) up and let me do a plain weave that showed both the warp and the weft.

I swear I did a crochet swatch too, but I must have stashed it somewhere safe. I do still want to spin traditionally prepared flax, but I’m not likely to buy combed top flax again.

Better as a decal

On By CarynIn Craft

I bought some temporary tattoo paper actually designed for inkjet printers (see my fail post here). I still had to leave the prints out to dry overnight (the instructions said an hour, but I didn’t find that adequate), but the ink stayed where it was put. These temporary tattoos come with an adhesive sheet, which had a small learning curve, but not too bad. I tried one on my arm and … meh. Even though it is thin, it isn’t thin enough to mimic a real tattoo; it is more like a plastic bandage, wrinkles and all. Hm. I tried applying one to a glass sheet out of curiosity and tada! We have contact.

Temporary “tattoo” applied to glass

This is an intriguing use of material. The current limitation is that the surface needs to be water resistent. In order to remove the backing, it has to be dampened with water, which could potentially wreck havoc on paper items. Experiments continue.

Decal applied to glass and held up in front of a window

Crane fly rest

On By CarynIn Craft, Wildlife

I found a crane fly resting on my door wreath.

Crane fly on paper flowers

It is spring, so there are crane flies every where. The first year I moved to Texas I was alarmed at the size of the “mosquitos”, until I found out that these long-legged beasties are not blood suckers. Most varieties only live in the adult stage for about a week; long enough to look for a mate to make new crane flies, but not long enough to bother about eating.

Year 2 on my origami wreath

I am most impressed that the wreath has held up. I made it last year and it stayed on the front door for many months. The paper flowers are just wired in, so I can reuse the grapevine wreath, but it looked so good when I pulled it out of the closer that I just hung it back up. Where it hangs there is no direct sunlight, and it is sheltered from wind and rain.

Where is my photo?

On By CarynIn Cats, Craft
Izzy the cat inspecting the greeting card work

I’ve been making up greeting cards to sell at our local coffee shop: The Full Cup in Weatherford, TX. I have two lines: my little truck paintings, and cat photos. The cat photos are printed on 30% recycled linen paper and depict mostly feral cats that have been part of a TNR (Trap Neuter Return) program. Three are cats I have personally seen through the process, and several more are cats in Italy from when I visited in 2003. In Italy cats are protected by law. Colonies are registered and it is illegal to remove a cat from where it has chosen to live. They even have government funded neutering programs, which here we call TNR. Part of the proceeds from selling these cards will go to our local TNR programs.

Tri-fold card

On By CarynIn Craft

I enjoy using my Cricut cutter to design cards. This one is for a fellow singer who is getting married this year. I particularly like the trifold and how nice it looks in the standing position.

Tri-fold Wedding card