Backstraps and spiders

We just got back from a week off; staycation and part vacation. We started out with a trip to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary which is run by the Audubon Society. It was beautiful, green and quiet... really quiet, which was pretty awesome.

Here's my husband worshipping the trees

A cypress tree with her baby air plant

I like this one. These are cypress knees which are outgrowths of the tree roots. This one looked like a native king with his feather crown on and his subjects around him.

This park was lovely and only about an hour away from the Rat Race. After trudging through the forest we drove down to Everglades City and had dinner at Miller's Oyster House which is a great place for fresh seafood. Good wine too!

Then we went away for a couple of days to Cresent City, FL and went canoeing in Ocala Natl. Forest at Juniper Springs. A four hour tour. Four. Even the S.S. Minnow was only a three hour tour! 

 Did I know about the alligators? Well, yeah, I was raised in Florida. Did I know about the sore butt from sitting in the canoe? Maybe. Did I know about the giant spiders that fell into your boat everytime we hit brush? Hell to the NO! This wouldn't normally be a big deal if I wasn't a captive in the canoe with no where to go save the water filled with alligators! This was my husband's bright idea and yes we're still married somehow.

So anyway we're back and back to work. Just thought I'd share these. They are backstrap weavings from Ecuador. My weaving buddy, Kathleen, who has lived there, has many examples at her home displayed on her walls. Looks so awesome!

The new cat hangout... my studio. I love it. It's so wonderful to have kitties on the loom

Down and dirty dyeing

Working on dyeing some sock yarn for tapestry. This is Paton's sock yarn which of course they no longer sell in the stores in white, because you know, why make my life easier. So I have to order it online and pay shipping costs.

That odd looking turd-like barrel thing next to the label is the dyed yarn... allow me to demonstrate

I like to paint my yarn and roving. This method requires a lot less heavy lifting of dye pots etc.  First I mix my dyes. I use Jacquard acid dye in the .5 oz. little jars. I usually just get the primaries and mix my own colors. But that's because I'm cheap, so feel free to buy what you want color wise.

I mix the whole jar with 1.5 cups of warm to hot water to dissolve the dye powder. I mix them in food jars like spaghetti sauce and shake well. This dye suspension kept in a dark cool place can last up to 5 or 6 months, I have found. When it starts to form little curds of dye in the suspension that won't dissolve on shaking, you'll know it's time to make new dye. Now, a word of caution. Wear a mask... a real mask. Not one like my stupid self is wearing here:

Ok... no. Duh. But I promise to get a mask like this for the next dye session:

Yeah, this is more like it. This nifty little guy with rubber gloves and safety goo-goo goggles should do the trick. And while speaking of safety, you should try to use a hot plate and do the heating of the dyed yarn outdoors or in a really well ventilated area. Dyes are dangerous and oh yeah... carcinogenic. Did I spell that right? Anyway, you get the idea. 

Ok, so you've got your dyes mixed up in old spaghetti sauce jars and you're ready to rock. Soak your yarn or roving for about 20 minutes in room temp water. This helps the yarn absorb the dyes.

I lay some Glad wrap on my work table and lay the already wound, tied and soaked yarn in the middle of the Glad wrap. Then I mix my dye colors in plastic cups and start painting the yarn with those cheapie little sponge brushes you can buy for like 10 for a dollar. This is a blue green with some yellow highlights thrown in.

After painting the yarn I then fold both sides of the Glad wrap over the yarn then start at one end and roll it up like a big Yodel.

Then I put my rolls in a pot used only for dyeing...

The roll sits on a steamer. Put enough water to fill the bottom of the pot. Make sure all the water doesn't boil away. Just add more if needed. Steam for 45 min. After that I let the roll cool a bit, unroll it and hang it up till it cools all the way. Then I rinse in cool water and dry. 

I over dyed a Patons yarn that was a light rose sock yarn. This is a closer look. I kind of like the little bits of color here and there. 

Little buns of color

And speaking of color, here are some springtime garden pictures:

Cyprus trees

I am so busy lately, so stupid busy, that I only get to work here and there on this next collage. This one will be called Cyprus Cathedral. I'm real into cyprus trees these days.

Hopefully I can get 'er done by May 21 ... we're going on vacation. Not looking hopeful. I don't like to rush. Part of the vacay will be staycay so maybe by the end of the month at least.