Batts in the Belfry

This past spring, I had a great time collaborating with Sheila Bosworth of Journey Wheel.  They had a new 'Special Spindle' made of Macassar Ebony and needed batts to go along with it.  We worked out a color and went from there.


Luckily, I did not have to think very hard!  A few weeks earlier, I had visions of a new line of smooth batts for spinners.  Not layered like my spin me batts, but smooth with streaks of glistening bamboo.  The one I had just finished spinning was a golden amber color, so with a little tweeking to the recipe, the Jewelz Batts were born!  Jewelz batts are a 50/50 blend of merino and bamboo with an extra healthy dash of angelina added for good measure.


What do you think?

Amethyst

Azurite

Garnet

This is a photo from Sheila of the spindles with one of the first batts produced.  Really, Really, REALLY wish I had gotten one of these.  They are absolutely gorgeous spindles!!

Yes, I think I am back.  

Pretty Little Things

Came across this lovely bag chock full of little compact balls of fluff the other day. Upon spilling the little balls out, I realized they are reminders or remainders of some of my first batts.

It really is amazing to hold these little cuties in my hand and truly enjoying my firsts. Not for their perfection or softness or even beauty. No, most of the little guys were stripped down to be recarded into something else. A few are left overs from spinning.

Never realizing I would come to love them years later, I crammed them in a little bag, stuffed them in a drawer, and completely forgot about them. Until now that is.... Now, I plan to spin them all on my 'Shipwreck' drop spindle from Jonathan & Sheila Bosworth and then... Maybe, just maybe, knit them into a shawl. In reality, I will probably finish spinning them, cram them in another little bag and probably forget about them for a few more years to only find them again and pledge another project;

Tour de Fleece 2012

The fun has come and gone from the Tour de Fleece... sigh... I miss it so.  In the event, you do not know what the 'Tour de Fleece' is, it is a group of fabulous crafty people on Ravelry who spin yarn during the Tour de France.  There are prizes, fabulous ideas and fantastically crafty and speedy spinners who share their yarns with everyone.  I find it to be very inspirational.  Had a fun time this year on team 'Breakaway' which is the hot spot for art yarns.  With out further ado, here are my yarns.....

One of my favorite yarns from the tour.  It is also one of the last yarns I spun.

This one is from a batt I traded for from Cobblestone Creek Farm.  LOVE IT!


From my Wicked batt



Sometimes my favorite yarns come from batts that are often overlooked at festival.  This batt hung out in my booth for the entirety of the 2011 Festival seasons.  So glad no one bought as I truly loved spinning it and adore how it turned out:)


The very last of my hand painted combed top was finished during the Tour.


Also spun up a quick little sample of my cloud for the shop during the tour:)  I also did a bit of spinning on my Bosworth spindle which I didn't finish in time for the tour to finish, but will post a picture of it soon!  All in all, I had an absolute blast as always for this years tour de fleece.  My only regret is that we have to wait for next year for the camaraderie to begin again!