Drum Carder Cleaning

 

I'd been having trouble getting my drum carder clean, I mean really clean, as in "card a black batt and then a white batt" clean. No matter how diligently and carefully I used my doffer brush, there were always some pesky fibers that just stay put, only to show themselves on my next batt! Then, I realized that the solution was right in front of me! I have this nifty little dog grooming brush that I used to smoosh down the fibers as I card. This lets me really pack my batts full. (Tip: splurge on the expensive dog brush. I tried using a cheap one at first, and the little bristles started popping off into my batts! It will end up costing you less than most of your other fiber tools anyway!)
  

This little brush makes a perfect drum cleaning tool. Just brush up using a flicking motion. This gently digs deep into the tines and pulls out stubborn fibers. If it doesn't flick them out completely, it will certainly loosen them enough so that your doffer brush can easily pick them up. No more drum carder cleaning frustration! Happy carding!

Collection Gallery Inspiration

Here is another "Collection Gallery", a pleasing arrangement of small items that make a big impact. This one is unified by frame color (black, collected from vintage and discount stores) and content (botanical drawings). (Yes, it's probably hung a little too high over the sofa, buts that's a project for another day!)

      

I've always loved Victorian style scientific and botanical drawings. However, they can be monsterously expensive! I found this delightful book on Ebay  for about $10 plus shipping and used my favorite pages to fill the frames. 

      

Cost of Project: $79.00 (I paid more for the frames and book for this collection gallery)

Time Needed: 2 hours (plus shopping for frames and content)

***Side note: Yes, I too love my blue vintage sofa! I looked for years to find one that was in my price range and didn't require reupholstering as all of those tucks and tufts make it too difficult for a do-it-yourselfer. The secret? Keep trolling Craigslist and take care of your Karma!***

Hallway Gallery

     Owr new house has a very unsightly breaker box in the hall that I've been meaning to disguise for some time. Of course, decorating an entire hall on a budget can be difficult. My favorite solution? The local thrift store! I purchased several mismatched frames in brown wood. (I even got most of them on clearance! Check with your thrift store. Most do deals for certain colored tags every day.)You can mix sizes and textures, but you want to have something unifying, like the color, to keep the display from being too busy. I already have a botanical drawing display in black frames above our couch, which I'm quite pleased with.
     When you're looking for frames, you can go for empty ones or nice frames with questionable "art" inside that can be easily replaced. Don't forget to check the hanging mechanism of the frame to a make sure it's sturdy. Table top frames can be hung with the addition of picture wire. If your frame has a hanging mechanism and a table top stand, you may need to remove the stand for it to sit flush against the wall. You can usually pull the stand off with a pair of pliers.
     Next, fill your frames. Look for unusual (and inexpensive) items that you find beautiful. I used some family snapshots, laser cut paper keys (usually used for scrapbooking or collage), and some pages of beautiful script from an old German book. I further united the collection by keeping the color scheme in neutrals and green.
     Next, determine your layout. Do this on the floor before you start putting holes in the wall! You want to make sure that your display is balanced in size, color, and contents. Now, you're ready to hang and enjoy!

    

     
     So, what happened to that unsightly breaker box? It's hidden behind the four-paneled key picture. Voila!


Total cost of Project: $16.95
Time needed: 2 hours (plus frame shopping)

Fresh off the Spinning Wheel

        

Recent fiber fun including a mohair, wool, and lamb locks novelty yarn, a 2-ply BFL and merino mix, an assortment of samples, and one of my new favorites, a wool and mohair blend with eco-felt fish "swimming" in the yarn! Enjoy your Black Friday bargain hunting. (Personally, I'm stocking up on fiber!)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving. May you share a special meal with meaningful people, and take a moment to remember all that you have been blessed with on this day. May your meal nourish your body and warm your heart.

It's the simple things that matter most, and I am thankful.

Turtle Pretzels

  These are the perfect sweet treat to please visiting friends and relatives while you wait for the turkey! They are easy enough for kids to help, and are done in a jiffy so you can get back to enjoying your guests. (You'll want to make twice as many was you think you'll need, these puppies disappear quickly!)
 Enjoy!


Turtle Pretzels
Pretzels (small twists or checkers)
Rolo candies (The holiday Rolos are out this time of year. However, if you go over one aisle to the candy area, they are much cheaper. You'll be taking off the cute foils off anyway!)
Whole Pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Lightly grease a cookie sheet and spread pretzels evenly across it.
Top each pretzel with an unwrapped Rolo.
Bake for 4-5 minutes until the candies are slightly soft.
Press a pecan onto each candy to squish it into the pretzel.
Let cool on the pan (you can even pop them in the fridge) and enjoy!

I hope these bring you many sweet holiday memories!

Hippie Batt

 

Fresh off the drum carder!







 
I call this batt "Hippie". It'd make a great funky super thick single (I'm thinking dreadlock style) with the beads and charms spun in for an earthy eclectic vibe.