Fabulous weather today ....... not bad for end of November.  To celebrate, I went for two dog walks, and did a load of wool dyeing.  Fantastic! (plus shopping, cooking, child-minding etc. etc. etc)

more scrumptious fleece...ready to go........

Here's a weaving that I have just finished, and also a pic of some of yesterdays dyeing.  I tried out a new dyeing method and am very pleased with the results.  I t means that I can produce more in a shorter time.  Just to say, I have ordered the flyer to attach to my spinning wheel so I shall be able to produce some very chunky yarns....cant wait for it to arrive.  Not such good news on my sewing machine.  To cut a long story short, various screw attachments were stuck and therefore I couldn't change the needle etc.  All is well (hopefully).  I spoke to the suppliers (Sewing Machines Direct who I have used before)>  They couldn't have been nicer, or more helpful and the long and short of it is they are coming to collect said machine and I am swapping it for a Janome.  Should arrive on Monday - fingers crossed......

Ive slowed down a bit on the knitting recently , but just to prove I haven't been totally idle, here is the latest bag to come off the pipeline.  I now have to line this which will give me the opportunity to use my new sewing machine!!..I have recently been looking at wonderful art yarn - huge, colourful and extremely chunky.  There is a new bit of equipment that would fit my spinning wheel which would enable me to spin this....I am wondering if I need to get it???

Once again I had a really great day yesterday at the Wealden Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers.  As you can see there was a bag of goodies.  Anne came over with a load of her dyed fleece...honestly, I was like a kid in a toy shop - absolutely scrumptious.....so I now have a lot more spinning to do!!  We also had our pre-Christmas bring and share lunch.  Well....I am still recovering from the amazing trifle!!! But probably the best of all, such lovely people and lots of good conversations.

My machine arrived.....its an ex-demo model, so I also got boxes of threads and a pack of scissors.  All very acceptable.  I spent time playing with the new Husqvarna yesterday - I,m really pleased with it as it is an updated model of my previous, very reliable and much loved  work-horse.  I can see many hours of pleasure stretching ahead...........

Here's some dyed fleece and yarn ready to go.....Its been great this week to snatch a few rain free moment to go outside and dye.  I spend most of my creative hours inside now and tomorrow my new sewing machine arrives...cant wait!! Maybe I'll run up a few art quilts during the winter???Watch this space!

This is why I love where I live.  I know I keep saying it - but I am continually enthralled by my surroundings....Im sure it feeds my  creativity.  Maybe this is because I was brought up in London suburbia, which to my mind had very little natural beauty.  I then went to live in the East End of London - which I absolutely loved to bits - but again, not much natural beauty.  Anyhow, whatever.....I really do appreciate my surroundings.   

 Im exploring the idea of weaving with paper and other different fibres.  I am going to spin some banana fibres shortly so will see how that works out.  I feel there is some connection with the gorgeous grasses I spotted on one of my dog walks this week....always something new to inspire me!!