Friday, May 13, 2011

PAINTED TURTLE AND DYEING

Last week a tiny painted turtle came to visit while we were spinning. Fred found it in the back yard.

According to Wikipedia the fossil record of the painted turtle goes back 15 million years.

We were really worried about this little guy hiking all the way to get to the Shohola or the little tributary nearby so Fred drove it down to the water.

There are lots of creatures who would like to eat it, but at least our chickens didn't get the chance.


If painted turtles could survive millions of years maybe this one will.
















This week we dyed fleece, roving, handspun and commercial yarns with Jacquard Acid dyes and food coloring. We hung the results outside.

We also celebrated Greta's 80th birthday will all manner of delicious things.













Patti brought her collection of wonderful antique quilts to show us as well as a couple of her recent pieces including terrific watercolor piece.







Friday, May 06, 2011

HALF TABLE SCANDINAVIAN WHEEL FOR SALE












Spring is well underway. These daffodils are already spent. Riverrim gave me these lovely spotted beauties.












I found this four-post, half-table Scandinavian wheel in La Crosse, Wisconsin. It is 99% original. All the turnings on the piece relate to each other.


Fred repaired the original bobbin, reglued a repair to one wheel support, added new flyer hooks, replaced one axle bearing and a made a new axle peg to match the one in the other wheel support.


The wheel is unusual in that many turned parts including the legs and spokes are made of oak. The bottom table is a thick piece of heavily figured curly maple.
There is a curious label on the back of the wheel rim that may or may not have anything to do with the wheel’s history. Just in case, we left it in place.


The label reads: 01??9-9, 1920-??? Pending-CANADIAN-KODAK CD-Limited-Pat?? M-? C ??????-19 ? 6-S. P. ?? Dec-fc
A Raveler pointed out that Kodak Canada had recreational facilities for employees.


The wheel is for sale - - $500