I knew my time would be limited for Spinzilla, but with the last minute addition of the Schafer Meadows event, my days were spent prepping for that rather than spin, spin, spinning away. It was still a treat to attempt some goals, with added motivation.
Day 1, I brought out my favorite wheel - my Ashford Kiwi. I had two naturally delicious batts of alpaca, angora and silk - luscious in dreamy fawn, cream and white; ready to be spun. As I took my wheel from it's perch, I was excited about the nice weather and thought it would be a perfect day to move the sheep to a new grazing area and spin with them munching around me. I began to gather my seat, and wheel and thought I'd warm up on the porch. Bobbin prepped I realized I didn't have my drive band - what?! It had fallen behind our giant desk, entangling itself amongst the computer cords and speaker wires. With the aid of the broom handle I retrieved it from the dark recesses of "Dust~bunnyville", and had my now broken drive band. Of course! No problem, we'll just heat meld it back together...nope.
Okay, well - not Kiwi today. So I brought out Roberta, she had some empty bobbins. Well, Roberta is and electric work horse of a wheel and the draft power behind that jet engine she sports was just too much for these fine fibers. I know I'm still working on mastering her power so I chalk it up to my inexperience and ask Lil Miss if I can just trade her and use her Ashford Traditional - oh, was she thrilled to take on the 'beast' spinner - and of course she whipped it right into shape with one of her merino blend batts and was spinning away! We spun together for a bit then she was off on some school work. I trekked over to the field with the sheep and picked a spot in the sun. The sheep were warm but natural curiosity took over and they were soon out of their shaded refuge to peek at what was happening with this crazy 'machine' in their midst. Tech kindly put together a little montage so I have some proof of participation!
Okay, well - not Kiwi today. So I brought out Roberta, she had some empty bobbins. Well, Roberta is and electric work horse of a wheel and the draft power behind that jet engine she sports was just too much for these fine fibers. I know I'm still working on mastering her power so I chalk it up to my inexperience and ask Lil Miss if I can just trade her and use her Ashford Traditional - oh, was she thrilled to take on the 'beast' spinner - and of course she whipped it right into shape with one of her merino blend batts and was spinning away! We spun together for a bit then she was off on some school work. I trekked over to the field with the sheep and picked a spot in the sun. The sheep were warm but natural curiosity took over and they were soon out of their shaded refuge to peek at what was happening with this crazy 'machine' in their midst. Tech kindly put together a little montage so I have some proof of participation!
For the remainder of the week, I spun very little but managed to eventually complete both batts I had prepared for day one. I am glad, though, for the opportunity and motivation. No, I'm not 'Spinzilla Elite' but with the Schafer Meadow event and all we were thrilled to do, although it wasn't as originally planned, we were all successful at the close of the week. As I age I understand better that life's curves can be just as rewarding as our 'best laid plans' if we approach them with the grace and faith our Heavenly Father offers us.
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9