Field Trip

Yesterday my Chemistry class took a trip to the PMA textile archives and analytical labs. I love behind the scenes stuff so I was geeking out for pretty much the whole trip. We got to see the vault that houses the museums 30,000 piece collection. I even got to see Grace Kelly's wedding gown, which unfortunately has not aged well. It was placed on a poorly size bust form and the extremely fine antique lace in the bodice was damaged. Such a shame. We also got to see a collection of Victorian Miser Bags that will be set up in the Pearlman Gallery soon. I did remember to take pictures of them...unlike everything else. I suck at taking pictures when I'm out, guess I just like to experience in real life and not so much through a screen. These bags are so cute and clever. I think I'll design one for myself when I magically have time again. Maybe make it so it could be worn on a ring or wrist strap for hands free carrying.

This trip has once again inspired me to want to work in a museum, my fastidious attention to detail would serve me well in that kind of environment. Unfortunately that would require yet another Masters degree on top of the one I'm working on and traveling out of state for school since there are no local programs. Finishing 2 Masters might mean I could be finished by the end of the decade. I haven't mentioned this to my partner, mostly cause he'll ring my neck if I say I want another 2-3 year of school on top of the 2 more I still need. So it's in the pipe dream pile for now and we'll see what happens. I also want a farm with Yaks and Sheep, so I'll just see which one life pushes me toward and go with it.

Speaking of my Masters program, I just finished my first class. I had to spend all weekend making this...

Part of the fabric is machine knit, but it was hand sculpted and assembled. It took a long time and will now sit in a display case for a semester and then come home and collect dust. I hate projects like this, but it's definitely an A...so goal achieved. Two more classes to finish and I have a few weeks off to enjoy before the summer is over.

The best part of that is I will be enjoying it in our new house. T-minus 6 days till closing and 9 days till move in. I can't wait. My house looks like a bomb dropped on it and I can't clean till things are moved and ack!

With all the fore mentioned going on Tour de Fleece kind of fizzled out for me. I finished 3.5 skeins and only spun from my stash, so that's enough of my goal achieved to make me happy. Hopefully more peaceful spinning will commence in my new backyard toward the end of next month.

Oh..and my car is finally being repaired.

What a week!

So on the 4th of July my car was struck while parked by a tractor trailer.

The guy was caught, police were called, pain in the butt, but all could be fixed. No big deal right? ....wrong. My insurance company has been giving me the run around for almost 2 weeks now saying they couldn't find the drivers insurance info and that I had mysteriously taken my Collision coverage off when I took my Jeep off my policy... yada yada yada. The key point in that last statement is I have never owned a Jeep in my life. 0_o This morning I had had quite enough of this and made some phone calls, found the claims agent for the truck driver and got an assessment of my car scheduled, all without the incredibly rude help of Progressive Insurance Co. I will be transferring my insurance post haste and am very relieved my car will be operational again soon.

Now on to the good stuff. All the a fore mentioned annoyance has made spinning virtual impossible time wise this week.  I managed to get most of one bobbin finished during the week and wrapped it up on Saturday and miraculously finished the second bobbin that same night despite haveing frequent stops to rest my knee and pack for the move that is speeding toward us in just 2 weeks.

Yesterday I plied between more packing and tons of useless busy homework. Now I am not against homework per say, but when it has no educational value and just takes an obscenely long time I begin to be miffed by it's very existence.

I am actually totally thrilled by this yarn despite having only what could be described as lukewarm feelings for the fiber and the way it was dyed.

Results are 612 yds lace weight 2 ply from 3.5 oz Falkland Wool dyed by Winterhaven Farm.

I love it!

I think I need to design a shawl especially for it.

Oh, and in other cool news, cause this hasn't been the weirdest week ever. I started my new job at TimesPub and interviewed for a position at Huntingdon yarn mills, and a portrait of me my friend Kate painted is going to be in an international art and fashion magazine called VOLUP2.

Tour de Fleece: Week 1

I have made a sad amount of progress so far this Tour and July is only going to be worse.

The pink and 1st skein of the blue are all I've done for the Tour 14oz total

Between school and work for the next month I am pulling doubles for a a better part of the week and those days that aren't doubles are late days in general (done at 6-7pm). By Saturday I may collapse, but I won't be able to since I still have packing and homework to do on the weekends. Settlement for the new house is on the 30th and we plan to move in that weekend. On top of that my car was side swiped on the 4th by a tractor trailer, jerk hit 2 other cars as well.

My poor car!

I can't wait to hear from my insurance company...and for it to be August!