Meet my new ...

Drum Carder ...

I wanted a carder that was going to give me BIG BATTS. But here in the UK I could not find anything suitable... everything over here yeilded the same sized batt 8"x22"to23"... now for spinning this would be fine but for felting it just wasnt what I wanted. SO, what followed was an awful lot of research on the internet finding BIG drum carders that are available in the US (they have some beauties!). Then figuring out what they would cost with import tax & delivery etc. Result... as you can guess, waaay too expensive for me!

I dont really know what made me do it, but instead of just plumping for a standard sized carder I phoned one of our UK makers; Classic Carders run by Paul & Mandy Brittan - a husband & wife team in Shropshire, UK. I wanted to ask them whether they would be able to make a bigger carder. AMAZINGLY, Paul had just the day before finished his prototype Jumbo Carder. I ordered one on the spot & Paul made me a beautiful carder from solid Ash. I was able to collect it in person as Mandy & Paul are just a 50 minute drive away.

This is the 1st Jumbo Carder that they have sold & Im putting it through its paces :) Its a learning curve for me... as you know Ive never had a drum carder before. I reeeally enjoy using it! Ive read & watched loads of tutorials on the internet which has helped loads.

So far I am only blending merino & other fine fibres. Though the drum is the standard 8" width, when the batts come off the are about 10" wide, by 33" long. With the fine fibres Im getting batts of approx 50g to 60g. I dont think that I can squash them on anymore... but Im going to have a try. Mandy says the batts should be 100g+... Im not sure if thats because she was using heavier wool, think it was an English fleece.

SO, time for some eyecandy :)

Im playing with lots of pretty colours...

Silk fibres & firestar...

And things like mohair curls... I havent had chance to do LOADS of batts yet; but I have made 3 shawls, a big wrap/scarf & 4 smaller scarves with them. Plus a shawl sized piece which didnt quite work out, but will be re-purposed another day. As usual Ive been adding in 'bits n pieces' for surface decoration; sari silk fibres & ribbons, linen fibres, 100% silk velvet as in this scarf...

e finito...

Showing the 2 ends together (just realised you cant tell theres 2 pieces, I dont want you thinking its so hefty as it would be if was that wide lol :)

Tomorow I shall post some photos of the others scarves, shawls & pins
TTFN
xx

Plodding on...

Hey folks, hope you have had a great week! And plans for a fun weekend?!

Its been a while since I last blogged... things have been a little hectic, getting called into work at the last minute (seriously - 15minutes after the person who didnt turn up should of started their shift... I only had to drive 7 miles through 3 sets of road works and morning traffic - the air was blue in my car I can tell you, I was steamin` mad!) Im gonna start growling about it again if I think about it ... so moving on :o). That was on top of my other shifts.

I have managed to get some of my fancy felting embellishments listed over on my Folsky stall, non of the hand dyed stuff yet though.

I have sari silk goodies

Silk caps & hankies

And curly locks

To be honest Im feeling a little artistically challenged at the moment. I had a simple project in mind a couple of weeks ago, make a lightweight & sexy wrap for my moms birthday. Simple! Yeah right! I made 2... each one ended up taking me a whole day (one took 9 hours solid!) and I didnt get what I wanted GRRRRRR. I actually like the finished pieces, but they just werent what I wanted for my mothers birthday present! SO, totally sick and tired of wraps I decided to make something altogether different... I cant share just yet though cos she does check out my blog from time to time & sods law she will end up seeing it before her birthday! Will post soon...

Hope Im back to my normal self next week - I dont do `down` very well (or maybe I do it too well?) Anyway, enoughs enough - maybe I should hit the Red Bull?!

Anyway, whatever you are doing - have a lovely weekend :o)
xx