…my it’s been a long long time. How my doin? Well I guess that I’m doin’ fine. It’s been so long now, but it seem like it was only yesterday. Mmmm ain’t it funny how time slips away.” – Willie Nelson.

Well what can I say…it has been a very long time. The main reason for not posting has been a lack of time. Lots of lack of time…mmm can time go into minus numbers?
I made a friend a beautiful scarf (if i do say so myself) for his wife…I’m still kicking myself now for not photographing it!!! That was back in September and I haven’t really made anything since then. We had friends down from Leicester before half term holidays in October…who bought one of my brooches

As you can see, I did take a photo of that! Made from handspun acrylic…that’s something else I need to show you, my very large fibre enhancement…once I get the time!

We then went off to Cardiff during half term, for a Halloween/Bonfire night.

Just before I left for half term holidays, it was whispered into my ear that there was a job going with “Springboard”, you’ve probably heard me mention them before, as I have worked as a craft tutor for them, a while ago now. Basically what they do is encourage people to get back into learning, gain qualifications and get jobs (where they’re going to get jobs from I have no idea, but that’s another story). So it would be my job to find out what these people want to do, set it up and get them in.

When I got back to school, I was asked to take the temporary post until the Christmas holidays, in which time I would be having an interview for the permanant post (which incidently is this Friday). I’m still working in the Autistic Unit 3 days a week (there’s another story!) and Springboarding 2 days. It’s a bit more money and I get to stay in the unit…cake had and eaten!

Fibre crafts have been put on hold for the time being, I’m so busy at the moment with work and home and the run up to Christmas, I’ve started my NVQ level 3 in Childcare Learning and Development, decorating the kitchen and many other things, but I have tucked another craft under my belt… Bobbin Lace.

I discovered, well J discovered a bobbin lace group that meets up in Pembroke Dock every week, so I said I would go along and I’m really enjoying learning something new. I do wish I had the time to concentrate on it as much as I would like. Hopefully things will settle down after Christmas.

For now…I have a presentation to prepare for this morning…encouring people to come on my courses, then a meeting with Encompass Pembroke Dock and then I get time to panic about the interview Friday! I know the job’s in the bag, so to speak, but still having to go throught the formalities is a bit daunting. This weekeknd is lantern making time again followed by the Christingle service at St Patricks…I long for a time not to have to think.

I was going to say have a merry Christmas…but I really miss you all, so I will post again before then. I promise.

Happy December to you all xx

There is one hobby I love more than fibre and that’s camping. There’s something wonderful about going back to basics, appreciating the countryside views, listening to the birds at 5am, building a fire, having to eat basic foods, meeting new likeminded people and having the time to read (and spin – of course!).

We were all invited to stay with friends in Bosherston which is close enough to pop home if the kids needed clean clothes, but far enough to make that journey a difficult one! I know I have mentioned Trefalen Farm a lot,  but it truly is a beautiful and fantastic corner of Wales.

View from the campsite. Church rock off Broad Haven Beach

Bosherston Lily Ponds.

I was trying to get a photo of the heart shaped rock…it was a bonus that the busker was there too. In fact there were 5 in all with various intruments, 4 of which were ‘next door’ to us, playing traditional English tunes. Perfect. One of those musicians, I learned later was also a spinner and weaver.

There are more photo’s here

During our holiday here, we were invited to Swansea to visit one of  Big J’s Moblogging friends, Maggie, who had a fun packed day planned for our kids at Clyne Farm

There was also archery and indoor climbing, Big J took most of those photos, if you would like to see them, they are here.

It was a fantastic and very tiring day, but wonderful to meet Maggie and her family too.

As the weather was still good, we decided to go back to the campsite, there was no reason to be stuck at home until it was time for me to be back at work and there was a catch to the camping holiday, that was to teach the owner, M, how to spin her own alpaca.

Lord Cawdor, Petrox and William.

So off I went, armed with carders, spindles, and gave her some tips on washing. Hopefully she has enough basic information now to keep going. I’m looking forward to going back when we get some nice weather (hmmmm) and see how she’s doing.

The days where it rained was filled with knitting and reading. I managed to get a whole garment finished! Ok, it’s not a large, intricate garment, but a finished one nonetheless.

Meet “Elyon” hand knitted in handspun yarns. The top half is “Smeagol” BFL from Limegreenjelly. The bottom half in “Life is a bowl of Cherries” Faux Cashmere and Silk, also Limegreenjelly.

An improvised design…and as usual I forgot to write the instructions down!

The name “Elyon” comes from the books I am reading at the moment. “The Circle Trilogy” by Ted Dekker. I thoroughly recommend them, whether you are a Christian or love fantasy stories. Perfect for both.

It’s back to work for me tomorrow, I’m looking forward to getting back into a routine now after all that fresh air and spirituality.

I have since discovered that I am not Ceoliac…and although that is good…I now have to go through a whole process of tests to find out what it is..ho hum….

Oh and I have lots of baby knitting to do as my sister has had a baby girl, named Cerys Angela, I am under strict instructions though…NO PINK!

Hope you all had a wonderful August!

Posted in Uncategorized ]]> http://riggwelter.wordpress.com/2009/08/31/ar-lan-y-mor-down-by-the-sea/feed/ 6 riggwelter bosherston 002 bosh 006 bosh 010 Collages bosherston 004 top 001 http://riggwelter.wordpress.com/2009/07/28/there-she-goes-my-beautiful-world/ http://riggwelter.wordpress.com/2009/07/28/there-she-goes-my-beautiful-world/#comments Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:17:08 +0000 riggwelter http://riggwelter.wordpress.com/?p=723 ]]>

(Nick Cave)

Well that’s that then, the Tour de Fleece is over. It was great! I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. I feel my spinning has improved greatly, I have learned to navajo ply, spin fine, consistant singles and I’ve had a go at art yarn, though not very successfully I have to admit.

I’ve also written a new pattern after discovering a neat little trick.

It’s quite a strange feeling after continuously watching the Tour on TV and spinning like a very spinny thing…to nothing. I have started some socks with a merino/solk blend that I beagan spinning at the beginning of the tour.

The fibre was very kindly given to me by DeepSea Knitter.

And this one is next on the cards….

This is 50% Faux Cashmere and 50% Silk,  “Cherry Kiss” from Limegreenjelly.I’ve also got some fibre coming from HappyNeedle which I’m really excited about but I’ll have to wait a while for that, it’s coming from the states.

During the passed two weeks it suddenly dawned on me why I began blogging in the first place…this whole internet community thing can seem a little wierd at times. Especially when you have stories in the media telling us it’s bad for our health and state of mind, people are going out less and all that…where I see where they are coming from and no doubt for some people it can be a bit of an obsession…but without the internest (I quite like that typo so I’m leaving it in) I’d still be knitting in secret, I’d have never even thought about spinning my own yarn, or I would have done but I’d still be crap at it!

I’d never have been in touch with people like Jo and the LimegreenJelly group,  Anne and Kath, all the Plurksibs, The Ravelry lot, the Mobbloggers without whom Jim wouldn’t have been able to cycle 300 miles and to everyone who reads my blog and takes the time to leave a comment.

And though I have a tiny little voice, I just wanted to say, no, shout,  thank you all, all of you are wonderful and helpful and fantastic!

So what’s next?

I’m waiting for the other half to get back from London then we’re going to stay in Bosherston for a bit where I’m going to be giving some spinning lessons. I’ve got plans to give a friend of a friend some lessons on a knitting machine and no doubt I will be doing some craft sessions at some point, but those are still to be planned.

At the moment I am being tested to see if I have Coeliacs disease, which is a bit of a pain…as we’re in a pretty small town gluten free stuff is hard to come by (and if anyone out there also needs a gluten free diet and has any tips…they will be greatfully received). It also means no more Riggwelter…the beer that is, or whiskey…Do they do gluten free ale? Hmmph!

And on that bombshell (sorry I’ve just been watching Top Gear)…see you soon.

(Radiohead – The Tourist – Ok Computer)

I’ve been meaning to write this blog post for ages, but for some reason or another, I just haven’t got around to it.

The Tour de Fleece spinning is going well, and have so far spun 2 50g hanks of navajo plied merino, 100g of BFL 2 ply 3 40g hanks of a chunky slubby shetland yarn and I’m about to spin another shetland…I might try plying on the fly for this one.

This is “Take Back” from Limegreenjelly, a merino nad bamboo blend.

This yanrn I have named “Navajo Blue” a superfine merino which was gifted to me from MamaMi.

I love to learn new techniques and can get quite obsessive until I feel I’ve got it right. I still don’t really know if I have but I followed the instructions given on this video.

This is “Precious” from Limegreenjelly, I’ve spun it into a 2 ply yarn and have named my creation “Smeagol”. I am so pleased with this one! Jo’s wonderful colours make it a special yarn.

The yarn on the left, middle and right are the “Slubby Gimp” yarn, this is “Ceiliog” (If I remember rightly,  is Cockerel, in Welsh) a shetland fibre from MamaMi, plied with a bright red cotton yarn.

So stage 11 is up and I’m gonna spin this one: “Derw” (which is Oak, in Welsh) another shetland from MamaMi.

I’m either going to ply on the fly with this one or ply it with some “Take Back” merino/bamboo…or both! I’ve been spinning most of these on my spindle that was hand made by a friend in Pembroke, I am so impressed with them, they have worked so well.

If at all you would like to buy one, they are in my Folksy Shop.

I had the most wonderful 3 day weekend. Saturday was spent shopping as I had to go to Haverford West to get my eyes tested…I wion’t tell you how much we ended up spending in the Christian Bookshop, but it was alot!

I bought this one for me:

Which is book 1 of the Circle Trilogy. I’m enjoying it, though it sounds, so far, a lot like ” The Chronicles Thomas Covenant” by Stephen Donaldson, but a lot easier to read.

The reason we spent a lot was that Jim and I are hoping to set up a youth church in Pembroke Dock, we want it to prepare young children for big church, but explaing various things like Communion, Baptism, the sermon etc on their level. We’re looking at alternative worshipping, so it’s not boring….and I get to do all the craft bits, naturally!

On Sunday I had my little sister over from Leeds, she’s about 7 months pregnant with her first baby and very excited. We spent the evening looking through all my baby knitting patterns and had a good laugh at all those fantastic vintage patterns!

I think she’d kill me if I knitted this for her!

Monday I took the day off work, the big kids were a bit poorly, but nothing too bad in the end. As Caryl and James were still around, we took them to Bosherston and met up with my friend M (she own’s the alpacas), who has booked us in to camp on her site for a couple of weeks during the summer hols (only 3 days to go!!!!!!) which will be so handy as we’re not too far from home if we need anything, and we still get to go away, a change is as good as a rest, so they say! I have to give her and a friend some spinning lessons in return though! I’m sure I can manage that!

First though, we have a trip to London to meet some of Jim’s Moblog friends. He is taking part in a charity Bike ride, from London to Cambridge….if you fancy sponsering him at all, the website is here: He’s raising money for “BreakThrough” a Breast Cancer charity. There is a link here if you would like to know more about the Breakthrough Charity.

So, what’s next for me?

After I finish work in 3 days time, Spinning for the Tour de Fleece, I have face painting for a friends birthday, making table runners from Sari fabric for a friends wedding, I have been asked to do another face painting session for “The Big Lunch” which is happening the Sunday. I’m hoping the weather stays dry! We’ll be meeting in the Memorial park at around 12.30pm and having a big picnic.

So, still busy, busy for now at least.

Happy days xx

The first day of the Tour de France and Phil Ligit manages to get one of his famous Ligit-isms in straight away! Yes, it’s that time of year again when fibre freaks around the world don a pair of lycra shorts and tool of their choice. For two years I did the KAL, obtaining a Polka Dot Jersey both times. This year I’m going for my biggest challenge yet, but not with pointy sticks, oh no…this year I’m doing the Tour de Fleece.

I am on Team Jelly Legs initially, also in Team Rookie and team Drop Spindle

I am planning to spin 400g of fleece and hopefully learn to navajo ply. So far I have spun 100g of the Merino/Silk that was in my last post. It was so easy to spin and looks wonderful as a yarn. I’ve left it in singles, as there are so many colours already in it, I think adding more would be too much.

Next up is “Precious” from Jo at Limegreenjelly

I am so very looking forward to spinning this BFL, the colours are just what I want right now.

As for the Tour de France…Armstrong, Wiggins and Cavendish are looking good (these are the guys I particularly look out for). Cadel Evans and Contador are looking good too…I wish all the guys the best of luck!

Watch this from YouTube

Ah, the anti climax…after weeks of chasing people up, finding a venue, or two…the haggling for prices, finding people who you think would be interested  and then in the final hours the panic sets in.

Thankfully I had Elizabeth (Deep Sea Knitter) to share that with and take my mind off the whole affair. It’s funny because we’re not actually that far away from each other providing there’s a car involved, but neither of us have one and public transport in West Wales is…well…difficult.  So she came down Friday instead. It was lovely to have you here and thank you x

Spinning Blue faced Leicester.

Regardless of any ground work, it’s the people who turn up who make the whole event wonderful. Our usual knitters came, Monkton’s knitting group and a few strangers popped in too.

A lady from the RSVP (retired senior volunteer programme) came along to give us some yarns and whatnot. She also wanted to know how to use a knitting machine…to which I kindly obliged until the machine jammed!  Half the needles had bent and a cam in the carriage was not moving as smoothly as it should. I should have checked it first! D’oh!

Catronia from “Jane’s of Fishguard” wool shop came down with her daughter….and John ( “The Woodman” as he seems to have become known as) came over with his wife.

I shall be putting his spindles up for sale in my Folksy Shop.

By 1pm most had had enough and started to pack up their gazebos. I’m so glad I stuck around because I finally met Angie of  Blog  Blethers who is sat behind Felix (The Domestic Soundscape) who was travelling around our neck of the woods and knitting her baby wool and sari silk project. I’m also glad Andrew (Ravelry Link) managed to fit us in in his busy schedule too. I can’t wait to see that Pinwheel Cardigan finished which he is knitting in the most beautiful yarn I have ever seen.

Thank you all so much for coming  and thank you to Mr Hobo for the photos. Glad you were’nt the token bloke after all.

So, what’s next?

On the 19th of June I shall be face pinting on the Memorial park with the “Teddy Bear’s Picnic”. On Sunday Mr Hobo has been asked to lead the Family Service, at St Teilo’s church, which gives us a chance to get an idea of how our Youth Church, “Tyfu Tyfil” will pan out.

Find a lace project for this…

and find some time to spin this…

merino and silk

Both were kindly given to me by Elizabeth. Thank you x

For now…

Cheers!

(thank you Angie xx)

You know when you’re working hard, never seem to be in, and the house work is the last thing on your mind…yet, you know it has to be done and the ironing pile becomes a new monument, the living room floor dissapears and you find yourself constantly moving things to sit down.

Yesterday I had to tidy, I had to. I’m going to be busy for the next two weekends (I’ll tell you later) and I don’t want to be doing anything after work, so the plan was, get the kids to help and they could earn some pocket money and we were possibly having people around. It had to be done – end of!

But…(yeah, you knew the “but” was coming). We remebered that the Pembrokeshire Potato Festival was on. We usually miss it as Pembrokeshire has this fear of advertising events.

So off we went…

Tomos Tatws

Thankfully the weather stayed dry in time for the kids to make potato-head masks.

I love the expression on Mavis’ mask – she actually looks like that!

It was good to see Pip and Guy again. Who, with Josie Coggins are known as “Space to Create”. A little group of very talented artists.

As you may or may not have realised, I’m a big fan of real ales, hence the name “Riggwelter” which is a Black Sheep Brewery Beer, you may also know that I love to support local produce (most of our veg and meat comes from the farmer’s market here). So when the two come together, I can get quite excited.

The Honey one is going to go well with today’s dinner.

Organic Pembrokeshire lamb. Mmmmmmmm….

Needless to say, the tidying up didn’t get done, apart from tidying up the living room a little so I could at least sit down at the computer! As soon as I heard we weren,t having guests after all, I gave up on the idea.

I have been doing a little crocheting. I’m making little keyrings to sell at the weekend, to raise some money for SNAP Cymru.

Made from Twilley’s of Stamford “Freedom Spirit”

and some little bangles.

(made from “Freedom Spirit” – 100% Wool)

and a couple of clocks.

(made from handspun wool and Angelina fibre – from Mamami)

Right, I’m off to tidy the house….as if!

Posted in Uncategorized Tagged: Midsummer Festival, pembroke dock, pembrokeshire, SNAP Cymru, spacetocreate, wool, WWKIP day 2009 ]]> http://riggwelter.wordpress.com/2009/06/07/1-potato-2-potato/feed/ 2 riggwelter potato 002 GetAttachment.aspx beer morestuff 003 morestuff 004 stuff 008 clock 027 http://riggwelter.wordpress.com/2009/06/02/wwkip-day-is-on-its-way/ http://riggwelter.wordpress.com/2009/06/02/wwkip-day-is-on-its-way/#comments Tue, 02 Jun 2009 04:57:40 +0000 riggwelter http://riggwelter.wordpress.com/?p=644 ]]>

So here it is, finally organised. A venue suggested by a very good friend, who is also a very good friend of a pub with a big garden! All we have to do now is pray for good weather.

wwkipday EDIT (2.6.09)  Brenda Dayne of the podcast “Cast On” is coming!

If for any reason the link doesn’t work: The World Wide Knit in Public Day is taking place on the 13th of June at the “First and Last” pub in Pembroke Dock (in their back garden). We will start at around 10.30 and carry on untill people are getting fed up!

If it’s raining we shall be in St Teilo’s Church Hall, which is a few yards down the road.

It’s enclosed and we shall have a couple of gazebos, so safe for children. We shall have knitters, crocheters, spinners, I’m hoping a yarn dyer, a knitting machine, lots to do and see.

We will also be taking donations to raise money for SNAP Cymru. Who are a charity for families who have children with special educational needs.

As I said in an earlier post I was going to Cardiff to see another good friend. The weather was fine, the train journey was bearable, the kids behaved, it was perfect.

Sue toook us to see St Fagan’s museum. If you’re ever in or around Cardiff, I thouroughly recommend it. It’s free, it child friendly and a fantastic, educational day out. I took so many photos so I won’t bore you with them all, but the bit I found the most amazing was the celtic houses.

celtic house

drop spindle.

Weaving from a very basic tapestry loom.

The warp was weighted down at the bottom by loads of decorated stones.

“The round dwellings are reconstructions based on the excavated remains of actual buildings.The stone-walled house is based on one found at Conderton, Worcestershire; the first wattle-walled house on one from the hillfort of Moel-y-Gaer, Flintshire; and the large house, with its roof supported on posts, on remains excavated at Moel-y-Gerddi, Gwynedd.”

(above quote taken from this site)

It was amazing, so much to see. Of course, once I had discovered there was a Woollen Mill, I had to go. I was hoping they would sell their fleeces, but sadly not.

huge drum carder.

Four shaft floor loom.

We went to a wood carving exhibition which was just stunning. Big J took most of the photos here.

I was enthralled by a chap who started making little dragons for the kids! (I think his name was John Maiden) and was chatting to a lady who was making a love spoon from oak! Sadly I didn’t take a photo, nor can I remmeber her name, but I hope it’s going well!

Kids hypnotised by Mr Maiden

Just before we started to call it a day we came across a church. Us adults wanted to see it because of the history behind it, the kids wanted to see it because it was called St Teilo’s (which is the same as the church we go to).

I love that wall.

There’s a bit about the history here

I particularly love the fact thet they found Pre-Reformation paintings on the walls where the rain had washed the lime-wash away! Thankfully they have restored them all. Must have taken ages!

The Last Supper

Enjoy the good weather while it last folks!

1. “Taffygog Tribble”. Alpaca and Merino, handspun on a drop spindle.

2. Good beer and MamaMi’s “Blasus”, superfine merino.

3. Alpaca neck warmer.

4. New drop spindle with more MamaMi superfine merino.

5. Twilley’s of Stamford 100% wool “Freedom” knitted in garter stitch.

6. “Blasus” superfine merino singles, spun on drop spindle.

7. Spinning outside, alpaca.

8. “After the Goldrush” wool and angelina fibre I think….(help Anne?) from MamaMi.

9. New drop spinlde, new carders and new fibre……heaven!

10. Alpaca, 2ply, drop spindle.

11. Handbag knitted in “Freedom” with circular bamboo handles.

12. “Taffygog Tribble”.

Centre: more alpaca!

As you can see I’ve kinda got into this spinning lark….kinda. It seems there is more spinning going on than knitting at the moment, though I do need to swap the spindle for needles soon as there are a few babies on the way….not me, btw, before anyone gets any silly ideas!

But while things are going my way I’m sicking with this spinning. The wonderful lady at my LYS has done it again and managed to put me in touch with a local wood turner. I bought a few of his bowls which are beautiful (I’ll post a pic later). I asked G when she saw him next to ask if he’d have a go at making drop spindles…..A big fat YES was the reply and after a phone call from him, I think he’s about as excited as I am about it all and wants to try his hand at making a spinning wheel! As I don’t have one I’ll have to see about finding stuff on t’internet for him (if anyone can point me in the right direction I will be very grateful). Anyway the new spindle in the mosaic above is the one he made…..it works fine, a little wobbley, but it spins. I was hoping to meet up with Jonathan during the half term holidays as he said he’d let me have a go on his lathe! How cool is that? But it looks like we may be going away to Cardiff to see a frriend…..Angie, I will be in touch, maybe we can meet up?

As well as all that, I managed to get a pair of second hand carders from the wonderful Christina (thank you x) so that’s me in business!

Apart from all that good stuff, there’s not a great deal going on. Work, work and work! I am looking forward to the half term holidays though and getting a bit of a break. She says, with four kids in tow!

I’m trying to organise a WWKIP day here. I was trying for the Pembroke Town Hall but it’s booked for that week. I have a lovely lady on the case who’s been trying very hard to find a venue, but nothing is working out. So I’m going to try for the space outside the Pembroke Dock Library, it’s close to a cafe, toilets and seats. If it rains though, I don’t know what we’ll do? Still working on that one! We might end up in one of the church halls, which is what I didn’t want to do, as they are not public enough…..we shall see.

If anyone in Pembrokeshire wants to come and join us, please feel free….please, let’s make this a fantastic event!

Hand made wooden bowls. If you’re interested, they are £16. Just let me know.

It’s been a long time since bloggin’, I know, but there was a reason.

Last weekend we had been invited up to Trefalen Farm so I could meet the alpacas whos fleece I have been spinning. But alas, there were no buses running on a Friday to Bosherton….Saturday was impossible as there are only 2 buses running, we would not have got back in time to see the fantastic John Tams play in Pennar.

We left it to this weekend….it was wet to say the least. The wind was blowing a gale and the sand on Broad Haven beach was painful! But we went anyway….well if you stayed inside every time it rained around here, you’d never see daylight!

Church Rock off Broad Haven Beach.

Because the wind spooks the horses, I wasn’t able to get up close to the alpaca field….I could see them from a distance though.

From left to right “William”, “Petroc” and “Lord Cawdor”.

There’s always something special about knowing where your products come from, like buying meat and veg from a Farmer’s market and getting to know them, growing your own, raising your own animals (oh I wish!).

When you buy from a supermarket or a shop on the internet, you kinda become detattched from the fact that someone somewhere has put all this hard work in to producing the item. I love these stores like Etsy, Folksy, Artfire and many others, not only are you made aware that theser items are made by one single person, but you can get to know them, understand why they produce these things, and knowing the love and sweat that goes into it makes them all the more special and precious.

As we’re talkin’ handmade, InkberryBlue asked if she could see what I got up to over the Easter holidays. As I mentioned in the last post, I was doing two Easter craft workshops at the Youth Centre in Pembroke Dock.

They went very well and thank you all that came along.

Easter Baskets made from card and tissue and filled them with these wonderful felt pens shaped like eggs.

We decorated paper flower pots,stuffed them with tissue, made flowers from straws and card, and filled the top with mini Easter eggs.

As these went well, I did another two craft days the following week. Where we did all types of crafts, from mixed media mark making, weaving, spinning and cardmaking.

These structures were originally the lanterns that were made for the Midwinter festival. I love recycling!

As much as I am so, so glad to be back at work, I would love to have the time to get things made for my online store, get some of my knitting finished, spin more yarn….oh the list is endless!!

Still we can’t have it all can we?

It’s not going to stop me from trying though!

Oh and someone mentioned they thought I had changed my blog site….I have but I’m using this one too, so you can choose whichever you want to respond too.