first yarn production

I have just recently received my belated birthday gift in the form of a Kromski spinning wheel. Even more recently I received the nitty noddy to accommodate it (this is necessary for finishing the yarn). And thus, within two days, I've finished two skeins of yarn, spun from jacob wool. As I will be leaving for a road trip to Colorado tomorrow, I think I will spend my time crocheting myself a scarf, made from scratch. Well, almost from scratch.

I did receive the wool already carded and processed, but fortunately my father's cousin has a llama and alpaca farm in Washington and has kindly supplied me with enough llama and alpaca wool to make an army of sweaters. This wool is straight off the animals - it still has the dirt, dust, and leaves. But now I am fully equip to scour, wash, spin, ply, set, and crochet this filthy wool. I am most excited. My next step is a sheep.

my first skein of finished wool

setting the twist (yarn soup)

I am most content.

the woodland household

Woods of Narnia

apple wood buttons

pine wooden coasters

Birch round buttons

birch buttons

pine place card holders

Woods of Narnia is a handmade store on etsy.com selling everything from place holders, button, jewlery, and coaster made entirely of wood! We here at The Second Fiddle love wood, and so thought these cozy coasters and such would fit our style. We hope you enjoy the rugged and rustic domestic items.

See more of Woods of Narnia's wooden items here: www.WoodsofNarnia.etsy.com

autumn finds

Fall is coming and I am giddy with excitement. I plan to have a few buds other to watch Jeremiah Johnson and camp in the back yard. Ah... if only to be like Jeremiah Johnson.

In honor of the on coming autumn, I have made a treasury on Etsy.

See the entire treasury here.

colors of autumn leaves

chai tea organic cozy by KnitStorm & flap tote in cream and sweet potato by infusion

lobsters handspun yarn by yarmee & aeroglide boots by TopsyDesign

fleur de sel caramel favors by TheCaramelJar & harvest print boho tunic by Thrush

organic baby quilt by SewnNatural & handspun merino yarn by SeeJayneKnitYarns

Thanks for supporting the small business of Etsy.

the food of gods

This is the most wonderful of videos. I saw these brothers on the selby awhile ago, and now I am even more amazed. The Mast Brothers enjoy creating chocolate and also enjoy sailing. Their chocolate is handmade and unique, as is their building. As I watched this video, I could not help smiling. enjoy...

The Mast Brothers from The Scout on Vimeo.

Check out the Scout for more amazing interviews and such.

specimens in watercolor

gollybard

Holly (the artist behind gollybard) is an amazing creator. She creates watercolor paintings of nature, insects, birds, and much more. She sells her paintings on Etsy and her work has been used in other sellers jewelry work (for example: this rustic lamb and fence magnetic locket by polarity)

Not only does Holly have great talent but a great heart. With every sell from her Heart collection, she donates $5 to So Others Might Eat, a organization in the City of Washington who helps the poor and homeless.

gollybard was also a featured seller on Etsy! Read interview here.

Visit the gollybard blog (one of my new favorites)

Look through the rest of Holly's art in her shop: www.gollybard.etsy.com

christmas

We have returned from a trip to northern California. The redwood trees were quite dazzling. While we were hiking in Muir Woods, we received inspiration for this woodland hooded scarf (now listed on The Second Fiddle). John Muir (for whom the scarf and national park is named) was an amazing naturalist who aided in the conservation of the redwoods. we've even started a flickr group (Rustic and Rugged) in honor of John Muir, Jeremiah Johnson, and all the mountain men, lumberjacks, and rugged men.

fine figure of a man: (John Muir)

Etsy is also having the annual Christmas in July sale! stop by our shop for 10% off