new year, new skill

So the year is not exactly "new" any more. And the skill I'm learning--it's actually ancient. But I digress . . . I'm spinning! Not just with excitement but also with wool! For my birthday my super, kick-ass mother-in-law bestowed upon me her spinning wheel (an Ashford Traditional, which was stained and assembled by my father-in-law for those of you interested). It's awesome. What's even better is that I can use it! My wonderful and amazing hubby got me spinning lessons. And thank god, because upon first sitting I was mystified. There are bands and tensions and flyers and bobbins and maidens (love that . . .) and tons of other things that I didn't know anything about. Although much of the mystery still remains, I've been able to create yarn on it, and that's all I can ask for. It's all I've ever wanted. Hmm, when did this turn into a melodrama?

Here is my first handspun yarn!



Next step: figure out a better way to hang up the skeins to set.

Also: put stuff away in the bathtub when taking pictures to post on blog.

On a completely unrelated note: I had a baby, hence my blogging hiatus.

Related to the note above: He's the sweetest, smartest, and cutest baby in the world.