Spinning Workshop!

Spinning in the Dell

January 30, 2010

9:30am - 3:00pm

Fair Oaks, California

Open to adults who want to learn how to spin. Beginners will learn on a spindle. Seasoned spindlers will learn the spinning wheel. Limited space available. (Children ages 7-17 able to learn how to spin are welcome to attend with a parent -- email us in advance). Come join Jennifer & Joey Tan at Syrendell for a day of spinning!

Cost

Price includes all spinning fiber used during the workshop, a handout, snacks and a bio-dynamic, organic vegetarian lunch. Spindles, knitting needles, crochet hooks, extra roving, fiber arts supplies, books, silks and other items available for purchase at a discount during the workshop.

Adult: $60

Child (7-17): $48

More information and to register:  www.syrendellacademy.com

Woven Table Runner Project

We finally finished our table runner!  Just in time for Winter.  Here is how we made it:

1.  Spinning:  In the Spring, we spun up yarns out of plain wool on our spinning wheels.

2.  Dyeing:  In Summer, at the Griffin Dyeworks Dye & Fiber Retreat, we dyed the yarns with natural plants. 

Broom & Copper = Chartreuse

Broom & Indigo = Green

Logwood = Lavender

Indigo = Blues

3.  Loading Shuttles:  In the Fall, we wrapped the yarns onto stick shuttles as we sang.

Up and down, up and down

We are making figure eights

Up and down, up and down

We are loading shuttles

4.  Warping:  We found a nice cotton crochet thread that had green, blue and ivory for the warp.  We dyed it in blueberries for a couple of days so that the colors blended well with our yarns.  The ivory parts turned lavender.  The warp thread was then wound into a ball using a nostepinne (this one in the picture is our favorite "nostie", made with reclaimed wood from Hurricane Katrina).  We then "warped up" our Ashford Knitters Loom.  The warp threads are the ones that are vertical on the loom.  They are threaded through the large and small slots on the "reed" and attached to the ends of the loom.  Warping takes time and two people to do it well!

5.  Weaving:  Taking turns each day, members of the family wove stripes with one of the yarns through the "shed" which is space between warp threads created when the reed is moved up or down.  Weaving back and forth created the "weft", or horizontal threads.  Mommy and Wilson made up a song as they wove.

Warp and Weft

Reed and Shed

We are weaving on the loom

Warp and Weft

Reed and Shed

We are learning weaving

We love our table runner!  So far, we have used it for our Nativity set and on the table under candles and food during dinner.  This is our second family weaving project.  We look forward to spinning, dyeing and weaving again in 2010!

Winter Transparencies

We have coveted the beautiful transparencies that we've seen at Steiner College Bookstore and in others' blogs.  We finally learned how to make them, thanks to Jen Dimonte at www.ancienthearth2.blogspot.com.  She has a very easy-to-follow tutorial on how to make these from watercolor paintings and kite paper.  Thank you, Jen!  Please be sure to follow her blog.  She posts such inspirational examples of Waldorf-inspired homeschooling.

Joey decided to make hers look like the sun setting behind the mountains (first pics show candlelight, second ones are daylight).

Ricky wanted his to look like a wintry forest.

We leave them on our table in the Dell where the sun shines through them during the day, and then light candles behind them at night.  Perfect for meditating and reflecting during this final week of the year.

Christmas Memories

Advent Wreath


Decorated Tree and Straw Star Garland

Presents Wrapped in Silks with Watercolored Tags

Handmade Stockings

Stocking Stuffers: Maple Candies for Ricky, Crayon Rocks for Wilson, Chinese Jumprope for Joey, Dr. Hauschka Lotion for Daddy, Crocheted Flower for Mommy (from Joey)

Gifts:  Felted Fairy Mobile by Ricky for Joey, Wildcraft Board Game, Nature's Prints Photo Paper, Books, Waldorf in Education Book for Daddy, Massage Certificate for Mommy, Crocheted Items for Everyone from Joey

Since the kids were under the weather, we didn't all get to see the cousins and other relatives.  Mommy made a soup and a vegan carrot cake with macadamia nut-lemon frosting using veggies and lemons from the gardens.

Happy Family,
Peaceful Day....
Merry Christmas!

Waldorf Blogs

Here is a wonderful blog by a Waldorf teacher: http://www.waldorfreviews.com/  Please check out her blog!

Also, see Rick's blog for a post on watercoloring and using salt (snow effect), as well as his physiology lessons that he has been teaching at a Waldorf school:  www.thewaldorfway.blogspot.com.

Waldorf Dolls

 









We just wanted to take a moment and feature a wonderful Etsy shop that creates beautiful Waldorf dolls!  The shop is called Whitter Woodlands.  The owner, Mindy, sometimes uses our handspun yarns and naturally dyded silks in her lovely fairy, mermaid and other doll creations.

Merry Christmas!

Our family holiday newsletter.  Merry Christmas! 

-- The Tan Family

Winter Poems

More Winter Crafts

6-pointed Snowflakes made from Kite Paper

Needlefelting Tommy Tomten (from a Donsy of Gnomes --wonderful book!)

Pinecone Birdfeeders

Felting a Nutcracker Ornament

Making Ceramic Bowls

Embroidering Gifts

Making Caramel

Folding Window Stars