You are currently browsing the monthly archive for May 2006.
My latest addition of Forrester spindles is a Forrester Blossom Fancy. It is the one with a large cherry blossom pyrography the second from the right. This is courtesy of my folks who purchased it directly from Canada. They knew that apart from Cascabeles spindles, Forrester spindles are my favorites as well. The Forresters have a long spin and for some very unique reason are very easy on the hands. I also love the fact that they are beautifully sculpted and the woods are also retrieved from biodiversified forests. I see a larger collection of Forresters among my Cascabeles in my future. And I also like the fact that the maker of these works of art is very nice, thoughtful and kind-hearted. A rarity amongst artisans these days.
I have been swamped with work lately and have not had much time playing with fiber prep. But I did manage to reel some silk skeins that I dyed naturally last week. The idea of silk worms, cocoons and caterpillars playing in my husband’s garage just did not make it so I had some degummed silk coccons to reel silk threads out of. And I am having a ball! Usually I just buy prepared silk tops already handpainted and spin them into singles but I have always been intrigued by how Michael Cook of wormspit does his silk prep so I just had to try. It came out beautiful and later I plied the silky strands onto itself did a dye job in the pot and reeled them into 60 yard skeins. Now I am seriously thinking about getting a custom made silk reel to indulge in more of this fascinating activity. Wasn’t sure how my husband is going to react to that but as long as I am not messy and throw pupas and cocoons all over his garage, I think it’ll be just fine.
photo by Nicholas Leong of Green Edible Tomatoes, Singapore
1. I’m a Singaporean-born ethnic of Sumatran Chinese, Thai, Balinese, Javanese lineage
2. I was born in the month of November
3. I am a great fan of calamari, yes that edible sea creature
4. I have traveled and lived in 5 different continents of the world; 22 different countries
5. I used to dream of settling down in Nepal and build a house among the mountains
6. I windsurfed and swam a great deal of my youth in Southeast Asia
7. My mom used to say that if I do not know how to spin, knit or weave that no man will want to marry me
8. I beach bummed in Bali most of my youth
9. I have exhibited fine art photography and performed body movement in 7 different countries
10. My favorite subject in high school is World History
11. I taught in a Singapore-British high school education system for 3 years
12. I speak 6 different languages
13. I am 12 years younger than my dear husband but he behaves 12 years younger than me
14. I have worked for the top 20 news market in the USA
15. My husband is Irish-Italian American with a full-blown matriarchal Italian mom and a softspoken Irish dad
16. I am the proud mother of 2 lovely baby girls each of them is named after their maternal and paternal great grandmothers
17. My favorite Chinese cuisine is Singaporean Char Kuay Tiao and Hokkien Mee. Yum!
18. My favorite Indian cuisine is Singaporean Roti Prata with Fish curry Yum!
19. My favorite Indonesian cuisine is Gado-Gado and Satay Ayam More Yumm!
20. My favorite dessert is Ice Avocado; OK I probably need to get a plane ticket to Bali
21. I like my meat medium-rare. I used to like it well-done
22. My wedding band is a mokume-gane with a fusion of rose gold, titanium and yellow gold
23. I love Japanese people; I think they’re awesome. I have worked a lot with Japanese artists and dancers; I almost married one
24. I went through 16 years of Singapore-British education, 7 years of American tertiary and I have 4 different degrees
25. My favorite color is yellow because it’s cheery and makes me happy
26. I make a point to have a haircut whenever I am feeling unlucky
27. I crave and eat sushi when I was pregnant, both times
28. I have a Nikon F3, aBronica medium format, a Mamiya medium format and a large format Hassleblad…
29. I love shooting on an Ilford Pan50 and a Fuji Pan X 25 – rare and discontinued
30. I really think the best sandwiches are made in Singapore and sold by the Olio Dome cafe
31. As a true blue Singaporean I took great pride in being a citizen (however I am now a full-pledged American citizen); Singapore is top 1 in the Globalization Index and has the world’s best port and airline
32. Ok seriously I would love to one day own a farm I can call my own; which is kinda ironic because before I moved to the States I have been forewarned by my Singaporean gal friends that I may turn into a Dutch Lady, Amish or something
33. My father was a teacher with the Singapore-British education board and my mom owns a business
34. I used to date a US Marine and I have a lot of respect for the military
35. I grew up learning Balinese traditional dance and later trained with contemporary Japanese Butoh performers and contemporary dancers
36. Oh I love mushrooms in general, all kinds and shiitake especially except for the magic ones
37. I am drug free, alcohol free and smoke free and proud of it too
38. I never understand why chewing gum is so fun; probably because I originally came from a nation that bans them
39. I don’t like to label myself a liberal or a conservative in the American sense but rather enjoy the entertainment of seeing both groups insult each other
40. I would ask for spinning fiber as opposed to a diamond for a Valentine’s Day gift
41. My husband thinks I have the most quirkiest sense of humor; you can’t blame me for being exposed to British Black comedy for most of my life
42. I would like to go back in time to unravel the thoughts of British colonizers; I mean what were they thinking? The exotic east?
43. Oooh I haven’t mention this but I love Edward Said; I am a great fan of him; I would love to meet him in person one day; That would be such an honor!
44. My skin is naturally tanned after my Indonesian father, my mom thinks only fair-skinned girls like her are pretty
45. I love Siamese and Kucinta Singaporean drain cats; they have the most interesting personality
46. I have a 56 gallon freshwater aquarium filled with Severums and Parrot fishes; I think they’re awesome
47. One day I’d love to own a French or German Angora Rabbit; they are gorgeous and make great fiber source
48. My favorite drink is Sweet Port at Xmas
49. I hardly wear make-up except when I’m working.
50. I’d rather have no religious preference but I’d go to the Balinese temple in a heartbeat. They’re the most beautiful and cosmic.
51. I yearn to metamorphose like a butterfly all the time; I think there is always an ongoing expectation in myself that strives for positive changes in life
52. I am self-sufficient and am a low maintenance gal although when it comes to fiber I beg to differ; I think all fiber enthusiasts share the same thing
53. I never make it a habit to eat American Fast Food when I am in Asia but I revel in yummy burgers in the States; my favorite burger is Japanese though; you can find chains in Japan, Singapore and New York City called Mos Burger; instead of buns, they use rice cakes to sandwich the darn meat
54. My husband thinks I worry too much about life possibly because I am meticulous about everything under the sun
55. When overseas I partake in running hashes; no they’re not a drug activity; they’re an international phenomenon where people meet to work out an 8 mile run and then later drink beer; the beer part I leave it all to my dear husband to enjoy
56. In 2000 3 weeks after moving to Texas from overseas I had encountered an incident where I was cornered at gunpoint by some darn redneck woman and her 15 year old daughter. Guns are illegal in Singapore.
57. A month later I went up north to my in-laws, borrowed their MKs and learned how to shoot.
58. Interesting enough, I made and exhibited a series of digital art where the theme is the Gun and I.
59. Do not fear. I do not keep guns and I will not hurt anyone irresponsibly ha!
60. I am kind-hearted and in real life soft-spoken but give me a bad attitude and I will honestly let you know upfront what I’m really made of ; Thai chillies complete in a package
61. I appreciate true talent and artists who do their work out of a sincere thirst for expression
62. I also believe that everyone needs to appreciate art at least one form of art in their lifetime even if they can’t find a reason to
63. My favorite idea of a vacation is to fly to the island of Bali and enjoy the dance, art and local festivities at the temples
64. I don’t mind going to the beaches in Bali to enjoy the surfs during an off-peak tourist season
65. The most beautiful sceneries I enjoy about Bali are the rice fields, the mountains and the rivers
66. Yes I think everyone should make it a point to experience Bali at least once in their lifetime; it will change your life!
67. The other places in the world that intrigue me is Scandinavia. I have met Norwegians, Danish, Finnish, Swedish people in my travels and I think they have the most interesting personality
68. I also like collecting spinning wheels that are Scandinavian inspired
69. Scandinavian looms have also been the most beautiful and the most interesting equipment I have ever woven on
70. The seacapes in Norway especially are just gorgeous and definitely a tranquil scene to enjoy
71. If I have a chance at a property in Norway, I would set up a spinning and weaving studio overlooking the seascapes
72. I am a very organized person and I appreciate others who are ardently fans of the neat and proper
73. I have reason to believe that neat and proper people can appreciate their life, family and friends better than if they weren’t
74. That said, need and proper people also have a better consideration for others and their spaces
75. I love wearing chaco sandals because they’re comfy and clean looking but unfortunately heels are what I have to put on when I’m at work
76. Yes I own several pairs of those chaco sandals mainly in very pretty berry and pink-mauve colors and if I have the choice of trading my heels, I ‘d go for a wardrobe full of chacos
77. The best and nicest things in life aren’t free; and unfortunately some people think they are
78. I enjoy watching my toddler identify the objects on her flashcards; the joy of learning is endless
79. Little ones need all the encouraging and support when it comes to learning and adults around them are the ones they take to and emulate
80. Apples and Oranges are the best healing foods one can have in their diet but lately pom juice is what we drink around here
81. I love shopping at the wholesfood market because it carries a variety of foods from all over the world
82. Interestingly enough a wide array of global foods in one’s diet can make up for a more healthier life. Imagine adding tofu and green tea instead of sodas to your meals
83. While some people say the chiropractor is a neccessity, I’d opt for an excellent Balinese massage and a feel good haircut
84. Hot springs are a good way to rejuvenate yourself as well
85. Ultimately a good swim workout and a few rounds in the park will perk your senses
86. While I have collections of spinning wheels, my husband revels in his 2 wheeler mountain bikes; yes there seems to be a pattern for things that spin in this house
87. We have done the MS 150 Bike Rides and mountain bike trails is what my husband enjoys
88. While having enjoyed tropical weather most of my youth due to all the beach and windsurfing activities, I now yearn for a much cooler weather
89. Possibly because much cooler climates can attest for my woolly leisures and be the perfect environment for woolly critters
90. My favorite woods are figured myrtle, figured maple and box elder and I have a collection of fiber tools and spinning wheels made out of these; I keep them as heirlooms for my children
91. I appreciate a pretty dress on a nice occasion but my favorites are a pair of nice J Crew jeans and a pretty sweater
92. My favorite airlines are Singapore Air Business Class and Japan Airlines; they’re top notch in service
93. The best layover I had was at Narita Airport in Tokyo, just because it is one of the most tranquil yet mellow atmosphere I’ve ever experienced
94. Plus the best gadgets and people and calamari you can find are in Japan
95. Kinokuniya is my favorite bookstore in Singapore and Japan
96. I love Japanese silk Kimonos and Korean silk Hanboks; they’re the traditional dresses in these countries
97. I also revel in Indian Sari silks andThai silks
98. In Bahasa language silk is called Sutera
99. Yes all this talk about silk you must be wondering why
100. Because currently I am spinning the most silkiest and most exquisite silk top from Mongolia
I am frantically spinning away all my Fall colors so that I can make way for Summer spinning. With all that’s been going on in our lives right now, Spring color fibers have to take a back seat. I have kept some Silks in pretty spring pink and some Targhee pastels waiting for some spinning action but I think I will go ahead and start spinning Summer inspirations. With all the fiber festivals going on right now, perhaps it is time to get more fiber! How exciting don’t you think? I’m planning to go to Rhinebeck; Maryland was a no-show due to last minute law work I had to attend to so I’m planning Rhinebeck for the Fall, it’ll be nice to see autumn settings with all the leaves and foliage changing colors. My husband has arranged mile redemption for the flights and possibly I’ll bring the babies along so we can all have a sightseeing adventure.
The fuschia merino top was spun on the Debbie wheel. It is a nice wheel and indeed a dream to spin on. It will do whatever you want it to do by a gentle touch of your toes and heels. I have a background in dance and body movement; Balinese traditional and contemporary as well and with the Debbie it’s like performing on stage all over again. I won’t trade the Debbie for the world. I will post a photo of my Ashley wheel, Debbie’s bigger 30 inch Scandinavian sister when I have the chance.
The Schacht in the corner, I use for teaching, because I have realized in my experience lately that most students these days want to learn on a Schacht. It is a nice wheel but has its quirks; I say so because I have spun on many other wheels and while the Schacht is an overall nice wheel I have spun on many others that are equal to it or have performed better. Still, I am happy to say I have found my comfort zone with it. I used to be so reluctant to teach anyone who come to me armed with a Schacht in hand. But nowadays anything goes.
This is a photo of Elaine Eskesen’s Pollock yarn from her book Dyeing to Knit. For those of you wondering; this was the book I mentioned in my previous post below. So far this is my most favorite of Eskesen’s dyeing techniques; Eskesen invented this technique/ design for her friend who wanted a partcular yarn look. Her book will tell you the full recipe to the technique so if you want to get the same effect, you may want to get a copy of her fabulous book. All her secret recipes are inside. Knitters, Spinners dyers alike, my 2 cents is the book is worth your money.
Along with the loom I received these books courtesy of my sweetie hubby, Dave. The first one is titled Spinning in the Old Way by a favorite author ~ Priscilla Gibson-Roberts. Oyyy all you spindlers out there, hear this; this is a must have keeper book! It’s very informative and the illustrations are very clear. It talks about everything you need to know about spindling from how much twist to managing your skeins. It is great for everyone from those who want to learn and those who’re experienced. I personally think for those who already have the basics will appreciate spindling much more after you read this book. The spindle that you see next to the book is last year’s mother’s day gift by my sweetie hubby. It is my most precious Thomas Forrester custom made Linum Fancy made to specifications by Mr. Forrester himself.
The second one is titled Dyeing to Knit by Elaine Eskesen of Pine Tree Yarns fame. It is an excellent book and one that I have always been looking for in terms of a Dye book. The photos are colorful and beautiful; although they are more educational and illustrative not like a coffee table book sorts. I’d say Plucky Fluff is a Coffee Table Book although I love that book to death. Eskesen’s book is more informative. She shares many dyeing techniques of which I already have a favorite!
