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I really can’t wait for Rhinebeck. Soooo exciting. Rhinebeck organizers should have a countdown to Rhinebeck to help me cope with anxiety. Ha! Meanwhile, my husband and I will be vacationing in Albany as well along with our two toddlers. (Think crisped Fall apples, autumn foliage. cool air hmmm!) But can you imagine going to Rhinebeck with kids? I hope we cope well, it’s not as bad as Maryland I hear but still.
Here is a recent photo of Petra Ava in all her glee. Yes she’s well-known for her signature cream puff do being the curly-haired. That’s her about last fall the same time. She really has grown. Her recent photo taken with the Contax i4r turns out pretty great so I think we’re set! I don’t do very well in crowded places and am planning to bring only light accessories and that includes my camera equipment. Got to go as light and compact as possible, need to make room for all the goodies and of course juggling the babies and their accessories too, everyone’s got their own set of crap, like sippy cup, snacks, diapers yeah sounds like a pilgrimage!
On the fiber front I really have not been as productive as I can be, just housecleaning and making room for more stuff to buy in the Fall, like new fibers, and that Dyson Animal you all recommended. I did manage to whip up some shine to my lovely collection of Greensleeves, Forresters and Cascabeles that have been sitting pretty on the shelves. About time to add some wood food.
And as some of you know my addiction for fine spinning wheels comes with a purpose and that is to bestow them as heirloom gifts to my children. So I thought I’ll post a recent picture of them. That is Nadya and Petra in the photo, myself and my husband Dave. It’s been a long time since I post any pictures of them. They’ve grown like a weed. Chatty, precocious and just joyful to be around. Also many of you emailed to request more photos of the Ashley wheel so I did take a couple more photos for your viewing pleasure.
Scandinavian Ashley next to her little sister Debbie Gossip
Recent family photo. Jensen wheels will eventually be gifted to the babies as heirlooms.
Close-up of Ashley
Our labor day was ruined by the flu virus. Well, not totally; in between being sick all members of the family, me, my two baby girls and my dear hubby, we managed to squeeze a short lunch treat at Olive Garden. We were supposed to go sushi binge-ing but we were too lazy and opted for the nearest decent restaurant. Apart from that, all day labor day was spent being sick and consoling our illness with this.
Yes that is our 30-inch Scandinavian Jensen Ashley wheel. Alas between all our travels, move, work, family responsibilities, Ashley is one of the wheels in hiding. I have to admit that the reality of having quite a number of wheels in our studio means only having a certain amount of time to play with them. Labor day weekend was Ashley’s turn; just perfect; make me forget all the pain, headaches and gloom. Plus my habit is always to sit and work on a wheel before I vanish out of town for a work trip. A habit I developed as a wheel addict. Ha ha! at least I’m a wheel addict so it’s not such a crime!
That weekend, Ashley was given the routine maintenance, lots of Howard Feed n Wax and exercise! So dear hubby was in the other room next to my little craftroom and watching through the connecting glass door observing my indulgence, feeling sorry for himself and the lack of attention. But I bet he enjoyed every bit of action when the wheel spins. Whoosh whoosh whoosh! She was a breeze and ultimate delight to spin on. Dusk came by and she was left by herself to enjoy her quiet evening. Quite apt for a majestic yet unassumingly sweet wheel. Like her little sister, she is a total joy to spin on.
Here is the verdict for Ashley:
Nutrition Facts
Serv. Size 30″ (20 lbs/ about 9+ kg)
Servings About 1
Calories 0
Fat Cal. 0
Total Love 100%
Total Fun 100%
Sat. Joy 100%
Affection 100%
Sweetness 100%
Eye Candy. Sweet sweet Suzie Professional Special edition wheel
Today starts out really nice. Although it’s a short vacation I was up late yesterday reading, for some reason I could not sleep and I didn’t spin as I did not want to wake up dear hubby; my spinning wheels are as quiet as a mouse but hubby is a light sleeper, anything will wake him up even the drop of a pin! This morning I started skeining the Mongolian Lambswool Muga Silk blend that I had purchased from Japan. It’s still soaking so I’ll post photos later. Then I went to my studio and worked on some wheels; meaning clean them up, pet them ha ha! 
give them good wood food and of course warm their feet; um, treadles. Spin spin spin! I have not touched the Louet S90 in a long long time. It is one of my set of first wheels, yeah no kidding set of first wheels; people usually say my first, but this one is my first set! Anyway the S90 is a single treadle but I have loved the wheel for a very long time, and don’t get me wrong I still do. I am a double treadle girl now but for some reason I still hang on to some of my single treadle wheels. I do not know if it’s sentiment or what.
Louet S90 Ultimate Collector’s wheel
Last Xmas, when dear hubby got word we’re going overseas for a job posting, he said we had to let go of some stuff in the house. Between our collection of Jade elephant sculptures and dragons there was a debate about wheels because they do take up space, no kidding the debate was a long one. Of course being a reasonable gal, I relented and said sure we can let go of some wheels, while some went into storage and the others don our present spaces. First to go was the beautiful Rick Reeves Frame wheel, a single treadle, a wedding present! Good grief, my closest friends asked why! in the world would you do that?! it went on eBay and went to a great home, dear Martha is the new owner and we could not feel happier; she is in great hands.
Rick Reeves Frame Collector’s wheel
Second went the Pipy Saxony, a gorgeous fine Rimu wheel that also went to a very nice lady who promised she’ll be in a great home
Pipy Saxony Collector’s wheel
and her sister the Pipy Wendy an upright gorgeous wheel, uniquely engineered,
Pipy Wendy Collector’s wheel
they’re all collectors’ wheels and yes the Pipys are both single treadles as well.
We had a couple more to let go but didn’t have the time to list them with all that’s been going on in our lives, work, family, holidays, work again, babies the list is endless. The single treadle wheels sit in our present spaces handsomely looking as heirloom fine furniture. Martha did ask me if I was going to put them up for sale, I said yes, eventually but eventually never came. Today I gave them the routine maintenance in my studio where they have been lovingly cared for and adored. The S90 I mentioned before and the other one is the 30″ Rick Reeves. Both single treadles.
I am hanging onto the wheels like a leech but I know eventually they’ll have to go, a promise I made to dear hubby on a de-stashing deal, his precious hobby in the garage and my beautiful wheelies. I need some motivation but it’s not coming, not even close. My love for double treadles (my Jensen, Van Eaton, Drudik, Majacraft wheels) have indeed brought out my love for single treadle wheels. When I first graduated to double treadles, my reaction was that double treadles are da-bomb. That is true because I feel that they make for a much pleasurable treadling experience and consequently spinning experience. But in retrospect that is not quite so true because there are single treadle wheels out there that are immensely a joy to spin on! The S90 is one of them and Rick Reeves wheels of course. I miss the Reeves Frame Wheel but I know it went to a good woman. And I feel happy to have enabled her joys in life. I’m not sure how long I’ll be able to keep the Saxony nor the Louet S90 but I am hoping if they ever got sold in the near future, that another awesome owner/s will love and cherish them as much as we did. By then I will only be left in the company of double treadles that will remind me of wonderful single treadles first love.
