Podcast Episode 3 - Alpaca Visit and Figure 8s

Episode 3 of Rose "Spins a Yarn" is live.  This episode does a quick visit with the alpacas outside (the barn was too dark to get anything worthwhile to show), as well as how to tie your handspun (or any yarn) with figure 8 ties.

Podcast Episode 2 - WPI Meaning and PayItForward

Episode 2 is up.  We discuss how to measure the thickness of your handspan yarn using WPI (Wraps Per Inch) as well as the amazing, generous giveaways from the yarn and fiber community with #payitforward

As promised my WPI range. . . . I will also put this in a PDF in the upcoming week and add it to my main website along with the translations of the new US labeling system and common needle/crochet hooks and gauge for each weight of yarn:

• Bulky (less than 8)
• Aran 8-10
• Worsted 10-12
• DK 12-18
• Sport 18-24
• Fingering/Sock 24-30
• Lace 30-40 

Here is the pattern link to the hat I will be spinning for in the next coming weeks: 

Ziggy Pattern 

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @almapark or Facebook for a chance to enter our #AlmaParkpaysitforward giveaway. 

Our first podcast!!!

Our first podcast.

Rose "Spins a Yarn" 

EPISODE 1 - Fiber Prep 

3rd Floor Guest Bathroom - Complete Renovation - Featuring my knit and woven pieces.

I am seriously slacking on updating this blog !!  I do post to our Facebook page and Instagram on a regular, almost daily basis because I can do it from my phone, but for the blog, I need to sit at the computer, which for an active farmer/yarn store owner/fiber artist/mom/wife . . .  is harder than it sounds.  Funny to think that when I was a consultant, I spent a good 8-10 hours a day at the computer and now it's lucky if I do that a week, my iPhone and iPad do almost everything I need.

In any event, we renovated this bathroom last year and I took my sweet time decorating it and took EVEN longer to get pictures.  I have included some knitted and woven items in the bathroom and am currently working on a handspun / handwoven wall hanging!

I hope this project gives you some inspiration on what a little bit of color, and a little bit of yarn can do to spice up a space and make it warm and inviting.

And now. . . .

THE RENOVATION 

The house on our farm was originally built in 1740.  There is a rich history of the generations of people who lived here and we love to learn all we can about the property and surrounding area. We are the first owners of the property for all of (written) history that are not related to the original settlers.  

This is our 3rd floor guest bath.  It is off of our office and adjacent to the guest room. 

This is actually a rather large room, but the space was not utilized properly.  The floor, which is linoleum had cuts and burn marks and is probably from the 60s.  Unfortunately it was glued down over original hard-wood floors that we could not salvage because of the damage of the glue, nails and uneven sanding in the past.  

The sink is TINY. . . and shallow.  It is impossible to wash your hands without splashing yourself.  The ceramic soap and tooth brush holders were cracked.  

There was a ton of towel racks in the bathroom.  All cheap and all needed to go.  

The medicine cabinet was rusted and grungy and the two florescent lights were glaring in your face as you looked in the mirror. The walls were a gross yellow and there obviously was a smoker in the house prior to us.  

The shower was also tiny and the walls were painted !!  The shower floor was just so gross, I never stepped foot in it.  

The toilet was not in terrible shape, but years (possible decades) of not being used left a permanent stain in the bowl.  It is rather close to the shower, but to move it would have been a huge undertaking in plumbing, so we decided to leave it and make it work.  The only storage in the room was plywood shelving that was not even sanded smooth next to the toilet.  The bare bulb had scary wiring and was just bizarre.  

We had already done all replacement windows, so the window is new.  The hot water radiator was in good shape, but needed to be refreshed with a coat of paint.  

We decided to do a complete gut of the room with the exception of the radiator.  We decided not to move any plumbing except for the shower head and regulator.  The shower head  was in the ceiling.

BEFORE

Tiny little sink. Small grungy medicine cabinet and 2 lights.

Tiny little shower, with PAINTED walls. 

Check out the shower floor!  GROSS! 

Bare bulb hanging down with scary wiring.
Plywood shelving - AND CHECK OUT the floor! 

DURING 

I didn't take too many pictures of the work while it was underway, because it was during a heat wave and quite frankly it was HOT as heck on the third floor.  

New shower install

AFTER

I hope you like looking at the pics and get some color inspiration and for all the fiber artists out there inspiration that your handi-work can also be used in the bathroom!! 

New EVERYTHING. Laminate floor, vanity, paint etc!  The ceilings are very low in this house,
so hanging the curtain rods a little higher than the window and pooling to the floor gives the illusion of height 

Blue and yellow make a bright and inviting space 

A birdcage found at a yard sale set the "bird" theme for the whole room.  The footstool
was a $10 find at a craft store that I painted with milk paint to make it look aged. 

Bird cage found at a "going out of business" craft store.  I then purchased
little birds and nests to make it look "real" 

A sunflower pic from a pro-photographer is bright and
cheery and made the yellow accents all tie together

A bookshelf purchased at an Amish store, woven table topper, made by me and featured on this blog,  a copper antique
oblong receptacle, blue vase fill marbles and battery powered lights.  The bird cage to the left
is 1/2 of a set of bookends.  The pic to the right is of our antique barn taken by me.  There is also a birdcage on the bottom found at a flea market. 

I knitted this tissue box holder from the left over yarn of the woven table topper. 

Another view, notice the other bird cage bookend on the back of the toilet

Silk Sunflowers in an antique bottle found at a yard sale.  

A bee in the middle of the sunflowers.  An homage to our own honeybees. 

Another view

The vanity close up.  

We opted for period style fixtures all in oil rubbed bronze. 

Sconces in bronze again

The new shower.  roomy and new. 

Found at a yard sale, these bottles look perfect just sitting on the vanity. 

Open House Announcement and Spinzilla 2015 Savings

Open House and SPINZILLA 2015 savings

Fuzzy Butts grazing

Come join us for National Alpaca Farm Days here at Alma Park Alpacas LLC

• Who - You're invited!
• When - 
• Saturday September 26 10am - 4 pm
• Sunday September 27 10 am - 2 pm 
• Where - Alma Park Alpacas - Directions
• Cost - FREE
• What: 
• Meet an alpaca or several :) 
• Feel the fleece
• See spinning demos
• Hang out and knit or spin with us
• Enjoy the beautiful fall weather!
• See the progress on the new store / studio
• Shop for yarn, fiber, roving, gifts, clothes 
• Why: Why not? 

Can't join us? 

Well take advantage of FREE SHIPPING (US only) through Sept 30 on all orders $25 and over (including clearance items).  No coupon code needed.  Just go to www.yourLYSonline.com and browse. New items listed daily! 

ALSO - since Spinzilla 2015 is right around the corner (starts Oct 5th) we have a CLEARANCE section of fiber to get you ready or to feed your stash.  

Here's some items in stock RIGHT NOW! 

Pixie-Stix™ Hand Dyed Sock Weight

Handspun

Dryer Balls

Tons of batts, roving, top and other fiber

Hand Spun Hand Knit Fingerless Gloves
With Antique Buttons

More Yarn

Alpaca Scarves