A day in my life...crafting & living off the grid

Just thought I would write about a typical day in my life...as in today. As some of you know, I have been spinning some of Edinburghs Wool Roving into yarn. I have an Ashford Traveler spinning wheel that I have had for years. Also as most of you know, we live off the grid. We have a solar panel & a wind mill and a battery bank & an inverter, along with back up generator. Also we have a propane refrig & cook stove.
So anyhow, yesterday I got this brainstorm...spin some of that beautiful Roving into yarn...and knit a purse to wet felt & then needle felt...first I had to make a new drive cord for my spinning wheel...the one that was on it had been working for years...but a certain puppy named Herk....kind of messed that up...so I got out my cotton crochet thread...bedspread weight...4 strands...twisted with my trusty cordless drill...twisted the cords & folded in half...to make an 8 ply cord...ohhh the spinning wheel was working again!!! So I spun the wonderful Raspberry Roving into yarn...then knitted a 13 by 14 square..plus a 3 stitch round cord for a strap...so then I needed hot water & washing machine...which required getting water...from our outside storage/catchment system...bring in the water...heat on the propane stove...pour into the washing machine...with soap...and starting the generator...to run the washer...having enough water for the washer so that it would start...back for more water...heat it...pour into the washer...finally got enough water for the machine to start...keep repeating the wash cycle... ahhh it was felting well...so let the water drain out...still soapy...so I took the felted pieces to the creek, thinking it would be a great way to rinse...the creek was muddy & high from the rain in the mountains upstream...so have to figure out another way to rinse...The knitted piece is now 9 by 10...so it really has felted down, and is very thick...once I rinse it, and let it dry...for however long that takes...I can start my needle felted design...and bead work....are you tired yet? I know I am... it's o-dark 30 now here...had to get greens from the garden for dinner...beat off the stupid catapillar worms who were eating my dill...fix dinner...something is still not right with the battery bank...so genny is still running trying to charge things...tomorrow is another similar day... so I will sign off for now...saga to continue.............

Needle Felted African Grey

Here is my attempt at needle felting an African Grey. I had a wonderful model for making this one. Peaches, who belongs to a friend in Florida. I spent many many hours on this little fellow & he is now available in my Etsy Shop

How I spent my Summer Vacation

I left on July 11th on Greyhound & arrived in San Antonio, Texas on July 12. My son Jeremy picked me up & my luggage was missing. We went to Jeremy & JoJo's new home about 45 minutes outside of San Antonio, and I finally got to meet my new Foster Grand Daughter Evie. Ohhh she is soooo sweet!!! She is a little clown and for the most part a very happy little 17month old. She was cutting teeth (5 came thru all at once) so she was a little grumpy because of that, but who wouldn't be!!!

On Friday morning we drove into San Antonio back to the bus terminal because they had found my luggage finally. My son had bought me an outfit the day before, so I had something to wear to go out to dinner that night, other than the clothes I had worn for the trip. He also loaned me a t-shirt to wear for a night shirt.lol.

Friday night we went to JoJo's folks house for a fish fry & swim in their pool. Evie loves the water & is like a little mermaid. Gramma sure had fun swimming with her:)

Saturday afternoon we went back to JoJo's folks house & many of her family & friends were there for a huge feast. Rib Eye Steaks, Grilled Shrimp & Ribs & salads & watermelon. JoJo's dad just loves to BBQ, and he is good at it!!!!

We spent Sunday & Monday at Port Aransas , an island paradise tucked away on Mustang Island off the Texas Gulf Coast. This is a blurb from the Chanber of commerce about it:

Enjoy 18 miles of uncrowded, unspoiled beach on this part of the world's longest barrier island, and one of only three in the United States you can still drive on with street legal vehicles and all things beachy. The beaches are great for shelling, strolling, sunning, playing and family fun!

A popular year-round attraction, area beaches and inland waterways offer some of the best water sport activities such as windsurfing, kiteboarding, parasailing, kayaking, jet skiing, fishing, surfing and more. Soak up the natural serenity or take it to extremes in the surf and seas.

We stayed in a beautiful hotel called Beachgate,

that is just a few hundred yards from the beach.

This is the view from the balcony on the 3rd floor of the hotel where our room was.











We spend a couple of hours playing in the sand & water.

We had a wonderful time & did some sight seeing on Mustang Island & Padre Island.

I got to feed the sea gulls, and there were tons of birds around, terns & sand cranes & pelicans who were diving into the water for fish.





This is the USS Lexington.




Where JoJo went to school



Misty & Van Helsing
the kids new home
Got home Wed afternoon...an hour late...and missing luggage again...Greyhound is a place to never check in your luggage...take only carry on!!! Ohh and the people you meet...while traveling this way...interesting mix!!!I spent 6 hours in the Albuquerque bus station Wed...due to lost luggage, 5 hour lay over that turned into 6 & nasty, unhelpful employees, and still no sign of my luggage!!! You would be amazed at how many people can't find their luggage...a 21 year old headed for Colorado...lost all his camping gear...a 30 year old tattoed guy...who was headed for Butte Montana...because his 10 year old son had been in a car accident lost all his luggage...sad sad sad...
OK...enough for now...putting these pictures here is a royal pain....
Hope you enjoy my pictures & story!
I am so in love with Evie & miss that little one very very much...Jeremy & JoJo were such wonderful hosts to mom/gramma...I really had a wonderful visit...but the stupid stuff was a pain!

Primitive Artisans Faire coming up

"The Primitive Artisans Faire"
Postponed until further Notice

Hidden Valley Basketswerks will have a booth in the upcoming online Primitive Artisans Faire. You will be able to purchase many of our baskets & some of my Needle Felted Items thru a shopping cart that will be available on our site there. (This will be an active link when the Faire opens) There will also be links to many other wonderful shops there as well. Hope you will be able to join us during this event.