Velma and I are on the road to the Spin-Off Autumn Retreat (SOAR) in the new (to me) camper. We just landed in Grants Pass, Oregon. Tomorrow we go to Bend, Oregon. I can't wait to see everyone!
Leading up to SOAR I had been dyeing like a mad woman. My dye studio is in the courtyard of my house. My house is C-shaped and the courtyard is a nice centrally located spot to work in. It is outdoors though. That isn't an issue most of the time as we have very mild weather here (down to the 30s in winter and rarely hotter than high 70s in summer). I do need some rain and sun protection, otherwise I just dress according to the temperature.
I have used a 10 foot by 10 foot canopy for the last year and it has served me well. Last year we had a big wind storm that blew it over and put a few rips into it. I learned my lesson and staked it down (apparently, they come with the canopy for a reason - who knew?).
A week ago we had a huge wind and rain storm. I awoke in the morning to find this:
Pretty blue sky where no sky should be visible. Not the end of the world as the sun shifts this time of year and I don't get a lot of direct light into the courtyard.
Until this:
Not so blue skies over my "canopy". Houston we have a problem.
A trip to the hardware store for a few supplies and all was well:
All MacGyvered up! Please note the cunning use of large binder clips. I am particularly proud of that innovation. The plastic was even long enough to cover the bikes that don't fit in the garage at the moment because we are also living in a construction zone (bedroom remodel). I went inside feeling very smug and self-satisfied.
You see what is coming don't you. I didn't until it started raining just an hour later. It was coming down by the bucket load (I think we got about 6 inches of rain that day). After an hour or so of heavy rain I heard a loud thud. Yup, canopy collapse! The plastic had allowed ponding that put the sides of the canopy in lateral bending (gotta use the engineer speak once in a while or I get rusty).
The result?
I don't think chewing gum and baling wire will fix this.
Luckily, the rain moved on and I was able to complete my dyeing. Here is a bit of what I did:
Tussah Silk Lace and Silk Caps. Yummy!
What about the canopy? We have been meaning find a better solution. I guess that time is nigh.
Ouch! Being the selfish girl that I am, I'm glad it hasn't stopped you from dyeing! See you later today.
Posted by: Ann | October 25, 2009 at 06:20 AM
HOLY CARP! You weren't kidding about shredded.
Glad to hear no one was injured in the filming of this episode of Maia Spins.
xOx Velma, live from the hotel bed next to yours, LOL!
Posted by: Velma | October 25, 2009 at 08:52 AM
gorgeous colors.
sorry about the canopy.
Posted by: shannon in oregon | October 25, 2009 at 10:26 PM
Alas, poor canopy!
Posted by: auntieannknits | October 26, 2009 at 10:45 AM
ooo lovely! good luck with a new solution
Posted by: nova | October 27, 2009 at 01:52 AM
Maybe it is time to build one of these- http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infxtra/infcorroofpanels.html
Can't wait to hear all about SOAR!
Posted by: Liz | October 27, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Looking forward to hearing about SOAR (envy envy envy)
Looks like it's new canopy time...
Posted by: gayle | October 28, 2009 at 08:10 PM
Darn, that's too bad about your canopy.
Love the colors on the yarn and fiber, I wish I were shopping at SOAR!
:-)
Posted by: Denise | October 29, 2009 at 11:04 AM
I was all sympathy and so, so sorry until the last pic. Then all I could think was *gasp*. Me want all that.
Posted by: Laura Sue | October 30, 2009 at 12:50 PM
I have the little green envy monster in me right now. I so want to go to SOAR!!!
Posted by: Steph | November 09, 2009 at 06:09 PM