I put two pieces in the State Fair of Texas – a set of reeled silk skeins, and a tablet-woven silk ribbon.

Each of them took a blue ribbon in its category.

This is the first time I’ve entered a State Fair; I’m very pleased and excited!

Well, I have learned a LOT about Eri silk! I finally got a chance to play with the cocoons, and am fairly pleased with the results – although I’ve had a few “learning experience” type things that I don’t plan to repeat.

pictures, and a description of the cocoon-to-yarn process

I went out the back door to shake a towel that I’d gotten some debris on… and saw this amazing beautiful argiope spider. She just showed up here… how, I have no idea – she must have just hiked it in.

three more

This exotic-looking face greeted me this evening – I was kind of surprised to see him, because I thought the cocoon would overwinter! It’s an exquisitely beautiful moth, Eupackardia calleta. Click here to see the history of it. The first impression is that it’s just black, but there’s a lot going on color-wise with its wings and its fur. This face kind of reminds me of a Zorro costume.
more photos!

Today’s lunchtime surprise: Actias Luna, the American Moon Moth