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Barbara

@calmspin.bsky.social
213 followers 188 following 380 posts

Here for news, plants and art 🇨🇦 Spin yarn to maintain sanity. Also at @calmspin.gander.social bwanhill.ca

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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 4h
Thank you to @chad.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy for the reminder on how to get this information - important to check as if it your ballot is not registered as cast, you can vote at the polls.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 20h
A wonky looking Relic and a miniature Molly’s Reach for days 2 and 3 of #inktober #ohcanada edition. Just like on @gandersocial.ca here on out I’m going to just post these about once a week.
Close-up of a sketchbook page with part of a yellow Clip Click pen and a Micron pen beside an ink drawing of Relic from the Beachcombers and beside that a miniature boat with a wonky yellow building inside it that says “Molly’s Reach welcome back!”
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Dustin A. Chacón @lingdustin.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
I've heard people make claims that AI would lead to a new Renaissance, but I didn't imagine it'd happen like this:
Screenshot of a Tweet from Pope Leo XIV. It reads: 

"In this era of artificial intelligence, it is becoming urgen to distinguish human art from what machines produce. There is an ontological difference, even before an aesthetic one, between art and what a machine can generate through statistical calculation based on millions of images created by others. Algorithms lack the spark of humanity. For this reason, the Church wishes to renew an alliance with artists and cultural institutions to safeguard our humanity."
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Surprised by all the #inktober posts on @gandersocial.ca May as well post here too. It’s nice to get back into a bit of quick drawing.
Coloured Click Ink pens and a Micron pen on top of a sketchbook with a sketchy red apple drawn from an actual one in background.
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Jeromy Farkas @jeromyyyc.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Today, Calgarians came together at The Confluence to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. We remember the children who never came home. We honour Survivors, their families and their communities.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
@gandersocial.ca are there future plans for being able to post things temporarily? (Like Instagram Stories) In the meantime, am I messing people up by frequently deleting my posts? (I’ve just started labelling them temporary). Thank you in advance for considering this query.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
I’ve heard of charging crystals… what about spindles? 😅 #handspinning #spindlespinning
Four crossbar spindles, a ring distaff and two turtles of singles yarn, sitting on an oak table, all illuminated by morning light.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
So much heavy news today and North of North Season 2 helped lift the spirit. If you haven't watched it yet, it's so good: the storyline, acting, scenery, earrings/fashion, soundtrack.
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Jason G. Butterfield @jasonbu.online · 06/09/2026
I’ve been spending a little more time on @gandersocial.ca . The feed feels different. People tell stories. Founders answer questions. Bugs get called bugs. Chapman’s posts about ice cream. I wrote about why that matters to me, and why digital sovereignty is more than where we park the servers.
jasonbu.online
A Canadian Social Network Is Not the Point
Taking a break from algorithmic sludge, and finding a small Canadian corner of the internet that still feels human (actual humans).
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
My first, tiny, wonky, tapestry weaving experiment with scrap handspun.
Variegated wonky square of textured handspun yarn woven and finished. Laying on wooden peg loom. Needles and warp cotton to the right.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Mildly annoyed.
Approximately 6.5cm wonky and textured blue and white tapestry weaving with shreds of yarn and a part woven in white cotton selvage. A metal ruler is in right corner. All resting on oak surface.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
This was from a few weeks ago. That #tourdefleece spin is still being spun.(!) And I acquired two more Helen Mawdsley cross-bars in the process. 😊
A wooden staircase in dappled light with three crossbar spindles and a ring distaff dressed with spun and unspun fibre in variegated violet/magenta/purple tones.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
If you get a chance to read Theresa’s writing, please do. Thanks again @fishgottaswim.bsky.social for the copy of The Art of Looking Back. (Card artwork is by Calgary artist, Verna Vogel.)
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Another reason why I can’t yet abandon Bluesky. Monday mirth courtesy @sproudfoot.bsky.social
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Theresa Kishkan @fishgottaswim.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
theresakishkan.com/2026/08/28/t... Alt text: blue cloth on a clothesline with trees in the background
theresakishkan.com
“The atmospheric distance between you and the mountains.” (Rebecca Solnit)
I’m getting ready to make an indigo vat to dye some lengths of linen and to try to extend the life of two duvet covers, white cotton, which have become a little stained over the years. It did…
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Directions on how to stay low: techcrunch.com/2026/08/27/b...
techcrunch.com
Bluesky adds an 'algorithmic opt-out' feature for those who don't want to go viral | TechCrunch
Sometimes people just want to post to their followers, Bluesky says.
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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
For some AI levity, just seen randomly this morning 😆
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
And me: preparing for an autumn of reading (spinning, weaving, knitting and drawing)
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Maarn/Sylvia Dahlia. First full bloom. #yycgarden #dahlia
Square cropped photo of bird’s eye view of an apricot/peach/orange classic ball-style dahlia. Green foliage in background.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Looking forward to getting back to work and filling spare moments with learning new ways to explore creativity.
Wooden peg loom warped with cotton and wip woven tapestry practicing meet and separate using handspun yarn in variegated blue.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Thank you @fishgottaswim.bsky.social Your novel arrived today and the beginning has immediately transported me back to the social dynamics of my own art school memories. Compellingly written. ✨
An expressive portrait painting in neutral and blue tones illustrates a hardcover novel with the title: The Art of Looking Back - A painter, an obsession, and reclaiming the gaze” by Theresa Kishkan. The book is on an oak table with a red and white mug in the top corner.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
One benefit of in person interactions: your hands are free to do something else. #handspinning #spindlespinning
Cherry wood cross-bar spindle rests on a honey oak table. Cropped CBC mug and interior details in background.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Drought conditions in Canada = one of several factors impacting current conditions: agriculture.canada.ca/en/agricultu...
agriculture.canada.ca
Current drought conditions - agriculture.canada.ca
See the latest real-time status and alerts on Canadian agricultural drought, with regional maps and risk analysis for producers and the sector.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Members of Okanagan Indian Band mourn loss of forests and irreplaceable artifacts in wildfire | CBC News
More than just homes have been destroyed by the Bradley Creek Wildfire. The Okanagan Indian Band Indigenous community has also lost irreplaceable artifacts and forests where their great-grandparents p...
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
All this better for me new social media is still hampering creative productivity. Time to be more disciplined with my spare time! bwanhill.ca/2026/08/12/a...
bwanhill.ca
A mental distaff
I’ve been spinning a lot this summer. For portability during travel, spindles have been my tools of choice. In particular, I have been delighted by the cross-bar spindles created by Helen Maw…
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Interior of BC born, + twenty year transplant to a metropolis on the border of the foothills and prairie… the trail into Skookumchuk Narrows at first appeared dark and foreboding. Shortly; however, I realized how well travelled a trail it was - all to see what was experienced from this watery view:
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Gander Social @gandersocial.ca · 06/08/2026
While we’ve been building Gander, people have asked us to make browsers, music players, phones, payment systems, app stores… basically 2/3rds of the internet. We appreciate the confidence. Truly. But we’ve got our hands full. The Canadian Shield Institute mapped out a day without American tech.
canadianshieldinstitute.ca
A Day in the Life Without American Tech | Canadian Shield Institute
What would happen if overnight we suddenly lost all access to American tech? Nobody is saying that we’d ever wake up one morning and find all...
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
At Leighton Art Centre today.
Mix of native and non-native prairie flora within a foothills grassland.Mix of native and non-native prairie flora within a foothills grassland.Mix of native and non-native prairie flora within a foothills grassland.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Quiet morning in Egmont. #beautifulbritishcolumbia
Early morning seascape with marina, boats and mountains.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Traded in spinning for knitting. Waiting for the ferry.
Beginning of a knit mitten on red cable needle. Paper knitting chart, jeans and ball of yarn in background.
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womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Textile art by contemporary French artist Sandrine Torredemer #Womensart
Pictorial textile artwork featuring four dressed figures paddling in a silver coloured sea
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
A lovely unexpected spin to end #tourdefleece Some angora from a pet rabbit I had over 40 years ago (unfortunately, some of the fibre had deteriorated). Also so impressed with this spindle: to be able to spin supported and ply as a drop spindle. Approximately 10 meters of chain-plied light DK.
Cherry wood cross-bar spindle being used as a bottom whorl support spindle. Resting in a white bowl with designs on the edge. Fibre fluff around bowl. All resting on a hand woven mat on a wooden table.Cross-bar spindle with chain plied yarn wound round the base and yarn spilling on to mat with angora fibre fluff at top.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
1/3 of this project spun. Didn’t get everything done as planned, but pleased that the ring distaff helped me spin faster. #tourdefleece
Crossbar spindle loaded with purple toned singles, ring distaff in background. Both resting on woven mat.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Didn’t spin today, but did go for a walk. #beautifulbritishcolumbia
Grasses and morning mist with orange sun rising on the right.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
#tourdefleece on the road. Just brought one spindle and will see how far I get with this project. Ceramic mug from Paige Coull.
Cherry wood cross-bar spindle and cherry wood distaff sit on a cream and orange rag rug with part of a ceramic mug showing in background. Motif on the mug includes image of Dogwood blossoms.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Nice to start the day off with these stories. My nervous system thanks you!
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
#tourdefleece and another spindle added to tag team. Another Helen Mawdsley cross-bar via @albertacraft.bsky.social ✨💜
Two cherry wood crossbar spindles with purple tone singles of yarn. Distaff in the background. Blades of dried Sweetgrass in the foreground.
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Shannon Proudfoot @sproudfoot.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
“Peter and his team use a variety of methods to ensure success, including setting up giant fans pointing south, forest de-management, and of course starting the fires themselves at the opportune time.”
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womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Suzanne Valadon (1865-1938) French Post-Impressionist painter who often included her ginger tabby cat, Raminou, in her paintings #Womensart
Painting featuring a ginger cat lying down in the foreground looking outwards in front of a vase of flowers in an interior
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Prime Minister Mark Carney: “‘Climate change is everyone's responsibility — truly everyone's — including the United States,’ he said in French during a news conference in London, Ont.” www.cbc.ca/news/politic... Me: also questioning the wisdom of all these data centre plans.
cbc.ca
Trump threatens increased tariffs for wildfire smoke that has 'unnecessarily invaded' U.S. | CBC News
U.S. President Donald Trump is adding his voice to the chorus of Republican politicians who are blaming Canada for wildfire smoke drifting across the border.
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ECK Designs @thebobshavelanded.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
First 50g of autumnal blended fibre from World of Wool. Spun on a turkish spindle from IST Crafts (UK maker). Note to self, don't spin fibre same colour as spindle). #TourDeFleece
A photo of a full cop of handspun brown yarn on a wooden turkish spindle. Background is lilac and white fabric.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
#tourdefleece update: my wrists and fingers were starting to really bother me, so I hope to finish these dense rolags on the middle support spindle. I transferred the single from the wand spindle (right) to that for ease of spinning. Any tips for making wand spindles easier on wrists?!
Three wooden support spindles rest on an oak floor. Two bottom whorl spindles are loaded with blue singles and one empty wand spindle sits bedside a blue and white rolag of wool and silk.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Via @CCFinch on @gandersocial.ca thewalrus.ca/gander-canad...
thewalrus.ca
A Canadian Social Network? Don’t Roll Your Eyes Yet | The Walrus
Gander is betting there’s an appetite for a homegrown platform built on trust instead of outrage
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Creative and colourful @samantha-west.bsky.social ✨
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
#tourdefleece update. Slow but steady.
Handspinning spindles loaded with singles of yarn on an Indigo blue background.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Oh my: a new reason for Bluesky. 💙☁️
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
I love a good natural dye story. Brilliant. 💛
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Small joys. #tourdefleece
Maple wood support spindle rests on a soft blue rolag. Wooden lap bowl and CBC logo coffee mug in background. Lit my morning sun.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
#Tourdefleece working on this spindle too. Mixed fibre from @craftyjaks.bsky.social and spindle and ring distaff from Helen Mawdsley.
Cherry wood crossbar spindle with single of cool colours, background fibre wrapped around a distaff. All resting on an oak wood surface.
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Barbara @calmspin.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
I’m going to see if I can get all these (roughly hewn, I know) rolags on this spindle. Also trying to be more ergonomic. Yoga blocks fit the bill for floor spinning. #tourdefleece #spindlespinning #handspinning
Rosewood Mawdsley support spindle and Mingo Asho pink and green glass spinning heart on top of blue yoga blocks on laminate wood floor. Bundle of roughly hewn rolags of cat and alpaca sit beside the block.
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