Delicious Yarns and Fibers

done

2005-06-15T09:41:00.000-05:00

Ugh....today I am ending this blog....family will be notified of where the one is that has family info and pictures on it....and if anyone wants the link to what will become my crafty one...just let me know (this will just make it easier to keep everyone updated on what they need to know:)

thanks!
xxoo

sewing

2005-06-12T18:36:00.000-05:00

well...this last week has been freaking hot (90 degrees) and humid (some days 80-90 percent humidity)....I have not been very motivated...but I did make these...

I actually made two...these are for friends for christmas and the material is "how to keep your husband".....

and then I made this one out of an old table cloth from my grandmother....and Lucy Ella decided that it is hers...

the other day we lost power for 2 hours (from an accident, the speeding young man is just fine...luckily....but it was still blazing hot and humid....)....and that meant...no refrigeration for 2 hours...Andrew pulled out the generator and gave it a go.....and it worked wonderfully and we we learned the coolers/freezers could go for 3 hours without needing a hookup....yeah!

this morning I was greeted by this lovely moth

it is beautiful!

so...I did not get as much accomplished as I wanted to...but I do have my apron ready for embellishment for "tie one on" june theme....home on the range....so a couple nights of embroidery and applique and I will have that one to show off....

as far as knitting goes....no luck there...I just can't deal with the wool...hopefully the humidity will break on tuesday or wednesday and then I will have some socks to show....

I am going to hide in our air conditioned bedroom....good night to all!

aprons

2005-06-08T18:30:00.000-05:00

mmm...thundering and lightening! Yeah!!!! (and it helped cool off the freaking humidity....even better!)

I started my apron gallery...a whole 3 aprons so far....my favorite is this

It belonged to my grandmother, ella. I can still see her in it:) So, whenever I need a pick me up this is the one I put on for work. (and it goes with most of my summer clothing)....

I have started a pair of socks out of the shades of grey and red noro kuryeon I had sitting around. I am turning the heel in the first and realize I don't have enough for the pair I need to make, so I ordered more (along with 4 more colors and enough to make some more pairs...it is so chunky and easy knitting...a great break from the size zero needles)......and while I was at it...I ordered more yarn to dye....

and then some change purse clasps....I will let all interested parties know what I think (I have been desperately wanting to make cute little clasped change purses!)

Time to go enjoy a cooler evening....good night to all!

happy birthday

2005-06-08T06:42:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Dar!

(my sister!)

pretend

2005-06-08T06:41:00.000-05:00

okay...pretend it is tuesday and this is my self portrait.....

what did I learn from this picture???? I think I need some new glasses this fall and I really need to do my eyebrows....yikes!

kim

2005-06-06T19:02:00.000-05:00

BTW...hello kim...just saw your comment about the country spinner....email me with any questions you have and I will let you know:)

dublingeneral@verizon.net

kaffe

2005-06-06T18:55:00.000-05:00

oh Kaffe...you've done it to me again!

mmmm.....okay....
today i finally got a chance to make a few more of the double wine bottle bags...there are no pictures since I am still not completely satisfied with them...and I also did some repairs I needed to do....

on tap for this week....

aprons...aprons...and more aprons....I am working away on christmas gifts and aprons for me for in the store....I might do a bit more on miss boos sweater but the weather has been terribly hot and humid so I haven't had too much motivation to knit.....

as for the magazines...domino is okay...I would buy an issue every now and then but I am not too nuts....but I do like violet a bunch and will give a years subscription a chance....

and alas, I do want my family to know I did enjoy my visit ever so much, I always hate to see everyone leave...I love ya all soooo much....:(

off to lock up the store...

shopping

2005-06-01T13:00:00.000-05:00

Crazy weekend...we were busy in the store.....and my parents came over:) and then my sister and her husband were here for sunday night....I made my sister a wine bag (which I did not take a picture of:( but I will be making more soon)

Today my parents helped me escape and I did my quarterly Walmart shopping. and I also went to the book store and got these

Knit.1* cloth.paper.scissors* domino* violet*- Magazines

and the great new multi colored journal (excuse the blurry picture...little miss was having a hard time holding it up)

and this fantastic stationary from chronicle books

yeah....i am so psyched for a little reading time tonight:)

I also got some pom poms and ric rack so when my shipments of fabric arrive from glorious color and reprodepot I will be ready....aprons, dresses for boo...and christmas presents....wooo hooo

hmmmm

2005-05-25T18:56:00.000-05:00

just noticed the previous post has now only become one copy....dang blogger...confusing me more and more...oh well....

what the

2005-05-25T18:50:00.000-05:00

okay...so the last post I was happy but why it published three times is beyond me and it only lists it once in the "edit posts" setting so i am at a loss...ugh...

things that were delightful today*
the girlie who said she would clean showed up and will come every wednesday!
dh is going running at 8 pm so I should have a minute to prepare some sewing
I got the snack mixes bagged and priced so I WILL have a chance to sew tomorrowart from miss boo...

things that are horrid*
day three without sugar!!!! I am trying to get rid of my addiction to the "white devil" and the dang sugar keeps tempting me.....pammy made peanut butter chocolate chip cookies and brownies with toasted pecans....ugh......(fyi...incase you don't know...we own a general store and I have access to oodles of sugary delights that I can get any time of day or night...not good!)

okay...off to set up the ir0ning board and get cracking!

night!

lucy blue

2005-05-24T18:43:00.000-05:00

today it started out in the high 30's....and it only got to the low 40's...dang cold...so luckily I finished miss boo's socks

she is sooo happy and is wearing them in bed as I type this....I also got a chance to make a pattern of one of the things from my zakka-handmade book....so I will hoepfully get a chance to sew it tomorrow....

and the girlie who said she would clean for me this summer will be here tomorrow!!!!!wooo hoooo.....

yesasia

2005-05-23T18:35:00.000-05:00

hee hee....my yesaisa order arrived

I am a happy girl...first I am going to start with some aprons and then from there....work on some christmas gifts...speaking of which....I did finish part one of Miss Sharon's yesterday....wooo hoo....lots to do...lots of stuff to get (fabric, hooks....ribbons....) I am excited, though.....I also set up a workspace in the office so I can have my sewing machine out. I am also going to make some "cheater dresses" for miss boo....tank tops and tees with fabric attached to be skirts...did it a few years ago and it worked out so well, why I haven't done it since is beyond me...oh well...

and the big decision not to breed ralphie has been made...he will visit the vet on thursday....I didn't want to breed him til renovations on upstairs will be done (now it looks like that will be a year or so off), so I don't want to deal with a male cat's "antics" for that long...so off to the vet....

and that is life here...busy...crazy and WET!

strange little stories

2005-05-16T08:20:00.000-05:00

so....a friend of mine visited a store on newbury street in boston...the woman was selling pima cotton clothing and saying she got the pima from an alpaca farm in Hollis,NH......now, last I knew you could not get cotton from an alpaca and our weather in this area is not conducive for growing cotton....what scares me is she was telling people this over and over....

and on a good note....I did the test...I spun up two bobbins of yarn both with the same weight of fiber....when I got done plying I was only off by 13 inches....I was surprised to say the least...will this luck ever happen again...really I doubt it...

finally

2005-05-14T18:45:00.000-05:00

Here is the sock yarn I finally finished plying...it is a christmas gift as is or if I have time...as a pair of socks...

and here is a wonderful gift I recieved....a customer just came back from a trip to thailand and got this for me...silk...mmmm....the color is wonderful...and it is thin as ever (two plys make a good embroidery floss)...

tomorrow I am going to pull out the country spinner and make some bulky yarn (i have a bit of a cashmere merino blend to play with).....and I am trying to decide whether I really do need this big wheel anymore.....

happy

2005-05-13T18:37:00.000-05:00

okay...so it was a sort of grumpy turned a bit happy day....
it was COLD....(29 to start).....

but I got yummy chocolates from burdicks (truthfully...yum with great flavors like earl grey and coconut with ginger...and who could not love the mice....miss boo sure does...and nice not too large but so full of flavor pieces) ....thank you, John who like a crazy man he is drove his motorcycle out there today and brought me back thse much needed treats!

and then the puppet order from folkmanis arrived....truthfully having a wholesale account with them is just horrid...I could buy them all (and I am sure over the next year or two I will have)...but the sheep is a big seller and so are all the finger puppets...but I need the mouse in the vest for sure...and the cheshire cat....and did I mention the llama...and the.....

and finally...I won (if you can call it winning....I was the only one that bid)....the japanese book with wonderful aprons and pinneys!....woo hoo....watch out!

so now I am off to sit on the back deck with the mister and enjoy a beer because it is closing time! (and hopefully this weekend I will have pictures of progress....paint color for the store...etc).....

what's going on...

2005-05-07T18:34:00.000-05:00

I have been a wee bit motivated lately...

doesn't it look hysterical...but it fits her so well and she is delighted...the second one has been cast on...

and behind it is the "neverending shawl"....I decided to dig that out and work on it a bit...it is delightful when you need mindless knitting....I have also decided to donate it to the "sheila shawls" project

I have also cast on this funky hoodie for miss boo

I am knitting it in some of the ryclassic yarns...a wee border of a bright pink, then another wee bit of limey green/ and the body in a plum. I think it will be delightful for the girlie..

I am also thinking I should finish the way over due scarf I have been working on....I have this urge to have oodles of projects going....maybe it is the NEVERENDING rain around here...yikes...and I do have a pair of socks to frog (just don't like them)....

and part of me wants to make oodles of pinafores and aprons...go figure!

may day!

2005-05-01T16:55:00.000-05:00

Happy May Day!

Guess what? It is fiddlehead season! woo hoo! Here is a bit of my bounty from a wonderful customer who supplies me with my personal stash yearly! mmmm fiddleheads!

and now on to the wee bit of stuff I have been working on....

Some sock yarn on the bobbin (of course)....a set of baby socks...begginning of a monster sock for miss boo (the shades of purples) and then a pair of blueberry explosion socks for miss boo too...She chose the dyes and told me how to put them on the yarn...so these are HER socks...she wanted short tops so when they are done it will look like she has huge feet....but she is thrilled...

other than that...constuction is moving forward...I am working downstairs non stop (still)....but all is fine...hoepfully soon will be an update with the journal I am working on for lulu with stuff from florida and then I will be putting some stuff up for swap...so keep the eyes peeled:)

Happy May!

sick and busy

2005-04-20T09:04:00.000-05:00

we are on week two of construction now.....so...this means I rarely have time on the computer (I am mainly working downstairs from 5 am to 8 pm)....and in the midst of all this...I had a lovely stomach virus last weekend :(....I am much better but need to CLEAN and do laundry and all that fun stuff.....(when??? who the heck knows)...I don't think I will have much to report as far as creativity over the next 5 weeks...but if I do it will be posted...if you do not hear much...it is been busy....

I will leave you with my no longer little boy :(

what can I say...he loves the fax machine....(he is the only one in this house that does)

week later

2005-04-13T06:46:00.000-05:00

It is hard to believe I have been home for a week....

This is the wee crewel I did from a kit from WOOL AND HOOP...

and a lovely picture of a sign we saw during our morning walks

and for the poor confused soul who thought miss boo was in front of a hippo...it is a turtle...so maybe that will make it a bit less freakish for you (I think you may need to get out a bit more)...

I did manage to knit one baby sock this last week....and look through all my old spin offs.....I think I am going to take a fall class at Harrisville Designs (it is only 5 minutes away)...

home again

2005-04-08T12:47:00.000-05:00

Home again...home again...
we had a delightful, restful time....thank god (and only the flight home got cancelled...so we had to take a later flight...and miss boo was heavenly for all the hours we spent at the airport in Charlotte....yeah)

oh yes...and I did have an allergic reaction to the sunscreen and broke out in a rash...but hey....I got to play at the beach...

as some may have noticed...the webstore is temporarily closed...during my break some ladies came in and cleared bunches of stuff out (all the guanaco and alpaca too!)....so....I have some dyeing to do...

Many thanks to everyone who gave such nice comments on the shawl....and is anyone thinking of going to SOAR??? There just aren't any classes that are screaming "Take Me" (except for maybe the sock one...but with the flight, time away, hotel and cost of the class...I wonder is it really worth it...)

So...I am just trying to catch up on life...I need to make miss boo a scrapbook of the travel (first thing on to do list)...and make oodles of thank yous....birthday gifts (3 this month:) and I did clean out the yarn stash and yarn room....so atleast that is done....

packed and ready

2005-03-30T09:42:00.000-05:00

okay...so I tried to post a couple of times but blogger was having problems...so here is my final post before vacation...

my shawl was done saturday night

it is 20 inches by 72...which seems to be a great size and is quite cozy...

I just have the end of the month figures to get together and I am ready to go....miss boo has no clue so it will be great to wake her up tomorrow with the surprise....

and I finished my crewel picture...but will have to wait til I get back for pictures....and I did spin a mighty nice crewel thread...so I am happy....

better run...happy week to all...

errr...

2005-03-25T10:32:00.000-05:00

what have I been up to??
well....I felt I needed a new bag for the plane ride...so I made this messenger bag with the wonderful munki munki gnome fabric

and here is the back (that is another pocket that snaps

I did line it and put an inner pocket in it....I just became extremely frustrated because my machine was acting up (tension issues...which I would adjust...would be great on a swatch...and then become evil on the bag).....
so...it is done...minus the elastics on the bottom for a drink....and a flat panel to stiffen the bottom...I also have 8 mini quilts ready to be quilted and then embellished but after this mornings nightmare...they are on hold until I get back....

I have also been working on a grandma chic shawl (I figured we needed a new shawl to bundle up with if we were cold on the plane...so two nights ago the pile of yarns and needles came out)...I am half done and hope to be fully done by monday...so you will have to wait for pictures then.....

I do love going away..it gives me energy to make new stuff for the trip but it also puts so many ideas into my head that I feel I need to accomplish....now I am only worrying about the shawl, packing the carry on bag, and making sure the mister is set to go for the week.....

Today they are digging the hole for the foundation for the deli addition...and monday the foundation will be poured...eeksss.....it is happening....

and finally I purchased a kit for the flight...a little crewel embroidery one (thinking since I learned how to spin wool embroidery thread at SOAR, maybe I could put this knowledge to some use....)....

that's it for now.....

prep

2005-03-21T09:52:00.000-05:00

we are leaving in a week and one half and I spent the weekend getting ready (trying on summer clothing....getting miss boo to try on her stuff...figuring out outfits....what I really need...and then stuffing it into a box to send to my parents house...which I did this morning....so...no lost luggage...no waiting at the baggage check with a wee one that has already been confined much too long..sound good).....

I also made a curtain (yep...lined) for the wine room only to decided we hated it....so I used my energies to make a back pack for the trip

We also dyed eggs...and here are miss boo's....I really love how she used the animal stickers as parts of the peoples outfits....
....

and that was my weekend in an eggshell...tee hee

wednesday....

2005-03-16T19:32:00.000-05:00

well...I rowed today...I even have the blister to prove it (but I won't scare you all with it)...so tomorrow or friday I must go to EMS and get some gloves....

My fabric came in from Keepsake Quilting

Yep...I seem to still have a madness for reds and polkaspots...

I also booked my flight..woo hoo...and got my summer stuff down from the attic so I can figure out what to pack.

I am also going to do some surfing and check out these tea sites (Roseberry-Winn Pottery and Tea Forte)...they were mentioned in the March issue of Yankee Magazine (which ofcourse I read monthly, they are our neighbors up the road and some of the dang nicest people you could ever meet...)

Off to finish up nightly paperwork duties and get a cup of tea....night

nice day...

2005-03-15T19:32:00.000-05:00

so, it was a lovely day...

our new employee started....and what am I going to do with my possible new found time (atleast til spring kicks in...)...hopefully workout on the rowing machine for 30 minutes a day.....(encourage me...encourage me)....I really need to take care of myself and this will be a good start.....

I am also one person away from going to florida with lucy....just one more person to check schedules with and I am on my way....(yeah...the 31st of march)....I can't wait to relax and be with my girlie for some great one on one time and time with the grandparents and aunties....yeah!!!!!!

And finally....the new rowan yarns for spring came in today (can you say 160 balls of the new
RY classic line)....woooohoo...so I have some of my favorite books out tonight to see what I may want to knit up...I am also picturing a wonderful feather and fan baby blanket for a wee one due in July....

oh yes....and I ordered fabric for the curtains in the wine room and at the same time picked up some odds and ends for me (hell, if I am going to pay for shipping I should get more than just 2 yards of a fabric...right?)

Happy night to all

spinning saturday.....

2005-03-12T14:31:00.000-05:00

Okay...do you think this picture is a hint from my wee one....

It is 4 ounces of hand dyed mohair plied with thread....soft, fuzzy and pastel heaven for her. It was suppose to be a scarf for me but since I only have half the yardage I want, I guess it shall be for her....

miss boo had a rough night last night....woke up with growing pains...her knees and her ankles...ugh...I don't think I had growing pains...I was a wee thing for sooo long...it breaks my heart...I massage her little legs until she falls back asleep...

in other news....new project on the needles...its a secret (christmas present)....but I will try to update everyone in a secret sort of way.....(basically a link to another page and I will trust this person not to hit the button to)....

off to shovel the front stairs (we are in the midst of loads of snow...again)...and yes...I am feeling much better, thank you!

wooly wednesday

2005-03-09T11:03:00.000-05:00

it is still windy, windy, windy here (60mph last night)....the snow is everywhere....(and I am not going out...even to the post office)....

so, how does a 5 year old amuse herself in a store on a stormy night....why make herself into a robot astronaut sort of thingie...

and her momma? why make little pennyrug heart pillows/pincushion thingies...ofcourse

and on tap for today...well, I feel a bit lousy (okay, really lousy....sour stomach, chills, stuffy) so I am going to snuggle up and have a nap....and if I feel better, I think I shall make some yarn tonight...or pick up some knitting (I must say..I have been working on some socks with commericial yarn...I am uninspired...I really do love the way handspun stuff looks, feels, and knits up.....Maybe I need to make myself another scarf).....

to dye for tuesday

2005-03-08T14:28:00.000-05:00

okay...no new pictures last night as promised..I was tired...so here are my pictures of my dying...

already 2 of the three are sold (someone saw them as soon as they were being balled up)....and here is my ralphie helping out

he is such a good boy!

Well, we are in the middle of a "snow storm" of sorts...so tonight will be spent on oodles of handsewing....some more pinchusions in the works....and tomorrow, if I get a minute I may do some wet felting...we will see....
Happy night!

mail!

2005-03-07T09:57:00.000-05:00

Yeah!
The morning has started off sooooo loverly!

I went to the post office and got 3 packages...one was my japanese felting books...the other was easter/birthday presents (for miss boo and her cousin)...and finally I got this

yep...my very own pincushion from Miss Loobylu!
Thanks Claire! I love it!!!!

I also set up a webpage for the art of Miss Boo
here is a preview

her stuff cracks me up.....I am hoping to see if she will do illustration friday because it will be a hoot to see what she comes up with....

well...I am off to fold laundy, finish up the yarn I am dying, and sew!

more pictures later today (I have even more packages coming this afternoon...woo hooo)

strawberry

2005-03-06T13:46:00.000-05:00

yesterday I had a nice lunch with a friend and her daughter and my miss boo...we went and visited a bird display at the local gallery...it was delightful....and felt nice to get out!!!

Today I made a very pearly and quite demented, I must say, strawberry...

The little birdies have been recieving nice comments (thanks online to you miss mimi) and some customers want to know when they could purchase them...ugh....so we will see if I can get myself going on a few more....

off to surfing land (and daydreaming for a bit)....I slept so poorly last night...I guess that is what I get for staying up an hour past my bedtime and watching "mystic river"....eeee.....

tea time

2005-03-04T13:26:00.000-05:00

Okay...I really can't spell...but if you want the link here it is to the teas....
Adagio ...and they are yummmy....
had the citron green today....and i do like it loads:) it takes second place with the ginsing green in first....

birdies

2005-03-03T19:58:00.000-05:00

so I made myself a pincushion (or two)....

I think I will make more of these...some on pedestals...etc...and then wee ones for ornaments...

I also cut out the fabric and got it ready for the neck and eye thingies...and got some circle patterns ready for penny rug like decorations on them...I seem to be having a circle/polka dottie thingie and a birdie thingie going on...oh well...I will just go with it....

Also...got my tea brewer from Adiago Teas....and I do love it...today I enjoyed their green pekoe blues, cocomint green (omg...just smelling it was amazing...very stong for me...so I think I would only have a wee glass...or a cup after a meal)...and my current favorite....GINSING GREEN...pure heaven...I am sure I am going to need to order more teas soon....I have one more new one to try tomorrow...I also have a sample set of black teas too (may want to wait on those though, I am more into green and white teas at this time)....

I also recieved the new ROWAN magazine for spring...and as much as there is cute stuff in it...most I know I will never get around to knitting :( I started picking out patterns with a reality check....I think I am just a scarf and sock girlie for the moment (and other various portable and mindless projects)....

Off for night time tv viewing...(geeez do I miss project runway)

amassing wool

2005-03-02T07:39:00.000-05:00

I don't know why (ofcourse the real answer would be...why not)....but I have been gathering a collection of wool felt....dyed by me...dyed by others....what am I going to make....I am really not sure...

I think I am either in a quiet absorbing phase (meaning no real projects that I am going headstrong on...just puttering through life looking for inspiration)...so do I leap in and force myself to do something....or do I just not force it knowing the time will come....

things are still chaos here...more doom and gloom...sick and dying people....it really sucks...(hmmm...this is why I may not feel to creative...eh?)...

well....of to work...I think I shall work on a neck soother thingie (ya know...microwavable with rice or corn in it to make your neck feel good)...and I really need a pin cushion...I had one once...where it went...I have no clue...maybe a nice cheerful bird...

felt and fairies

2005-02-27T13:06:00.000-05:00

this is what I should be working on

but instead I have a fairy factory going on...

yep...those are 10mm wooden beads (about 50 of em) that I painted little faces on this morning...and I cut some dresses out of wool felt and I am going to embroider them this afternoon...then silk flower skirts...
I have made these in the past from kits from wee folk studio...we carried them for a bit in the store....at one point I really wanted a christmas tree covered in fairies...now I am just going to make them to have a bit of fun...trade some...give some as gifts...etc...I will post pictures when I am done.....

And that is how I spent my sunday afternoon....

alive and well???

2005-02-25T19:48:00.000-05:00

no new pictures today...just an update....
it has been a chaotic week (with next week looks as chaotic).....guests have come and gone...doctors appointments have been kept...with no new news....just a "watch and wait" for the patient and another mri in august....lucy has had vacation....one of the wonderful woman of town has died:( and our employees husband is in the hospital waiting heart surgery on monday...

Have I accomplished much in the midst of all this...not really....I have been reading...thinking...praying....and getting over the emotional and physical fatigue I am in....I did finish the spring socks....and have dreamt of many new projects...hopefully soon I will have more to show and say.....just wanted to let you all know...I am here....and okay...really!

big decision...

2005-02-16T20:06:00.000-05:00

so tomorrow I have to make the decision...do I put my sewing machine away and all its bits and bobs for another two weeks or do I keep it out in hopes I will have a spare second to use it?

progress-
heel to turn on spring socks...
2 inches on another cuff
no progress on mock cabled socks....

alice head prototype done....woo hooo.....

things that need to be done by sunday....house cleaned...house cleaned....house cleaned (bil and mil coming for a visit...only bil staying here).....sock yarn dyed....and a commission dye job....and poosibly some rovings for me (gee....what a thought)....alice...because with company over it will be this week or never...and a trip to a real store to get all the odds and ends I feel I have needed since the last trip (a month or two ago)...

on the other thrilling side...my first interweave press order arrived for the store...unfortunately 1/2 the stuff was on bag order:( dang it....

and I got a fantabulous bunch of pictures from miss Mimi (doll blog on the side bar)....yeah! I am in heaven!!

off to watch project runway...and look through my daughters art for today:)....

through the rabbit hole

2005-02-13T18:45:00.000-05:00

Okay...so I am on my way to making Alice

as you may notice....she will not be a particularly traditional Alice...I have done two heads and I feel with the tweaks I have made...the third may be the charm...(as I ask myself...why didn't I keep all my patterns of yesteryear when I made dolls and artist bears....duh!!!)....luckily all the info is still in my head so designing really hasn't been a total nightmare (in fact, I am pretty amazed at how much I remember)....

Tonight I had a delightful chinese dinner around the coffee table with miss boo (dh is having dinner with his "pool" pals...since one of the bunch is back in town)....my fortune said "Now is the time to try something new"...inwhich miss boo responded "see Mom, you need to try peas".....and hers said "You are gifted in many ways"...she liked her fortune much better than mine.....ahh...life through the eyes of a 5 year old...

the purse is still on my desk waiting to be lined....socks have a couple more inches done on each...but...once again, I am telling myself...I am going to finish Alice...this month even!!!!

sock yarn

2005-02-12T13:45:00.000-05:00

so...I dyed some sock yarn

I am tickled with the way it came out...unfortunately..this is not all of it. I ended up selling quite a few skeins to customers this morning before I could get a picture....if you feel the need for one of these balls or want the info...it is here

I also got some wool dyed....I have lots of earthtones so I did some bright colors...many of which I hope to use on my alice in wonderland doll for "a month of softies"...which I am GOING to do this month...really!!!

as for the booties...you mean the ones that are in the trash...well...it was my second strike with knitting in two days......that is why I decided that I must need to dye since everything else was not right....and I also cast on another sock...yep...that is three pairs on the needles....
this next week I will be dying more sock yarn (I have 5 skeins left that are white...and then I will need to wait for another reorder)....

life in a nutshell here...

instant

2005-02-10T19:32:00.000-05:00

instant gratification-
I needed some springy yarns for the store...cheerful...happy....non woolies...so I called rowan, ordered some summer tweed and my friend brought it that night home from the office....

Excuse my blurry picture...but it was a day downstairs (15 hours) because of the snow, I had no break...so I am a bit blurry myself...

I have a pair of cotton/wool booties that need to be blocked and "made up"....and I did work on a cute lace bonnet but somehow was 20 sts short when I got to a row with a count...so that was frogged and I was a bit crabby for a bit.....I have 2 socks on the needles....the cuff done on one....and tomorrow I hope to dye!!!!

I got my wool felt in today and I need more color I have decided...so while dying yarn tomorrow...some felt will be dyed and ready for playing with...and if time permits...I will "make up" the booties and sew together and line a purse I knit up too....

and it is snowing....eventhough the intial forcast said 18- 30 inches it started as rain for quite awhile and then turned to sleet and now it is heavy wet snow...(and it has been light to heavy for the past 13 hours).....crossing my fingers the employees can make it in tomorrow so I can my dying done....well...atleast there is saturday....

night!

quilt

2005-02-08T07:39:00.000-05:00

so...there has been oodles of quilting buzz going around the internet...so I thought I would show the wonderful quilt I recieved when I was pregnant with miss boo....I love this quilt and so does my little monster (I had to steal it off her bed)....

simple block with applique and embroidered pictures....from the lovely miss A

I started Fat Tuesday with a Krispy Kreme Donut...how appropriate...don't ya think...

and I forgot to mention that I ordered a "bit" of 100% wool yesterday...ahhh...can't wait for it to come to play with.....

what's on tap for today....well, I bound off the pansy sock (cuff only done) and miss boo is using as a neck warmer for "ooma"....I will (hopefully) cast on 3 or 4 socks...so i can rotate between size 0,1, 2, and 4 size needles depending on how the mood strikes me...and I must start thinking about spring samples for the store...i was informed I should be getting stuff by the end of february....woo hooo....

sock done

2005-02-07T19:27:00.000-05:00

Okay..after a bit of ripping out...sock one is done...it is soo buttery soft....the green ply is baby alpaca...yum....

what else have I been up to??? nothing...I have been a slug...and it is going to continue as we go t bed early until we finally feel we have caught up on some sleep (we have both been exhausted and this is suppose to be the "quiet time" at the ole general store...if we don't catch up now, summer will not be purdy)...ugh....

stuff up

2005-02-05T16:50:00.000-05:00

finally the silks are on the site

a little sneak peak.....

so, do not knit after a busy day and putting away 35 cases of wine...not good...had to rip out my heel;(

and a picture of ralphie before I go...he is maturing soooo nicely

what's been done

2005-02-03T20:22:00.000-05:00

well...the blends are updated on the site...with hopefully more done this weekend...but it is superbowl weekend...so we shall see....
and I have been working on some yarn....I don't know the stats except it is fingering weight...but yards??? have to wait til I have it off the bobbin...it is a two ply merino

and I started the springy green and pastel socks for me...

and I am not sure what I make of these...I am kindof disappointed in the color placement....(I guess this confirms that I need to dye my own)
side one-

side two-

and I have this one waiting in the wings to start...using the same fluted bannister pattern I used on miss boos green socks

a bit sock obsessed still? nah...not me....

coming soon

2005-01-30T20:07:00.000-05:00

oh my...what a fibery day...I dyed 22 ounces of silk and 24+ ounces of mohair...

yeah...can't wait for it to dry...I have also been on a drum carding binge...so there should be oooodles of new silk, mohair and blends on the site this week...and if the printer would print properly...more learn to spin kits....Yeah......

I did cast on a pair of socks....ugh...but when I am downstairs and unable to spin...picking up the needles is soooo easy...and I have a couple super skinny singles on bobbins to make sockweight yarns....mmmmmm....yeah! and family members who read this....send me your shoe size...incase this sock binge lasts until christmas....heee hee.....

okay....one picture of miss stella stinky bella before I go...

more yarn

2005-01-28T19:37:00.000-05:00

so I spent last night spinning and plying...one of them (the blue-one ply silk, other is merino-240 yards) came out fingering weight and the other (green- one ply baby alpaca, other is merino too-156 yards) came out sport weight. I am pretty happy with both and now I think I have plenty of the green and bright pastel colorway to make a pair of socks or two....yeah!!!!

I am now spinning a lovely, almost somber colorway that looks like a rose garden...quite dusty...I had oodles of naturally dyed stuff that I just didn't like so I overdyed it and now I have oodles of rose garden. I think I have plenty to make a fingering weight two ply for two pairs of socks...my adirondack basket is full of it waiting to be spun....

off to close up the store....good night to all....

btw...for those who were wondering...we did get the approval from the town to do the addition to the deli....yeah!!!!

lucy green is done

2005-01-27T20:13:00.000-05:00

and who says you can't dress up a pair of wool socks?

Lucy's socks are done and she thinks they are fantastic...and believe it or not...I haven't started another pair yet....I am spinning...and plying and should have more yarn done tomorrow....and I need to dye.....fibers are selling quickly...so I should have more mohair and silk done this weekend....

off to spin and have a beer:)

stripey done

2005-01-25T19:31:00.000-05:00

well....stripey socks done....
and a new knitting journal from knitpicks

okay I have oodles of journals...but this one tells you the name for knitting shop in many languages so you can find one no matter where you are...how useful is that!!!

and bad news for the sewing machine...I think I may retire it to the attic once again. I just don't have time to sit and sew....boo hoo....I know in time I will but not at this point of my life...dang...thank god knitting is portable....

snowy day

2005-01-23T18:28:00.000-05:00

okay...hard to tell from the pictures but we got 18 plus inches of snow......the parking lot was plowed out and miss boo had hours of fun sledding on the snow banks...

and I was suppose to have the day to sew and cook (i soooo wanted to do the kitty for the month of softies...sewing machine and patterns ready....and the patch for the tsunami quilt project).....but an employee could not make it so I spent the day in the store....

so I knit miss boo a sock (fluted bannister from six socks knitalong in rowanspun dk)...these babies flew on size 4 needles....I have the ribbing on the second done...

and then I got the top and heel of stripey done....woohooo...both should be finished by friday at the latest....I have sooo much I want to dooo......(socks...socks...and dyeing!!!!)

off to a fun night with "family" dinner and the game....

update

2005-01-21T09:07:00.000-05:00

Good morning...
here is a quick pic of the yarns I made....

the pastel one is from naturally dyed fiber from copper moth(80 wool/ 20 silk)...I cannot say enough good stuff about these girls..the fiber is freaking beautiful...and one of the only placed I will buy dyed from....you will not be disappointed
and the other is from the silkworker...I feel the same about her silks...this is 100% tussah silk...I also spun some up super skinny to ply with some merino I am spinning....ah...the color...the shine.....
if you don't want to spin your own (if you do check out delicious)....otherwise buy some from my friend Miss A at Hello Yarn...you are sure to be in heaven....
well...must run and try to get the kitten away from the fax machine....he keeps trying to follow the paper in and then pull it out the bottom....faxed kitty paws are not a good idea....

okay...I frogged it

2005-01-19T22:52:00.000-05:00

I frogged the kitty...it just was not in the proportions I wanted it to be so I frogged the whole thing...I may end up knitting another one..but right now I am finishing my second stripey sock.....I just finished the autumn handspun...there are now a pair....wooo hooo (guess what I am wearing on a snowy cold thursday morning).....

I also ordered oodles of yarn for me and my employees...and a friend from knitpicks this afternoon....because you cannot have enough sock yarn sitting around...and miss boo wanted socks out of a colorway that looked like christmas (and after seeing more than enough red heart varigated yarn in my childhood, I just cannot bring myself to dye in that colorway)....

I have also been spinning...and will hopefully have a few yarns to show tomorrow...(because I must watch the trashy american idol, and then the wonderful "project runway"....I even make dh watch that one too)....and spinning is a delightful way to pass the time while he is on the rowing machine....ahh.....

bad morning...

2005-01-15T13:21:00.000-05:00

Yikes...I have had a bad morning...
first I made a pot of coffee...while in the cooler I started the second pot and when I came back out I saw that I had not put an empty pot underneath....the whole counter was covered in coffee.....then I realized it was cold....the fuse to the heating element went (I just learned this....the repair man came 3 hours after they told me he would be here).....Then while making another pot...the filter started to fall..I reached for it and wacked the pot underneath...and you guessed....made a nice hole in that pot...coffee all over the counter again....ugh....now, I know I am a klutz...but this is so much more than usual...

On the good news side...the website is updated...mohair, merino, silk, blends, camel, guanaco and more....wooo hooo.....I tried a new layout....I am not too thrilled with the buttons I made....chances are it will get changed again...but I will try to wait til spring...

Here is some sock yarn I plied up last night. It is from one of my merino rovings and some baby alpaca top...

ahh...I can't wait to make them into some socks...I am currently spinning up more of the green so I have more choices of what to put with it....I just love color!!!!!

Here's to having a better afternoon! Yikes!

whew....

2005-01-13T20:24:00.000-05:00

Okay...I was about to scream...but I figured out more with my photo software...ugh...if I could just figure out which of my oodles of discs had the photo software I used to love....errerrr......

I am finally going to participate in a "month of softies"...this month is vintage catwalk and here is the beginning of my kitty body. I am using the frighteningly delicious kid classic from rowan. I think I need a pair of socks out of this....and a scarf...and oodles more kitties since I am sure the pattern will need tweaking.

and a picture of the shawl in progress

I am not highly fond of the colorway. I thought I would like it much better...it just isn't me...when I am done it may need a trip into the dyepot. I am going to wait and see....

well...off to spin for a bit...

2005-01-11T19:04:00.000-05:00

A few more pictures...
one of my most favorites...Miss Boo at her sewing machine....

ahh...the concentration...

and now on to the socks...
autumn sock one

out of a few of my handspuns

and....stripey sock

they both fit much better then the silk pair...now just to make their partners....

2005-01-11T09:22:00.000-05:00

this morning I had time to play around a bit with my photo software....ugh...I am "getting it" little by little. Now I just need to take ooodles of pictues....

I am starting to add recipes since I have been cooking up a storm (in an attempt to eat less processed stuff I grab off the shelf)
Here is a recipe I live on.....I could eat them on nearly everything and anything

Balsamic Roasted Onions
2 large red onions, wedged
2 tbs. of white balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup of olive oil
1/4 tsp. of salt
2 tbs. of soy sauce
2 tbs. of sugar

preheat oven to 400 degrees
combine ingredients and put in oven
stir often until the onions are soft and coated with glaze.
eat up!
(I also tend to roast a pan of veggies at the same time...heck..the oven is warmed up and you can use roasted veggies for so many things....)

Here is a pic of my noro silk garden socks..same pattern for both....little large in the leg area...but sooo soft and comfy

the colorways are 51 and 33

Tonight I should finish one of my "stripey" regia socks....I just have the toe to go....yeah!

2005-01-10T20:14:00.000-05:00

I have been around...just frustrated over some of my photo software...I am having a hard time shrinking the pictures down and still having the clarity...ugh....so here is the first of many pictures this week

It is my kaffe fassett fabric I bought. The one with the black background is for the yarn room curtains...the purple dotty one has become a new needle case for my long needles...the pink swirly one is not a kaffe fabric but one from "glorious color" shop. What to make....what to make....

I joined the six sock knit along...for me it will be the three sock knitalong since they are through the first three. I think it will be fun. I have been on a major sock kick...I just have the toes left to do on one regia sock and one autumn handspun sock is done (pictures tomorrow)...I am also spinning up some sock weight yarn for more.....mmmmm.....

the shawl has about 6 inches done (which isn't much considering it is a triangular shawl) but it has been my here and there knitting project....so hey...

I am alive...and there should be a website update by Monday (the 17th) since I have ooodles of new fibers to show....and I must get rid of the sold ones....

Happy knitting and spinning:)

delight and frustration....

2005-01-02T12:22:00.000-05:00

okay...no picutres uploaded yet...maybe this week it will happen.....frustration!!! (I hate the new software....back to the old).....

Good news...little miss was sewing away this morning...got my machine out and was able to do some free motion embroidery without the needle breaking once (not like two months ago when I broke 4 in 10 minutes)....so...maybe some loverly fiber scarves soon...and then directions and water soluable interfacing available on delicious....I also looked at my fabrics and ordered more from "Glorious Color"....I could just dive into Kaffe's fabrics. I need to make some needle cases...so once the fabric arrives (and I buy a new iron....went to iron fabric to sew...dead iron...dang it)...and sew some knitting bags...

On the knitting front....I have some stripey socks on the needles...autumn socks....and a longways scarf.......I also need to get a shawl on the needles with my yarn from Cherry Tree Hill....

Spinning....what...not much new there....I have ooodles of fiber....must have time to spin.....

Fiber dying...once I have myself organized...I have ooodles of newly dyed fiber...including camel and mohair to pop up on the site...so spinners...hold on...new stuff in a week or two..promise...otherwise...stop by the shop.

Must go help in the store...good day and new year to all!

the day after

2004-12-26T12:53:00.000-05:00

Good Day!
Merry Late Christmas to everyone.
This past week has been hectic between holiday preparations and the husband with the flu. Two days I was hoping to prepare were spent in the store for all hours of operation(6 am to 8 pm) so he could be in bed and hopefully better soon.

I have oodles of pictures but I need to figure out my new webstuff software so until then...no pictures and no updates on the main webpage either...ugh...hopefully over the next week or so I can get things in order (I did get a bunch of programs downloaded...now I just have to figure all the new programs out)....

I am happily knitting away on some socks. I did get some regia and some socka sock yarns for christmas. I am finishing up the silk garden socks and then onto a regia pair...and then maybe some of the autumn handspun.

Miss boo is so excited about her sewing machine from santa...she has a bunch of plans for what she is going to sew out of the fat quarters we gave her. We went to the yarn and fabric store in a neighboring town...and the fabric selection is delightful but I was quite disappointed with the yarn choices. They do have a heck of a needle selection so I will send people there when I don't have what they need.

This morning, regretfully, the tree needed to come down. It had already been tipped over twice in one hour by the kitten....so alas...it is now gone and the ornaments are in the attic...except for some of my favorites which are hanging about. I did get a delightful one named "Miss Poinsetta" from my parents...I laughed because at first I thought it said...."Miss Poison Ivy" (okay...I was exhausted at that point)...

I must go and knit and watch "Amelie"....

rather blustery day

2004-12-20T11:12:00.000-05:00

Why it is a rather blustery day outside today....

Okay...friends update....
Kathy is still in the hospital...they took her big toe...her spirits are great....much love to you sweetieXXXOOOOO
Other friend...MRI at 12:30...still no clue what is wrong...
and the boy with the neural virus....still cranky..but hey...for 4 more weeks it will suck....

good news...Patrick...you are engaged...sorry..just got an email from an old friend (known for 21 years...holy crap) and he finally found a girl...hopefully she is worthy of him and his wonderful family...since he has taken so long...I would think he did just great....

strange news....Lisa...I got your card..no mention of your husband...I hope whatever has happened...you are okay..if you get a chance update me...thinking of you!!!!

Cute Hats! Has anyone seen what miss A has been making...she is just too wonderful...

What's up with me??? I finally got the new computer set up. I will be updating the blog stuff and the website within the next few weeks...I still have soooo many programs to put on this computer...and after 3 days of cleaning and cleaning out the house I just want to relax and enjoy the holidays!!!!!

Happy Snowy Day to all!

;yeah....

2004-12-16T08:58:00.000-05:00

Okay...good stuff..sad stuff...

Good stuff....fiber...fiber...fiber....I have been dying up a storm (more silk about to get steamed in 15 minutes).....camel, mohair top, merino....mmmm...and I have been knitting a mismatched pair of socks out of silk garden (really missmatched..two different colorways and then wool in the foot)....

I MUST WRAP PRESENTS TODAY!

My computer came in...not set up yet...but it is here...

Bad stuff....my dear friend Kathy called from the hospital yesterday...she has been in for a few days and will be there for a few more...on friday they are taking off her big toe and possibly all of her toes on her foot depending if the infection is in the bone...ugh...she has diabetes that was not discovered until this event....I feel so sad and wish I was right there with her...I do love her dearly:(

so...that is my life...a bit rollercoasterly....(is that a word?)...but I am hanging in...thinking good thoughts...and should have some pretty fiber pictures to show soon:)

it was a safety issue

2004-12-12T17:40:00.000-05:00

really, I had to let it out of the bag, it was a safety issue...it couldn't breathe

and after staring at it for a while I decided I better do some dying....

and some dyed merino, bunny and silk added to the website...along with more silk to be added later this week....also undyed alpaca, merino, silk, bunny and guanaco up to.

And I finished a bit of yarn...some looks like halloween...some looks like I dropped a baby chic in a blender....and some is just delightful...I think you can figure out which is which

Miss boo has a terrible head cold...the mister is going to friends for dinner...and what am I going to do??? dye???spin???row????card??? I am not sure....

the kicker

2004-12-08T20:49:00.000-05:00

Oh yeah...forgot to mention the kicker...the final phone call....
it was a friend saying to keep an eye out with lucy for ring worm...her dog that plays with lucy (almost daily) has it....and lucy may have gotten it from the dog:( yikes...so ....keeping an eye on miss boo's body....

can I go to bed now?

2004-12-08T20:34:00.000-05:00

hmmm...let's see...after a horrible nap (lu lu kept going in and out of her room....closing the door loudly)...I heard the sound of a large truck...the wine order (35 cases) had arrived a day earlier than I thought it would...went downstairs to find out that one friend has a neural virus...he will have the wonderful aches, pains and tingles for atleast another 6 weeks...and the other friend with the arthritis is going to see another doctor tomorrow...ugh....
now...in the middle of trying to ring up customers and put away the wine I hear lucy yelling upstairs...I go up and find her on a chair trying to hold the tree straight up. She says the kitten Knocked it over (mind you...why was the the kitchen chair in the living room and 12 or so of the ornaments on the couch...in a line???)....So we made a new rule...no rearranging the ornaments on the tree or setting up a fort or sleeping area underneath it....oh my......I am tired...

(another) hat for miss boo

2004-12-08T12:41:00.000-05:00

I finished it last night and miss boo took it:)

I also finished a pair of booties...need a smaller pic of those...and a few clearer of the yarns finished...

I also recieved my presents from Miss A....evil girlie...she put the fibers in clear bags....the red looks like candy

and there is also some camel (the cats kept blocking the pictures)....I am trying not to grab them and rip them open...I still have more to spin and ply...so they are sitting all pretty under the tree while I dream up what to do...

I think on saturday I will need to have another dying frenzy....I have another 10lbs of fiber coming from RH lindsey.....ugh....merino and silk pots full this weekend...and hopefully some good pictures and I will get them up on the site...

Off to nap....

frenzy

2004-12-06T19:53:00.000-05:00

so....I finished the capella thingie...I am going to put it in the shop...the color is just not me....I ended up keeping it knit side out eventhough it was meant to be in reverse stocking net stitch...

I am also just on the "sewing up part" of the booties...I started a hat (or 10) out of some odds and ends of handspun...I could easily get oodles of them out of my stash so I am working on using up the bits and pieces of thick and thin...

I spun some yarn...pictures of that wednesday (not tomorrow since I have the concert at the elementary school to attend:)...

fiber came in....can you say guanaco...it will be for sale in 1/2 ounce bags on the site in a day or two...nice christmas present for yourself or the spinner in your life...hee hee also some superfine merino and some bombyx silk

we have not decorated for christmas...YET...I think A will be getting the tree this week...we put one on the outside porch and one upstairs. We did get the wreath and that is up...atleast....

I also won a book on ebay...god, I haven't bought anything there in a while...it is to make small little critters. I think lulu would be in heaven over a bevy of wee ones to play with....it is too dang cute...(and save me from figuring out the patterns on my own...mindless fun)...

the tiramisu in the refrigerator is calling me....

life...in general

2004-12-03T19:08:00.000-05:00

Okay...so what's going on??? Damned if I know....I am waiting for test results for two friends...one they have finally decided it has to do with her arthritis...and the other...still no idea...more test this next week...so I have had moments of worry mixed with spurts of motivation...

I am still working on the baby blanket for miss boos doll...have only gotten a few rows further...

I have about 20 rows, blocking and sewing to go on my capella (wouldn't take long if I just sat down and did it...they are reducing rows....)

lace socks-no progress....

and one baby bootie done (stock for the store...I am completely out)

spun some thick and thin for various projects (booties..hats...trims and what not)

*Yeah* we got the concept2 rower yesterday...I rowed for 8 minutes today (should only do it for 3 minute intervals for the first time)....I became a bit obsessed and needed to stop myself...I hope I have some motivation...ugh...

and that is life here.....sorry no pictures...and no thrills....maybe we will decorate over the next few days.....hmmmm.....

err...umm....

2004-11-29T13:52:00.000-05:00

Okay...so I am trying to figure out if it is PMS...or just a day of emotional turmoil.....

Kitties gone to vets for check up...yup....
DH dentist and doctors....yup...

anything else accomplished...no, not really...

body done for month of softies....but alas, I have zero motivation...and it will not be done for the end of the month (tomorrow)

blanket for dolly (on hold until today...miss boo was off school for 5 days)

lace socks (another 1/4 of an inch...if lucky)

rowan big wool capelet sort of thingie (one side done...one more to go...worried the sizes are screwy and it is not going to fit me...damn it)....

I did get in my reprodepot fabrics....I have been so jealous of miss wees wonderful stuff....

I also got in the other 1/2 of my mother's gifts for christmas.....yeah!

I do not forsee my motivation getting any better (will explain more about this when information becomes available)....I am just in a state....but if I do get something done...it will be posted here....really:)

happy holiday crafting to all....

dyed and ready

2004-11-23T16:46:00.000-05:00

here is a bit of the fiber I dyed up...I am in the midst of splitting it and predrafting it before I get spinning

I am hoping to get some spinning and some knitting done before thanksgiving...wish me luck (I also noticed a package downstairs from handpaint heaven with a big skien of yarn for a shawl....I will take pictures of that skein later).....

We are in the midst of making 32 pies for thanksgiving...all the turkey are in...and the produce...tomorrow more last minute groceries arrive...and we will be open thanksgiving until 2 for those last minute "i forgot" its....truthfully, I love this time of year at the old dublin general store...people are in great moods on the holidays....so thankful you are open...

off to print out the shrug pattern and swatch it up before miss boo heads off to bed (and then I will do a few more rows on her dolly blanket)...

why my right arm is sooo strong

2004-11-22T05:01:00.000-05:00

I made it through the weekend....A and miss Boo should be back today some time. Did I use my time wisely?

I carded nearly 3lbs of fiber...most of my efforts can be seen here...and I finished the doll cardi for Beanu

It was suppose to fit a doll twice her size....yikes...oh well...Boo will be happy and the autumn handspun looks nice...don't you agree?

I also dyed 3 plus pounds of fiber...those efforts will be added to my site tomorrow and the next day...some are for my "learn to spin" kits....others are for me to have some fun with (the store is nearly empty of my handspun)......

I best get going ...I still have morning duties in the store....

ladeedah...

2004-11-19T19:02:00.000-05:00

Have i progressed on my "accessorized elephant"?
no
I do have a picture of the noro scarf, though

I have the dolly sweater blocking right now on the dryer (I don't think it will fit her baby she is getting for christmas, but i will put it on her dolly beanu for when lulu gets home from grandma and papas)
I did have a visit with the rowan rep and get my spring order done. I have some more big wool books and big wool coming in the mail this week....which is good since a bunch sold over the last two days....I am so excited for the cashmere cotton with angora...and the cashmere and wool line....mmmm....it is so soft and the colors are wonderful......won't be here til february or march, though:(
I best get the paperwork done for the night.....
hopefully more pictures tomorrow...and I started the lace socks in my "fantasy" file.....hee hee....

Look Ma! No Cavaties!

2004-11-17T13:50:00.000-05:00

Okay...the trip to the dentist went okay...I still have a cavity free mouth. They were only able to clean the top teeth in the time I was there. My gums are messed up but they tell me not to worry, we can make them better....so.....no rotting teeth falling out nightmares...thank god!

I don't have a picture of the scarf yet...A is in the room napping where the camera battery is getting recharged.

I did have a frightening revelation last night...I have no projects in progress...my needles were empty! yikes! So I immediately cast on a sweater and a blanket for miss lulu's christmas dolly. The sweater is out of some of my autumn handspun and the blanket out of two shades of noro blossom. I am also thinking of casting on the debbie bliss sweater, the rowan big wool one, and a pair of socks. I will add pictures to my "fantasies" link on the side with the yarns selected. I am hoping to make a pair of socks a month (atleast)....we will see how that goes....

I am going to go surf a bit....( I have also fixed all my broken links...thank god!).....

wonderful cloudy, chilly afternoon to you all!

shrug yarn

2004-11-15T14:29:00.000-05:00

got a loverly surprise in the mail from miss Hello Yarn.....I think this will knit up nicely into a shrug (as soon as I find the pattern)...and oddly enough...it matches perfectly the yarn I made from the vegas nights fiber(vegas nights is sparkly and had shine, but same colorway pretty much)...wierd, eh?

I am finishing up the noro scarf and should have pictures tomorrow...I do like it but the colors aren't exactly me...good thing it is for display.

Also carded up another 4 ounces of fiber....hoping to have 12 different ones by the 22nd.....and then I will start dying up more rovings and get the "learn to spin kits up"....or atleast that is the plan for now...this weekend I must knit a sweater and blanket for miss lulu's christmas dolly....(she is going to my parents for the weekend).....ugh...so much to do.....oh well....best get cracking....(and should start some socks...one of the things on my list is to knit a pair for me and a pair for lulu monthly....I must have been delusional when I wrote the list)....

Birthday review and color

2004-11-15T07:30:00.000-05:00

lovely birthday...for the most part....
I started off the morning going for a brisk 3 mile walk (okay...super brisk...it was 23degrees out).....and then carded up 8 ounces of fiber

and watched a movie with miss boo....who told me her theories on color
black and brown love each other and they are friends with grey
purple and orange love each other
pink and red love each other
as do yellow and green
the mid day got a bit mucky with trying to take a nap and having 80 million disruptions....but when I woke up...lulu had picked out and wrapped some of her toys and jewelry for me...and she was just beaming.....so that took the grumpiness away.
It ended lovely with dinner at my friend andreas house....and tiramisu...mmmmm

autumns last stand

2004-11-13T19:20:00.000-05:00

Yeah! here is the first of many fiber blends available here

some superwash wool surrounding some deep chocolate brown alpaca, russet and gold silk, orange and deep red mohair....4 oz. of spinning heaven.....

I am learning the ins and outs of the carder...and I have a huge box of fibers all grouped up to be carded tomorrow while miss boo and I hang out and watch movies...woo hoo...

and now on to doing the daily paperwork....

yeah!!!

2004-11-12T20:06:00.000-05:00

Okay...first here are 2 pictures of my desk....one of my section and one of my daughters...

her section is a bit messier.... but I love having her right there with me....

Two presents arrived in the mail for me...one a fleece top from my cousin...and the other...my fricke petite from my husband and daughter...I can't wait to use it!!!!!

Tomorrow I am going to try to get done all my cleaning and paperwork so on sunday all I have to do is play!!!!!!

Okay...time to watch the last part of lord of the rings (thank you hillary for lending it to us!!)

moving right along

2004-11-10T12:40:00.000-05:00

so....a few projects in process

these are both from the knitted gifts book...I am knitting them for display. When they are done I am working on the childs noro scarf....and maybe a baby bonnet.....

My big rowan order came in ...and now I have another one coming in tonight or tomorrow...manily just the rowanspun 4 ply in that order...14 different colors. So much to knit...so little time....

That is really all I have been up to except trying to find shoes for my weed...she has outgrown almost every pair I have gotten her this fall so I ordered new along with boots today and some new long john sets (she lives in those in the winter)....

and finally a picture of kittie love...princess is washing ralphie off...

hee hee....

2004-11-02T07:52:00.000-05:00

and here is the monmouth cap (reluctantly modeled by my boy)

heee heee
and here is an updated picture of my kitties....
miss princess

and ralphie (his brush coat is looking lovely)

Yesterday I had a nice surprise...carol who was at SOAR stopped in for a visit! Yeah! It was so nice to see you:)
and today....I wanted to catch up on more spinning...but alas...one employee called in sick...I guess I won't even get a nap:(

done...

2004-11-01T09:18:00.000-05:00

monmouth cap is done...will post a picture of it this week....

still working on the autumn yarns....and have many ideas of what to do with them....(lots from the new books I just got)....

I also must spend the next 13 days composing my list of 34 things to do in my 34th year of life...I probably should revisit last years...I can easily name a few I didn't do.

and Halloween went well....school parades the kids up to Yankee Magazine and they make out like bandits....and then she got a bit from the neighbors..so should have one sugared child for awhile.....

and I keep trying to put it in the back of my mind....coming up is my first trip to the dentist in 15 years...I know....bad girl...but when you don't have insurance and you are poor...what do you do....yikes...atleast I will get that back on track....

must go do some yoga while I have a chance (yeah...a quiet moment...the husband is back from 10 days away....yeah!!!!)

Trip to the Bookstore!!!!!

2004-10-29T12:20:00.000-05:00

Yeah!
I got to go to the bookstore (and I spent my gift cards from last year's birthday....a record...normally I wouldn't get to it until the next birthday has rolled around)....

I went to Borders and went crazy....I purchased-
Knitter's Magazine...Fall
Vogue Knitting...Holiday
Colors Magazine...Drug Issue
Marie Claire Idees....Fall

Last Minute Knitted Gifts...Joelle Hoverson
Simple Knits With a Twist....Erika Knight

The Sopranos Trivia Game (birthday gift for my hubby)

Gift Certificate for a neighbor who is turning 5 next week...

Stickers and Books for miss Boo

CD's...Tony Bennett's Greatest Hits and Bjork's Medulla

and finally the anniversary edition DVD of The Color Purple
(I love the freaking costuming!!!!)

Yeah....ya know I don't have enough to do...so more reading...why not....oh yeah...and a Milan Kundara book I do not have...hee heee.....

I also skirted the fleece yesterday....it is soft and looks like it is in good shape...I will try to wash some of it tomorrow since we should be slow (rainy and cold)...

I also worked on some more of my autumn yarns...I am hoping to finish a bunch up by sunday night and then monday start of some of the pinks...purples...and all those...we'll see how far I get...I want to make a shrug...anyone seen any good patterns at there???? Just thought I'd ask...
and I must think of an elephant on rollerskates....hmmm.....(details)

damn it....

2004-10-27T13:41:00.000-05:00

err...it drives me crazy when blogger does not cooperate.....errr

Okay....cooler weather is here...it took zero convincing to get miss boo into her footie pjs...

I also got my cards colored...and addressed...Yeah!
This afternoon I got my sewing machine going (the way I want it to)and also revisited some old supplies....I was looking for the manual and came across my stuff for making mini bears (mind you I used to make large and mini and had a huge box of stuff..now I am down to a shoe box full...but there it was...begging to be taken down from the attic) and revistied Gus...

(2 1/2 inches...handsewn...jointed)
Ofcourse this is all pushed along by miss A...the trouble maker...showing me this site yesterday....
I think I must go order some short mohair and wool for play.....

mmmm....hmm...lala....

2004-10-26T04:19:00.000-05:00

Okay....christmas cards are nearing completion...20 more to color in...and then address them....(that is the point I am getting to this week and then I will put a letter in when I go to send them)...Lulu has not been napping but luckily she isn't saying "boo" about going to bed early....I am still so stinking tired....err....I napped yesterday and went to bed at 9 last night. I wish my body would just catch up...

Sweet Surprise...a customer dropped off a fleece from her wonderful jacob sheep. It is from Linden, her prized lilac point. She decided not to sell the fleeces this year and thought I could possibly do something with it....gee darn...I think I can....tee hee...It is buttery soft.... I will lay it out and skirt it today....will take pictures of it...mmmmmm

well...off to start coffee....I get an extra set of hands in the store for 4 hours today...I think I will use the time to straighten up the attic and get my sewing machine set up (geez....I haven't used it in 2 years...yikes)...

the week of autumn yarns

2004-10-25T07:32:00.000-05:00

the first of many...worsted weight...mohair, wools, silk....378 yds.

I have oodles of orange, gold, and red yarns on the way...with highlights of other colors....

it has been a crazy weekend...andrew is away for a week so I have to be both of us at the store...the only benenfit is hours of spinning at night....luckily last night I went to bed at 7:30....so I should be caught up on sleep from 2 restless nights....almost all of my handspun that is in the store is sold out.....(yeah...and yikes at the same time)...

Things to accomplish while he is away??? Hopefully make all of my christmas cards, wrap all of the presents (okay...I am anal this way...too many years of retail....I get it done early)....and then redesign the website and the blog (I have some ideas I am hoping will translate to the computer...will see....and updating my daily reads would be nice....so many more than the two listed...ugh)....

Time to get the mail ready to go......

la de dah.....

2004-10-21T06:45:00.000-05:00

Finally a picture of miss goofball wearing her poncho from Hello Yarn

and the newest addition-Ralphie...he is 14 weeks tomorrow and weighs a whopping 1.13lbs.....

I ended up spinning 4 oz. of the yarn in singles...I am debating whether to spin up some complimentary yarns for socks...or to spin up the other 4 oz....I was also thinking it would make a lovely sweater for miss lucy's christmas baby doll....(who also needs a blanket...ofcourse)....decisions...decisions....maybe I will finally work on the monmouth cap today.....

btw...way to go RED SOX!!!!

done

2004-10-20T06:36:00.000-05:00

Okay...I finally feel like I am catching up after coming home. My head cold is a week old and on its way out (thank god...knock on wood...etc). The newest family member has settled in nicely (kitten ralphie)....andrew is packed and leaving at 6am on friday for his 10 days away.....I am sure exhaustion will set in by the time he comes home...I am hoping for a productive week anyway.

The quiviut scarf is done. When I washed it it bloomed beautifully. I love it and am very happy with it. I didn't get the texture I wanted with the odd spun energized singles but it feels wonderful anyway. Just another chance to try something new again....

Miss Boo is doing well. She is a mini "socks and frocks" don't you agree miss A and markie?

She has always been a fun dresser. I hope she keeps it up for a long time...it is refreshing and I guess it makes me happy because it confirms she is my girl;)

I have prepped the fiber from crosspatch creations (the orange with highlights of purple made for SOAR) for a pair of socks? I am not sure yet...it is so lovely. I am trying to decide on a singles yarn or a two ply for more texture and color...decisions...decisions....I just can't wait to get spinning....yeah!

quiviut beginnings

2004-10-18T10:23:00.000-05:00

here is the beginnings of my quiviut scarf for ME!!!!

The brown is the quiviut (1oz.) spun Z
the multi is Mulligan Stew from Copper Moth spun S
Both are apx. 26 wpi
I am holding them together and knitting my scarf.....yeah!

Last SOAR post

2004-10-17T16:08:00.000-05:00

On saturday I took a felting class with Sharon Costello...notice there are no pictures...no, I did not forget my camera...it just reaffirmed why I am a spinner and knitter not a felter. The class was like a torture test to me...and my hands started itching from the detergent...enough said...

That afternoon I took handspindles 101 with Andrea Mielke (eek...hope I spelled her name right). Well, it was basic...but I fell in love with spindling all over again and then I purchased these

from bosworth spindles....and I am in love! They are beautiful and balanced...mmmm.... I can see myself spinning sock yarn on the midi and knitting it right off...and I finally got a takli

Now, I must say...I never would have got through the week without the humor and company of Kathy, Marty, and Rona...and our 5 o'clock cocktails....with the constant stimulation, it was great to have downtime and a laugh or ten with these wonderful people. I am so lucky to have made such nice friends!

This is the view from my window at the hotel

and after my luggage going elsewhere on the ride home (charlotte, nc)...it was nice to recieve this noro blossom and silk garden in the mail

ahh.....finally.....and later pictures of ralphie who arrived on wednesday...and my latest project...quiviut!!! finally!!!!

Heaven

2004-10-16T18:48:00.000-05:00

Okay...I was thrilled when I got into one of Deb Menz's workshops....I really wanted her class as my retreat class but alas I was on the waiting list;(
For an hour she talked to us about color and the differnces made on how it is put on your rovings and spun....and then we dyed....

We each got three 1 oz. merino rovings to paint....
Here is Miss Deb looking over the mixed colors

and here are some of her absolutely wonderful yarns.....

and here are how my three rovings came out....

and how they knitted up

I really loved all I learned and thinking of all I want to experiment with and the more I want to learn...I also liked learning that deb knits from singles....and other people made the interesting comment that people from the east ply...from the west use singles....so I have experimenting to do with singles to (I am working on an energized singles swatch as we speak...will tell more about that later).....

I must go watch the game...

Tomorrow....felted beads, bobbles and ornaments......and HANDSPINDLES!

shadow knitting class and one gallery pic

2004-10-16T15:44:00.000-05:00

first of all here is a gallery pic of the scarf that was knit out of the handpainted skeins from the last spin off....#54 (I believe) is Miss A's of Hello Yarn...yeah miss A!

And then friday morning I was off to Vivian Hoxboro's class....yes, of domino knitting fame. This class was for "shadow knitting"....
This class was a welcome break...we came in...she showed us samples..we sat in a circle...followed a chart and knit...and chatted. It was wonderful and relaxing. Vivian is wonderfully sweet and a patient teacher. If you've thought of taking her class....go for it...it is delightful.
some of vivian's domino knitted pieces

and then my swatch from head on (should have been knit on smaller needles...but hey..you work with what you have)

and then from the side

so...the pattern only shows up from certain sides of the work.....mmmmmm.....

and later tonight...pictures from DEB MENZ class....mmmmm....Heaven!!!!!!

gallery and shopping

2004-10-15T12:54:00.000-05:00

OKay...here are a few pictures from the gallery...the first being the mantle of scarves...mine is the shades of green one....

and now katie's beautiful shawl...handspun singles (hey girls...she doesn't even set her twist...ever....shame katie...shame)

and finally charlene's wonderful sweater...I love the colors...it was so beautiful in real life

and then I went shopping.....

wonderful silk and wool combos from copper moth

mohair locks (will look up and tell you where they are from) and then mohair top (copper moth)

superwash from copper moth

blends from Carolina Homespun exclusively for SOAR

top two (silkworker) carded multi silk (silkworker) orange with lots of gold you can not seeand lime green tencel/merino blend (bonkers)

silk hankies from bonkers (these I am going to use in some fabric collage pieces)

okay...i did buy some other stuff (christmas for miss A) and sock forms...colorworks book by Deb Menz (more about her tomorrow)....domino knitting (vivian...more on her tomorrow too)......

What I can say....if you have ever been tempted by copper moth....go for it...the stuff is so beautiful...naturally dyed...and some stuff solar dyed. The colors are amazing!!! and they are such sweet gals...

What am I going to make with all this???? Good question...I see socks out of one of the blends...maybe a shrug out of the pinks and purples....who knows....it is beautiful just to look at....mmmmmmmmmm

fusion....and fabric collage

2004-10-13T20:16:00.000-05:00

Okay...so the baggie full of fibers is actually water soluable stabilizer...and you layer your fibers between it and then stictch the hell out of it on the sewing machine....then you rinse it....and hang it to dry...
and then you have this....

which I do love...it is so soft...has great drape....and oodles of possiblity (I have a bolt of the interfacing on order)
and here are both of my silk fusion pieces...

which has zero drape...and I doubt I will ever do again...the fusion is now cut up and has become fabric buttons....

I enjoyed the class....I learned silk fusion is not my thing...I loved the fabric collage (which I have been wanting to do for years since I first saw it on the "Beyond the Surface" website).....all in all I am glad I took the class....

Tomorrow I will report on the gallery...and shopping (fiber heaven...really)

I am back....and exhausted

2004-10-11T12:30:00.000-05:00

I arrived last night....after plane ride and baggage chaos....

but...I will start at the beginning....

The flight in to Allentown was delayed (by 3 hours)...so, rather than check the flight board the shuttle service left without me (now mind you...they wanted to know which flight I was on...so, why did they need to know it if they weren't going to check it).....so they radioed the van and luckily he was not too far down the road and he came and got me. I arrived at Pocono Manor to find out my room was not ready...so I sat in the lobby for 1/2 an hour or so while listening to (who I believe to be) Alden Amos chatting with a group of people behind me. Then I made my way to my room and then back down to the lower level to pick up my wheel and some more "stuff" that i had shipped in....the wheel was easily put back together and I made my way downstairs for dinner and introductions....dinner was yummy (hey, they fed us well...fruit...then salad...then a choice of 6 dinners...and dessert but if you were vegetarian you were stuck with some sort of pasta at every meal)

My first night I slept poorly...maybe it was the excitement of my first day of class...maybe it was the fact I had the room next to the elevator and the walls were paper thin.....

And then on to my silk fusion class with Rain Klepper.....
I found myself sitting next to someone with a familiar name and in moments I realized it was Carol Weymar "The Silkworker" (her silks are freaking dreamy...wonderful...delicious....)
For the next three days we worked our little fingers off on silk fusion, machine embroidery, spinning entrapped yarns (bead and mohair), spinning silk and wool embroidery floss, embroidery and bead embroidery....the following are small examples of the work I did....(more arriving in packages tomorrow)

Excuse the blurriness of the second picture...it is a bit of silk fusion with a fusion covered button...and the top two are a bead entrapped yarn and silk embroidery floss
a closeup of the flower.....and the beginnings of my scarf....(more silk fusion and finished pictures of the scarf tomorrow.).....I have to run...my wee niece and sister in law just arrived :)....yeah!!!!
(okay...i know you need an explanation of this tomorrow......)

I have not been ignoring you

2004-10-02T15:14:00.000-05:00

no, I have not been ignoring everyone...I have had freaking computer viruses and bugs out the yin yang...it has been a stressful last 3 days....ugh.....

On the good news side....tomorrow 5 am I leave this house to go to SOAR!!!!! Pictures and info when I get home....hope all have a good week....

and Missy A...good luck with the inlaws....(or as Sharon says...the outlaws)XXOO

socks...ahh socks....

2004-09-25T04:16:00.000-05:00

Okay...so I should have decreased one more time when I was doing the inseam for her....but she is in love and the socks are so comfy wonderful......(and ofcourse I was NOT going to wake a napping girl to measure her foot).......the pattern is from Spin Off summer 2004...it is the cover sock...it is wonderful...everyone has oohed and ahhhed and I think a handful of people who come in will be knitting this pattern shortly if they haven't started already....highly recommended!

Off to work and work and work some more in the store since the hubby is at class today and tomorrow all day!

its done

2004-09-23T19:27:00.000-05:00

Poncho craziness

Okay...so the poncho is done...I will spare you the picture of me wearing it....all I know is that is has caused craziness in the store.....so now I am going to teach a learn to knit class this late October early November and everyone is going to knit the poncho....details are going to be updated on the Delicious Yarn and Fiber Site....and at this moment there are kits for this loverly poncho there! wooo hooo.....

What else is new? I should be taking this time to finish up all of my odd wip's...but nope...sorry...just making more and more new projects...I am 1/2 way done a pair of noro socks for miss lucy boo and should be done by saturday...will post pictures then...they are wonderful. I will immediately knit a pair for me right after!

temptations

2004-09-19T12:09:00.000-05:00

the wheel is disassemble...yikes...and ready to be shipped out tomorrow...along with a small box of things I would rather ship than bring with on the plane....cross fingers it arrives safely (can you tell it is making me crazy....)

in the meantime....
I have been tempted "birch" from Rowan Fall 2003....ever sooooo much and i am going to do it dammit! I am going to do it in this lovely (they all are too freaking purdy) yarn

and I couldn't resist...last night I made a little mindless scarf for another kit...we are almost sold out of the glimmery one and people are scarfing them up like crazy....(ha ha..excuse the pun..i am dang tired)...

so that is what I am up to...and telling myself that i must finish the poncho too before I go...(bangs self on the head a couple of million times)...and what about the capella and bag commission...customer could not make up their mind on which style they wanted so decided to forgo it for another time...and to say the least..I am relieved...sometimes you know what they have pictured in their head is not going to be what you make...no matter how you try to explain that....so....I have some knitting time before SOAR...gee darn....hee heee

duh...woops....

2004-09-16T04:37:00.000-05:00

So, I looked at my SOAR stuff and found I need to send my wheel out this week....yikes....I really hadn't looked at a calendar for a bit and didn't realize it is only 2 WEEKS AWAY!...so...i guess i am not spinning any quiviut this weekend....tomorrow i will pack up the wheel and all the accessories.....and get the box out with UPS....duh....life has been to busy...

I did finish the sock yarn and have come to the conclusion that i prefer plying the lightweight yarn on my smaller wheel...on the big wheel i just don't get the consitancy i need (or like)...so big wheel for novelty and big wool....little wheel for everything else...and I guess i am taking my "mossy walk" scarf to SOAR....

I also came to other conclusions last night at 2 am when i couldn't sleep....I will be confirming these decisions over the next 2 to 3 weeks and then letting everyone know......most of these have to do with the direction my site is taking after SOAR....(must go make coffee)....

sock yarn

2004-09-15T13:13:00.000-05:00

spinning and spinning the sock yarn (okay...i should have enough for a pair for me and one for boo..heee hee)

here is my wheel with the fiber and one of the bobbins of yarn in progress...and...

this is a close up of the bobbin....ahhh socks...colorful ruffly socks..here i come baby!!!!

yikes

2004-09-13T15:01:00.000-05:00

okay......the show really stunk (other inappropriate adjectives could be used)...unfortunately the crowd was a cheap crowd....and didn't want to spend money...just a day out to look at what was around...so..it was a day out (inwhich i got sun burned).....

things to finish in september-
commission capella and bag for susan
2 things for SOAR (thinking quiviut lace scarf...and some fun socks for lulu)
website back up and running...or atleast get pages ready for october reopening of it...
re do weblog page with new things to do and links list

get my life in order...get ready to get away!!!!

one bobbin of merino singles spun...the other 1/2 done....just lots of color for lulu's sock...should have it plied by wednesday and will post pictures then....off to vegetate for a bit

a few more pictures

2004-09-09T18:57:00.000-05:00

okay...the first day of school went well....

she was happy as ever to go...and can't wait to go tomorrow...ofcourse i was fighting back the tears....

a new picture of little ralphie as he grows up....in a month he will be here....

a picture of the smaller beth bag...I have to make two more for commissions...one of them will just have one long strap...it is 8 inches wide by 7 inches tall with a two inch gusset.....it is hard to tell from the picture but it is cute as ever...i think i may need one too....
other than that...motivation has been zero....must work on the poncho tomorrow...MUST.....ugh....

2004-09-09T04:24:00.000-05:00

good morning.....whew...

I am finally catching up on life...i am 1/2 way done the poncho and hope to have it done by saturday morning....all the yarn is labeled...business cards made...bags labeled...one of the two boxes arrived from miss hello yarn...the second should come today...and the weather is looking wonderful for saturday morning...woo hoo....
here is a picture of one of the sets (lulu wanted me to take a picture of the picture she drew so hey...we will get a quick snap with the hat and neckwarmer)

I also finished beth's new bag (the first one seen drying on the box was sold the minute the last stitch was in ....literally....someone grabbed it out of my hands and said "I want it"....the new one is soooo cute...i will have it finished today...pictures to follow and then the pattern will be posted at the end of the month...wooo hoo...

okay..quick note....on the needles
orange eyelash scarf
monmouth cap
dog sweater
cotton braid poncho

need to knit
scarf for commission
poncho/bag for commission
2 small beth bags for commission
poncho for me
ooodles of freaking socks!!!!

okay...must go make the coffee and prepare myself for lulu's first day of school (today!)...ugh!!!

Happy 60th birthday Dad!!!!!

prepping....

2004-09-03T19:27:00.000-05:00

Okay...so this weekend is for prepping for the fair...labeling...etc....
I will take pictures tomorrow of all the done stuff and then hopefully this week I will be able to finish up a couple ufos....thank god.....but for now I just want my space cleaned and a bit more organized!!!!