August already!

Hello Fiber Friends!

Can it be that August is here already? Where has this summer gone? It seems like only yesterday we were in Gettysburg for the 150th Anniversary re-enactment. I went with my husband and his family. We were the re-enactors. What an awesome experience. It was something to talk about for a long time. Here we are in our outfits at the 154th NY volunteer Inf. memorial

We aren't really grumpy...it was very hot!!!
So what else have I been up to? Well I have been knitting a lot. I got hooked on Noro yarn and have quite a bit of it in the shop! Here is a project I just finished using Taiyo.

I also started Nuno Felting. I really love it. Of course I love anything related to fiber :-) I did a class at the shop and it was a good time. The ladies all made their own scarves. They did an awesome job. I plan on making more smaller art pieces for an upcoming show. Here is a scarf I really love:

School is just around the corner. I don't know yet what this year will bring. I need to have a knee replacement so will have to fit that in somewhere. Life sure does take some unusual turns. But for now I will just keep on making ART and enjoying the process!

Weekend scarf done!

Here it is! I think it can be done in a week end but it did take me longer. It went really fast with the larger size needles. It did not come out to 88" long. I thought maybe I spun it too thick but then decided to weigh it. My one pound batt turned out to be just under 130z. However, it is so bulky that I don't think it really needs to be much longer. It has some flexibility and can stretch out a little to make it more narrow. Overall I am please with it and it was a great way to use up a lot of fiber at one time!

NEW PROJECT !!!

Now I am onto another project. I was at home and didn't feel like going over to the studio to get some fiber. I was in the mood to spin some more. So I looked around my sewing room. Surely I must have some fiber somewhere in here that I can use! Well, of course I found some batts I had ordered from a gal in Oregon. She makes art batts and calls herself Hanks in the Hood....she lives near Mt. Hood.Check out her etsy store http://www.etsy.com/shop/hanksinthehood . I had 4-3oz batts just waiting to be spun up. I am spinning another single bulky as I want to make another hat. This time with a brim.

Tea Cozies!

I never thought about making a cover for the tea pot before but Noro had this crazy looking one in their Knitting Accessories book and I just fell in love with it. I found a pattern online for an easier one to start using Kureyon from Noro.It worked up really fast too.  WHAT FUN!!! I am hooked and having a blast making them. Since then I have found the book, "Really Wild Tea Cozies" by Loanie Prior. I am anxiously awaiting its arrival. She uses Noro for some of her cozies and I am excited to try out her patterns. In the mean time this one should be a good challenge! I'll let you know how it goes.

A Great Time at TNNA!

WOW! What a great time I had in Columbus at the TNNA yarn & needleart market. There is always so much to see and nice people to connect with. This year I taught two classes...I was so excited. I did a flat needlefelting class in which the students made gift card holders.   The second class was sculpting with fiber. We made a Jack-o-lantern. They seemed to really enjoy the projects. I am already thinking to what I want to teach next year!

Of course what would be a yarn market without lots of yarn to look at. The trends this year seem to be migrating back to novelty yarns. Bling is also back but in subtle ways. The fashion show was amazing! Fitted garments are still the trend. The evening gown was stunning.

I took some classes too. One on dyeing....look for a workshop on this before summer is over. I talked extensively with Schacht Spindle, the company I bought the Cricket Looms from. There will be workshops offerred for this as well...coming soon.

We are going to be closed for a much needed vacation July 4-7th. We will reopen on July 11th as usual....Happy Fourth of July!

Tunisian crochet

Hello,





Well, once again I have gotten behind in my writing...oh how time flies. Since my last post about TNNA I have been doing Tunisian Crochet. It was something I learned there last year. It has finally caught on at the shop and two weekends ago I held two classes. It is such a fun and easy technique. One lady I have spoken with from the class already has her scarf done. I will be holding more classes on this technique and posting some pictures of projects you can do with it.

This past weekend I was able to attend the Pittsburgh Knit and crochet festival. It is always energizing to see so many beautiful yarns and fibers! It was exciting so see new funky and glitter yarns. Those who know me, know I love to glitz it up! I had the pleasure of meeing Steven Berg from the Yarn Garage! What energy.....I am currently working on a project using Plymouth Yarn's Joy Prism. What fun....it's like knitting with a ribbon instead of a yarn but it is very easy. I can't wait to show off the finished product. I was pleased to meet a lady who does really cool things with the continuous weaving method. This is something I do and you have seen the looms in the shop. The pieces were very wearable and stylish! Of course there were so many yarns....and yarns....and yarns....of every kind and color! My head is just spinning right now as so many projects are going through my head. Look for some of these new yarns and projects to show up at the shop!!!!

New Things From TNNA

I had such a good time at TNNA in Columbus, OH. There was so much to see and so many different kinds and colors of yarns!!! I took some really great classes and met some awesome people. Deciding what not to buy was the big question. I had my list and started down each aisle. I did pretty good until I hit aisle three. My list suddenly got longer as I took in all there was to see. By the end of the first day I was exhausted and my mind was on overload! When I got back to my room I laid everything out on my bed and sorted what I had done and what I still wanted to do the next day. I am happy to say that I did not go overboard but there will be plenty of new yarn and rovings to look at over the next few months. I am looking at stocking looms and spinning wheels in the fall. If you have an opinion on this I would love to hear it. It has been awhile since I designed a new Baltimore Album in wool so have been working on that. There will be some in wool applique and I am trying some in needlefelting to see how that will look. I am excited and have only just a short time to get so much done before returning to my teaching responsibilities in at the end of August!

Jordana Paige Trunk Show

I am so excited to bring this trunk show to my customers. www.jordanapaige.com I love any kind of purse or bag and ones that have multi-functions are even better. I also like to find those that are of high quality without costing me an arm and a leg...so to speak :-) With the Jordana bags I feel I have found just the one! The trunk show will be at Anita's Homespun Treasures http://www.anitashomespun.com/ from March 30-April 9th. You can view all the styles and see the color cards. Orders will be taken and if you attend the Bag Party I am hosting on April 2 and place an order there you will receive a 10% discount. In addition if you listen to the "sales pitch" regarding these gems you are eligible to place your name in a drawing for a $10 gift certificate. So if you love a party then stop by on Saturday....demos, tips & discussions will also be going on.

New yarn--yeah!

New yarn came today and you can see it on facebook. Nice ribbon yarn in 5 colors. Would knit up fast on size 11 needles. I am going to weave a summer shawl. Well done for the week here at the shop. Going home to plant a few more flowers. Just not enough color!