2013 almost over!

Hard to believe that 2013 is almost over. The year has gone by really fast. A lot has happened...some good and some not so good. Right now I am recovering from a knee replacement. I have been pulling out yarn and patterns trying to come up with some new ideas for the shop. Of course I had big plans for projects while I am off but you know how that goes. I did make a few Christmas gifts. Have not done that in a while. I need to get back to that. It makes me feel good to give something I have made with my own hands. I am also taking time to update by blog and website as well as research how I can make the shop presence more apparent on Ravelry. I will be placing ads on there in the future that list the types of yarns and other items that we sell in the shop. We have so many beautiful yarns with gorgeous colors that it makes me dizzy sometimes when I walk in!!
I have been doing more crocheting recently. It has been a nice change of pace. Here is a scarf that I did in many different types of yarns. It was very easy to make.

 
 

 

 

First project of the new year...Crazy Batts!

It took some time, with all the choices I had at my fingertips, but I finally decided on my first project. I had carded some "crazy batts" earlier in the week. These are batts that are like making Dad's stew! This was a time when we were kids that Dad would take all the left overs from the fridge and  make a soup. If you really thought about it, it should be disgusting but somehow Dad put his magic on it and we loved it! Well for the Crazy batts I start out with some base material. In this case I had a Finn batt leftover from wet felting. I make a fiber sandwich by putting a layer of the wool down first. Then I added the fixings which were other colors of wool, angelina fibers, bits of sari silk threads. Then I put another layer of the wool on top. I ran this through my carder. I let it go through without disturbing my bits too much. Then I spun a thick and thin single letting the bits and chunks come out as they want. What fun!

So I what to do? It had to be something small as I only had 58yds of yarn. A cap or beanie type hat would work up nicely. I am going to crochet it. I like to crochet with this bulky yarn better then knitting it.

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!

Busy for the summer!

My teaching responsibilites are on a limited basis now for the summer and that gives me more time to be at the shop. I just purchased 5 new wool fleeces that I will have washed and then decide if I want to dye them or work with them in the natural color. Touching the fiber has gotten my spinning desire going again and I brought my wheel to the shop. I am setting up on the porch with my glass of lemonade and it is very relaxing! I get into such a rhythm that I can put myself to sleep...haha...I have started a yarn and fiber group the second tuesday of the month. Last month I had one spinner come. She has ignited the spinning laying dormant in others in the group, including me. It will be interesting to see if anyone brings their wheel in June. Off to the porch and my spinning.

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!

Fiber..fiber..fiber!!

Samples of Pencil Rovings at the shop.

I just love fiber. No matter what other crafts I do, I always come back to the fiber. I wiped the dust off the wheel and have been spinning. I am stepping out of my comfort zone and trying to make some real novelty yarns. The key I guess is to just be fierce and don't worry about the rules. I think sometimes we worry too much about doing it perfect that we limit ourselves to just jumping in! I'm in with both feet!!!!

It's my birthday!

I have been very lax on keeping updated here. So being my birthday I thought today was a good day to start new. Since my last post I moved the shop to Pittsfield and share and old housewith a quilt shop. It is working out very nicely. my yarns, fibers and hand dyed wools fit in great. It makes for a nice fit. Right now I am working on wool applique samples and thought designing some new pillows would be nice. Pillows are quick and easy and nice to change out with the seasons. As soon as I have one I will put a picture up. I decided to do some things for myself!!! What a great idea. so I am making a piece from the Arabella collection from Pat Sloan--Bella's Blooms. I am goint to change out some of the applique pieces for my hand dyed wool. It will look great in my living room. I need an up date and the bright colors of this collection will be great. Well off to get ready for my birthday cookout.

Sheep

Greetings!

Well, it has been a long hard winter! I can not believe it has been this long since my last post. But it is finally starting to look like spring is coming. Many things have been happening in the shop...more yarn...more projects...and a nice new look inside. I will be posting some pictures in the coming days.

For Christmas I asked for a sheep...one that was easy to take care of. I wanted a wood carving of one for outside the shop. So in January when the weather broke we got the log to the man who make carvings using his chain saws. Finally two weeks ago we picked it up. I think it is really CUTE!!! Dresses up the place a bit. Check it out...