Its been a long year. Crazy things have happened, but one thing has continued - I still am in love and daily play with fiber. So instead of making resolutions for the next year, I have decided to take a page from Ida at Knit-A-while, and make some goals for this year. Here is my list so far - ( there is no actual order )
- to knit a few shawls. I did join the 10 shawls in 2010, but not sure I will get that many done. - do more weaving and try some different weaving patterns. Challenges are always good. - spin and knit a sweater for me. - knit the Queen Susan Shawl. This is a huge one for me. Wish me luck. I plan on casting on as soon as I get the yarn. - play with more scrapbooking and other fun crafts. - knit and finish the 12 days of Christmas Sweater. Honest. This is another big one. -continue to strive to be the person my dogs think I am. - be happy.
For the past several weeks I have been working on several projects. One was my Husbands sweater, and the other was the 7 pair of clogs for my friends nieces for Christmas. I finally got the knitting part done, one pair on top - the yellow, has been felted. To save him from being overwhelmed trying to remember which was what size, I made it easy for him. All of the clogs with the pink uppers are medium sized. The purple uppers are large. He asked for one pair of med to be yellow, so they are easy to figure. Once I got all the knitting with bulky yarns and large needles done, I was craving something thin and detailed to knit.
Lace fits this very very well. So Sunday night at about 8 pm I cast on the Whisper Scarf 1 from Fiddlesticks knitting. As of today, I have this much knit so far:Not bad for a few days. I am past the half way point called for in the pattern, but I may do a extra repeat of the one section to make it a bit longer. I have to say after all the time spent on the thicker yarns the past few months, I am so enjoying this pattern. So much so I bought a skein of yarn to make the 2nd scarf in the pattern pack next. I am still working on several consignment projects too, but this is my carrot to help me get those done.
I hope to felt the rest of the clogs tomorrow and will get a picture to show of all of them when done.
The past few days I have been busy with some family things. Spending time with family is the most important thing we can do. Last night we had a bit of snow. Today Cheyenne was a very happy pup doing the one thing she loves to do when you are supposed to be shoveling the snow. Playing in it!
(For the record, she catches every snowball and eats it with great joy!) Take time today to love your family and enjoy the small blessings that make up life.
Last night before I went to bed, I caught my "Adopted Daughter" Sarah on Facebook. I was going to share the fun I have been having with the new loom, the spinning, the knitting and even the scrap booking. When she told me some horrible news. Her niece, Alexis, was just diagnosed with Leukemia. Needless to say, this quickly took the wind out of me. This little gal is 2 yrs old, and so sweet. Somehow, due to the swine flu, her symptoms were not picked up on as quickly as they should have. Thankfully now, she is in Pittsburgh's Children's Hospital and treatment will be beginning soon.
As Sarah and I talked we came up with a few ideas to help everyone deal with this and to help Alexis too. We know Alexis loves to open things, so we are going to get a card shower going - inviting everyone to send a fun card to Alexis. Please send them to:
Alexis Battisti 1007A East Atlantic Ave Altoona PA 16602
The second thing we came up with was that due to the Chemo she is going to loose her beautiful hair for a while. What can we do about that? Well, this will be devastating, but instead of making it a sad thing, why not turn it into a fun thing too?
Besides, what does a Knitter do when faced with bad things? We Knit!
So I am asking everyone for some help, Please leave me some links to your favorite Hat patterns - so we can get started.
Let us make Alexis the Hat Princess ! Lets give her a different hat every day of the year!
As one knows, I love all sorts of crafts. When I heard The ScrapYard Scrapbooking shop was moving into the center where Delightful Ewe was, I tried to convince myself that I was not going to be sucked in. It was bad enough that every May when I go to Md, Carole tries to slowly indoctrinate me into scrap-booking and stamping. Still I tried to stay strong. Even when Sandy, the sweet owner of the Scrapyard began to learn to knit, I continued to resist. Now I could give you a very good and even possibly a sane reason why I fell into it by saying I was trying to help find something that sparks Rochelle's intrest. Add to the mix that Carole was nice enough to show me Tim Holtz's 12 tags of Christmas, and well. . . Suffice it to say I am now doing some of it. Well maybe more than some. Okay, I am SUNK!!
So I started innocently enough. I was looking at some of the tags he made and thought - oh I could possibly use that for a card. So I played a bit with Rochelle's supplies and this was the result:It was my take on the tag Tim made for day 1. I was kind of pleased with it, and truth be known I have played with making cards myself before. I do have some stamps, and inks and well, it is just plain fun! So Day 2 of tags I played a bit more as I did not have the items Tim did, but I made due with some other things:Then I discovered that one could chat with Mario and Tim on Facebook! Oh man what fun. I had a hard time pulling myself away to bed last night. I was so excited to get up this am and see what Tim had created for Day 3. All that was spilled during the chat was that he used some black distress ink. Today was so awesome. The tags for day 3, and yes you read that right - the TAGS! He made not one but 2 with the technique. I was desperate to try the plaid out. So I went out to the Scrapyard, and came home with some alcohol inks and a mat. Now, understand, I checked 3 places for the gloss cardstock, without finding any. So it was once again time to make due. I bought some white cardstock, that is smoother than the others. I played with loading the ink pad with some blending solution until it would glide on this and I was off:I now understand why Tim made more than one tag. This is addicting. I found so many different plaids I could make with just 4 colors, well its entrancing to say the least. It was actually hard in a way to stop making the plaid and make a card.
Now this is what I have done so far - but I am still not sure it is done. I am thinking it needs a ribbon or raffia and a charm yet.But till I can figure out what it needs, I need to finish 2 more pair of felted clogs. I have one of them almost done, so will try to behave, work on them, and not stay up all night with Tim & Mario on Facebook. Wish me luck!
So yesterday I decided to catch up on my blog reading. Catching up on the goings on of the Yarn Harlot, and other knitters. I was also drooling at Tim Holtz's blog featuring the 12 tags when I got to Fleegle's Blog. WOW is an understatement to say the least. After several discussions with FiberJunky, I decided that this shawl would need a very special yarn. I had gotten a few lbs of white shetland lamb roving from Briarpatchfibers a few mos ago, and after pulling it out to sample it on a spindle, I think I have a match. While sampling it on my Golding spindle, (FJ has its matching sister spindle)(note - the fiber shown is not the white shetland, but another fiber I had spun a while ago) I spent time reading the information on the ravelry group about the shawl. Realizing it requires over 5k of yardage, I believe it will be spun on my Jensen Production wheel to save my sanity, or what is left of it.
I did manage to finish a pair of simple guantlets for my brother to wear today hunting. Simple as ever - cast on 44 stitches, join in round and knit 2 purl 2 for about 14 inches. I used worsted weight yarn and size 4 needles. Make 2 for the hunter you know who does not like to fiddle with gloves, ect when the deer comes into view. I finished these so fast I took them to my brother without getting a picture. So here is a picture of a pair I made before:
So now I am working on finishing the last 2 pair of clogs for a special order, and working towards getting the yarns spun for another special order before I start the yarn for shawl. Yeah, that is the plan. We will see how long it lasts.......
So its been a while. Here it is December, I have lost the end of October and all of November some how. What a whirlwind of the time it has been. In October, DH had open heart surgery. That was a bit of a life changing event to say the least. Most of October was spent dealing with the surgery, and when that settled a bit - problems began with eldest son. After getting all of the issues with him settled a bit, I was then slapped with reality that it had somehow turned into the first week of November.
I had almost forgotten I was planning a surprise party for someone special. . . . . That went over quite well, although he states he figured it out about a half hour before the party. I don't think so. We had a good time. He did think briefly of grabbing his chest when they yelled surprise, but thankfully he didn't. I think after everything I might have actually killed that love of my life if he had done that. Stress I tell you - the man causes stress! The weekend quickly passed after the party - speeding me to picking up the new to me Mighty Wolf Loom. Needless to say, after the stress and loss of sleep for the past few weeks, I decided I was in need of some play time. After all who doesn't like to play with a new toy? So now I am working on finishing the items needed to be done ASAP! I am also starting to make Biscotti for sale during the holidays too. No rest for the wicked I guess.
This month can't be over fast enough for me. Its been so crazy here, I have not gotten much done at all. I did have items at the Bedford Fall Foliage show, however I only was there 1 day as things here at home went crazy. Dh had to have some surgery, and thankfully is now at home recovering very well.
This week looks to be much slower, so by the end of the week, watch the shop. I will be adding some wool soakers to it along with some other goodies too.
Soakers are interesting items. Made from wool, they work much like rubber pants for the cloth diapers. The wool is lanolized, which means that lanolin has been added back to it. This makes it more water resistant. Knitting them, is fun and enjoyable, and they are so cute! I will be listing them in the shop soon. So check back soon.
So if you are wondering where I have been, or what I have been up to. Well I would love to say I have been immersed in wonderful fibery fun. Alas that is not really the case. I will say that I have begun my frantic scurry to gather items ready for the Bedford Fall Foliage show that I am vending in. After all, why wait till the last minute. Did I mention that the Fall Foliage Show is the first 2 full weekends in Oct? Yeah. So if I am not posting much, you know why. Now I think I put that spindle under this pile of wool. Nope. Maybe this one? . . . gulp. Off to find it.
Staycations have been very popular, have you joined in the trend? This is one of the easiest trends to get in on. You don't need to book a airplane, catch a bus, ride a plane, or jump a train to get there. Want to read more on them? Check it out HMN!
While I am not happy with the Pa Government at this time for not passing a budget, and it is causing things to be tight here at home at the moment. I know this is temporary (although if you were to buy something from my shop that would be a help).
A friend of mine, Larry, is dealing with something much more pressing. His Life.
Please read, and if you can help out please do. He is a great guy and I hate to see anyone faced with this.
Larry Hamm over at Chelsea Lynn Designs on Artfire is a friend of many in the world of handmade, he is also the voice of The Crazy Train on Blockhead Radio. Larry has a fantastic wife Janet, and an 8 year old son Jacob who live with him in Lansing, NC deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Larry is a friend to everyone and just an all around swell guy. He is most definitely the "shirt off your back" kind of friend. Right now, all of Larry´s friends and Blockhead Radio are teaming up to help him out in a tough time.
Larry is a disabled diabetic who currently has lost his health insurance. His medication alone monthly is over $2,000. Larry is not receiving disability, he has not been approved yet. His wife is the only source of income and she doesn´t make enough to cover his medications. Larry´s doctors have given him an outlook of only 18 months to live if he doesn´t receive a $17,000 gastric bypass surgery as soon as possible. Larry and his family need all the help from their family and friends they can get! Jacob and Janet need Larry to hang around here with them as long as he possibly can! All of his friends surely want Larry to stick around too!
All of us at Blockhead Radio are gearing up for the biggest Radiothon you´ll ever be a part of! July 24th at 6pm until July 26th at 6pm, Blockhead Rod will be live on the radio for 48 hours straight raising money for our friend Larry. A silent auction of donated handmade goods will also be going up on the home page of Blockhead Radio with 100% of the proceeds going to Larry.
If you would like to be a part of this wonderful event, please email DeDe Sorensen at: 48forlarry@blockheadradio.com Please donate any handmade items you can for the silent auction have your emails in with your donations by July 22nd. If you would like to donate cash for Larry’s prescriptions and surgery please visit Blockhead Radio July 24th through July 26th. There will be plenty of ways to get your donations in.
Please Feel Free to Copy and Paste the above for your blog/site/fb/etc.
If you would like to donate and item to the silent auction please email DeDe at 48forlarry@blockheadradio.com. We ask that you hold onto the item and mail it out. Please provide the following information: Title of Item Image Description Link to your shop/site retail value and if you will ship intl or U.S. only
Bidding on the items will begin at 6pm eastern time on July 24, 2009 and the highest bid recieved by 6 pm eastern time on July 26, 2009 will be declared the winner. All the donations will be going straight to Larry's Paypal account and he will notify you of the winners name and address.
Today I spent most of the morning out on the deck. That sounds like a nice relaxing way to spend the morning does it not?
While a morning spent out on the deck relaxing would be a great thing, that was not the case this morning. Not even close.
This morning the first thing on my agenda was to dye up 11 - 4ounce sections of Superwash BFL Roving. So bright and early I was out playing with the dyes. A few hours later I had some beautiful colored rovings ready to get photographed and placed into my shop for everyone to see.
So I will give you a sample of them to drool at here: The first colorway is in honor of the Blockheadradio.com Morning BrewHaHa, aptly named Brewhaha The next is Lilac:
Carnation: Yankee Doodle: Field of Sunflowers: I do hope you noticed a difference in the pictures, as I also spent some time creating a light box to use when I take pictures. I have to say that it was not a hard thing to make and the difference it makes in getting good light in the photographs is amazing. So Tomorrow will be the day I dye up the Superwash Merino rovings, stay tuned for more eye candy, and check the shop for the other new ones!
Next week it will be July. A new month, and a new fiscal year for the State of Pennsylvania. Well, maybe. You see the State of Pennsylvania has yet to pass a budget for next year. If they do not pass a budget the State will have to lay off State employees. But what about those who work in the Health and Safety areas? The ones who protect us from criminals, help to keep the streets safe and keep those who have been sentenced to serve prison time behind bars will still have to go to work. They can not shut down a prison very well, nor will those criminals take a day off on the streets if the State Police are shut down. Nope, they will have to go to work. Without Pay.
Now that news alone is very disturbing, but what comes next is even more disturbing:
While Corrections Officers are not being paid, the Inmates they are guarding will be.
What is that telling our children in this State? Sorry kid, if you work hard, and live right you will have to go without pay. Tough luck However, if you break the law you get a room with 3 meals, a great law library, free education, letters mailed for free, TV service that is subsidized and even get paid while those who are watching you do not.
Or for more information - go to BlockheadRadio on Monday June 29 2009 at 9 am EST. Don't forget to make sure the speakers are on. The morning Brewhaha will be devoted to this topic.
The past few weeks have seen a lot of activity here, I have been working hard on a sweater that is done in pieces. Its from Knitting in America and designed by Nicky Epstein called the Counterpane Sweater. I have a bunch of the triangles done so far. I am doing it out of Tatamy Tweed yarn and I am really liking the way it is turning out so far: On last Friday I had a bit of a set back on several things, as I had to have some surgery on my toe. It is healing nicely and I should be back to normal here soon. The boot was the big issue to deal with. It was like walking with a huge bucket on this foot.
Now that it is off and I have a small bandage, I have a feeling I will be getting back to the groove soon.
Monday, June 15, 2009
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The time is still quickly passing here. I have spent a lot of time on promoting my shop and working on items for in it. This past week I added a new yarn, Sky. While its only one skein, its a very nice one. I love the color and the original idea was that I would knit it up into a shawl. Probably from a pattern out of the Estonian Lace book. But, I looked at all the projects on the needles here, and decided that until I get to that project on my queue, It will be up for grabs on my shop.So while I am putting it on the back burner, you have the chance at it here.
As many of you may know, I am now a columnist for HandmadeNews.orgin the Craft trend Department. I can't begin to say how excited and happy this makes me. I encourage everyone to stop by and take a look at all the online paper has to offer.
Since this week has actually slowed down, I had a chance to work on some new spindles to go in my shop. I am going to try to spend more time working on spindles and items in my shop. The first one I did today is a new design : The Sweetness Spindle
I finished those, and decided to branch out to other flowers. The first one that came to mind was the Sweet Pea. Then I found the glitter tube, and fun ensued. Here is the result: The Purple Sweet Pea
I decided that I will try to focus on my business part of each day. The mornings I will start by reading my favorite online news here:
Then I will work on spindles, or fibers. I hope to get more up in the shop in the next few weeks.
On May 8th, Rochelle's 6th grade class went to Washington Dc on a School Patrol trip. I got to go along as a chaperon. We took 2 buses. In one day we saw a lot of the sites. Due to time constraints, we did not tour the White House, but did get a group shot of all of them:
I was with these 3 gals all day. What a riot they are. Haley, Rochelle and Megan.
I spent the next 4 days trying to recover while doing my normal running around to meetings, helping with some customers at the LYS my best friend Carla owns, and getting ready to pick up my BIL from airport on the 14. Last weekend I was completely distracted by 4 men. My husband and his 3 brothers got together and what a fun time. I did manage to get some pictures of the 4 of them, first time in about 19 yrs! Sometimes men can be a bit frustrating. I have no idea why any of them are camera shy, they are all good looking. Of course I am biased some:
From Left: Roy, Rick, Rusty, & Rod.
Rusty flew home on Sunday, and Monday am I got a text from my baby sister. So now I was distracted by my side of the family, and the result was this:
I am an Auntie!! Please meet Madeline Rose Bobby. Born Tuesday May 20th at 12:17 am. She is 5 lbs 11 oz and 19 inches long. Oh yes, she is a red head like her Mommy too. What a sweetie!
Finally I had time to work on a dress for my youngest child, Rochelle. She had her 6th grade recognition dinner and award presentation on Thursday this week. I managed to complete it, and she looked great as you can see as she stands beside her best friend Nate.
So between spending time with family, doing some spring cleaning, and working on knitting, sewing and general life. I have been totally busy.
But that is not all I have been busy with. I also recently was hired by Handmade News a New online publication full of great Craft and Handmade information. Today I have another article in it, this one is on Lace. I encourage everyone to take some time and read it as you can. Its full of trends, information and lots of ideas! You can find me under the Craft Trends dept.
This past weekend was Maryland Sheep & Wool festival at the Howard County Fairgrounds. While it was not the best weather for it, it was still a wonderful experience. When I arrived at the fairgrounds on Friday at noon I was greeted with this site:
While the outside was a bit damp it did not stop the fleeces from being brought in for sale at the fleece tables.
Saturday morning everything was bright and ready for the crowds.
The fleece sale was busy as usual, and fleeces left fast from the piles. The fun of seeing all the different colors and breeds was almost overwhelming.
Couple that with a plateful of Ribbon Chips, and the day is bright despite the clouds and occasional rain.
The colors of the booths was truely a feast for the eyes, and was almost as filling as that plate of chips was.
Each one held more wonderful colors than the next. It was almost like walking into the colors of the Emerald City after the drab gray world outside.
Sunday the rains came back in full force, causing most to stay under the safety of the barns and tents. The main walkway at mid day looked almost empty.
By Sunday afternoon the skies opened up even more, but the crowds kept coming.
I however was soaked to the bone, and my head was swimming with all the sights, sounds and colors I had seen. Ideas of what to make, spin, and work on were running through my head.
So I said a sad goodbye to the fair grounds, and I leave you with this sweet little gal:
Today was a exceptionally warm day. Actually, I think it may have been a record breaker. I had originally planned to work on some spindles, but I spent the day cleaning and doing laundry. I love to hang out the bed clothes on the line and always feel so good when they are all done.
As I was hanging out the quilts today, I was looking at the Rose bushes, and the Lilac. The leaves are starting to come out, and the buds on the lilac are getting big. Even though it was so warm, the feel of hope of spring was in the air.
Hope is something we all reach for. Hope is always there to encourage us that things will get better.
I had the opportunity to attend a fundraiser for the Fraternal Order of Police. After the horrible slaying of the 3 officers in Pittsburgh, it was wonderful to see the amount of people out supporting those who answer the calls never knowing what it will bring. If you have a chance to support the Police or Corrections Officers in your area please do.
Tuesday night I will be attending another fundraiser for Relay for Life.
As many know who visit my ArtFire Shop, I have a Drop spindle there that part of the proceeds go towards Relay for Life. The decision to do that was easy, as Cancer has touched my life and my husbands in many ways.
I will be introducing another new spindle in the next few weeks, this time with proceeds going to Autism Speaks. Autism is a cause near to my heart. So keep an eye out for the new spindle soon.
I urge you all to support those things that are special for you.
Or maybe I should say Rain, Rain, Go Away. . . Its been very gray and getting a bit chilly today. I know this is part of Spring, and that the rain is very needed, but still. I would love some nice warm sunny days.
Maybe this is why I decided to look for something colorful to put in to the shop this week. The first one I listed yesterday when it was very dreary is this bright colored one I called "Tonks":
The 2nd one is a corriedale roving I have named Juliet. Both of these are 4 ounce in weight, which if spun in a sock weight, should give you enough to make a pair of socks. Spun lace weight one will have enough for a nice size shawl.
The vast array of colors, fibers, yarns and animals will surely overwhelm even the most seasoned fiber person for a bit. I expect to be blown away with all the wonderful smells and sights as usual. If you are close enough to go I urge you all to attend. There is something for everyone there.
This year I am going to try to NOT bring home a raw fleece.
I have added a new link to my blog, Blockhead Radio.
Once again Artfire Crazy Train has started a run, and this time it has hooked a great radio station with it! If you listen you will hear some great ads for ArtFire shops.
You will find a link to it on the right hand side of this page below the Shop Now! link.
I can't say enough about Artfire, if you have not visited there yet, please RUN and check it out.
So Monday, I pieced this together, and yesterday I spent time tying it. This is what it looks like now:
The only thing left to do is to have a binding put on, and the person I pieced it for will do that. So today I turned my attention back working on drop spindles for in the shop. Since I had the camera out I figured I would get some pictures of what I do to make them.
I start out with dowels, cut them to length, and then glue them to the wheels. The pieces in the lower corner are what I start with. I then sand, and prime. Sand again, and base coat with 3 coats of paint. Eventually I end up with some of these:
Finally, I do the decorative painting, and then top that with 2 coats of a outdoor sealer, and I end up with a nice shiny spindle. I drill the hole, and put a hook in, adjust it, and take it out for a test spin! This series is now available here. I am donating $5.00 from each sale to the Relay for Life.
