She's Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack~

I can't even say why it has been so long since I posted here...lazy? Busy? Out of words to say? I don't know. Sometimes I just get that way, but I really would like to try to keep up in a more timely way than I have been~a few words every few days at the most.

So, enough said about not keeping up. It's Spring Break you know. No school/work. I have seven glorious days to knit and spin and do what I want to do; although, we all know that at the end of it, I'm going to be cleaning house and doing laundry and all that other necessary stuff right along with the fun things. I love Spring Break-it gives me time to forget all the nit picky, back-stabbing stuff that goes on at school. There's always something-which is why I love my soon-to-be-lost private office where I can go and just do my work without all the chaos. I'm not thinking about next term having to go back to the front office and be right out there in the open with all the germ ridden kiddos traipsing through my office space. Yes, I'm old and crochety! SO!

On the bright side-besides Spring Break-I've been knitting and spinning as ususal. I made a lace coat for a friend of my sister. No pics of this because, to tell the truth, it was a PITA! Fuzzy yarn-oh yes, fuzzy yarn. But, she wanted fuzzy and that's what she got-the pattern called for it, though God knows why anyone would design a lace pattern with fuzzy yarn that cannot be ripped back if an error is made. I did have to rip back and it was the biggest PITA EVER!!! Oh, and not only was it fuzzy, boys and girls, it was BLACK YARN as well...nuff said. Still, it is done, sent to the happy recipient and I was paid nicely for it. I just finished another sweater for same person-this time, much easier but also F-U-Z-Z-Y Y-A-R-N. Seems to be a pattern. It really is a cute sweater, although I would personally knit it with some nice worsted wool if I made it for myself-which I might do because now I have the pattern (mmmmmwwwwwwhahhhaaaa) I will take pics of this sweater before it wings it's way to Michigan next week. Next in line for same person-a very pretty but much cabled sweater jacket that's going to set her back some bucks, but at least she's going to use worsted (hopefully wool not acrylic)because you can't make that jacket with anything but worsted and have it look right. Another cute pattern to add to my collect as well-It's a win-win for me and her.
I just finished spinning and plying my first 3 ply-got enough to make a pair of socks I think and it turned out nicely. Fiber from ForestFiberWorks on Etsy in the Vintage Sweetheart colorway. I thought it would be much redder than it is but actually it's more bronzey red and I like the three ply a lot. I got 315 yards, 12wpi so it will make a nice sturdy pair of short socks...or something else.

I'll be back...

Ravelympics and Knitting Projects

It's my own fault for over-extending myself-I know it. That's just how I am. I am now starting day 2 of the Ravelympics, knitting a really sweet cardi with some of my handspun, but I've got the mate to Tom's kilt hose still unfinished on the needles and the din it's making for my attention is deafening!! You know how socks are, they can be quite insistent. I told Tom this morning that I am going to have to get it done-even though he was gracious enough to understand if I put it aside for the next two weeks. But, it's me, and I can't-I just can't. I have to finish it. I'm trying to come up with a mental schedule of how I'm going to manage the two and finish them both, so here's the plan: socks get at least two hours a day dedicated time. The rest of the knitting hours are for the Cardi. What else can I do?

And talking about over-extending...but so cool...I've found a kajillion sock patterns that can be adapted to Kilt Hose; not to mention that I recieved two new books yesterday that I ordered that have some really sweet Scottish patterns in them-for hose and clothes! I bought Cables, Diamonds, Herringbone, Secrets of Knitting Traditional Fishermen's Sweaters by Sabine Domnick and Scottish Highland Knits by Sarah Dallas. Can we say "Early Retirement"? Oh I wish!! Still, there are so many things I can knit and all Scottish related too. How cool is that? I also ordered enough Gloss sock yarn-Porcini colorway and Dusk colorway-to make two pair of kilt hose. Very awesome Merino and Silk yarn! I'd love to have a sweater set made from it-in Red.

We've ordered our Sponsorship for the SMHG so that's all taken care of. Tom won't have his kilt in time for that, but should have it for GMHG next July and perhaps some other events inbetween. I think he'll look fabulous in it!! Clan Hunter, he is.

Now, off to knit-time is a-wastin!

GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN IN JULY

What could be better than the Highland Games in North Carolina in July? The fact that it was, without a doubt, one of the best weekends we've ever had as far as weather and the games! Tom found his clan and was emotionally struck as we all are when we find our clan and roots, and he is now all out to get his kilt and I am as happy as a piggy in mud that I'll now be able to spin and knit him some kilt hose and flashes!! YEA!!! I've found some patterns I want to try so maybe he'll like one of them. I also have a fabulous pattern I've made up for flashes that will have a thistle pattern knitted in. I know he'll love it! At any rate, the games were lovely. We both love it up there and as I've said before numerous times, this trip only made my resolve that much stronger, we're going to retire up there!!

I'm gearing up for the Ravelymics in August...I'll be knitting the cardi...see below...and that is coming along just fine. I've nearly finished my spinning. I'm knitting a cabled sweater in the Blueberry wool crepe, which I started at the Games and have completed, almost, the back. It looks really nice, but will be somewhat warm for this climate I think...could put it up for sale on the site though.
Just got 4 ounces of Merino roving and I have more roving coming from Brenda-the Llama and some things her hubby made to put up on THISTLEKNITS.

So, better get back to some spinning and knitting.

Spacious Digs

Well, I know it's been nearly a month since posting but it has been quite chaotic around here what with school being out for the Summer-a whole glorious month to sleep late and then have a lovely coffee, peruse the web, work on the store and just plan my day a I will-but I digress,...lets see, school out...oh yes, and I took the first week out to clean out my studio. Oh indeed, boys and girls, a clean room it is! I have space for both wheels, all my stash of wool and yarn, magazines, books, my fav. knitting chair, moved the computer and business stuff to my drawing board and got rid of the rickety computer table and will soon have a new coat of paint on the walls and shelving up so that I can actually see my knitting and spinning books and have a bulletin board as well. I've also got to buy a new window treatment...yes, defintely a new window treatment!!! Must look for one-maybe today!
I joined the Ravelymics beginning Aug.8 and am currently spinning enough yarn for a sweater. I chose one sweater, now, however, I'm afraid I won't have enough for that one and must choose another or make it in a much smaller size-which means some lucky recipient (namely Pat or one of her girls) will be getting a sweater for Christmas if that is what I do. Not such a bad plan, but I sure do like the colorway of this one. Anyway, along with that, I'm de-stashing by definitely knitting a sweater, the Placed Cable Aran by Cathy Payson in Fall '07 IK, for me with the Blueberry Sidar Wool Crepe yarn that I was gifted by RoseQueen. It's such a treat to knit with-I didn't want to put it down last night~ Also on the knitting front, I knit a cowl of handspun for Elaine and will knit mitts to go with it. It's in the purple/blue handspun I made from one of my first Ugly Batts-which isn't ugly at all-it's gorgeous!
Tom and I are leaving Thursday for the Highland Games in Boone! I am so excited!! This will be his first BIG GAMES experience. I do hope the attendance won't be down too much due to the price of gasoline, but I fear it might-I'm having to spend all my spending money on gas this year, but it will be worth it! We got the good tickets-park in the Meadow, get into the Sponsor Tent, etc. I just don't see having to suffer the heat and all that at my age. It'll be nice I hope-then we'll also get to tool around the Blue Ridge and take photos and such and dream of retirement-because this is where I want to retire!
Now, I'm off to pop a cake in the oven for Tom's critique meeting tonight and then I will settle in to some knitting before I get myself ready to meet friends for dinner this evening!

I've Been Busy With The Etsy Shop

Can't believe how busy I've been with this shop and with spinning for the shop! I'm slowly but surely learning the ins and outs. I've got to change some of the photos out for better ones-it will take time but now that I've got a light box, they will look much better! I do wish that I could devote more time to all of this-the spinning, knitting and working on the shop. Anyway, I do believe once I get it looking good the business will pick up and I will make a sale. I get such good feedback from my friends at Ravelry too-it's a great site!

On the spinning side, I've just mailed off a box of Llama fleece to Brenda for processing. I am so excited to get that back and begin spinning it. I've still got Babydoll wool to spin as well as other roving in the stash, which includes, but is not limited to 2 pounds of Merino, 2 pounds of Corriedale and several other dyed rovings of at least 4 ounces each. Basically, I've got enough stash to see me through the Winter without buying (or inheriting) anything else...but I know that's just being practical-there's no way I'm not going to get more stash! It's almost a necessity now. You just never know what might confront you. I mean, what was I to do when the free Babydoll presented itself to me? Then, how about the Llama? It was free-I was obligated, right? I love it all-I had to.

Summer is upon us and Tom and I will soon be on the road-even with gas prices as high as they are (cringe)-for NC and the Highland Games. It will be our only trip this Summer as I must be back at school at the end of July. I am so looking foreward to it-and Tom is going to love it I know! Perfect place for him to get some great photos.

So now, back to spinning..or is it knitting? Since today is KIP day, perhaps it's knitting. I'm making a cabled cowl neckwarmer from some hand dyed, handspun Merino-my own spinning. It's sooooo lovely and soft. It's making means that I will need a new Winter coat to accessorize it with! :D

Visiting Lialiane's Farm

On Sunday (last) Tom and I went to visit Liliane Grant at her farm in Dallas, Ga.
Liliane is the very lovely and generous owner of Llamas of Atlanta. She not only raises the most beautiful Llamas on her farm, but Babydoll Sheep and Great Pyrenees dogs as well. The farm is just so lovely...although it is quite "out in the country"! There is a gorgeous stream running through and it's just one of the most peaceful places I have been in a long, long time.

Liliane was so gracious and generous on our visit. She gave me...yes "GAVE"...4 large trash bags full of Babydoll fleece-both white and brown. She also has promised me the Llama's shearings as well once they are done!!! I am in total shock still...can you imagine??? Free Llama and wool?? I am so grateful! Her animals are so beautiful too...well, just take a look at those babies!! Are they not all just too adorable?

Tom and I had a great time! I'm going to take Shannen with me next time and I have some friends who want to go too!

I've Become Habetrot!!!

I am so addicted to spinning I feel like the old girl herself! Hopefully I'm not as ugly as she was supposed to be, but I could spin all day and night like she did! It's so funny, but several years ago, before I ever thought I would want to spin or learn to spin, I illustrated the story Habetrot for a children's book of Celtic Faery Tales. Little did I know....
To illustrate how bad I am about spinning-Last night I woke up and went to my studio to spin because I realized I had the makings of some Lindsey Woolsey!!! I spun up a length of it and I am so pleased with it. I had a whole bag of flax and wasn't sure what I was going to do with it, but now I know. It appears to be a very strong thread and I will most likely ply it with itself for some summer weight yarn. I spun the sample with Corriedale. I'll post pics of all of this later on.

Today Tom and and I went to Lilian Grant's farm. It's soooooooo beautiful there! She raises sheep and Llamas and Great Pyrenees pups. She gave me 4 garbage bags full of sheep wool and said that if I want the Llama wool I can have it too (once they are sheared)!!!!! I am in awe of her generosity! She says she throws the stuff out...I say don't waste it-give it to me!!!! The sheep I'm totally in love with!! They're Babydoll Sheep and they are so sweet-they will let you pet them and they're not shy at all! I want two!!!! Tom took lots of pics so I will post those later as well. My mind is reeling with spinning ideas for all this free wool!!! Hoping to get it processed somewhere then get the roving back for spinning!