Snarled Yarns

525,600 minutes

2008-11-01T20:34:00.001-07:00

How do you measure, measure a year? How about Love? How about Love? How about Love? (Rent- the movie)

Today is the 1 year anniversary of my moving out of J's house. I am divorced, jobless and in possession of my two girls.

I am also the happiest most content I have ever been in my entire life. I smile and laugh more, Not just in frequency but I smile and laugh with my whole mouth. My heart and soul are light, my spirit is free and I am exactly where I am supposed to be. Why?
Because God loves me. I have submitted and committed myself to him with all of my heart. I asked him to help me, I asked him to heal me. I asked him to guide me and teach me. He asked me to do some hard things. Divorce, quit my job, and then the hardest..Trust him.

But it has been an amazing year and God has responded to my cries. I fought him, I fought myself and I fight society every day. But He knows me and plans ahead. He kept every promise he has made me. The ones He showed me that are in store for the future are so wonderful I know He will keep them too. I love him with all of my heart.

If you haven't found him, or haven't found him with everything good and bad that is in you, stop waiting, stop searching, stop hiding. Go to Him. I promise on my heart and soul, it will be worth it.

Good night, and God bless.

Tonya

It fits!

2008-10-30T14:25:00.000-07:00

It has been over a month since I posted and I'm sure no one reads this anymore.
But Today I tried on a halter top I've been knitting and it fits. Wow I mean it should right? But no pattern. Just me, a measuring tape, a vague idea of what it should look like, and how to make one...and it fits. (Thank you Lord and we look good together.) There is only one thing. It was intended to fit over another shirt but it fits so well that's not gonna happen. I will have to block it after I seam it and put on some finishing touches. It would look better over Quisha's clothes but it's very suggestive with a V neckband a fly away waist.
The yarn is merino silk blend and it only took 2 balls (not even) of sport weight on size 5 or 7 needles. Wow I gotta go look at the interweave submission site.
Toodles!

Ain't that peculiar!

2008-09-20T13:32:00.000-07:00

Peculiar as can be.

I have learned to knit without looking. So now I knit and watch TV or knit and read at the same time.
It's eerie.
I have not been spinning much. Fall weather went away last weekend and the desire to spin went with it. I have started knitting a double domed cap. White brim and dome 1. Still haven't figured out what the second one will be. Some random ideas in that direction: using the dishcloth patterns to put designs on your caps. 2 caps, two designs.

I want to knit a dragonfly baby blanket. But I have no baby to give it to.(Of course I still want one of my own, a boy to give it to.)

Speaking of more children, I had a dream (several) of being pregnant one more time. I'm still hoping, but a man in the making needs a man to make him. I'm surrounded by boys, guys and overgrown children. I have been dreaming of past males lately but those are more upsetting than informative.

Anyway I have figured out the gansey pattern I want to make. It has the intertwining trees pattern from lion brand on the tummy framed on top and bottom by bands of garter stitch. There are cables on either side of the chest and a set of stacked garter stitch diamonds in the center. The sleeves have diamond shaped cables running down the top to the elbow.
There are false seams, gussets, and welts, and the channel island cast on. It will be a nice creamy white and a beautiful sweater.(Now if I could just find a man to fit it.)

It's gonna be a long singlehood. I'm filing the papers next Thursday so technically my single hood hasn't even started. J however has started dating which is good for him. I am not taking that route again. This time I will let God choose.

Oh my dreams

2008-08-28T04:43:00.000-07:00

Are never quite as it seems, never quite as it seems. They'll come true, impossible not to do, Impossible not to do. Cranberries-Dreams

How do dreams come alive? Only with the help of God. If you have ever watched the movie Evan All mighty, you will know what I'm saying. From a hobby cam another hobby. From two hobbies came an obsession. From there a dream resurfaced that I had since I was a child. From that and learning to walk with God, the dream is coming as a reality.

Since the change in my life started I have been asking people," What did you dream about doing when you were young? Then I asked them, "Why didn't you do that?" The dreams we had when we were young is the calling of our hearts. People become afraid as they grow up to follow that dream and trade their passions for safety and acceptance, money, security and control. But what does it matter if you gain the world and lose your soul?

It's hard to take that path. You will loose things and people that you thought mattered. People might laugh at you, give you every reason not to. It might not work, and all those who told you so will seem to be right. But walk with God and look at it as an adventure. Trying and failing is truly better than not trying at all. Of course God can not fail, so how can you?

Lifting me Higher

2008-08-22T16:57:00.000-07:00

I have a Job, I have my kids, I am free and forgiven. Gods love has lifted me higher!
Independence Mall
Something I want to be able to draw, but a nice view don't cha think?

The Mamba

Worlds of fun Gospel choir
Worlds of Fun Antique cars

I have been spinning and knitting. I'm working on a vest for the youngest. Heather is is now in HONORS Orchestra and has become a bonafide crossing guard!

Quisha has blown the school out of the water taking HONORS chemistry, algebra one choir, Swim team and drama.

The lord is good to my family.

Here is today's muppet news flash

2008-08-03T06:03:00.001-07:00

We have a job. We are moving along with life. Most of our friends are good. Except one whose grandbaby died last Sunday, by falling out of a car. Please pray for her and the child's mother.

School starts soon, Quisha Heather and I are getting ready. Quisha will be in 10th , Heather will be in fifth, and I will be....frantic but proud.

The church and I went to KC last weekend. It was a blast! We went to the Peachtree restaurant for good soulfood, then to Independence mall for some shopping, and ended our trip at Worlds of Fun! There was a gospel concert that night and a sleepy ride home to follow.
I even got to watch several movies I had never seen before: Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns, The Great Debaters, and First Sunday. All pretty cool.

Quisha and I made snicker doodles (sorta) Thursday while watching 10000 BC. I finally got in the pool and went swimming. I haven't done this in years. But since my situation has changed and many other things as well, I have re learned how to enjoy it.

On the knitting and spinning front, I started knitting a bag of white wool. Just a small 6 by 6. I need to get back to knitting shawls. They are so useful at work over a tank top. I have one in grey and autumn red, as well as a velvet one in a deep blue purple. But I need black white, blue, and brown. I also need some inspired patterns to go in them. I like plain stockinette but it gets old when your skills are way beyond that. Simple lace patterns are two simple and complex ones you can't take everywhere. Quisha is still working on her caplet. Coming along well with enough yarn to finish. My baby tulip cardigan is a disaster, it came out way too big and short in the body. I may just have to see if it fits someone I know. I have got to get a grip on my dimensions. I'm 5'6" 125 lbs and just not as wide and way longer than I think. I've only managed to make 1 sweater so far that actually fit me and I don't like it cause the yarn sheds. Good grief!

Spinning continues (but now only on one wheel since I gave my Schacht away) on my corriedale alpaca blend at 50/50. I now have 2 oz spun up at a worsted weight. Shawl? Maybe, I was thinking more of a jacket, but the yarn is too soft. Maybe a blanket for the winter. Maybe a present for a friend.
I may give my 8 harness loom away too. If any one wants it just holler.

Anyway life continues apace, my spiritual life has been growing in unexpected directions. I can tell my self esteem is changing as many habits I had, have been given up. I'm not sure when that happened but it's been growing for a while now. Purging anger at people I had long since forgotten about. It is so unexpected that I am shocked at the reactions after all this time, But I ask God to come and heal me at this memory and he washes away the anger and the hurt. I've also been learning that you really can ask God for your hearts desire, and that religion can be a hindrance to the journey. Sometimes the church gives people the wrong message, stay busy, become morally and spiritually pure, be humble and don't ask God for anything you want because wants get you in trouble. Jesus asked many people What is it you want? Most were sick, someone they loved was sick, or were infirm or nuts. Jesus healed them all and forgave their sins. But still we miss the point of the question, or maybe it's overshadowed by the condition these people are in. But if you want nothing from God, how can he be involved in your life? If we want nothing from life, why are we living?
Can you tell I have been reading again? John Eldridge is a great writer. But I back up what he writes by reading my bible at night. Jesus tells the disciples on his last night "You may ask me for anything in my name and I will do it." John 14:14
I know next I need to trust God with my more negative feelings doubts and questions. I'm certainly not fooling anyone pretending they don't exist.

Any way I gotta go, have a good one.

Too much time on my hands

2008-07-12T16:41:00.000-07:00

Yes that is a song title. I need to buy stock in Google for the sake of You Tube. OIY!

So now after the banana bread we have moved onto blondies. (since I cannot have chocolate) They are pretty good if a bit sweet. No subbing this time, I just followed the recipe. I must say that my oven bakes faster than the recipe calls for. Usually by 5-10 min. The Pear butter is coming but it will have to wait till tomorrow or something. Thusly as my friends say if you're baking you have too much time on your hands! Speaking of friends, another has been telling me (and proving) It's tuff having friends. So it is Jim. Donna and Jim two of my friends who are quickly becoming favorites gave me these..

On Tuesday and there are about 1/2 of them left now. Who knew eggs came in so many colors! Blue, green, and red brown .

Oh and look what else Donna does...

Isn't she amazing? That's a quilt that started in Africa, then came to America with pieces from Pennsylvania and Plattsmouth

I am almost done with the adult dream in color tulip cardigan. Lots of changes here but since I never bought the pattern I can only guess where they are. The first I think is that I have 8 colors so no repeats, the second is I going to hem the "button band" and the collar. That will take care of the stockinette curl. Photo's when I'm done, I promise. It is a knock out.

This is a yarn tomato. If you don't see it that's fine, I just had to catch it. The thing in the foreground is some of the cardigan.

Inspired by my daughters first project, a need for a dress purse for church, and an upcoming trip to Worlds of Fun, my next project will be a 4X4 white wool bag.Speaking of the oldest, her birthday was thursday. Now she is officially 15. Where did I hide those car keys....

Speaking of church, I have been made secretary for the new Salem Commitment Academy. I am also in charge of organising and planning the final graduation ceremony.(March 2009). I'm not bragging, I'm more going What did I get myself into? But if I can pull off a fiber show, I can do this, God willing.

Today is a beautiful day and I hope you all got to enjoy it. I know I did!

The wilderness

2008-07-10T06:45:00.000-07:00

I was watching a PBS special on David, King of the Israelites and they talked about how the bible has a lot of metaphors in it. I have always tried to look at the bible as a literal work but now here is a deeper meaning. One of the metaphors that struck a chord with me was Moses and the Exodus.
The exodus is a story of life on the path of God. First you are in bondage, slave to all your wants, needs, mistakes, habits, and sins. Yes you may get things out of this stage in life but it is ultimately unsatisfying. You cry out to God to save you. Then you are saved. God brings you out of slavery, darkness, and sin. Usually there is much rejoicing. Next he brings you to the wilderness. Here you will wander for a while. This is the place were LOTs of stuff happens. I often wondered "Now that I'm free, what do I do with the freedom?
1) Learn: about yourself, about God, about the truth.
2) Develop your relationship with God: pray, read the word, go to church, and apply the faith in your life.
3) Heal; the old wounds, the new wounds, purge the lies, trash, and bad habits from your life.
Pretty much what you do is cast off the old you, mentally, physically, spiritually, financially, and socially. Then God replaces them with the you he destined you to be in the first place. Once that happens, God will bring you into your "promised land".

Don't worry more knitting stuff next post with photos!

That's a pretty hairy yarn!

2008-07-07T17:18:00.000-07:00

Over the last couple of days while waiting to become employed, I have been processing the chocolate corriedale fleece I bought from Country Dream acres.
I've learned a lot about washing fine fleeces; like you may have to get them to near boiling temp to keep that grease off, and (boiling does not always felt fleece!) Still plenty of soap. Usually what hasn't come out in the wash came out when I washed the yarn. So now what do I do with it?

This first yarn is a 50/50 blend of fawn alpaca and dark chocolate wool. It is carded: 2'ce each as an alpaca batt and a wool batt then carded 2'ce as an alpaca/wool batt, then split in 1/2 and carded once more. It drafts like a dream since the alpaca and wool are the same staple length. It's Just Hairy! Not scratchy hairy, maybe I should say more fuzzy like mohair. The color is a tweedy medium brow spun at a sport or DK weight when plied. I wonder what it will knit up like? I think just about all of my yarns are destined to be shawls, shrugs, or caps, mittens, scarves, sweaters, throws and occasionally socks. Ah well.

This weekend my oldest and I made banana bread with substitutes. We sub'ed some flour with maple and brown sugar oatmeal, sub'ed some sugar with syrup, sub'ed the butter with oil and left out the baking soda and rice milk. IT WAS STILL GOOD! We used baking powder only but the recipe calls for both. The last batch I made gave me ...gas. I thought it was the butter but....? We also used 2 banana's instead of one and added the Cinnamon and all spice. Wow.

She is also working on a lace capelet she picked off the Internet. That girl knits like a fiend! I'm so proud. (sniff) Hold on, I gotta go hide my stash...
Next weekend I think I will try my hand at pear butter. Yes I said pear, not apple.(I'm allergic) I've checked out the recipe and it looks simple enough. Cook, mash strain. Cook, add spices and sugar, store and spread when cooled.

5 year Tattoo! Have you heard about this? They are in the FDA approval stages now. A needle and ink tattoo that fades out completely in 5 years. I may get one.

Well we'll see how that goes! Stay tuned.

HAPPY 4th!

2008-07-04T04:59:00.001-07:00

My new Store!

2008-07-01T08:58:00.000-07:00

Go check out my Etsy shop! http://SnarledYarns.etsy.com

More photos

2008-07-01T05:56:00.000-07:00

This is it finished and blocked. I gave it to the new Mom to be Sunday and she was thrilled.

Photo's at last

2008-06-29T15:30:00.000-07:00

Quisha's first knitted item, a bag with I cord handles
The finished praying hands blanket, not blocked.

The title was going to be "free at last" in reference to my life after being saved by Jesus, divorce and Job-less -ness. Now I get to spend my time figuring out with all this freedom and options in front of me..what now? I think the reason freedom is scary to people is because there are so many options. But there really aren't. When you are a kid, your heart tugs you to what you were created to do. The problem is finding that again and having the courage to pursue it.
Wish me luck!

Good morning!

2008-06-27T05:44:00.000-07:00

I am now on Ravelry. So there may not be anymore blogposts here.
I was looking through the older posts and noticed the one from Cali and remembered the pink yarn I bought and thought it would be perfect to go with the brown CVM handspun I have. I may wind up knitting a throw after all.

I've been doing a lot of spinning, some Border Leisester lamb in black good for weaving. Some Angora needed plying. The latest is I have been processing the chocolate Corriedale. I tried handcarding it but the rolags weren't great. I may have to drum card it and try again.

I dyed the grey and white Angora a light blue for a smoke ring. I still have a lot of blue dye left so maybe a good sized batch of wool will go in the pot today.

I'm knitting the tulip cardigan and doing the stitching for the baby blanket.

Here is somethings I have learned about working dog problems:
Old English sheep dogs are OCD
Great Pyrs drool and bark at night..A LOT!
Welsh Corgis bark to herd livestock
Australian shepherds are always looking to be the boss.
Border collies are hyperactive (bred for 16 hour workdays)

I think I'll use a different method to herd my sheep. At least till I have too many to move myself.

Consistent heat

2008-06-23T06:05:00.000-07:00

Over the course of my fiber life I have washed many a fleece. Different breeds and categories, longwools medium wools and fine wools. I always shied away from fine wools because I could never get the grease out. Longwools are easier mediums are not so much but still not impossible.
You see I was using the method that goes like this: hot water soap and sit. So many warnings about felting the fleece and not letting the water cool and the grease re deposit. The washer machine made plenty of hot water and could keep it hot for quite a while. Still I had a bit of trouble with my finer medium wools, I would have to wash them several times, rinse and dry them, only to have to wash them again later on. Worse I sometimes just spun the yarn in the grease.YUCK! I tried using more soap, less wool, less sitting times and hotter water to no avail.
So I tried washing some on the stove, (thank you Stephanie) with a fine wool. It turned out ok. By ok I mean it had as much grease left over after 2 washes as one of the medium wools after 1 wash. Ok, so why did that turn out better than the washer machine? I think it's because of the constant heat.

With constant heat the grease never has a chance to resettle. The water temp never cools down, if anything it will increase a bit over time. There is a chance for it to cool off when you drain it and refill the pot but this can be eliminated by a double pot system. (Two pots of water on the stove, one is washing while the other heats water to the same temp, ready for the next stage. When the second pot is in use, the first pot gets dumped, refilled, and heated.)
Some points to remember are that you still need to use enough soap, you may have to open the lock tips in that first wash while the water is still cool, and you can only do so much wool at a time even in a large stock pot. If you plan on dying the wool this a great method because you can go right from washing/rinsing to dying and only have to dry the wool once!

Just a tip.

MY 2007 VW Jetta

2008-06-17T07:55:00.000-07:00

Ok, now I know most of you have seen my blue 2006 V Dub and it was a cool car. Plenty of room, cruise, horses, and safety. There were some soft interior features I didn't like and the stereo was not too hot but it accommodated the whole family comfortably. The seats adjusted, the trunk was deep and long and the seats came down if I needed more room. In fact I moved my stuff and furniture out of my house into my 2 bed apt using just the car.

Not 3 months ago I got a red 2007 with leather interior, sun roof, 6 CD changer, I- pod adapter, satellite radio, as well as all the previous cool stuff from the other car.( Did I mention plenty of horses?) SOMEone asked why I would get this car again when the published gas mileage was so bad. I get 30 MPG on my girl even though what they published was more like mid to high 20's. There is a road stability feature on the car that is kind of like cruise control, in that it keeps the car in the middle of the road in windy times but it sucks more gas! When you turn it off, it greatly improves the gas mileage.(Of course they don't tell you this but...ya know)

Now there are are some downsides to the car. My 2007 would make odd noises when it hit 60 mph for the first time, and if it was cold it was sluggish. My 2008 however doesn't do any of these things. The brakes do get a little grabby and noisy when they are wet. The maintenance can be a little pricey, almost 60.00 per oil change but it only needs 1-2 a year so that's really not an issue.

The biggest reason I got this car and keep getting them is the safety. Go to VW.com and look at the accidents people have walked away from with only a bruise. I have 2 (long legged) children who ride with me and every safety feature ever created is in that car. So there you go!

I'm still here!

2008-06-15T12:59:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the long delay but SO much has been going on. I'm still here, knitting spinning and ...several other things that don't need mentioning.
Safe to say I'm good!

Praying hands wash cloth/baby blanket- baby shower is on the 29th , baby is due in Aug and I'm at 2 ft.Guess which deadline I'm shooting for?

Spinning-spinning corridale wool on the Joy, along with occasional forays into Bunny fur.

Kids-fine, a bit bored with summer, but knitting up a storm, Quisha is making a felted bag and Heather is just knitting. Her stitches are coming along though.

Personal life- still interesting, moved into a 3 bed apt, lost my job, still going to church, knit night and singing in the choir. I have a wedding to go to this weekend and Habitat for humanity starts next weekend. Cool huh?

Movies- I got to see Golden compass, Bee movie, Enchanted, and will soon be seeing The water horse, 300, and my kids are seeing Kung fu panda and spending fathers day with their children. Me? I get A Day!

Well Happy Fathers Day everyone! Enjoy.

It's been a long time...

2008-04-26T12:55:00.000-07:00

"I shouldn't of left you, without a doped beat to step to.." Eric B and Rakim, Micraphone fiend.

Yes here is a quick blog post for you all.
I like many others have been making cabled yarn. I like it so much I have finally settled down to making enough yarn for J's sweater.

The push for the farm has begun in earnest. I have decided on Shetland sheep, picked out a Cub Garden tractor and settled on 5 acres but more wouldn't be a problem. Now if I could pick a state and find a plot...

Knitting has taken a turn for the spring. I'm still working on the baby blanket for our family friends. At 8 stitches to the inch I will be knitting all the way to August. Quisha's sweater is at a standstill and the kids sweaters will be vests from now on.

Work is progressing, I'm still having some feast or famine issues but such is life.

Gardening has taken the place of major knitting. I need to move my one rhoddie bush, replace it with a rose and replace the white rose that died. I also need 4 new hostas for the tree in the back and 3 -5 new annuals for the south garden. Everything else is coming up just fine, I laid down some daisy and wildflower seed last week we will see if any of those come up.

One of my "interest Farms " looks like its gone out of business. Tongue River Farm's owner is ill to the point they have dispersed her flock. It was a one woman operation and so it no longer is.
They have my sympathies.

TV: Dr Who, Torchwood, Moonlight and TD Jakes. Soon it will be Eureka, Saving Grace, and who knows what else.
Movies: We are going to see the Spiderwik Chronicles tonight on Imax.

The prodigal blogger

2008-03-22T17:34:00.000-07:00

Ok it’s been a long long while.
Spinning
I’ve finished the spinning of the colonial top in green, washed and plied it. It takes a size 10 needle but can take a 7 if I need a tighter stitch. I’ve been knitting gauge swatches in stockinette garter seed moss and twill.
I’ve also learned how to knit pleats.
Now I am spinning Angora I'm done with the grey and on to the white.
Knitting
The praying hands baby blanket is almost done with stage one. I am 20 rows from completing the center piece. Then I will pick up all around it and knit out a square blanket with increases in the corners.

Quisha’s sweater is down to its sleeve and collar. I have to pick out buttons and knit the color/button band and finish ¼ of the sleeve.

I am knitting a skirt for summer out of Katrina A bouncy yarn with great drape. I am doing the hem on thirteen’s then the leg on 10.5’s and finally the hip and upper thigh on 7’s or 8’s

The lace shawl is continuing slowly. It has no deadline.

The socks are at a halt and probably will be frogged. I don’t like the stiffness of the sock. Then I get to re knit it on size 3’s. (Like the original pair of bed socks.) Thinner sock yarns like cottons will be put on 2’s.

Drawing
I have decided I don’t like the drawing class and I have picked out my drawing Goal. I am at the stage were I can draw roughs, working or flat drawings but need more skill to get to the drawing I would use to show to someone in the fashion industry.
Fashion
I have been keeping up with the fashion/color trends in knitting and weaving up to summer 2009. The hand knit scene is scheduled to phase out by then. Fashion is defiantly heading for a more feminine fitted look aiming for elegance and luxury. Think 40’s and 50’s. Bulky knits and yarns are going away. The colors continue to be optimistic getting brighter and lighter. Brown looks as if it will be the new black for the next 2 years.
Blends for fiber combining lightweight and luxury like cashmere and superfine wool are becoming more prevalent and the slant is blending with the new ecological fibers such as milk, bamboo, soy, and tencel.
Weaving is growing, though slowly. I saw many of the Handwoven looks out there in the new optimistic colors still finely tailored but maintaining the handwoven look.

Spin in
The second Saturday in April, the 12th, I will be hosting a spin in at my apt. I haven’t seen many of you for quite a while so here is a chance to get you all together. Minnie tell the girls! I will also be having the Omaha spinners there and my friends from the Fremont guild are invited too.

Well gotta go,
Toodles!

Inch by inch, row by row

2008-02-20T15:04:00.000-08:00

How do I make this knitting grow? Figured gauge by stitch and row and now I find I'm off!

Oh yeah, I have a great idea to take the praying hands washcloth and use it as the center of a baby blanket. Problem is I'm using baby weight yarn instead of the worsted weight cotton and there is no gauge on the pattern and it calls for a 4.5 needle. (US or Metric?) So here I did a swatch and figured it at 6 rows per inch and 6 st per inch for a 8x8 square.

My gauge is right stitch wise but wrong row wise, so I've made 11 rows to 1 inch. at this rate the "square" will be 7.5 inch wide and 6 inches tall

So I can up my needle size to a size 7.

I can adjust the pattern so that the motif is in the middle of an 8 inch square.

I can just continue on in knitting denial.

I will start over on size 7's.

Oh and MY BAPTISM IS TOMORROW!

Toodles!

I'm Back!

2008-01-27T11:24:00.000-08:00

Back from Cali. It was ok. I have some photos. It rained alot while we were there and mostly we just worked. The population in order was: Caucation, Hispanic, Asian.

I joined my church as a member this morning(Jan 26). I get baptised this month(Feb 24).

J and I picked up some art supplies and some books and have been drawing over the last few days. I've been doing some fashion drawings but I haven't picked up a theme yet. It seems to be mainly business casual and evening wear. The focus is elegance. My best two drawing have been inspired by flowers. (Maybe my theme has been picked out?)

Yesterday we went to the Joslyn and found that they offer lots of art classes for cheap! We will be taking one probably this summer.

Well enough yacking, how about some photos?

These are all photos of the mountaniuns surounding us. We were in the Anahiem/ Santa Anna area, and some of these were as we were heading up to Chino . The Yarnstore was in a place called Anaheim Hills.

And I suppose you are wondering what I got here! Well I'll tell you but photos for another day.

4 skeins of white fingering weight superwash wool, (baby blanket) 11 oz of copper brown wool roving, (??) 4 skeins of lilac worsted weight wool yarn (garter stich vest) and a mug (Hot chocolate!).

Last but not least I have still been getting calls about the show. We may wind up doing one next year.

Toodles!

Goin' back to Cali

2008-01-20T11:20:00.000-08:00

Alright, I've never been there but I'm going to Anaheim Cal for a week sponsored by the ever useful company I work for. So I won't be about for a while. I was reading the Knitting Curmudgeon and her topic about Knitting audio books. I think they might be a good idea for some books, but not others that you buy for the patterns/projects. I just bought The golden Compass on audio from I tunes(cheaper). I'll discuss it later.

Speaking of Projects we are having an on the needles count and I am at 4:

One set of wool nylon socks on size 2 dpn's with the afterthought heel as the learning spot. I need to finish the toes and make the heels.

One baby blue sweater with the white stranded snowflakes as the learning spot. I'm working on the sleeves, I've got the collar and the button closure to go.

One lace shawl in knit picks bare lace weight merino. I've got that one packed for the trip and 3/4 of the shawl to knit.

The gift baby blanket. EZ's square shawl from February baby things in the knitters almanac. Knit in grey...now normally I would say I need to go buy some yarn cause grey for a baby is not good, so it may be mine and I've got 7 mos to go before the baby is born. Frankly I don't want grey either, maybe red.... something. This one doesn't count yet since it's not on yet.

Love to everyone and I'll have lots of photos.
Toodles

Fiber Festival

2008-01-13T15:20:00.000-08:00

I've been getting a couple of e mails and phone calls asking if I'm running a fiber festival for 2008. No Unfortunatly I'm not. Personal issues and lack of funding have made it not feasable.
I'm sorry I was realy looking forward to putting another one on.

I had the Sarpy county fairgrounds picked out, the buildings were both heated and cooled and there was space for live stock. They wanted 1800 per day for 3 days and 2 buildings and the stalls. Advertising needs to be in to Interweave Press by Oct or Nov to run in Dec/Jan issues, this is $50.00 per run per magazine for the classifieds. I had a food vendor set up but no one to donate the lamb. There still was the issue of vendors, fees, teachers, classes, and such that did not get dealt with. I had a lead on $8ooo.00 but I'm not a member of this certain group and they had a change of leadership just when I was about to join and ask. (That and how tacky is it to join a group and ask them for money all in one breath?)

We may try for next year when things aren't so weird. But we need to get started in June. So those of you who would like to be involved, please let me know.

Happy New Year

2007-12-30T11:38:00.000-08:00

Those of us who remember Frosty the Snowman the TV special will get this reference.
Have a happy to you all and I hope your End of December religious festival went well.

Knitting and spinning continue though more spinning than knitting. I can thank the Yarn harlot for saving my tube socks. I tried them on and I don't like them. I will be putting in afterthought heels in them.

I continue to attend church(does anyone else weep at the sound of a perfect chord?) and grow in faith. Wish me luck I'm trying to accomplish something.

The farm hunting also is still going. I saw one in MO that was so beautifully I just stared at it. Not at all what I thought I wanted, but still so beautiful.

I also have a cold, and so does everyone else. My husband and I are cooking new dishes. We made spicy Moroccan lamb last night and it was a HIT! J does not like to eat lamb but has found that cooking it different makes it worth the eating. (Phase 2 of the Farm plan complete MWahahah!) The biscottie was good but I won't make it again for a while, it takes too long to eat.

Last but not least...all Hail You Tube! I could spend hours on that site like most knitters spend on Ravelry. Last night I got to hear music from my first instrumental techno band Art Of Noise. I miss their music, and thought no one else had ever heard of them. This thing is better then the radio cause you can hear all your favorite songs (up to a certain point in time) no commercials and no waiting.speaking of which...
Toodles!

Merry Chistmas

2007-12-25T08:24:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas to one and all and may God shelter us in his mercy. May he lead us on a path of his choosing to the destiny he has laid out for us. May it come to fruitition.

I hope that this finds you all better today than yesterday, and better tomorrow than today.
Blessed be, Amen.